When it comes time to remodel your kitchen, there are a few important things to remember before getting started. Kitchen remodeling projects require extensive planning and can be expensive if you don’t do your due diligence. Inadequate planning will not only set you back time but potentially drain your budget.

When remodeling a kitchen it is important to approach the project with thorough research and a step-by-step checklist. There’s much to consider while planning the scope of the remodel, detailing the layout, hiring a competent contractor, and ordering high-quality materials.

Kitchen Remodel Checklist

A step-by-step approach is extremely helpful in streamlining all the activities you need to prioritize while planning a kitchen remodeling project.

1.    Plan

Planning is the first and most enjoyable step of remodeling your kitchen. You must begin by visualizing your dream kitchen and pondering over the details of its cosmetic structure, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

We advise surrounding yourself with inspiration and exploring architectural gazettes, interior trends, and popular home improvement magazines. Pinterest is a convenient and fun medium to gather images and discover innovative designs that align with your functional needs.

During the planning phase, it’s important to focus on the aspects that will enhance your utility and overall life quality. For instance, do you want to erect a marble-clad island to serve breakfast in the kitchen? Or perhaps, you want an elegant entertaining kitchen with a cozy breakfast nook?

Don’t rush through the planning phase. Instead, take your time to get inspired and explore designs for every aspect, from cabinets and countertops to the island, flooring, backsplash, and more.

2.    What Needs To Be Updated

Once you have a concrete artistic vision of your dream kitchen, it’s time to set priorities and identify the remodeling aspects that matter the most. We advise making a detailed list of all the elements and features you need to upgrade to enjoy a functional kitchen.

Making a list will prove immensely helpful in tracking your priorities, and you can make printouts to share this list with your kitchen designer and contractor. Your list can include some of the following kitchen components:

  • Backsplash
  • Breakfast nook
  • Cabinets
  • Countertops
  • Drywall
  • Flooring
  • Herb garden
  • Kitchen Island
  • Plumbing
  • Paint
  • Stainless steel appliances
  • Windows

3.    Create A Realistic Budget

A kitchen remodel may seem like a small-scale project compared to extensive home construction, but things can quickly get out of hand. It is essential to define the scale and scope of your project by setting a realistic budget. Failure to understand the costs and regulate expenses can result in a waste of time and money.

Every kitchen is unique and the overall budget will be determined by several factors, such as the cost of new appliances, raw materials, contractor fees, artistic vision, and cosmetic enhancements. A kitchen renovation involving just custom cabinetry and countertops will cost significantly less than an alteration to the floor plan.

It is wise to consult family and friends who have recently undertaken a kitchen renovation to assess the expenses involved in the process. If you’re doing your research online, be sure to find resources that are specific to your location. The expenses involved in a kitchen renovation vary considerably nationwide, and the expenses homeowners incur in Los Angeles are strikingly different from the rates charged in other cities throughout the country.

Typically, a kitchen remodel in Los Angeles can cost anywhere between $40,000 to $100,000, depending on the upgrades you’re planning to undertake. It’s realistic to set aside at least $40,000 for a small kitchen with minimal enhancements and lower-end materials.

According to Statista, 45% of homeowners stated they’ve always planned on remodeling their kitchen but that they had to wait until they had the financial means. You will need a flexible and generous budget to renovate a large kitchen, especially if you want to invest in high-end raw materials such as exotic wooden cabinetry, or if you need the plan to alter the floor plan to add more space.

4.    Research Kitchen Designs

Most homeowners who rush toward the execution phase without thorough research are embroiled in numerous complications stemming from an incomplete artistic vision. Continue researching for design and inspiration until you have a detailed image of your dream kitchen with all its cosmetic and functional components.

It is important to exhaust all means of research to define every aspect. From the flooring and layout to the cabinets, storage space, pantry, and dining area. Ponder over the details of wood varieties for custom cabinetry, materials and color schemes for the countertops, and paint color schemes.

5.    Vet and Select your Contractor

It is strongly advisable to schedule consultation sessions with at least three contractors to expand your options and find the most competent professional. Once you’ve interviewed multiple candidates, you can start vetting them to find the right contractor for the job.

The right professional will take the time to understand your artistic vision and needs, and the services will align with your budget. It is pertinent to note that the most affordable professional is not always the right choice because you don’t want to compromise the structural integrity of your home with cheap construction and poor-grade raw materials.

These vetting tips will prove helpful in protecting yourself from incompetent professionals:

  • Conduct diligent research to find authentic client reviews
  • Check their contractor license and verify their credentials
  • Obtain a copy of their insurance certificate.
  • Obtain at least three references before finalizing the candidate.
  • Schedule an interview with the company owner.

Once you’ve selected the right candidate, you will receive a written agreement detailing the contractual term, project scope, and estimated costs. All construction firms use different contract formats and agreements, so be sure to examine the contract carefully and ponder over every clause to avoid any future complications.

Make sure the contract has a detailed payment schedule that aligns with your budget and financial means. Once you are comfortable with the contractual terms, you can make a deposit and get started with the remodel.

6.    Select Your materials

Shopping for raw materials is an exciting phase that allows homeowners to immerse themselves in creating their perfect kitchen design. This phase demands extensive research to find the best quality materials without paying more than their actual worth. You must set priorities to avoid splurging too much on ornamentation and neglecting structural components like cabinets and appliances.

Experts advise starting with appliances because they are the most expensive components, and their placement and size will determine the overall layout of the kitchen. If you’re designing custom cabinets, be sure to finalize the colors, materials, and styles to streamline the manufacturing process and prevent delays.

Once you’ve sorted the appliances, you can turn your attention toward other priorities such as flooring, tiles, and countertops. Selecting and purchasing materials well before installation is highly advisable to avoid supply delays and stock shortages.

Keep in mind that all custom-made components, such as cabinets, countertops, and windows, will need extensive time to be manufactured. Selecting materials for custom-made items is much more important than shopping for hardware, paint colors, lighting, and fixtures.

7.    Schedule your Project

Contractors have extremely busy yearly schedules, and your chosen company will most likely schedule your project months or weeks in advance. Setting a start date in advance will give the contractor ample time to manufacture the custom-made components and execute your remodel without delays.

It is important to consult your contractor on a timeline and keep in mind that your project could get slightly delayed. A basic kitchen renovation can take around a month or 5 weeks, but larger projects with multiple custom components require 2-3 months.

8.    Construction

Finally, it’s time to start working on your dream kitchen and overseeing the day-to-day processes to ensure quality standards. Before demolishing the kitchen, be sure to seal off the space from other living spaces to avoid an influx of debris and dust throughout your home.

You will need to do a little bit of planning ahead of time to manage your schedule without having access to a kitchen. Not to worry, setting up a kitchenette elsewhere or dining out are usually the best ways to survive a kitchen remodel.

Keep an eye on the daily operations and examine the progress regularly. If you notice anything that deviates from your original plan, consult your contractor right away. Maintaining healthy and positive communication with the contractor will help you maintain quality standards and ensure the remodel remains true to your vision. 

Final Tip

With this kitchen remodeling checklist, you now have some guidelines to go about your renovation project successfully. If you reside in the Los Angeles area, Build Method Construction can assist you with redesigning your kitchen and walk you through the process of capturing your aesthetic vision.

 

Call us now at 818.900.9626 for a free consultation or Get a Free Quote