Are you bored with your kitchen? Have you moved to an old house with an old kitchen model? It may be time for a kitchen remodeling DIY.
Remodeling your kitchen is a way to improve the interior aesthetic. It will increase the resale value of your house. In most homes, kitchens are the center of family and social gatherings.
The kitchen is the heart of the home. Breathing new life into your kitchen adds value to your home.
To help you get started, below is a guide on how to go about a kitchen remodeling DIY.
Steps You Should Take Kitchen Remodeling DIY Project
A DIY project can be challenging. You need to have a sufficient plan and leave yourself open to changes that might occur once you have started. All in all, Here are a few things you should do in kitchen remodeling DIY
1. Determine the Must Haves
Determine what you need most, and come up with a list of the things that need to change. Cut down on all the unnecessary additions to the kitchen and save money for important things.
2. Set a Budget
After selecting a list of your irreducible minimums, it is time to come up with a working budget. In the U.S., the average cost of kitchen remodeling is about $28,000. This number can go as high as $50,000 for high-end kitchen renovations.
The budget shapes your remodeling plan. It determines what’s viable from the professionals you hire to the materials you use.
3. Divide the Budget According to the Areas of Focus
Now that you have a budget for your remodeling, you also need a clear breakdown of how to spend the money. Consult a contractor and a kitchen designer to help you come up with a budget breakdown.
A typical budget breakdown looks like this:
i. Cabinet and hardware:29%
ii. Appliances: 14%
iii. Countertop: 10%
iv. Installation:17%
v. Lighting and Electrical: 5%
vi. Plumbing: 4%
vii. Design fees:4%
viii. Flooring: 7%
ix. Backsplash: 4%
x. Doors and windows: 6%
These are estimates of what a typical budget looks like. That doesn’t mean that all kitchen remodeling budgets will look like this.
Be sure to rank what you feel is more important to you and your family.
If flooring, doors, and windows are more important than countertops adjust your budget.
The idea behind the budget breakdown is to make sure you don’t exceed your budget. This means that if you feel that one component is important, you have to readjust the budget to reflect that.
4. Visit Hardware Stores
Hardware stores and online stores will help identify the different types of materials. You will also get to see the cost of these materials.
This will help you figure out ways to cut cost by using cheap but effective materials.
This is better than spending extra money buying an item that has a cheaper alternative.
5. Establish a Remodeling Plan
Before you knock down your kitchen walls come up with a detailed remodeling plan. Your first stop should be the home improvement stores. Here, you can go through a few kitchen-remodeling magazines.
This will help you get ideas on how to carry out a DIY kitchen remodeling. One of the most common ideas is to remodel your kitchen around the style of your current house. Armed with a kitchen remodeling idea, seek the services of a kitchen designer.
They will create a remodeling plan. Afterward, get the relevant building permits.
Afterward, acquire the relevant building permits.
6. Demolish the Kitchen
Now that you have a remolding plan and the building permits, the only thing left is to tear down the kitchen. Either you can hire a demolition team to handle the demolition or you can do it on your own.
Before you begin smashing everything down, be sure to unscrew the cabinets. Also, remove all the lighting fixtures. After the walls are open, you can change the old insulation to new insulation. Old insulation has deteriorated as explained on Tiger Foam Pro Tips.
7. Redo the Kitchen Plumbing
Having completed the demolition, you can now replace the old kitchen’s plumbing system. A professional is the best choice to handle this part of the remodeling, which is where a plumbing contractor comes in. Hiring a general contractor can amount to about 25% of the total kitchen remodeling cost.
A contractor will come with a team of construction workers, electrician, and plumbers.
Pro tip: keep 2 or 3 buckets close by just in case the pipe break when replacing them. If the plumbing system is fully functional and has no leakages, you save construction by skipping this step.
8. Install Electrical & Lighting
Any electrical projects should be left to a licensed electrician. To ensure your home is safe for entry and safe from electrical fires. Prioritize your safety and that of your family.
9. Hang the Drywall
After the electrician is done installing all the electrical upgrades, it is time to close the wall by hanging new drywall. This is the easiest part but it takes about 5 days to complete.
The first step involves maintaining the room at 55 degrees for 3 days before you can begin working to ensure that the room’s humidity remains low.
10. Paint the Walls
Almost anyone can complete a painting task but few can deliver the required quality and in the set time. Ensure you are as careful as possible with the paint job. Do not rush it.
Once the paint has dried, everything else falls into place from installing the cabinets and countertops to installing the kitchen appliances.
The Don’ts of Kitchen Remodeling DIY
Do not rush the design and planning phase. Your instincts will be to rush the planning phase and begin the demolition and construction phase. Take your time, visualize your daily routine in the new kitchen and come up with a functional layout.
Don’t mix the finishes. Try to limit the types of finishes that you use to only a few. For example, do not mix more than 3 metal finishes. If you do, make sure that all the finishes compliment each other.
Remember not to overlook the ventilation. Also, avoid using trendy fixtures and finishes as they have short lifespans.
Consult the Pros Before You Begin Your Kitchen Remodeling DIY
While the concept of a DIY is to do it yourself, ensure you are in consultation with the professionals especially during the planning stage. This will allow you to complete a kitchen remodeling DIY that looks professional and stylish.
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