Kitchen Remodelers – Why You Should Leave the Remodeling to the Pros

A major kitchen remodel | watershed requires significant construction tasks, usually involving moving windows or removing walls. It may require rerouting plumbing lines and electrical wires. This is typically best left to professional plumbers and electricians.

Kitchen remodeling companies can help you with your plans for the new space. Ask to see samples of their work, and check out their licenses and insurance policies.

Cabinets

Few home improvement projects provide a bigger return on investment than kitchen remodeling. From cosmetic upgrades to major transformations, a successful remodel will transform your kitchen layout and style. Depending on the scale of your project, this may involve removing walls or expanding an existing space into adjoining rooms.

After demolition is complete, carpentry work begins. This includes framing changes – adding or removing windows, changing doorways, and other structural adjustments. It also includes utility rough-in work if you’re upgrading to new plumbing wires, pipes, or a HVAC system in the room.

Once the cabinets are installed, countertop fabrication can take place. Measurements are also taken for the installation of backsplash tile, which typically happens after cabinetry and countertops. This step also includes installing new lighting fixtures and appliances.

Countertops

There are few home remodeling projects more challenging-and rewarding-than a full kitchen remodel. But, as anyone who’s ever lived through one knows, it can also be expensive and messy.

First, the old cabinets need to be removed and the walls scrubbed and painted. This can be a noisy and messy process, especially if it involves tearing down load-bearing walls.

Once cabinets are installed the countertops can be measured and fabricated. This can be done on site or at the manufacturer’s shop.

Once countertop installation is complete the remaining details can be completed, including relocating plumbing, installing backsplash tile and hanging lighting fixtures. At this point a “punch list” can be made-a list of things that need to be fixed or completed before the project is considered finished.

Appliances

Unless you’re planning a very small makeover, removing appliances and cabinets exposes the walls and subfloor, which can allow for new electrical circuits to be run (if necessary) as well as plumbing changes–including replacing old galvanized water supply pipes with PEX. Unless you know what you’re doing, these tasks are best left to professionals.

A remodel is a huge project. Even if you have DIY skills, it’s not uncommon for the actual work to take months. That’s why many kitchen remodeling projects end up costing more than you planned. To get the most return on your investment, decide what’s really essential in a kitchen before you start demolition. Also consider the resale value of your home compared to comparable properties in your area. That may help you determine if your dream kitchen is worth the cost of a remodel.

Flooring

Many kitchen remodeling projects involve some degree of flooring change. Depending on the scope of your renovation, this may involve simply replacing old or damaged floors with new ones, or it could be more extensive, including expanding the floor plan and reconfiguring utility lines.

Once the demolition work is complete, the carpentry crew will begin framing changes to the space, which could include adding or removing windows, taking down walls to expand the kitchen into another room, or adjusting the layout to change how the space is used. These are generally the most complicated parts of the job and require major construction skills, a licensed general contractor, and permitting services.

Staining concrete floors offers a sleek, modern look, and it can be stained to match other features of the kitchen, like cabinets or countertops. It is typically durable, but you should still consider using mats in areas where excess moisture is likely.

Lighting

Once cabinets, appliances and flooring are installed, it’s time to install the lights, plumbing fixtures and ductwork. This step can be done by yourself if you’re comfortable and experienced enough, but it would be best to have a licensed plumber and electrician do this for you to ensure that the work is up to code.

With the demolition and rough construction completed, the kitchen remodel can move on to the carpentry crew performing whatever framing work is required, such as installing new windows or a kitchen island, or strengthening joists for heavier built-in features. This is a big job that may require removing load-bearing walls and could take weeks or even months depending on the scope of the project.

This phase can also include plumbing and electrical rough-in work, which requires moving or replacing existing pipes and wiring and upgrading older galvanized steel pipes to PEX. It’s a job that most homeowners and DIYers will want to hire professionals for because of the potential hazards and risks of error.