So you’ve made it through the design process for your kitchen renovation. Now, it’s finally time to bring your brand-new dream kitchen to life. If the prospect of living for weeks without your home’s hub—and food source—has you nervous, don’t fret. There’s plenty you can do to ease the inconveniences of a kitchen renovation. Read on for our tips.
Kitchen Renovation Prep Steps
Plan in Advance: Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor or project manager what to expect from the build process. Use their knowledge and experience to guide your preparation. They know the specifics of your project and will help you to foresee any potential challenges. At Valley Home Builders, we believe in communicating effectively and often—sometimes just knowing what to expect is enough to soothe pre-renovation nerves.
Anticipate Delays: Regardless of how well your design-build team has planned for your kitchen renovation, stuff happens. You can’t prevent every unexpected delay, but you can avoid disappointment by preparing to face changes to your timeline. Adapting to a later completion date will be easier if you never get too hung up on the original date. If the project finishes ahead of schedule, all the merrier!
Hide the China: During any project, our experienced build team at Valley Home Builders takes the protection of your home seriously. Any respectable contractor should do the same. But you’ll still need to pack accordingly before the work begins. Make sure your valuables are stored safely and away from the build site or any active footpaths or exits. (Pro tip: To make unpacking easier, label all your boxes as if you would when moving.)
Expect Things to Get Messy: Remodeling is a messy business. Although the Valley Home Builders team always does everything we can to prevent excess mess during the build process, some dust and minor debris is often inevitable. Fortunately, the mess is only temporary.
Create Your Back-Up Kitchen & Pantry: There’s no way to get around it: during a significant kitchen renovation, your lifestyle is going to be disrupted for a while. You’ll find the situation far more tolerable if you take the time to create a temporary kitchen elsewhere in your home. This is where you’ll set up small appliances like microwaves, toaster ovens, and coffee pots. Foldable card tables can act as both counter space and seating area. And clear plastic bins are a great way to store non-perishables. If you’re able, plan to plug your fridge in as close as possible to your new “cooking” space. A grill makes a great stove and oven alternative, too.
Make Utensils Accessible: Managing light cooking is only possible if you have access to your kitchen tools. When packing your kitchen, make sure to keep everyday cookware handy, like wooden spoons, spatulas, and measuring cups. The same goes for plateware and silverware. As for doing the dishes, a bathroom sink is a manageable option. But if you happen to have a laundry room or garage sink, you might find that preferable. And if you need to use disposable plates and utensils for a time, don’t worry: we won’t tell.
Plan for Cheap Eats Out: Avoid burnout from cooking in your makeshift kitchen by designating certain nights of the week for eating out. Determine healthy and inexpensive options in your neighborhood in advance, and make it a point to rotate frequently.
Keep Snacks Handy: Another way to avoid the inconveniences of your temporary kitchen is to keep an abundance of snacks available at all times. This is especially important if you have children. Keep a bin in the living room and the car for those times when you’re starving but don’t have the patience to cobble something together from your short-term kitchen area.
Skip Town: Depending on the length of your kitchen renovation, it may make sense to plan a weekend getaway or two. A few days away can do wonders for remodel-related stress. If you’re tired of the mess, staying in a hotel might be your best bet. If you’re desperate to cook, consider renting a home with its own chef’s kitchen for a real treat.
Get Excited: In those moments when the stress of your dismantled kitchen weighs on you the most, remember what you’re working towards. Reminding yourself of the excitement you felt when you first decided to remodel your kitchen will help you keep your eye on the prize!
See some of Valley Home Builders kitchen remodels below:
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