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4 Steps to Help You Prepare for Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling a kitchen, or any room for that matter, is not an easy job. Unless you approach your remodel with specific guidelines in mind, you will be overwhelmed by the flurry of activities around you. So, the key to any successful remodel is to prepare thoroughly.

Below are basic steps to help you prepare for kitchen remodeling, particularly the first day of the project:

  1. Ensure you that all material and items needed to successfully complete the construction have been purchased and are onsite.

Many separate pieces have to be purchased. For example, you need water faucets, kitchen cabinets, appliances, tiles for your backsplash, floor tiles, etc.

Arrange all items in categories to avoid missing anything. For instance, for plumbing, you’ll need a checklist that includes faucets, piping, sink and other related items.

  1. Secondly, make sure that you and your contractor are aligned on what to expect for the kitchen remodeling

This is a two-way discussion. You might have a list of expectations but your contractor might not believe they are realistic. Start by discussing every aspect of the renovation and agree on what is realistic within the budget you’re working with.

Other factors that should be discussed are:

  • The expected length of the remodel
  • What you need to do to prevent unnecessary delays.
  • Dust and noise control.
  • Debris removal and cleanup expectations.
  • The sequence of work. That is, what part of the kitchen will they begin with and which part will they finish with?
  • Lastly, it’s polite to notify your neighbors that you’ll have a construction project going on so that you don’t give them a rude surprise. Setting up reasonable construction times to accommodate your neighbors might also be a good idea.
  1. Make sure you’ve emptied all the kitchen cabinets

Before construction begins, you need to remove everything that’s inside your kitchen cabinets. This might not be the most enjoyable task and you might indeed be dreading it. However, think of it as a chance for you to clean out and dispose of any clutter you don’t need.

To make it easier for yourself, arrange everything in an orderly manner so that it becomes easier to put it back when the renovation is completed.

  1. Set up a temporary area that you’ll use as a kitchen

Unless you intend to eat out every day and for every meal until the renovation is complete, you need to figure out which part of your house you can convert into a temporary kitchen.

Eating out can be expensive and if you have kids, it can be impractical because you never know when they’ll need something to eat. Even without kids, you’ll still need to make a quick snack every now and then.

A temporary kitchen can include a simple movable table, microwave, toaster, a hot plate, and a few items for food preparation such as a chopping board and knife. To make cleanup a lot easier, buy some plastic plates and cups instead of using your usual cutlery.  You’ll also need a few storage containers for food leftovers, though it might be a better idea to only cook what can be eaten in one seating.