Before Renovating your Kitchen

[missmanors]

Remodeling a kitchen can be a daunting task. The National Association of Home Builders along with other experts offer this advice:

1. Carefully consider changes you are thinking of making: Do you need to add more space and want to upgrade cabinets and countertops or would a new coat of paint and new hardware for the cabinets be enough? Think about traffic patterns, furniture placement, colors and lighting. Collect some pictures of what you like.

2. Be sure that you plan enough space for your kitchen appliances. Measure the width, depth and height as well as door clearance.

3. Take home samples of flooring and countertops and live with them for a while. If you'll be adding cabinetry or an island, try using a stand in to gauge size.

Outside of hiring a professional remodeler with a good track record, one of the most important things you can do is have a concise contract that protects you both.

4. Cover all the basics: a timetable, price and payment schedule, detailed specifications for materials, insurance and permit information, access to your home and who is responsible for cleanup. (if you're able to do some things yourself, you may be able to save on the cost of the remodel)

5. Change orders. Outline with your contractor in writing how changes to materials or other details will be handled.

6. Lien waivers. If the remodeler hires sub contractors for part of the work, it is the remodeler's responsibility to compensate them. In order to ensure this has been done, ask for a written lien waiver when the work is complete to verify payment.

[homealone]

It is amazing what it can take to renovate part of a home. I know that alot of people tend to just jump right in and then end up paying a great deal of money, and usally find that the items they have chosen for their renovation are not really to their liking.Your suggestions Missmannors for things like the living with samples and the stand ins, are a great way to make sure that when your renovation is complete you will be happy. Thanks for more great tips.