What You Should Know Before A Kitchen Restoration

Moshe Amos

When it comes to water, fire, and smoke damage, the kitchen is the most vulnerable part of the home. Leaking plumbing, faulty appliances, or even cooking accidents can damage your kitchen. But you can restore a damaged kitchen to its former glory or create an entirely new space.
Before you embark on a kitchen restoration, here are some essential things you should know.

Top 5 Factors to Consider Before A Kitchen Restoration

1.      Budget

Damage restoration typically means a significant and unexpected expense for homeowners. But before you get overwhelmed by renovation costs, figure out the following:

  • How much you can spend – what’s in the bank
  • How much you wish you could pay – this is a great way to get creative with your kitchen choices
  • What you absolutely must have in your restored kitchen
  • How much of the restoration work can you do yourself versus hiring a contractor
  • How much you can spare for hidden costs – you may discover mold, pests, or structural issues once the renovation is underway

2.      Time Frame

The general rule in home renovations is that it takes twice as long as you’d expect. Know how much time you can give to your kitchen restoration, including if it drags on for an extra week or two. Next, find a contractor who can do the project in half the time. This way, you’ll be well within your schedule if the contractor needs more time.

3.      Insurance

Your homeowner’s insurance can help manage the kitchen restoration costs, including repairing or replacing cabinets and appliances. You can also get reimbursed for extra living costs if you have to move out of your home for the damage restoration process.
However, you must prove that the damage was due to something beyond your control, not the homeowner’s negligence, then settle for much less than you deserve. It’s better to have a damage restoration company like NYTDR handle insurance claims on your behalf.

4.      Storage

A kitchen restoration is a chance to rethink your cabinetry in terms of style and space. Suppose you want the same cabinet material or color as before. In that case, you can elevate the design by adding extra functions like a lazy Susan or updating the pulls and handles. Also, consider maximizing wall space and corners to add extra room for your utensils and gadgets.

5.      Layout

Think of your kitchen with all cabinets, drawers, and appliances open. If doors bump into each other or block access to any other kitchen feature, you have a layout problem.
A kitchen restoration can help you reorganize your floor plan to increase functionality, especially if your family is growing or if it’s your forever home. Speak to your contractor about future-proofing your kitchen for pregnancy and old age.

What To Expect From A Kitchen Renovation

It’s essential to understand the kitchen renovation process, whether you’re handing it over to a professional contractor or doing some parts yourself. Once you know what it takes, you’ll better manage your expectations and stress levels.
The typical damage restoration process follows the steps below:

Step 1:  Demolition

The damaged cabinets, floors, walls, and fixtures must go out before the new elements come into your kitchen. Don’t be tempted to DIY this step, in any case. You may interfere with the wiring and plumbing or damage your home’s structural integrity. Leave the experts to tear out your damaged kitchen and remove the debris safely.

Step 2: Plumbing and Framing

You’ll need to move the plumbing and frame the walls to accommodate features like a kitchen island, new sinks, or new ventilation. There’s less work involved at this stage if you opt for a replacement rather than a complete kitchen renovation.

Step 3: Inspection

A professional inspection ensures that everything in the walls meets building codes before adding the drywall or other finishings. A licensed kitchen restoration crew handles the assessment and gets the approvals necessary to proceed with construction.

Step 4: Complete the Walls

Once you pass the building inspection, the next step is to install the drywall, windows, and doors. Consider the kitchen’s insulation, so seal every crack to minimize heat loss in cold weather. Also, install the trim for the cabinets at this stage for precise fitting.

Step 5: Install Cabinets, Fixtures, Countertops, And Appliances

At this stage, your kitchen restoration truly comes alive. You’ll start to see your restored kitchen as it once was or watch as all the elements of your brand-new space come together.
Of course, there may be some plumbing or electrical challenges here, so trust your professional contractor to solve them as they arise. Also, if you’re upgrading appliances, go for features that add value to your home, such as energy efficiency and smart devices.

A Note About Flooring

Depending on various factors, you can install the flooring before or after your cabinets and appliances. For example, cabinets come before installing thinner flooring like vinyl or laminate and hardwood or tile flooring.
A baseboard or molding covers the gaps between the flooring and the cabinets. In contrast, cabinets come after flooring if you need to correct the floor height because of construction flaws or if you need to reach standard countertops height. Weigh the pros and cons of each flooring option as you plan your kitchen renovation.

Stress-Free Professional Kitchen Restoration With NYTDR

No homeowner needs the pain of property damage, but these tips can help you think things through. Save yourself the stress by choosing a professional kitchen restoration company like NYTDR to handle damage restoration from start to finish.
We sort out your insurance at no extra cost and design and build your new kitchen within your schedule and budget. Our designers and contractors walk you through every step of the damage restoration process. Share your dream kitchen with us, and we’ll make it happen. Call 212.206.1300 to start your free consultation today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Moshe Amos
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Moshe has more over 15 years as a licensed contractor in the New York City area. 

As a New York State-licensed Mold Assessor, he is especially knowledgeable about mold assessment and remediation.

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