Kitchen Remodeling & the Design Process:
Whether your taste run to modern urban design or cozy country, the options available in kitchen design seem to be limitless and can be overwhelming when you first contemplate a kitchen remodel. Here are some kitchen remodeling tips to make your kitchen remodel a success.
Before calling a construction remodeling contractor, it is best to do some research on your own to determine what you are looking for. Online sources like Houzz or Pinterest are great sources, as are the kitchen remodeling magazines you can pick up at your local home improvement store. Once you have some ideas, write down a list of your “must-haves” and your “would-like-to-haves”. These might be things like a large granite island, a deep apron-front sink, custom cabinetry with a spice drawer, space for a pantry or a cabinet with lift shelf for your kitchen aid mixer.
If you need design or product selection advice or your list includes changing the layout of kitchen, moving appliances or custom cabinetry then we highly recommend that you also work with a kitchen designer (our favorite is Sadro Design Studio). The vast knowledge a professional kitchen designer / space planner can bring to a remodeling project is absolutely invaluable. They can help you fine-tune your design ideas, are on top of trends and know where to source products you didn’t even know existed. They can even find that extra 8” required in floorplan for your “must-have” spice drawer.
Typically a kitchen designer will take a month or so before presenting you with detailed floorplans and renderings of your new kitchen design. Likely you will make some changes and then the designer will provide final plans that you then can give to a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor like Carter Construction to request a quote. These professionally drawn plans are absolutely imperative for a remodeling contractor to give you an accurate and detailed quote. With this detailed quote, you can then make educated decisions and changes if required, BEFORE the kitchen remodel starts so you don’t have any surprises when it is too late.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the entire kitchen remodel process can take 6 months or more. The kitchen designer takes time to research and plan your kitchen, the remodel contractor will take time to quote project, and you as the homeowner need time to make decisions and select products. Each custom component of your remodel takes time from electricians and plumber to drywall and painters. Additionally, during busy season, quality custom cabinet makers and stone countertop manufacturers can have projects lined up two months or more in advance.
Spring and summer are peak remodeling seasons, so if you are planning a kitchen remodel this coming Summer, call your contractor and kitchen designer early to get on their schedule as soon as possible.