Homeownership is definitely not for everyone. Lots of people are perfectly content renting because they have no maintenance costs whatsoever or repair bills, and enjoy access to amenities that would otherwise cost a fortune, like an in-ground pool (even if they rarely use it). But having your own place means more control over your time, energy, and choices. You can knock down the walls to let in a flood of natural light or touch up those spots in your vinyl floor, which is addictive, to be honest.
Whenever the kitchen crosses our mind, we realize it’s never just about the food. Like wine that gets better with time, the kitchen has unlimited storage capacity – both for memories and personal experiences – so if you’re thinking about renovating yours, don’t reach out for pre-assembled, standard-size units. Take a deep breath. Living through a kitchen renovation isn’t exactly fun, but there are things you can do to lighten the load, if you know what we mean.
You Can Cook At Home, But You Should Lower Your Expectations
Your kitchen will be off-limits anywhere between two weeks and six months – not so hooray – and if you want to cook for yourself and your loved ones (even if just a couple of times), set up a makeshift kitchen in another room. Like the garage. Even a baked potato in an air fryer tastes like heaven. Be nice to your neighbors in case you need a favor, such as having access to pots and pans, because yours are all boxed up and covered in dust from the construction work.
If you order a pizza topped with prosciutto, olives, grilled bell pepper, sliced salami, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs, you get leftovers that you can turn into a salad that you can eat later in the week, served with sliced focaccia bread. Delivery is expensive though. We think coming up with recipes ahead of time is super helpful, so if after a long and/or stressful day at work, the last thing you want is to be serving dinner at 10 p.m., stock up the freezer with dishes ready to defrost and learn how to use your appliances – e.g., an Instant Pot – before you install new kitchen doors.
It’s Not Just You. Your Neighbors Will Be Affected By All The Noise And Dust
This is the most ambitious and difficult project you’ve ever taken on, so no big lessons learned yet.Here’s what people don’t always tell you: things can get messy, even if you are not doing a full renovation. Dust and debris will inevitably spread, and you cannot shut off the noise from screeching saws or nail guns hitting their marks. Your neighbors will not be happy about it. You are not obligated to keep them informed about what is happening, but a kind word like “Sorry!” can help.
I’m doing some renovations at my house.” – or a small gesture of cooperation, such as keeping it to reasonable start and finish times, can make things better.
Give your neighbors your phone number just in case. Imagine this scene: your crew finished installing the new dishwasher, and lots of dirty water is leaking into your downstairs neighbor’s ceiling, much to their despair. Some stuff was damaged. And obviously, you’re paying for it. If the problem is with a PVC pipe, it can be fixed by applying sealant tape and wrapping it a few times. You’re hardly ever home, so find out if your contractor would be willing to share their number with the neighbors, too, and let them know they shouldn’t hesitate to call with concerns about your renovation.
Do Research, Pick Up Catalogs, Save Photos, And Add Notes About What You Like
Oh, right, it eats up all your time, your friends are starting to ignore you (they’ve got a life, after all), and your heart has seen better days, but you save lots of money and finally have a decent kitchen. It’s not as simple as saying you want a new kitchen. Make an appointment with your nearest showroom, and if this is your first time visiting, measure your kitchen space (length, width, and height) and bring a copy of the original plans – if you still have them – so designers know what to recommend.
This isn’t just about boards, nails, or paint. You and your contractor will likely have disagreements, so we suggest putting everything in writing so you have evidence of all discussions, and never sign any agreement until you are completely sure you both agree. It is okay if you and your partner want different things—if you don’t have a Pinterest account, create one so you can follow other users and save their Pins. Calmly discuss where you want to go from here. Remember, the first delivery installed will look very different from what your kitchen will eventually look like.
If You Want Your Project To Move On Quickly, Leave Town For A While
If you’re living on-site during the kitchen renovation, you’ll have to camp out for at least four weeks, so you should at least make it fun: the key is to make kids part of the creative team when you’re coming up with hacks. The vacation you keep postponing, that’s the one you’ll regret the most. Now might be a good time, assuming you’re comfortable with things moving forward in your absence, so check some items off your travel bucket list instead of rushing through.
Before you pack up your beach towels, make sure your contractor doesn’t mind you being out of town, and always be available on your phone – WhatsApp messages can create confusion (and problems), so follow up by email without sounding too desperate. Delays are common, and being on good terms with your neighbors can come in handy. Travel as far as your budget allows, but ensure your internet speed can handle the challenge. If an emergency occurs and the contractor cannot contact you, they will only perform the bare minimum.