5 Things to Think About Before a Kitchen Renovation

Remodeling your kitchen can be a big undertaking. As long as you take a step back and ask yourself a few simple questions first you can avoid a lot of stress. Many of the problems are caused by a lack of preparation and consideration.

Here are 5 things to think about before a kitchen renovation.

Why are You Renovating Your Kitchen?

Understanding “why” you want to do something—namely renovating your kitchen—is an important thing to understand. If you’re renovating for yourself because you want a change then you should pick a kitchen that suits you. If you’re looking to sell your house or improve its value then you need a kitchen that appeals to others. They may be entirely different things. Perhaps you need more storage space or you want to update your appliances. Ask yourself what you really need out of your new kitchen.

What is Your Budget?

Your budget is super important. Another common problem with any renovation is underestimating the cost involved. While the DIY route can be cheaper, it can easily be more of a hassle and cost more in the long run if you’re not sure what you are doing. Also plan for unexpected occurence that will cause you to go over budget. Work out a budget and add 10% to it for emergencies or changes that cost more than expected.

What Can You Keep?

A great way to cut down on the costs of renovation is to keep things you can still use. If your appliances work great then don’t replace them. The same applies to your shelves and cabinetry. If you like your shelves, sink, and appliances then don’t get them replaced. Appliances are definitely a major cost. The more of the original kitchen you can keep the more you will save on the renovation.

Are You Staying in The House During Renovation?

If you’re going to be staying in the house during the renovation then you need to prepare for that. You pretty much won’t have a kitchen until the work is done—at least not a functioning one. You could be living off of takeout for a while. This can be a big hassle if you have little children or you prefer to eat fresh foods. Come up with an alternate plan for dining—whether it’s backyard grilling or eating out, just know ahead of time meal times are going to be affected.

Where Are You Going to Keep Everything?

Another big thing to consider is where you’re going to keep the food you already have in your kitchen. You won’t have access to all of your kitchen and there’s a chance that your power might be cut for a short time, rendering your refrigerator useless. If you have a lot of frozen goods then they could end up spoiled. Find other places to store what’s in your kitchen while the renovation is happening. Getting a kitchen renovation completed doesn’t have to be super expensive or incredibly stressful. Just ask yourself these questions and really prepare for it. Accept that things may take a while and you are going to lose your kitchen for a short time. Work out what you want out of the renovation and how much it’s going to cost you. You’d be surprised at what a little preparation can do for your stress levels.