4 Things to consider before starting your kitchen renovations

Are you wanting to start a kitchen renovation but not sure where to start? Maybe you’ve just purchased your first home or perhaps you have lived in the same house for several years and fancy a change. Whatever your current living situation if you feel it may be time for a kitchen renovation, consider these questions before starting your renovation journey. 

1. What is the size of the job? 

One thing to consider before starting your kitchen renovation is what type of renovation are you looking to complete and what you would like to achieve overall. Perhaps you only want to make a little change such as replacing the handles or getting a new sink or maybe you are wanting to do a complete refresh and get rid of everything to start again! 

The size and scope of the renovation will help you estimate how long the job could take and the potential costs, so it is important to determine this in the early stages. Whilst being in the early stages and deciding what type of renovation you would like to complete, it will be beneficial to search for a company that can provide a range of services to meet your needs, which will make your kitchen renovation quick and easy. Here at eKitchens our experienced designers can help you from the early planning stages to having your cabinets complete. Our designers can help bring your vision to life and ensure you are supplied with all the parts you will need. 

2. Is your current kitchen still in good condition?

Another thing to consider is whether your existing kitchen is still in good condition and doesn’t need completely replacing. To figure out whether this is the case, you will need to open your cabinet doors and look inside at the carcass material that your cabinets consist of. Make sure you look for any damage such as water damage, mould, snapped or sagging carcass material and even damage from insects or chemicals as these may all affect the structure of the cabinet. 

If you are unable to find any damage and you are happy with your carcass material condition, then you could look at replacing just the cabinet doors instead of ripping out your whole kitchen. Replacing the cabinet doors is a great way to create a completely new feel and give your kitchen that much-wanted refresh! A major positive with this option is replacing the cabinet doors is such a cost-effective option in comparison to a full renovation whilst still being able to create that new kitchen feel. You also have the added bonus of it being easier to complete as a DIY project which would eliminate the need for a cabinet maker/tradesman. 

3. How much money have you budgeted for the project?

A kitchen renovation is often dreaded by many homeowners because of its perceived high costs and the uncertainty of how much your project will cost you. In general, full kitchen remodels can range from $10,000 to $50,000, but those numbers can vary widely depending on the choices you make throughout your renovation. 

The question to ask yourself before beginning your kitchen renovation is how much you are willing to spend. This will help you determine whether a complete kitchen renovation is possible or whether you would be better off with small changes such as changing the handles and hardware. Perhaps you will be in the middle and want to change your kitchen cabinet doors as discussed above. 

A kitchen renovation can be a significant investment, there is no doubt about that, however, if you set a budget prior to planning your renovation, this can help guide your choices and allow you to work within your desired budget. 

4. Are you able to remove and install it yourself? 

When planning your kitchen renovation, you need to consider whether you will be doing the project DIY style or whether you need to hire a professional to complete the project for you. Sometimes this can depend on the size of the project, if you have decided to replace your kitchen cabinet doors and perhaps accessories such as handles then this is a job that can easily be done by yourself. To keep the costs down you can purchase flat packed cabinetry and install it yourself, there are lots of guides available to help you assemble your new cabinetry, so you don’t have to do it without any guidance. Another option is, hiring a professional to complete part of your job and then do the rest DIY, for example, you could hire a professional to remove your existing kitchen (as this can be challenging!) But then you could install your new kitchen yourself. 

Another thing to consider when deciding whether to enlist professional help or to do it yourself is to make sure your chosen option works within your budget. In order to do this, you could obtain some quotes from local Cabinet Makers and compare them to not only find the best-priced cabinet maker for you but also to determine whether it is possible to hire professional help within your budget and whether you can use them for your whole job or just part of it. 

If you’re ready to begin your kitchen renovation or want to talk through your options with an experienced designer, we can help! eKitchens has extensive experience in helping design and manufacture cabinetry for your kitchen renovation, we can also recommend local cabinet makers to help with your project. We have no modular sizes and customise your new cabinets to your exact measurements and requirements, meaning your new kitchen can be your perfect kitchen! 

Contact us today at (08)9456 3108 or sales@ekitchens.com.au  and start your journey to having your dream kitchen!