There are roughly ten steps to a major kitchen remodeling project:
Planning
Hiring Professionals
Selecting Materials
Demolition
Rough-In work
Interim Inspection
Installation
Finishing touches
Final inspection, certificate of occupancy
Enjoy
For your particular home improvement project, some steps might not be needed. Depending on your background, the sequence could be slightly rearranged. Each step has particular components that may or not be applicable to your home renovation. So, consider the overall guideline as a way to save time and money while avoiding common mistakes.
Planning and hiring professionals
A new kitchen is going to cost time and money so it should not be undertaken lightly. When devising your design plans what are your current pain points? Due to space, time, or budget limits, you may not be able to achieve everything so it will be necessary to prioritize your objectives. Have some clarity as to what you can reasonably afford and make a budget. If you have some illustration skills, sketch a layout. Otherwise, hire a designer. If your project involves significant construction, plumbing or electrical work, you will likely need to file a building permit. Permits often require an architectural rendering. Before long, you may need to hire a general contractor. Perform some due diligence before signing the first contract. Ask for references, particularly from the most recent customers. Read reviews. If possible, visit nearby worksites. If your contractor has a website, look at before and after pictures. Get advice from family, friends or neighbors, especially those with professional connections to the various trades.
Selecting Materials
Depending on how extensive your kitchen renovation is, you may need to purchase appliances, flooring, fixtures, or tile. Some items, especially in stock or standard-sized items are likely to be readily available. If you are buying custom cabinets to achieve your dream kitchen, then factor in the appropriate lead time. At every step, if you have a clear idea of your priorities, then you'll more easily make wise tradeoffs to save money. For example, perhaps your architect can perform double duty as your designer. Instead of replacing your cabinets, you might elect to refinish or reface instead and use the savings to upgrade from a laminate to a stone countertop.
Demolition, Rough-In Work and Interim Inspections
If you are replacing cabinets, walls, or floors, you might need to rip everything out to the studs. If rough-in work is needed to replace plumbing, upgrade electricity, or add lighting fixtures, it is likely that the work will need to be inspected before sheetrock is placed on the walls.
Installations
Depending on the availability of material and the kitchen design undertaken, the usual work progression begins with doors and windows, proceeds to installing cabinets and fixtures, continues with new flooring and ends with new appliances.
Finishing Touches
Finishing touches are typically trim and lighting fixtures. Special touches might involve
backsplashes or accent walls. At this point, a final inspection might be required to earn a certificate of occupancy. Once this final hurdle is completed, take it all in. You are ready to start enjoying your kitchen for the next several years and possibly beyond a decade.
Enjoy
When you are remodeling your kitchen, you are making a real estate investment and you are addressing lifestyle objectives. With the amount of money involved and your soon-to-be daily reality, among the top objectives has to be finish the home remodeling project in a timely fashion. The most likely way of achieving this is avoiding rookie mistakes that cost time and money. For experienced guidance and inspired ideas, call Acosta Home & Air Pro at (914) 875-3266 to begin your project today.