The idea of wanting a pristine new kitchen with gleaming appliances and beautiful countertops is very appealing. But the process can be daunting, especially since there can be many hiccups along the way. Here are some of the most common remodeling troubles you will encounter, along with advice for solving them.
Plan Your Budget
For many people, the biggest hurdle to a kitchen remodel is the budget. During this process, costs can easily get out of control. To avoid having your budget spiral out of control, it would be wise to create a realistic budget in the beginning stages and do your utmost to work within it.
When making your budget, give yourself some wiggle room because you can bet some unexpected situations are going to occur. For instance, you might open a wall and find some ancient wiring that needs to be updated. Those surprises can certainly add to the cost.
The Waiting Game: How to Cope With the Wait
Another frequent kitchen remodel headache involves timing. You may be visualizing yourself cooking in your beautiful new kitchen in a few weeks, but timing doesn’t always go as planned. Perhaps the cabinets you ordered are taking longer to arrive than you hoped, or there’s a hold-up in getting the countertops installed. It can seem like the construction is going on for an eternity, particularly if your kitchen is the most important place in your home. To help with this, have an open dialogue with your contractor and get a realistic timeline up front. Then, keep in mind that it may change.
The Messy Middle: Your Kitchen Is Gone (and You Have to Eat)
It’s no secret that remodeling a kitchen is messy. There will be dust and tools, and workers will be going in and out. Your kitchen, the space where you usually cook your meals and perhaps even gather, will be temporarily out of commission. Of course, this change in your daily routine can be a significant challenge. Daily tasks, like making breakfast or washing the dishes, become more difficult. To mitigate this, try to plan ahead. If possible, set up a temporary kitchen area with necessities like a microwave, a hot plate and a sink. Use disposable dishes and utensils to reduce dishwashing. It may not be perfect, but at least knowing it won’t last forever is easier to handle.
You will need to make a myriad of choices throughout the remodeling process, from cabinet style to flooring type to paint color. It can be quite daunting, especially with an abundance of choices. It’s hard not to second-guess yourself or doubt your decisions. To help with this process, do your homework in advance. Look at photos of kitchens you like, collect samples of materials and try to have a good sense of your vision before the work begins.
Don’t hesitate to ask for advice from your contractor or other professionals. For help with your kitchen remodel in your Bloomington, IL home, contact the team at Nordine Remodeling. We will collaborate with you to make the process as painless as possible.