Expert tips for planning your kitchen renovation
Have you been thinking about building a new kitchen?
Or are you planning to renovate or rebuild your kitchen in a different style?
Here you find some tips on what to think about before starting your renovation or reconstruction.
What does your kitchen look like today?
The current kitchen layout is usually the starting point for most reconstruction projects. Before you start sketching, you must consider how the kitchen will be used.
Inspiration – Let yourself be inspired by other people´s kitchen
Do you already know what your dream kitchen looks like?
A major question preceding any kitchen reconstruction is what style you want in your new kitchen. In order to create a unified style, all different parts of the kitchen must be considered. It is always a good start to get as much inspiration as possible. Get ideas, inspiration and suggestions online. Instagram or Pinterest are sources of inspiration with many pictures to browse through. Many bloggers also write about kitchens and post inspiring pictures. Also have a look at kitchen supplier web pages.
1. Sketch your kitchen
Even if you let your craftsman do the detailed planning of the kitchen, you should make your own sketch that both you and the craftsman understand, in order to avoid misunderstandings later on. It also feels safer once you have everything down on paper.
2. Plan for electricity and water
Connections for water and sewage from kitchen sink and dishwasher must be planned and formalized in a drawing.
Stoves and refrigerators standing on the floor must be placed with enough clearance behind them in order to provide enough space for water piping, sewage pipes and electricity.
Budget costs
What is the total cost for a kitchen renovation?
The price depends on the extent of the work needed (total renovation or only partial renovation) and the size of your kitchen. The quality and price level of furnishing and appliances are certainly also factors that influence the price.
Renovation costs are usually subdivided into two categories; labour cost and material cost.
Material you will need to renovate your kitchen
1. Cupboards (for walls and corners)
2. Stove
3. Kitchen fan
4. Refrigerator and freezer
5. Dishwasher
6. Faucet, sink
7. Work bench
8. Kitchen tiles
9. Cupboard end panels and toe-kick boards
Renovation work to be done
1. Removing old wall paper, floor tiles and furnishing. If you are experienced and a bit careful you can do this yourself, but do expect that it will take some time to do it properly. The alternative is to ask your craftsman to do it. Sometimes you will need a plumber already at this stage to help with the water connections.
2. The electrician makes his first electrical wire installation round and ensures that everything is prepared to be connected once the renovation is done. Companies often offer you an overall solution where carpentry, plumbing and electrical work is included in the same quote.
3. The plumber starts installing new water and sewage piping.
4. Installation of new surface layers, e.g. plastering walls, wallpapering and/or tiling.
5. Installation of kitchen furnishing, cupboards, shelves and appliances.
6. Lining doors and windows, finish painting or wallpapering
7. The plumber and the electrician return to finish all connections and sockets
8. Cupboard doors are installed. Appliances are put in position and connected.
The kitchen is ready!
Do it yourself or hire a kitchen renovator?
Renovating a kitchen is more complicated than repainting a bedroom and if something goes wrong it can go very wrong. It is common that people decide what work they would like to do themselves, but should rather think about what work they are actually able to manage themselves.
Only if you know for sure that you can manage a work activity should you do it yourself. Otherwise you should let professional craftsmen do the job.
Are there any regulations for kitchen renovations?
Check with your insurance company if they have special requirements.
Get quotes
A good way to get started and to get an overview of how expensive your kitchen renovation project is going to be is to get as many quotes from as many suppliers as possible. For many, getting quotes is a difficult part since they lack experience and useful contacts. Tell us about your renovation project and compare quotes from kitchen suppliers in your area.
Find the perfect reconstruction company in your area. Live on Riviera offers you a wide range of companies and craftsmen for your home needs.