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Kitchen

8 min read

KITCHEN RENOVATION: Things to Take Into Consideration | Renovation Quotes

Kitchen

8 min read

KITCHEN RENOVATION: Things to Take Into Consideration | Renovation Quotes

KitchenKITCHEN RENOVATION: Things to Take Into Consideration | Renovation Quotes

The kitchen is often one of the first areas that people want to renovate in their homes. Since that part of the house gets a lot of foot traffic, but is also used constantly, any renovation project aimed at improving it has to be perfectly—or nearly so— planned out to suit everyone’s needs. Here’s our guide to making your project a breeze!

Basic Steps to a Kitchen Renovation Project

cozy kitchen

Source: Pinimg

Here are the main steps of a kitchen renovation project (when working with a renovation contractor):

  • Determine your needs (layout, types of materials, ergonomics...).

  • Have a general idea of ​​your budget (this can be reworked later).

  • If you want to work with an interior designer, meet with them to kick off the project.

  • Get in touch with kitchen renovation contractors to receive quotes.

  • Choose the kitchen plan that you like and sign the contract with the contractor(s).

  • Select and purchase materials (cabinet doors, countertops, backsplash, flooring, structures, plumbing, light fixtures, and more).

  • Prepare the space (if necessary).

  • Jumpstart the work, which will generally take between 3 and 8 weeks (or up to 4 months), depending on the size of the room and the complexity of the work.

  • Clean the area (you can ask the contractor to handle it or hire a team to do it for you).

How long does a kitchen renovation project take?

On average, this type of project can last from 3 weeks to 4 months. There are a lot of factors to take into account for this type of transformation, including whether you need to demolish the old kitchen beforehand, if some elements will be kept or if the kitchen will be built in a space that didn't previously host a kitchen (meaning that plumbing and electricity will need to be adapted accordingly).

This amount of time accounts for planning, the period of time devoted to purchases and the duration of the work as such. It's often a big project that can't be started on a whim. If you decide to do the work yourself and have little experience in the area, it could take even longer.

How to Organize Your Kitchen Renovation Project

kitchen renovation

Source: Unsplash

The needs of the occupants of the house will in some way dictate the type of renovation that will be carried out. The number of people living in the home, their daily habits, whether or not they like to cook, and if a specific disposition is needed (if a person has a disability, for example), etc.

Try to write down what you do in the kitchen over the course of a week. This will allow you to better determine whether it’s necessary to invest in more storage for all the pots and pans, or if you need to increase the square footage or install a kitchen island in the middle of the room where the kids to do their homework.

Maybe you'd like a dedicated space to pin important messages like a bulletin board? Or a spot with power outlets to charge phones? And for that matter, perhaps you'd like to include more lighting? These elements must be taken into consideration. Once you’ve established this list, it’ll be easier to organize your project.

In other words, what drove you to undertake such work in your current kitchen? Why does it no longer suit your needs? These are simple questions that have very important answers!

Budgeting Your Kitchen Renovation Project

Saying it once just doesn’t seem to be enough, but your budget will also impact the work and the way everything will be done. If you’re hesitating between different kitchen flooring, or between different models of cabinets, yes, the aesthetic aspect can be the determining factor, but costs shouldn't be underestimated.

To properly define your budget, nothing is better than being adequately prepared and researching…

Here are some tools and articles that can help you get an idea of ​​the budget you’ll need to devote to your kitchen renovation:

Preparation: Key to a Successful Kitchen Renovation

Home decor magazines, websites, and interior design services... There are many resources from which to find ideas and thus give shape to your renovation project, and achieve a dream kitchen that is both practical and beautiful.

Read magazines and browse the Internet. As soon as you find a reference of a kitchen that you like, keep it preciously stored in a dedicated folder. In the end, you’ll be able to bring out all that you’ve saved and see if there’s a way to include what charmed you the most in your kitchen.

However, beware! While some kitchens look great in magazines and would be very pretty in your home, they may not meet your needs and those of your family. Even if an installation is aesthetically pleasing in a magazine, it may not be practical for everyday life. Get inspired by what you see in magazines, but don't mirror it to a T.

Finding Decor & Layout Ideas for Your Kitchen

Source: Unsplash

Websites like Pinterest are filled with images that make you want to renovate your whole house. You could find simple ideas that are easy to replicate and that’ll stick with your guests.

Also, when shopping in department stores, paint stores, or any other type of hardware store, if you see something you like, try to get a sample. Who among us has never kept a paint sample?

Once you've made a list of all your ideas, you can always get in touch with an interior designer who’ll be able to tell you if you left something out. For a few hundred dollars, their help can turn out to be very useful and help the prep work move along prior to the renovation contractors undertaking the work.

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Finding a Kitchen Renovation Contractor

kitchen sink and backsplash

Source: Unsplash

Next, you can start looking for a contractor who’ll be responsible for your renovation project. Although some things can be done by you or a crafty friend, others must be carried out by a professional. By hiring a kitchen renovation expert, you’ll have the added guarantee that the work will be done expertly.

That way, you’ll avoid having to tear down what wasn’t done correctly to only start over again. Renovation work is expensive, so it’s better to pay once for quality work, instead of twice because the work wasn’t carried out properly the first time around.

You can also show your contractor the inspiration scrapbook you’ve put together along the way. If they’re good at what they do, they’ll be able to work with you throughout the process, so the results end up meeting your expectations.

Appliances, Plumbing, Flooring, and More!

Source: Canva

Are you planning to change your appliances and your plumbing during the renovation process? If so, pay close attention when reading the following.

When shopping around department stores, one specific fridge can catch our eye. You immediately feel it would be perfect in your kitchen. It seems so perfect that you already see yourself coming back from the grocery store and stocking your fridge.

However, measure it before you buy it! Instore, it can seem perfect, but in your kitchen, it may be otherwise. It might be too big or too small. It’s best to check instead of being faced with a negative outcome. The same goes for cabinets, countertops, kitchen islands, and plumbing pipes. If you change your sink, you’ll have to check that the plumbing fits too.

Measure, Measure, and Measure: Construction Materials and Sizes

You’ll be better off measuring things twice instead of only once to ensure that everything truly fits inside your kitchen. This will save you a lot of time, especially wisely choosing appliances and plumbing fixtures from the get-go.

With regard to flooring, several options are available: ceramic, stone, wood, linoleum, etc. It’s not for a lack of choice! It all depends on the way you tend to use your kitchen. If you love cooking and spend a lot of time in there, opt for softer materials, like wood or bamboo. These flooring options will be more comfortable over long periods of time spent on your feet.

Ceramics and stone, though very resistant, will be much less convenient for situations where you have to spend a lot of time on your feet. Therefore, your daily habits will guide your choices.

Plumbing and Electricity

If you’re thinking about taking this opportunity to update your sink and the plumbing to which it’s connected, choose a spout that will meet your needs. For example, if you have to wash large pots and pans regularly, you should choose a higher faucet or pull-out model to make things easier.

In terms of lighting, you have to try to determine your exact needs. Make sure that you have more than one source of light in your kitchen, and that they’re all strategically placed around the room. You can install enclosed lights under your cabinets, which will be perfect for lighting your countertops. However, it’s also a good idea to set up a main source of light over the kitchen island, if you have one.

This may seem obvious but it’s easier to plan these things out from the get-go and take advantage of the fact that the contractor can open up the walls to install the wiring. Once the walls are finished and covered with a fresh coat of paint, it’s too late to start thinking about installing this type of lighting system.

As for countertops, they should be installed before the new flooring, to avoid scratching the surfaces.

Note: Even though proper planning can help establish an idea of how much the kitchen renovation project will end up costing, it’s still encouraged that you set aside about 10% to 15% of the total amount for unplanned expenses.

To see examples of kitchen renovation projects carried out by professional contractors affiliated with RenoQuotes.com, check our article 10 Examples of Kitchen Renovation Projects

We suggest that you check out our Kitchen Renovation Checklist, since it features a helpful document to organize your project. 

Cover image source: Pixabay

Get 3 quotes for your kitchen renovation project

RenoQuotes.com can help you find a trustworthy contractor for your kitchen renovation project. By submitting your project, we’ll be able to put you in contact with the best companies in our network. Fill in the form on the homepage (it only takes a few minutes) and you will be contacted by trusted home renovation specialists.

Dial 1-844 828-1588 to speak with one of our customer service representatives.

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Last modified 2023-11-07


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