If you’re considering a full kitchen remodel, you likely already know there are a lot of steps involved. But at RSI Kitchen & Bath, we find that many clients aren’t prepared for just how extensive the work (and amount of money) involved in a kitchen remodel can be.
This process may be overwhelming, but working with a kitchen design consultant, like those at RSI, means someone is there to help you make decisions and coordinate the process every step of the way.
Take a look at a few things that can help you get prepared while planning your kitchen remodel.
1. Pick your appliances first.
Today’s appliances come in a variety of sizes, configurations, and colors which all have a big impact on the design of your kitchen. Would you prefer a 48-inch wide, pro-style Wolf range or double wall ovens with a cooktop? A large built-in SubZero refrigerator or a standard 36-inch French-door? Black stainless or wood panels?
It’s helpful to have your answers to key questions like this to help you choose your kitchen appliances before we get too far into the layout, design, and finish selections. This is why RSI has a 4,000-square-foot appliance showroom on-site!
2. The process takes longer than you think.
The design phase can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on how fast you make decisions. Currently, lead times for materials can take between 6 to 12 weeks and installation can take another 6 to 10 weeks depending on the scope of the project.
If you’d like to have a new kitchen complete for Thanksgiving, we recommend starting the process now.
3. A new kitchen can be very expensive.
Hanley Wood’s Remodeling Cost vs. Value annual report estimates that the average mid-priced kitchen renovation in St. Louis costs $65,000 and the average upscale kitchen renovation costs $130,000, with 55% of the cost being recouped through increased home value.
Since the cost can vary widely based on the materials you select it’s important to speak frankly with your designer about your budget early in the process. They can be very helpful in recommending materials as well as a project scope that fit your budget.
4. The installation phase is messy and stressful.
We all know this intuitively. However, the kitchen remodel process can often be much more stressful than you might anticipate. Strangers arriving every morning at 7:30 a.m. Plastic tarping separating rooms to minimize dust. All your kitchen items boxed up sitting in the living room. You just found out you lost four days in the schedule because an item is backordered or damaged. It can all be a little too much at times.
There are a few things you can do to make it a little easier. Set up a temporary kitchen in the dining room or the lower level with your old refrigerator, microwave, hot plate, disposable plates, and cutlery. One thing many people find beneficial is to plan a family vacation in the middle of the project. It can break up the stress, and it’s fun to come home to the progress.
5. You’ll have wished you had done it sooner.
When their new kitchen is finished, clients always say they wished they’d done it sooner! Don’t wait to fix it up right before you sell it. The kitchen is the heart and the hub of the home. A beautiful, well-designed kitchen brings joy, lowers stress, and welcomes friends and family into your life. Who would want to wait for that?
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Are you ready to start your kitchen remodel project but are looking for guidance along the way? Our kitchen design team is ready to assist you! Contact RSI to book your kitchen remodel consultation or visit one of our kitchen remodeling showrooms in St. Louis or Columbia.