Introduction
A Kitchen Design & Remodel is a lot of work—and at the end of it, you want to feel proud and confident in what you’ve accomplished. However, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and be left with something that’s less than perfect. In fact, according to an article in Remodeling Magazine Cost vs Value Report, many homeowners are disappointed with their remodeled homes after spending $40-$50k on them. Lee Parron of Kitchen Design Creations based in Miami Florida has these suggestions when getting ready for your renovation project, on how to avoid these pitfalls. When planning on spending tens of thousands of dollars on our next remodel project (and let’s be honest: who isn’t?), why not prepare ahead of time so you can maximize your investment? Here are some things that Parron recommends:
Use a professional for your kitchen design & remodel
If you’re going to tackle a remodel, it is absolutely imperative that you hire a professional. As the saying goes, “you can do it yourself, but why would you?” That should probably be your mantra when it comes to remodeling your home.
There are so many different types of professionals out there that can help make your next remodel go smoothly, and even help save money. Here are some examples:
- Designer – A designer like Kitchen Design Creations will work with you every step of the way from planning through completion to creating a beautiful space that meets both your needs and desires. A designer will guide you in selecting flooring materials (wood or carpet), finishes (paint), and fixtures (sinks & faucets) as well as help determine how much storage space is needed for items such as clothing or kitchen supplies. Most importantly they will make sure everything works together so nothing feels out of place!
- Architect – An architect provides valuable input throughout the design process by guiding decisions related to structural issues such as load-bearing walls and foundations; energy efficiency; zoning requirements; accessibility standards for people with disabilities; life safety provisions required by building codes including egress systems like stairways/fire escapes etc., which all need special attention during renovation projects because if not addressed properly could result in serious consequences down the road including fines/penalties if violated code violations occur which may cause delay projects indefinitely until corrected properly.”
Plan for unexpected delays and budget increases.
If you’re not accustomed to the process, a kitchen design & remodel can be a frustrating experience. Even with a professional designer like Kitchen Design Creations, there are so many things that can go wrong or take longer than expected—and unfortunately, it is impossible to know exactly how long something will take before your contractor starts work. A professional can help avoid the majority of pitfalls, but there is always the possibility of delay. If you don’t have a good understanding of how long projects typically take, then it’s best to be conservative with your estimates and allow for some wiggle room in case things go awry.
When planning for budget increases and delays, consider these tips:
- Avoid tight deadlines by taking more time to plan out every step of your project; 2) Ask contractors about previous projects they’ve worked on; 3) Plan for upgrades early in the process so there aren’t any surprises later
Pick Cabinets, fixtures, and finishes that you love.
You know what’s most important to you in your new home. It’s your family room, kitchen, or master bathroom—whatever it is, it’s the place where you’ll be spending the most time in your new home. Now imagine if all of those things could come together to create something even better than what you imagined.
Dozens of options exist for every single room in your house: furniture pieces and finishes can completely transform a space from ordinary to extraordinary. So when shopping for these items for your kitchen design & remodel (whether they’re custom-made by an artisan or off-the-shelf items purchased online), don’t settle for anything less than what you want! It will be worth it when everything comes together perfectly as part of a cohesive design scheme that reflects who we are as people living in this home.
Have everything ready and on-site before the kitchen design & remodel starts.
A professional kitchen designer will typically have everything ready and on-site before construction starts.
It’s important to have all the fixtures, and appliances in your home before construction begins. This will save time, money, and frustration down the road. If you don’t know what you’re doing—or if something goes wrong—it could derail your entire project budget or even force it to be canceled altogether.
Pick one thing that you absolutely want to splurge on.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when deciding and planning a kitchen design & remodel is trying to do everything at once and going over budget. It’s important to keep your eye on the prize, so when you’re planning, pick one thing that will be a splurge item and focus on that first. This could be an island in the kitchen or high-end appliance package or even just the countertop materials. Whatever it is, just make sure that it’s something that you absolutely can’t live without!
Kitchen design & remodeling is challenging, but by taking the right steps beforehand, you can avoid some of its pitfalls!
Remodeling is a big project, and you are going to be spending a lot of time, money, and energy on it. To make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to plan ahead and have an idea of what you want before you begin. This is true regardless of whether or not your remodel includes a contractor; if you’re doing most of the work yourself (like I am), then this advice doubles in importance!
It’s also worth mentioning that no matter how much planning goes into a kitchen design & remodel, things will inevitably go wrong—especially when dealing with subcontractors. A professional design firm will always have a list of reliable subcontractors they can count on. Being prepared for delays and unexpected expenses can help ensure that your experience isn’t spoiled by these things.
Conclusion
Your kitchen design & remodel is a major investment, so it’s important to take the right steps to make sure your project goes smoothly. By planning ahead and hiring a professional, you can avoid some of the common pitfalls that come with remodeling.