Kitchen Remodel Considerations

The kitchen is the most expensive room in the house to remodel, on a square foot by square foot basis.
 
When you remodel a low-intensity, low-function room such as a living room , you have few services (i.e. no running water, few electrical needs) and inexpensive materials (i.e. drywall, trim).
 
By contrast, a kitchen needs cabinetry, appliances, extra lighting, extra electrical needs, plumbing, ventilation, and more. The materials also tend to be expensive (i.e. granite, stainless steel, Corian, marble, custom or stock cabinets). So, here are a few things to consider:
 

1. If you plan to be in the house more that 2 years, remodel to suit your taste and lifestyle rather than for resale, as trends will typically change after that anyway.
2. Call your realtor for advice on how much your home may be worth and how much a kitchen might add to the value. You don’t want your project to push the value of your home above market value.
3. Create a wish list by looking online at websites such as Houzz.com and Pinterest.com, kitchen and remodeling magazines and visit local appliance, cabinet and lighting shops for ideas and pricing.
4. Pinpoint your true goal for the remodel—is it more space,  a lighter and brighter feel,  better functionality?  Remember that you will save money if you can keep the kitchen’s current layout as much as possible. Adding additional water lines, moving gas    piping, re-routing heating and A/C ductwork and adding wiring for additional lighting all adds up.
5. Explore financing options such as a home equity loan and even interest-free financing options for appliances and cabinets.
6. Respect your home’s architectural integrity—make sure the new kitchen flows with the rest of the house.
7. Cabinetry should be one of the biggest investments in a kitchen, even if it’s a rental property. Maximize headroom with floor to ceiling cabinetry—it makes even a small kitchen seem larger and provides more storage space.
8. Figure out your lighting needs with your contractor or designer to ensure the correct size, quantity and spacing of fixtures. A great lighting plan can make the difference between an ordinary vs. a spectacular remodel. Use layers of light—recessed, undercabinet, pendant fixtures—and install dimmer switches so you can control the amount of light throughout the day.
9. Ensure functionality. Everything should have its own place, so inventory your items and work out where they will need to go so you can discuss these needs with your contractor. Items such as a microwave cabinet or built-in microwave need to be addressed in the planning stages.