8 Essential Planning Tips For Your Kitchen Renovation Project

Planning a kitchen renovation project can be exhausting. It’s not as easy as going to a big box store like IKEA and purchasing the whole set of a kitchen on display that you see. Whether you’re a planner or not, a kitchen renovation is one such project that makes you reach out to paper and pen so you don’t miss out on anything. Once the project starts, you don’t want to go back and forth to Home Depot or Canadian Tire to purchase tools and materials. Planning is essential in a kitchen renovation project because its time consuming and expensive.

Here are 8 essential tips that will help you plan and execute your kitchen renovation project with ease…

1. Getting Help from Friends and Family

Siblings help with packing cardboard boxes for moving house

If you’re doing the project by yourself, you will need an extra set of hands to help you with installations and some construction work. You can request your friends and family to help you out and create a project timeline as per their schedules. You may also have to arrange for their lunch and refreshments.
Even if you hire a contractor for the job, you may still need the help of your acquaintances with packing and unpacking the whole kitchen before and after the project.

2. Establish A Temp Kitchen

High angle view of a man cooking meat on a gas BBQ standing in the sunshine on a paved outdoor patio at the summer kitchen preparing for guests with a table and chairs with a garden umbrella alongside

Be it a small reno project or a big one, it’s wise that you set up a temporary kitchen in your basement or backyard. As kitchen renovations can take anywhere from 1 week to a month, you don’t want to rely on takeout for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

3. Weather

Based on the degree of changes you want to make, choose the right season for your kitchen renovation project. If you’re making structural changes like taking down the drywall and building windows and doors, then late spring, summer and even early fall are the best times to execute a kitchen renovation. However, if it’s only internal changes, you can make those happen in winter as well.

4. Off-Season

Summer, holiday season and school-break weeks are usually very busy for renovators to work on any big project. If you want to save a bit on your budget for the renovation try avoiding these timeslots to book a pro.

5. Don’t Rush It; Be Patient

Patience is very important when it comes to doing a kitchen renovation project. Try not to do all the tasks by yourself. There is nothing wrong with asking for help from an experienced professional to achieve your dream kitchen within your budget and set timeline.

6. Hire a Contractor

Blind corner cabinet, island drawers and counter cabinets installed

Hiring a contractor will definitely take a lot of stress out of planning and executing the kitchen renovation project. A contractor will also help you design the kitchen to maintain its longevity, arrange for the transportation of materials, tools and debris, and coordinate with labourers and other contractors too. You can hire an experienced and trustworthy kitchen renovator from HomeStars by reading homeowner reviews, looking for a Verification badge and checking their Star Score rating.

7. Identify the Must-Have VS Nice to Have

When it comes to kitchen renovation, identify what needs to be updated or replaced and which elements don’t need to be changed at all. You don’t have to throw away all the elements from your kitchen. You can recycle or repurpose many items by repairing or repainting them. Before throwing anything on your pile of debris, identify the must-haves and nice to have to save on your budget.

8. Ordering Renovation Material Online

Once you make a list of all the renovation materials you need (sink, pipes, faucets, tiles, cabinetry, countertop, flooring material, electrical and light fixtures etc.) you can order many items online. There are various websites and small businesses in Canada that sell kitchen items on their website for wholesale rates. Take advantage of their discounts, free shipping or first-time buyer offers to make the most of it.

We understand that planning and executing a kitchen renovation project is not easy. Each project is different and requires a customized plan. You can find local kitchen renovators on HomeStars who will design and plan your kitchen understanding your needs and requirements. Talk to a pro today to receive a custom quote for your kitchen renovation project.