Are you getting ready to redesign your kitchen for an upcoming remodel project? Let me share a few tips to help you avoid some expensive mistakes. I’ve been rolling out a total of TEN pricey mistakes to avoid in any kitchen remodel that will save you some big bucks… and likely save your sanity too. Did you miss the previous kitchen mistake to avoid, we can catch you up in no time! Check out the last blog post for Expensive Mistake to Avoid #5 here.
Mistake #6: Making Changes During Construction
Picture this- you’ve designed your kitchen floor plan, new walls, door and window openings are in place. You know where all of your appliances are going and you even have all the finishes finalized, ordered and paid for. The walls have been torn down, rebuilt and all the rough plumbing and electrical has been completed, drywall is up…and life is good!
BUT, oh no, you just saw the coolest walk-in pantry with wood open shelving that your neighbor put in their home, and you must have it too. But there’s just one teeny, tiny little detail of a problem… it won’t fit anywhere! So now you have to reconfigure the entire kitchen to accommodate this new “must have” item. No big deal if you’re willing to shell out a lot more extra dollars and wait several more weeks (or even months) to see your kitchen completed!! This, my friends, is a prime example of “scope creep” at its finest in the remodel world.
Ever hear of “scope creep”?
It’s when the scope of work creeps up on your remodel project. Contractors may also use the term “change order”. Of course, there might be necessary items that need to be dealt with once you open up your walls- replacing bad pipes or molded studs, for example. In cases like those, consider them blessings in disguise that ultimately help to prevent much, much bigger problems down the road! However, for the cosmetic items that you did not plan for originally- adding upper cabinets, modifying the island or even moving the kitchen cabinets- the contractor also did not account for, both in pricing and schedule.
So give yourself a moment to consider how you proceed. Is the newly found must-have walk-in kitchen pantry worth the additional expense and time…? Maybe it is, or maybe it isn’t.
To avoid a situation like this, regardless of whether you’re remodeling an indoor or outdoor kitchen, be really clear about all your ideas- what your non-negotiable, absolutely must-have design elements are before you begin construction.
In case you missed Expensive Kitchen Mistake to Avoid in Kitchen Remodeling #5…
Here are just a few great questions to consider when laying out your kitchen design
- What do you want your kitchen layout to feel like? A galley kitchen, a u-shape kitchen, a space with an island?
- How do you prep and clean the kitchen space? Will having a prep sink benefit your routine?
- If 2 people or more like to cook in the kitchen at once, think about the clearance space between counter surfaces. Ideally 42” is best for 1 cook, 48” is best for 2 cooks.
- If your space cannot accommodate an island, could a peninsula be an option?
- How do you store your dishes, serving items, countertop appliances or non-perishables?
- Are accessibility requirements something you should keep in mind?
- Are you planning to accommodate casual seating within the kitchen space?
- What are your 3 biggest non-negotiables? Is it having the sink at a window, a large island or perhaps a walk-in pantry?
Again, once you have a clear idea of how you want this new kitchen design to look, feel and function, get the ideas drawn on paper! THEN you can have your contractor review what the full scope of work for your kitchen interior will look like.
What should be included in your “Scope of Work” construction agreement?
If you’ve read through Expensive Kitchen Mistake #5, and have created your kitchen plan, you likely have all the information your contractor needs to write up the proper scope of work construction agreement to begin the build!
Here’s a quick example of what this might look like
This is only page 1 of 5 total pages… for a small guest bathroom. As you can see, there is quite a bit of information that goes into transforming that kitchen of yours! If something new that was not previously discussed gets added to your project, it is considered “scope creep” and a change order will then need to be added to this original scope of work.
So unless you’re prepared to increase that budget and live with an incomplete kitchen for longer, just don’t do it! And honestly, this is a great rule for any home improvement project.
Changing your mind on the layout or other selections will result in:
- Additional costs to revise current agreements (or “change orders”).
- Potential restocking fees on any products and materials that may need to be returned, this could often be up to 25%!
- Delays in product and/or trade availability…ultimately leading to your project coming to a screeching halt!
This is why the design & planning process before kitchen construction is so important! Be the kitchen king or queen of the home, save money and declare no changes to be made once you’ve started construction!
RESULT OF EXPENSIVE MISTAKE #6:
Change orders during construction will cause delays in your project and can increase your overall investment!
VALUE SAVINGS
Invest in the time upfront, trust your gut and the professionals you’ve invested in…and commit! You’ll save yourself and your contractor plenty of headaches.
Anxious to dive into all 10 EXPENSIVE KITCHEN MISTAKES TO AVOID? Get your hands on the “10 Expensive Mistakes to Avoid in Kitchen Remodeling” video by subscribing to our email list… and get ready to spare yourself the headaches of remodeling your kitchen. Rock on Remodelers!
Xoxo, Megan
