7 Steps To A Successful Kitchen Remodel
Here at Agentis Kitchen & Bath, we get it. If you’re going to remodel your kitchen, it’s important to get it right the first time. You’re going to be living with this new kitchen for the next 10 years, so you want everything to be perfect. To help you out, we put together a list of 7 steps to a successful kitchen remodel.
7 Steps to a Successful Kitchen Remodel
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What are your priorities?
One of the simplest, but most overlooked steps, in starting a kitchen remodel is listing out your priorities.
What is your kitchen currently lacking that you want to change?
Take some time to think through this. Maybe you want to add storage space or brighten up a dreary and outdated look. Perhaps you want to expand your work and eating areas to accommodate a growing family.
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What is your budget?
Make sure you set a limit on what you want to spend and stick to it, keeping in mind that the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends spending no more than 15% of the market value of your home. And, while it pays to shop around to get an idea of product prices, remember you’ll need to add 17-30% for installation to your budget. Believe it or not, shopping for the “cheapest” installer often doesn’t yield the most affordable end result. (Mistakes will be more expensive in the long run.) So it’s important to choose a vendor who is reliable and has worked on similar projects.
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Finding your style
When you see it, you’ll know. Whether you visit showrooms or spend time browsing online, seeing the design elements that speak to your style is the best way to know what you like.
With so many options in cabinetry, flooring, and countertops – it’s hard to know what you want until you see it.  Seeing examples of how all the design elements can work together can open up new possibilities.
Once you determine a look, another choice will fall into place. Knowing the style you want will help you look at a range of flooring, cabinetry, and countertops that will serve as the cornerstones of your new kitchen.
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Who will create the design?
This is the blueprint for all the work that will be done so it’s important to include as much detail as possible –  and stick to the plan. Changing your mind on major elements of your kitchen – and even fixtures that have been purchased – will quickly increase costs.
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How will you select and buy your fixtures, cabinets, and countertops?
Will options be available to see in a single showroom or will you be driving around to several stores? Will they be able to adequately explain the various advantages of different materials and fixtures? There are a lot of decisions to be made, so it pays to find a trustworthy resource to help you make the right choices.
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Who will manage my remodel?
It looks good on paper, but how do you make it happen? There are a lot of moving parts when coordinating a kitchen remodel. Some key questions to ask:
- Is there a single point of contact for everything?
- Who will be selecting and supervising the electricians, plumbers, tile contractors, carpenters, cabinet installers?
- Will you be able to cook and wash dishes while the work is being done?
- All these details are critical to making the remodel go as smoothly as possible.
- How will you select and buy fixtures, cabinets, and materials?
- How will you stay within budget?
- Are you doing everything in the right order?
- Who will troubleshoot problems that come up?
This is where most people get into trouble, yet having a one-stop-shop to take you from the planning to the final walkthrough can be a big advantage.
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What about guarantees?
A remodel is a big investment. You want to be sure that the work is guaranteed and all your installations are done correctly. There are warranties and receipts that you need to track and organize. And, most of all, you want the job to stick to your budget and deadline.
Considering a remodel? Take the first step with our free online Kitchen Planner.
Ready to get started? Give us a call or come visit the showroom.