Kitchen renovations can be tricky, particularly when you're trying to decide whether to keep your existing kitchen cabinet layout or start from scratch. Here's how to decide which approach is best for you.

Examine Kitchen Cabinet and Appliance Layout

As you plan a kitchen renovation, take a serious look at your kitchen cabinet and appliance layout. Is the sink in a good spot? Are you reaching too far to load the dishwasher? Do you have enough cabinet storage?

Kitchen Renovations Can Add Convenience

Many home owners reconfigure their layout to make the kitchen workspace more convenient. This type of home improvement project often involves redesigning the location of the cabinets, appliances and island. A contractor would take measurements of the space and create a design from scratch, often ignoring the current cabinet layout.

This type of kitchen renovation can improve the flow of the kitchen, including:

• The kitchen sink and dishwasher work area
• The cabinet storage space
• The island usage
• The size of walkways around cabinets and through the kitchen

Kitchen Renovations That Don't Make Sense

In some cases, however, the benefits do not outweigh the added home improvement costs. Before reconfiguring your kitchen cabinet layout, consider the following costs:

• Plumbing: if the sink and dishwasher are moved
• Gas line: when moving a gas stove
• Electrical: for new lighting above a new sink or island area
• Flooring: if the cabinets are moved, it exposes floor area, sometimes requiring a new floor

Involve Your Contractor

As you debate whether to change your kitchen layout, talk to your contractor early in the process. Most contractors have a good sense of how a kitchen should flow. The contractor might have ideas how to reduce your expenses, while still gaining the convenience and workflow you require.

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years.