Designer: Katy Dale
House Style: Bungalow
Project Type: Addition; Kitchen, Back Entry / Mudroom
KITCHEN REMODELING 101
H2 features a kitchen addition. Stop by to get all of your kitchen remodeling questions answered by professionals. You can also chat with Bob from Warner Stellian about your appliance needs.
Kitchens are undeniably the heart of today’s homes, and remodeling your kitchen is a huge commitment! At Castle, we want to make sure you’re getting the best return by helping you make choices that will last. Before starting your kitchen remodeling project, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Castle Design Process.
Castle Building & Remodeling is a Design/Build firm. Design/Build means we can work with you on your project from the preliminary design and estimating phase all the way through construction. If you already have a professional design, Castle Building & Remodeling will work with that design to produce a line-item specification with all the details necessary to give you a firm price on your project.
The design/build process, as the words would indicate, is broken down into two phases. The design process takes roughly 4 – 8 weeks and the remodeling process typically takes 6 – 12 weeks. It’s important to know that while those were our normal estimations, with current shortages the timeline could be longer. It’s important to speak directly with your designer and project manager to get a more precise timeline for your specific project.
The design & planning process is comprised of 6 major components:
- Consultation
- Create a Vision
- Budget Analysis
- Design & Planning Stage 1
- Design & Planning Stage 2
- Site Visit
With your approval of the design and planning agreement, we schedule our first design meeting and begin the design and planning process! As you’re making final decisions, you’ll want to discuss current popular kitchen features and products, along with what will fit aesthetically in your home.
Popular kitchen features and products that you’ll want to discuss with your designer include,
but aren’t limited to:
- Sinks & Faucets
- Farmhouse Sinks
- Lighting
- Cabinets
- Furniture looking islands (i.e. leg or toe kick details)
- Small message centers or tech hubs (just space/storage, no seating)
- Drawers instead of doors with roll-outs (cuts the 2 step process down to 1 motion)
- Spice pull outs
- Tray dividers
- Colored Cabinetry
- Countertops
- Waterfall countertops on island or peninsula
- Appliances
- Appliance drawers
- Flooring
- Overall design aesthetic and layouts
- Simple, transitional style, clean lines
- Grey and black as neutrals
- Metals- Copper, Stainless, Brushed Gold, Matte Black
- Open floor plans
- Eclectic, Refined and Industrial styles
- Modern styles still gaining popularity
Read more over on our remodeling blog.
Something to consider while making these selections is your budget. It’s a key part of the design and planning process and plays a crucial part in just about every decision. While we are a design / build firm, we are one of the few that encourages homeowner involvement. There are a few things that are best left to the professionals, but there are ways to cut down on costs by taking on a few things yourself.
Cabinetry and countertops are one of the most expensive items in a kitchen remodel but also make the biggest statement in the space. Other items that may make a big impact on your final total are opening a wall, changing the overall layout, and moving / closing existing windows (or even creating a space for a new window).
The good news is, while the costs may seem quite high it’s important to note that a kitchen (and/or bath remodel) has the highest Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Enjoyment (ROE).
We highly recommend checking out our project costs and financing options to get a good feel for what a variety of kitchen remodeling projects may cost and how you can plan for that.
Kitchen Layout Basics
Planning a kitchen remodel can be a complicated puzzle with many variables and peculiarities. Some considerations that Castle’s professional designers consider include: Finding the perfect placement for the sink, locating the dishwasher, spacing for an efficient work triangle, having ample walk spaces and good traffic flow, cabinet clearances and door swings, and a mix of storage and prep space. Below are drawings and diagrams from the National Kitchen and Bath Association that go into further detail on kitchen planning basics.
Earlier this year, we were able to virtually tour two kitchens and our designers provided great insight on kitchen remodeling and current trends. Catch the replay here and other episodes on our YouTube channel.
Need more kitchen inspiration? Check out our online portfolio or head to our Pinterest profile.
