One of the things that often gets forgotten when deciding to remodel your kitchen is the fact that you will not have a kitchen for 6+ weeks!  If you are an avid camper, you probably are used to cooking with the bare essentials, but if you are like most people, there will be a significant adjustment to cooking without a kitchen.  In a perfect world, you’d move elsewhere during the project, but reality is that you will most likely be living in your house during your renovation.

Here are a few tips to help you live through your kitchen remodeling project.

Know What to Expect.  This will suck, and any contractor who tells you otherwise is lying to you.  There will be noise, dust, and severe disruption to your normal routines.  Parts of your home will be gutted out.   Even the most careful contractors will leave a stray nail on the floor now and then, so forget about walking around barefoot in the construction area.

Hey, where did the kitchen go?

Plan Ahead.  Think about where you will set up a small temporary kitchen.  If you have a wet bar or similar space elsewhere in the house, this is a great spot.  Think about what you can cook using a hot plate, microwave, and crock pot.  Likewise, think about where you will wash dishes.  You may only have a small bathroom sink, so forget about big pots and multi-course meals.  Baking is probably not going to happen.  Your BBQ grill will become your favorite cooking appliance during this time.  This is also a great time to dig out all of those restaurant gift cards that you’ve been given, and try some new places.

Ask your contractor for help with a temporary sink during construction

Find a Peaceful Spot.  Ask your contractor to block off an area that is just for you and your family.  You’ll be amazed at how much this will help with your mentality during the project.  Not having to look at a construction zone at all times will help you maintain a small sense of normalcy amongst the chaos.

This Temporary Plastic Wall with Magnetic Door keeps the Construction Separate from Family Areas.

Communicate.  A good contractor will keep in touch during the project, and make you aware of what happened today, as well as what to expect tomorrow and beyond.  In addition, a good organized contractor will be able to provide an approximate completion date ahead of the job, so you’ll have a “light at the end of the tunnel” to look forward to.

During your remodeling project, it may seem like the job will go on forever.  Rest assured, once the project is done, you’ll love your new space so much that all of the “pain” that you’ve endured during the project will be a distant memory.  When interviewing potential contractors for your kitchen remodeling project, ask them what steps they will take to make the process as livable as possible during the job.

Allrounder Remodeling Inc. provides residential home design and remodeling services in the southeast Twin Cities metro area, including the cities of Apple Valley, Rosemount, Eagan, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Woodbury, Oakdale, and Maplewood.

For more information, please call 651-497-7715, or visit http://www.AllrounderRemodeling.com