Even a small home renovation project can be a daunting task. Kitchen remodeling is the most complicated and costly of all home renovations, because of the numerous types of materials and craftsmanship involved, and because it’s the place in the house where most major appliances live.

It’s also the place in the home where the most activity occurs—everything from cooking, eating, and cleaning up after meals to family gatherings and nightly homework sessions. A complete kitchen remodel usually takes six to eight weeks, so you’ll need to figure out where and how to cook food and eat during the renovation if it’s a major one.

Break Down Your List

Kitchen renovation and interior remodeling is best achieved in a timely manner and within budget when you follow a solid renovation plan that’s well thought out in advance. Your plan should be broken down into several smaller checklists covering the areas of:

• Finance
• Finding a contractor
• Choosing a style
• Developing a floor plan
• Choosing materials
• And finally, building

 

You should also have a plan for an alternative kitchen space during the project.

To make sure you have all your bases covered; your kitchen remodel checklist should also include the following items:

• Kitchen specs
• Electrical
• Lighting
• Plumbing
• Walls
• Windows
• Doors
• Floors
• Cabinets
• Countertops
• Sinks
• Appliances

 

Here are a few tips on accomplishing the most important items on your checklist:

Financing

I discuss this aspect first because it’s the most important part of any home renovation project. If you want to improve your home for a resale, plan to spend 10 to 20 percent of your home’s current market value on a kitchen renovation in order to break even on your investment.

Plan a budget you can work within and stick to it. If your dream kitchen isn’t in your budget, plan a kitchen renovation that tackles the highest priorities on your renovation list first. If you’ll be financing the project, secure your loan before you begin construction or spend any money.

Prioritize Your Needs and Wants

Nearly all renovations fall short of your dream kitchen due to budgetary restraints. Start by writing down everything you’d like to change in your kitchen. Next, decide which items are necessities and which ones you can live with as is. Then prioritize the items on your needs list to help with budgeting. If you have money left over, start adding your wants to the list.

Choose a Contractor

You’re entrusting your builder with your entire renovation project, so take your time and do plenty of research before you hire. Get recommendations from friends and read online consumer reviews before meeting with contractors to ask questions.

As you interview people, think about who you can work with amicably and who is most likely to follow your plan and stay within your budget.

 

About the Author: Joaquin Erazo, Jr. blogs about a variety of home remodeling and home improvement topics, including kitchen remodeling and interior remodeling, on his company blog Remodeling Tips & Trends for Case Remodeling/Design.

Photo credit: Plutor