PLAN YOUR PROJECT

Educate

The Design Specialist is available to work closely with our client to guide them through the entire process. An experienced designer can make all the difference when planning a project. There are rules of design and personal experience that the designer can educate the client about so that the finished plan is efficient, beautiful and most importantly, correct. Any ideas or pieces the client wants to include, should be shared with the designer so that whenever possible, all the elements on the want and wish list are included.

Please refer to the following workbook so that this very important information is noted and included in your meeting with the designer and the process can begin. Complete the book to the best of  your ability. If you have questions or are not sure how to answer any part of the workbook, that’s fine, bring it to your design appointment, we will help you through it.

Organize & Prepare

Before you remodel your kitchen or bathroom, make a checklist of major and minor problems and keep notes of the features you like and dislike. This way, when it comes time to sit down with your designer, they’ll know exactly how to suit your needs, taste and style. Start by thinking about the details in your kitchen and what you’d like to either keep or change in your remodeled room. Use the checklist below for a remodel and indicate what you would like to change, and make any special notes that will help your designer. You may have questions, or you may be unable to complete the workbook, that’s fine, bring it back to your designer. If there’s crucial information missing, your designer can help you through the process.

Budget

We offer a wide variety of options, from fundamental remodeling packages to full custom creations. The Selection Center is a streamlined, current offering of colors, styles, textures, and design elements mostly in sample form. This, coupled with our professional design software, enables our clients to visualize their space with all new finishes. By adopting this format we can create a truly visual and interactive experience while saving time, money, and confusion for our clients.

A realistic budget number is the foundation for the entire remodeling project. Without a budget, the likelihood of running out of funds during the remodel or going into debt is probable.  Also, there is no gauge for the contractor and designer to base selections on.  For example, cabinet construction upgrades, installed accessories and specialty finishes can add thousands of dollars to the price of a kitchen.  When the client’s budget does not allow for this increase, a design specialist will be aware of this and will offer other suggestions that might be a good alternative.  Sharing the budget allowance is not so the designer can use every dollar.  Instead, they can model a project more accurately and creatively without breaking the budget with expensive upgrades. We are experienced with modeling these rooms and saving cost whenever necessary to adhere to our client’s wishes.

Tips to help plan your budget:

•  Plan far ahead for the remodel. The The National Kitchen and Bath Association suggests 6 months in advance of the desired start.  

• Take the time to explore several options and features before making any decisions. Read the product reviews and investigate performance data on items such as kitchen appliances, and toilets in the bathroom.

• Compile pictures of desired fixtures, faucets, tile, flooring, etc. and pricing for items desired in the new space. Doing this will provide an estimate for major fixtures, trims and faucets for the budget. 

•  When possible, demolish and dispose of your old cabinets, fixtures and flooring yourself. This will save some of the remodeling cost that would normally be part of the construction contract.

•  Consider salvaging and re-installing existing kitchen & bath elements. To save on the budget, an existing refrigerator, microwave or stove might be in good condition and can be reused in the new design. Consult your designer about reusing cabinet hardware, furniture or millwork pieces that may transition into the design as well.

 Breaking down the budget into individual sections and labeling each with a percentage of the total budget helps identify a realistic budget number and the client now can look at products that will be affordable and appropriate in their price range. The professionals at Cabinet Styles have products preselected in various price ranges to give the prospective client an idea of what’s possible within the budgeted amount. We group these together into a package price that will reflect the proper pricing for the client’s budget.

Expect a portion of the budget to go toward incidentals or ‘the safety net’. These are unseen or unexpected situations or purchases needed during the remodel. Depending on budget calculators from different remodeling companies, this percentage ranges from 15%-30%.  Some examples of an incidental are a pipe, drain or vent in a wall being demolished, rot on a floor, wall or ceiling and mold or contaminates that may require remediation.  If any issues arise that were unknown prior to demolition, it’s a good strategy to have some of the budget allocated for these situations. When the remodel is completed, the change order may add to the contract price, but the  budget has already considered this expense.

The Calculator is a helpful tool for estimating products and labor costs and an indicator to whether the project can be done for the budgeted amount. A homeowner can identify the questionable areas so that together, with their contractor and designer, adjustments can be discussed to remedy the overages or if under budget, a better solution can now be afforded.

Complete the Budget Calculator Worksheet in this section to get an idea of what it will cost to remodel

your kitchen or bathroom!