How to Avoid Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes
Renovators Place Columnist
Oct 08, 2009
If there is a kitchen remodeling project in your future, take time to learn from the mistakes of others. Here's a look at some common remodeling mistakes--and how to avoid them.
Kitchen remodeling is a major project and one that requires good planning and communication. Before starting a project, make sure you are well rested and are ready to handle the rigors that go along with tearing your kitchen apart.
About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years.
Be Prepared for Kitchen Remodeling
There are many people who are so frustrated with their existing kitchens that they jump too quickly at the thought of a new one. Don't make the mistake of:- Hiring the first remodeling contractor you meet
- Starting the remodeling before getting a permit or planning every step of the project
- Jumping into the project before your financing is approved
- Starting the work before your kitchen cabinets and other major products are ordered
How Remodeling Impacts Daily Life
Kitchen remodeling has a dramatic effect on your life, as it tears apart your kitchen and changes the way you approach meals. During kitchen remodeling you will have to:- Make a temporary kitchen
- Find another place to wash dishes (the bathtub, perhaps?)
- Use the microwave or grill more than you might like
- Eat out more than you might want
Timing Your Remodeling Project
The key to surviving this upheaval is to time the remodeling correctly. Before scheduling the work with your kitchen contractor, look for a time when there are no other major disruptions planned. Don't plan the project when you will be:- Tearing apart another area of your house
- Hosting a large party
- Starting a new job
- Sending a child off to college
Avoid Taking on Too Much Remodeling
If your bathroom is still torn apart and you're wrapping up a family room addition, it might not be the best time to start another project. While that scenario might sound extreme, there are many people who hop from one project to another without taking a few deep breaths in between. This can affect:- Your sanity
- Your ability to deal with frustration
- Your finances
- Your patience
Kitchen remodeling is a major project and one that requires good planning and communication. Before starting a project, make sure you are well rested and are ready to handle the rigors that go along with tearing your kitchen apart.
About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years.
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