Kitchen Remodeling in Livonia & Clarkston: The Questions Homeowners Need to Ask and Answer

Few home improvement projects update a room as fast as kitchen remodeling. Clarkston and Livonia homeowners looking for an instant interior facelift should strongly consider making a kitchen remodel a priority.But once they have made that decision, then what? What is the next step? How can they get started?Remodeling a Clarkston kitchen is a major project, so there are some questions that owners need to ask – and answer – before they continue.When owners can ask and answer the right questions about their Clarkston kitchen remodel, they avoid many of the missteps and problems that can complicate a successful kitchen renovation.

Question #1: What Are the Necessary Changes to the Kitchen?

It is important to establish a starting point for the kitchen to determine how far to take the renovation.Stand back and look at each feature in the kitchen:

• Backsplash
• Countertops
• Cabinets
• Shelves
• Sink
• Storage
• Paint and trim
• Windows
• And the list goes on…

A minor kitchen remodel that just requires a couple of modern touches here and there is relatively simple and can be accomplished in a day or two. These are usually relatively simple projects and do not require in-depth deconstruction of the space.On the other end of the spectrum, those who want an entirely new kitchen may have to rip everything out to the bare walls and start from nothing. If that is the case, they are looking at a major home improvement project that could take weeks and months to fully complete.

Question#2: What Are the Kitchen Remodeling Goals?

This is a question that owners will want to give some serious thought to because they have probably never thought about it in concrete terms.What does “updating a kitchen” mean personally, and why do they want to do it?For those who are trying to remodel a kitchen in Clarkston because they want to have the nicest home possible, and so they can enjoy it for years and years to come, that is one thing.But if they want to remodel the kitchen because they plan to sell the home in the near future, that's another consideration altogether.In either case, remodeling a kitchen in Clarkston is an investment where the returns are measured in overall satisfaction as a happy homeowner or added resale value when they put the home on the market.Knowing which of these is the true goal is how owners realize their greatest return on investment.

Question# 3: What Is the Budget?

This always must be one of the first questions owners answer, and they need to be as specific as possible. Starting a kitchen remodel and then running out of money before finishing could be a disastrous situation.Take some time to look at finances, so an accurate decision can be made about how much money to set aside or invest in a kitchen remodel.

Question# 4: How Much Time Should It Take?

As mentioned above, the duration of a Clarkson kitchen remodel takes depends on the size of the project. But the size of the project might well depend on how much time owners are willing to put in.A minor kitchen remodel that only takes a few days is kind of an adventure. Owners get to have the fun of finding creative ways to feed their families.But what happens when owners cannot use their kitchen for several days, or even weeks? Will they get tired of pizza and fast food? Are they OK with the constant presence of workers in the home until the project is completely finished?An owner’s time investment could also be much greater than just the duration of the project. For instance, how much personal involvement are they willing to have in the day-to-day tasks?The more complex and involved a kitchen remodeling in Clarkston project is, the more moving parts it will have -- daily projects and goals, ordering, deliveries, supervision, reporting, installation, permits, insurance… and the list goes on and on and on.

Question #5: What about Local Resources?

This might be the most important consideration of all.Kitchen remodeling in Clarkston requires the help of professionals – suppliers, installers, electricians, plumbers, etc., if the project is to stay on time and under budget.

• Do owners already have a full list of reputable kitchen remodeling pros?
• Do owners even know what supplies, forms, permits, tools, or equipment are necessary?

The best way to answer these questions is an honest admission about what owners do not know, so they can turn to trusted kitchen remodeling pros for guidance.

Answering Questions about Kitchen Remodeling

Livonia residents must work with a trusted kitchen remodeling partner. No matter where someone is in their home improvement journey, the right remodeling professional can guide them in the right direction, including:

• Initial consultation
• Project planning
• Cost estimates
• Ordering
• Installation
• Permits, licenses
• Financing
• Project management

When vetting potential kitchen remodeling partners, it is important to ask the right questions and compare the options.

• Licensing – Homeowners should ask whether the company is licensed and to see proof of licensure if they feel that it is warranted. It is never recommended to work with an unlicensed company.
• Insurance – Is the company insured? This is important because if they are not, any injuries sustained by the workers during the project could go against the homeowner’s insurance.
• References – Homeowners considering a remodeling project should always ask for references from potential remodelers and then follow up on them.

With a trusted remodeling company, the kitchen remodeling process will go much more smoothly, and the results will be more in line with what the homeowner expects.