5 Steps to Redo Your Kitchen Without Breaking Your Budget


 

If you're ready to upgrade and remodel your kitchen, then you might be feeling overwhelmed. Doing a remodel on a kitchen is a time-consuming and expensive process that will likely leave you without a kitchen for several days to a couple of weeks. If you want to make it the easiest and most efficient process possible, then you'll need to have a solid plan so that you stay on budget, get the most important upgrades, and do it all in a timeline that will keep you sane. To help you out, here are a few basic planning steps that you should do before you even call the contractor.

Make a Budget

Most people need some kind of budget, otherwise it's easy to get carried away with all of the things that you would like but can't afford. In that budget, make a list of all of the things that you would like and itemize how much each one will cost. You will also want to plan an extra 20% for the unexpected, and you'll want to decide where it makes sense to spend a little extra and where the less expensive option will do just fine.

Choose Your Style

We all have preferences, and when you remodel your kitchen, it's no different. Go through magazines and decide which elements you find the most appealing. This will save you and a contractor a lot of time and frustration when you are working together. Having a clear vision will also ensure that you will like the finished kitchen.

Find a Contractor

There might be some projects that you're comfortable doing yourself, but if this is a major kitchen renovation, it's easier and possibly less expensive to just find a contractor or a couple of contractors who can do it right the first time. You will need to decide if you need a general contractor or just several contractors for specific jobs. If you plan on completely gutting your kitchen, you might need a general contractor who can make sure that everything is up to the newest codes and will take responsibility for ensuring that projects are completed in the best order. If it's a smaller renovation, you might be able to do that yourself. Either way, you still might want to look into contractors for the more difficult parts. You can look into “cabinet refinishers near me” to compare the ones nearest you. When you're choosing contractors, you can also ask for referrals, interview, and check references so that your find the people that you can work well with and have the skills to complete the job.

Discuss Your Plans and Get the Expert Opinion

It's frustrating, but sometimes even the best-laid plans need to be revised when we get an outside opinion. You might find that this is true with your kitchen remodel. Your contractor will have the best understanding of what a project will actually entail, and he will be able to spot what you missed in your planning phase. Thankfully, if you planned well, any changes should be fairly minimal and fit within

the 20% extra that you budgeted. And you never know. Your contractor might even be able to find ways to do things more cost-effectively that still allows you to have the things that you really want. A general contractor will also be able to give you a good idea about how long each phase of the project will take.

Surviving the Disarray

When you're remodeling a kitchen, you'll need a plan for how you will forgo the use of a fully functional kitchen. Make a plan so that you don't have to eat out all the time. Included in that plan can be steps like using smaller appliances like slow cookers and designating a small part of the kitchen to food preparation.

Don't be overwhelmed with your kitchen remodel. Instead, break your remodel down into smaller chunks; you'll keep your sanity and be happier with the end results.

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