Ten Questions to Help You Avoid Common Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes

Remodeling your kitchen is a big undertaking, and if you want successful results, you need to prepare a lot before you jump in with sledgehammers to tear down those walls.

Asking yourself some very important questions can help you set realistic expectations, make the process more predictable, and give you positive results.

Consider these 10 questions before you begin:

1. Why do you want to remodel your kitchen?

First of all, decide why you really want to remodel your kitchen. This is a major project, so deciding what improvements you really want to make to your kitchen will help you get your planning off to a good start.
Spend some time in your kitchen and decide on the main goals you want to accomplish with your kitchen remodel. List the areas of your kitchen that you want to improve, and then prioritize them. Later in the process, if you have to cut corners to stay within your budget, you can go straight to items at the bottom of your list!

2. How will the remodeling process affect your life?

Living in your home while you’re remodeling your kitchen will present some drawbacks. So be realistic about this before you start and make alternate plans before you get in the middle of it. Talk to your family ahead of time and make sure everyone is on board for a minor hiccup until your kitchen is back up and running. Plan ahead and think about where your temporary “kitchen” will be. Decide where you will do the dishes, perhaps in the guest bathroom? Consider eating out more often and plan to use the grill and microwave for meals at home.

3. To gut or not to gut?

Don’t bite off more than you can chew, as the old saying goes. If you go in and boot, you have no choice but to replace everything. So please make sure of your budget and actual replacement cost before starting work.

4. Is your perfect schedule realistic?

No matter how well you plan ahead, unforeseen events can interfere with your plans. Delays in receiving materials and other unplanned circumstances can, and probably will, affect your perfect schedule.

The best idea is to keep some padding while programming every aspect of the process. For example, if you’re scheduling your sink to be installed the day after the countertops are completed, add an extra day or two in between. Also, get your cabinets, appliances, tile, etc. in order before you start the project.

5. Whose recommendations will you follow?

You will be dealing with many different people on your kitchen remodeling project, possibly an electrician, plumber, painter, decorator, installers of all kinds.

It is important to listen to the recommendations of the experts, but do not get carried away by decisions that go beyond what you need and the price you can afford. Try to stick to your priority list to make sure you get the most out of your project and don’t skimp on the quality of the things you want most.

6. How do you find a reliable contractor?

First of all, don’t tackle this project yourself if you don’t have experience; you’ll be glad to have professionals when all is said and done. Don’t settle for the first contractor you talk to. And don’t settle for the cheapest quote.

It’s okay to have more than one estimate, and you want to make sure your contractor is qualified, guaranteed and insured, and experienced. And get everything in writing to avoid complications later. Getting recommendations is always a smart move on your part.

7. Have you measured thoroughly?

One of the most disappointing and costly mistakes you can make on a remodeling project is ordering appliances or cabinets, completing work to prepare for installation, and then discovering that your appliance, sink, or cabinets don’t fit in the space.

Do yourself a favor and work with a kitchen architect or designer who can draw up your plans. Then choose professional installers who can understand and implement the plans effectively.

8. Does the kitchen of your dreams fit in with the rest of your house?

One of the worst decorating mistakes you can make is creating a dream kitchen that doesn’t work at all with the rest of your home. Don’t create a sleek, contemporary kitchen if the rest of your home is traditional.

You can find a happy medium and have a great style that will complement the rest of your home and still meet the needs of an updated kitchen. Be reasonable in your choices and think about balancing the style of your new kitchen with your existing décor.

9. What types of appliances are realistic for your needs?

Unless you’re a gourmet cook, you may not need the most expensive stove with all the bells and whistles. Once again, balance is the key to good choices. If you like to cook and have always wanted a gas stove instead of an electric one, that’s reasonable.

Don’t overdo any appliance just because you see it on the kitchen network. Choose the types of appliances that really suit your purposes and add efficiency and style to your new kitchen.

10. What about lighting?

Good lighting makes a big difference in the atmosphere of your kitchen. But you also need useful lighting for work areas.

One of the most popular types of lighting in today’s kitchen is recessed under cabinet lighting. If you choose this type of lighting, make sure the bottom of the cabinet is also recessed so your lamps won’t show.

And don’t forget a plan for your electrical outlets. There’s nothing more disappointing than great kitchen appliances without a logical place to plug them in.

There is a lot to think about when planning to remodel your kitchen. If you take your time, do your homework, plan ahead, and stay flexible, you can survive and end up with a great new kitchen as a gathering place for family and friends to enjoy for years to come.