Does your kitchen look like it’s straight out of the 70’s? Maybe it’s not that bad, but nonetheless could use a modern touch! In either case, a project like this requires a decent amount of planning before getting started. You will need to figure out whether you’ll be doing the project by yourself or hiring a plumber to do the job. Are you looking to gut the entire room or just replace a few fixtures? What type of budget are you working with? Have you looked into any of the fixtures that are out there? This is just scraping the surface of topics you want to get taken care of during the preliminary stages. For many, the kitchen serves as the heart of your home! While we are fully supportive of anyone wanting to tackle some DIY projects around the house, we typically recommend bringing in an experienced Kansas City plumber to assist on a kitchen remodel. Simply put, there’s just too much that can go wrong and lead to future headaches if not completed appropriately.
✔️ Get It Done Right the First Time!
Not to come off the wrong way, but over the years, we’ve had to fix plenty of plumbing mistakes. Whether it be a missing valve or a loose pipe, a small plumbing mistake can lead to a whirlwind of headaches later on. The most prominent reason as to why you should hire a professional plumber is to ensure the project gets done right the first time. Yes, it will require an up-front investment. Trust us though, it will save you in the long run!
✔️ Saves You Some Time and Money!
If a plumber knows what they’re doing, they likely won’t be working for minimum wage. However, they shouldn’t break the bank either for your kitchen remodel project. Aside from the point, it’s important to understand the time and money that you’d be investing if you were to DIY the entire project. You’ll need to buy tools that you might never use again once the project is complete. You’ll have to sacrifice evenings and weekends to do the work. And if you don’t have a clue what you’re doing, you very well may be without key plumbing fixtures for a few days while you wait for a plumber to come out fix the mistakes.
✔️ Getting Recommendations!
Most of your local plumbing companies nowadays will allow you the option to either choose a fixture or have them pick one for you. In today’s fixture market, there’s certainly no shortages of options for faucets, garbage disposals and so on. However, having to sift through all of these can be a chore in itself. You want something that’s durable and will last for awhile. Additionally, it needs to be within your budget and a product that has repair parts readily available at the local hardware store. All in all, unless you’ve been in the industry, it can be overwhelming trying to find the perfect fit. Lucky for you, one of the more common projects we get called on for are fixture installations. We’ve seen what gives you the most bang for your buck and what is going to take 6-8 weeks to simply get a missing valve piece in stock!
As a side note, our team compiled a faucet guide of some of the top manufacturers in a recent blog post. Feel free to check it out if you’re interested!
✔️ All the Legal Stuff!
With concepts like moving drain lines or plumbing pipes, it’s easy to understand the value an experienced plumber can bring to your kitchen remodel. With this said, the most prominent reason is to ensure you don’t have to worry about any legal concerns. Chances are most homeowners wouldn’t consider these details before starting the gutting process! What I’m talking about here is building codes. Most codes place limitations on what can be done when making alterations to your plumbing. This is largely for your own safety and health. Any experienced plumber should be aware of the local codes and if necessary, file any permits needed for the project.
While we recommend hiring a plumber to do the work, this is your kitchen after all. It is your job to help craft the vision. The kitchen is a central part to your house. From a design and aesthetic perspective, you likely have an idea of the type of look you want created. To ensure the entire construction process goes as smooth as possible, here’s some ideas to get you thinking:
✔️ What All is Getting Replaced?
The first step is always to figure out what work you need done. Are you looking for a complete overhaul or just revamping the appliances and fixtures? How will this affect other elements, such as cabinets and countertops? Going hand-in-hand with this stage, you’ll need to set a budget for the project as a whole. Depending on how extensive the remodel is, this can get a little pricey!
✔️ Browse the New Technology in Plumbing Fixtures!
If this is your first remodel in awhile, you’ll likely be surprised by the wide range of fixtures available. In recent years, touchless technology has been introduced into the residential world, as well as Delta’s Touch2O technology. You’ll see LED lights that signify the temperature of your water with Delta’s TempSense programming. For those looking for something ever higher up, European imports like Grohe provide a modern look to your kitchen. All in all, there is surely a fixture to meet nearly every preference! A couple of names to keep in the back of your head though are Delta, Toto, Moen and Kohler!
✔️ Some Design Inspiration!
Last, but not least, it doesn’t hurt to browse Pinterest or HGTV to get some ideas. There’s always plenty of ideas on both of these sites and you can even search for remodels on a budget to get some unique ideas on making your dollar stretch a little farther!
? Get It Done Right (And Have Some Fun!)
As mentioned above, a kitchen remodel can quickly turn into a stressful project! However, I’m guessing that’s not why you got the project going in the first place. You wanted to create a unique, aesthetically pleasing space where you could spend time with family and friends. If I can offer you one piece of advice, it’s to have some fun in the planning stages. Think about the type of look you want to create and figure out how you can fit that in your budget. At the same time, make sure you’re using contractors that know what they’re doing to ensure the amazing project lasts for the long haul!
Our team helps with kitchen models for hundred of Kansas City homeowners each year. We would love to help out in any way for your next project, even if it’s just giving some recommendations on which sink to have installed!