A Kitchen Renovation: What to Expect

by S. B. Wagner

For most, a kitchen renovation is a long anticipated project – not surprising, since it is often considered the heart of the home where we spend valuable time with our families, entertain a house full of guests, or just enjoy the art of cooking. The excitement of creating a beautiful space is often accompanied with the fear of the unknown, as well as just the shear dread of dealing with a messy renovation. As a designer, it is not uncommon that my initial consultation consists of reassuring the client that they are not expected to know everything about design, product performance or construction and that it is my responsibility to guide them through the project, providing them with the insight and information to make wise choices and decisions.

As with many other endeavors, it is always best to tackle a renovation in an organized manner, which can be broken down into the following phases:

Step One Planning

This phase often requires some preliminary decisions you will need to make on your own. One of the most important details you will need to consider is how much you are willing or capable of allotting towards the For most, a kitchen renovation is a long anticipated project – not surprising, since it is often considered the heart of the home where we spend valuable time with our families, entertain a house full of guests, or just enjoy the art of cooking. The excitement of creating a beautiful space is often accompanied with the fear of the unknown, as well as just the shear dread of dealing with a messy renovation. As a designer, it is not uncommon that my initial consultation consists of reassuring the client that they are not expected to know everything about design, product performance or construction and that it is my responsibility to guide them through the project, providing them with the insight and information to make wise choices and decisions. project. A budget is needed to ensure you are not spending more than your means, and more importantly, it can dictate the extent of the renovation. This is also the phase where you will compile images of kitchens you like and products you may want to incorporate in your renovation. Creating a file with images of kitchens or finishes that are appealing to you will help determine your overall style – modern, traditional, country, cottage, transitional or even eclectic.

Step Two Sourcing a designer / professional

The day has now come when you are ready to move forward with your renovation and you will need to determine who you will entrust with your project. This is when you can research a company’s BBB rating, testimonials posted online by satisfied customers or just good old word of mouth. A good design-build company will offer a range of products in varying styles and price-points, and will offer life size vignettes allowing you to “kick the tires.”

Step Three Layout

One of the most important aspects of a good kitchen is the layout. Is it efficient, is it functional, and does it meet your family’s needs? If budget allows, this is where you can add valuable square footage to the space. Maybe you just need to move a few appliances for better flow or maybe the existing layout works just fine. Whatever your needs may be, this step will set the foundation of a great kitchen. Once a solid layout has been A Kitchen Renovation: What to Expect S. B. Wagner 12 13 determined, you are now ready to move onto the exciting part – features and finishes.

Step Four Features and finishes

Now that you and your designer have finalized your layout, it is time to decide how you want each zone configured and what features you are not willing to live without. Most homeowners are also considering their future and are looking to add features that will not only be convenient today, but will be necessary in years to come. Once you have determined how many bells and whistles you will incorporate into your design, it is time to make the following finish selections: Cabinet style, wood species, and finish Countertop material Backsplash material and design Flooring material Appliances Faucet and cabinet hardware Paint colors Lighting Etc.

Step Five Pricing and contract

Now that you have a final layout and finish schedule, you are ready to get precise pricing for your renovation. Your proposal should clearly state the scope of work, finishes included, lead times, as well as the required payment schedule. Once you have reviewed the proposal and have decided to move forward with a contract, your designer will provide a project start date and anticipated timeline

Step Six Pre Construction

Your start date is soon to arrive and it is now time to ensure the space is ready for demolition. This is usually the best time to purge, donate and sort your kitchen items, which will simplify organizing your new kitchen. Make sure to mark any cabinets you plan to reuse in another room and determine an efficient path for the contractor to access the space during construction. A little extra time to protect floors and furniture from construction traffic and dust will be well worth your efforts at project end

Step Seven Construction

Today is your start date and your long anticipated dream is soon to become a reality. The extent of the renovation will dictate the length of the project, which can range from a few days to a few months. I always recommend that you keep an open communication with the contractor and your designer so that any unforeseen conditions can be addressed immediately. Step 8 Completion Congratulations, your project is now complete. All of your items on your punch list have been addressed, your cabinets have been restocked and it is now time to enjoy your new space. Happy Cooking!