6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start Your Kitchen Remodel

Once you’ve made the decision to get your kitchen remodeled, you might start feeling overwhelmed. Renovating your kitchen comes with a lot of decision making. We’ve compiled a list of questions to ask yourself before you meet with a DreamMaker designer.

1. Realistically, how much do I want this kitchen remodel to cost?

The very first thing you need to establish is a budget. If you don’t know what you’re looking to spend, odds are you will under- or overspend and not be completely happy with your remodel. Be realistic in budgeting for your project, by reviewing the items below.

Kitchen Design
This is the most important part of the job, so make sure you choose someone with experience and integrity. A design/build firm should be able to estimate how long your project should take in days, not weeks. This is the benefit of hiring a company that staffs both designers and craftsmen. A designer who works with the construction team will be able to help you make choices based on the labor involved. A trained designer can really help you stay on target with your budget while providing you with the functionality that you want.

Cabinets & Countertops
When it comes to materials, there are a variety of cost-effective, high-quality products available. What you need to decide is how you will use the space and your budget. For example, do you really want granite countertops, or would you consider a more cost-effective option? Do your cabinets need to be a specific kind of wood? Is your existing flooring in good condition or will you need to update that as well?

Construction and Demolition
Are you as happy as you could be with your kitchen floor plan? Do you want to expand it? Do you think you might want to create more of a separation between the kitchen and the rest of your home? Construction and/or demolition are key factors in how quickly your project can be done and how much you’re going to spend in terms of labor. 

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for when it comes to labor. If someone is quoting you much less than other contractors, this is a red flag. In general, the less-experienced and cheaper craftsmen will cost less, but you are taking the risk of a job not being completed in a timely fashion, or worse, not having something installed correctly. 

Another thing to consider is what permits you will need to obtain from the city. If you have decided to remodel your kitchen yourself, do your due diligence with the city you live in. If you’ve decided to hire someone, make sure they are licensed and that they are seeking permits.

<p><strong><em>2. What is my end goal?<br></em></strong>Make a list of things that are working and things that aren’t. You might realize that you don’t really need things you thought you did, and things you overlooked are suddenly very important. Maybe you need an island for more workspace, but how about a desk to pay bills or do homework?</p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">Are you planning any other future remodeling projects? If you think there might be more house renovations on the horizon, incorporate those remodeling plans into your current project, especially if those rooms are adjacent.&nbsp;</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: initial;"><em>3. Do I need new appliances?<br></em></strong><span style="background-color: initial;">New appliances will factor into the cost of your kitchen remodel, there’s no question. If you’re going to spend the time investing in new cabinets, flooring, or countertops, it might also be time to evaluate your appliances.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">If you are keeping your current appliances, make sure the design style you choose looks good with those appliances. You really can’t go wrong with simple colors like white or black, and stainless steel works with almost every design. <em>Pro tip:</em> If you don’t have energy efficient appliances, consider getting them for your remodel.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: initial;"><em>4. Does my current kitchen layout work?<br></em></strong><span style="background-color: initial;">Now is the time to take in your whole layout. Are you looking to do a cosmetic update, or do you need to implement more functionality? Do you need more space, or less? What would make your kitchen more user-friendly? Would you want an island in your kitchen? Does your kitchen feel cramped? Do you have room to store everything? Do you need more seating, or less seating?&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">Take the time to consider what you would like to change about your daily living and what enhancements could be made to make your life easier, even if you like your floor plan. One example might be moving appliances around. Maybe the refrigerator and the oven are parked right across from each other, which is inconvenient when you’re trying to pull something out of the oven and someone else is pulling something out of the fridge.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">This is where working with a kitchen designer can really help. If you can, try to get a 3D rendering of the final project.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;"><br></span></p><span style="background-color: initial;"><br></span>

<p><strong><em>5. Which kitchen countertops are right for me?</em></strong><br><span style="background-color: initial;">We say this a lot at DreamMaker Bath &amp; Kitchen: Your countertops are the star of your kitchen show. We know that you want beautiful countertops, but we encourage you to learn about the different materials available.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">Countertops run the gamut in terms of materials. Some are better for certain situations than others. For example, glass countertops are probably not the best material for a family with young children (and lots of sticky fingers); however, they would be great for an accent counter or a home that doesn’t get as messy. Butcher block countertops are beautiful, but they require even more upkeep than quartz or granite.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">Concrete countertops are all the rage, but they tend to stain easily. There is a way to get the aesthetic that you are looking for combined with the functionality that you need. Check out our two countertop blog posts to get all the pros and cons.</span></p><p><strong><em>6. Does my kitchen cabinetry work for me?</em></strong><br><span style="background-color: initial;">Cabinets have come a long way in the last decade. Are your current cabinets placed so that things are easily reached? Do your top cabinets need to be lowered? Are you able to store everything you need neatly? Do you have enough room for pots, pans, trays, and small appliances?&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">Cabinetry isn’t about having enough storage, but about having the best way to organize things. Having the correct kind of cabinets and drawers makes all the difference in the world. Pull-out drawers and pop-up mixer stands are two simple organizing solutions.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">In some cases, you may not even require all new cabinets. Most cabinets that work as they are can be painted or refaced, to match new cabinets being installed.</span></p>

<p>Ultimately, you want to make sure that whatever changes you make to your home will net you the best return on your investment.</p><p>Working with a trained designer can help you answer these questions, and other remodeling concerns, effortlessly. A good designer will provide budget-comfortable and creative solutions to your kitchen problems.&nbsp;</p><p><em>Feel free to call us and set up an appointment today: 734-669-4000, or send us an email at info@dm-remodel.com.</em><br></p><p><em><br></em></p>