Kitchen remodeling is a top home improvement project. With an estimated 71 percent return on investment (ROI), according to the Remodeling 2022 Cost vs. Value Report, a kitchen remodel is well worth considering. Homeowners often put off a kitchen remodeling project due to the disruption it causes to their everyday life. The inconveniences of remodeling can be minimized with careful planning and preparation.
How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?
There is no easy answer to this question. Numerous factors can impact the length of any remodeling project. A typical kitchen remodeling project can take one to three months or longer. That's a long time to go without easy access to your kitchen. When you interview contractors, it's essential to understand the scope of the project and the amount of time your project will likely take to complete. There are many ways to prepare to make the construction process easier to handle.
7 Kitchen Remodel Survival Tips
1. Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
Setting up a temporary kitchen is ideal for helping you manage while your kitchen is being remodeled. Moving a refrigerator and microwave to the temporary kitchen space will make mealtime less difficult. When moving your refrigerator, remember to have it in an area that will not reach below 40 degrees to keep the compressor operating, and do not place it in full sun, where it will have to work harder and shorten the compressor's life. Toaster ovens, crock pots, air fryers, and electric griddles are valuable small appliances that can help create healthy and delicious meals in a temporary kitchen.
2. Get Organized
Keep commonly used kitchen items in plastic storage tubs or containers and label them to allow you to find what you need quickly. If you can have a freezer during the remodel period, make some of your family's favorite meals ahead of time and freeze them in smaller portions. Frozen meals can be reheated in a microwave oven or on a camp stove to be enjoyed later. If you do not have a camp stove, ask family and friends if they have one you can borrow.
3. Use Your Outdoor Grill
Grilling outdoors is another terrific method for cooking meals at home while your kitchen is undergoing a remodeling project. If the weather cooperates, you can prepare and eat some meals outdoors. When the weather is not ideal for outdoor dining, throw a blanket on the floor of your family room and have an indoor picnic.
4. Plan for Carryout Food
No matter how well you plan, there will always be days when you need to rely on carryout. Whether you order from your favorite restaurant or pick up pre-made meals from the supermarket, realize you'll need to budget for days when dealing with a temporary kitchen is too much to handle.
5. Control Dust
It's impossible to eliminate the dust from a remodel, but there are ways to minimize it. Seal doorways and close vents on the same floor where the remodeling occurs. Clean or change your HVAC filters frequently.
6. Plan for Construction Noise
Discuss the daily schedule with the remodeling contractors to devise a plan to help people and pets cope with construction noise. If you are home most of the day, this can become challenging. Nap time for children will be more difficult during peak work times. Having an area farthest from the construction area for naps and relaxation will help. Running a sleep sound machine can help mask construction sounds. Noise-reducing headphones and earbuds are other options to help deal with construction noise.
7. Take a Break or Short Getaway
Spending time away from home at local parks, libraries, museums, and other places of interest is a great way to avoid some of the noise and mess. Visiting family or friends can help the remodeling project pass by more enjoyably. Even a couple of days and nights away will help break up the routine.
Preparation is Key
Before a major kitchen remodeling project, there are many things to consider, but the inconvenience is temporary, and the benefits outweigh the temporary disruptions. With thoughtful planning and preparation, you and your family can survive a kitchen remodel and get the kitchen of your dreams.
Select a Family Owned St. Louis Plumbing Company
Selecting a reliable plumbing contractor can be challenging. R.A. Guinner Plumbing Company provides complete bathroom and kitchen remodeling services and specializes in guiding clients through every step of the process. We can handle the entire project when you're ready to renovate your kitchen, from design to demolition to refinishing.
Our company is family-owned and operated, and we pride ourselves on "top of the line" service. All our plumbers are licensed, bonded, and insured for your protection. No project is too big or too small for us to handle, and we always hold ourselves to the highest standards to ensure your needs are met and you are delighted with the results. Contact us online or call us today at 314-752-9850 to discuss your needs.