3 Steps To Style: Kitchen Renovation Basics
Kitchen remodeling projects can be both a difficult task and an enjoyable pastime. While there is a great deal of planning and work involved, it can be very fulfilling to have a hand in changing your space to fit your needs and style. However, the project can become a nightmare if you bight off more than you can chew, or you end up working with a contractor that is overpriced, unlicensed, or simply does a terrible job.
In addition, kitchen remodeling is something you may not want to do on a regular basis, especially because of the cost, time, and money involved. One of the most important steps to rebuilding a kitchen that works for you is to select quality materials that will last and look great for years to come.
Here are three important steps to follow if you are renovating your kitchen:
Step One: Plan, Plan, and Then Plan Some More
In the planning process, you need to ask many important questions. For instance, how much will it cost, and how much can you spend? Can you do this yourself, or should you hire a contractor to complete the job? Can you live with a partially unfinished kitchen for a time? What do you want to change? What materials are you going to use, and will you be altering the plumbing, electric, or framing components of your house?
If you plan the project from start to finish first, then you can avoid major headaches, and the job will go smoothly and quickly.
Step Two: Consider Your Budget
Once you’ve decided the basics, it’s time to breakdown the particulars of the project in terms of your cost. If you do hire a contractor, the process will be rather simple, as they can offer you a quote right off the bat. If you make this a DIY project, then you need to figure out tax, square footage, fixtures, and you especially need to plan for variables.
One variable that many fail to consider is the cost of food. When your kitchen is unusable for certain periods of time, the gut reaction is to eat out. It’s always the little things that can add up.
Step Three: Save Here, Save There
One of the best ways to save on kitchen remodel projects is to go with ceramic tile, rather than stone countertops. The main factor is that you can install tile yourself, as installing granite will most certainly require a contractor’s machinery and expertise.
In addition, it is much cheaper to install tile, and add your own style to it afterwards. Also, if something happens, and you chip or crack your stone countertop, you need to replace the entire slab. If you chip or crack a tile, you can simply replace the tile. Of course, it is very important to select which types of tile you want to use, as some will be better than others in a highly corrosive environment like a kitchen.
Kitchen remodeling is a favorite pastime among do-it-yourselfers. However, always make sure that you are keeping the big picture in mind, so that you don’t get sucked in to a project that costs more than it is worth.
