02 Dec 7 Things to Consider Before Renovating Your Kitchen
Kitchen renovations are some of the most labor-intensive and costly changes you can make to your home – but they can also be the most rewarding. There are a number of things you should keep in mind before starting a kitchen renovation project – we’re going to go over seven of them, to better prepare you for the renovation process:
What’s the Purpose of Your Renovation?
Is this renovation for you, or is it to increase the value of your home because you’re planning to sell it? These two goals are most certainly not one and the same – when you’re renovating for yourself, you can go wild with colors and designs, creating your dream kitchen. Conversely, when you’re trying to sell, you’re better off keeping things more conservative.
Understanding why you’re renovating has an impact on everything, from your budget to your schedule – when you plan on selling, you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, and you’ll often want to keep the schedule as compact as possible. When you’re going to keep your home, on the other hand, the same ROI calculations aren’t as relevant, and if things drag on a bit, it’s not the end of the world (though for most of us, a tight schedule is still preferable).
Do You Know Your Contractor?
There are so many horror stories about contractors who don’t complete work – contractors who take your money, spend it all, and go bankrupt. There are few experiences more infuriating than getting ripped off during a renovation.
Do your research. Look at reviews. Get a referral, and talk to the people who have worked with the contractor before. Do a deep dive – this step is one of the most important, and the work you put in upfront will be paid back in kind.
What’s Your Budget?
Your budget is, of course, going to be your biggest bottleneck. You’ll budget very differently, however, depending on the goal of your renovation.
For personal renovations, it’s best not to go into debt. Rate what you want to renovate from must-have to nice-but-not-necessary. You should consider the ROI you can get from energy efficient appliances, which may cost more upfront but can pay themselves off in the long run. You’ll also want to look at government programs that incentivize you to buy green.
Figure out how much you’re willing to spend, and then invest in your must-haves first – from there, you can fill in the rest of the budget with non-essentials of varying costs. A new coat of paint is a great example – inexpensive and in many cases, non-essential and relatively easy to squeeze into a budget.
For those planning on selling, it’s all about ROI. Figure out which renovations are most likely to net you money. It’s okay to take on a certain amount of debt here (if you’re financially comfortable with that), as long as your expected ROI is greater than the amount you spend + the interest on your debt. This type of budget makes it especially important to stay on schedule, because the longer it’s delayed, the more interest you’ll have to pay.
What’s Your Schedule?
We’ve touched on this a couple of times at this point – scheduling is very different depending on whether you’re looking to sell or keep your home. In either case, there are a few things to remember:
- Have all of the budgeting and design work done before the contractor starts working.
- Procure all of the necessary items before the contractor starts working.
- Consider setting up a temporary kitchen while work is being done.
- Plan for what you’ll do in best and worst-case scenarios (no delays versus lots of delays).
Keep it Functional
While designing your kitchen, keeping dimensions in mind is key. Workflow in a kitchen is dominated by the kitchen triangle: your stove, your refrigerator, and your sink, and the space between them. You want flow between these appliances and the fixtures to be relatively unimpeded – you need to be able to draw straight lines between the three with no obstructions.
You’ll also want to consider how appliances like the stove or dishwasher being open can block a space, as well as where you’ll store things (cabinets to the ceiling can be a very good idea).
Think about Permits
One of the reasons it’s so important to find a good contractor is that city permits and by-laws can be exhausting to navigate. They’re also essential to think about.
Whether you plan on selling your house or living in it, not getting proper permits can be a big risk. You may need a home plumbing inspection, electrical inspection, or simply need permits to knock down and rebuild walls. Make sure you research and obtain all of the appropriate permits before work starts.
What About an Interior Designer?
From choosing paint colors to helping you pick out the right light fixtures and cabinets, interior designers do it all. For those looking to sell their homes, they can help you better understand how to design your kitchen for maximum resale value.
Those who are looking to stay in their homes for some time might find even more value in hiring an interior designer – they can help you bring your dreams to life. From your favorite colors to incorporating your dream island, they’ll take your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences into account while creating something truly magical and functional.
By taking the above seven things into account before you renovate your kitchen, you’ll be better equipped to finish your project on time and on budget. What’s more, the renovations will perfectly suit your specific needs. Putting in some extra effort before the physical work begins will noticeably pay off!
When you’re ready to start your Hill Country kitchen renovation, be sure to contact the professionals at CMW General Contractors. We do everything from small-scale remodels to full-blown renovations and custom builds. Let our team give you the kitchen space you’ve always dreamed of!