Giving your home a kitchen remodel is sure to add a chic, new style to your home. It's also an opportunity to update electrical appliances such as an old refrigerator. Your hard work will pay dividends later on as remodeling should significantly increase the value of your property. They'll be many tasks to complete including demolition, electrical wiring and plumbing, but before you start, you need to make a plan.
DIY or Professional?
A kitchen remodel can be very disruptive to your daily life. You need to be super organized to ensure your home renovation project is efficient. Make a reliable plan and think about how much of the work you want to accomplish yourself. With a kitchen extension, you may need to appoint a building contractor for advice on foundation work and roofing. Installing a new electrical circuit requires a professional electrician to make sure your home stays safe. You'll also need a realistic budget.
Dismantling Your Old Kitchen
Even though it's tempting to wade in with a sledgehammer, don't! Remove your old kitchen cupboards carefully. You might not want them, but they can be upcycled by someone else and given a new lease of life. Salvage window frames, kitchen sinks and old floor tiles for reusing or recycling. When demolishing, you'll need professional advice on which walls are load-bearing. Turn your water supply off before dismantling any fixtures with plumbing. Make sure you keep all the debris contained outside and arrange for it to be regularly taken away.
Constructing Your New Kitchen
Accuracy is vital when you begin to design your new kitchen. If you're repositioning a sink, you may need to construct a new drain or extend the plumbing. Partition walls and center island units need to be accurately positioned as they'll be in place for a long time. A professional building contractor can make sure your kitchen remodel has the best start. Mistakes at this stage can spoil the final look of your kitchen and be expensive to correct.
Official Authorization
Arrange for the local city or county officials to pay you a visit. They need to check that your kitchen extension meets all the planning and building regulations. You might have to pay an inexpensive fee, but their approval is necessary. It's better for safety and for the day when you might want to sell your home. However, if the work is being done professionally, your building contractor will make sure the work meets the required standards.
Dry Wall Installation
Lining the interior with a dry wall product provides a smooth, solid surface. Ensure it fits well around windows, countertop bars and sinks. It's often beneficial to add a primer to the dry wall. It helps seal the surface and protect it from any accidental collisions when you're installing the kitchen cupboards.
Fixing Windows and Doors
When fitting new windows and doors ensure they are sealed correctly. It will help your kitchen feel cozy. You should also make savings on your energy bills. Many homes suffer substantial heat loss through ill-fitting windows. If you're keeping the existing windows make sure you add caulking to fix any gaps. Adding a decorative trim should give a coordinated look by complementing the style of your cupboards.
New Cupboards and Appliances
This stage is when your brand-new kitchen remodel begins to take shape. Make sure your plumbing is installed correctly before adding the cupboard units. Take care to hang doors and fix drawer runners properly so that your cupboards operate smoothly. Include items for kitchen garbage, water filtration and shelves. Then add your built-in appliances such as stoves and microwaves.
New Flooring
There are so many materials for flooring to suit every taste and budget. Consider the style you want your new kitchen to have. Engineered wood creates a cozy, natural look for a sophisticated, elegant home. Stone or ceramic tiles often look charming in a rustic kitchen. Vinyl is a practical material. It's available in a wide range of designs and colors to harmonize with your interior decor.
Conclusion
Without doubt, a kitchen extension is a big project. But if you plan and concentrate on one step at a time, your work will be organized and thorough. A plan helps you pay attention to all the details that will eventually be hidden but make such a contribution to the finished result. These can include solid foundations, cupboards that fit well and accurate measuring. Always appoint a professional building contractor if you don't have sufficient DIY skills. Then you'll finish with a beautiful new kitchen.
Author Bio:
Aaron Donovan is the owner of AD Services Building Contractors, who help homeowners with their construction needs. They are experts in kitchen extensions and have helped hundreds of clients achieve their dream kitchen.
