Top 10 Best Practices for Remodeling a Kitchen

1. Establish a “Realistic Budget”.

The average American kitchen remodel is in the $25K-$45K range. National experts report kitchen remodels cost 5-15% of the home value. Bel Air Maryland average home value is $450K, so $25K-$67,500 is the average spent in our area.

2. Checklist to Choose the Best Contractor:

a. Referral or currently working in neighborhood (Ask neighbors to view their project and how the experience was with professionalism, quality and price.)
b. Check the longevity of the business – 10+ years, licensed and insured?
c. Check Google ratings and reviews.
d. Check references (i.e. call or visit job sites)
e. Top labor warranties are lifetime.

3. Design and Functionality

a. Function first: The “Golden Rule” of kitchen design prioritizes function over form to create a practical and efficient workspace.
b. Layout: Understanding design principles like the “work triangle” (the path between the sink, refrigerator and stove) is crucial for an efficient layout.
c. Maximizing space: Look for ways to maximize storage and counter space, potentially by adding an island or optimizing existing cabinets with specialized features.

4. Material Selections

a. Solid wood doors, dove tailed drawer frames and soft close doors and drawers at minimum.
b. Quartz and Granite are the most durable & timeless and can also make a beautiful backsplash.
c. Top material warranties are 10-20 years.

5. Feel comfortable with all your selections

(i.e. contractor, design, product, colors and styles).

6. Establish a tentative start date and a hard completion date.

7. Establish a “best way of communication” before and during the project.

(i.e. text, call, email, notes. Who to include – husband or wife or both.)

8. Have finances in order.

Most jobs are on a “draw schedule”. Make sure you know when draws are due and have a check or cash available to stay on schedule. If using a finance company, you may have to let them know when timelines are complete to release funds to contractor.

9. Be patient and willing to work through small avoidable and unavoidable mistakes.

Sometime things do not go perfectly; people respond better to kindness than anger.

10. Most people want to do a good job.

Communication is key! Keep everyone informed about the job; don’t assume the contractor knows what you are thinking.