Take the Stress Out of a Kitchen Remodel
We all have that one friend whose kitchen remodeling project went wildly out of control. Blown budgets, missed deadlines, poor craftsmanship, and above all, a lot of stress. Most kitchen remodeling stress can be avoided with proper preparation and realistic expectations. When you partner with a professional kitchen remodeler like Marvista Design + Build in Pittsburgh, you can count on a project that keeps stress to a minimum.
Here are some of the tips we’ve learned over the years to reduce anxiety during a kitchen remodel.
Plan Carefully and Minimize Changes
A thoughtful kitchen remodel plan is one of the most important steps to minimize stress during your project. Unexpected changes, confusion, and time/budget miscalculations are the biggest sources of stress for homeowners and remodelers alike. A clear plan from the beginning of the project can help you avoid last-minute changes and on-the-fly decisions that cause anxiety.
Know What You’re Getting Into
So much of the stress of a kitchen remodel comes from misunderstandings about how much a project will cost and how long it will take. Work with a kitchen remodeler who provides complete transparency about pricing and timelines. A good design-build partner will help prevent scope creep that can trigger stress when expenses and delays pile up.
Be Wary of Low-Bid Remodelers
The lowest bid and the cheapest materials don’t always translate into the best results. In fact, homeowners who make kitchen remodeling choices based primarily on price are most likely to be disappointed with the finished product.
Instead of the low-cost kitchen remodeler, look for a design-build partner that delivers the highest value. How you define value depends on what’s most important to you. Be honest with yourself about the design and product features that are most important to you and your family, and look for a remodeling partner who can give you honest estimates of the choices about which you care most.
Pick Your Battles
From choosing your kitchen remodeling contractor to setting a project budget – not to mention all the design choices – a kitchen remodel requires a lot of decision making. If you’re making remodeling decisions with a spouse or cohabitant, conflicts are sure to happen.
Our pro tip: Find common ground, and share decision making duties when you can’t. You may need to compromise to make style choices. Consider splitting up the decision making. For example, one person can pick the paint colors, the other person could decide which fixtures to install.
Invest in Design
Your new kitchen should make you happy! A professional kitchen designer can translate your vision into a design plan that’s both functional and beautiful. Attention to detail during the design phase is the surest way to a finished project that exceeds your wildest dreams.
