We've all seen the stereotypical kitchen renovation horror story: Someone who merely wants to replace the kitchen cabinets finds additional problems and winds up paying thousands of dollars for a complete kitchen overhaul. How can you prevent this from happening to you?
Did you know some experts think kitchen renovations may be needed within 18 months of completing the original construction? The wear-and-tear of daily life takes its toll on kitchens.
The success of kitchen renovations is all in the planning. If you plan exactly what you want done and stick with that plan, you will avoid a lot of problems.
Let's get started. First of all, consider your existing kitchen's structure. Is it large enough to meet your family's needs? Are there any structural problems that you know of?
Now consider the items in your kitchen. Do you have enough storage space? Are your appliances still functioning properly? Does anything look dated or worn out?
Lastly consider the plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation systems? Do they seem to be operating properly? Do you know if they've been built to meet current building codes? Electrical wiring can be a fire hazard if installed incorrectly.
Now, think about how you want your dream kitchen to look. How far is your existing kitchen from what you really want? Make a list of the differences. Look at magazines and home improvement websites to get ideas. You may want to get some remodeling software or even just graph paper to sketch out how you want your kitchen to look ultimately. Have fun with this. What would happen if you moved your refrigerator to the opposite wall or built a deck right off the kitchen door?
When you have a good idea of what you want or need to do, get price estimates. Check advertisements for appliance prices and call local contractors for estimates of what they would charge for certain projects. Also figure out which jobs you would be able to do yourself, both in terms of time and skill. While you may think hiring a contractor or an interior designer is expensive, they can save you a lot of money with their expertise.
Here's one tip to save you future headaches: Try to buy all the design elements at the same retailer. For instance, if you are choosing wallpaper, try to get your window treatments at the same store to make it easier to coordinate patterns and colors.
When you have all the information available, determine which projects you are able to afford. You may want to get a loan for the essential repairs.
By following these simple steps and sticking with your plan, your kitchen renovations won't become the stuff of sitcoms.
Did you know some experts think kitchen renovations may be needed within 18 months of completing the original construction? The wear-and-tear of daily life takes its toll on kitchens.
The success of kitchen renovations is all in the planning. If you plan exactly what you want done and stick with that plan, you will avoid a lot of problems.
Let's get started. First of all, consider your existing kitchen's structure. Is it large enough to meet your family's needs? Are there any structural problems that you know of?
Now consider the items in your kitchen. Do you have enough storage space? Are your appliances still functioning properly? Does anything look dated or worn out?
Lastly consider the plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation systems? Do they seem to be operating properly? Do you know if they've been built to meet current building codes? Electrical wiring can be a fire hazard if installed incorrectly.
Now, think about how you want your dream kitchen to look. How far is your existing kitchen from what you really want? Make a list of the differences. Look at magazines and home improvement websites to get ideas. You may want to get some remodeling software or even just graph paper to sketch out how you want your kitchen to look ultimately. Have fun with this. What would happen if you moved your refrigerator to the opposite wall or built a deck right off the kitchen door?
When you have a good idea of what you want or need to do, get price estimates. Check advertisements for appliance prices and call local contractors for estimates of what they would charge for certain projects. Also figure out which jobs you would be able to do yourself, both in terms of time and skill. While you may think hiring a contractor or an interior designer is expensive, they can save you a lot of money with their expertise.
Here's one tip to save you future headaches: Try to buy all the design elements at the same retailer. For instance, if you are choosing wallpaper, try to get your window treatments at the same store to make it easier to coordinate patterns and colors.
When you have all the information available, determine which projects you are able to afford. You may want to get a loan for the essential repairs.
By following these simple steps and sticking with your plan, your kitchen renovations won't become the stuff of sitcoms.
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