A KITCHEN YOU CAN BEPROUD OF WITHOUTBREAKING THE BANK

THE GUIDE YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE

HOW TO PLAN & DESIGN

BY UDI YEGERPLANET CABINETS

BY UDI YEGER PLANET CABINETS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

How to Choose the Best Design Build   

 Company for You

Setting Your Kitchen Goals

Setting Your Project Budget

Understanding the Design-Build

Process: a Step-By-Step Guide

Being Smart about Your Budget:

Where to Spend, Where to Save

How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel

Cost? Three Design Scenarios

    The Kitchen Facelift

    The Update and Upgrade

   The Custom Chef's Kitchen

Conclusion

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INTRODUCTION

Your kitchen holds as much symbolicmeaning as it does practical utility. Thekitchen is the room where your familycomes together to share a meal, whereyou entertain friends and relatives duringthe holidays, where the kids spread outtheir homework assignments, and whereyou prepare food for the people you love.

You may have heard the term "kitchenssell houses," and that is very true.However, kitchens can also dramaticallyaffect the way you interact with yourhome, regardless of whether or not youhave plans to put it on the market.

Given the importance of this room, it's nosurprise that most people want to put alot of thought, strategy, and planning intotheir kitchen renovation. A good kitchenwill fit perfectly with your lifestyle.

An excellent place to start when thinkingabout improvements is to consider thepros and cons of your current layout.What works, and what doesn't? What doyou like or dislike?

Functionality and aesthetics should haveequal weight when planning your newkitchen. Naturally, you will want thisupdated space to look beautiful, inviting,well-organized, and in line with your style.However, it is important to rememberthat utility and ergonomics also play ahuge role in how you will interact withyour kitchen.

There are so many aspects to consider andplan carefully. Cabinets, countertops, flooring,tile, appliances, lighting, dining space, etc. Itcan be overwhelming for the average personto take on by themselves, which is why weprepared this guide.

Choosing the correct design-build companycan make all the difference. You will beworking with designers, contractors, andother field experts to make sure that you canset appropriate goals, and ultimately meetthem.

Make no mistake, a kitchen renovation is atremendous job, even if you are working witha relatively small space, or just looking tofreshen things up a bit. The job will be asdisruptive as it is exciting and as costly as it iseducational.

However, at the end of this process, you willhave a beautiful, functional, updated,organized, and ergonomic space aroundwhich your entire life and family revolves.Given that level of importance, it's vital thatyou work with the right people.

This guide will take you through the processof setting goals, and ultimately planning outyour updated kitchen. We will go overconsiderations such as budget, and we willlook at a few different remodeling scenariosto help give you an idea of what your specificremodeling project may look like.

In short, this guide is meant to be a primeron all things related to kitchen remodeling.

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DESIGN BUILD COMPANY FOR YOU

Some people start out their kitchenremodeling project thinking that they canhandle the bulk of the work themselves.Depending on your level of experiencewith construction, that may be true.However, even the most experienced DIYenthusiast often gets to a point wherethey realize they're going to need to call inthe professionals.

Remember, a kitchen remodel is morethan solely replacing the floor, or hangingsome new cabinets. A full kitchenremodels will include highly specializedjobs such as electrical work, plumbing,demolition, tiling, and in some caseschanging the layout of the entire firstfloor.

Some people don't realize that a fullkitchen remodeling project requiresmunicipal permits, professionalinspections, and potentially evenappearing before a local planning boardto petition for this project.

These are the situations where a trusted,experienced, licensed, bonded, andinsured professional can shine. You canfind DIY horror stories everywhere.

Hundreds of well-meaning homeownershave accidentally punctured a water line,removed a load-bearing wall, or caused anelectrical short in pursuit of their newkitchen. 

Know your limits, and know your localmunicipality's regulations. In the vastmajority of cases, it is better to turn thebulk of the work over to a professional.

Of course, professionals can offer expertisebeyond manual labor. Your design-buildcompany will be able to recommend betterlayouts, appropriate appliances, andbuilding materials that will work best withyour unique situation.

They will be able to take both your practicaland aesthetic needs into consideration andcome up with a plan that falls within yourbudget.

As you begin investigating local design-build companies, there are a few thingsyou want to keep in mind. Firstly, makesure that they are making use of high-quality materials, and paying attention tosmall details.

A reliable design-build company will offeryou a portfolio of their prior work, and willalso be able to produce a list of references.They should be able to tell you about theexperience, education, and background ofeach of their employees. This is somethingyou will want to know, mainly because youwill be letting these workers into yourhome.

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A reliable company will be able to walkyou through a timeline of theremodeling process, and how it willaffect your home. They should be ableto show you similar projects they havecompleted before, and provide you witha list of appropriate milestones.

You should get the sense that thedesign-build company you areconsidering is very experienced, andtherefore knows exactly what to expectfor your project.

As mentioned in the introduction, akitchen remodeling project can be verydisruptive to your home. Make sure thefirm you choose to work with seems tobe understanding and compassionateabout this.

Bring up any special situations suchas young children with nap times,adults working from home, or anyplanned vacations where you maybe unavailable for a number of days.Ask about their policies on noise anddust control inside your home.

Ideally, you are looking for acompany which can provide theleast amount of inconvenience forthe highest quality work. Make surethat this company can provide youwith a wide range of options andprice points on high quality, durablematerials. 

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SETTING GOALS

Once you are confident that you havechosen the best design-buildcompany for you, it's time to beginplanning. 

The best place to start is by sittingdown with your design-buildcompany and setting appropriategoals. When setting your goals, besure to remember the followingfactors which can have an impact onyour project's design and budget.

They should look at your existinglayout, or potential new layouts, andmaximize the end result of each. Theyshould be considering things like yourfood preparation needs, the "worktriangle," of refrigerator – sink – oven,ease of movement through the space,and of course, the best layout optionsfor your budget.. 

Existing Kitchen Layout Sometimes, the reason your kitchen ismost in need of renovation is itscurrent layout. If that is the case, it ishighly recommended that you workwith a trusted design-build companyto help you either relocate yourkitchen or expand the existingfootprint.

Of course, this will be a vastly moreexpensive option than working withinthe existing footprint. Whether youare looking to go big or small for thisrenovation, your design-buildcompany should be able to presentyou with the best possible option foreither scenario. 

Infrastructure People living in older homessometimes begin running into issuesafter the remodeling project hasstarted. Sometimes, electrical,plumbing or other mechanicalproblems are not discovered until oldappliances and fittings have beenremoved.

This is another reason to considerleaving some of the more intricatework to the professionals. You mayfeel confident swapping out one sinkfor another, but what do you intend todo if you discover a more significantproblem halfway through thatproject? 

A good design-build company willthoroughly assess your existinginfrastructure to make sure it canaccommodate things like updatedlighting, appliances, and technology.Older homes sometimes also run intoproblems like mold, dry rot, or eveninsect damage. 

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Your design-build company should havecontingencies in place to not only addressthese problems but to effectively reallocateyour budget to address the issues and stillget you a beautiful, brand-new kitchen.

Many smaller kitchens need to make everysquare inch of space count. Working withdesign-build professionals on maximizingyour smaller space can do wonders forincreasing utility and ease of use in yourkitchen.

However, even larger kitchens need toavoid the temptation to cram too manythings into their existing square footage. Itcan become cramped if things areoverdone.

Bring up all of your concerns to yourdesign team: prep space, walking space,higher capacity appliances, dining space,storage, etc. Let them work with you tocome up with a solution that both looksterrific, and addresses each of these issues.

These four elements all have an essentialrole to play in the final project. The reasonit is so important to consider theseelements specifically is that they will havethe most significant impact on what youdo or do not add to your new kitchen.

The more planning you can do ahead oftime, and the more questions you cananswer before the project begins, thesmoother the renovation process willultimately go.

Anyone who has ever remodeled theirkitchen before can tell you that it issometimes a very humbling andeducational experience. You may havegone into this project envisioning two orthree "must-have" items, but very quicklyrealized that they would eat up themajority of your budget.

Working with trusted design professionalscan help you set realistic expectations andgoals, while still getting you a beautiful,functional new space.

Lifestyle How does your family interact with thekitchen? What are your goals for how thespace will be used?

For instance, the family with five childrenwill have needs for higher capacityappliances, and an expanded seating area.On the other hand, a young professionalcouple in the city is probably more drawnto an attractive, entertaining space, andextra features like built-in wine storage.

The point is, no two families have the sameneeds, and they, therefore, should not havethe same kitchen. It is best to sit down withthe design-build professionals and helpthem get a firm understanding of yourlifestyle. The more needs they cananticipate, the more perfect your newkitchen will be. 

It can be easy to get hung up on onesolution that solves one problem, butremember to be flexible. Be open to ideasand features you may not have considered,but that still directly address your wantsand needs.

Square footage

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As a general rule of thumb, most professionalsrecommend a kitchen renovation budget thatis equal to between 10% and 25% of youroverall home value. Come up with a numberyou are comfortable with spending, and thenstick to it at all costs.

One of the fastest ways to go over your budgetis to begin changing your mind once theproject is already underway. This is anotherplace where working with design professionalscan help. If you have carefully gone over all ofyour options, explored all materials, fixtures,and appliances ahead of time, you're not aslikely to run into a new idea part way throughyour renovation.

Kitchens often help homeowners receive a return on investment, should they everget to a place where they want to list their home on the market. Every situation willbe different, and for each family, there is the possibility of spending too much, or eventoo little on a kitchen renovation.

Working with a design-build company will help you come to a better understandingof your home's value, and the way your new kitchen design can affect it. They canhelp keep you within a reasonable budget so that you are more likely to see thatreturn on investment.

If you are renovating your kitchen specifically to list your home on the market, it willbe a good idea to work with some real estate professionals. They can give you a bettersense of what comparable homes in the area cost, what their kitchens look like, andwhat you need to change to remain competitive.

Of course, it's not all about dollars and cents when it comes to kitchen renovations. Itcan be a quality-of-life issue for you and your family. If you plan on staying in yourhome, or at least have no immediate plans to move, be sure to incorporate your styleand personality into your new kitchen. You'll never regret making much-neededimprovements to your home.

SETTING YOUR PROJECT BUDGET

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By working with your design-build team, youwill come up with a list of priorities for yourproject. Based on this list, the company willprovide you with some cost ranges to getthings started. Almost every aspect of thedesign process can affect costs eitherpositively or negatively.

Your design-build company should be able tooffer you alternatives that help you get nearlyeverything you want, without overshootingyour budget. For instance, maybe instead ofporcelain tile flooring, you're able to find highquality, textured laminate which resemblesthat look for a fraction of the cost.

As you continue to refine your design, yourbudget will change a bit each time. The criticalthing to remember is that each time a newdesign is presented, a new budget shouldaccompany that design.

You should understand your costs every stepof the way, and there should be absolutely nosurprises. Open communication is vital, andyou and your design-build company should beon the same page in regards to final cost.

Determining a Final Cost

Initial Consultation Meeting During this meeting with a design-build firm,the goal is to let you know whether or not theplan you have in mind is feasible. (This may bethe meeting where you may discover that thecountertops you fell in love with will put youthousands of dollars over budget.)

The designers and builders should listen toyour list of goals, take a look at your existingsetup, and talk openly about what you werehoping to spend. The goal here is to getacquainted with the new company, for themto get acquainted with you, and to find out ifthey are the right fit.

Proposal PresentationMeeting The purpose of this meeting is todiscuss your vision for your renovatedkitchen, and for the design-buildcompany to present their plan forhelping you achieve your final goals.This is where you will be able todiscuss specific design concepts andbegin getting down to the nitty-grittyof construction and budget range.

Discovery & Budgeting Phase This step is where you and thedesign-build company get to knowone another. They'll take a look at yourkitchen as it exists right now, takedown a list of your goals, and take aclose look at any pictures you havebrought along as inspiration.

They will begin to develop a roughconcept plan and give you an idea ofthe scope of the project you arelooking at. It will also be able to giveyou some idea of whether or not thisplan will fall within your budget.

UNDERSTANDING THE DESIGN PROCESS A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Design Development withBudgeting This stage is where the more delicatedetails begin to emerge as they pertainto both design and budget. Specificfixtures and materials will be selectedand confirmed, and the constructionteam will come out for an on-site visit.This will help to verify the scope of thework and can help pinpoint a moredetailed budget.

Schematic Designs and Further Budgeting During this stage, a more concrete vision is beginning to come together. You shouldbe given an overview of the project timeline and an approximate budget.

The budget should break down expenses such as challenges, work areas, andopportunities. At this time, you will most likely be asked to make a constructioncommitment if you are happy with the plan.

Final Construction Agreementand Confirmed Costs By this stage, the design plan iscomplete. A construction contract willbe finalized, and this document willinclude your design plans, paymentschedule, a written description of thework to be done, and a constructionschedule.

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Now for the fun stuff!

After spending all that time mappingout your priorities and planning yourbudget, you finally get to dive in andbegin picking all the beautiful aspectsof your new kitchen which will make ityours. It means that it is time to breakout those Pinterest boards, catalogpictures and snapshots on yoursmartphone, and begin putting themall together.

Your design team will begin workingwith you to take all these great ideasand turn them into a formal designplan. You will receive space plans,sketches, and schematics, all of whichwill help you visualize the finishedrenovation precisely the way you wantit.

Sure, you're probably ready to finalizeyour choices for countertops, fixtures,and appliances, but try to be patientthrough this planning phase.

The reason? Your design team will besending you valuable informationthroughout this phase. You will likelyget several different choices, each ofwhich will have your budget allocatedin different ways. Talk through thesedesign possibilities with your familyand with your designer, and find theone that works the best for you.

Your design choice plans will include thefollowing:

Cabinets You'll choose the finish, door style,construction, hardware, and color.

Appliances Ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators,cooktops, microwaves, wine refrigerators,range hoods, etc.

Kitchen sink and faucetchoices

NEXT STEP: DESIGN CHOICE

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CountertopGranite, marble, butcher block, quartz,tile, concrete, etc.

LightingChandeliers, pendants, sconces, undercabinet lighting, etc

(continued)Flooring Tile, laminate, concrete, hardwood, etc.

Backsplash

All throughout this process, thedesign-build company will besending you material choices to lookthrough and approve. Floor plans willbe finalized while you make thesechoices.

This is also the time for electrical andplumbing layouts to be drawn up. Bythe end of this process, you'll havedetailed schematics to look over andgive your final approval.

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WHERE TO SAVE AND WHERE TO SPEND

BEING SMART ABOUT YOUR BUDGET:

The desired end goal of a successful kitchenremodel is to get the best materials andfixtures you can at the lowest possible price.In other words: remodeling is a balancing act.

When you work with a good design-buildcompany, they should constantly bereassessing the project, and giving youaccurate predictions about where and howyour budget will be best spent.

As unexpected issues pop up (as they alwaysseem to do during renovations), your designteam should act quickly to reallocate yourbudget, making sure you can still get thethings that you want without going over yourspending limit.

The trick is in making the right choices. Thereare certain things you want to spend yourmoney on, and certain instances where it'spractical to save.

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Install Systems That Will Save You Money in the Long Run If you have the opportunity to installmoney-saving systems such asradiant heating, or LED lightingfixtures, they may cost a bit more upfront, but over the life of your kitchen,they may wind up saving you quite abit of money.

Try to look at the overall lifetime costof the systems when consideringyour budget. Also, remember thatnow is the time to make thoseimportant upgrades. Trying to goback in after the renovation iscomplete will be much moreexpensive.

Choosing the Right CabinetsCabinets, more so than any other itemin your kitchen renovation, tend to beeither very affordable or very expensive.Most of the cost is determined bywhether you are choosing standard,factory-made cabinets, or installing acustom build.

As an example, a small kitchenrequiring a cabinet replacement maybe looking at a price tag of $10,000 forstock cabinets, but could easily hit a$60,000 price tag if the job was fullycustom.

Ultimately, the choice will be up to you.Your design-build company should beable to walk you through your variousoptions and arrive at a solution thatmakes the most sense.  Many familiesfind that some combination of stock orsemi-custom cabinets works well toaddress their budget concerns, as wellas their aesthetic expectations.

Invest in ArchitectureMany design-build companies could tellyou that the majority of kitchenproblems stem back to a poorlydesigned layout.

Working with an architectural designexpert can transform your currentkitchen from cramped and disorganizedto efficient, functional, and attractive.Your team should be looking at yourkitchen not only as a single room butalso how it will interact with the rest ofyour home.

You may find that many of yourproblems are solved by something assimple as better placement ofappliances, larger windows, expandedwalkways, or a more open floor plan.

Think of it this way: why spend money toreplicate the same problems you'redealing with right now? Have the expertsassess the space, and ask them to makerecommendations for improvementsthat will truly change your quality of life.

However, don't necessarily write offcustom cabinets simply because the pricetag is high. Especially if you are working inolder homes, a home without standardceiling heights, or a kitchen with oddangles, custom cabinetry may make aworld of difference!

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST TIPS YOU CAN USE FOR HOW TO STRETCH YOUR BUDGET, BUT STILL WIND UP WITH THE KITCHEN OF YOUR DREAMS

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Look for Opportunities toRestore Existing ElementsYou may think that your cabinets need updating,but your design-build company may take a lookand inform you that what you actually have aresolidly built high-quality wood cabinets.

The same may go for your flooring. What you maysee is stained and worn can often be brought backto life with a good bit of polishing and refinishing.Look for opportunities to restore existing elementswere possible because that will free up moremoney in your budget to splurge on those must-have items.

About Countertops Depending on the countertop material you choose, it can have a very positive or verynegative effect on your budget. You have many choices such as granite, marble, concrete,quartzite, zinc, brass, soapstone, butcher block, etc.

One great trick to remember is that not all of your countertops need to be made out ofthe same material. Maybe go for the expensive granite for your main countertop, but usea lower-cost material along the perimeter. Or, go with a midrange material for yourcountertops, but choose the flashy and expensive material for your island only.

There are lots of ways you can increase functionality and still get the look you wantwithout breaking the bank.

Consider Open Shelving  Open shelving accomplishes several things:it can add interest and draw the eye, butmore to the point, it can also save youthousands of dollars.

Talk to your design-build company aboutwhether there are opportunities for you toinclude a section of open shelving in yourkitchen, rather than paying for expensivecabinetry. You can use interesting texturedmaterials for the shelving which can helpadd a splash of personality to your kitchen.

One last tip for budgeting: set priorities, and speak openly about them withyour design-build company. There are some areas where you simply cannotsave such as structural integrity, electrical wiring, safety considerations, andinsulation, but you can save on almost every other aspect of your new kitchen.

The bottom line is you should spend on the things that really matter, and letyour design-build company help find those creative ways to save on theperipherals.

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A kitchen facelift is the least invasive option. Itwill require changing out certain elements,repairing and refinishing certain elements,and making some minor replacements.

The end result is an updated appearance. Thisis the best choice for those working with aconstrained budget, those looking to upgradea kitchen for the purposes of selling theirhome, or those who feel that the flow andlayout of their kitchen already work fine, butsimply want the cosmetic makeover.

Some common aspects of the kitchen faceliftwould include updating hardware, new andupgraded appliances, new flooring, a newbacksplash, and upgraded counters. Cabinetsare usually refinished or re-faced rather thanreplaced entirely.

If you are looking to rip out and replace your existing cabinetry completely, you arestarting more in this price range. You will have a bit of wiggle room here to decidewhether you want upgraded stock cabinets or semi-custom cabinets.

The update and upgrade also include high-quality fixtures, hardware, and newcountertops. This is the best choice for homeowners who intend to continue living intheir home for many years, or who do not intend to put their home on the market for atleast a decade.

Other aspects of the update and upgrade will include new, high-performing appliances,the installation of an island, plumbing upgrades, and high-quality flooring.

Three Different Scenarios

HOW MUCH DOES A KITCHEN REMODEL COST?

As helpful as it would be to plug in your square footage, desired materials, and a fewother details of your remodel, it's very difficult to get an accurate estimate withoutgetting a quote from a design-build company after a thorough assessment of yoursituation.

Still, that doesn't mean you can't get some ballpark estimates for what you may belooking at. What follows are three different potential projects and their approximatecosts. This may help you pinpoint what you do and don't need for your project.

Scenario One: The KitchenFacelift ($10,000-$20,000)

The Update and Upgrade ($20,000-$60,000)

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This would be the luxury option. This typeof kitchen remodel is intended for high-value homes and highly sought afterneighborhoods. This type of renovationwould involve moving walls, relocatingfixtures such as sinks or windows, customcabinets made with trendy materials, newentrances or exits, premium flooring,professional quality fixtures, and lots ofcustom work.

The Custom Chef's Kitchen ($60,000 and up)

Given the price tag, this kitchenupgrade is not for everyone, but forthose looking to invest in their home,a custom kitchen such as this onetypically nets a favorable return oninvestment.

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The kitchen is the center of yourhome. It's the place where familiesgather together to commemoratespecial occasions, to share meals, toentertain, or just to unwind at theend of a long day. Every family isdeserving of a unique kitchen whichmeets their needs, regardless of theirbudget. This is why working with ahighly skilled design-build companyis so important.

Working with a full-service designbuild company can help you witheverything from appropriate goalsetting, to effective budgetallocation, to designing the kitchenwhich best accommodates yourlifestyle and decorative tastes. Theywill be able to take care ofeverything from the firstbrainstorming session to the finalfinishing touches and constructioncleanup.

CONCLUSIONPlanet Cabinets has helped familiesall throughout the Chicago arearealize their dreams of upgraded,more efficient, more welcomingkitchen spaces for many years. Wewould be honored to be consideredfor your remodeling project.Together, we can help you create thekitchen which works best for yourfamily and your unique situation.

To learn more about our services,please feel free to browse ourwebsite or contact us at any time.We are happy to schedule anappointment to meet with you andbegin planning out this beautifuland functional addition to yourhome.

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