Order of operations for kitchen remodel?

12 years ago

How many people do you need involved in a typical remodel? Someone to draw up plans, the designer, and then the contractor? I'm confused as to where to start. I need two walls taken down for my current project. Does the designer normally have these people on hand or should I find them? Thank you!

Featured Answer

PRO

User

12 years ago

First is the budget! It determines if you can manage to achieve the items on your wish list. Then comes the design and designer. Since you are doing several structural changes, a licensed and insured contractor also needs to become involved at this point. Most designers have referrals for that available. There will be quite a bit of back and forth at this point, because how the structural changes are handled will play a role in how the design can evolve. Neither is done in a vacuum from the other.

Once the design and structural alterations are decided on, then the permitting for the project and the ordering for the project can occur. Once you've received everything on site, then the demo can begin. Expect surprises during demo, and have a contingency budget to address them. No one has X-ray eyes to see the water damage behind the sink, or the termite damage on the corner post that holds the whole second floor up.

Unexpected costs and delays are just a part of any major reno, so develop a plan and a budget to be able to let them happen without too much worry. A temporary kitchen is just as an important consideration to the smoothness of the project as is that contingency fund.

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2014/ will help you to see what a major kitchen remodel averages in your locale. But, you are also doing structural changes that will take the costs beyond "average". Bear that in mind when allocating your budget. A lot of it will need to go to labor to do those changes that you want before ever thinking about the pretty stuff.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (20)

PRO
User
12 years ago
Designers usually have contractors that they work with and recommend
madisonct
12 years ago
I'm doing the same. I'm ordering kit cabinets from a "kitchen cab store" they will design and deliver cabinets - I need to find a installer, plumber & electrician. I will basically be the general contractor. The kitchen cab company can recommend installers, but they are not employed by the kit cab company. When the cabinets are ready, they will be delivered to my house and then I'm organizing -
Related Professionals
Jacksonville Interior Designers & Decorators · Hudson Interior Designers & Decorators · Middletown Architects & Building Designers · Eau Claire Architects & Building Designers · Phoenix Architects & Building Designers · Chula Vista Architects & Building Designers · Tacoma Architects & Building Designers · Louisville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · St. Louis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Greensboro Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Nashville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · San Marcos Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Des Moines Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Portland Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Gillette Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
PRO
Roberta Ann Interiors
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
The only problem that I see with you finding your own installer after the cabinets are ordered, is that the company is not going to be held responsible for any errors in measuring if there are some…you should really have both the installer and the cabinet maker hired at the same time and ask the installer to take a look at what you are ordering. Also, he should take a look at all of the specs of the appliances that will be used to be sure of a smooth and proper installation.
Rachel H
12 years ago
If you're confident in your own design/layout choices, I think you can skip the designer and save some money. If you've got the time and patience to GC your own project, you could skip the GC too but for a project as big as yours I'd probably NOT do that. I'd start with estimates from a handful of GCs. I've seen some that work with designers.
PRO
Roberta Ann Interiors
12 years ago
^all true!
PRO
Diane Kremer, ASID CID
12 years ago
Moving walls require permits, an Archietect to draw structural drawings, layout, lighting etc. And a team. Your team should be your architect, house designer or interior designer (if non structural work) first, they will help you get your contractor that has and will mange all the subs and pull permits. Then you purchase cabinets.
PRO
Hal Braswell Consulting
12 years ago
First and foremost determine if the walls you want to take down are loadbearing. If the wall is perpendicular to the roof trusses it is likely loadbearing. Don't take a chance; get expert opinion. If loadbearing you need architect or engineer and a contractor who is licensed and bonded. This will greatly impact your budget.
PRO
George Davis, Inc.
12 years ago
Many design build firms will handle everything including selling cabinets. They usually have a designer on staff and are knowledgeable enough to handle structural issues. If not they'll bring in a structural engineer. If you aren't planning on being your own GC this is the simplest option. Look for a design build firm that specializes in kitchen remodels.
smarterthandog
12 years ago
The remodeling chart was interesting, ProSource. But, $61,000 seems like a lot for a midrange major kitchen renovation. I guess it can add up!
PRO
Diane Kremer, ASID CID
12 years ago
In my area, the cabinets alone can be $61,000 or more. Kitchens are big ticket items especially with fancy appliances. If you are on a budget, it is key to invest in professionals upfront to ensure your design and scope are within your budget.
sixkeys
12 years ago
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I've never heard of $61,000 being a typical figure for cabinetry. I hope OP doesn't get discouraged. I picked a mid-range company and my cabinets for kitchen and two full baths will come in around $18,000 installed.

Back to the original question- I would think you start with either an architect or a contractor.
madisonct
12 years ago
Wow - may I ask what brand cabs you're getting? Good price
PRO
Laureen Wilder Designs
12 years ago
Getting in touch with a Designer is a good way to start a kitchen remodel. A Designer usually works in conjunction with a contractor as well as a kitchen and bath supplier who will install and supply the cabinetry. However, a Designer's eye is what's most important before any cabinetry or construction decisions are made. Choosing the right style and color of cabinets, backsplash, countertop and even handles are important. A Designer usually sees the big picture and can get the project put together before contractors or kitchen and bath suppliers begin.
PRO
George Davis, Inc.
12 years ago
As a kitchen designer, I've done kitchens for as little as $3,000 and as much as $130,000 just for the cabinets. The lower end is obviously the most basic small kitchen with no special features or accessories. The high end is fully custom, large kitchen with all the bells and whistles. I would say average is between $15,000 to $30,000 for your average size kitchen with a fair amount of accessories.
lilredwagon80
12 years ago
Deb, thanks for your clarity! From one hopeful remodeler to another, freyja38, I gotta say that there's a HUGE range of what people do. The price depends on where you are in the country, the size of your space, and what dreams you have for it. I get annoyed with averages. How useful is an average of 50, when the range is 25-75, or worse yet, 25-500, with a lot of 35s and a handful of 400-500s? You can be in the bottom of your range, or you could be in the top. Not everyone needs a Porsche. But some people want one and can afford it. I think the median might be a more helpful number. Just be diligent about finding someone or a team of someones who appreciates what you want to do and will work within that.
PRO
Brindisi Builders
12 years ago
We are a design build firm. We basically are as turnkey as the customer wants us to be. When we are supplying cabinets we do the design for free....and take full responsibility if a cabinet comes in and it's the wrong dimension. We also try to eliminate as many unknowns as possible. For instance before signing a contract we open up soffits, go under the house and, and to the best of our ability check to see it there are obvious signs of ductwork or plumbing running in the walls. If we feel the need to open a wall we do. Even without doing this I have enough structural knowledge to ballpark a realistic budget while I am in the house on the first appointment that includes costing for cabinets and countertops. I will often ask to see pics of kitchens a client likes so I know how elaborate the actual cabinet design could be.....basically tells me if it is going to be 15000 or 45000 in cabs.
I guess what I am saying is if you find the right firm you can get a lot of free info without spending a dime. At some point an architect is needed but that is really to just make everything buildable.....generally speaking anything can be done if you have the budget so try to get as much free info as you can before you commit to a designer, architect, or design build firm. Our clients have no monetary tie to us until well after contracting.
PRO
Diane Kremer, ASID CID
12 years ago
Cost for anything depends on so many variables, size, features, quality, quantity, where you are, design elements...that I agree that an average is not useful. If you dream of a high end kitchen with top of the line appliances, tons of features, accessories, staining, glazing, trims, island, granite tops, expensive tile backslashes, great lighting, etc and it is very large, I guarantee you it will not be $18,000. To be realistic, you can try for "free" information via trips to big box stores, kitchen companies, etc. which is really educating yourself so you can ask good questions. But without a plan and details to get like for like comparisons, you are just spinning your wheels. Invest in professional advice from a designer and then do your home work with a good plan in your hand. If you like a cabinet company stick with them and have them design the space since the cost of the design is usually part of the cost of the cabinets. Hate to see people think that they can use professional for free advice and then are disappointed when it costs more than they thought because that free advice did not cover everything they finally wanted. You get what you pay for. And in the long run, the investment is worth it.
sixkeys
12 years ago
Just to clarify, I did NOT say a kitchen remodel would cost $18,000 in my previous post. I was just talking about the cabinets. I finalized my cabinet order yesterday. The cost ended up being $15,500 installed and here is what I got: 16x10 kitchen, 8x3 island, master bath vanity, kids bath vanity, laundry sink cabinet, basement bathroom sink cabinet. All of the cabinets will be painted, so that was a 15% upcharge. I used the 2nd most simple door style, Shaker. I didn't do any inserts except trash in the kitchen. There will be super susan in the kitchen. I have very few upper cabinets. I did not use a big box store. Of course there are a ton of other costs (counters, appliances, flooring, tile, architecture.....etc), but my original point is that you can get nice looking cabinets for far less than $61,000.
PRO
Diane Kremer, ASID CID
12 years ago
Matter of opinion. If you are happy, that's all that counts.

Order of operations for kitchen remodel?

User

Comments (20)

User

madisonct

Related Professionals

Roberta Ann Interiors

Rachel H

Roberta Ann Interiors

Diane Kremer, ASID CID

Hal Braswell Consulting

George Davis, Inc.

smarterthandog

Diane Kremer, ASID CID

sixkeys

madisonct

Laureen Wilder Designs

George Davis, Inc.

lilredwagon80

Brindisi Builders

Diane Kremer, ASID CID

sixkeys

Diane Kremer, ASID CID

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US