When looking at how to get ready for a kitchen remodel, you might be perplexed about where to start. Our kitchens are one of the most used rooms in a home. It is a place we gather and cook together, where friends and family congregate, and holds an extraordinary place in our hearts.

Everyone has a different style and viewpoint when it comes to our kitchens. Some people want a kitchen set up as a chef's paradise. Others want a little less fancy and geared more towards the microwave ninja. Whatever your style, there are some things you need to learn about how to get ready for a kitchen remodel. We will go over those now and discuss things you should start with. We will go over the steps of what you should do and how to find the contractor to make your dreams come true.

Get a Pinterest Account

You might not see this step in other online resources discussing how to prepare for a kitchen remodel. But, trust us, it is a very important step. If you don't have a Pinterest account, make one. This will store all the things you like and don't like with the click of a mouse button. This will save it to a board you can share with your designer. Visuals are always a perfect way to show your designer what you want.    

This can be utilized on your phone or online. It really is super simple to use and set up. This saves your designer from guessing. If you have never used Pinterest in the past, watch a video online. It is simple and easy. Pinterest is also an excellent source for those looking at how to get ready for a kitchen remodel. Many boards have kitchen remodeling ideas and interesting layouts. If you find something on there, save it to your account to show your designer later.

Budget and Planning

Have you heard the expression to measure twice and cut once? The same is important in planning. You literally cannot over-plan. Some will start with a budget, and others will start finding what they like to learn their budget. Kitchen remodeling costs vary greatly. Much of it is the materials you choose, appliances, and the amount of plumbing and electrical involved in the project. If you are looking to keep costs down, maybe look at having your cabinets resurfaced. This will save you a lot of money, but it doesn't fix your kitchen layout. You will need to increase your budget if you want a total gut job and change the layout.

Your appliance and sink are something you should start with. This will help your designer later on in the process. The appliances you choose will significantly impact the rest of the layout. It's time to shop in this phase and find things you love and hate. Look around online at the various options. Pinterest is a great resource, as previously stated. As you find appliances you like, pin them to your appliances board so you can quickly reference the different ones with the click of a mouse for comparison. This allows you to shop and compare later, to make that final decision.

Choose a Designer

Finally, choose a designer to work with. This is an important step as not all kitchen designers are the same. A kitchen designer will know tricks that you will not. Kitchen designers, unlike contractors, will not be involved in the actual makeover. They are interior designers who design, style, layout, and find the materials for kitchen makeovers. Be sure that you share your Pinterest boards with them. This will be the springboard of their design ideas.

Check out your designer possibilities as thoroughly as you would a contractor. Look for local designers and read reviews about them online. Inquire with family and friends if they have worked with someone they would recommend. You want to be sure that your designer offers interior 3D rendering. This is a mock-up done on the computer, showing you exactly how your kitchen design will look when complete. This is a crucial step, as it will give you a visual. In this visual, you can see the layout and the flow of the kitchen.

Decide on a Temporary Kitchen Set Up & Clear Out the Old

This is a step that not everyone thinks about. You could be without a kitchen for a few days or weeks during a kitchen remodel. You'll need alternative methods of cooking. You should think about this ahead of time and prepare yourself. This could be setting up an outdoor kitchen with a grill and a cooktop. Or you could put a microwave on the kitchen table. Some people choose to eat out the entire time. How you go about meal preparation is up to you. You may also need to put the refrigerator in another location for the time being. This means you might have to move some furniture out of the way. This step doesn't necessarily have to be in this order of the process but certainly should be before your construction date.

You will also need to figure out where everything in your kitchen cabinets might go. Clearing out the cupboards is necessary during a complete kitchen to remodel. But, this step isn't as needed if you are only doing kitchen reface.

Finding Your Contractor

Deciding on your contractor is just as important as your designer. You want to find someone that you can trust and who is reliable. It is also essential that you do your due diligence and look at their online reputation. Find a contractor that specializes in kitchen remodels. If you don't have someone in mind and family and friends are not much help, you can always look online or ask your designer. The contractor will be responsible for tearing out the old kitchen and updating the electrical and plumbing. They will follow the design that your designer has provided. That's why it is so important to find a sound designer and have your Pinterest boards ready, so they can create the design you will love.

We hope you find these tips for dealing with a kitchen remodel helpful. Of course, there are many ways to go about this process. Being adequately prepared for what's ahead is super important. Remember, you can never over-plan. Should you have questions, ask your contractor or designer. After all, they work to tear out and reinstall kitchens all the time and will be able to answer them with ease.