If you’re considering a home renovation project, your kitchen is a great place to start. Whether they have a true passion for the culinary arts or they just prepare simple family meals, many homeowners spend a lot of time in their kitchens. You deserve a kitchen that adds to the interior beauty of your home, with all modern finishes and amenities, and a layout that makes cooking convenient.
Kitchen remodeling projects for Twin Cities homes are an excellent way to improve aesthetics and increase property value. However, these projects can also be complicated and, if not properly planned out, expensive. Continue reading to learn about everything you should know before renovating your kitchen.
Set a Realistic Budget
If you don’t want to spend a small fortune on your kitchen renovation project in the Twin Cities, start by determining a realistic budget for the project. Kitchen renovations often cost more than homeowners anticipate; $150 to $250 per square foot is a common price range, but this can vary widely based on the cost of labor and materials at any given time. While setting a budget for your kitchen renovation, it’s also important to plan for hidden costs. Things like costly permits and unexpected electric or plumbing upgrades can quickly inflate your budget. Set about 15% of your project budget aside to make sure you can handle any surprise expenses.
Think About Layout
As tempting as it can be to just modernize cabinets, countertops, and appliances, a kitchen remodeling project gives you the chance to improve the convenience and usability of your kitchen. Before remodeling work begins, think about what areas of your current kitchen have room for improvement. Make sure there will be enough room to move around, especially if multiple people often work in the kitchen at once. Storage should also be considered; where needed, add deep drawers, pantry pull-outs, and vertical cabinets to maximize storage space for kitchenware.
Keep Track of Utilities
Many utilities run to the kitchen, including electricity, plumbing, and gas. Before beginning a kitchen renovation project in the Twin Cities, take inventory of where all these utility lines are and use this to guide your remodeling work. Moving appliances that are reliant on utilities, like dishwashers and sinks, can be very expensive; even if you replace old appliances with new ones, try to keep them in the same place where possible. Minimizing plumbing, electricity, and HVAC work can prevent a kitchen remodeling project from going over-budget.
Plan for Disruption to Daily Life
Depending on how extensive the remodels are, kitchen renovation projects tend to require anywhere from one to three months for completion. During this time, your usage of your kitchen will be limited if not entirely prevented, which can be disruptive to your family’s daily lives. You’ll probably need to plan to eat out or order more takeout during this period. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to rely on your grill or outdoor kitchen set-up to continue cooking meals as normal.
Check Building Codes & Permits
Many kitchen remodeling projects for Twin Cities homes will require you to obtain certain permits. If you’re completing any work involving electricity, gas, or plumbing, check first to see what permits you’ll need to obtain. It’s also important to stay in compliance with local building codes. Double-check things like outlet spacing and ventilation to make certain that your renovated kitchen space will be up to code.
Work with a Professional Kitchen Remodeler in the Twin Cities Area
A do-it-yourself kitchen remodeling project can be a fun undertaking if you have experience with this type of work. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to complete all of the tasks involved in a kitchen renovation, your smarter option is to hire a professional kitchen remodeling company in the greater Twin Cities area. Connect with Excel Renovation today if you’d like us to get started on a professional kitchen renovation for your home!
