How to go about remodeling kitchens

Dear Claudia:

I need to remodel my kitchen. Besides needing cabinetry I will need appliances, countertops, backsplash, plumbing, lighting, hardware and new flooring.

Additionally, my kitchen does not have a very good work triangle and it needs better space planning. I know I need to hire a kitchen designer but I have no idea what it will cost. How can I make a budget?

It is a great time to be thinking about remodeling your kitchen since there is more competitive pricing in today's market. It sounds like you are ready to undertake a big project that is an investment for your home. When determining the budget for your kitchen remodel take into consideration the value of the home and how long you will be living in it.

The budget for the kitchen should be determined by several factors. First is the size of the kitchen; the quality of the cabinetry and the products that you are going to use. For example, when selecting cabinetry there are different aspects to consider: the door style, the overlay of the door, the wood choice, the accessories inside and any specialty stain or glazes.

It is a challenge with all the options available to determine a budget without professional help. I recommend hiring a kitchen designer that can undertake a total remodel and that will help you work with the budget that you determine for the project. A kitchen designer will also help you space plan your kitchen for a more efficient work triangle.

Dear Claudia:

My house is a tract home and the kitchen did not have any upgrades. For example, the pantry and base cabinetry do not have any roll-out trays and the corner cabinet does not have a Lazy Susan.

Is it possible to add these accessories to the cabinets?

It is fantastic that by adding specialty accessories to the cabinetry you can create more space and your kitchen cabinetry will be more user-friendly. Yes, there are a few companies that specialize in adding accessories to existing cabinets and you can also buy some accessories in big box stores such as Home Depot.

If you are doing the project yourself you have to take into consideration how you will use the space and how the specialty accessory is going to maximize the space. Note that roll-out trays will be a few inches smaller than the actual size of the cabinet and you will be losing a little space.

Hire a kitchen designer who will be able to recommend which accessories to use and help you make your kitchen more functional.