Kitchen renovations and kitchen remodels are a great return on investment, especially if you are considering selling your home. Even small kitchen renovations that only cost a few hundred dollars can improve the look of your kitchen. You may even be considering going more energy efficient renovations. According to the National Home Builders Association, the market for green building has increased from 2 percent of homes built to energy efficient standards in 2005, to about 17 percent of homes in 2011. Whether you are considering kitchen renovations that are more energy efficient or just a simple facelift, here are a few steps and kitchen renovations ideas.
You must get cost estimates and quotes from several sources including home improvement stores and local contractors. Compare the prices of appliances, flooring, and even custom kitchen cabinetry design. Create two lists. One should be what you can afford, and the other should be those things and services that would be nice to have.
Determine how you are going to finance these kitchen renovations. Will you be able to afford your kitchen ideas with what you have in the bank, or will you be applying for a loan? You may want to consider doing kitchen renovations in stages if you want to stay within your budget on hand.
Do some measurements to make sure your estimates are accurate. Kitchens today average around 200 to 300 square feet, and many of them are using open floor plans. A walkway through your kitchen should be a minimum of 36 inches wide. The workspace aisles should be a minimum of 42 inches wide. If your kitchen renovations are going to include space for multiple cooks, the workspace should be at least 48 inches wide. You may want to consider an island to maximize workspace as part of kitchen renovations.
Take these measurements with you and then look at flooring options, countertops, and cabinet selections. You can also include the cost of new appliances at this time. Other things to include in kitchen renovations are paint and window coverings.
Once you have started on your project, remember to use a plan. It is easy to just jump in and start building and changing everything all at once. This can create more chaos than necessary, and may actually take more time. During kitchen renovations, consider using paper plates and plastic utensils, as well as prepared or takeout foods. This can help make the whole process less stressful.