What to do first?



Decide on the scope of your kitchen remodeling project. This must be based according to your taste while keeping your budget in mind. You should ask yourself questions such as whether or not you would like to replace the kitchen faucet and lights, or perhaps add a kitchen. Or perhaps you want to have a complete or total kitchen makeover such as changing the entire floor plan of your kitchen or just basically starting from scratch.

Make a List

When you have your ideas ready, it's time to commit it to pen and paper. It's time to make a list! Write down all your wants and needs for your brand new kitchen. To help you with his, try going into home improvement stores and browsing kitchen remodeling magazines. Make sure you take note of the costs of each - appliance, furniture, materials, and fixtures. By making this kind of list, it will help you stay with the budget you have in mind.

Think about your home and property's security, too, while the renovation is going on. Here are a few suggestions:

- Buy carpet squares or lengths of carpet and put them on the path where the contractors usually will walk through. This is to prevent any permanent damages that may happen to your floor.

- Spread protective sheets over your furniture. By the end of the remodeling, you won't have to clean as much. This also protects your furniture from scratches, spills or other damages.

- Store breakable items in a safe place.

Meeting with your Contractor for the First Time

This is one of the most crucial part of the project - letting them know what you want. Sit down and talk with your contractor. You have to be able to verbalize what your expectations. Speaking is the key to have a good relationship with your contractor.

During your conversation, be sure to cover the following:

- The Schedule - it's important that you clarify this with your contractor. Tell him what specific time of the day should the project be worked on. Keep in mind though that the smaller the time you give them, the longer it takes for them to finish their work. If you have an upcoming party and it just so happens to be in the middle of the renovation, inform the contractors ahead and in what condition would you like your kitchen to be in before the occasion.

- The Food and Meals - Since you are only paying them for their services, you are not obliged to provide the workers with food.

- Use of the Restroom - Inform the contractors which restrooms they can and cannot use.

- The Parking Space - Find a place for the contractors to park. The nearer it is to your house, the better. Communication is the most important key. Miscommunication may lead to disagreements and unnecessary costs. Always communicate with your kitchen contractor, and the progress of the kitchen remodeling project will go smoothly.