The Ultimate Kitchen Remodel Checklist

aimee
October 25, 2019

You might be considering a kitchen remodel if you have an old-styled kitchen, want to clear up space, feel like your kitchen doesn’t fit with the rest of the house, or it’s just plain ugly (we aren’t here to judge). Remodeling your kitchen’s design is a fun project! You can finally choose the cabinets you’ve been staring at each time you visit Home Depot or remove that wall so you can finally see through the window.

Whatever your needs or wants, a kitchen remodel is a great way to update your house with a style that you like and picked out. A kitchen remodel is no simple project, but the reward is worth the time you spend on it. There are a lot of things to think about as you run through the kitchen remodeling process. To help you out, we’ve created a kitchen remodeling checklist so you don’t miss anything!

What is the Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel?

Remodeling a kitchen doesn’t have to be expensive. There is an overwhelming amount of factors that come with a kitchen remodel, so finding out how much it will actually cost can be difficult. You have to think about what type of kitchen remodel you want, how much of the previous kitchen layout or appliances you’re keeping (if any), and where you plan on purchasing the resources for the new kitchen.

According to Home Advisor, the national average cost for a kitchen remodel is $24,086. The low-end starts at $4,100 and the high ends at $58,000. Again, there are a lot of things to consider, like the type of wood you want for the cabinets, the new appliances, if there is wiring/piping to work with, and more. The cost can potentially be broken down by dollar per square foot. Kitchen remodels can cost $75-$250 per square foot. You also will need to consider how much it will cost to hire a kitchen remodeling contractor if you plan on using their expertise.

Does a Kitchen Remodel Affect My Home’s Value?

Blue house

A kitchen remodel can definitely affect your home’s value. Any renovation you make to your home can change the value of your property. In the case you ever plan to sell your home, things you should consider that can affect the home’s value include:

  • How much am I willing to spend on a kitchen renovation?
  • Am I thinking of an entire kitchen renovation or just a kitchen upgrade?
  • Do my competitors (neighbors) have newly renovated kitchens?
  • Will this renovation benefit the house’s value or is the renovation for my personal needs?

If you choose to only renovate one portion of the house and everything else is now out of place or older, this could negatively impact its value. On the other hand, if your neighbors’ houses aren’t up to par with your house, then your home might be valued higher than theirs.

If home value is important to you, then you should speak with a home appraiser who can provide you with feedback that can help you with this decision. If you’re still interested in a kitchen renovation, then continue to the checklist!

1. Make a List of Kitchen Remodel Updates

Rustic kitchen sink and counter remodel

When you’re planning for a kitchen remodel, you should make a list of what sections you want remodeled. Are you redesigning the kitchen with new:

  • Cabinets
  • Countertops
  • Flooring
  • Sink
  • Plumbing
  • Paint
  • Drywall
  • Appliances
  • Windows
  • Backsplash
  • Colors

Creating a list will provide you with a guide for your kitchen remodel. You’ll be aware of what parts and resources your kitchen will need and you can start on your budgeting. You should also choose what type of kitchen style you want. There are a variety of kitchen styles depending on your needs:

  • Chef’s kitchen: Good for the homeowner who loves to cook and have access to all appliances and tools to make fantastic food.
  • Gourmet kitchen: For those who love to bake, have a flair for style, and need a lot of room.
  • Entertaining kitchen: Great for homeowners with lots of friends and family members that plan on spending time in the kitchen.
  • Family-oriented kitchen: If you have kids, dogs, cats, a pet fish that walks around, this kitchen layout is for you. It provides plenty of space for multiple cooks and is kid-friendly.

Your updates go hand-in-hand with the new layout. Really think about who uses the kitchen and what the long-term goal of the kitchen remodel will be.

Once you’ve got the updates and layout choices ready, it’s time to take some measurements. Take the current measurements of the room’s walls, floor, doorways, and possible windows to find the square footage of the area. Only take measurements of the room where you want the remodeling to take place. If you plan on adding extra storage, it would also be a good idea to measure the walls from floor to ceiling.

2. Create a Realistic Budget

Budget triangle for time cost and quality

We all want that six-burner stovetop, a wine cooler, two ovens, and a super-duper ventilation system, but is that realistic? Take a look at your savings account to know what you can actually afford. If a budget of $5,000 is all you can work with, then you might want to choose a few different appliances and rethink your remodel.

On the other hand, if $50,000 is your budget, then have fun adding those marble counters and that kitchen island with electrical ports and maybe even a small firepit. Have fun with it!

You should also think about what the cost will be if you remodel the kitchen or if you’re hiring a contractor to come in. It might be cheaper for you to initially remodel the kitchen, but what if something goes wrong and the remodeling didn’t go the way you wanted? More on the subject of DIY and hiring a contractor later.

3. Research Kitchen Designs

Modern kitchen design installed by H3 Construction

If you’re stuck and don’t know what type of design to go with for your kitchen, the world is in your hands… the internet! Go online and get some inspiration from other remodeled kitchens that you like.

Pinterest has an amazing kitchen interior section chocked-full of great ideas. If you find things that you like, make a list of them and research where you can acquire the resources. If you can’t find the exact resources you’re looking for, you can talk to a home remodeler to find them.

4. Plan Ahead and Coordinate for the Remodel

Kitchen during remodel by h3 Construction

Your remodel might take a lot of time. It could be a week or perhaps a month before it’s completed. You’ll need to make a game-plan for how long the project will take, where the old and new kitchen materials will be stored, and how you’ll be able to cook while the kitchen is being remodeled.

If you plan on remodeling the kitchen yourself, then it might take more time than hiring professionals to do the job. Think realistically about the renovation and how it will affect your day-to-day life and those who live with you.

5. Choose Your Kitchen Materials

New kitchen countertop materials by h3 Construction

You’ve come all this way, now it’s time that you officially choose the materials for your kitchen remodel. Your kitchen should only have quality items. Skipping out on the quality could make you have regrets or might impact the value of your home. Spend time researching where you can find the parts, wood, paint, etc to create the kitchen of your dreams.

Are you choosing oak wood for the counters? Laminated flooring? Perhaps a cast iron kitchen sink? Using your realistic budget, choose the materials and where you plan on purchasing them from. Does Home Depot carry everything you want? Or will you need to shop locally from a company with different materials? Where you purchase the materials matters for the quality. Go with a business you can trust.

6. DIY or Hire a Kitchen Remodel Contractor?

Construction worker using saw on wood plank

DIY Kitchen Remodeling

This is a big question to answer. You might think you’ll be able to remodel the kitchen yourself or with friends, but having the right experience means the job will be done right, in a timely manner, and the necessary safety procedures are taken care of.

Home remodeling and construction can be a great way to get satisfaction and have a sense of pride in the work you did. Just don’t forget about the number of hours or days you’ll need to spend on the project. Paint takes time to dry and so does grout. It takes time for the materials to come in while you’re removing the others. You also still have to find a way to cook your food.

Maybe you have a day job that requires more attention on certain days than others? Also, if this is one of your first remodeling projects, you could find yourself spending more time struggling to acquire the right tools for the project and educating yourself on how to implement the project from step one to the last.

Kitchen Remodeling Contractor

Hiring a local contractor who has experience in remodeling kitchens might seem more expensive, but think about the logistics. You’ve created a list of costs associated with your budget including the time of the project, shipping costs for materials, and the prices for the materials and tools. If it takes a few thousand dollars more to hire someone with experience that you can trust to make your dream kitchen, then you can feel less stressed about the remodel.

Think about this scenario: You take the time to research how to install new cabinets. You’ve acquired all of the necessary tools and decide you can remove the old cabinets and add the new ones yourself. After you’ve added the new cabinets, something seems off. You take a step back and realize that the cabinets aren’t just slanted, but that you forgot to use the proper cabinet mounting screws. Now you have cabinets that you worked so hard putting together and were so proud of your work, only to find that a couple of missed steps have ruined it all.

Hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor gives you peace of mind that the work won’t be for not. They’ll be swift and can line up your cabinetry straight with the proper tools.

At h3 Construction & Design, our team members are all experienced in home renovations and remodeling. We’ve had years of updating and redesigning kitchens that fit exactly what you’re looking for. Depending on where you live, find a company or contractor who has the type of experience you need to safely and accurately make your vision come to life.

You might also be able to save money on the materials you purchase if you ask the contractor to help. They could have connections to vendors that you don’t and can find exactly what you’re looking for.

Conclusion

Using this checklist, you should be better prepared to have a successful and beautiful kitchen remodel. Your budget really dictates a lot of the factors that go into this remodel. If you feel that the budget you have will work for your kitchen remodel, then you’re ready to get started!


We hope this checklist helps you with deciding on the type of kitchen remodel you want and how you can make your dream a reality. If you happen to live near Denver, Loveland, or Fort Collins in Colorado, h3 Construction and Design services these cities and all of the surrounding areas with kitchen redesigns. Give us a call today to get a quote and get your kitchen remodel started!

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