Get informed, make a plan, and save money. Your guide to a better kitchen.
Unlike an emergency roof replacement, you may consider a kitchen remodel at any point in your home’s life. Typically, homeowners start considering a kitchen remodel when they see wear on their cabinets and countertops, have recently purchased a home with an outdated kitchen, or are just unhappy with the flow and utilization of space.
Regardless of your reason for considering a renovation, you have to be ready to make some key decisions. The steps for tackling this type of renovation are planning, designing, and finding the right kitchen remodeler for the job. Learn more about what to consider up front and how to plan and create a remodeled kitchen that you will love.
Inspiration – whether it be from reality TV shows about flipping homes or a carefully curated social media feed – is often the starting point for homeowners considering a kitchen remodel. But, how do you turn these design ideas into a reality? The challenge of recreating an inspiring design within the confines of the homeowner’s space is often a stumbling block. Consider the scope and materials that will fit within your budget and space when searching for inspiration.
Your kitchen remodel budget will depend on your unique scope and materials selections. With so many possibilities, there is no real “average cost” of a kitchen remodel. Rather, you can manage your costs by understanding the percent of your budget that should go into each element and how your unique home, the amount of labor needed, and the grade of materials you choose will impact the final number. However, even the most well-planned remodels can run into unexpected costs, so it’s important to set aside some of your budget for unforeseen issues or changes you want to make during the process.
With the number of contractors out there, it can be daunting to narrow down the list to trusted professionals. Just because someone offered an attractive quote doesn’t mean you’ll get the kitchen remodel you’ve been promised. We recommend that you make sure the contractor is licensed, check with the Better Business Bureau website to see their status, and read previous customer reviews.
Homeowners often begin a kitchen remodel with great inspiration about what they want in their space, but working with a professional designer is what turns these ideas into a reality. At Brothers, we have expert in-house designers that help homeowners choose the best materials and finishes to suit both their design ideas and budget.
Timing can be estimated based on your contractor’s schedule. Most contractors need 8 weeks to finish a kitchen remodel, splitting their time between your project and others. Brothers typically completes a kitchen remodel in 4 weeks by using a team dedicated solely to your home.
The price of your kitchen remodel depends on the decisions you make in the design and planning phases. As you evaluate pricing from kitchen remodeling contractors, consider these 3 key factors that dictate costs.
You can expect to spend 40 – 50% of a kitchen remodel budget on the materials. Planning your materials beforehand will help you stay on-budget. If you start to go over, consider more affordable cabinets, countertops, and flooring options. There’s nothing better than seeing materials before you start your kitchen remodel. Visiting the Brothers showrooms gives you the chance to touch, feel, and see materials as well as meet with experienced design experts who can guide you through your materials selections.
From opening up walls for more space to moving fixtures for better flow, major design changes impact your kitchen remodel budget. If your goal is to save cost, consider minimizing large design changes in your space unless they would really improve how you would use the space. When you choose to work with Brothers, you gain access to professional in-house interior design experts who can analyze your space and create a unique tailored to your needs.
If you are moving walls or rearranging the footprint of your kitchen it is even more essential to work with an experienced contractor who can properly assess any structural needs to ensure your home remains safe during and after the remodel.
You may be tempted to cut costs by hiring a cheap kitchen remodeling contractor, but the truth is that experienced craftspeople are simply not cheap. They are actually in incredibly high demand and skilled lead carpenters, master electricians, etc. earn good livings by producing high-quality work. Hiring a credible, trustworthy contractor with an experienced production team will help you avoid costly mistakes.
Once you know what it takes to execute a kitchen remodel and how to keep costs in check, you can start making your final decision—choosing a kitchen remodeling contractor to make your ideas come to life.
Identifying the right kitchen remodeler is all about building a trusted relationship. Just because someone offered an attractive quote doesn’t mean you’ll get the kitchen remodel you’ve been promised.
When you start your research, you’ll find a wide range of potential contractors to work with. You may think that with so many options, you can’t possibly go wrong. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a kitchen remodeler too quickly. Evaluate your options, check licenses, read online reviews and check the Better Business Bureau®, and see who can do more than just complete a one-off renovation.
One common problem homeowners face when working with contractors is running into permit avoiders. Unprofessional contractors may try to get through the project without necessary permits just to fit the remodel into a shorter timeframe. At first glance, faster work seems attractive—until there’s a problem with the workmanship months or years later.
Choose a partner that is invested in finding the best possible solutions for your home. Assuming your final options are all reputable providers, choosing the right partner is all about the process.
At Brothers Services, we follow a consistent, three-step process to build trust with clients and ensure they’re happy with the design and workmanship.
Our first step is to do an initial walkthrough and space interview with the client. Before we ever provide a proposal, we make sure we learn everything there is to know about you and how you want to use your kitchen space.
We create a preliminary design and our professional Design Consultants work directly with homeowners to select materials in one of our remodeling design showrooms.
Our final proposal includes a 3-D rendering that brings the homeowners’ selections to life. We feel this is the only way for homeowners to truly see the work they’re investing in.
When choosing materials for your kitchen remodel, consider the design as a whole, not as individual elements. Each decision impacts every other part of the project as the components come together to create a functional, beautiful kitchen design. Material decisions can be grouped into 5 main categories—flooring, cabinets, counters, fixtures and finishes.
The kitchen is often the central hub of a home. So much foot traffic passes through the room every day as you cook meals, eat dinner, feed pets and more. Every home needs kitchen flooring that is both beautiful and built to take a continuous beating. Like any other part of a kitchen remodel, you have to weigh your options and choose the material that best fits your budget and needs.
A popular option due to its durability at affordability, homeowners can’t go wrong with ceramic or porcelain tile for their kitchen floors. Tile is available in near-limitless style options and provides great resilience against normal wear and tear. At $3 to $8 per square foot, this is an affordable material when installed properly, avoiding cracks and the need to reapply grout.
Materials like limestone, slate, and granite are far less common for kitchen flooring, but they provide an elegant and upscale look. While different types of stone have their advantages and disadvantages, these floors generally have high durability. However, at $10 to $20 per square foot, stone can be an expensive item to keep on budget.
Hardwood flooring is a timeless and versatile option that works well aesthetically in most kitchens. However, hardwood can be susceptible to dents from dropped dishes and scratches from pet nails. Since it can be sanded and refinished, hardwood remains cost-effective at $4 to $12 per square foot.
Luxury Vinyl Tile is nothing like the ugly outdated sheet vinyl you remember. LVT is a multi-layer hard flooring that mimics the aesthetic of hardwood or natural stone while requiring less maintenance, providing more durability, and being softer and warmer underfoot. At $5 to $8 per square foot, LVT can keep you on budget and fit your design and lifestyle needs.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the number of cabinet options – from styles, to hardware, woods, and colors – there’s a lot to think about. Before you start working with a designer, it’s important to understand the four basic cabinet categories used in most kitchens.
Usually located under the countertop, these cabinets come in a range of widths and can also be placed under sinks.
These cabinets are usually above the countertop and can be purchased in a variety of heights and widths. They can even be located over appliances like the refrigerator.
Tall cabinets are located where there is no countertop and usually begin at the floor and extend to the top of the wall cabinets.
Corner cabinets sit between two rows of cabinets and usually form the 90-degree angle of a peninsula or connect the cabinets that run along one wall to those which are mounted to an adjacent wall. Corner cabinets come in a variety of styles and have special design considerations to avoid spaces deep in the cabinet which may be difficult to access.
Tricky spaces like stove hoods or a need for storage elements such as a lazy susan require specialty cabinets. These cabinets can fall under the categories above, but they usually require customization.
Countertops are often the stylistic focal point of a kitchen. But they need to be more than just attractive, they also need to stand up to the everyday wear of cooking, appliances and your lifestyle. For most mid- and high-end kitchen remodels, the choice comes down to two countertop materials.
Granite slabs for countertops come in a wide range of grades, patterns, and colors. And because the costs range between $25 to $100 per square foot, you have plenty of room to find something that fits your budget.
This engineered stone is gaining popularity because while it is marginally more expensive than granite, quartz is much more resistant to scratches and stains. It is also less porous than granite and requires less maintenance.
There are many fixture decisions that you will need to make during a kitchen remodel project. Fixtures must strike the perfect balance between durability, functionality, and style based on your taste and lifestyle. Think about the style of your updated kitchen and how each fixture will work together. Regardless of the fixture you’re choosing, here are some factors that will impact decisions.
Matching fixture finishes to your aesthetic is important, however it’s not the only thing that matters. Keeping a uniform style can increase the return on investment for your remodel. Consider your finish options, but keep in mind that they should also fit with the design. Chrome is a neutral finish that works for just about every kitchen and comes at an affordable cost. However, many homeowners will upgrade to polished or brushed nickel for a more modern look. Brass is an option as well, though it is not as popular and is often more expensive.
A quality backsplash can add the perfect finishing touch to your kitchen, serving as a unique focal point in your home. There are many materials to choose from including limestone, granite, tile, steel, and brick. Additionally, you can choose the height, color, and pattern that fits best with your space. With so many options, a backsplash gives you plenty of flexibility to create the exact look you want.
From the most common material, stainless steel, to others like cast iron and porcelain, it’s essential to consider the durability of your sink as well as its function. You’ll also need to consider your sink mounting options. Overmount sinks are the least expensive and can be used with most countertops, but there will be a lip over your countertop. Undermount sinks fit under a hole in your countertop and give you a sleeker appearance, but are tough to install correctly, so make sure you are working with an experienced contractor. Typically a more expensive option, apron front, or farmhouse, sinks have become popular in the last few years and make for a unique focal point.
Design challenges often become obstacles when turning inspiration into reality. These aren’t the only potential problems with a kitchen design. However, they show that early-stage planning is the important first step to a successful kitchen remodel.
That inspirational design may look beautiful on paper, but make sure you consider how you will store your kitchen appliances, tableware, and food. If you don’t plan for storage space, you could end up with clutter all over your beautiful new countertops. Even small kitchens can have ample storage when designed correctly.
The layout of your kitchen is just as important as how it looks. Consider how you will be using the space, for cooking large meals, entertainment, or family dinners? Understanding work zones in the kitchen will lead to a flow that allows you to get the most out of your space.
A top complaint from homeowners is a lack of space to use their kitchen for its main purpose, cooking! Moving the placement of your appliances, adding an island, or widening a peninsula can drastically increase prep workspace, but these major layout changes must be planned well in advance.
A poorly designed kitchen remodel project will result in dimly lit areas, leaving you to prep and cook in the shadows. Consider the general lighting, accent lights, and task lights that can brighten up your space. With many options to choose from, well-designed lighting adds both the illumination you need and a cohesive design.
Get Inspired
Check out beautiful kitchen remodels in every aesthetic from Brothers customers all around Maryland.
Check out how the Kuntz family completely remodeled their 16-year-old original kitchen to create an upscale coastal aesthetic in Annapolis, Maryland.
Check out how Brothers transformed an Annapolis homeowner’s kitchen from dark and dated to bright and modern in this amazing kitchen remodel.
Check out how Brothers transformed a Baltimore waterfront condo’s kitchen from builder-grade to industrial chic in this kitchen remodel case study.
Learning Center
Want to learn more about kitchen remodels and updates? Check out tips from the pros.
There are several decisions to make when renovating your kitchen. So how do you know what modern trends to blend with your personal preferences to create a kitchen that stands the test of time? The design experts at Brothers Services
Check out this list of our design experts’ favorite kitchen trends for the coming year to help you plan your kitchen renovation.
Celebrate National Home Improvement Month with inspiration from Maryland projects: a roof replacement, bathroom & kitchen remodels, and custom renovation.
Check out the top kitchen design trends for 2021 from Brothers’ in-house design experts including natural finishes, hidden appliances, and marbled quartz.
Schedule a free consultation with a kitchen expert and we’ll discuss your options.
