| Renovating a kitchen can be a dusty and | | | | types of kitchen cabinets: stock, semi-custom and |
| inconvenient experience. Being prepared can make | | | | custom. Stock come in predetermined sizes so |
| it a little easier. In a previous article we looked at | | | | your space must be adaptable to the cabinets. |
| the pre-planning and planning stages of a kitchen | | | | Custom cabinets give you the ultimate in flexibility |
| renovation. This list considers the actual | | | | but are the most expensive. Depending on your |
| renovation schedule and what to expect (and be | | | | needs, budget and the kitchen company you |
| prepared for) during the renovation. | | | | choose, the kitchen cabinets may determine your |
| I. Demolition and Disposal: | | | | renovation's timeline. Some kitchen cabinets can |
| - Rent a dumpster and salvage reuseable | | | | take up to three months from the time of order |
| materials: If your kitchen cabinets, appliances, | | | | to delivery. Others are available the day you |
| sinks, and faucets, doors, trim and moulding are in | | | | order them (stock). |
| good shape but can't be reused for your | | | | - Installation of counter tops: Like the cabinets, |
| renovation, donate or sell them to a local salvage | | | | depending on the countertop you choose, it can |
| store, give them away on freecycle.org, or put | | | | take a few days to a few weeks to order. |
| them up for sale on craigslist.org. Your old building | | | | Functionality is key to the choice of a long lasting |
| materials will avoid landfill and save you dumpster | | | | countertop. Depending on the activity level in your |
| fees. | | | | kitchen, durability might be your top priority. Stone |
| II. Construction: early phase: | | | | is soft and can chip easily. It also needs to be |
| - Rough Framing: The outline of your new kitchen | | | | sealed on a regular basis. Alternative materials are |
| takes place during this phase. With the | | | | stone composite counter tops, made from stone |
| 2×4's going up, you may have difficulty | | | | chips mixed with an epoxy, stainless steel, quartz, |
| knowing where the doors and walls are placed. | | | | synthetic or engineered materials such as |
| Ask your contractor to give you a tour. | | | | Silestone and Corian as well as the budget |
| - Insulation: if you've stripped back to the studs, | | | | conscious laminate counter top. |
| now is the perfect time to upgrade the insulation; | | | | - Backsplash and tiles: A backsplash is installed |
| it will help lower your heating bills, and possibly get | | | | after the counter top, and can extend across the |
| you some grant money if your state or province | | | | entire counter top or just behind the stove |
| offers incentives for improving your home's | | | | depending on your budget. Another possibility is to |
| energy efficiency. | | | | spend a little more on the area behind the stove |
| - Electrical and technological wiring: As new wiring | | | | to make it a focal point with a design, and to use |
| is being installed behind the walls make sure | | | | plain, less expensive tiles on either side of the |
| you've thought about your computer, stereo, TV | | | | stove. |
| and security needs as well. While the walls are | | | | - Sinks and Faucets: Sinks and faucets range |
| open, install as many systems as you can afford, | | | | from budget conscious to top of the line |
| even if you don't think you'll use a computer or | | | | expensive. For faucets in particular getting a |
| stereo it's always good to have the wiring there. | | | | quality faucet will save you time and money in |
| Check with the electrical plan and confirm with the | | | | the long run. Higher quality internal parts means |
| electrician that there is plenty of task light, | | | | the faucets will last longer, not leak, and provide |
| overhead light and under-cabinet lighting planned. | | | | many more years of service than cheaper |
| - Plumbing and gaslines: Renovating is the perfect | | | | faucets. Sinks also provide an opportunity to |
| time to adjust any water pressure issues you | | | | spend a fortune. A simple basic stainless double |
| might have. Use the opportunity to increase | | | | sink is a good option for tight budgets -- high on |
| water pressure if you live in an old house with | | | | durability, low on cost. |
| poor pressure. If you've always wanted a gas | | | | - Flooring: choosing a floor can be another |
| stove, now is your opportunity to install one. Get | | | | overwhelming task. There are so many options |
| a quote before you make the decision though, | | | | and price points it makes it difficult to make a |
| extending a gas line can be expensive. | | | | decision. Consider your lifestyle and budget when |
| - Heating and Air Conditioning and over the stove | | | | choosing a floor. Tile is durable but hard on the |
| vents: Make sure the appropriate number of | | | | back and on little children. Linoleum and hardwood |
| vents, radiant heating coils, or radiators are placed | | | | are easy on the back if you're in the kitchen for |
| in the new space. If you are increasing the size of | | | | long periods of time, but hardwood in particular |
| your home, make sure your old furnace can heat | | | | can scratch easily. |
| the additional space. | | | | - Appliances: Appliances can consume up to half |
| III. Construction: middle phase: | | | | your kitchen renovation budget if you let them. |
| - Drywall: If you live in a town-home or condo | | | | Think about what you really need, do extensive |
| with neighbours above and below, now is a good | | | | online research, read reviews on and Consumer |
| time to improve your soundproofing. You can use | | | | Reports about the appliances you're interested in |
| a soundproofing drywall (such as Quietrock), | | | | purchasing. Then, go to the stores and speak |
| insulation. or two layers of drywall with a sound | | | | directly with sales people. Some stores are more |
| dispersal agent such as Green Glue in between. | | | | willing to bargain than others, and you'll have more |
| - Valances and Molding: Molding can make a newer | | | | bargaining power if you're buying a set. |
| home look like it's been in the neighbourhood for | | | | - Painting and wallpapering and window coverings: |
| years. It increases the charm of a kitchen if | | | | the final phase in your kitchen renovation. If |
| you're after a country or traditional look. If your | | | | you're not using an interior designer or decorator |
| kitchen is more of a modern or contemporary | | | | to help you choose the wall colour or paper, use |
| theme, molding will be simple if there is any at all. | | | | the expertise at a paint store. Take in samples of |
| Under-cabinet valances hide lighting components. | | | | your tile or counter top, maybe a photo of the |
| - Baseboards and Trim: Keep baseboards and trim | | | | space, describe the amount of light the area |
| consistent with the rest of the house. Make sure | | | | receives, and a good pain salesperson will be able |
| it is easily sourced before starting the project. If | | | | to give you some suggestions to take home. Try |
| not, keep old baseboard and trim and reuse in the | | | | a few testers before making a decision, and leave |
| new space. | | | | on the walls to see the colour change with the |
| IV. Construction: late phase: | | | | changes in light. |
| - Installation of kitchen cabinets: There are three | | | | |