How to Remodel a Kitchen

Whether you’re a farm-to-table fanatic or a master of the microwaveable meal, it’s likely that the kitchen is the heart of your home. When it’s time to finally invest in the kitchen of your dreams, it can be easy to get swept up in the excitement of the design phase and overlook things like budget, functionality and resale value. Here’s how to plan a kitchen remodel that you won’t regret.

Kitchen Remodel Tips

A kitchen is the single most expensive room to remodel, and even simple cosmetic improvements can cost thousands of dollars. But with the right preparation and planning, a renovated kitchen can add value to your home and improve your family’s quality of life for years to come. Keep these tips in mind as you begin to plan your renovation.

1. Determine Your Needs 

Before any work begins, make sure you identify your goals and objectives. Try to think beyond appearance and instead focus your kitchen remodel layout on how you plan to use your new kitchen. 

If you love to host large dinner parties, for example, you might benefit from a double oven; if your kitchen counter has been inadvertently converted into a home office, perhaps you consider building out additional counter or desk space. Be sure to put these things in writing so you can look back on them throughout the remodel process and remember why you’re doing it.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Kitchen renovations can vary wildly in costs depending on the size and finish of your project, but a good rule of thumb is to plan on spending about 10% of your home’s total value on the renovation. Whether you’re tapping into savings or applying for financing, be sure to set a budget that aligns with what you can actually afford. 

Keep in mind, too, that there will inevitably be a hiccup or two along the way, so it’s a good idea to leave a little wiggle room in the budget for unexpected costs. If you’re renovating in order to sell the home, make sure you don’t spend more than you can recoup. How much you should be willing to spend on any major renovation is related to the value of that room as a percentage of your overall house value.

3. Bring in the Pros

For most kitchen overhauls, you’ll want to work with a contractor. As the point person for the actual renovation, the contractor will source and provide all the materials, plan out the timeline for the project and hire the subcontractors who will be working throughout your renovation. Essentially, they’re what makes the project run smoothly and finish on time. 

While it may cost a bit more upfront than doing it yourself, contractors typically have the best deals on materials and will ensure that everything is done correctly the first time around, ultimately saving you money in the long run.

Protect Your Investment

Safeguard your livelihood and your home during the renovation process with umbrella insurance — talk to your Farm Bureau agent to learn more about this affordable coverage.