When it’s time to remodel your kitchen, it’s important to work with a contractor you can trust. From the moment you meet your team, you should feel confident and assured. The best Davie kitchen remodeling companies make homeowners comfortable right away, providing expert advice and guidance.
If you’re in the market for kitchen remodeling in Davie, FL, we’re happy to help you know what to expect. Read on for some pointers for planning and implementing your next project.
Start With the Problems You Want to Solve
Start by making a list of things that bug you about your current kitchen. Then, prioritize them. Would you like more counter space to cook in? Would it help to rearrange things so the sink is in line-of-site of the door? Would more pantry and cabinet space help with storage?
Now, look at what you enjoy about your kitchen. Maybe you love how natural light floods the kitchen in the morning. Maybe you adore the colors of your cabinets and tile. What features of the kitchen will you want to maintain or expand upon?
Finally, think about the ways that your family uses the kitchen. Does anyone work-from-home and need space for a laptop? Do you like to entertain? Do you use your kitchen as a pathway to the backyard? Are there too many appliances for the amount of counter space you have? How do you utilize your dishwasher, oven, stove, sink, refrigerator, etc.?
Make Layout Decisions Before Choosing Finishes
Too often, homeowners get caught up with countertops, cabinets, paint colors and appliances. Of course, all of these elements come into play in a kitchen remodel. But the most important decisions involve layout and workflow.
Layout and workflow decisions impact how a kitchen functions for years to come. A professional Davie kitchen remodeling team helps you think through the best ways to divide the kitchen into prep, cooking and cleaning zones. They also help you consider the traffic patterns through the kitchen.
One of the most popular kitchen remodels in Davie is opening the kitchen to the dining room. Homeowners like to build or rework an island. Others focus on creating an improved flow for entertaining. These types of projects can be transformative.
Walls can be removed, windows can be built, plumbing can be worked with, lighting can be improved, flooring can be updated, paint can be added, electrical needs to be considered. Even ventilation is a consideration, especially with an open concept.
All of this must be considered from the onset. Removing a wall could mean losing cabinet space. Building an island requires knowing where the plumbing and electrical is. These decisions may even yield structural implications.
Build a Budget Around Priorities
Once the vision and layout is understood, you’ll work with the Davie kitchen remodeling team to create a budget and understand what’s possible. Homeowners often assume they need to replace everything. That’s not necessarily the case.
When is a full kitchen remodel needed? If the appliances are aging, if the layout needs updating, if plumbing, electrical, or ventilation is an issue, if cabinets are worn, or if storage is lacking, then it’s probably time for a remodel. If it’s just the colors you don’t like, perhaps new paint and new cabinet hardware will do the trick.
After the contractor assesses the space and discusses your goals and ideas, he/she can create a budget for the project. Keep in mind, budgets aren’t just for materials and appliances. They should also consider permits, labor, electrical and plumbing modifications, demolition, delivery, timeline, and other project requirements. A good Davie kitchen remodeling company knows what’s needed to complete the project. They’re not guessing. They’re experienced and confident, and this page about kitchen remodeler Davie is where you can learn more about their local experience and approach to kitchen remodeling.
It’s wise to budget for a 10 percent contingency. Remodels always yield surprises. Contractors aren’t psychic and can’t know what’s behind walls, under sinks, etc. Things can come up. Likewise, you may want to tweak material selections when the project begins. Build some wiggle room into your budget.
Be sure to discuss potential change orders and ways in which budgets grow. Custom cabinetry, moving electrical/plumbing, shifting walls, fancy appliances, these items increase budgets. Be sure to understand what’s included in the price and what’s not.
Choose Materials for Everyday Use
Kitchen materials and finishes
Next up are finishes. These are fun decisions. Work closely with your Davie kitchen remodeling team to select the right materials for your lifestyle. If you cook every night, ventilation is key to remove heat and cooking smells. If you have a family with young children, durability is key. If you entertain, lighting is critical. If you have an open concept, consider how to balance natural and artificial light in the kitchen.
Design for South Florida Conditions
Living in South Florida comes with its own considerations. We live indoor/outdoor lives. Humidity can be high – https://www.education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/humidity is worth a skim. Lighting is gorgeous. Entertaining is commonplace. We cook a lot. The best Davie kitchen remodeling teams understand these nuances and build kitchens with these things in mind.
Confirm the Details Before Work Begins
Finally, before the remodel begins, make sure you’re on the same page with your Davie kitchen remodeling company. Know what’s happening, when, where, etc. Ask for a scope of work in writing. Be sure to understand who manages the job and how to communicate with your contractor. Be sure to discuss dust mitigation, access to your home, temporary shut-offs, parking, material drop-off, decision-making, etc. The best companies have it under control. They’re pros, and they’ve done this dance time and time again.