How do you refurbish a residential food preparation area? It’s not easy to carry out a kitchen remodel San Francisco. For this venture, you need enough money as well as sense of innovation.
Right Start
Here’s the heads up. Sprucing up increases the home’s value significantly. However, homeowners don’t have to spend a fortune in making their kitchens look very opulent. Play it smart. Create a practical plan before starting your renovation. Work with design professionals if you have extra budget.
Consider the following suggestions for your planned facelift.
◊ Conduct extensive research. Reliable sources for creative concepts include home renovation magazines, improvement stores, and residential improvement websites. Look at kitchen showrooms to get some pointers. Find out the costs of materials. Determine your requirements along with how much you can afford for the entire project.
◊ Plan the kitchen according to the style and structure of your abode. Ideally, the best person to draw the layout to scale would be a designer or architect. Experts know the technical details and relevant design techniques.
◊ For design ideas, try the low-priced design software that you can buy online. The program can help with space-planning. Or, try the cheap books on design packages available in bookstores. Some of the common design prototypes are L-shaped, One-wall, Corridor, U-shaped, and Double L.
◊ Get ready for unanticipated expenses. Set a specific budget plus (at least) 10 percent for contingencies.
◊ When you deal with contractors, be wary of possible hidden costs. Consider labor costs, materials, delivery, and taxes. All these must comprise your spending budget.
◊ Get the necessary building permits. Talk to the contractor before finalizing any agreement.
◊ Identify your needs against what you want. Avoid purchasing expensive and unnecessary stuff such as fancy fixtures or appliances. Stick to the basics of remodeling. Never compromise quality. The bottom line of refurbishing is to get value for your hard-earned money.
Importance of Layout
Your kitchen must be functional. Reflect on layout. The remodeling plan must fit your needs. Evaluate what should work for your abode. Try the conventional work triangle pattern for three widely-used amenities. It refers to the distance betweenfridge, stove, and sink. In general, your refrigerator must be adjacent to the kitchen entrance. House occupants usually look first for this appliance.
This space must be as small as an adult’s footprint. The approach works frequently. Many homeowners find the arrangement convenient. If possible, include the wheeled cart for small items. Just put it away if not in use.
Purchase the following fittings in advance:
◊ Cabinets and cupboards
◊ Appliances
◊ Lights
◊ Tiles for flooring
◊ Baseboards
◊ Sink
◊ Faucet
Demolition and Space Concerns
Optimize the floor plan for a successful kitchen remodel San Francisco. Demolition turns out easier and faster if you start by removing cabinet doors. Detach the door as well as window sills carefully if you plan to reuse these fixtures. Shut off the main power source before removing wired lights and appliances. Competent contractors will always prioritize safety. However, it’s good to plan for ease. Remember the following points:
◊ You need a minimum of 36 inches of countertop space for food preparation tasks. This is 24 inches on one side of your kitchen sink and 18 inches on the other part.
◊ Leave enough area in front of your refrigerator and cabinets. It allows unhampered opening of doors and easy movement. The ideal measurements are 30 up to 48 inches.
◊ Walkways must be spacious for foot traffic flow. Leave at least 42 inches between aisles and counters. This makes it easier for people to walk through the kitchen.
Actual renovation begins after demolition. This work may require major construction work depending on the kitchen’s outline or configuration. It becomes more complicated if you plan to add or replace windows. Framing requires expertise. Make sure to work according to your refurbishment program. The mechanical aspect comes after framing. It includes installation or rerouting of electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, and heating-ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC duct work. Hire licensed plumbers and electricians for this job.
Be prepared to find the middle ground when it comes to materials. For example, Italian marble tiles and solid custom cupboards look elegant. Yet, less expensive hardwood veneer cabinets produce the same effects. You can use the money for other more essential pieces. Exercise your creativity. It is possible to reuse old cabinets and fixtures for a classic kitchen look.
Hire Contractors or Opt for DIY Approach
It’s a choice between general contractors or small-scale service providers. The latter would be cheaper because of lower overhead. On the other hand, the general contractor has more experience. Regardless of your pick, see to it the person or company has valid license, insurance, and bond.
Employ one with impressive credentials and charges reasonable fees. Formulate a payment schedule. Pay not more than 10 percent as upfront fee. Give another 50 percent once the job is halfway. Pay the remaining amount upon completion of the project.
If you’re knowledgeable about designing and possess carpentry skills, it would be logical to do it yourself. This hands-on-work is quite challenging. Even then, it’s worth taking on the task if you have the experience and enough time to spare. In this case, the kitchen remodel San Francisco will surely take a longer time. But, you reduce expenses by around ½ doing all the renovation work.
Living without your Precious Kitchen
For the next few months, you will live without a kitchen. Thus, come up with a doable contingency plan in preparing meals for the time being. The plumbing may remain operational for a certain duration of the remodeling project. Most probably, the sink, cooking area, and most of your large appliances will be unserviceable. It would be practical to put the fridge and oven in your dining room. Flexibility is the key. Besides, the inconvenience is just temporary. After all, you will have a beautiful kitchen after the work is finished.