Kitchen Remodeling Checklist
A Kitchen Remodeling Checklist should be part
of Every Kitchen Remodeling Project
By: Mark J. Donovan
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A kitchen is one of the most utilized
and valued rooms in a home. Consequently deciding upon a kitchen remodeling
project is a great way to better enjoy your home and increase its value. For
many homeowners, however, they do not know where to begin in a kitchen
remodeling process. A kitchen remodeling checklist can help. A kitchen
remodeling checklist provides a plan and schedule for successfully tackling a
kitchen remodeling project. |
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With pen and paper you can begin
to create your own kitchen remodeling checklist. In essences, it begins by
generating a list of questions, from which then the questions turn into an
action plan. In the end, you will create a full blown kitchen remodeling
checklist.
To get you started in developing
your own checklist, I have tried to summarize below the high level items
that you should include in your kitchen remodeling checklist. Bear in mind
that this is only a high level checklist, and that there are many more
details that you will need to fill in to complete your own kitchen
remodeling checklist. |
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By fleshing out a complete checklist
you can mitigate unforeseen problems that frequently come up in kitchen
remodeling projects, and increase the likelihood of getting the remodeled
kitchen of your dreams.
Summary
Kitchen Remodeling Checklist
1) Check
out Financing Options for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project
Assuming you are not paying cash for
your kitchen remodeling project, you will need to obtain financing. Visit a few
of your local banks to see which ones will loan you money, how much money, and
at what terms.
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With a better understanding of the
funds you can borrow you can establish a baseline budget.
2) Evaluate
the Goals of Your New Kitchen
Assuming you are remodeling your
existing kitchen, versus building a new kitchen addition, assess your kitchen
goals within the context and confines of the existing kitchen space. For
example, is the kitchen area large enough to support a kitchen island or a small
eating area?
Write down your kitchen design goals
so that you can share them with either an architect or a kitchen designer. They
can also help evaluate your kitchen remodeling options to see what is feasible.
3) Kitchen
Remodeling Design Plans
Depending on the complexity of your
kitchen remodeling project you may need to enlist the services of an architect.
If you plan to move walls, and change electrical outlet and fixture locations
you will most likely need to hire one.
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If, on the other hand, your
kitchen remodeling project simply involves new kitchen cabinets, appliances,
and flooring, you may be able to get away with just a kitchen designer. I
should hesitate on saying “just a kitchen designer”. Most kitchen designers
are extremely knowledgeable in designing state of the art modern kitchens
and can provide solutions and recommendations that include cabinetry,
flooring, and lighting.
After you have a complete set of
kitchen remodeling plans, including a kitchen cabinet design, you are nearly
ready to begin remodeling.
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Photo by Mark Donovan |
4) Hiring
a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor
Again, if your kitchen remodeling
project involves moving walls, and electrical and plumbing fixtures, then you
will most likely need to hire a kitchen remodeling contractor and some
subcontractors.
Use your complete set of kitchen
remodeling plans to meet with prospective kitchen remodeling contractors to
obtain contractor remodeling bids. Make sure you take the time and effort to
carefully review each kitchen remodeling contractor bid to determine which
contractor is right for your kitchen remodeling project.
5) Obtain
Financing (If Required)
Once you have identified your kitchen
remodeling contractor and have a formal cost estimate you can then complete the
process of obtaining financing.
6) Pulling
Kitchen Remodeling Permits
With a kitchen remodeling project you
may or may not need to pull permits. It depends upon the complexity of the
remodeling project and what contractor trades are required. Again, if you are
moving walls, changing/adding electrical outlets and plumbing fixtures you will
indeed need to pull permits.
7) Start
of Kitchen Remodeling
Once you have your kitchen remodeling
permits in hand you are ready to begin the first step of your kitchen remodeling
project, demolition. Depending upon the terms of your contract with your kitchen
remodeling contractor you may, or may not have to do this work yourself. In
addition, you should have also included in your plans a solution for providing
temporary kitchen services, such as a sink and stove.
After the kitchen is free of the old
kitchen cabinetry and appliances then the real remodeling work can start in
earnest. Start and completion dates for the remodeling work should have been
included in the kitchen remodeling timeline provided by your contractor.
8)
Inspect your Kitchen Remodeling Contractor’s Work Regularly
Assuming you are living in the home
throughout the kitchen remodeling effort, it will be fairly easy to monitor your
contractor’s performance and craftsmanship. If you see issues, promptly bring
them to the attention of your contractor. Delaying the communication of problems
will cost you more money, as well as the relationship you have with your
contractor. Do not, however, constantly barrage your contractor with questions
and petty issues. This is the quickest way to lose your contractor and cause
cost overruns and delays. To simply put it, just make sure he is constructing
the new kitchen to the specifications of the kitchen remodeling plans.
9) Schedule
Kitchen Remodeling Inspections
If permits are required in your
kitchen remodeling project, make sure that upon the completion of major
milestones, e.g. the rough in of new plumbing, that either you or the remodeling
contractor contact the building inspector to stop by and sign off on the work.
10)
Obtain Final Inspection
If there were permits pulled, once
the kitchen remodeling project is complete have the building inspector come in
to make the final inspection and approve of the work.
With the final inspection complete,
your newly remodeled kitchen is ready for use.
It is important to remember that this
is a summary kitchen remodeling checklist. There are many other detailed steps
along the way that will need to be taken into consideration depending upon your
unique situation, for example, the selection of wall coverings, flooring and
window treatments to name just a few. All of these items need to be addressed
early on to allow for long lead times.
For
a more comprehensive kitchen remodeling checklist, see my
Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Kitchen Remodeling Bid
Sheet provides a request for quote checklist section that you can provide to
prospective kitchen remodeling contractors. It also includes a comprehensive
kitchen remodeling cost breakdown table, in Microsoft Excel format, that allows
the contractor to include his projected remodeling costs for every phase of the
project.
How to Finance your Kitchen Remodeling Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related information on Kitchen Additions and Kitchen Remodeling
Additional Kitchen Addition and other
Kitchen Remodeling and Design Resources
Kitchen Faucets and Appliances from Amazon.com
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No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on kitchen remodeling from one of our prescreened and licensed kitchen
remodeling contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to
continue once you receive your kitchen remodeling price estimate.
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