A FULL SERVICES INTERIOR DESIGNER
Home Remodeling
Home Furnishing
Custom Window Treatments
Homeowner's Guide
to planning a
kitchen remodel
1- INSPIRATION
Create a Houzz board, a Pinterest board, pull tear sheets from magazines or collect any items that represent the feeling or colours that make you feel good. Start your appliance search.
3- HIRE YOUR
DESIGNER
The Designer will begin with an in- home consultation where the kitchen will be assessed for design opportunities and limitations. Design goals, flow, function, colour, storage, inspiration and budget will also be discussed. The vision and wish list for the project will be established.
5- APPLIANCES
Purchase your appliances or at least confirm which ones you want and provide the model numbers to your Designer. They will download the installation guides and ensure all cabinets are built around these
specifications.
7- DESIGN DRAWINGS
Your Designer presents design drawings of a floor plan, elevations and 3D rendering. Revisions are made until you are 100% satisfied. This c Design is signed off.
2- PLAN
Review your finances and plan your budget.
Consider your living arrangements; Will you be living in this renovation or moving out for it? If you plan to live in it then what will you use instead of your appliances such as a hot plate, BBQ or camp stove. Decide on where you will move your fridge, collect water and wash dishes.
4- HIRE YOUR
CONTRACTOR
The General Contractor and Sub Trades will meet on site to assess and measure the kitchen. If the home was built before 1990 and you are planning to remove a wall or ceiling then the Contractor will need to take samples to test for asbestos.
6- ESTIMATES &
SCOPES
Estimates from Sub-trades are received and scope of work is confirmed. Permits are applied for. If the Contractor recommends an Engineer then they would visit at this time.
8- PROJECT BINDER
Review your finances and plan your budget.
Consider your living arrangements; Will you be living in this renovation or moving out for it? If you plan to live in it then what will you use instead of your appliances such as a hot plate, BBQ or camp stove. Decide on where you will move your fridge, collect water and wash dishes.
9- FLOORING &
CABINTRY
Your Designer presents a flat lay or collection of sample materials. Flooring and Cabinetry are the first to be confirmed and purchased. Cabinet lead time is approximately 8 weeks.
11- SCHEDULE DEMO
Once the cabinet vendor gives you a confirmed installation date, work your way back by 1 week and plan to start your demolition then. Your Contractor will advise if more time then this is needed. Sub-trades are booked.
12- DEMOLITION
Power and water are shut off. Appliances and directly wired lighting fixtures are removed. Exposed wires are covered with marettes. Plumbing is capped. Window and door trim are removed (carefully if it is being re-used). If removing drywall you may want to consider shielding off the kitchen with some poly to reduce dust transfer to nearby spaces. Existing cabinetry, counter-top and backsplash are removed and you are left with a blank canvas. If you are keeping your existing flooring, consider covering it with Ram Bord to protect it.
10- DESIGN MATERIALS
The following is confirmed and purchased: Counter top, backsplash, paint and lighting (overhead/recessed/undercabinet and pendants.) It is also time to pick out cabinetry hardware and style of electrical outlets and switches.
13- GAS
Subfloor and Flooring are installed. Depending on the floor chosen, it may need to be installed AFTER the lower cabinets are installed. Your flooring specialist will advise you if this is the case.
14- PLUMBING
This is a good time to have your shut off valves replaced and upgrade the plumbing under the sink (if recommended.) The Plumber will Plumb for sink location, prep sink location, water for the fridge and pot filler.
15- ELECTRICAL
Have any existing wiring that is not conforming to code replaced and have your panel upgraded if advised to. Every major appliance (dishwasher, microwave, fridge and range) should have it's own dedicated circuit. The Electrician will pull wiring for under cabinet lighting, outlets and switches. Outlets are needed for every major appliance plus a garbage disposal, appliance garage and other counter top appliances. Consider switches with USB ports or wireless chargers where you may be charging your devices. It is ideal to have all overhead lighting on dimmers. If there is an old landline jack that is not in use, the Electrician will either move it or bury it. Recessed lighting is installed. Wiring is pulled for
pendant lighting.
16- HVAC
If your current hood is recirculating (does not vent to the outside), consider hiring an HVAC person to run the exhaust outside. This will keep the pollutants, moisture and odors out of your home, rather then recirculating it back into the room. Depending on the design, floor vents may need to be moved by HVAC.
16- DRYWALL
Drywall is hung or repaired. A Drywaller will need to make multiple visits over the course of a few days as each application of mud requires a full drying period before the next applicati
17- PAINT
New drywall is primed. Walls and ceiling are painted.
18- FLOORING
Subfloor and Flooring are installed. Depending on the floor chosen, it may need to be installed AFTER the lower cabinets are installed. Your flooring specialist will advise you if this is the case.
19- CABINETRY
Cabinetry is installed. Once the lower cabinets are installed, the counter top vendor will come in to template (measure.) Therefore, both of these trades will be overlapping each other.
20- COUNTERTOP
After the template is complete it takes approximately 4 weeks for the counter tops to be installed. Use plywood as a temporary counter top solution. After installation, they will also install your sink if it is an undermount installation sink. If you have a soap dispenser, they will cut it out on site so have the dispenser available.
21- PLUMBING
The Plumber will hook up the faucet, fridge waterline, dishwasher, garbage disposal and sink (if it is a top mounted installation sink.)
22- BACKSPLASH
Backsplash is installed
23- ELECTRICAL
Electrical plates and switches are put on. Undercabinet lighting is installed. Hood and microwave are installed. Pendant lights are hung.
24- FINISHING
Your Contractor will put on the baseboard and trim and tend to any remaining details. The worksite is cleaned up.
25- STAGING
Your Designer will complete the kitchen with decor such as barstools, art, plants and accessories.
26- REVEAL
Your Designer and Contractor reveal the space. Get excited to enjoy your dream kitchen!
If you are ready and excited to get started, schedule a free discovery call with me to discuss your project.
I look forward to hearing from you!
