Your Guide To A Stress free kitchen remodeling
By: Jessica Payne
The kitchen is the heart of the home. This is the space that not only caters to your family’s cooking and dining but also for family gatherings, paying bills and even kids doing homework. Committing to a remodeling project can be intimidating….
and exciting at the same time. Never allow your enthusiasm or your concern to cloud your mind. The key is to remain calm and objective. It is important to slow down and do your research. It can help greatly to get some advice from friends who have already been through the remodeling process.
There are two very important factors that will help you to understanding what to expect from a remodel project— the first is planning and the second is communication. Planning will actually save you time, money, and stress.
Kitchen Remodeling success begins with the goals and design of the project being in the minds of both the homeowners and the people responsible for physically designing and building the project. This is in conjunction with a defined, but flexible construction schedule and all materials being safely delivered and stored at the job site prior to demolition. Lastly, communication is key for all parties involved in the project.
Planning:
Planning starts with defining the goals of the project. What is the purpose of the project and what are you trying to achieve? Are you looking for a better layout, better way of utilizing your space or just the perfect ambiance? Once you are clear on this you can then move on to the design and layout of the project.
Good planning can save you a lot of money in the long run. By making your decisions in advance of demolition, you can be fairly confident that your cost will be close to your original budget. Making changes halfway into the project is the leading cause of exceeding your budget . It is also important that you remain flexible and/or have contingency plans because you never know when what you might find during your remodel.
Have Required Materials on Site
It is important to have the required materials onsite when they are needed. Consider the fact that you may have to pay your construction crew for the time they are standing idle while missing or damaged materials are being sourced. Material delivery can take up time and therefore cost you extra money. Give yourself ample time to inspect materials for damage and get replacements if necessary.
Communication
Poor communication is a leading cause of building projects going sour. It is critical to keep the channels of communication open. Discuss with your builder what you both will expect during the course of the project. Obviously what is communicated is very important, but how and when things are communicated is equally important. Verify how you will communicate with each other whether by text, email or phone calls and what is the cut off point. Some contractors might not take calls after work hours or on weekends.
Get the Right Help
Remodeling a kitchen requires skill and knowledge. Even if you are a do it yourself kind of person you might not want to tackle it alone. Seek professional help if necessary.
Architect
You should seek the advice of an Architect if you are planning any significant structural changes. The letters AIA after an architects name indicates membership in the American Institute of Architects. This association will readily offer referral services.
Kitchen designers
Kitchen designers can greatly assist with your kitchen layout and space planning. They often times will assist with storage issues and selection of appliances and materials.
Remodeling Contractor
Hire a contractor when you are reconfiguring an existing space. It is extremely important that you do your research carefully. Ask for references and follow up by checking them carefully. Also look over their portfolios. It is in your best interest to scrutinize all professionals carefully.
Tips to Hire a Contractor
When signing a contract be sure to get specifics on every part of the project.
– Check for the contractor’s name and proper company name on the business license
– Check company’s address, telephone and fax #
– Details of what the contractor will and will not do during the project
– Review all security measures during demolition. Discuss clean up procedures.
– Obtain a detailed list of materials to be used.
– Review the start date and approximate end date of the project. It also helps to establish estimated end dates for various stages of the project.
– Discuss procedures of handling changes during the course of the work. All change orders should be signed off by both you and the contractor.
– Review all warranties that cover materials and workmanship.
If you decide to do the work yourself be sure to find out the laws in your area. You may be required to meet certain codes depending on your area. Be sure to keep a copy of your permit for future reference.
Prepare Yourself Emotionally
Remodeling can be very stressful. Remember you will be dealing with new people in and out of your home everyday for a few weeks or maybe even months. It is difficult dealing with the mess caused by sawdust and the noise and inconvenience of not having a kitchen. You must plan ahead of time to address issues such as dining out.
Visit www.stockcabinetexpress for more tips on kitchen remodeling.