My kitchen renovation menu

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. So when it comes to showing it some love, you have a few options. You can keep it simple and just give it a facelift. By that I mean updating the finishes — new appliances, cabinetry, glass doors in certain areas, backsplash, countertop, adding some crown- moulding, a fresh coat of paint and maybe a few new light fixtures.

Updating the finishes alone can help increase the resale value, but first make sure you’ve got all your bases covered by taking a look at the building envelope — that’s everything that separates the inside of your home from the outside, meaning the roof, attic, foundation, windows and exterior siding. Make sure everything is sound and in top shape.

There’s no point in working on the inside of the house if the outside has been compromised, because eventually those problems will make their way inside. And when they do, all that money and work you put into the new kitchen will have to be for naught when everything has to be ripped out to fix the problem. Do it right the first time.

Let’s say you’re just updating the finishes. That means you won’t be doing anything major like taking down a wall, changing the layout, updating the plumbing or running a new gas and/ or plumbing lines. But I would still recommend bringing in a licensed electrical contractor.

Now let’s say you’re updating the cabinetry and you want to add some LED under-cabinet lighting, replace old appliances and add new ones. It’s always good protocol to bring in a licensed pro to make sure the electrical system can safely handle the new electrical load, as well as replace any old or worn-out parts.

If you’re installing a new hood fan and it’s a hardwired one instead of a plug- in, you will need an electrical pro to make sure your system is installed properly and to code. If your home’s electrical system hasn’t been looked at in more than five years, it’s time for a checkup.

When planning out the kitchen, you can talk to a contractor, but if all you’re doing is updating the finishes, a custom kitchen designer/ manufacturer can help. They have all the bells and whistles when it comes to cabinetry, such items as spice racks and even towel holders that can be pulled out like drawers. They’ll come in and measure the walls to create custom cabinetry that works for you and your lifestyle, while also maximizing space.

If you want to fully redesign the kitchen, think of functionality. I like using the work triangle, which basically means creating a triangle between the sink, fridge and stove for better traffic flow.

Everyone wants an island, but you need to work with the space you have. You might have to settle for a peninsula instead, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

You’ll also want to know what appliances you’ll be adding, what kind of sinks and faucets are going in, as well as any updates to countertops. Talk to your kitchen designer pro first about what kind of sink you want, and then go to the countertop manufacturer with the appropriate measurements and dimensions. ( Most granite and quartz countertops are installed over undermount sinks.)

Nowadays there are plenty of choices in countertop materials — marble, granite, quartz or Caesarstone, recycled glass and so on.

Recycled glass is green- friendly, and it comes in different colours, but most new kitchens have granite or Caesarstone countertops, which can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. It all depends on the style and profile. For example, will there be a seam or no seam? If you want one solid piece of granite or quartz, it will tend to be more expensive than if you were to get two slabs. The counter’s thickness affects price, as does its profile or edge.

When it comes to renovating a kitchen, the sky’s the limit. That’s why it’s important to make smart decisions that make sense for your budget, your lifestyle and your goals. This is where the advice of the right pro will go a long way — whether it’s a qualified home inspector, contractor or kitchen designer. Invest in renos and updates that will love you back for years to come — in durability, functionality, design and energy savings. That’s what making it right is all about.