Everyone has heard of a kitchen renovation horror story, where the kitchen company went AWOL half way through the build, the project went massively over budget or things just didn’t work.
If you’re about to embark on a new kitchen build, there are a few tips that can help make sure yours is a complete success.
Don’t accept the cheapest quote based on price alone. Choosing the cheapest offer for a kitchen installation may be appealing for your bank account, but in the long term it could be a bad decision. Poor quality materials, shoddy installation techniques and substandard plumbing work could end up costing more than the most expensive quote you received to start with. Make sure you look for referrals, reviews and examples of previous work from the company you’re considering.
Choose your appliances first. Before you design your kitchen, make sure you’ve picked all your appliances first, and give the specs to your kitchen company. The kitchen can then be designed to make sure they fit perfectly. It can be heartbreaking and expensive to have to pull out a beautiful stone bench top and start again because your stovetop won’t fit.
Go for practicality, not just looks. Many people select materials and finishes based on looks alone and don’t think about whether or not it’s suitable for their needs. Matt finishes, for example, are more durable than gloss, and may be a better choice for a family with young children. Think about the durability and lifespan of your kitchen as well as looks, so that you’re not replacing everything 6 months later.
Allow enough time. It’s not uncommon for people to expect their new kitchen will be up and running in a week or two at the most, where in reality, a renovation will need 6-10 weeks to complete. The pulling out and installation of the new kitchen may only take 2 weeks (a great time for a holiday!) but there is the planning, design, material to be ordered, delivery and appliances to organise before that. It’s important to set a realistic timeline for the completion of the job and work this into your budget, particularly if you are renovating the rest of your house too.
With proper planning, quality materials and a reputable kitchen installation company, you can avoid unnecessary mistakes that will cost you more money in the long run. Take a look at our gallery for some inspiration and contact our friendly Kitchen Consultants today on how to avoid these costly mistakes and to plan your dream kitchen.