When contemplating a kitchen remodel, a good plan, design and approach are essential components to success. First you want to determine whether you need a “mini makeover”, or a full blown gut and redo of the space. If it’s the latter, you’ll want to consider things such as,
- Layout and measurements
- Style (traditional, country, contemporary, rustic, transitional, old world, arts & crafts)
- Colors (earth tones, sharp accents, i.e.- the general look and feel you’re going for)
When considering layouts and measurements, it’s best to have a professional create a plan and design for you. Kitchen remodels typically require permits, electricians, plumbers, cabinet makers, appliance technicians, lighting, and floor vendors. Most of our designers and installers have between 15 and 30 years of experience in kitchen remodeling and installation, we will create a professional kitchen design that incorporates the appropriate,
- Work triangles (or dual work triangles; any side not to exceed 26″)
- Room layouts (wall, corridor, L, double L, U and G)
- Storage areas and appliances
- Cabinetry and islands
Kitchen Remodel Checklist
Following is a list of the major “pieces” to consider, and a brief distinction of some of the choices in materials and products.
- Cabinets
- Counter tops
- Flooring
- Lighting
- Storage
- Island
- Plumbing
Kitchen Cabinets-
Cabinets are a very important consideration for a kitchen remodel, both in terms of color, style and timing. From a planning and installation point of view, the type of cabinet plays a major role in the length/timing of the project.
Semi Stock Cabinets – will be a cabinet that has to be ordered which is typically 3-8 weeks out, but you will have a wider selection in sizes, species and finishes.
Custom Cabinets – At Len Stevens Construction, the cabinet makers we use are 20-30 year professionals and have built custom cabinetry most of their life. Our cabinet makers will match the color, style and finish to your existing cabinetry for a beautiful look.
Kitchen Counter Tops-
Counter tops are a primary piece of any kitchen remodel, and very similar to cabinets, they have a wide range of prices and choices. The following is a short description of the most popular counter tops with the pros and cons associated with each.
Stone Counter Top – Granite, marble and soapstone are the natural stones most suppliers carry for counter tops. Each of these stone tops can be polished, honed and have multiple edgings put on them. Granite is probably the most popular and most durable. You can set hot skillets on them and they are very tough and low maintenance. Resealing them on a yearly basis is really about all that is needed. Out of all the tops, granite will be on the upper end of the price scale.
Quartz Counter Top – This is an engineered counter top made out of crushed stone mixed with resins, epoxy and color pigment. Sealants are not required, it is a stain free product, but it is not heat proof and it is not structurally sound.
Wood Counter Top – This top is commonly referred to as butcher block and is made from stacked pieces of glued wood, typically maple, walnut, cherry or teak. It is a fantastic cutting service and can be sanded down and resealed many times over. Standing water will de-laminate the wood pieces and it should be sealed with oil on a regular basis.
Kitchen Flooring-
Whether you’re talking about a kitchen or a bath, flooring becomes a very important piece of the project. The most common types of flooring are;
Ceramic Tile Floor –
Tile is a very durable, stain resistant surface that looks beautiful in most any room. There are thousands of colors and styles to choose from and it always has that handcrafted look and feel to it. Be careful about where you install this product as slipping on a glazed surface is always a concern. The tile joints must be sealed to prevent staining and accumulating dirt.
Hardwood Floor –
Very similar to ceramic, a hardwood floor is very durable, very beautiful but slipping on this floor can be an issue and standing water can degrade most hardwood floors.
Laminate Flooring –
Pergo and other laminate floor manufacturers make this product. It is very durable, you can’t ding it, and typically it won’t stain and cleanup is a breeze. Be careful about standing water, it might de-laminate some products.
Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring –
These products are very similar in that they both are very quiet, smooth and comfortable and most will hold up well against stains.
Stone and Concrete Flooring – Granite, marble and slate are common products for stone floors and can be purchased at most big box or flooring stores. These products are very durable; they need to be sealed and are on the upper end of the price spectrum.
These steps will assure you an enjoyable process from concept to completion.
REMODELING TIPS
- Before you make any sort of purchase for your home remodeling project, you need to make sure that you have enough money to start and complete the project. Balance out your finances, even make a checklist. If things balance out, then you have the green light to move ahead with your home remodeling. Try to avoid getting into debt or having any unrealistic expectations, be sensible.
- The next step should be figuring out how you want to remodel your home. Remember, home remodeling is not about what the modern trends of home remodeling are; it’s about what fits your personality and style. Go through books, walk through show rooms and get a feel for what you want. It will also help to walk through your house, going through each room and taking a mental picture of what might work and what will not. After you know what you want, develop a plan, and begin looking for a contractor to help you.
- Qualifying your contractor. Check the following:
- Current business license
- Contractor association membership
- Current references
- Workman’s Comp Insurance
- General Liability Insurance
- Written Documents with Contract. Check the following:
- Scope of work
- Selections
- Drawings and elevations
- Predetermined progress payment schedule
- Work schedule
- After the money is budgeted and you’ve made a plan for your remodeling project, it’s time to get to work. Home remodeling is not a quick process, it will take some time. So, you need to make sure that you take a little time once in a while during the process to monitor the progression of the project(s). During this time it is also important to monitor finances, making sure that you are not overspending.
- Move personal property from construction areas and declare all work zones off-limits to children and pets.
- Keep a job file including your contract, plans, specifications, invoices, change orders and all correspondence that is made between you and the contractor.
- Request that a contractors’ affidavit of Final release and Mechanic’s Lien Waiver is provided to you at the time you make final payment.
These steps will assure you an enjoyable process from concept to completion.