7 Steps Away From the Kitchen of Your Dreams:

So you’ve finally got that long waited bonus and you are dying to find something to do with it. You could perhaps buy that new car,

or take the family on an amazing vacation. Or better yet, why not invest that money in your home? Is that a new dream kitchen I

smell? How do you start you ask? Well you are only 7 steps away to building your culinary fortress....

1) Getting Started

A detailed, well thought out plan is a must before you think about purchasing materials. Conceptualize how you want to use your

space and where you want everything to be placed. The main things that kitchens are used for is storage, preparation, eating and

clean up. Keep that in mind when creating your space so all the appliances, cabinets, sinks and furniture flows properly. After you

have sketched and planned the layout, start searching for materials, colors and designs that suit your taste. Hiring a contractor

to help you create your proper drawings and handle the construction is vital and will ensure you do the job right.

2) Demolition and Framing

There's always some demolition involved in a kitchen remodel. The process usually means removing the old kitchen elements in the

reverse order they were installed: 1) Appliances, 2) Plumbing, 3) Fixtures, 4) Countertops, 5) Cabinets. For many kitchen

projects, the demolition also involves re-framing in order to add or remove a door, window or wall. That requires clearing off the

wall surface to expose the old framing and perform any necessary structural changes.
3) Plumbing and Electrical

Many kitchen remodels involve moving plumbing and electrical fixtures to accommodate the layout of your new kitchen. There is a

number of health, safety and code issues when moving fixtures so make sure your contractor gets all necessary permits and

inspections before and throughout construction. Locate all plumbing and electrical roughs and follow all proper procedures when

relocating the units. It is essential that you complete this step before you even think about moving forward.

4) Drywall and Soffits

New dry wall is absolutely necessary anytime you alter framing and move plumbing or electrical fixtures. Make sure you complete the

dry wall work before you finish it off with any soffits. Soffits are primarily used to fill in the open spaces between the dry wall

and the ceiling but they can also be used to cover up and electrical or plumbing roughs that are exposed. Soffits are a great way

to finish off the dry wall before you start priming.

5) Cabinets, Countertops and Flooring

Once the walls are primed in a new kitchen, the next step is installing the cabinets. It's usually not that difficult, but you

should definitely leave it to your contractor to install them correctly. The whole process goes much easier when you have your

layout and all plans done. After you get your cabinets installed the next step is counter tops. Make sure all your countertop

pieces are cut and cornered properly so your kitchen looks flush and even. Next will be flooring. Flooring could actually be

installed at any point in this project, but it should be held off as long as possible to prevent wear and tear.

6) PAINT!

It is imperative that you have primed properly and evenly across all the dry wall and places that you will be painting. Just make

sure you use enough coats so the walls look smooth and there is no patchiness. A paint contractor is recommended for this, but if

you and your family want to have a little bit of fun, you can attack this yourself with ease.

7) Appliances & Fixtures

At this point, you are almost done with your dream kitchen and just need to complete the finishing touches. Install all your

appliances and try not to knick and scratch your walls. Attach all your lighting and plumbing fixtures (attention to detail goes a

long way) and you are ready to clean up. You might also want to spend some time touching up your paint job.