1. Define the Scope - How big is the project? Cosmetic changes won't fix old appliances, cheap cabinets, out-of-style surfaces, and design flaws. Yet, often a home's structure and site make adding on, bumping out, or knocking down walls impractical or cost-prohibitive. If you don't really need more square footage, it is usually possible to gut the room and work within its dimensions. Also, by limiting structural costs, you may choose to put more money into the ooh-and-aah stuff.
2. Budget - Just as sticker shock afflicts new-car buyers, kitchen Centers, Dealers and Designers are at risk of Potential buyers getting cabinetry coronaries. If products aren't expensive enough, wait until you figure in labor, installation, and design costs.
3. Set Priorities - Knowing what's important and what's not will help you make the most of your funds. Your general goals may include a lighter, brighter, more up-to-date kitchen that feels less cramped and fits a casual, family-centered lifestyle. You may want a gas range, a large sink with a pullout faucet, and easy-to-clean surfaces. Make a list of splurges as well: painted-wood cabinetry and hardwood flooring; granite countertops and glass-door cabinets.
4. Before You Buy - For many kitchen remodeling projects, appliances may be the first items to be selected. Why? Because their physical size and features will determine where plumbing, wiring, and cabinets are to be located. Be sure to weigh price vs. features. Consider how much space you want to allocate to each appliance. Also, research ratings and reliabilityNext, begin to look at cabinet styles. Get preliminary estimates based on the number of running feet of wall space in your kitchen. Although not an exact price, these numbers can help you to compare brands and finishes before you buy.
Browse countertop options. Your choice can greatly impact your budget, since laminates will cost hundreds of dollars while granite and stone can cost many thousands of dollars. Don't forget that edge options, material thickness, and installation may add weeks to your remodeling timeline and take dollars out of your budget.Get ideas for any large features you want for your kitchen. Focal point hoods, for example, will affect cabinet placement on either side. Large islands require appropriately sized pathways all around. Built-in refrigerators can gobble up as much as 48 inches of wall space. Sinks, too, are getting larger, requiring large cabinets underneath.Take your ideas, needs, and wants to a professional kitchen designer. Bring measurements, magazine clippings, photos, and swatches. Discuss your budget and how it will fare for the scope of your project. Have a good idea of what work you are willing (and able) to do yourself: demolition? painting? plumbing connections?
5. Seek Professional Advice - Get Professional Advice Though the size and shape of your kitchen may stay the same, be open to layout changes that could improve function. That calls for professional advice. Working with a designer isn't cheap, but it can save money in the long run by helping avoid costly mistakes.Local kitchen and bath showrooms may offer free initial design consultations where you can chat with a pro about the scope of your project, your budget, and priorities.Next, set up an in-home consultation in which a designer looks at the space, takes detailed measurements, and has an in-depth discussion about your needs and wants. Inquire about the fees before committing to this step.The next phase is design development, in which the designer fleshes out the initial concept into a detailed floor plan with product suggestions and specific costs. Be prepaired to pay for revisions and manufacturer cost comparrisons, this typically costs 3-5 percent of the estimated cabinet budget.If and when you approve a final plan, you'll sign a contract that specifies agreed-upon products and installation labor, the payment schedule, and the anticipated starting and completion dates for the project.A common payment arrangement is 50 percent down when the contract is signed, another 40 percent when the cabinets are delivered, and the balance upon completion of the project.Substitutions
6. Make Satisfying Substitutions - As you crunch numbers, you may face some tough choices. For example, to get certain storage options, you may need to step up from stock cabinetry to semicustom units. That, in turn, may mean forgoing a painted wood finish for a less-expensive finish and losing glass-front doors.If professional-grade model stainless-steel appliances are out of your budget, you may want to sub in some less expensive, pro-look versions instead.Is granite too pricey for your entire countertop? Consider using it on a focal point (such as an island or sink area), or go with granite tiles or economical stone-look laminate.Real hardwood flooring is beautiful, but pricey. Consider lower-cost laminate or wood-look vinyl flooring if necessaryThe Unexpected�����.
7. Beware the Bottom Line Take this lesson to heart in calculating your kitchen costs: Don't stare so hard at the bottom line that you become blind to the overall picture. In the words of Oscar Wilde, you risk knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.Unexpected items -- such as moving a gas line, replacing a window, or rewiring for additional lighting -- are added expenses, yet the best time to do many of these is when the room is opened up and being renovated. Consider the ramification of each item before nixing it due to budget restraints. If you need to - hold 7 � 10% from the budget for the unexpected expenses |
