Whether you consider a grand makeover, post-damage restoration, or cosmetic changes, a kitchen remodel is always a challenge to a homeowner.
The kitchen is one of the most visited zones of any home — culinary masterpieces that gather together a family are created here. A welcoming and stylish kitchen interior can uplift the spirit after busy days and even upvalue the house.
Once you’ve decided to renew a kitchen, you want to know what to expect, how much it can cost, and how long it will take. The approach can vary but there are several essential stages typical for most kitchen renovation projects, most notably planning, searching for a contractor, and the remodeling process itself.
Planning: Getting Ideas & Making a Budget
If you have a custom-made kitchen redesign plan, it is great. If not, collect ideas and inspiration from dedicated showrooms, online stores, or home design platforms. Note and save elements and patterns you like, so you could discuss them with a contractor later. Get ready financially — kitchen renovation can be pretty costly if you go for a full makeover and target top-grade materials and fixtures.
Costs vary significantly and depend primarily on the scope of work and chosen materials. In other words, a complete makeover with new flooring, kitchen island installation, replacement of cabinetry, and new appliances cannot be compared to the renovation of existing cabinets and fixtures. The same applies to materials: hardwood flooring vs. laminate, marble countertops vs. quartz. In case you just want to renew the kitchen within a specific budget, you might need a specialist to recommend the optimal solution for your situation. Hence, you start searching for kitchen remodeling contractors.
Choosing a Contractor
Remodeling is a complex process that involves construction, plumbing, and electrical works, so to have a stress-free and smooth renovation you’d better hire a reputable, fully licensed, and insured contractor.
Look for a local contractor familiar with building codes and regulations in your area — most companies take charge of getting necessary permits if required. Get recommendations from friends, neighbors, and colleagues and check online reviews on third-party platforms like Yelp or Trustpilot.
Select at least three companies and request estimates. During communication with companies’ representatives, you can size up the quality of customer service too. Be aware of scams that require large cash deposits and cannot provide a valid license.
Remodeling Process: The Order of Works
- Floor plan. Even if you do not plan on removing walls or changing windows location and decide on kitchen cabinet remodel, you still need an interior layout plan. Most remodeling companies offer design services: given your requirements and preferences, they will offer a custom-designed solution.
- Demolition. This is the time when your old kitchen is ripped out. Reputable contractors are well aware of how messy and noisy demolition can be, so they fence the zone to protect other areas of your home from unwanted debris. Pros also take care of hidden plumbing and wiring. Whenever hidden leaks or worn-out wires are discovered, this is the right time to fix them. Once the rough work is completed, a contractor might schedule an official inspection to get permission for further work. That is why hiring a local contractor is a good idea. When it comes to kitchen demolition, professionals like Bella Contracting Services excel in providing expert solutions, ensuring a smooth and efficient process with expertise in pittsburgh demo. Local specialists know building codes and regulations well and can complete official procedures fast. Usually, the inspection takes one day — an official representative should inspect piping and wiring to ensure it is in full compliance with existing safety standards and building codes.
- Floor and wall installation. Once demolition is completed, it is time for framing work that involves construction tasks, such as moving windows, kitchen island construction, or strengthening joints for walls or heavy appliances.
- Electrical and plumbing works. Called by pros a mechanical rough-in stage, this step includes rerouting pipes and wiring. Unless you plan simple cosmetic changes, there should be rerouting of wiring and pipes. Probably new circuits should be installed. When plumbing and electrical works are done, they must be checked and approved by an official inspector.
- Wall painting. With the transition to this stage, the kitchen will start taking the shape of a kitchen. After all inspections, the ceiling and walls can be closed up. A contractor proceeds to wall insulation and drywall installation. If you change the flooring, the specialists will start with the subfloor and go on with the new flooring installation. Walls are then painted to be ready for cabinetry installation.
Note: Actually, some contractors prefer to install cabinets before flooring. The right order depends on the type of flooring, for instance, hardwood and tiling are usually installed before cabinets, while vinyl or laminate can be installed once the cabinets are in position.
- Cabinet installation. Now that the space looks organized, it is time to install cabinets. Typically, this work takes several days: cabinets should be perfectly leveled to ensure that countertops will be installed true-horizontally.
- Appliances & light fixtures installation. This is the next-to-last step: kitchen appliances will be installed and connected. Sinks and faucets will be put into place and connected. Finally, light fixtures can be installed and connected to switches.
- Final touches and inspection. Once all the tasks are completed, you make the final walk-through and note tiny details and discrepancies, if any. Reputable contractors provide final cleanup to remove debris and dust. When you’re satisfied with the work done, a contractor will arrange official inspections to review the remodeling work and stamp the permit application as completed and approved.
The timeline depends on the scale of the planned renovation: smaller remodel projects might not include all the above-mentioned stages but the order will remain the same.
And last but not least, throw a party to celebrate the renovated kitchen with your family and friends. A remodeled kitchen is definitely worth the time and investment as it makes a home more enjoyable and increases home equity notably.
