Common Kitchen Remodel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Everyone has heard a kitchen remodel horror story of a contractor that skipped town with a deposit, a project taking much longer than anticipated or something going wrong that took months to rectify. With Home Remedy, you don’t have to worry about any of these because our focus on customer service, professionalism and communication is paramount. A kitchen renovation can add value to your home, create more space for entertaining and storage, and make cooking more enjoyable. However, it’s always good to have some expectations in place when a company such as Home Remedy comes in for a massive kitchen overhaul.
Expect the best, but plan for the worst.
Electricity, water and more are being realigned and reorganized for your kitchen remodel. The expectation should be that you will not be able to use your kitchen at all until the project is complete. Chances are, you won’t have running water in your sink or for your ice maker for a day or two. If you’re getting new appliances, there may be electrical adjustments that need to be made before you can try out your new range or fridge. Plan in advance for an alternate storage area for your dishes, pots, and pans if new cabinetry is being installed or renovated. Move your pantry items such as cans, cereal, and dog food to a temporary and safe location, out of the way of workers and dust. Being thoughtful with these elements can prevent damage to your grandmother’s china, your new appliances and save time. This is also a great opportunity to declutter by getting rid of or otherwise donating utensils, small appliances and dishes you no longer need or want.
Choose your appliances first.
Wide, double-doored refrigerators, fancy range vents and double ovens, deep sinks and built-in microwaves come in all shapes and sizes. Adjustments may need to be made in the height of your cabinets or width of your countertops. This all needs to be addressed and measured before the kitchen renovation takes place. This will save a ton of time for you and your hired contractors who are trying to get you back “shaking and baking” in less time. This can also prevent materials being wasted if they are cut too large or too small.
Be patient.
A truly beautiful backsplash, unique flooring and well-done grouting and cabinetry can take time to perfect. Discuss the proposed timeline with your contractor, but understand that materials may be delayed from third-party vendors or other complications may arise when your old cabinets come down and the original contractor took shortcuts or “got creative” with the adherence to building codes in your area. Working with a contractor such as Home Remedy, you can be confident that your kitchen remodel will be done correctly, not just quickly or where it looks correct from the outside.
Call a professional.
We can’t encourage you enough, with the various complications that can occur, to call a professional for your kitchen remodeling job. As much as you may be the DIY type (which is wonderful in many cases!), professional contractors can help fine-tune your plan and bring up points you may have never considered. Hiring someone else to take care of the changes in your kitchen may cost a little more up front. However, it can save you in hassle, stress, mistakes, ruined materials, and other obstacles that can render your kitchen unusable for much longer than you wanted.
With these tips focusing on preparation, patience, and creativity, within weeks you can have the kitchen of your dreams. A kitchen remodel doesn’t have to be a scary or stressful undertaking when you make the right plans and budget, and call our team at Home Remedy.