When it comes to home remodeling, kitchen remodeling projects are the second most popular (with 79 percent of homeowner’s investing in this) coming in only behind bathroom remodels.

While a kitchen renovation can provide a significant return on your investment, it’s important to have realistic expectations for the project. Some things you need to know before beginning any renovation project in your home are found here.

1. Your Budget

Before you even get started with your kitchen renovation, you need to figure out how much you can spend. After all, the kitchen is by far one of the most expensive rooms in the house to renovate.

With several laborers needed (cabinetmakers, electricians, plumbers, etc.) along with the cost of materials, there are more than a few things to consider.

When figuring out what you can spend, it’s a good idea to determine your wants versus needs too. For example, you need new counters but are granite countertops really in the budget?

Make sure to consider what you want and how much you have to spend carefully before beginning the project.

2. The Space

When remodeling your kitchen, one of your biggest issues may be the amount of space you have. However, before you start knocking out walls, make sure you consider the cost of adding extra space or getting higher quality cabinets and counters.

To figure out what option is right for you, consider your goals for the remodeling project. Is it really about square footage? Or do you want to create a more functional space?

If you answer these questions honestly, you should be able to determine which is more important.

3. Your Lifestyle

How do you want to use your kitchen? Are you planning to use it for entertaining guests? Do you want more natural light?

Is there enough room for an island? What is going to work for you right now?

If you need some help answering these questions, then it may be a good idea to work with a designer or contractor.

4. Appliances

Your kitchen appliances are available in a wide array of sizes. If you want a large, commercial-size range, be aware that additional floor bracing may be needed.

Some other appliances that may require special installations or custom cabinets include:

• Microwave ovens
• Range hoods
• Cooktops
• Refrigerator or dishwasher drawers
• Warming drawers

Keep in mind, these customized items are going drive the cost of your kitchen renovation up.

5. The Timeframe

You need to be realistic about any renovation project. It’s going to take more than the 45 minutes of work you see on renovation shows on television.

Also, you should always be prepared for the project to take longer than what you plan for.

Preparing for a Kitchen Renovation: Set Yourself Up for Success

As you can see, there are several things you need to consider when planning a kitchen renovation. Keep the tips here in mind to ensure yours is successful.

If you found the tips and information here helpful, be sure to check out our air duct cleaning article. Our goal is to help ensure you have the information you need when making important decisions about your home.