Kitchen Remodeling: How to Know When It’s Time and What You’ll Gain

In a hot housing market, springing for a kitchen remodel is a sure-fire investment.

The kitchen is one of the most expensive areas of the home in terms of construction. It is where people spend the most time.

A thoughtful kitchen remodeling can return most if not all of your investment.

7 Signs It’s Time to Consider Remodeling Your Kitchen

1. Outdated Design: An old kitchen style makes the entire home seem outdated. Moreso, if you plan on selling soon, an outdated kitchen design can be a major sticking point for potential buyers. Even a small remodel with high-quality finishes and updated appliances can make a big difference.

2. Minimal Storage & Prep Space: Are your cabinets full to the brim? When your kitchen no longer fits your needs, it’s a good time to consider an update to create more storage and space in your kitchen so it better serves your family with advanced kitchen features.

3. Visible Signs of Wear and Tear: Every kitchen will experience a few bumps and bruises along the way. But significant wear and tear is a sure sign it’s ready for an upgrade. Damaged countertops, broken cabinets, or seriously worn-out floors are visible signs that your kitchen could use a remodel.

4. Doesn’t Fit Your Lifestyle: Maybe you’re considering starting a business and you need more space. Perhaps you enjoy entertaining, but the kitchen is too small. If your kitchen no longer meets your needs or supports your lifestyle, you need a remodel.

5. Poor Layout: If you constantly find yourself bumping into one another or you can’t open the fridge and the dishwasher at the same time, you’re probably suffering from a poor layout in the kitchen. A kitchen remodel can help you use the space you have more effectively.

6. Considering Selling Your Home: If you are wanting to sell your home in the next 1-2 years, remodeling your kitchen could increase the value of your home. Check with a local realtor for their advice on what appeals to buyers in your area.

7. Because You Want To: Even if there is nothing physically wrong with your kitchen but you just want a change, that is reason enough to embark on a kitchen remodel.

Why Renovate Your Kitchen

• Improves Functionality: By improving the function of your space, you can cook, prep, and entertain more effectively.
• Reduces Energy Costs: Upgrading your appliances is not required when doing kitchen remodeling. But if you choose to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances, it can reduce your monthly electric bill.
• Increases Your Home’s Value: On average, you can recoup 70-80% of the cost of the remodel. In a hot housing market, that may increase to 100% or more.
• Allows You to Actually Enjoy Your Kitchen: The kitchen represents a significant portion of your home space. Make sure it’s a space you are proud of, and you enjoy using.

6 Popular Kitchen Layouts

There are six main types of kitchen layouts.

If your current layout isn’t working in your home, talk to a home remodeling contractor in Louisville, KY about changing the layout to make your space more functional.

1. One-Wall

This is the ultimate space saver. It’s usually found in studios, loft spaces, or RVs. Cabinets and appliances are fixed on a single wall. There may or may not be an island or nearby eating area.

2. Galley

A galley, or walk-through kitchen is almost like two one-wall kitchens. Two walls opposite each other, or two parallel countertops create a lean layout ideal for small spaces. They also make great use of space without wasteful corner cabinetry.

3. L-Shape

An L-shaped kitchen is a smart design for small and medium sized kitchens. The L-shape is created with countertops on two adjoining walls. The “legs” of the L can be as long as you want, which helps to eliminate traffic.

4. Horseshoe/U-Shape

The horseshoe, or U-shape kitchen has three walls of cabinets/appliances with an island forming the third “wall.” This design works well for traffic flow, and you can get more cooks into the kitchen.

5. Island

A working kitchen island can add valuable usability to the kitchen, but not all spaces will have enough clearance to include one. An island can add additional workspace, a place to eat, and additional storage.

6. G-Shape

The g-shape essentially occupies three full walls and a partial fourth that is typically a peninsula ideal for barstool seating. If you don’t have the space, a G-shape kitchen can feel cramped. If you have enough square footage, this shape provides both storage, work space, and seating.

What It Costs to Remodel a Kitchen

The cost to renovate your kitchen will depend on several factors.

Some of the main factors that will affect the final cost include the following:

• Desired Layout: If you want to keep your current layout, this won’t affect your costs too much. However, if you’re looking to change your layout shape especially if it requires building or tearing down walls, your budget will significantly increase.
• Size of the Kitchen: Clearly, the bigger the kitchen the bigger the price tag. When you have more square footage to work with you’ll pay more for both materials and labor.
• Type of Cabinets, Countertops, Flooring: Depending on whether you choose new cabinets or just reface and update hardware, your cabinets could eat up nearly 30% of your overall remodel budget. Countertops and flooring are the other two budget-eaters. Vinyl vs. hardwood, granite vs. quartz, these individual choices make big cost changes.
• Replacing and/or Adding Appliances: Appliances are a huge selling point for buyers. Brand new double ovens, a four-burner gas range, or smart fridge, will greatly improve kitchen functionality (and budget).
• Adding Automation: Any type of technology addition, smart lighting or automated appliances will add to the cost (and convenience) of your new kitchen.
• Contractor Labor Fees: The labor costs will vary by location. It’s worth the extra time to talk with a few contractors in your area and compare quotes to be sure you’re getting a fair price for labor in your area.

The 6 Basic Steps of a Kitchen Remodel

There is no exact one way to remodel a kitchen.

The exact process will depend on what you want done and the kitchen remodeling company you hire.

1. Access Your Needs vs Desires: Make a list to determine your deal-breakers and your kitchen wish list. Get clear on what you want so when it comes time to make decisions related to cost, it will be easier. It will also be helpful to gather some pictures of inspiration to show your contractor.

2. Determine How Much You Can Afford: Homeowners tend to low-ball their budget not realizing how much it will actually cost. Do research and create a realistic budget and set aside 10-20% for unplanned expenses.

3. Research & Hire a Contractor: Use your friends, family and the internet to research and find a quality kitchen remodeler. Go with one that has a good track record and  reputation. Get estimates from a few companies. And don’t just base your decision on price. Sometimes the cheapest (or most expensive) is not always the best option for you.

4. Finalize Your Plan: Talk with your contractor and finalize the plan including details like colors, finishes, countertops, cabinets, or any other details related to your remodel. Consider using our kitchen remodel checklist.

5. Construction Time: This is where that actual work begins. The extent of your kitchen remodel will determine how long this step will take. If you are getting a new countertop, refacing your cabinets, but keeping the layout of your kitchen the same, this will be shorter than if you are moving/adding walls and changing the physical layout of your kitchen.

6. All Done: Be sure to look over everything and ask your contractor any questions you may have. Once everything is done to your satisfaction, you can now enjoy your new kitchen for years to come.

During Your Remodel, Don’t Forget These 5 Important Tips

A kitchen remodeling is a major undertaking.

Making endless decisions and choosing dozens of products can be overwhelming.

Don’t forget these five important tips to ensure you’re happy with the finished product.

• Take Your Time with the Layout: Don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions on whether or not you can move around your kitchen layout. Too many homeowners either start knocking down walls without careful evaluation first. On the other hand, others assume it’s not possible to move cabinets or appliances. Take the time, understand your options, and consider all of the possibilities before you get started.
• Be Practical with Your Flooring: Before you select that stunning rustic tile with an intricate design, think of how it will impact your day to day. If you have kids who drop and spill, it may not be easy to wipe or sweep tile with deep grooves. Or if you have mobility issues, it might be best to avoid a floor that is slick.
• Don’t Skimp on the Lighting: Illuminate your kitchen with adequate lighting. A poorly lit kitchen ruins the space. Instead, go big on lighting with bright options and a good mixture of different types of kitchen lights.
• Pay Attention to Details: It can be easy to get overwhelmed when planning a kitchen remodel. Many focus on the big parts but forget about the little details that can make a huge difference. Ask your contractor for their advice on little touches you could add to increase either function or style without breaking the budget.
• Don’t Forget to Make Alternative Meal Plans: Your kitchen may be out of commission for weeks (or longer!). Be sure you make arrangements for how you and your family will eat during that time. You could set up a makeshift kitchen in the basement, eat out, order delivery, or plan meals with family and friends.

Get Your Project Started!

Few home remodeling projects come with more benefits (and more headaches) than a major kitchen remodel.

A new kitchen will make your home more livable, and increase the equity value of your property.

A full kitchen remodeling is almost always worth the time, money, and effort required.

With careful planning, you can avoid common kitchen-remodel pitfalls and get yourself into your new kitchen as soon as possible.

If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, give us a call today!