How to Start a Kitchen Remodel

Experiencing a kitchen renovation

Living without a kitchen for a long time is scary. As scary as it is, we want to tell you that it is possible and that you will appreciate cooking (even if you don't like to cook). You just need planning, patience and constant pursuit of your vision. 

Follow our kitchen remodeling survival guide to help you come out the other side and save money.

1. How long does it take to renovate a kitchen

According to Bryan Sebring, president and founder of Sebring Design Build, it can take one to three months to remodel a kitchen. That's a long time to be without home cooking and a dishwasher. Of course, the actual timeline may vary depending on the scope of the reform. According to Sebring, a typical timeline for a kitchen project is as follows:

• 1. Interview with contractors: 2-4 weeks
• 2. Design, material selection and cost estimates: 1-4 weeks
• 3. Ordering materials, waiting for products to arrive and obtaining permits: 1-4 weeks
• 4. Construction: 2-4 weeks

Also important mentally prepare and know what to expect during a kitchen renovation. Be open and plan for delays - they happen. Knowing that changes will be made and extensions may be needed can help keep stress at bay. In most cases, this is out of your control, so make a plan for surviving without a kitchen and stick to it.

2. Make a temporary kitchen during renovations

Having a temporary kitchen in your home during the actual renovations allows you to continue cooking in the best way to avoid spending too much extra money. during an already expensive renovation. Experts Sebring and Fitzgerald both say creating a makeshift kitchen is like preparing for a camping trip. Think about what you will need to survive and cook during the months your kitchen is down.

Where should you set up your temporary kitchen?

The two most important things you will need if you decide to install a temporary kitchen during renovations are plumbing for washing dishes and electrical outlets for connecting appliances. A laundry room or basement are often good choices. Another option is to take a corner of your living room or home office to prepare and store food and use the bathroom or bathtub to wash dishes.

Things to consider when choosing a place for a temporary kitchen:

• Keep it away from kitchen remodeling where dust flies and people are constantly in and out.
• Focus on one area. 
• Do not spread it around the house.
•  Stay away from carpeted rooms.
•  If something leaks, it's harder to clean.
• Kitchen Remodel Survival Tips

1. Prepare to renovate your kitchen?

If you needed an excuse to clean and organize your kitchen, you just got your wish. Before starting the renovation, it's a good idea to get rid of everything you don't use and set aside everything you need for a temporary kitchen.

2. What should be in your temporary kitchen

It's helpful to keep your routine as normal as possible to carry out your kitchen renovation, so keeping the things you use every day in a temporary kitchen will help you survive the chaos. Do you drink coffee every morning? Keep a coffee maker or Keurig close at hand. Do the kids go to Pop-Tarts when they get home from school? Make sure the toaster oven is accessible.

Another important factor is knowing if you have access to a refrigerator and freezer. Consider moving the refrigerator to the garage or another room so you can continue to use it during the renovation. The ability to keep cold items and freeze food makes it easy to plan ahead, stick to a regular routine, and save money on takeout.

Another kitchen renovation life tip is to keep small appliances on hand to make cooking without an oven easier. Here is a list of suggested items to help you get through the renovation without a fully functional kitchen:

• 1. Coffee Maker/Keurig
• 2. Hot Plate
• 3. Toaster or Toaster
• 4. Slow Cooker
• 5. Electric fryer or pan
• 6. Kettle
• 7. Microwave
• 8. Refrigerator
• 9. Freezer
• 10. Tupperware
• 11. A good knife
• 12. Grills

3. Make Meals Easier

Meal Prep

Meal planning around small appliances is a great way to prepare for a kitchen renovation. This way you can easily keep your routine as normal as possible and save money. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Slow cooker: This is the perfect excuse to try new slow cooker recipes, and if you use liners, you don't have to worry about washing the pot.

• Microwaves: Microwavable food is easy to prepare. Meals can also be prepared and frozen ahead of time, so all you have to do is pop them in the microwave. Another option is to cook enough food to have leftovers and reheat them during the week.

• Toaster: Believe it or not, you can put more in the toaster than toast and frozen foods. Try making pizza, roasting asparagus or even salmon.

• Electric grill or pan: This is basically a portable oven, so it's easy to cook eggs, fry vegetables or cook chicken. 
• Grill: If the weather is good, get the grill out.

Portion

It is inevitable. No matter how much planning you do, there will be days when you just can't handle cooking with limited supplies, don't want a microwave, or are too tired from the chaos of remodeling to think about how to cook. If you decide to take it with you, we recommend that you do the following.

• Save for later. Takeout is often enough for at least two meals. It's like creating your own buy one get one deal.
• Try the grocery store. Most supermarkets have an entire prepared foods and salad bar.
• Find your favorites and rotate them so you don't get bored of them.
• Choose certain nights of the week for takeout.

Additionally, you might get tired of ordering food, which makes you that much more excited to finally use your beautiful new kitchen.

Call a friend

See if a friend or family member will let you use their kitchen to prepare and/or cook meals. You can make things in bulk so you don't have to chop and marinate in the living room or laundry room. Then all you have to do is throw everything into your slow cooker or pan to cook.

If you have a friend nice enough to let you cook in their kitchen, you can freeze them and heat them up at home. This will help you avoid eating out too often to save money. We recommend offering a little extra to the person who was kind enough to give up their kitchen and invite them over for a meal when your new kitchen is ready.

4. Keep your kids out of the construction zone and on a leash

​​Losing the kitchen endlessly is stressful and chaotic, but it's important to make sure the stress doesn't rub off on your kids. Dealing with the situation is not that difficult if parents plan and follow a routine. Here's how to go through a kitchen renovation with kids:

• Be open to the process. Let your kids know what to expect during a kitchen renovation. Don't forget to let us know what's going on and if there are any changes planned.

• Ask your children for feedback on the renovation. What color do they think the cabinet should be? Do subway tiles look good? It is also their home.

• Find a way to make it fun. If you present the renovation as a family adventure, it will seem more exciting.

• If you decide to do construction work when your children are not in school, make sure they have something to occupy them while the workers are at home. Take them to sports, camping, plan activities for the day, etc. 

• Choose a playground. Make sure your child knows where they can and cannot be.

• Purchase additional baby gates to keep your younger children safe and out of the construction zone. 

5. Protect Your Pets

Just like your children, you need to set boundaries for your pets. Make sure they do not enter the construction zone to avoid injury or disturbance.

You're ready to tackle your kitchen renovation

When the going gets tough, remember that you can enjoy your beautiful new kitchen right now! Until then, try to keep your life as normal as possible. Plan ahead, cook whenever possible and try to minimize construction delays.

If living with construction is too much, you should rest. Take some time away from construction and let yourself heal mentally. Book a hotel in the city for the night, visit family or friends and allow yourself to eat out if necessary. It gets hectic, so use our kitchen renovation tips to find ways to help you through it.