If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, timing is crucial. Many times over, a client will arrive in our design centre with a specific completion date in mind—only to be let down by the realities of design and installation timelines. Having a clear picture of the steps involved can keep your project on track.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the kitchen and bath industry, we’ve witnessed common scenarios from hopeful homeowners who weren’t aware of the realities of design, production, renovation work, installation and extra details that can extend their timeline.
A common occurrence is the change of season bringing on demand for change in the home. There’s something about the first cool week after summer or the first warm weeks in spring that drive people to make big changes.
Some of the biggest demands of the year happen at the beginning of September. Clients arrive just as the season is changing, hoping to have a new kitchen—often by the Christmas holidays and sometimes even by Thanksgiving. Although it’s possible to have cabinets and countertops installed by the holidays, homeowners often forget about the first steps: design appointments, site visits, design time and pricing—and the unexpected hiccups that can cause small delays. (All it takes is for one of the many different people or products involved to be delayed by a few days and the party is ruined!)
The overall timeframe is often driven by how often a client makes changes to the design before agreeing to a final version. Designers often try to nail it on the first draft, but this is rarely a reality. Even small changes can take a significant amount of time to make, as new drawings and pricing must be completed and presented again. Also, depending on the demand at the time you go shopping for new cabinetry, you may have to wait a few weeks to be seen by a designer. The autumn rush can be one of the busiest.
Shopping for appliances also takes time, and this crucial step is not always on the minds of homeowners. It’s usually the first bit of “homework” I give our clients. Without appliance decisions made, the process of designing a kitchen cannot start, as a result of the multitude of options when it comes to sizes and installation types. If you’d like to be prepared for your new kitchen design, it’s best to go appliance shopping as soon as possible. If space is an issue, you may want to meet the designer first—but having an idea of what you want will move the process along more quickly.
In the end, the more time you give yourself the better the job will be. We recommend starting the process a minimum of five months prior to your desired completion date and give yourself a decent cushion of time before an important event. (Don’t have the kitchen completion date be December 23 if you’re planning to host Christmas dinner!)
If you keep these steps in mind—plan in advance, keep changes to a minimum, and give yourself some breathing room in your timeline—kitchen renovation projects can be a smooth and fun process, with a result that not only increases the value of your property but makes the centre of your home a more comfortable, welcoming space for your family and guests.
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