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Tools & Resources
:
Kitchen
FAQs :
Construction
Construction
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I've heard that living through a remodeling project is a nightmare. How
can I prepare?
Common homeowner complaints include dust, delays and additional costs.
To combat dust, pack up and move your kitchen before construction, then
protect what you can’t remove. You or your contractor can seal off
nearby rooms with plastic sheeting and tape. Ask that the construction
area be swept daily.
Good communication is essential to staying on time and on budget. If you
are doing some of the work yourself, clarify up front who is doing what,
from demolition to pulling permits to painting. Decide which entrances
and bathrooms the workers should use, and notify them of children and
pets. Leave a notebook and pen in a designated area so you can leave
messages for the contractors (and vice versa).
Make sure you can still eat: set up a temporary kitchen with
refrigerator, microwave, coffee-maker, table, trash can, non-perishables
and paper goods. A crock pot, pre-made frozen meals and restaurant
coupons will also help you get through the project.
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What can I do myself? When do I need to hire professionals?
One-person projects that don't require power tools can be handled by
most homeowners: painting, switching out cabinet hardware, replacing a
faucet or weather-stripping windows and doors. Add an electric drill and
you're installing shelves, window treatments and other decorative
accessories.
Larger kitchen projects involving plumbing, wiring, carpentry and tile
setting require a wide range of tools and skills. You'll need to pull
permits and know local building codes. Investing in the right equipment
and training can be costly and time consuming. So can mistakes
One more factor in your decision: many manufacturers will invalidate a
product warranty if the product is not installed correctly. For small
items you might be willing to take that risk, but for several thousand
dollars worth of appliances or cabinetry, you may not want to chance it.
Pros of do-it-yourself (DIY) work:
Cons
of DIY work:
- Takes longer
if you can only work on weekends and/or evenings
- Risk of
underestimating skill, time, materials and tools required
- If you get
friends or family to help, you're liable for any injuries
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How long does it take to complete a kitchen remodel?
There are two main phases to a kitchen remodel: design and construction.
The length of the former is typically up to the homeowner, and his or
her ability to make decisions and stick with them. Given that a new
kitchen is a major investment, you're entitled to take your time
choosing colors, finishes and features. Just remember that products
can't be ordered until you've made your final decisions.
Some custom products and materials may require lead times of up to nine
months. Custom cabinets typically arrive in 12 to 16 weeks; semi-custom
in eight to 10 weeks; and stock in four weeks or less.
Once the products do arrive, expect construction to take anywhere from
two to 16 weeks, depending on how ambitious your project is and on how
many setbacks you encounter.
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