Kitchen remodels are a big undertaking. They typically take several months to complete and require thoughtful planning and budgeting well in advance of the project’s start date. Make sure you start your project off on the right foot by effectively preparing and asking the right questions. Here are seven questions that will help you plan a successful kitchen remodel.
#1 What is your budget?
This should always be the first question you ask yourself with any home renovation project. You must determine how much you are able and willing to spend overall, and then add 10-15% to that cost as a safety net in the event of a contingency. Before you begin setting your budget, consider the average costs in Portland, Oregon for a kitchen remodel.
The ballpark range is between $30,000 to $50,000, depending on if you want basic upgrades or if you want high-end finishes or have extensive modifications planned. To get a more accurate figure for your project, contact a reputable contractor for an estimate.
#2 What are your goals?
To establish your goals, it’s important to reflect upon your family’s lifestyle and how you want to use your kitchen. For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home – the family’s central hub; for others, it’s a lot less used. Or maybe you’re a hostess with the “most-ess” and want to show off your space and style as you entertain. Perhaps you aren’t renovating for yourself at all, but are looking to increase the value of the home as you prepare it for sale. All of these factors about how you want your kitchen to function will help shape your goals.
#3 How can you maximize the space?
Determine how you can best use the kitchen space you have. Striving for efficiency is especially important for smaller-sized kitchens. Organization skills and creativity will really come into play with this step, and designers and contractors will be great resources for suggestions since they are professionals with experience in configuring all types and sizes of kitchens.
Whether you’re trying to make use of every inch of space for storage, or you simply want a well-organized kitchen, look for items with great functionality, like lazy susans in corner cabinets or cabinets with pull-out shelves. There are constantly new creative innovations in the kitchen industry, so ask your contractor for ideas.
#4 What’s my style?
You may already have a definitive style in mind, or maybe you’re indecisive about how you want your remodeled kitchen to look. One way to help you find the aesthetic you’re going for is to browse home magazines, home-focused websites, or Pinterest for inspiration. Once you select several photos of kitchens you like, you’ll be able to better nail down your style. Be sure to communicate your ideas with your contractor.
#5 What are my needs and what are my wants?
Needs are less fun to think about than planning your dream kitchen with all the bells and whistles, but it’s necessary. As you list what you want to change in your kitchen, first, consider the practical items. Are your appliances in good working condition? If not, it’s time to think about replacing them. Do you need to create more space for dining? If so, try to come up with ways to rearrange the space.
Once you’ve figured out how much your needs will cost you, you can apply the rest to your wish list. Make sure you research these items for a ballpark cost so you stay within your limits.
#6 How can I save money?
Look for which elements you can reuse or refurbish. A common cost-saving way to update a kitchen is to reface cabinets instead of replacing them entirely. Also, simply painting cabinets and changing out the hardware can go a long way in refreshing the look of your kitchen. Other ways to save are to opt for more economical finishes, schedule the remodel during less busy seasons, and do some portions of the project yourself.
#7 How do I find the best contractor?
One of the most important decisions you’ll make as you remodel your kitchen is which contractor you hire. The first step is to do some research. Look for contractors who are licensed and insured, reputable (check reviews and ask for references), and have a portfolio of their work for you to view. It’s critical to ask them a lot of questions, such as “Have you worked on similar projects?” “What will the timeline look like?” “How do you run your daily operations?”
You want a contractor you can trust; an experienced team of professionals will give you peace of mind that your kitchen remodel will go smoothly and successfully.
Whether you have all these questions answered or not, the Ziebart team can help. Let’s start the conversation today. Contact Ziebart Construction to schedule a consultation for your Portland, Oregon kitchen remodel.
Click Here for a complete guide to a successful remodel in Portland.
