Our Designers give their expert advice on what to do before you start your project.

1. START DREAMING

There’s no such thing as too many images! Start saving Instagram posts & create a Pinterest board of everything your dream remodel would have. This is a great jumping off point for a designer.

Make a list:

Non-negotiables: what MUST you have? What type of cabinetry would improve the function of your space? For a kitchen, trash & recycling pullouts, for a laundry, ironing board or hamper pullouts, bathrooms always function better with an accessory drawer that has electricity for styling items, etc.
Like to have: Would an appliance garage be feasible in the design? Where might you be able to put open shelving? Do you want to carry tile behind the vanity & up the wall behind the mirror?
Love to have: These are the complete splurges - 2 dishwashers? A beverage fridge, an island sink? Heated flooring in a bathroom?

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Often we underestimate the cost of things or forget the details that will add up. Your designer will be able to help guide you and let you know where to splurge and where to cut. Costs vary so much depending on where you live. Almost any budget is workable as long as you understand what you’d be getting. For example, with a $10,000 kitchen budget you’d likely be painting your existing cabinets, using butcher block for counters, and swapping out cabinet hardware. If you’re looking to change the footprint of your kitchen, open up walls, move plumbing, etc. a larger budget is more realistic.

Questions to ask yourself:

Where can I splurge and where can I cut? Do you need the $900 vanity light, or can you settle for the $99 copycat one so you can splurge on another area?
Have I thought through all the details & included all the costs? For example, maybe you calculated the budget for 1 slab and you need a 2nd for the island. A simple oversight like that could add $3000-$5000 to your budget.
Do I have a contingency fund? For example, if during demo they find mold or water damage, do you have budget to remediate this? When the walls get opened up, you never know what kind of electrical or plumbing issues are going to come up. We recommend saving at least 20% of the total project budget as contingency for surprises.

3. have no regrets

Do it right the first time & think about the big picture. Cutting corners on budget could lead to long term regrets - but carefully phasing out and creating a timeline can lend itself to an affordable remodel that happens over a period of time. For example, a client wanted to replace all their flooring before moving in, but revealed they’d be doing a kitchen remodel in 2 years. The kitchen remodel would change the footprint of the cabinets, so the flooring would have to be redone again. Thinking about long term goals and taking the time to plan will save you future headaches.

Questions to ask yourself:

Can you live with your current footprint, or will you regret it when the remodel is done? If you think you’d regret cutting corners, it might be worth it to save for another year and do it right the first time.
How do your rooms speak to each other? Is your kitchen connected to your family room, and if so, is the flooring different? It would make more sense to save up and replace all of the house flooring at the same time for a consistent look.
Is updating 1 space going to make the rest outdated? It might be worth exploring replacing all of the base, trim, doors, lighting, and hardware at the same time in order to create a cohesive overall look throughout the space.