Follow order of these steps when remodeling kitchen

One of the easiest ways to boost the value of any home is a kitchen remodel. But what exactly does that entail and what should one expect to see happen? If you intend to DIY aspects of the remodel then understanding the process takes on additional importance. Even when going solo, you still need to call in help for professional services such as plumbing. Here is the most common order of events for a major kitchen remodel that involves total gutting (a minor remodel would involve fewer steps which would depend on what you change and what you keep.) But keep in mind, each project is unique and a remodeler may have good reason to deviate slightly from the steps below.

1. Tear out and demolition

Before you are ready to create a beautiful new space, it is important to demolish and get rid of what’s outdated or worn out. This is the time when you rip out anything you don’t want to keep including walls, cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, or more. If you do attempt to handle this part yourself, make sure to turn off the water before starting. Also, it is a good idea to have a plan for the remnants, such as a dumpster or a trailer for hauling debris away.

2. Rough-in work including framing and plumbing

Think of this step as anything having to do with walls or what goes inside of the walls. In some cases, this stage can be as simple as moving framing in the walls around a new center island. In large remodel projects, this might mean moving plumbing fixtures feet away from where they originally sat or adding square footage to the space by pouring new concrete for an expansion.

This step is very time-consuming and usually best left to a professional construction crew.

3. Professional inspection

After you’ve finished the rough-in work, it is time for a professional inspection. In most cases, this simply requires calling the city or county and scheduling an appointment. For some areas, there might be a small fee involved.

If you’ve followed all applicable building codes for your jurisdiction, there shouldn’t be a problem and you can move onto the next step. If you fail? Well, then you learn from your mistakes and move on.

If you’ve hired a professional contractor, they will usually handle both the inspection and the steps to fix any errors themselves.

4. Finishing the walls

Once a renovation project passes inspection, it is time to finish the walls. Hang, tape, and finish drywall according to your project plan. This includes any drywall necessary for a countertop bar or other section of the kitchen. If you aren’t skilled in this area, consider hiring a contractor to finish up the process.

This is also an optimum step to add a coat of primer to the drywall, even though you won’t add paint for quite some time. Why? The primer seals the facing paper and protects it against scuffs and scrapes when installing other items in the room.

5. Install doors and windows

If you’re sticking with the same structure as your old kitchen, you might not have to do anything for this step. Simply take the time to wipe down your old ones with a good cleaner and seal any existing cracks around the windows with caulking to help insulate more effectively. If you’re adding new doors or windows to the space, make sure to insulate them properly. A vast majority of a home’s energy cost each year comes from lost hot and cold air. Unsealed kitchen windows not only make your space less comfortable, but they could also cost you hundreds of dollars in heating and cooling bills.

6. Time for cabinets and plumbing fixtures

This is also the time for installation of new countertops. In many cases, it is the most fun part of the process as you can finally see the finished project start to take shape and the end is clearly in sight.

This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. To contact the author directly email dbawden@legaleaglecontractors.com. For more information on this article, contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, visit www.ghba.org.