Kitchen remodels are among the toughest home renovation jobs you can complete. This is because they involve a lot of things and each must be done to perfection if you want a stunning remodel. But because kitchen renovations instantly boost the value of a property, we always look at it as a worthwhile investment. You get to enjoy a more beautiful and effective cooking space and become the envy of your friends when they come visiting. Ultimately, it is a very rewarding project. Before it gets overwhelming, we’ll break down the entire kitchen remodelling process for you.
What’s your kitchen design?
Choosing the new kitchen design is probably the most fun part of the project. There are so many possibilities, but we’d advise you to stick to the basic design plans and then add your own uniqueness and character. There are 5 basic types of kitchen design plans: one-wall design, corridor design, l-shape, double-l shape and u-shape design. Choose a design that is ideal for you based on the kind of space you have. Think of what’s most important for you when choosing a kitchen design plan. For instance, if you have a small kitchen and you want to make it appear bigger, opening it up to the rest of the house may be a great option.
You can design your kitchen using design software or hire a kitchen designer to come up with a creative design that works beautifully in your space. Go to your local kitchen store and ask for a designer. You might just get one who doesn’t charge to design kitchens because they will recommend you to their own vendors and work crews once you’re ready to get started with the remodelling process. Alternatively, you can go for the online kitchen design visualizer.
No one knows your kitchen better than you. After all, you’ve got great ideas to transform the kitchen space into exactly what you desire. So why shouldn’t you handle the entire renovation project on your own? Renovating the kitchen by yourself means spending more time, and in some cases, resources on the project so you should be prepared for this. You’ll also need to learn a lot of skills needed to remodel the space so don’t be in a hurry to get it all done.
Hiring a contractor is another option which may seem expensive but is usually worth it. Find a contractor who specializes in kitchen renovations and pay them. Working with licensed contractors will help you with other areas such as arranging for the necessary permits and inspections. Permits must be obtained from the required agencies before the project begins. If you are doing the renovations yourself then you’ll need to obtain your own permits.
Demolish, repair and build structural elements
Demolition is inevitable in most major kitchen renovations. You may have to remove a load-bearing wall to open up a kitchen island and give the space a perfect view. You may need to get rid of the current laminated counters for something classier and more functional. Houses built between 1930 and 1950 in Toronto may have asbestos as insulation, thus the demolition process must be professionally handled using proper safety equipment. It also means that you’ll have a lot of material wastes that need to be properly disposed of. These are projects that you wouldn’t want to turn into DIYs.
Once the demolition process is complete, the next crucial step is repair and building structural elements. There’s a lot of construction that may be done during the renovation depending on the new kitchen configuration. For instance, you may need to remove certain windows or relocate them in order to add extra cabinets or even take down an entire wall in order to open up the kitchen. You may even spend time sourcing for proper construction materials or the best drywall supplier Toronto to save on costs. Usually, when you hire a contractor you don’t have to worry about these things as they already have developed relationships with few building material suppliers, demolition subcontractors, waste disposal companies, etc., which makes it easier for you.
Invest in proper plumbing systems
Plumbing jobs are often required in extensive kitchen renovations where you intend to change the original layout. For instance, you may feel the need to remove the sink and put it in a different spot which gives you additional plumbing needs. You may also be investing in new kitchen appliances that force you to buy new supply and drainage pipes. New kitchen faucets can dramatically improve the look and feel of your space so it’s always worth considering even if it means upgrading the plumbing systems.
Upgrade the flooring
Not all flooring types work best in the kitchen. You must do some research and find flooring types that are ideal for your kitchen needs and budget. A few common options used in modern kitchens today include vinyl, tile, laminate flooring, solid hardwood and engineered wood. Vinyl is usually preferred because it’s very cost effective. Additionally, laying vinyl on your kitchen floor is a simple project that can be completed within a day.
Tile, on the other hand, is slightly more expensive and a lot harder to work with than vinyl. Tile floors need to adhere to the mortar and afterwards grouted to give you the complete look. With each step, you have to wait for it to dry out. Therefore, you may find a cheap tile but spend more money on the labour. You can also go for heated floors in specific areas to add extra comfort to your kitchen space.
Another common option is engineered wood which looks and feels like solid hardwood because of the surface finish. The beauty of engineered wood is that it was designed to resist moisture better than solid hardwood which can easily warp if it comes into contact with water.
Laminate flooring which is another popular option because it’s very moisture tolerant can be a cost-effective option during your kitchen renovation project. This floor type doesn’t scratch or dent which is a plus for kitchen spaces.