Kitchen Remodeling Guide: Transform Your Space with Expert Tips from Our General Contracting Team

/ Rio Contracting /

kitchen remodel

Renovating a kitchen is a big deal, as it is the centerpiece of your home and deemed the most important room by many homeowners. For these reasons, you want your project to go as smoothly as possible, but with so many moving parts involved in a kitchen remodel, it can easily get overwhelming. We believe doing the proper research and understanding your remodel before actually undergoing it is the best approach, so we’ve written this article to streamline this process and simplify achieving your dream kitchen.

How much does a Kitchen Renovation cost?

While this is the first question most people want the answer to, it is also the most difficult to answer. According to HomeAdvisor, a kitchen remodel costs on average $25,656, but this number is only really a starting point. Being that there are various components to a kitchen renovation and no two projects are exactly the same, there is a good chance that your cost greatly differs from this average. Some of the major factors that will affect the cost of your remodel include:

  • The size of your kitchen

  • The type of material you choose to use

  • Whether or not you are keeping the existing layout

  • Whether or not you are replacing all fixtures

After narrowing down your work scope and separating your wants from your needs, we recommend itemizing out your remodel. For every new fixture you want installed or change you want made, research the cost of the material/product you would like to use and add that to the time/labor required for installation. For larger-scale kitchen remodels this can get a little difficult, but it is a great way to get an early understanding of roughly how much it may end up costing you. The next step would be to consult a general contractor (or a few), who will provide a more detailed work scope and the costs that will be involved. If you need help finding a general contractor, you can visit our article on How to Hire the Right General Contractor.

What is the Kitchen Renovation process and how long does it take?

Just like the cost, the process and duration of a kitchen remodel varies from project to project. For example, if you are just replacing cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances, this process will be much simpler than if you are doing a complete demolition, relocating plumbing, and opening walls. So while it’s difficult for us to provide the exact process or duration of your specific project, we can help you get a better understanding by breaking down the various steps involved in kitchen renovations, and how long they generally take.

  1. Demolition (~2 Days):

    • Removal of fixtures (toilet, vanity, tub, etc.) and tile (wall and floor), and opening any walls

  2. Rough-In (~4 Days):

    • Rough framing, plumbing, and electrical

  3. Inspection (~1 Day):

    • The inspector(s) will come to make sure that the plumbing, electrical, and framing all meet building code standards

  4. Closing Walls (~3 Days):

    • Once inspection is passed, insulation can be installed (if applicable) and walls can be closed

  5. Flooring (~2 Days):

    • Subfloor is prepped, followed by installation of tile, vinyl, or hardwood/engineered wood

  6. Walls (~2 Days):

    • Walls are prepped, followed by installation of tile, wainscoting, wallpaper, etc.

  7. Painting (~2 Days):

    • Painting of ceiling and walls

  8. Carpentry (~1 Day):

    • Installation of trim and basic fixtures (medicine cabinet, towel bar, toilet paper holder, etc.)

  9. Plumbing (~1 Day):

    • Installation of finish plumbing fixtures (toilet, sink, etc.)

  10. Electrical (~1 Day):

    • Installation of finish electrical fixtures (lights, outlet covers, etc.)

  11. Finishing Touches (~1 Day):

    • Painting trim and touching up, making sure everything is working properly, etc.

  12. Final Inspection (~1 Day):

    • The inspector(s) will come to make sure that everything meets building code standards, and if so, will issue a Certificate of Occupancy

What fixtures are involved in a Kitchen Renovation?

There are many fixtures involved in kitchen remodels, with some being necessary and others being optional. We have created a list of these various fixtures so you can begin to think about what you may or may not want to include in your upcoming project.

  • Plumbing:

    • Sink, faucet, oven range, dishwasher, refrigerator (with a water line), garbage disposal, hot water dispenser, pot filler

  • Electrical:

    • Recessed light, surface mounted light, microwave, wall sconces, switch, dimmer switch, range hood

  • Other:

    • Cabinets, countertops, shelving, kitchen island, enclosed trash/recycling, coffee bar, walk-in pantry

Final Thoughts

It is uncommon for a homeowner to renovate the same kitchen twice, so we encourage you to approach your project diligently. We recommend taking your time to better understand your budget, the process, and the materials/fixtures you plan on using, to minimize ambiguity and increase the likelihood of a successful project. A kitchen renovation is often considered a challenge, but it becomes much easier and enjoyable with the right research and preparation. We hope the information provided in this article will help guide you through your kitchen remodel, but if you still have any questions, feel free to reach out to Rio Contracting.