Understanding What You Want and Need
Any home improvement project will be intimidating if you don’t have a proper plan. While a kitchen or bath may be smaller than most other rooms in your house, a remodel will still need plenty of advance prep. But before you get around to planning, it’s a good idea to have a clear understanding of what you really want and need to achieve through the project.
Are you looking for a more high-end bathroom? Do you want more storage space? Do you want your kitchen to be a huge selling point once you sell your home? If you have a clear goal in mind, you’ll be able to properly and logically plan for a remodel that will give you a kitchen or bath that ticks all the right boxes.
Some Considerations
- Your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Personal preference is the number one consideration in a remodel because it will determine the level of satisfaction you will get out of the project. There are, of course, plenty of other factors to bear in mind, but this first one will generally guide the direction your kitchen or bathroom remodel will take.
Don’t hesitate to list down EVERYTHING you want to have done, no matter how big or small the details are. You can find the time to re-assess your list afterwards to factor in feasibility.
- Your timeline. How much time can you realistically afford to spend on that remodel? Many homeowners end up pressed for time due to a lack of careful planning, especially when a kitchen or bathroom remodel is function-related. Keep in mind that your project can’t go on indefinitely regardless of what you’re having a contractor do. Setting a general timeline will also give you room to figure out contingencies for your household over the course of your remodel.
- Your budget. Even if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford carte blanche remodeling, you’ll still need to set a budget as it is one of the best ways for you to make sure your contractor is staying on track. Be honest when estimating a figure—it should represent only what you can actually afford. Loans are for emergencies only!
Can’t wait to start? Let’s get to the more practical side of things. In the next installment of A Starter Guide to Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, we’ll talk about how you can figure out the right budget for your project and get the most out of your money.