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Guide to Kitchen & Bath Remodeling: 5 Steps to Prepare for your Kitchen Remodel

Congrats! You’ve decided to finally take the leap and redo your kitchen! Whether you’ve been weighing the pros and cons for months or just bought a new house and are raring to go, the idea of creating your dream kitchen is incredibly exciting. But once that honeymoon-like elation subsides, you are left with one looming question….

Where do I start?

When faced with a very large task and don’t know how to approach it, it’s not unlike standing at the bottom of a mountain and wondering how you’re ever going to get to the top. Well, never fear – we have just what you need to help you take those first steps toward your goal of a new kitchen – and after that, you’ll be on your way.

1. Establish your budget

Your first step is to determine the level of investment you are comfortable making in your remodel. According to the NKBA, you should expect to spend between 15–20% of the value of your home on a kitchen remodel. Where you fall within that range will depend on how much you can afford, how long you will be staying in your home, and your neighborhood.

If you are planning to stay in your home more than five years, you are less concerned about recouping your investment and more concerned about creating a beautiful space that meets the needs of you and your family. If you are planning to stay in your home less than five years, think of your remodel as an improvement in your real estate investment.

Your neighborhood is also going to have a major influence on how much you should spend on your remodel. Pay attention to the value of nearby homes and budget your remodel accordingly.

That’s the “macro” part of budgeting. The “micro” part, on the other hand, involves determining the elements of your space that you wish to change and then estimating how much each component could potentially cost. This is where we can help! We have an entire blog on how-to budget for your kitchen remodel that is based on NKBA guidelines for each component of a kitchen remodel.

One last thing to note about budgeting is that while it’s easy to get wrapped up in the magic of HGTV, many remodeling shows tend to leave out added costs in their projects, so it’s best not to use them as a reference when determining your own budget.

2. Timing your remodel

Timing a kitchen remodel can be challenging for busy families. Many people plan their remodel around an event for which they want their remodel completed. In this case, we suggest allowing at least six months from start of design to completion. While this is certainly longer than most remodels take, we occasionally find surprises behind the walls – and we do not want to be in the middle of construction when you have guests coming to town for your daughter’s wedding. Give yourself a couple of months’ leeway to avoid unnecessary stress.

Another timing consideration involves holidays or events that may occur during the remodel. For example, do you care if your kitchen is out of commission on Thanksgiving if you want it done for Christmas?

Lastly, you will have to set up a temporary space for cooking and other tasks. Timing your remodel for the warmer summer months allows you to easily use your outdoor grill while your indoor space is under construction.

We suggest that you get your calendar out and plot a six-month window that will work for you, recognizing potential challenges ahead of time, and knowing that there’s likely never going to be a perfect time.  

3. Gather design inspiration

This is the fun part of the preparation process!

Whether you already have design ideas or are starting from square one, it’s beneficial for you to browse online to find examples of kitchens that appeal to you. It’s also helpful to find photos of specific elements that you like so that your designer can include them in your custom plan. We suggest checking out Studio M’s project gallery for additional inspiration!

Another resource available to you is Studio M’s destination showroom. Our beautiful kitchen displays allow you to see a variety of cabinetry styles and finishes, along with countertops, tile, appliances, and more to inspire you and help you define your own unique look.

We’re the first to admit that all of these design ideas can get overwhelming! Our Kitchen and Bath designers know how to help you identify and prioritize your thoughts and desires.

4. Work with your design partner

Your design partner is with you every step of the way to bring your concept to completion! When you work with a Studio M Kitchen & Bath designer, your new kitchen will reflect your design style and your functional goals, as well as your budget and timeline. 

You can read in-depth about our design process and what it’s like to work together here.

In addition to assisting you with the design of your space and selection of materials, your designer will order your cabinetry and work closely with your contractor to ensure that cabinetry installation and related work stays on schedule.

5. Get your house ready!

It’s best to recognize up front that it’s going to be messy for a little while. Start by cleaning and decluttering your space. Since you must take everything out of your cabinets anyway, your remodel is the perfect time to sort through your belongings and donate unused or unwanted items. Consider involving your kids in this part of the process! This teaches them healthy habits of minimalism, which we’ve found encourages them to do the same in their own spaces.

Check out our blog for tips on how to declutter and organize your kitchen here.

Set up a temporary kitchen. Stay tuned for the last blog post in this series coming soon about this topic!

Before construction begins, consider donating your old cabinetry. We encourage this sustainable way of benefiting families in need. Read all about that here.

It’s also a good idea let your neighbors know about your upcoming construction project before it starts. There will be more traffic and probably some unfamiliar vehicles parked nearby. Be aware of local noise ordinances and instruct contractors to adhere to them.

Lastly, take a breath and allow yourself to get excited! It’s going to be worth it. Soon you’ll be standing in a beautiful new kitchen that you’ll enjoy for years to come – while the memory of the messy part simply fades away into oblivion.

Whether you have a remodel about to begin or are considering a future remodel, we hope we have given you some useful tips. If you would like to discuss your ideas for a possible kitchen remodel, contact us!

6 Tips for Setting up a Temporary Kitchen | Studio M Kitchen & Bath says

[…] Guide to Kitchen & Bath Remodeling: 5 Steps to Prepare for your Kitchen Remodel […]

Jaipur Maintainence says

Hello,
Thanks for sharing valuable information with us.
I really liked your blog.
Thanks for sharing.

Catie Benett says

Well, this is an awesome post and written very well. Your point of view is very good.

Studio M Kitchen & Bath says

Thank you, Catie, we are glad you think so and hope you’ll come back again and again to our blog as a resource!

Bathroom Remodel Seattle says

It’s also a good idea to notify your neighbors ahead of time about your upcoming construction project. More traffic will be present, as well as possibly some unfamiliar vehicles parked nearby. Be aware of any local noise ordinances and make sure that contractors follow them. Thank you!

Olivia Smart says

I liked your suggestion to involve your kids when you start to declutter your space to help teach them healthy minimalism habits. My friend is going to start remodeling her kitchen soon, but she is getting a little overwhelmed with the idea of cleaning and getting rid of everything. I think involving her kids with this step could help her to feel less stressed and anxious about the start of this project.

Bathroom Shower San Jose says

It’s also a good idea to notify your neighbors ahead of time about your forthcoming building project. More traffic will be present, as well as possibly some strange vehicles parked close. Be aware of any local noise ordinances and make sure that contractors follow them. Thank you!

Jessie Holloway says

thanks so much for talking about how important timing is when it comes to remodeling your home. My parents want to remodel their kitchen sometime this year. We’ll have to keep in mind the suggested six-month time frame to expect the renovation to be done.

Anna Collins says

It surely helped when you advised allowing at least six months from the start of design to completion when timing your remodel project if you want enough leeway to avoid unnecessary stress. Our vacation home caught fire the other day, and now our kitchen is in dire need of remodeling work as soon as possible. I’ll keep this duration in mind while I look for a contractor to hire for our kitchen remodeling project.

Eve Mitchell says

Thanks for the tips about hiring a design partner who will be with you every step of the way. I’m hoping to hire a designer to help me bring my kitchen dream to life. I’m hoping to remodel it so it flows better and has better storage.

Bathtub Remodeling says

Thanks for sharing such an interesting and informative article. This guide is really great and helpful for bath and kitchen remodeling. The way you describe all the things are really great and helpful for those who are new in this. this will help them a lot in learning things which is helpful for their profession.

Eve Mitchell says

Thanks for the tip about browsing online to find examples of kitchens that you like. I was with my mom yesterday, and she said that she really wants to update her kitchen next year. I’ll have to help her look online to find inspiration pictures for her space.

coeur024 says

Wow! Excellent Post. I really found this so much informatics. It is what I was searching for I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing Such type of information. Thank you so much.

Amy Saunders says

I just wanna thank you for suggesting that it would usually take around half a year to complete the entire kitchen remodeling process. Since last month, my husband and I have been contemplating the need to upgrade our cooking area to accommodate our brand new fridge. I’ll try searching for someone reliable at an instant to guide us through the relevant procedures some time soon.

Taylor Abrams says

I fully agree that it’s helpful to search online to locate examples of kitchens that appeal to you, whether you already have design ideas or are just getting started. This special information will surely be relayed to my sister who wants her kitchen redone. She likes to switch things around and her next project is finding a kitchen remodeling contractor.

Anna Collins says

I appreciate your advice when you said to allow at least six months from the start of design to completion when deciding to remodel to give leeway in case of interruptions and avoid unnecessary stress. We live in a rather old house, so we have decided to get a remodeling done once the holidays end and the new year arrives. I’ll be sure to take note of what you said while I look for a remodeling contractor to hire for the job soon.

Elina Brooks says

I’ve always wanted to get a remodeling done for our house soon, so I’m considering starting with the kitchen next summer. I’m glad that you informed us that it’s a good idea to time our remodel during the warm summer months since we’ll be able to set up temporary outdoor spaces for cooking and other tasks while the indoor space is under construction. I’ll take note of this while I look for a remodeling contractor to get in touch with soon.

Professional Painters says

Amazing. I appreciate you sharing such a great blog.

Amy Saunders says

Hey! Can I show this article to my sister-in-law so she can make a deal with the right contractor pretty soon? She keeps telling me about her plan to redo her kitchen before her boyfriend moves into her apartment this summer. I appreciate your in-depth explanation of the importance of keeping a fixed schedule for our kitchen remodeling so it can be done in time.

Eli Richardson says

My brother told me he’s interested in renovating their kitchen in a few weeks, so he’s looking for inspirational ideas for his project. It’s great that you talked about house remodels and why it’s better to hire a professional to help you choose the best materials, so I’ll email this to my brother now. Thank you for the information on achieving your kitchen design by working with a design partner.

Painting Services in Perth says

Thank you for revealing. Reading your article on kitchen remodel was enjoyable. I’m going to bookmark this article.

Painting Services in Como says

The writing style is excellent. Reading this article about guide to kitchen remodeling will undoubtedly broaden my knowledge. Your concept is truly brilliant.

Elle Jones says

When you suggested scheduling your remodel project to give yourself at least six months from the beginning of planning to completion, it undoubtedly helped. Our vacation house recently caught fire, and as a result, our kitchen needs immediate repair. While I search for a contractor to employ for our kitchen renovation job, I’ll keep this timeframe in mind.

Elle Jones says

I like your suggestion that when opting to renovate, give yourself at least six months from the start of design to completion to allow for delays and reduce stress. We have decided to get some renovation done after the holidays and the new year because our home is rather ancient. While I hunt for a renovation contractor to engage for the project shortly, I’ll keep in mind what you stated.

Elle Jones says

I appreciated your proposal to get the kids involved in the decluttering process so they may learn good minimalist practices. Soon, my friend will begin rebuilding her kitchen, but the thought of clearing out and getting rid of everything is making her feel a little overwhelmed. I believe that incorporating her children in this process might reduce her tension and anxiety as the endeavor gets underway.

Elle Jones says

I wanted to say thanks for mentioning that the full kitchen remodeling process typically takes around six months to complete. My husband and I have been discussing the need to expand our kitchen to make room for our brand-new refrigerator since last month. Soon, I’ll attempt to look for a trustworthy person who can lead us through the necessary steps. Thanks for your helpful tips!

Lily Bridgers says

I haven’t considered that scheduling a kitchen redesign can be difficult for families with young children because many people schedule their projects around an occasion. I should relay this to my parents immediately since their plan for their kitchen renovation can coincide with my mom’s birthday party and it won’t be possible without a functioning kitchen. Anyway, I hope they find a kitchen remodel contractor soon because they need to get that going ASAP.

Elaina D'Agostino says

Thanks for mentioning how the kitchen remodel costs would be around 15% to 20% of the home’s value. If I did my math correctly, then that should be around $25,000 to $30,000. I will discuss this price range with my husband because he’s the one who wants to remodel the kitchen.

Elle Jones says

I’ve always wanted to remodel our home quickly, so I’m thinking about beginning in the kitchen next summer. We can set up temporary outdoor spaces for cooking and other tasks while the indoor space is being constructed, so I’m glad you told us it’s a good idea to time our remodel during the warm summer months. While I look for a remodeling contractor to get in touch with soon, I’ll keep this in mind.

Elle Jones says

My brother informed me that he plans to remodel their kitchen in the coming weeks and that he is currently searching for project inspiration. I’m going to email this to my brother right away because it’s great that you discussed home renovations and why it’s better to hire a professional to help you choose the best materials. I appreciate the information on how to collaborate with a design partner to realize your kitchen design.

Beyond says

Are you tired of the outdated look of your Kitchen and Bath Remodeling? If so, it may be time to consider a remodel. Not only can remodeling breathe new life into your home’s most important spaces, but it can also increase your home’s value.

Ptvertex says

In today’s eco-conscious world, remodeling offers an excellent opportunity to integrate sustainable practices and materials into your home. Consider incorporating energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, low-flow fixtures, and eco-friendly building materials. Not only will these choices contribute to a greener environment, but they can also result in long-term savings on utility bills.

Lily Bridgers says

Hey! Can I provide my sister-in-law with this information to help her quickly strike a deal with the proper contractor? She continues mentioning to me how she wants to remodel her kitchen before her summertime beau moves in. I like your thorough explanation of the need of maintaining a set timetable for our kitchen makeover in order for it to be completed on time.

Clare Martin says

It’s good that you emphasized that the first step for any remodeling project is to establish the budget first by determining the level of investment we are comfortable making in our remodel since we should expect to spend between 15-20% of the value of our home on a kitchen remodel. My aunt’s microwave blew up the other day and caused quite a mess in her kitchen, so to fix this, she is thinking of getting the place remodeled soon. I’ll have to help her find a reliable remodeling contractor in Whippany to hire for her kitchen improvement project soon.

Shammy Peterson says

It was helpful when you said that you must consider what you can comfortably spend when planning to remodel your kitchen. As you said, you may consider the number of years that you are planning to stay in your place. Since the year started, I have been wanting to achieve a more modern-looking and functional kitchen without breaking the bank, so I will be sure to think about your tips.

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