There are laws set in place for a reason; they are meant to govern actions and when those whose actions cross the line of the law, consequences are doled out. The same is true for remodels. It’s why it is important to follow a set of guidelines, so to speak, when planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel. You don’t want to step outside of the lines because that could possibly lead to consequences.
Instead of confinement in a jail cell, you’re confined to live day in and day in with a room that you hate. It is essential that you make the right choices the first time around so that your kitchen or bathroom remodel doesn’t end up costing you more in the future. This is not the definitive guide, but it’s a great place to start.
The Do’s and Don’ts of remodeling your Bathroom or Kitchen…
Do consult an expert. It’s okay to admit that you can’t accomplish all of it. Find a professional that you can consult with to achieve your desired style in the kitchen or bathroom.
Don’t let others talk you out of your ideas. If there is a color scheme you have your heart set on, and you’ve thoroughly researched it, stick with it.
Do bring the color samples home. Yes, don’t compromise on your vision, but be smart about it too. Before committing to a 5-gallon bucket of paint, bring color samples home. You need to see the way the colors actually look under the lighting in the room they are meant to be in.
Don’t make the majority of decisions based off what you see in your imagination. Put a storyboard together prior to making major purchases.
Do create a budget for the project. Price out everything; you don’t want to end up with a half-finished room.
Don’t forget to add cushion into your budget, the recommended amount is 20% in case of unexpected expenses.
Do keep the original layout of the bathroom or kitchen, as this will save you money on your remodel.
Don’t throw out any major fixtures that could be made over and restored instead. For instance, wood floors, cabinets, bathtubs, ceramic tile, and countertops are all salvageable through the process of refinishing.
Do remember to include additional storage for any wasted wall space into the remodeling plans.
Don’t forget to look into local city/county guidelines regarding home improvement projects and apply for any necessary permits.
You want to remodel because you know what you want and the style choices that will make you happy. So stick to it, but make smart choices that result in exactly what you want without going over your budget.
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