Kitchen remodeling

A Guide to Kitchen Remodeling

If you’ve been considering remodeling your kitchen, you may be wondering where to start. Kitchen renovations are a big job, so before you begin your search for a contractor, there are various factors to consider first.
Our Guide Includes:

Before You Start

Set Your Budget

Before doing anything else related to your kitchen remodel, you want to set your budget. When setting your budget, it is important to be realistic about the costs. Set a conservative budget below your maximum budget. This will provide you with a cushion in case the project takes up more time or money than expected.

In most cases, it is recommended that you add another 10 to 20 percent to your budget to account for any surprises that arise. The last thing you want to do is budget too low and obtain a loan mid-project or end up with an unfinished kitchen.

When putting together your budget, be sure to consider the cost of labor and material. You should also account for the taxes and any shipping or delivery costs you may incur.

Research Your Kitchen Remodel

Take the time to visit home stores and kitchen showrooms to help you get an idea of the cost of the various elements of your new kitchen. As you browse items and pricing, make a list of what you need and what you can afford to help you get a better idea of the new features you want and what will be realistic for your budget.

Be sure to get samples of paint, flooring, etc., so you can compare and mix and match to determine the style of your renovation.

Choose the Highest Quality Your Budget Allows

When remodeling your kitchen, you want to make sure you choose the highest quality materials that your budget allows. It is crucial to choose functional, quality items not only for your use and to ensure a better resale value. Top-quality items like countertops and appliances will last longer, saving you the money you would have spent on replacing or repairing them in the future.

Be Practical with Your Needs and Wants

While it can be tempting to purchase the latest gadgets and extravagant appliances, in most cases, it is best to choose reliable, high-quality basics that will be best for everyday use. Also, keep in mind that every new appliance you add to your remodel will increase your utility bill while also adding to your maintenance responsibilities and the money needed to service and maintain.

Choosing a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor

Kitchen remodeling can be complicated. You spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so you want it to look and function at its best. With many critical components such as electrical and plumbing, hiring a professional kitchen remodeling contractor can help you realize your dreams for the perfect kitchen.

Why You Should Hire a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor

When you hire a professional contractor, you are hiring someone who can help you realize your dreams for a new kitchen in an efficient and effective way. There is a lot at stake when overhauling your kitchen, so it is best to use a professional contractor.

You will still be in control of the design of your kitchen when working with a kitchen remodeling contractor, but they have the knowledge and the tools to help you achieve your goals with style. While you may be able to DIY a new set of cabinets or paint job for a full kitchen remodel, it is best to consider hiring a professional. With the knowledge and skills that a professional possesses, you can work with them to avoid surprise costs, saving you money and time on your remodel while ensuring you get the kitchen of your dreams.

When you work with the kitchen contractors at Kitchen & Bath Galleria, you can also benefit from our relationship with many of the top suppliers for kitchen materials and appliances. Our team will assist you in purchasing your materials and appliances, designing your layout, and also provide you with additional design advice. Using a certified kitchen designer and contractor allows you to ensure that your project gets the attention it deserves.

Choosing The Right Kitchen Contractor

Now that you have decided to hire a kitchen remodeling contractor, it is time to find the best one for the job. It is critical to hire someone who is experienced and reputable for the best results.

To begin your search, you can start by asking friends, family, or coworkers for their personal recommendations. Pay attention to their reviews and look at their previous projects on their website to see if their style is what you are looking for. Once you have narrowed it down to a few contractors, take the time to explore their background through a consultation.

When you are at the initial consultation, be sure to:

Ask for their certifications. You will want to check to see if they are certified properly based on your state’s regulating authority’s rules.

Ask for references. Reputable designers will be able to provide you with a list of happy customers you can speak with about their experience. Be sure to check with the customers you speak with about how the designer handled their input, whether the project came in on budget, and whether they would use the designer again.

Check if they have created a kitchen similar to what you want. You want to look for a kitchen contractor who has designed kitchens that you like. If their designs are similar to what you want, then it is likely they will be a good match.

Ask about communication. This will be a crucial component of your project, so be sure to ask the contractor how you will communicate, phone calls, emails, or text messages, and how often you will communicate about the project. You need to find a contractor you can trust to communicate openly and one that can help you make the right decisions.

Designing the Kitchen

Remodeling your kitchen comes with a variety of choices. The two main components of your kitchen are the kitchen cabinets and the countertops. Cabinets are of the biggest expenses you will encounter when remodeling your kitchen, whereas countertops serve as the focal point of many kitchens, making them both critical elements in your remodel.

Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

When choosing your kitchen cabinets, you should start with your budget. There are three categories of cabinets to choose from:

  • Stock- Starting at $70 per linear foot.
  • Semi-custom- From $150-$250 per linear foot.
  • Custom- $500 or more per linear foot.

Stock cabinets come in limited styles and sizes, whereas semi-custom cabinets are available in more configurations for a better fit. Custom cabinets are made to suit your exact specification and can also be personalized with a variety of features.

Once you have determined your budget, you will need to choose a style of cabinet. Two main styles include framed and frameless. Framed cabinets are made of a box with a face frame with the doors and drawers attached, whereas the frameless cabinets lack a frame and have the door and drawers directly attached to the cabinet box.
You can accessorize your cabinets with built-in trash cans, charging stations, and even lift cabinets that have a spring-loaded shelf for easy access to appliances.

Hardware is another important choice when choosing cabinets because it adds style and functionality to your kitchen. You can make a bold statement with cabinet hardware, or you can choose hardware that blends in seamlessly with your style.

Choosing Countertops

Common kitchen countertop materials include quartz, marble, and granite. Each type of material has its own beauty and benefits, but you will need to choose the material that suits your style, daily lifestyle, and kitchen use.

When choosing the right material, you need to consider how much time you can dedicate to maintaining the countertops and how durable you need them to be:

  • Quartz- This is a durable material that does not require sealing or special cleaning. Quartz can offer a distinct look with added glass and metal flecks.
  • Marble- This material is porous and will require regular sealing but is also heat-resistant and long-lasting. With distinctive veining, marble offers a unique look.
  • Granite- This material is porous and prone to staining and cracking, so it is not best for a high-traffic kitchen. This material offers beautiful natural colors and patterns.

In addition to durability and style, you need to consider your budget when choosing kitchen countertops. The cost of your kitchen countertops depends on the size of your kitchen, whether you want an island, the finish and thickness you choose, and backsplash installation.

When choosing countertops, keep in mind that quartz is the more expensive option per square foot, whereas marble is only slightly more expensive than granite. Granite tends to be the most affordable option compared to quartz and marble.

Ready to Start on Your Kitchen Remodel?

When you work with the team at Kitchen & Bath Galleria for your kitchen remodeling project, we will use our innovative Inspired By You Design Method where you are involved every step of the way. We will work closely with you to learn about your lifestyle, preference, routine, and your feedback to ensure your kitchen remodel is designed around YOU.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Kitchen and bath galleria
+ posts

Greg is the owner of Kitchen & Bath and has been providing designing and building services since 1986. With that much experience, he's become an expert in several types of home renovations.

Top