Remodeling your kitchen is typically a large undertaking and certainly one that requires proper planning. If you’re thinking about redoing your kitchen, this article will offer some important aspects to consider before you go ahead make your dream kitchen a reality.

Whether you’ve already gathered information, ideas, and started to plan or are in the beginning stages of looking at your space and trying visualize what to do, it’s always beneficial to step back and consider the larger picture and what needs to be done.

Why are you remodeling?

We usually see two types of motives behind remodeling your kitchen. Given that your kitchen is the centerpiece of your home in many instances, putting money towards a revamp can not only do wonders for your family for years to come, it can also drastically increase the value of your home. So are you loving or listing? We find that most kitchen remodels are done either for necessity or desire – or in preparation to sell your home.

Whichever category you fall in to, take that into consideration. One should never cut corners when doing a remodel, but if your goal is to update your kitchen in order to sell as opposed to enjoy, you may not need to include every single tiny update that you would if you were planning on raising your family in this home for years to come.

How much will it cost?

This is the most important consideration for any project and one that may not be fun to think about, but doing your due diligence will pay dividends in the long run. While remodeling a kitchen can quickly add up to be a major expense, it is far better to pay for quality now than to have to empty your pockets for years to come with repairs and maintenance. Of course you want your new kitchen to be beautiful and functional, but you also don’t want the project to be outrageously expensive.

Do your research:

Take your time in doing your research on potential suppliers and contractors in your area. Paying top dollar for a poorly done remodel job will create buyers remorse that you have to live with, or pass along to someone who probably will notice the same deficiencies as you do.

The Internet is open 24/7 so that is a great place to begin. Remodel and restoration magazines and publications are also a great place to turn to for some newfound knowledge.

Reach out to your local realtor. Make a few calls to some neighborhood realtors to get an understanding of what your current home value is and what this kitchen remodel will do for your homes value. It may even change your intentions when all said and done!

Consider your lifestyle:

Understanding what your kitchen will be used for – who will use it – etc., will help largely in designing your new kitchen. Should it be more utilitarian or more chic? Should it be open and airy or can you afford to add larger appliances and additions that will make it more comfortable and not get in your way? These along with other considerations will turn your final decision into something you love.

Don’t Cut Corners:

Many times when you are in the midst of a remodel and things aren’t going as planned (Timeliness, budget, etc) it is easy to begin to cut corners on the remainder of the tasks.  The right cabinetry, lighting, flooring, and appliances can be the difference between an immaculate looking renovation and a sub-par one.

Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions:

Now that you’ve done your research and started to get things in motion, don’t think you need to put everything on auto-pilot. Ask your contractor the right questions (even after agreeing to the work). This is your kitchen and your home. If at any point before ground is broken you have hesitancies or questions, turn to your contractor. As a professional, they should be straightforward and honest with you. If they can’t answer your questions in a transparent manner, then you may want to consider if they are the right contractor for you.

When it is all said and done, the more research and due diligence you can do – the more amazing your new kitchen will be!