The Ultimate Kitchen Renovation Checklist

Choose the Right Contractor

Hiring the right contractor is crucial for a successful kitchen renovation. While word-of-mouth and recommendations from friends and family are a good starting point, it’s essential to do your homework before deciding. For an in-depth look, check out our guide to finding the Best Home Renovation Contractor in Calgary.

Keep in mind that the best contractors are often in high demand. Rather than settling for less, be prepared to wait for the right one.

Design Your Dream Kitchen

Before diving into your kitchen renovation design process, gather some essential information for your contractor or designer:

• Your Current Floor Plan: See if you can provide a drawing of your current kitchen to-scale. This will highlight important features in your kitchen, like windows, doors, electrical, and plumbing.
• Your Wish List: Outline your dream kitchen renovation goals. Make sure to list your musts and wants.
• Your Inspiration: Collect pictures and ideas that inspire you. You can even put together a Pinterest board to share with your contractor or designer.

Plan Your Kitchen Layout

Forget the one-size-fits-all approach; today’s kitchens need flexible layouts to accommodate modern lifestyles. Consider these smart layout tips for busy kitchens:

• Kitchen Triangle: If you haven’t heard of the kitchen triangle, it’s a concept based on increasing efficiency in your kitchen layout; often making sure the refrigerator, sink, and stovetop are all within the “triangle” to increase efficiency.
• Kitchen Workstations: Kitchen islands can enhance the overall efficiency of the kitchen triangle and serve as multifunctional workstations.
• Kitchen Zones: Think about your kitchen as having different zones: cleaning, preparation, and cooking. You can organize or group your kitchen into these distinct zones to maximize your kitchen layout efficiency.

Balancing Your Budget

Renovating your kitchen doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some tips for cutting costs without sacrificing quality:

• Evaluate Your Space: Before tearing everything apart, consider reorganizing your kitchen’s existing storage and workflow to make the most of what you have.
• Shop Smart: Compare prices for appliances and materials to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.
• Consider Alternatives: Instead of purchasing professional-grade appliances and high-end luxurious materials, explore affordable alternatives to stay within your budget without compromising your style.

Shopping For Appliances

When it comes to kitchen appliances, focus on functionality and efficiency rather than flashy features:

• Compare appliances that have intuitive controls and easy-to-clean features.
• Look for a stove that can balance the need for high heat (when boiling water) and low heat (for simmering).
• Choose energy efficient appliances to reduce the cost of running them.

Keep The Crew Happy

It pays to keep workers and tradespeople comfortable and respected on the job. Remember, a happy crew = a smoother project. Here’s a few things you can easily do:

• Offer Drinks: Something simple like offering coffee, pop, or water can go a long way to show your appreciation for all their hard work.
• Respect Their Space: Avoid the crew’s work area and teach your family members (and Fido) to stay clear of the construction zone.
• Be Respectful: General respect and pleasantries can go a long way in fostering a positive place for the crew to work. Simply saying “hello,” “good morning,” and “thanks” will be appreciated.