Our Three Top Tips to Survive a Kitchen Remodeling Project

A kitchen remodel is one of the most expensive and stressful home renovation projects one can undertake, and it’s a theme we’ve explored on the Cabinets & Designs blog in the past. We’ve offered many suggestions for homeowners on how to have the best remodeling experience possible; from building a relationship with your remodeler to remodeling timelines, we know that half the battle is being prepared for the stress and upheaval! This week, we’re going to give you five specific strategies to help you prepare for—and survive—a kitchen remodel.

Tip #1: Listen to the Experts

Truly, our first tip for kitchen renovations (or any home remodeling) is to listen to the experts with whom you are working—your contractor, your architect, your designer, your vendors, etc. Presumably you’ve hired them because you trust them, so make sure you take advantage of that expertise!

We recently talked to Tom Pellegrin, owner of Third Coast Builders, about his tips for homeowners in Houston. Among them, Tom recommends planning ahead and open communication between all partners to ensure success. During our recent chat with GHBA Vice-President and Director of Government Affairs Casey Morgan, she recommended utilizing the GHBA’s membership directory to locate builders, remodelers, and developers in the Houston area.

Tip #2: Create a Temporary Kitchen

You may already be daydreaming about your new kitchen, but don’t forget—you won’t have a kitchen at all for a while during the renovation! Set up a temporary kitchen in a convenient space—a garage, laundry room, or utility room with a sink is ideal. Add as many appliances as is convenient or possible: microwave oven, mini-fridge or freezer, electric teakettle, and so forth. Don’t forget about storage and workspace; if your contractor can place a few old cabinets in your temporary kitchen, great! If not, large plastic storage bins will come in handy. And don’t forget to create a workspace or countertop with a small table, or even plywood if necessary.

Tip #3: Shop Smarter

Meal prep and clean-up are often compromised during a kitchen remodeling project. Paper plates and disposable or recyclable utensils will come in handy, as will easy-to-prepare foods that are shelf-stable and simple to store—peanut butter, non-perishable snacks like cereal bars and dried fruit, and juice boxes.

In addition, don’t forget to budget for increased spending on take-out and restaurants during the renovation period. You will be eating out and ordering in more often, but with careful budgeting you can plan well in advance so you don’t break the bank!

Need more top tips on how to survive a kitchen remodel? Stop by the Cabinets & Designs showroom at 4200 Westheimer, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Houzz.