Sooner or later we feel the need to pick up a paintbrush or drill and start a little DIY work around the home. Whether it’s repainting the walls or a complete remodel, freshening things up will keep you in love with your home for years to come.
For many households, the kitchen is where the hangouts happen, so it makes sense to give it a revamp every so often. Whilst the kitchen is one the first places people can’t wait to renovate, tackling a kitchen remodel by yourself can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time taking on a project of this magnitude.
Keep reading to learn some tips for redoing your kitchen so the process is smooth and easy, and you end up with a result you are thrilled with.
Should you DIY or hire a professional to remodel your kitchen?
Remodelling a kitchen is not for the faint of heart. When installing a new kitchen, there are various factors to consider such as getting approvals and certifications, choosing the right materials – not to mention the actual building of the kitchen.
So, before we get into the practical side of redoing your kitchen, let’s look at whether or not you should be doing the remodelling yourself, or if you should hire a professional.
The DIY route: naturally, doing things yourself can be cheaper at first. You don’t have to pay labour and you can work on your own time. Plus, there’s the satisfaction of saying you built the kitchen with your bare hands. However, DIY can be a challenging choice, especially if you don’t have the experience.
Hiring a professional: having a professional on side will provide you with the expertise to navigate the minefield of choices and avoid costly mistakes. A professional installer will generally provide experience in construction, design expertise, and choice materials that are sure to last. In the end, you might pay more, but the chances of getting your dream kitchen is also higher.
Tips for redoing your kitchen yourself
Should you decide to go ahead and take the DIY route for your kitchen remodel, these tips will help you stay on the right track to doing it well.
#1 – Plan your kitchen
Before you even remove a cabinet handle, you MUST plan what your new kitchen will look like – don’t wing it. Take measurements of your current kitchen and develop a new design that can accommodate those measurements. You may want to consider contacting an interior designer to help with the planning. A skilled designer may be able to help you achieve your vision more effectively than you can alone.
Your planning should also involve thinking about all the materials you need for the kitchen. Use all resources at your disposal to find materials. Look at stores like Cheap Tiles Online, for tiles or get in touch with contractors to ask them what materials they’d suggest and what the best places to buy them are. The more you research, the better ideas and prices you’ll find.
When it comes to water pipes and electrical outlets, moving these requires difficult foundational work so plan to work around them rather than attempt to relocate them.
#2 – Purchase the materials
There’s nothing worse than having to stop construction because you’re waiting on materials. So, next up, gather all the materials needed for each stage of the construction process so they’re ready when you start and you don’t lose time and momentum.
#3 – Demolish the old kitchen
Now that you have all you need to start your new kitchen, it’s time to remove all the old bits and pieces. This process might be easier or more difficult depending on the complexity of your kitchen and the materials used.
Essentially, you need to take your old kitchen back to its foundations so you have a clean canvas. That said, if there is anything you wish to retain, ensure you cover it up carefully to avoid damage in the demolition process.
Furthermore, when demolishing your kitchen, pay careful attention to the locations of pipes and electrical components. Tampering or damaging these can be dangerous and costly.
#4 – Prepare walls and floors
After breaking down your old kitchen, it’s time to start rebuilding the new kitchen. The first process is to prepare the floors and walls and paint if necessary. For the floors, clear the area well and ensure they’re level. Depending on how you want cupboards installed, you may lay flooring at this stage, and build your cupboards over this afterwards.
When it comes to the walls, make sure they’re clean and the surface is well-prepared for paint. Fill any cracks in the wall, and sand them. Clean the walls with sugar water and prime them. (Primer allows the paint’s original colour to show through better and makes it more durable.)
Apply at least 2 coats of paint and let it dry. And a tip: it’s best to paint the walls before you tackle your floors. That way, if a mess of paint ends up on the floors, it won’t ruin what you’ve recently laid.
#5 – Install the cabinets
If you plan to install cabinets in your kitchen, such as a space for the fridge, dishwasher, and stove, now is the time to install them. Whether you’re building the cabinets yourself or ordering them, remember to measure twice, check your work and order in plenty of time!
#6 – Install the countertops
Countertops are probably one of the most important aspects of your kitchen. From your planning at the start, you should already know what countertops you’re going for and what dimensions they need to be. You need enough surface area to cater to appliances, the sink and cooktop and have ample prep space.
#7 – Install a backsplash
A common feature in many kitchens is a backsplash, especially behind the stove. A backsplash protects your walls from food and other things that can get dirty or damage them in areas where you cook or clean. Some people tile halfway up the wall to create a backsplash. This also adds a unique aesthetic appeal to the kitchen. If you choose to install a splashback, ensure you cover your counters so they don’t get damaged.
#8 – The final step – appliances
Once all the construction is done, it’s time to install your new appliances. All of the plumbing and electrical outputs should be in their spots, so all you need to do is put your fridge in position, fit your gas hob, dishwasher, and oven in place.
When it comes to gas, plumbing, and electrical components, you’ll need a professional to install them to comply with safety standards. This will also help you pick up on any issues that have arisen from doing preparatory works yourself.
TL:DR
Professional experience is a guaranteed way to ensure your home renovations look polished, but if you’re up to the challenge and are confident in your DIY skills, there’s no reason why you can’t tackle your kitchen remodel yourself. Take your time with planning and consult with professionals as needed to ensure a dream finish.
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