So, you’re remodeling your kitchen—congratulations! As one of the most-used spaces in your home, updating your kitchen can improve its function and comfort, as well as boost the overall value of your home.
Before your contractors arrive, however, you’ll need to prep the space. Use these kitchen remodel preparation tips to ensure your project goes as smoothly as possible.
How to Prepare for a Kitchen Remodel
Prepare a Temporary Kitchen
First, you’ll need to create a temporary kitchen station for you and your family to use while your current kitchen is being remodeled. If your entire kitchen is getting remodeled, you’ll need to find a different place to prepare food. Consider the dining or living room. Preferably, choose a space with hard flooring so you don’t risk staining the carpet with wayward food.
Take advantage of smaller appliances in this temporary kitchen—your microwave, toaster, pizza oven, and mini fridge—to make preparing food easier. For easy cleanup, consider switching to disposable or recyclable dishes and utensils during the remodel. In addition, put together a kitchen kit with the essentials:
- Non-perishable snacks
- Garbage bags, paper towels, napkins, and utensils
- Coffee pot
- Easy meals, like microwaveable and 2-minute meals
- Pre-prepped meals
- Electric appliances, like your skillet and crockpot
- Cleaning wipes and dish towels
Declutter and Pack
After ensuring you have a place to cook and eat, it’s time to start preparing the kitchen itself. This will look different depending on the intensity of your remodel.
Clear everything off your countertops and remove decorations from the walls. Any kitchen accessories like bar carts, stools, or portable counters should also be moved out of the room. If your cabinets are being torn out, you’ll also need to pack and store everything inside, including dishes, Tupperware, and cookbooks.
Packing is a great opportunity to reduce kitchen clutter. Start fresh in your new kitchen by throwing away broken items and donating old or outdated ones.
Disconnect and Remove Appliances
Disconnect all your appliances before the remodel begins. If you’re familiar with the process, you can remove your appliances from the kitchen yourself, but only after turning off the water, gas, and electricity. Many contractors take care of this step, and if you’re not confident in doing it yourself, it’s always best to leave it to a professional.
Protect Your Surfaces
Kitchen remodels are a messy business, and parts that aren’t being redone can easily get damaged if not properly protected. Remove glass light fixture coverings, outlet covers, and register covers. Then, talk to your contractor to find out if they will supply protective material—if not, you might need to invest in:
- Floor and baseboard protection
- Dropcloths
- Plastic sheeting or dust barriers
- Window wrap
- Cardboard countertop coverings
- Threshold shields
Double Check the Details
Review your expectations with your contractors, including confirming the timeline, budget, and any last-minute modifications to your original plan. Open, transparent communication with your contractor can help you avoid misunderstandings and delays during your kitchen remodel.
Before the contractors arrive, do one last sweep of your kitchen to make sure everything that needs to be packed away is safely stored in places that won’t cause hazards for the crew. Pets, in addition, should be kept out of the way during remodeling. Boarding them or limiting their access to the kitchen will keep both your remodel crew and your furry friend safe.
Prepare for a Kitchen Remodel with Minnesota Home Improvements
At Minnesota Home Improvements, we specialize in kitchen renovation and remodeling. Whether you need help planning a new layout, installing cabinets, or completely renovating your kitchen space, our team has the craftsmanship and professional service to get the job done. View our work on our online gallery, or contact us today for a free quote.
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