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The Ultimate Kitchen Renovation Checklist: How To Prepare
Interested in remodeling your cooking space? We've broken down the most important prep work to do before construction in this handy kitchen renovation checklist. Read on and get ready for the ultimate makeover.
What Belongs On Your Kitchen Renovation Checklist?
Is your kitchen feeling outdated or in need of a visual refresh? Then perhaps you're considering a full kitchen renovation. Whether or not you want a whole new suite of appliances, new cabinetry or new counters, projects this big require a good amount of preparation. And this preparation is not just to support the contractors and workers, it's also for you. To lose access to your kitchen, even if only for a few weeks, can take a toll on your routine and lifestyle. Put yourself and your project manager in the best position possible by running through our kitchen renovation checklist. With our help, you'll be more than ready to build the kitchen of your dreams (minus hiccups or delays).
Before Demolition Begins
Whether you've hired a contractor or are choosing to DIY your kitchen renovation, developing a plan should always be the first step of your kitchen renovation checklist. The first thing a homeowner can do before reaching out to professionals is brainstorm remodeling ideas or create a mood board (Pinterest is a great tool for inspiration). Giving your kitchen the ultimate makeover cannot be accomplished without a vision. Plus, focusing on the outcome rather than the process will keep you motivated throughout construction. Save photos, read through blogs, grab color swatches, add kitchen accessories to your shopping list. Whatever helps you color in the bigger picture is best. If you don't have an eye for renovation or interior design, consulting with an architect or designer could be on your kitchen renovation checklist. While this may cost you some additional cash, a full kitchen renovation is a task one only wants to do once, so getting it right the first time is key. When the time comes to pick and choose your ideal appliances, be sure to take precise measurements of each opening and wall in your kitchen to ensure a perfect fit. Should you need to make budget adjustments, you should also have backup options for tile, cabinets, hardware and appliances, just in case costs need to be cut.
So, when should you call in a professional for your remodel? If your kitchen renovation checklist requires moving pipes, gas lines or walls, a contractor is the right way to go. (You'll need permits for this type of work.) The same goes for a dream remodel that requires extensive electrical work. Anything deeper than surface-level, cosmetic kitchen fixes should be directed to the experts, if only to ensure that everything is installed and built correctly. Upon hiring your contractor or project manager, sitting down to discuss everything is key. Ask all of your questions, discuss the construction expectations, budget, logistics and more. The construction timeline is one of the most important things to clarify upfront. The timeline for basic kitchen renovations ranges anywhere from four to six weeks. Large kitchen remodels, on the other hand, can take as long as three months. While sharing your design ideas with your contractor will help them prepare for the proper remodeling steps, your contractor sharing the timeline will help you prepare for the weeks you'll be going without a usable kitchen. You should also discuss any permits or inspections you may need, as well as look at specific building codes. This may be a blind spot for most homeowners upon drafting their kitchen renovation checklist, so be sure to double-check what you do and don't need with your contractor before beginning construction.
Budgeting For Your Future Kitchen Renovation
While drafting a budget is part of the planning process above, it's one of the most important parts of the kitchen renovation checklist and therefore needs its own section for discussion. The truth is, home remodeling is never a cheap task. If you're curious for a more in-depth look at the price, check out our article on how much a kitchen redo costs. The more you upgrade in the kitchen, the larger your budget should be. It's important to not only come up with a total budget, but a rough estimate for each renovation task on the to-do list, including labor costs. As you explore all your cabinet, appliance, flooring, lighting and plumbing options, it will naturally begin a conversation of which upgrades to prioritize first. You may even find a few things to take off the list to save some money. It's important to note that projects like plumbing and lighting might be a better fit for a professional, as you don't want your untrained hands to cause permanent damage to water or electrical lines. Other easier kitchen renovation checklist items, however, can become DIY projects, if you're up for the challenge. These days, there are plenty of home remodeling tutorial videos (plus Abt has plenty of how-to articles full of DIY resources).
Gather All The Supplies You Need
So what tools and other supplies will you need to prepare for your kitchen renovation checklist? First, consider all the packing and cleaning that must happen before construction begins. Here are our top recommendations so you can efficiently ready your kitchen for a complete remodel:
- Cardboard boxes
- Plastic storage bins
- Spare newspaper or bubble wrap for wrapping fragile items
- Plastic bags in varying sizes
- Packing/masking tape
- Tarps or plastic sheeting
- Labels and markers
- Garbage bags
- A broom & dustpan
- A vacuum or shop vac
Organizing, Packing & Cleaning
The most taxing part of any kitchen renovation checklist is the physical labor required before construction. You have small kitchen appliances sitting on your counters and food stored in all the cabinets. Perhaps you have wall art or a china cabinet as well. Leaving the whole room untouched is not an ideal setup for the workers doing the renovation. Just as a painter would approach a blank canvas, you want to provide a clean slate for them to work with. Especially because not doing so will prolong the time spent on the remodel. What are all the things you need to do before beginning a remodel? Here's our pre-construction kitchen renovation checklist:
- Emptying a whole entire kitchen can be overwhelming, especially if you've lived in the same home for years. Before boxing anything up, we recommend emptying as many cabinets and appliances as possible and laying out all of your belongings in areas where you can see them. This task on our kitchen renovation checklist will allow you to take stock of everything you own before you pack, donate or trash anything. Try to be as honest with yourself as possible; there's no better time than a kitchen renovation to declutter and get rid of things that have been sitting unused for years. If there's anything large that you plan on holding onto (appliances, faucets, light fixtures, cabinetry), be sure to let your contractor or project manager know so these items can be saved/skipped during demolition.
- Once you've organized what you're keeping, donating and trashing, we suggest first boxing up the food, kitchen tools and small appliances you think you'll need or want handy during the renovation. If you're curious about what types of items will be useful during a remodel like this one, read more in the "temporary kitchen" section of our kitchen renovation checklist.
- We'll first focus on the things you're keeping and packing. When it comes to food, typically nonperishable items like canned goods and boxed foods can be packed away. This includes pasta noodles, soups, sauces, baking supplies, spices and cooking oils. Specialty kitchen items like platters, holiday serveware, punchbowls and bakeware can be stored away as well, as it's unlikely you'll be needing anything like this for the next few weeks. Glass and ceramic dinnerware must be stored very carefully. This is a great time to put the bubble wrap and newspaper to use. While your kitchen renovation will be short-term, delicate items like these can get easily broken in the process of moving everything out of the cabinets. We recommend securely wrapping each item individually. As you finish filling boxes, we also suggest labeling or color coding them. This will make unpacking and organizing in your new kitchen much easier.
- Collect any items or belongings that are broken, outdated or go completely unused. If you have a hard time letting go of things you own, you can even invite a friend or family member over to act as an unbiased, third-party opinion. Any unsalvageable items should be tossed in the trash. If you have larger items to throw out that will not fit in a standard trash can, rent a dumpster. However, if there's something you no longer want but it's in good condition, you can also donate. If you have room in your car, these boxes and bags can be dropped off at your local thrift store. You can also make arrangements with organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore to come by your home and pick up larger items.
- At this point in your kitchen renovation checklist, your entire cooking space should be fairly empty. But there are still going to be plenty of other things in the surrounding area that are meant to be left untouched. We recommend covering things like furniture, art and other important belongings with tarps or plastic sheeting. This will protect them from dirt, dust and other debris that often comes along with kitchen renovation. You can even seal the kitchen off from the rest of the house using this plastic sheeting.
Disconnecting Your Appliances
Regardless of whether or not you're upgrading all of your appliances, everything in the kitchen should be disconnected. This kitchen renovation checklist item will make it easier for your installers and carpenters to remove your old machines and bring in the new. Plus, disconnecting all of your appliances can make it safer for your workers to adjust and upgrade as necessary. The next steps are truly dependent on what is and is not being remodeled and replaced. Disconnect your range and any other appliances that utilize the electricity line or gas line. Disconnect the drain pipes and water source from appliances like your refrigerator, your dishwasher and the sink. You can also disconnect the electricity, gas or plumbing for your whole kitchen entirely. No one wants to be responsible for injuries, damaged products or damaged lines.
Clean What's Left Behind
So you've crossed emptying your cooking space off your kitchen renovation checklist. The appliances are moved from their original spots and your cabinets and drawers are empty. The truth is, your cabinets, drawers and floors have probably not been empty or uncovered in a long time. And since a kitchen is used multiple times every day, it naturally builds up dirt, dust and grime. No matter how frequently you keep up with your cleaning routine, there are simply some corners of your home you don't get access to every day (especially under heavy appliances). The time to clean it is now. Collect your trash bins, brooms, dustpans, vacuum or shop vac and make each surface as good as new. Yes, installing new cabinets, counters or appliances creates sawdust and other debris that you'll need to clean as well. But you don't want existing dirt that's been possibly sitting in your home for years to continue going untouched. One cleaning session before the kitchen renovation and one after it's complete should do the job.
Clear A Path For Abt Installers
If you're having your new appliances delivered and installed by professionals from Abt or another company, it's important to not only knock cleaning your cooking space off your kitchen renovation checklist, but your entire home in general. Or, just the spaces that the workers will have to pass through in order to get your product to its final location. Any hallways or rooms that fall within the natural path must be cleared. Remove furniture and personal items from the floors and walls. Try to include wall art and framed photos too, so you can prevent them from getting damaged or falling throughout the process. While none of these items need to be stored away, as they won't interfere with the kitchen renovation, they should be put elsewhere until the professionals have left.
Take Precautions To Protect Your Pets
If you're a pet owner, this next kitchen renovation checklist item is for you. Pet owners already know how dogs, cats and other animals love to roam the house freely. Your home is also your pet's home, so it's natural for them to consider it their "territory". So when workers enter your home for demolition and construction, your pets don't know any better. That's why taking steps to protect your pets and the workers from any accidental injury is a top priority. Also, throughout the appliance delivery and installation process, the workers may leave your front door open so they can move in and out easily. If your pets are left to roam free, they could get out of the house and get lost or run away. We suggest finding another room in the home for them to stay and lounge while the team is actively working. Be sure to put food, water, pet beds and toys in there too so they have everything they need in one secure location. If your pet is on the sneakier side and they always somehow manage to escape any room you keep them in, perhaps finding a pet sitter or pet boarding is a better option.
Build Yourself A Temporary, Makeshift Kitchen
Near the beginning of our kitchen renovation checklist, we mentioned that remodels can sometimes take weeks or even months. If this is the case, homeowners need to also prepare to cook and eat without a full kitchen at their disposal. This is why creating a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house the next item on our kitchen renovation checklist (and it's highly recommended). First, choose an area in the home, preferably a more open space, that has enough room for you and other family members to cook (bonus if there's already a sink or trash can). Then, we recommend putting the packed food that you tend to eat most in said room. Interested in storing cold food too? Since you won't have a full-size refrigerator unit available for your use, we recommend an outdoor-friendly refrigerator for your garage or a mini fridge for indoors. Ideally, during this kitchen renovation, you want to choose meals that are fast and easy to prepare. Keep compact appliances like microwaves and air fryers handy. You can use tools like hot plates, instant pots and electric griddles for cooking purposes too. If you're a coffee drinker, you can even consider investing in a smaller coffee maker that's compatible with pods or K-cups. No matter what you end up cooking or brewing, you'll want disposable plates, cups and cutlery available, as you won't have a dishwasher to clean your dinnerware and silverware for you. You should also set aside food storage containers, plastic bags, plastic wrap and foil for any leftovers you want to keep and eat. And if you do end up cooking in your temporary kitchen, you'll want cleaning supplies on hand just in case.
Get Ready To Complete Your Kitchen Renovation Checklist
If you've read through all the steps in our kitchen renovation checklist, then you've definitely put your best foot forward to begin demolition and construction as soon as possible. We're sure each laborer on your team will be grateful for your efficiency too! Now that your home is set up for the ultimate makeover, you're probably in need of some high-quality kitchen appliances and gear to help fill the space. Not sure what would fit best within your home aesthetic? Explore our kitchen appliance package buying guide to learn about the advantages of our top-notch kitchen bundles. You can also send an inquiry to our custom kitchen team. These Abt experts can give you a unique in-home estimate, help you choose the luxury products that best fit your needs and install it all too. Any additional questions about our kitchen renovation checklist can be directed to our specialists at 800-860-3577.
Kitchen Renovation FAQs
How much does a kitchen renovation cost?
The cost of a kitchen renovation depends on where you live, the size of your kitchen and the materials and appliances you choose. A kitchen renovation can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 and above.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
The time it takes to complete a kitchen renovation depends on your schedule and the stock status of the items you've chosen. Typically, a kitchen renovation can take 6 to 12 weeks.
Do I need a building permit for a kitchen renovation?
Structural work, like moving walls, adding windows or changing the ceiling height, requires a building permit. A general contractor or other licensed professional won't complete the work without the appropriate permits. We recommend reaching out to your local regulatory body to secure any required permits.
