Best Kitchen Remodel Tips
We are three weeks into our kitchen remodel, and it is going really well. Before it started, I asked for advice from others who had gone through a kitchen remodel and got dozens of responses. Here are the best tips and advice.
On Contractors & Workers
Get references from contractors. I didn’t and we had an horrible time.
Stay on top of your contractor
Hire a professional to help with choices. Be sure you like their work. Your $$ will be well spent.
Document every conversation with contractor/supplier/decorator. Build a spreadsheet with every expectation.
Get a contractor that you love and trust, and who is dependable.
Tip your workers weekly – not at the end. And stock the snacks they love.
Have a box of cookies and coffee flask for the workers.
Over communicate. It prevents mistakes and misunderstanding.
Don’t be afraid to ask someone to fix their work if it is not what you expected.
On Kitchen Remodel Cost
Plan extra time and budget everything
Add 3 more weeks and $3,000-$4,000
If your gut tells you to make a different decision, do it, even if it costs a bit more.
Know that it will always finish over budget.
On Food & Meals
Have snacks stored in closed boxes. Lots of dust that will spread everywhere.
It will take longer than you plan for. Be patient, give grace and eat take out.
Everyday life activities can be stressful, go with easy, simple meals and paper goods.
Just go with the chaos and give in to take out daily. It will be over before you know it.
Prep freezer meals that are microwave/crock pot friendly. Don’t forget about breakfast.
On Managing the Mess & Keeping House
Cover up the kitchen areas from ceiling to floor with plastic sheets to help with dust.
Keep the rest of your house in as much as order as you can
Accept that there will be a mess, no matter how much plastic sheeting you use.
Don’t live in the house during a remodel if possible.
Mentally prepare for delays.
Get everything possible out of the space.
Don’t be surrosed with the mess that will create everywhere. Part of the process.
It’s a great time to declutter!
On Kitchen Remodel Project Management
Go with your style not just the trends
Know it will take longer than they say, especially with COVID delays
Mentally prepare for delays.
Don’t stress, it will work out.
Stay orgainized. Get a notebook and write down every selection, where you got it, price, etc.
Keep your sense of humor and know it will take longer than expected.
Budget extra time, money and patient because something unexpected will happen.
Roll as many projects as possible into the remodel to reduce future chaos.
Create storage wherever possible.
Check in every day to make sure things are right.
Make basic aesthetic choices early on = every other design choice is easier
Expect something to go wrong.
Don’t apologize for asking questions. This is your money.
Post-it notes: so simply by each day take something dow that was accomplished.
Create a three-ring binder to keep all the quotes, receipts, samples and ideas in.
Make a master checklist
It’s all worth it in the end
What tips would you add?
