Kitchen Remodeling Guide

The Complete Guide to Kitchen Remodeling

Everything You Need To Know About Crafting the Perfect Kitchen

Designing the perfect culinary space can be a hassle without the proper planning or team in place to help you navigate the process. Kitchen remodeling is a significant undertaking and is one that requires a great deal of skill and experience to complete successfully. Other kitchen remodeling guides tend to oversimplify this complex process, leading homeowners to believe that their renovations can be completed in the blink of an eye, but that’s simply not the case.

In this blog post, we dispel some of the common misconceptions regarding kitchen remodels, providing a step-by-step guide on everything that homeowners can expect from their renovation project from concept to completion.

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Step 1: Setting Your Budget

The first and most important step to your kitchen remodeling project is setting your budget. According to HomeAdvisor, the average 2023 kitchen remodel costs between an estimated $14,500 to $40,500; however, renovations can cost significantly more or less depending on their complexity and inclusion of high-end materials and features. In general, most experts agree to plan on spending between 5% to 15% of your home’s total value on a kitchen remodel.

When setting a budget for your kitchen remodel, it’s important to ensure you have enough money set aside to factor in for unexpected costs. Renovation projects can come with all sorts of surprises, so it’s best to have at least 20% of your total remodeling cost available to accommodate these scenarios.

Certain aspects of your kitchen remodeling project may cost more than others, so it’s important to allocate your spending accordingly. Below is a budget allocation guide from the National Kitchen and Bath Association that breaks down how homeowners typically handle their renovation expenses:

• Cabinetry: 29% of the total remodeling budget
• Labor: 17%
• Appliances: 14%
• Countertops: 10%
• Walls, Doors & Windows: 9%
• Flooring: 7%
• Lighting: 5%
• Design: 4%
• Plumbing & Fixtures: 4%
• Miscellaneous: 1%

Keep in mind that these figures are for guidance purposes only, and will not necessarily reflect your actual budget allocation. For instance, if you aren’t planning to replace any windows or doors, you can reallocate this portion of your budget to other things, such as flooring or new appliances.

Step 2: Finding Your Style

Once you have your budget finalized, it’s time to discover your personal style. Your kitchen should be a space that balances personal aesthetic with functionality. Gain inspiration for your unique vision by perusing renovation magazines, contractor websites, design showrooms, and social media platforms like Pinterest.

As you find styles and features that speak to you, collect them in one location so you can see how they all flow and work together. Cohesion is key when it comes to interior styling, so be sure that all of your ideas seamlessly flow together to prevent against a design that clashes.

Step 3: Hiring Your Team

Attempting a kitchen remodel 100% on your own can lead to unwanted stress and poor-quality workmanship, which is why it’s best to trust the hard work to the professionals. Look for contractors that have experience with the type of remodel you hope to achieve as this will prevent against the final design falling short of expectations.

Hiring a professional kitchen remodeling team can afford you many benefits, including:

• Expertise: Professional contractors have the knowledge, skills, and experience to plan and execute kitchen remodels effectively. They are familiar with building codes, permits, and industry best practices.
• Quality: Professionals are trained to deliver high-quality work, ensuring that your kitchen remodel is built to last and meets industry standards so you can enjoy your space for years to come.
• Management: Contractors can handle project management tasks such as scheduling, coordinating with subcontractors, and ensuring the project stays on track and within budget.
• Efficiency: Hiring a professional kitchen remodeler can often speed up the renovation process, as they have the experience to efficiently complete tasks and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Step 4: Planning Your Space

After you’ve chosen a suitable team for your kitchen remodel, it’s time to plan your space. A successful kitchen design typically follows the work triangle concept — a fundamental principle in kitchen design that refers to the arrangement of the three primary work areas in a kitchen: the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator. The goal of the work triangle is to create an efficient and ergonomic layout that minimizes unnecessary steps and maximizes productivity in the kitchen.

Not only should your sink, stove, and refrigerator be carefully placed according to design best practices, but you should also take into consideration the flow and functionality of your kitchen as a whole. Doorways, walkways, and appliance placement all factor into the flow and style of your space, and it’s important to ensure each aspect works together in unison to balance aesthetics with practicality when planning your layout.

Step 5: Beginning Your Demolition

Once your kitchen design is ready to execute, it’s time to plan for the demolition process as your team works to bring your vision to life. This process can be incredibly disruptive, often requiring homeowners to set up a temporary kitchen space or consider temporary relocation during the renovation to prevent against disturbances to their daily routine.

Be sure to communicate with your team throughout this process and keep all necessary documents and timelines easily accessible and well-organized. It can be easy to lose track of important milestones without the right communication, so prioritize transparency with your team to ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.

Step 6: Updating Your Systems

During your kitchen remodel, you may need to consider updating your essential systems, such as plumbing, electrical, and lighting. Consider choosing energy-efficient, modern appliances to complete your kitchen design. Not only are these more desirable to prospective homeowners if you plan to sell your home, but they can also provide cost savings in the long run thanks to their enhanced efficiency.

As you update your plumbing and electricity, your kitchen remodeling team may need to coordinate with different service providers to ensure these systems are properly installed or replaced. Once again, this is where clear communication becomes key, so be sure to stay on top of all timelines and expectations regarding these system updates and how they may impact your project.

Step 7: Renovating Your Kitchen

After the core of your kitchen is complete with updated plumbing and electrical, the real fun begins. This is when you’ll select new materials and designs for paint, flooring, countertops, and cabinetry, transforming your culinary space to match your unique vision.

As you make your selections, be sure to carefully consider:

• Quality: Ensure you select materials that will stand the test of time without overextending your budget.
• Materials: Some materials may not be as readily available, so factor in how these selections may impact your timeline.
• Installation: Adding custom features and finishes may require more complex installation, which can also impact your project completion.

Step 8: Adding Your Touches

When all the material selections have been made and installed, it’s time to finish your renovation by adding personal touches to your space. From selecting decor and accessories to adding light fixtures and cabinet hardware, these final features can add a great deal of emotional value in making the kitchen truly yours. These personal touches are what will ultimately set your culinary space apart from all the rest, so don’t be afraid to get creative!

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Build Your Dream Kitchen With Blackdog

The kitchen remodeling process can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be stressful when you have the right team in place to help you through it. At Blackdog, our award-winning kitchen remodeling team has years of experience helping families overcome the challenges associated with the renovation process, delivering custom-tailored solutions that bring their culinary visions to life.

Call (603) 769-4938 in Nashua, (603) 952-3192 in Salem, or contact us online to schedule your consultation today!