Seven Tips For Planning A Successful Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling can improve your kitchen's functionality as well as put your personal design stamp on a home. However, remodeling can create havoc if homeowners are not aware of some possible stumbling blocks. Here is how you can avoid costly mistakes on your kitchen remodeling project.

Know Why You Are Remodeling

Have a clear idea of your goals before you start. Are you planning to remodel for long-term living, trading your home up in a few years or do you just need a change? Two questions often asked are; "will this remodeling project increase the value of my home?" and "can I recover the costs?" Remodeling almost always increases value; people are reluctant to buy a home that has an outdated kitchen or bath. While payback of your project is an important consideration, it should be secondary to family needs, preferences and the enjoyment gained from living in a home that meets your lifestyle requirements. Remodeling the basement to give the kids more room to play might not yield the best financial return, but it may be the right project for your family. 

 Start With a Realistic Budget

While online research might get you in the ballpark, your best option is to sit down with your contractor and allow them to help create a budget. 

One of the biggest mistakes you can make during a remodel is not being open and honest regarding your budget. 

The contractor and homeowners working together to establish a reasonable cost is essential. A true remodeling professional can provide insight into the costs associated with the project. They will also be able to suggest alternatives that might help create the desired design with lower costs. When you are planning your budget, leave at least 5% of the total budget for unforeseen problems or last minute changes that can occur during the remodel.

  

 Planning

Perhaps the biggest remodeling mistake made by homeowners is rushing into their remodeling project too quickly. Proper planning saves time, money and stress!  The planning stage is where your contractor and his/her team can assist you with designing your new kitchen. NAHB Remodelers Council suggests that homeowners develop an idea of what they want to do, and write a prioritized list of needs and wants. Look at magazines and websites and collect pictures of what you like. This will help you to more clearly envision the project and communicate your wants to your contractor. Think about traffic patterns, furniture placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space. Kitchen remodeling is complex and can entail interior design, space planning, electrical work, plumbing, tiling, and a number of other components. This is the time to work out as many details as possible, the more time you spend planning now will mean less time fixing problems that will arise later on in the project. 

Homeowners who have spent the most time on making the important decisions and planning with their contractor will get the best remodeling results.

Communication

A remodel project is something that is customized specifically for you and your lifestyle.  Your contractor cannot guarantee the best results without your input.  Think of the remodel process as a partnership between the homeowner, the contractor and his or her team, it is essential that everyone be in accord. The best of contractors cannot satisfy your needs without good communication.

If you notice a potential problem, do not assume that your contractor has it under control.  Construction mistakes happen all the time, even the most qualified contractors can make a mistake and it is the homeowner’s job to be aware of their remodeling project.  Do not be afraid of being a pest or asking a dumb question. If something is on your mind, you need to communicate with your contractor.  Set up specific times to do a walk through, where your contractor can explain the process and you can express your concerns.

Contractor Selection

We often hear from potential customers that they are getting three bids on their project to determine whom they are going to hire. While this approach is common, it is not necessarily the best approach to selecting your contractor.

We suggest that you evaluate the project based on a slightly different criterion in order to select the best fit for your project. We suggest that you interview contractors and select a contractor based on a “negotiated contract”. This will remove the assumption that the builder is focused solely cost of the bid. Not only does the negotiated contract process result in a more accurate estimate of cost, it is also far superior to the three-bid rule in matching the personalities of the client and the remodeler. The process also reveals the best match between a particular project and a contractor’s skills and experience. By first narrowing the field, and then by selecting one remodeling firm based on everything except the cost of the project, a homeowner can better ensure that the project will remain on budget and schedule. Both homeowner and contractor are now on track for a finished project that meets or exceeds expectations. Considering how closely contractors work with homeowners during a typical remodeling project, these criteria can be the best predictors of client satisfaction.

 

To Permit or Not To Permit 

When homeowners start a remodeling project, they are often far more focused on choosing fixtures or the type of granite to use on a kitchen counter-top than worrying about the building permit. That could be a huge mistake; a building permit ensures you meet local building codes and safety regulations. It is an absolute necessity if you are having major work done on your house, normally any project that makes a structural change to your home. Make sure your remodeling contractor has the right permits BEFORE work begins. A project that does not require a permit in one jurisdiction may need one in another.

In most Greater Des Moines municipalities, a building permit is required for exterior window, door, and skylight replacements, re-roofs, decks, garage or basement additions and interior remodeling. Des Moines does not require a permit for painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter-tops, and other similar finish work.

If you live within a historic district, a permit is often required to ensure any exterior changes to your home are in line with neighborhood guidelines.

 

Expect the Unexpected

When going into your remodel project expect the unexpected!  Often the contractor discovers a costly surprise during the construction process.  Even if you do your due diligence and bring in a contractor, architect, or inspector to examine your home some problems may remain hidden until you actually begin your project.  After opening up a wall, you could find dangerous electrical problems, structural damage, mold, termites, etc.  You will greatly reduce stress during the construction process if you prepare for the possible unexpected expenses that you may incur.   

A great contractor is aware of potential problem areas, will communicate with you immediately and offer solutions to get the project back on track as soon as possible. 

Once the installation process begins, which involves the demolition, framing, drywall and painting, it is going to get messy.  Be prepared to make peace with the fact that there will be dirt and dust even after the demolition process is finished.  A great contractor will do everything possible to minimize dust and debris, but expect the adjoining area to have some dust for the majority of the construction process.  In addition, do not expect a complete working kitchen until the project is finished.  You may be without running water and a sink for the majority of the install.  In some instances, it can help to set up a temporary kitchen and prepare meals in advance so that you do not have to eat out every day.