A full kitchen remodel is a great way to give your home a facelift, but for many, the thought of committing to a complete renovation spells headaches ahead. If the idea of turning your kitchen into a construction zone is intimidating, a phased remodel could be the solution.
Phased remodeling is a process by which we complete your renovation in small chunks. A phased approach lightens the load on the initial investment, and it also lets you schedule the remodel around your busy life, helping you maintain some sense of normalcy.
When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, there are five basic phases that can be separated out as their own unique part of the process.
1. Planning and Prioritizing
Every good renovation starts with a plan. Create a complete design with all the changes you want to make, from cabinets and countertops to furniture and fixtures. Consider things like window treatments and paint as well, as those can easily be forgotten, but they still have a significant impact on your budget. The nice thing about a phased remodel is that it will help you stay on top of your budget. By laying everything out before construction begins, you can avoid a lot of unexpected or hidden costs. Plus, flexible financing options allow you to break the payments up into smaller chunks, making it more manageable than a hefty upfront fee.
2. Installing New Cabinets
Before you start ripping things out, you’ll want to see what the bones of your kitchen look like. This can save you a lot of money in the long run. One of the biggest items when it comes to a kitchen remodel is cabinetry. If you’re looking for a way to save some money in this area, you might be inclined to reface rather than do a full tear-out and reinstall. To make a reface work, you have to be sure that your cabinets are sound – that is, not warped or eroded in any way. If the bones are good, you can save thousands of dollars by giving your existing cabinets some TLC while still getting the same refreshed result. If they’re not up to standard, you might have to spring for a complete reinstallation.
How will you know if your cabinets are good to go? The lower cabinets must be able to hold the weight of your countertop. If it won’t withstand a stone countertop, you might want to go for a lighter material or upgrade the existing cabinetry entirely.
3. Installing the Surfaces
Once you know that your cabinets are good and sturdy, the next logical phase is to install your countertops. There are hundreds of options to choose from when it comes to countertops, so you’re sure to find the perfect one to fit your style and budget. Natural stone like granite or marble, or engineered stones like quartz will be heavier, and a bit on the spendy side, but many homeowners prefer them because of their sleek, luxe, timeless look. There are also hordes of more affordable but still very attractive options like laminate and linoleum.
4. New Appliances
If you plan to replace your existing appliances, this step doesn’t necessarily need to be a phase all to itself. Because the appliances are all separate pieces, you can move them in one by one as the renovations are completed or bring them in all at once, right at the end. However, it’s still a good idea to select the appliances you want early on in the process. That way, you know that they’ll be consistent with the style you’re going for, and you can get back to focusing on more important things.
5. Refinishing the Floor
To complete your kitchen remodel, you might also want to change your floors. If your existing floors are in good condition, this step isn’t absolutely necessary. But, you might need to if you’re concerned with matching them to your new kitchen style. A simple and immediate solution is to use a stylish and durable area rug, but if new kitchen flooring is in your future, there is no shortage of options. Some of the choices to consider include wood, tile, laminate, or durable, eco-friendly choices like bamboo or cork. If you’re pulling up the old floor, you might also consider installing under-floor heating.
Ultimately, after the initial planning stage, most of these phases are interchangeable, except for the cabinetry. If you think a phased kitchen remodel might be for you, reach out today. We would love to show you how we can help.
