A well-organised kitchen is not so simple. It requires careful planning and expenses to spend on several installations. The kitchen reno demands high expertise and insightful knowledge.
Whether you want to add new cabinetry, transform the entire design, or make modifications to enhance functionality, each requires expert planning and execution. In this blog post, I will try to cover how to renovate a kitchen step by step.
A comprehensive kitchen remodelling guide informs its readers about each vital phase of the process. Whether it’s a regular touch-up or the reader intends to change the entire layout, this guide empowers you for all.
A kitchen makeover without a structured plan means wasting your budget on unknown directions that can, fortunately, prove right. However, in most cases, it proves just a waste of resources.
A structured plan keeps spending in control and ensures investment in valuable things. Having a printable kitchen remodel checklist template can make all steps easier, ensuring that no step is missed.
This blog covers all essential steps to turn your visions into reality.
How To Renovate A Kitchen Step By Step: Pre-Planning Phase: Setting Your Foundation
The initial stage of renovation is solid planning, which sets clear directions to proceed. The planning process begins with an evaluation of the current kitchen layout to identify which aspects are working smoothly and which are causing disturbances.
The storage assessment and checking the functioning ability of fixed lights are also included in this process. While marking the areas for improvement, a person can easily set the house renovation goals.
At this point, an individual decides the reasons for remodelling, which helps to keep the most beneficial and exclude all extras. For better planning, the homeowners can also research the best kitchen designs according to the latest trends.
Every kitchen does not need a complete renovation, but customised adjustments in small kitchens also work effectively. Planners should obtain a kitchen remodel checklist PDF to ensure that every detail is accurately marked.
The use of kitchen remodel project plan templates also helps in realistic planning and tracking the set deadlines.
Design and Planning Phase
For a successful startup, owners should seek expert kitchen designers who can understand their needs. However, many design tools offer a real-time view of the planned layout.
During planning, owners should follow the work triangle rule, which helps in a smooth movement between the refrigerator, sink, and cooking place. A kitchen island is also considered due to its multiple functions.
For example, it allows comfortable seating, serves as a storage tool, and is used for family meals. When updating kitchen cabinets, owners should consider the vertical height with deep drawers to ensure maximum storage options.
The countertop material also needs a wise selection for long-term safety. Before starting the practical work, designers should get the necessary construction permits.
The owners should get a kitchen remodel checklist in Excel to ensure all measurements are accurate. Using a printable kitchen remodel checklist also helps in selecting the best hardware.
Budgeting and Material Selection
The best tip for spending on all tasks is to divide the available budget into main categories, such as deciding a percentage for cabinets, countertops, and labour, etc.
A small kitchen remodel budget has several saving options, so thoughtful planning can result in significant savings. For example, RTA cabinets instead of customised, the upper cabinetry can be quoted with open shelves.
During renovation, several unexpected expenses arise that can disrupt budget planning. Therefore, it is advisable always to have an extra portion of savings for unexpected costs.
A kitchen renovation checklist template is necessary to ensure the timely delivery of all materials and help in storing them in a designated area of the home.
Hiring Contractors and Permits
A wrong decision for contractor hiring can render everything worthless. Therefore, using a kitchen remodel contractor checklist helps in asking all meaningful questions during the contractor’s interview.
Asking different questions and recording the answers helps to compare the expertise of all available options. Before hiring a person, owners should always verify the license, insurance, and working ability of previous clients.
Before starting the remodelling work, owners should get all required permits so that all work can be completed without stopping. So, after renovating, you need to clean all purpose kitchen cleaners.
Clients and contractors should develop a cooperative relationship during project completion. It helps to protect one another’s interests and creates a healthier working environment.
Instead of hiring the team for the kitchen only, people should always hire workers who are experts in bathroom remodels, too.
Demolition Phase
This step is more than just smashing the old stuff. A sudden and unplanned teardown can cause further damage, but following the remodel checklist can save you from surprises.
Labelling any valuable items from demolition materials and setting them aside helps save renovation costs by reusing the hardware. The surrounding spaces need special care during demolition due to dust; using plastic or painter’s tape works great as a protective layer.
The old components should be detached with proper care to prevent damage to the wall and materials. After removing the material, several issues or damages can arise. Contractors should note all and document them for the owner’s satisfaction.
After tearing out, a careful disposing step is also crucial to remove all messy stuff. Contractors can offer haul-away services, or owners can arrange for a dumpster and dispose of the material under local regulatory requirements.
Installation Phase: Flooring and Walls
The selection of flooring material demands consideration of several key areas. It should not only be beautiful to see but also comfortable to walk on and strong enough to bear high foot traffic.
The floor must be installed before the cabinets so that you can get a perfect hardware match. After that, the following process covers the open walls with plumbing or electrical work.
Workers should apply multiple coats of material to get a smooth finish. Before painting, the contractors should use a high-quality protection layer. It maintains the shine of paint and saves it from moisture.
It is time to apply a backsplash or any other additional treatment that the owner prefers, which adds a beautiful touch. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly or other applied therapy before starting the cabinet installation.
Cabinet and Countertop Installation
This stage of renovation needs additional care and expertise with complete compliance with manufacturing guidelines. You must take a startup from the upper installations so that the lower installations stay safe.
Cabinetry installation is all about precision in alignment and secure fitting that can hold the frame tightly in place. For kitchen island planning, owners should carefully measure the required location and mark it while maintaining a secure walkway.
The last finishing touch also demands careful drilling for handles and knobs, contractors must tight them perfectly. Customers must create a step-by-step show kitchen checklist to ensure that all installations are perfect and have no issues that require fixing.
Appliance and Fixture Installation
After the whole renovation, now it’s time to give life to the prepared kitchen. It is the stage when an owner installs appliances. The installation must be conducted under the contractor’s guidance and by the manufacturer’s instructions.
It involves careful unboxing and then following the installation manual. The adjustable feet are necessary to ensure a secure fit and prevent future damage. Next, we check the error-free flow of water.
The contractor installs all required water appliances and activates the sink connection. Then, confirmation of the water supply for the dishwasher arrives, which is necessary for daily use.
After the entire process, the workers turn on the water to check that all connections are correct. After a detailed inspection, the kitchen decoration starts with the addition of stylish lighting.
The owners adjust the lights according to their personal preferences and match them with other hardware. Before saying goodbye to contractors, owners should conduct thorough testing to ensure the safety of all leakage and electrical connections.
Final Touches and Project Completion
After completing all essentials, the final touch involves checking the functioning of all installations and adding any decorative elements as needed. In short, this stage is all about final tuning.
An individual can add crown moulding or baseboards to give a decorative touch. These final details may seem simple, but they add a distinctive touch to kitchen styling.
During cabinet installation and appliance setup, the paint can peel off. In the final touch, owners can add wall touch-ups to refresh the look. You can add pull-out shelves or other advanced installations to improve storage options.
Final Analysis
Kitchen renovation is a lifetime investment, and homeowners should develop a solid plan for it. Proper evaluation and expert execution can give the actual value to the spending cost.
Although the process is not so easy, careful planning and step-by-step completion can make it easier. The whole success depends on the proper selection of contractors, so owners should not compromise on it.
They must sign the contract after reviewing the entire investigation and all the included terms. A detailed assessment before starting the work can save from sudden problems and make the whole procedure easier.
FAQs
What’s the most important thing to include in my kitchen remodel checklist?
Although the checklist for every project is different. However, some must-have points are the same, in which the budget details, list of required materials, and details of necessary permits are included.
How long does a typical kitchen renovation take from start to finish?
The actual duration depends on the working details and the contractors’ speed. However, a general duration is two to three months, during which an owner can complete the entire process from planning to getting a new kitchen.
Can I renovate my kitchen myself, or do I need professional contractors?
It depends on your knowledge and previous working history. If you can meet all ongoing complexities without any challenge, then there is no issue in completing the task without professional help.
