5 Tips to Avoid Any Mistakes When Remodeling a Kitchen: Save Money and Frustration

Planning a kitchen remodel is both exciting and intimidating. The wide range of choices available for every element can make it hard to know where to start or how best to use your budget. There are also some mistakes that could sink your project before it even gets started — costing you time, money, and frustration. For five tips about how to avoid those common pitfalls, see this article.

Do your research before you begin

Before you start a blog, it's essential to do some research. If you're just starting out, you have to have a good understanding of what your kitchen needs and what it doesn't. This can help you save money in turn:

Tip 1: Understand your budget kitchen remodel will have costs associated with it. Not all costs will be unique to every project. However, none of those cost factors should be underestimated. Suits, for example, can cost a lot of money to repair or even break unless you know that they will last more than one use. 

So, if you are projecting new cabinets in a kitchen remodel, estimate what you're most likely to have to replace — appliances, kitchen benchtops, cabinets, and hardware. The typical cost for appliances in a kitchen remodeling ranges from $700 to $3,000 each. For those appliances, reliable manufacturers tend to offer warranties lasting 12 to 20 years. 

Tip 2: Create a list of every major kitchen appliance that you can possibly think of. For example, the furniture in a kitchen remodel is most likely going to be new, but the fixtures might include old appliances with the cover plates, too. 

Some kitchen finishes — such as granite countertops — tend to last a lot longer than others. Even the couches and coffee table can be updated over time. If this sounds like too much work, remember there are several inexpensive companies that offer "renovations" that can be done ahead of the time of your project. 

Tip 3: Choose only the best quality materials for kitchen remodels. For a home kitchen remodel, choose marble countertops. They last — even outsmarted by the next shiny thing. If you're deciding between tile and stone, consider considering which of those looks more elegant in a home. Think about the cost of materials and time crews will need to use to install those features. Recycle your scrap metal and other reusable items for a cost that you can add to your remodeling later.

Budget wisely from the start

Make sure your plan contains room for adversity instructions 

These instructions are essential when renovating kitchen cabinets and drawers. In case something unexpected arises, like a crack in the wood, accident instructions can save a lot of hassle and money. 

DIY some tasks

A few short minutes on the phone with a professional cabinet refinisher will save you a tremendous amount of headaches when it comes to making all sorts of wood-related cabinets and drawer installs. This person can help you plan out the precise angles for screwing in the hardware and the countertop positions. 

Consider hiring a professional for some services, such as electrical work or painting

When it comes to big projects around your house, it's sometimes better to hire a professional. For example, you might want to hire an electrician because you can't tell if your electrical work is up to code. It's also important to hire a professional when you're dealing with aesthetics, like painting. Before you hire a professional for those tasks, check out these handy tips and tricks to help you DIY the right way. 

1. Ask the right questions. "If you want to hire someone, aim to find someone who has experience with kitchen remodels," says Liz Arch, president, and creator of Kitchen remodeling company Twistah. In other words, ask questions like what types of colors and finishes you're considering and what you're willing to sacrifice to get the job done. In general, longer projects — because they require more work — are more budget-friendly, while quick projects don't take up as much of your budget's precious resources. 
2. Prepare room by room. Arch recommends thinking about the states of the kitchen when you're looking for contractors. While minimalist colors are popular, but some colors work better than others. "Don't be afraid to find an affordable contractor who will prep the kitchen a bit before he starts work so that he comes in and makes adjustments as needed," she says. 
3. Take measurements first. A professional is better than any DIY plan you can come up with, but when there is a lot of variety in your kitchen, it's a good idea to have a professional prepare up the kitchen floor plan and get measurements for everything, rather than working at the drawing board yourself. Finally, don't forget that the sizes you're considering aren't necessarily standard kitchen counters. If you're getting your items made through a home remodeling factory, check their facility for important equipment for constructing them in high quality like air cannon and proper ventilation, among other things. Don't just give the assignment to any workshop and not check on their conditions.