February 6, 2013

Your Remodeling Project



Step 3: Implementation and Construction

So you've determined your design style, wants and needs, had several meetings with your design consultant, and even made a payment or two. You've made it all the way through Step 1 and Step 2 of the design process and are ready for construction to begin. This is the part you've been waiting for! But what really goes on during construction?
  1. Prepare for life without a kitchen. Before any demolition or removal of materials starts, you have to plan for how you will live during the construction period. Depending on you timetable, some contractors will set up a temporary kitchen (refrigerator, microwave, and a cabinet or two) somewhere nearby, such as the garage or mudroom area. Other people are content with having a microwave and access to a sink. Whatever the case, you should also take care to remove and carefully pack-away what's in your cabinets, which is why we provide Bella Boxes.
  2. Deconstruction. The contractor will begin the construction process by removing any old materials that will not be used in the new design. Cabinets, countertops, tile and even walls will be torn out or knocked down. Dust will fly as the room is being prepared for a new look.
  3. Construction and installation. Once old materials are removed, new construction can begin. Based on the project, this may include electrical, plumbing, drywall, and other work. The room will be prepped and painted before installing new materials.
  4. Countertop measure and installation. Once the cabinets are installed, the countertop fabricator will come out to take precise measurements for the new tops. From the day of measure, it will take about 2-3 weeks for the countertop to be fabricated and installed. You can begin to use your kitchen again by storing some items in any upper or tall pantry cabinets. Depending on the job, some appliances (refrigerator, range, etc.) may even be hooked up and ready for use. Once the countertop is installed, the bulk of the project is usually complete.
  5. Walk-through with designer and/or contractor. It's helpful to walk-through the remodeled space once it is complete to make a "punch list"- a list of items that may be waiting for completion. This could include items that are on back-order (i.e. some cabinet hardware) or an item that was damaged during the installation process (i.e. a cracked tile). 
  6. Enjoy! Move back in to the space and make it your own!
While this is our final step, it's not really the end of the process. We love to stay in contact with previous clients. One way we keep connected is by delivering a warranty binder, which contains all warranty, cleaning, and care information for your specific products. This is delivered once the space is complete, and is also a chance for your design consultant to see the finished space. We also love referrals- recommend us to your family and friends who may be interested in their own remodeling project!

Ready to make some changes to your own kitchen? Call us at (608) 271-8241 or stop by our showroom to set up your consultation today!