Introduction
No one wants to cook in this
But how to we get to this?
We go through. . . .
Design for new kitchen
Demolition
Roughin
Drywall and Painting
cabinets
counters and appliances
uses and purpose of this guide
This booklet is intended to help homeowners avoid the pitfalls commonly encountered in kitchen remodeling. The kitchen remodel is the most complicated interior residential remodeling project. It contains more electrical and plumbing components than any other room. It has the highest storage density of any room. It must have overlapping use areas, integrated with gas and electrical appliances. Work centers double as social centers and consequently have multiple lighting requirements. Additionally, feelings run high about what to do with this room; it usually is the heart of the home.
A kitchen remodel is like heart surgery on your home. If you are going to do it yourself, educate yourself thoroughly from experienced sources. Even if you hire a professional, be involved. Educate yourself so you can ask them informed questions. You are reading this because you want to be actively involved in the process. Good.
In this booklet, we are concerned not with design, but with the planning and scheduling of a kitchen remodel. Yet, even with our topic narrowed down, there is an overwhelming amount of material we could still cover. Consequently, we will just focus on what typical mid level kitchens have in common. Additionally, we will look at the most common problems you might encounter. This won't give you all the answers, but it should provide you with the tools to ask more informed questions.
my qualifications
As a general contractor doing a wide variety of jobs, I averaged about two kitchen remodels each year. Since specializing in kitchen remodeling, I am usually involved with ten to twenty times that amount. Yet, with all these kitchens under my belt, to my continuing amazement, I still encounter new complications and unique 'surprises' with each new kitchen. Thus, there are always new challenges; "opportunities for wisdom". It's a good thing that I enjoy what I do. With this online version of my booklet, my wish is to shine light on your path so that your kitchen remodel might be a more joyful adventure, not a trip to remodel hell.
"I have a contractor/designer, I don't need this guide". . .
Many homeowners use a kitchen designer from a design firm, or from a home center like Lowes or Home Depot. A designer can be very helpful in developing the cabinet layout and overall design for your kitchen. Yet, it is not reasonable to expect them to take the place of a general contractor. No matter how good your designer is, the very nature of their job prevents them from being onsite and involved with the day to day conditions and on-site complications of the construction process. If you are acting as the general contractor it is up to you. My experience has taught me that the more "accurately" informed a homeowner: the smoother the job.
have faith in yourself
Don't panic, tens of thousands of homeowners have accomplished this task. With proper study and planning, you will too, and without the headaches and cost overruns so common to these projects. If you are anxious about your project, that is to be expected. Anxiety is the result of uncertainty or apprehension about what can go wrong. As funny as it may sound, I believe you can decrease you anxiety level by increasing your knowledge of just what can go wrong. That is, if that knowledge is accompanied by a awareness of how to make it go right. I hope that gaining tidbits from my experience can lower your anxiety level. Even if you are not acting as your own general contractor, reading this booklet can give you some peace of mind; you should have a better understand of the whole process and what to expect.
general overview
I have been involved in many kitchen remodels as a cabinet installer. Often on these jobs, the homeowner has acted as the general contractor. Usually their reason in doing so was to save money. Very seldom was it for the pure joy of the work. Sometimes things worked out just fine. More often then not though, the project cost exceeded their budget and over ran their time line by weeks if not months. Any time spent doing dishes in the bathroom sink and cooking in a electrical skillet on the coffee table is too long. If you are going to tear out the heart of your home, you want to know that it won't be out of commission any longer than absolutely necessary. To streamline the project every task should follow a natural sequence dictated by the tasks involved. This list is a general outline of the flow of tasks involved.
- Planning and Design
- Ordering materials
- Demolition
- Rough in
- Repair and Painting
- Installing Cabinets
- Installing Counters
- Installing Flooring
- Installing appliances and sink
There are some exceptions to this order which we will cover as we examine each section individually. So, with our caveats out of the way lets move on to the next phase: Planning & Design.
