A smooth and pleasant road through the transformation is possible and can be extremely exciting and rewarding… if you plan it right.
Do your homework - Having a clear vision that will consider your lifestyle needs is imperative to your renovation.
Know how much you can afford - There are many financing possibilities through personal loans, lines of credit, home equity loans and even grants.
Look for a professional renovator - For high quality results and service that will ease the process, you need to go with a professional. There are many resources, including the GVHBA website that will give you recommendations.
Choose your contractor and check references - Narrow down the renovators you feel most comfortable with and interview them. Check in with GVHBA, previous clients, the bank and building supply stores.
Work out a contract - Don't just go with the lowest bid. Make sure everything is in writing, from work to be done to the payment schedule.
Plan how you will live during the renovation - This can be the most stressful part so take everything into consideration.
Establish a good working relationship with your renovator - Trust is essential. Communication lines should be open at all times for progress reports and decisions you may have to make on short notice.
Stick to the original plans - In order to stay close to the original price and schedule, changes should be kept to a minimum.
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Maple Ridge Farm House
This tired looking kitchen was reborn into a rustic paradise. Complete with original tongue and groove cedar beamed ceiling; chrome, marble, slate and maple cabinetry; ultra modern, stainless steel appliances; and a sightline uncompromised allowing for a panoramic 360° view from cooking command central. A perfect balance where the old country meets the modern.
Before
After
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Kitchen Designs That Work For You
The kitchen is one of the most significant renovations one could make. It is the heart of the home and the space that will give you and your family and friends the most pleasure. Planning your renovation so that it will efficiently meet your lifestyle and needs while at the same time give you enjoyment is a tricky balance. You need to know what's out there to make informed decisions. Visiting showrooms, retail outlets and building suppliers will give you a better understanding of how kitchen design has evolved in the past 15 years and how you can incorporate it into you design. Below are some things you may want to think about discussing with your renovator:
You need to have a firm understanding of what bothers you about your existing kitchen to know what it is that you want to accomplish. A good renovator will ask you to describe your daily routine to determine the most effective design.
Knowing if you need a larger work area will answer a lot of questions. If you have an older kitchen, it probably has a poor layout with lots of wasted and inefficient space. By changing the layout, adding storage space and perhaps a larger window, you can create a larger, more functional area.
It can be hard to see past your current design so If you need help with the design, just ask! Renovator's are involved with kitchen renovations so much that they will have an abundance of ideas to bring forth.
Find out how long you will be without your kitchen. Depending on the extent of your renovation, it could take upwards of 10 weeks. Your renovator can help set up a temporary kitchen in the house but you may want to move your family out until the transformation is done.
