The kitchen is one of the largest – and most detailed – home renovations. Because of that, it can be extremely overwhelming and somewhat daunting trying to figure out where to start. This article will help you not only prepare for your kitchen estimate, but figure out a starting point, as well as make the entire process easier on you!
The very first thing you want to figure out are your cabinets. Cabinets are special order and can take a bit to come in. Also, think about if you want crown molding or a space between the cabinets and ceiling. We use Your Kitchen and Interior Projects to help with kitchen design and to select the best cabinets for your space.
Countertops
We work with Tihic Tile & Granite to help you select the perfect countertop for your space.
Options: Granite, quartz, laminate, and butcher block
- Granite & Quartz pros: durable, heat resistant, stain resistant, low maintenance, adds value to the home.
- Granite & Quartz cons: granite requires sealing and quartz typically does NOT require sealing, higher cost, in larger installations seams might be visible.
- Laminate pros: cost effective, easy maintenance, style variety.
- Laminate cons: not as durable as other options, it is not heat resistant, cam be susceptible to water damage.
- Butcher block pros: cost effective, natural appearance, easy to restore.
- Butcher block cons: susceptible to dents, scratches, and stains; high maintenance due to regular sealing and oiling; potential for water damage; can develop bacteria if not properly maintained.
Backsplash
Tile offers a wide variety of design options! Options include: subway tile, hexagonal tile, marble tile, mosaic tile, glass tile, ceramic or porcelain tile, and stone tile. It all comes down to the vision you see for your kitchen.
Flooring
When considering flooring for your kitchen, keep in mind that the kitchen is a high traffic area! Also, decide on if you want heated flooring.
Options: tile, vinyl, hardwood, and laminate.
- Tile pros: water resistant, durable – great for high traffic areas, easy to clean, variety of styles.
- Tile cons: can be hard on your joints, grout lines can be prone to discoloration, slippery if wet.
- Vinyl pros: water resistant, cost effective, can help reduce noise in the home.
- Vinyl cons: can dent or scratch easily, may not last as long as other materials.
- Hardwood pros: timeless look, adds value to your home, can be refinished multiple times instead of having replace it.
- Hardwood cons: susceptible to water damage, may require refinishing, high cost, can expand and contract with changes in humidity.
- Laminate pros: cost effective, scratch resistant, low maintenance.
- Laminate cons: not waterproof, does not increase the value of your home.
Appliances
It is up to you to purchase your appliances and we can install them for you! However, it is still important to keep in mind the size of your appliances when deciding on other areas of your kitchen.
Sink & Faucet
You need to decide on not only the style sink you would like, but also the material you would like it to be.
Sink style options: undermount, drop-in, farmhouse, and integrate.
Sink material options: stainless steel, porcelain, and natural stone.
Faucet options: pre-rinse, pull down, touch/touchless, single handle, pull out, faucet with sidespray, bridge, bar, and pot filler.
This section alone has a ton of options. It all comes down to preference and the overall aesthetic you are going for in your kitchen.
Lighting
A well-lit kitchen makes all the difference! No one wants to prepare meals when they can barely see. You also want to keep in mind if you would like your lighting to have a dimmer option.
Options: recessed lighting, pendant lights, track lighting, and cabinet lighting.
Again, this comes down to preference and what you think would work best for you! Also, keep in mind what finish you would like your lighting to have to ensure that it comes with the rest of the kitchen.
Other things to think about
Are you adding/removing an island? Paint and trim colors? Do you want a built-in pantry? Bar area? Trash/recycling pull-outs? Any custom storage like spice racks, utensil dividers, etc? Hidden outlets? All these things make not only a difference in cost, but in the overall look of you kitchen. If you have any questions on how to prepare for your kitchen estimate that were not in this article, please do not hesitate to call our office. We are always more than happy to help!
