9 Critical Kitchen Remodel Steps Homeowners Should Take

Kitchen remodels are often at the top of the list for home improvement projects. Whether it's a full-scale renovation or a smaller touch-up, kitchen remodeling can breathe new life into one of the most central and active spaces in your home.

That said, the kitchen remodeling process can feel daunting, and many homeowners are unsure about how to get started. Most of the information out there focuses on the physical steps of construction, but the reality is that most homeowners hire professional remodelers and never pick up a hammer or saw themselves.

For that reason, I want to avoid the nitty-gritty of rough-ins and installing countertops. Instead, let's break down the steps to remodel a kitchen from your perspective, as a homeowner, and walk through the process from the early stages of brainstorming all the way to the unveiling of a new kitchen.

Step 1: Envision Your New Kitchen

To remodel a kitchen, you need a general idea about what you want. At this point, you aren't trying to nail down every detail of your new kitchen. Instead, you want to begin outlining the changes that are most important.

To get started, identify any problems with your existing kitchen. Are there pressing issues with plumbing, cabinets, or old appliances? Do you have the space to comfortably prepare meals? Are there things that seem to annoy you every time you use your kitchen?

Make a note of these issues and also consider whether any problems are truly limited to the kitchen itself or if they also implicate adjoining rooms.

The next part of this process is to imagine your dream kitchen. This is the time to think big, even if you'll have to scale things back later. If you were doing a kitchen renovation down to the studs, what would the end result look like? Are you inspired by spacious modern kitchens? Do you envision new flooring and new appliances? A special cabinet installation? Luxurious lighting fixtures? Do you want an island or bar for entertaining?

Now that you have a list of problems to address and a list of aspirational goals, it's time to prioritize. Go through and circle any "must-haves." Then put a star next to the most important "nice-to-haves." If you can rank them, all the better.

With this information, you're much closer to being ready for a real planning stage for your kitchen remodeling project. Based on your lists, you can start to get a sense of the scope of what's needed and whether you're talking about a full kitchen remodel or a more limited project.

Step 2: Consider Your Budget

The cost of kitchen remodeling projects varies widely. Not surprisingly, larger projects can be quite pricey, while smaller updates to your current kitchen are more economical. Since it can be hard to come up with an exact number, jot down a general range of what you can realistically afford.

As you get into the planning process, you can make decisions about which elements of a kitchen remodel are worth the investment. For example, maybe you save money by repainting cabinets instead of putting in brand-new custom cabinets. You may have to make some compromises, but an experienced firm can help you understand the tradeoffs and design an exciting kitchen renovation that fits your budget.

Step 3: Research and Hire a Remodeling Company

For significant kitchen renovations, hiring an experienced remodeling company can help ensure smooth project execution and a high-quality result. Our firm is a design-build company, which means we work hand-in-hand with our clients throughout the process while keeping everything under one roof. Our team includes a kitchen designer, who plans the layout and features, as well as project managers, who make sure the work is done to exacting standards.

Clients tell us that this approach gives them more confidence in the whole remodeling process and is far more convenient than having to first interview kitchen designers and then separately find a general contractor.

For any remodeling company, you should ask about their experience and request to see examples from their project portfolio. Word-of-mouth recommendations and reviews can help you learn about a firm's reputation. Any serious firm will be bonded and insured, professional in their communication, and transparent about the kitchen renovation possibilities and what they may cost.

Step 4: Review Options For Kitchen Remodels

Once you've started working with a designer, you can launch into the planning stage to address the key changes you want to see in your kitchen.

In a typical kitchen remodel, this means new appliance installation, refreshing cabinets, replacing solid surface materials like countertops, and putting on a fresh coat of paint. Other add-ons can include new windows, upgraded flooring, or enhanced ventilation.

If you want to consider a bigger kitchen renovation, the designer can suggest new layouts. For example, maybe you can remove a wall between the kitchen and dining areas, making both spaces feel more engaging. In a "main floor scramble," you can even reorient how your kitchen connects to other nearby rooms, including the pantry, a powder room, and your living and dining rooms. These projects take more mechanical and electrical work, but they offer the biggest opportunity to reinvent your kitchen space.

Whatever the scope of your kitchen remodel, you want to work with a skilled and collaborative designer who can incorporate the changes that are most important to you while also keeping things realistic in regard to your budget and available space.

Step 5: Finalize the Design

After analyzing different options, you'll have to come to a final decision to wrap up the design stage. Beyond layout, the final design will include a plan for what's going on and what's staying, including cabinets and countertops, flooring, and appliances.

With the final design in hand, your remodeling company can make sure that you have all the building permits that local codes require to remodel a kitchen. Having the final design provides clarity for the project timeline and the tasks to get your home ready for the work to kick off.

Step 6: Pick Fixtures and Finishes

Depending on what you're replacing, you'll want to work with your remodeling company to choose the fixtures and finishes that will shape how your remodeled kitchen will look. This includes cabinets, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures like the sink and faucet, paint colors, and other materials, such as granite or marble for your countertops.

While you can research this on your own, it's best to always review your preferences with the designer who can ensure that everything fits together both logistically and stylistically.

Step 7: Prepare for the Remodel

An important step in the kitchen remodeling process is getting your home and your family ready for the day when the remodeling company comes on-site to get started.

This requires clearing things out of your kitchen before demolition work starts. For example, the remodeling company can't tear out and install cabinets if they're cluttered with items. The same logic holds when we need to install countertops.

If you're having a major kitchen remodel, you should remember that you won't have access to your kitchen during parts of the renovation project. It takes time to install flooring, install drywall, and put in new plumbing, so you may need to consider a temporary kitchen if you still want to prepare meals. If major plumbing work is in order, ask the remodeling company if there are any days when water will be shut off to the rest of your home.

Step 8: Track Progress

While the work is ongoing, keep track of the timeline. An experienced remodeling company will inform you ahead of time about the calendar for the renovation process and then keep you in the loop about how the project is going.

For example, our firm gives you an online project calendar that you can easily reference to see what to expect on any given day. We offer a smartphone app that lets you track progress, and you can raise any questions with your dedicated project manager.

Step 9: Review the Outcome

When the final touches on your project are complete, you'll take a close look at everything and make sure your new space aligns with the design. But this shouldn't fall entirely on your shoulders. A professional remodeling company will handle a final inspection, not only for code compliance but also for overall attention to detail and your satisfaction with the work.

Our firm also provides a three-year warranty, so in the unlikely event that there's an issue, you don't have to notice it immediately in order for us to make sure that it gets taken care of properly.

Following These Kitchen Remodel Steps

If you've just started thinking about a kitchen remodel, I hope that having a sense of how the process will unfold can give you some comfort and confidence. Although the timeline for each step can vary, our clients find it helpful to know the major milestones on the way to a revamped kitchen.

An experienced design-build firm can make this process feel simple and give you the peace of mind that all aspects of the project — from planning to execution to communication — are being handled professionally and with care.

If you live in Des Moines and plan to remodel your kitchen, find out how much you ought to be budgeting for your project by downloading our helpful kitchen remodel cost guide. Click the banner below to get it.