Are you considering a kitchen remodel? Whether you’re just beginning the process of remodeling your kitchen or you’re already in contact with kitchen renovation professionals, there’s a lot to think about, from countertops to cabinets to custom storage space. It’s easy to get caught up in daydreaming and planning — which means many people wind up making these common kitchen remodeling mistakes. Read on to learn more about the kitchen remodel mistakes to avoid — and why they can cost you big time!
Underestimating the Project
Whether you’re just replacing a few appliances or you’re ripping out every last fixture of your current kitchen, a kitchen remodeling mistake many homeowners make, especially at the beginning of the remodeling process, is underestimating the time and work involved in a kitchen remodeling project. It may take longer or require more work than you think. Sometimes, appliances, cabinets, and materials need to be specially ordered and take several weeks to even months to be shipped. The most important thing to remember is that a rushed job is a sloppy job, so be sensible with your timeline.
Ignoring Your Budget
Some of the most costly yet common mistakes in kitchen remodeling are related to homeowners’ budgets. When you’re beginning the process of kitchen remodeling, establish and stick to a budget that’s both reasonable for your financial situation and realistic for the kitchen options you want. It may seem like no big deal to start your project slightly over budget, but it adds up over time, and you might end up paying thousands more than you expected due to a few more expensive choices. In other words, the cost to remodel your kitchen shouldn’t be a surprise to you when it’s all calculated.
Failing to Finance
Most kitchen remodeling projects stay just a dream because people assume that the project can never be done without a large amount of money. This couldn’t be further from the truth — many kitchen remodeling projects are actually quite affordable, especially when you take advantage of financing options that not everyone knows about!
“All or Nothing” Thinking
A kitchen remodel doesn’t have to mean you buy every appliance, cabinet, and sink fixture all over again. Even if you think your kitchen is hopeless without a total teardown and rebuild, a few seemingly small changes such as repainted walls, new cabinet doors, and different countertops can make a huge difference and bring back life to a kitchen you previously deemed outdated. Countertops alone provide a huge variety of aesthetic and utilitarian options for your kitchen. If you’re seeking kitchen countertops in Lancaster, PA, we have many options to show you!
Forgoing Functionality
A kitchen remodeling mistake you might not have thought of is picking looks over function. It’s easy to plan out what a great kitchen looks like, but don’t forget the kitchen is a space you use for everyday tasks. Kitchen layouts should be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Everyone remodeling their kitchen should know about the “kitchen triangle,” also called a work triangle. The kitchen triangle is the dedicated and specific triangular arrangement of the stove/oven, refrigerator, and sink. Putting these side-by-side is a mistake as it reduces efficiency and can cause traffic flow issues in your kitchen.
Depending on you and your family’s specific needs, make sure to plan for what you want to do with your kitchen. If you like to cook, be sure you plan out adequate countertop space. If your kitchen table is the central gathering point in your home, make sure it’s accessible with plenty of open space around it to add extra chairs. Don’t forget to include storage space for items that won’t go in cabinets!
Forgetting Appliances
It might seem silly, but forgetting appliances is a kitchen remodeling mistake that is actually very easy to make. When you plan for your new kitchen countertops, cabinets, and other kitchen fixtures, make sure you already know what size your ideal appliances are. While you don’t need to have everything picked out ahead of time, having notes and ideas about what you want for your appliances — including small appliances that need counter space — will help you save money down the line. The last thing you want is to redesign everything because of your stand mixer or toaster oven.
Skipping Resale Research
Skipping resale research is a kitchen remodeling mistake that can have long-term effects on your home’s resale value. Even if you don’t plan on moving out of your home for the next several years, housing prices continue to increase, meaning that resale value is always worth considering. Modern touches such as stainless steel appliances, butcher block countertops, shaker cabinet doors, and kitchen islands can increase your home’s value significantly, meaning if or when you decide to sell, you can get more of a return on your investment.
Making Last-Minute Changes
Nothing throws a wrench in kitchen remodeling plans more than last-minute changes. You can easily end up overspending your budget by adding or changing cabinets, appliances, and layouts last minute. Not to mention, making all of these changes makes the project take even longer. Rather than rushing into a kitchen redesign project, take time to be sure you have the kitchen planned out exactly how you like it. This means the planning stage might take longer, but the results will save you time and money.
Overestimating DIY Skills
One kitchen remodeling mistake we see all too often is the “overdo-it-yourself-er;” i.e., the DIY kitchen remodeler who’s gotten out of their depth and now needs help from professionals to finish the job. Some tasks like painting your walls or swapping out your appliances can be DIY-friendly, but other tasks such as installing your kitchen cabinets and laying down new flooring are best left to the professionals.
Even if you’re a DIY pro, remodeling your kitchen is a labor-intensive task, and we don’t recommend it. DIY jobs also take longer than professional installation, meaning your project could be stretched out over many weeks or months instead of days. If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, it’s best to start a relationship early with the team that’s going to be doing the whole job rather than contacting them last minute to help you in your hour of dire need.
Avoid Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes: Call the Professionals!
Batman’s oft-quoted mantra, “I work alone,” has no place in the kitchen remodeling world. Don’t try to design, plan, calculate, measure, and build everything yourself — get help from the professionals! Lancaster Kitchens and Baths can help with every aspect of kitchen design in Lancaster, PA, and the surrounding areas, from the initial design consultation to the final coat of paint. Contact us today and let us be your kitchen remodeling sidekicks.
