Kitchen Renovation Prep: Everything You Need to Know

If you are an avid cook bored of the small old-fashioned kitchen, chances are, you are planning to tear down the walls and start the kitchen renovation. But are you prepared? Because trust us when we say kitchen renovation is often a grueling experience. This is because a kitchen remodeling project can be expensive and complicated.

However, the results can be worth both the financial and emotional investment. Without a doubt, your kitchen is the heart of your house, where all activity centers. So, a successful kitchen renovation not only boosts the value of your home but also adds to the everyday joy of cooking.

That said, before you get too excited and take the sledgehammer in your hands, you need to be knowledgeable about the steps to take in order to avoid any problems. For that reason, we have come up with this handy guide to help you create a life-changing remodel of your kitchen.

Be prepared by asking these questions to yourself

For a smoother experience renovating your kitchen, it is best to come prepared. Asking yourself some questions beforehand will help you save time, money, and headache. And obviously, give better results. Here are a few.

1. What is your remodeling objective?

The first thing you need to be sure of is what is your goal for a kitchen remodel. Do you plan to live in this house for a long time? If so, you probably won’t hesitate to invest a bit more for a long-lasting effect. On the flip side, when redoing your kitchen as a marketing strategy, you can go with something less costly but aesthetic and efficient to curb appeal.

2. How much do you plan to spend?

Be as honest as you can there. Since kitchens are complicated rooms, they can cost you more than any other renovation area around the house. When budgeting for your project, consider the changes you want and ones that are essential and affordable.

3. Do you have children?

For most families, their kitchen is not just a place to cook meals. It is where the family meets, friends rejoice, and even where kids do their homework sometimes. So, if you are one such family with children, you need to consider having a kid-friendly kitchen.

 

4. What is the best layout for my kitchen?

Once you have a goal and budget in mind, ask yourself how you want your kitchen to look. In case you are not good with home makeover ideas, visit your neighborhood to take inspiration for stylish, yet cost-effective kitchen remodels. Another great way is to browse the internet or go through home décor magazines.

5. Will you be staying in your house during the remodeling?

This question is crucial to ensure the safety of your family. When living in a house during a renovation project, there needs to be much protection and cleanliness around the house. In addition, in certain circumstances, your presence in the home can add to the renovation duration.

Know where to start

Even with your mind brimming with creative kitchen renovation ideas, you can be confused about where to start. Do you draw out the kitchen layout first? Or get the materials? Or maybe you embark on the mission without thinking about anything. Well, that’s definitely not good practice. A good place to start is hiring a qualified general contractor to handle all the tasks professionally and assure quality work.

Before hiring, ask these questions to inquire about your contractor

Your kitchen contractor will be the ultimate in charge of your dream project, and you wouldn’t want to compromise on that. When looking for a contractor, do not rush and settle for the first one you get. In order to build an ideal kitchen for you, you want them to be as professional as possible. For that, it is crucial to evaluate all the aspects of hiring a contractor for your renovation plan. Even if you have 100 questions, do not hesitate to ask because knowledge is power, as you may have heard.

1. Do you have a license and certificate of insurance?

The first and foremost thing to consider is the license of the contractor. Without a proper license, you can risk the outcome of your kitchen project. Before finalizing your contractor, inquire about their certificate of insurance. Besides that, do your own research by contacting the local government or state affairs to see if the contractor is licensed.

2. What will be the timeframe for the renovation process?

Asking for an estimated timeframe for your renovation will help you in the long run. While many contractors will claim they’ll take the time to get the job done right, it is best to ask follow-up questions. For example, if there are, how will you handle delays?

3. Will there be someone on-site every day?

Ask your contractor this question to avoid any delays or inconsistencies during your work. Often some contractors are bidding on multiple projects without your knowledge. If that’s the case, its likely that your timeframe will be affected.

4. How can you communicate with your contractor?

The more communication between you and your contractor, the better. Inquire whether your contractor prefers emails or phone calls to communicate with clients. Also, check to see if you can be in touch with a project manager or assistant.

5. Who will be the subcontractors working on this project?

From the paving contractor to the masonry contractor to the floor tile service, ask for about all the subcontractors who will be involved in your renovation. This is necessary to ensure all the other contractors involved are also professional.

That’s everything you need to know when preparing for a kitchen remodel. Once you have answers to all these questions and a clear mind about where to start, you are good to go.

However, if you are still unsure and have any more questions, contact TriCore Construction at 516-815-3838. Our TriCore General Contractor and staff will be more than happy to answer all your queries related to kitchen or home remodeling.

September 8, 2021