Tag Archive for: general contractor

For the past six weeks, we have discussed kitchen remodeling from why you should remodel your kitchen, design and planning to flooring and cabinet installation.

We are on the final steps of the complete kitchen remodel. In this last blog, we’ll walk through appliance installation, wiring fixtures, and plumbing. We’ll finish with inspections which will round out all the steps for a kitchen remodel.

Appliance, Plumbing, and Fixtures

A plumber or a DIYer can do the appliance installation.  You’ll need someone that has experience connecting the water supply to the refrigerator, dishwasher, sink, and faucet.  An air gap must be installed for your dishwasher and countertop.  Run a few tests to ensure installation is complete and there are no leaks. Contact your electrician to finish out the receptacle plates, fixtures, and ductwork.  Electrical work can be an easy job for a homeowner. If you called in the professionals for initial wiring and plumbing work, its a good idea to have them come out for the final tasks.

Final Inspections

It’s time to go through the checklist and ensure all the tasks are complete. If you worked with a general contractor, make sure you perform a final walk-through. Keep note of the things that still need attention. Carefully inspect every aspect of the project. If you feel confident and satisfied with the work, there is one final step – inspection.

Your general contractor would make arrangements for final inspection and permits. If this were a DIY project, you would need to contact inspectors yourself.

All your kitchen needs is a good cleaning. Once the cleaning is done, you’ll have a brand new kitchen to break in. Whether it was a grueling eight weeks or several months, you will celebrate your decision to remodel your kitchen.

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage construction, ordering and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their home with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations.  Our seasoned Project Manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.
We are proud to offer beautiful and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.
Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights

Pack it up, you’re getting a new kitchen!

 

The decision has been made. You are getting a brand new kitchen! While it’s all very exciting and the end result is going to be amazing, now it’s time to think through how you are going to live without your kitchen for a short time. It’s time to start planning and organizing your temporary kitchen space.

Temporary Kitchen

More often than not, your appliances and plumbing will be out-of-order during portions of the project. You’ll need to designate your dining room or living room as a temporary informal kitchen. Electric, tabletop cooktops are inexpensive and a great alternative. You’ll need a microwave and also designate a spot to wash your dishes. You can also cook up some meals in advance and just heat them in the microwave. Move all your kitchen utensils, flatware, pots and pans and dinnerware into plastic bins for easy access.
And, there is always eating out as an option. Not ideal for weeks on end but definitely convenient when you are without your kitchen.

Demolition

Now that you have designated a temporary kitchen, it’s time for demolition. It’s going to be noisy and messy so make sure you are prepared!

Out with the Old

Whether done by you or your general contractor, removing the old appliances and cabinets is the first step. Demolition can be fun but also very messy. Be sure to equip yourself with safety gear and be cautious of lead-based paint or asbestos. This requires proper handling and we recommend contacting a professional to haul it away. You’ll also need to make arrangements for a dumpster service for all the old materials.

In with the New… almost

Now your kitchen is a shell and if framing work is necessary, the contracting crew will start the framing job. Dependent on the size of the project, for example, new windows, adding walls, removing walls, this could potentially involve a lot of time. Be patient and keep your eye on the completed kitchen remodel.
Next post we will discuss Plumbing, Wiring, and HVAC Rough-In

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage construction, ordering and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their home with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations where our seasoned Project Manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs and considerations, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.
We are proud to offer beautiful and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.
Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights

Remodeling your kitchen is not an easy task. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether or not to do a kitchen remodel.

Hiring a general contractor to manage the kitchen remodel has several benefits. While it may seem expensive, think of the time, knowledge and professionalism a contractor brings to the table. If you have the courage to do the remodel yourself, be sure to educate yourself on the entire process and develop a good plan. Either way, take into consideration that you will have to live without a kitchen for several weeks but the finished product is worth the wait!
A kitchen remodel is certainly worth the time, money and effort. Not only will you have the kitchen of your dreams but it will help increase the value of your home.

Three things to consider before you begin the kitchen remodeling process:

1. Speak to someone who has been through the process already. Find out what they learned and ask them if they had to do it over again, what they would change.
Many people find that by making a list of needs and wants, helps prioritize the must haves and the would be nice to have. This also helps determine what you can and can’t afford. Ask yourself what is working in your current kitchen and what definitely needs to change. Are you finding yourself wishing you had a double oven? Do you lack counter space?
Establish a prioritized list of things you would like in your new kitchen, ranked according to their importance. It’s helpful to distinguish between those elements you absolutely need and those you simply want.
2. Logistics and Expenses
Kitchen remodel projects involve a lot of work and just like you see on those reality shows, things may happen unexpectedly that can cost you more money.
If you hire a contractor to do the job, a lot of the work may be handled by subcontractors. That means that you could have strangers in and out of your house through the entire process. Contractors will give you an estimate as far as how long the project will take but be flexible. Some unexpected challenges may arise that are out of their control. If you do the job yourself to help save money, ensure you have your plan in place and that you have fully educated yourself on the process.
A new kitchen could potentially have rewards further down the road. If you decide to sell your real estate, your newly remodeled kitchen might help increase the overall value. But, don’t expect a full return on your investment. Your dream kitchen may not be the next person’s dream kitchen. Also, ask yourself, how long do you plan on being in your home. If you have a 2-5 year plan, then maybe a surface-level kitchen remodel is all you need.
3. Prepare yourself that it may not be a completely seamless process
Again, talk to some professionals and get some help with planning, design and overall management. Professionals can help you decide whether or not to spend the money on top of the line wood cabinets and Italian marble floors or, work within your budget and recommend porcelain floor tiles. They can also help you decide if you need commercial grade appliances or if quality consumer grade stovetop will do just the same.

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage construction, ordering and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their home with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations where our seasoned Project Manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs and considerations, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.
We are proud to offer beautiful and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.
Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights
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