Home Makeover Series: The Kitchen - Getting Ready

Many homeowners that I have talked to discover that when they do this room, there are so many little details they forgot to ask about and when the process is started, the changes cause the price of the remodel to zoom.

The major components of the Kitchen are Flooring, Cabinets, Appliances, the Sink and Faucet, Counter Surface, and Lighting and we are just getting started. That sounded like just about everything but it is the little details of other things that ultimately make the difference of your final satisfaction and not to forget about in the budget.

Most home owners that are undertaking the task of a complete remodel, need a space plan. Are you just setting up new to replace the old or are you planning to have something a bit different, perhaps more efficient?  Having a real Kitchen designer to work with you first will help you determine the optimization of the space and to make the Kitchen more functional will pay big dividends. Many of the big box stores, like Home Depot and Lowe's have many choices and usually they offer a design service if they are going to supply at least the cabinets and counter tops. Be careful here. They may send the person out to measure and once you approve, that is what you get. If anything needs more adjustment than the tolerances, you may be buying some new cabinets. Try to get this part really clear. Prior to demolition of the old, crooked walls,uneven floors, things that we never really noticed before  will be the likely issues you must deal with. If you do it correctly, you will be dealing with those issues before any new installation begins, not after when  the cabinets won't fit because you changed you mind about the counter top or where the window was going to be. A half inch is a small measurement but it can throw off a whole plan if it is not accounted for.

Kitchen specialty designers have a world of resources and some of the more unique things that make the Kitchen a real stand out. You might think that their costs are higher in their budget than the box stores and opt for the later. But most of these specialists know what they are doing and they have all the experience of working with all different kinds of components and know the little hidden secrets that will make the job turn out to be a treasure or nightmare. You get to choose which will be your experience.  

Want a refrigerator that talks or plays your favorite music and movies. That would not be found easily at appliance stores. Did you remember to bring a TV cable into the Kitchen? Will the TV supply you with everything you are looking for? Does it need a converter box for you cable to to provide the services you expect.?

Assuming you have in mind something of the overall look to start, lets begin to look at what is in the kitchen after you take everything out. Nothing you say. Not so!. What about the floor? Are you going to just be covering it over with a hard surface? What about the under layment or the sub floor. Is it sound? Are you rebuilding the new Kitchen on a slab foundation? Does it need remedial work before the new floor is installed? Is it level? Is it cracked? Have you checked? Who knows about those things? A contractor would.

What about the water supply lines. Do they need attention before any new cabinets are installed? Are those old style valves still OK, or do you need new ones?   What about the drain lines. Were they bad before?. Who knows about those things? Has your kitchen drain or supply ever leaked before? You may need a lot more than a new sink and incinerator. This is a good time to consult with a good Plumber. Before you start!

What about the power needs for that the new double oven and the microwave. The old combo stove and oven with attached microwave had only one plug. Now you need three. Is the correct  access to power available where things are going to be planned? Are the light switches in the right place? Is there ample power available for all the new features you are considering. What about that old fluorescent fixture in the ceiling inside that ugly wood recessed box. Are we going planning on recessed lighting and under cabinet lighting? Sounds like a lot of new power required. Who knows about all those things? An Electrical Contractor.

Are the windows in the Kitchen going to go with the new look? Is there enough natural light?. How about the back door. Are they in the right place for the new Kitchen? Do you need these things addressed along with the new space plan?

When the destruction is done before new plan can take shape, what about all the wall board that was damaged. That needs to be repaired  and make ready for new painting if that what is being planned or to render the old wall surfaces for some other treatment. Be sure to figure an allotment in the budget for this work. Having your painting contractor discuss this with you in advance will save some  you the negative surprises later on.

As you can see there are many questions and investigations that need to be done to make the Kitchen design function at its best and to prevent the surprises of the huge budget busters after you are already underway. It is best before you begin any work and while you establishing your budget to consult with the Contractor, The Electrician and Plumber who need to be available to handle these things and to give you a realistic look at what their budget add-ons will be. While you are about it, discovering many of the flooring surfaces and the requirements for the floor prep work that must precede their installation, would also be a good use of your time.

Once you have your space plan designed, and have selected the new theme of the kitchen, working through the budget for the components and the different kinds of work that needs to be done will go a long way to create your new Dream Kitchen and not a nightmare.