Handy Things to Know Before Remodeling a Kitchen

Kitchen Remodeling Tips for homeowners Feb 18

However, kitchen remodeling isn’t as simple as snapping the fingers and finding a dream space. Rather, there is a lot of work involved and, more often than not, a professional contractor needs to be hired for the job. Therefore, it is good to head into this project armed with plenty of knowledge and awareness of the road ahead. Here are some useful things to know about what to expect when preparing to upgrade this beloved room in the house.First of all, the budget for a remodel venture should be kept at 15 percent of the home’s overall value. This helps to keep the task in line with the expectations of the house. Budgeting purposes vary depending on the individual and the style of the home, but generally speaking, 30 percent should go to the cabinets as this is one of the biggest tasks. Appliances should get about 14 percent of the budget, roughly 10 percent on countertops, and the rest divided amongst electrics, plumbing, and paint. Always set aside around 35 percent for labor costs and construction costs such as windows and flooring.Next, it is worth paying someone to design the plan. Having an image in mind of what things should look like is great, but unless a professional gets them from brain to paper, things can go askew in the process. It pays off in the long term to fork out for a professional designer to make sure things really meet the expectations. Otherwise, the remodel can turn out a bit disappointing.While there are many big costs that need to be spent, it is also possible to keep costs lower than first anticipated. One way to do this is by keeping what is already there and still works well. This is particularly true for appliances that are not outdated. Also, often cabinets can be refurbished and made to look new, keeping their structural integrity and saving lots of time and money on installing new ones. Also, if the space is a good size, it might not need to be expanded to make more space.Another important thing to think about while remodeling is whether a move is on the cards anytime soon. If it is, staying ‘skin deep’ and focusing just on a cosmetic upgrade can be more worthwhile. If there are no plans to move, going all in and upgrading from the inside out is a better option.