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It's a funny thing, but the word "holiday" comes up a lot in design meetings this time of year. And no, this is not another Christmas in July concept, the holidays or holiday planning is honestly on the minds of a lot of people. For most kids going back to school is the unofficial kick-off to Fall and Fall is the unofficial kick-off to the holidays. First, comes Halloween followed by Thanksgiving, and then Hanukkah/Christmas and New Year finish off the season.
With all of these events come parties, gatherings, and people, lots and lots of people in and out of the home. And it is this fact that has people excited and anxious to get started on their kitchen renovations as soon as possible to ensure their house is in tip-top shape.
So, if renovating your kitchen is on the to-do list this fall, I'm here to give you some advice. While getting started in August or September sounds like one would have plenty of time to get a project planned, executed, and completed before the holidays, the truth is three to four months can be a tight timeline. Here are a few things to consider:
The Luxury of Time and Consideration
For most people renovating a kitchen is a once or twice-in-a-lifetime occurrence and one that they want to get right in its entirety the first time. Not only can renovations be invasive to your life as your home is quite literally torn apart and then put together again, but they can be overwhelming and expensive.
With all of that being said it is my sincere opinion that an experience of this magnitude should not be rushed. There are a lot of decisions to be made and options to consider and I can tell you from my own experience renovating my kitchen, that the more rushed you are, the harder it is to feel confident about the decisions you make. There is something to be said for ample time to think through each detail to ensure the decisions you make today will be decisions that make you happy long down the road.
Renovations Are Unpredictable
The speed at which a renovation gets rolling and completed depends on SO many outside factors. Assuming you, as the homeowner have done your part and made all of the decisions and selections there are still so many outside factors that can cause the project to go off track. To start, renovations in and of themselves can be unpredictable. Often some issues and complications are hard to predict or account for until the kitchen is ripped apart and the bones of the space exposed. In addition, there are many factors such as materials and tradesmen that are integral to the completion of the project but can be very unpredictable, and unfortunately, often there is nothing you can do about it. At the end of the day when tasks are executed and items show up is completely up in the air and that pill, while always frustrating is a lot easier to swallow when you don't have a major deadline looming.
A Bad Time for Stress
Nothing can suck the merry out of the holiday season like having a house full of guests lined up to stay at your house and experience your newly renovated kitchen while having an actual kitchen-turned job site far from being show-off ready. The holidays can be a busy and stressful time for most people, including businesses' that will directly affect remodel - contractors, cabinetry suppliers, countertop fabricators, appliance installers, etc...So to avoid as many surprises as possible be upfront with your crew and ask about their lead times and for their honest feedback regarding the reality of your job, or their part in it, being able to be done within the time frame you have in mind. If you get any red flags....hold off.
Staying on Budget
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Staying on budget during a kitchen remodel is an ongoing task that takes willpower and planning. Most homeowners who have experienced a remodel or building a new home will tell you that they went over budget.
With so many decisions, materials and parts, there are bound to be items that homeowners overlook, creating overages on project costs.
So how does a homeowner stick to a budget? Here are ways to help you thru the challenge of sticking to a budget during a project.
Be Realistic about your Budget
If you only have $10,000 to spend, don't count on getting all new cabinets, countertops, and appliances. A modest budget allows for light cosmetic changes such as a fresh coat of paint, new knobs, full height tile backsplash, and perhaps a lighting detail, not extensive work and total material replacement.
Make sure your budget is equivalent to realistic expectations.
Clarify your Scope of Work
If you are hiring a general contractor or any sub-contractors, properly identify everything within your scope of work to be included in your contract.
Communicate with the contractor if you do not understand any part of the work they will be doing. Better to ask questions upfront, than to be surprised while work is in progress.
If there are items not included in your contract, generate a ball-park figure so that you are aware you have more purchases to make. Contractors may not always include things like faucets, dishwasher air gap covers, appliances, or some materials.
The more light you shed on what's included in your contracts and what items you will be responsible for, the easier it will be to get to your bottom line number.
Check-in with Yourself
Champagne on a beer budget works with kitchen remodels too! If you are stretching your funds to make it happen, be open to selecting value materials. You may be limited to only 5 cabinet door styles as opposed to 20, or have to stick with a basic appliance package.
Focus on what is workable for you and your project. If your budget can only work on laminate countertops, don't get hung up on the marble. And refer back to "Be Realistic about your Budget".
If you have the time to get creative with your materials, or can hire a designer who can, the look of champagne can often be achieved by adding personalized details.
One of the keys to success is to know your boundaries and stick to them! Don't dwell on what you can't have, because you never had it in the first place!
Know What Things Cost
Many homeowners know the cost of their beautiful wood flooring, but forget to think about the cost of installation, pad, trims, and glues. You will not only be purchasing the material itself but the labour and other products necessary to install them.
Check the price of appliances, windows, cabinets, and anything that you can go shopping for. Shop showrooms and collect bids. Make sure you are comparing prices that are "apples to apples".
Every state, country, and the city has different mark-ups based on location, availability, convenience, and of course, supply & demand. Don't rely on costs in magazines or TV programs to guide your budget. Get out in your community and shop!
Plan for Success
Doing your homework upfront will not only help to create your budget but also stay within your budget when selecting and purchasing materials. Being realistic, clarifying your expectations, practicing self-discipline, and shopping around for materials costs, will contribute to your success in staying on budget.
So, bottom line? Unless you have been getting your ducks in a row and are completely ready to pull the trigger on the renovation by September 1st, I would hold off until after the holidays. Take your time, enjoy the process and look forward to the many years you will have to enjoy your space, even if this year isn't one of them.
About the author:
Nicholas H. Parker is a paper helper for students. He used to manage the content team at the company he worked for. Currently, Nicholas writes articles to share his knowledge with others and obtain new skills. Besides it, he is highly interested in the web design sphere.
