You know the style and type of new kitchen you want.
You have a basic plan developing further every day.
You just know your kitchen will be amazing after the renovation is completed
You know how long you can survive without a kitchen. You and your family are ready to go.
Materials and colours and appliances are selected. You are really excited and enthusiastic and you want to start now. Sure, you are still working on your budget. You should be.
You have now come to a decision that can add substantially to it. How much, if any, of the work do you plan to do on your own? This is a serious question. The answer to it is not general. It is based upon each individual. It relies on various factors.
How much money you have will also affect your choice of going it alone or hiring a professional.
Another influential aspect is the extent of the project. If it is a small remodeling job, it may require little to no external involvement.
Time also becomes a factor in your decision to hire a professional or not. If you do not have the time to handle the renovation yourself, you will call in others to do it for you.
However, this is not the first question you should ask yourself.
The most critical question you need to seriously consider is this. "Can you handle the work essential to completing the work required?"
"Are you capable of doing all the necessary work involved?"
When you decide to renovate your kitchen, you are undertaking a complex task.
The initial question is "What are your skills?"
The second question is "How good are you?"
You not only need to answer these questions, you must be completely honest. If you are not, you are doing yourself and your kitchen a disfavour. Not only could it produce a disastrous result aesthetically and practically, it could be a financial catastrophe or at least a calamity.
You can avoid it by doing the following:
Before you decide to work on the kitchen by yourself do the following:
You may have to rework the budget several times until it balances. Keep in mind, however, that you may save money in the long run if you hire a professional.
In fact, there are many good reasons why you should hire a pro.
A kitchen renovation can involve a variety of experts.
They can be contractors, subcontractors, electricians, plumbers, tilers, cabinet makers, carpenters and other specialists, rubbish removal.
It depends on the renovation, your skill level and your budget. You may bring in one particular type of professional close to the start of the project. This is the Kitchen Designer.
Kitchen Designer
A Kitchen Designer is a professional. They are certified.
The services a Kitchen Designer offers are available through a variety of sources. They may be allied with contractors of the various trades, architects, builders and even retailers. You can find one
You can find one through the usual means:
If you decide to opt for a professional designer, select at least 3 to interview.
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The perfect candidate will ask the right questions.
They will ask about the style of cooking and the purpose of the room.
They will seek to know the size of the family.
They will want to know about who cooks, who uses the room and how busy it gets.
The Kitchen Designer will also want to hear about the problems and your intended solutions.
If the individuals do not ask you any questions, they may not really be listening to what you have to say. Their responses will help you single out one from the other.
Narrow down the field by checking out their previous projects. Ask them for a portfolio. See if they have anything posted online.
Talk to former customers. Are they versatile? Can you see them turning your dream kitchen into a reality?
Remember. Your designer needs to thoroughly understand what you want. The more they know and can relate to, the more conceivable it is you will achieve a good design.
After you have made your final choice, the work begins. Bring your materials to cement this relationship. Do not leave out any detail.
Be sure to include these materials:
A Kitchen Designer is a flexible contractor.
They can look at your dream kitchen and decide whether it is workable.
They can provide a floor plan or specify materials. They can oversee the entire renovation or just contribute with their expertise.
Benefits of working with a Kitchen Designer
You may not wish to hire a Kitchen Designer. The cost will be another addition to your budget. You may have some talent in the area of design. Furthermore, if you are computer savvy, you may be able to create your own design with the help of the various design softwares now available.
Furthermore, if you are computer savvy, you may be able to create your own design with the help of the various design software now available.
CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS
If you are not willing or able to handle the renovation job on your own, you have a couple of options. You can hire a contractor or several subcontractors.
A contractor is a person who generally handles the entire project from start to finish. They will hire, fire and schedule all the various trades needed to complete the job.
In fact, the contractor will be responsible for a great number of things. These include but are not restricted to:
The specifics will be set down in a contract. This is a binding document tying both parties together. There are legal obligations to be met by both.
Both parties must adhere to the letter of the law as placed in the contract. Make sure when you or a lawyer prepare it and that it contains the following basic information.
If you decide to be your own contractor, you may wish to subcontract the rest or parts of the work out. A subcontractor is some- one who works for a contractor.
These individuals may be plumbers, carpenters, electricians, floor layers or work in other similar occupations.
They, too, will require contracts specifying their responsibilities. Do not forget to address such things as site clean-up, material purchase, pick-up and/or delivery.
Always try to provide specific dates for beginning and finishing the work.
Do not forget to address such things as site clean-up, material purchase, pick-up and/or delivery. Always try to provide specific dates for beginning and finishing the work.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO WORK WITH
Whether you are picking a contractor or subcontractor, you can follow the same procedure.
Once you have a list - 3 is the bare minimum, you set up interviews.
Prior to the interview, you ask for a quote
Be sure you provide all the necessary information. This will ensure greater accuracy in their quotes.
You then set up the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, you need to look into such things as their reputation in the trade. Ask at building supply centres about their credit, skill and adherence to dates.
See if they have any complaints listed in the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce.
During the meeting,you will ask about credentials and past renovations
Question them about their experience. See how well they relate to your design.
Are they honest in their opinion? Do they see what you envision?
If you feel you can trust them, that he or she is the right person for the job, the project is on its way sooner than you think.
OPTIONS
If you do the entire work on your own, you can set you own pace. Many home remodelers, however, may decide to either hire someone or take on certain aspects of the job.
If you decide to combine your efforts with those of the tradespeople, be sure you have a specific timeline in mind.
You will want to do your portion in such a manner as to not interfere with the work of the trades. You can do so if you keep the deadlines in mind and are organised.
If you do participate, consider doing the demolition work before construction begins. Tear out walls, fixtures and ceiling tiles. Remove all appliances. Disconnect the sinks.
If you are doing preparatory work, make sure you have the drywall up and ready for the next step. After or between certain types of work, you can finish such things as painting, wallpapering, staining and laying down the new floor.
With all this behind you, you have one more step in your scheme towards creating a better kitchen. This is the last chance to alter and change everything from your budget to your design elements. You are now making the final approach.
Whatever option you decide to pursue make sure all parties understand your requirements for your new kitchen.
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