3 Things to Consider Before Remodeling the Kitchen

Kitchen Remodeling , Tips for homeowners Jan 13

Clarkston residents considering the prospect of remodeling their kitchen, have a pretty big project on their plate. Not only does a full kitchen remodel take time and money, but the process of designing it to your tastes is going to require considerable planning and brainstorming. On the other hand, it’s one of the most exciting projects that a homeowner can take on, and the payoff is going to be completely worth it -- that is if you avoid the many pitfalls that cause the project to be emotionally draining and frustrating.

1. To Cap or Not to Cap Your Spending

If you’ve recently moved into a home and you’re not in love with the kitchen, then the prospect of capping your spending may not be a huge issue for you. If you’re not married to the property, or are simply getting it ready for market, then you generally want to cap your spending at about 11% of the overall cost of the home. Most of that money is going to go toward the cabinets, which are generally quite expensive to have installed from scratch, particularly if you want good ones. If you’re in your home for the long haul, then you may want to consider the remodel in terms of stages. This way you don’t have to cap your spending, but you don’t break the bank either.

2. Managing the Design

There’s a number of software programs out there on the market today that can help you design your dream kitchen. On top of that, designers affiliated with individual stores can help in the process as well, and can do as much, or as little as you want. They’ll even offer suggestions based on templates that you’ve prepared.

3. Hidden Costs

You’re going to be limited in terms of your kitchen design unless you’re willing to rework plumbing and the gas line. This will end up costing you much more than if you’d left it alone in the first place. If what you have works for you, then you should stick it with it wherever possible, because that will result in much lower costs to you. This also includes leaving the cabinetry in place when you can. You can have cabinets refaced and this can totally change the look and feel of your kitchen, for much less money. Cabinets are by far the most expensive part of a full remodel, so leaving them in place, if it makes sense, will allow you to splurge elsewhere. A lot of folks get frustrated by the process because there’s so much to know, unexpected complications, and if you’re not careful, costs will get out of control quickly. But if you know what you’re getting into, and stick to your budget, it will make your home feel more like home.