When it comes to kitchen renovations, there are many options available. The do-it-yourself approach offers the convenience of working within your own schedule and managing the costs of the materials. However, this is a simplistic view for a major renovation.
One area that is frequently neglected, particularly by many renovation-themed television programs, is the cost of personal time during a renovation. There is a great deal of time involved that often is not originally calculated, including sourcing out unfamiliar product (appliances, cupboards, etc.), co-ordinating the removal of old product, hiring trades such as plumbers and electricians, dealing with product delays and, finally, the installation itself. And this is only considering a replacement renovation; it does not consider the time it takes to plan and design a complete overhaul.
All this must occur during your regular life. Another consideration that is often miscalculated when doing projects yourself is the cost of errors. Replacing old with new is not always a simple process. Old cabinets may not be the same size as new, and fitting these may require some adjusting. If countertops, backsplashes, flooring and appliances are involved, you will want to make sure everything fits and operates perfectly. I have seen do-it-yourself renovations where an island was built without allowing space for the oven door to fully open.
When you hire professionals for a major renovation, you pay for their knowledge and experience at managing the project from beginning to end. They have suppliers and tradespeople available to provide a complete service and offer creative solutions to problems that you may not have considered. This enables you to continue with your life as smoothly as living through a renovation can be.
I suggest you consider the following to help you decide which approach you plan to follow: What is the extent of this project? Do I have the skills to do this project completely? Do I have the time to dedicate to this project?
What is my budget for this project?
When budgeting, plan an additional 15 per cent to cover the unexpected. This is also true if you hire professionals. Quotes are offered before the job ever starts. There could be hidden costs that no one could estimate until you begin. For instance, if your old cabinets are glued and bolted to the wall, you may have wall damage that needs to be dealt with. Rather than removing a few screws, you could end up rebuilding a wall.
Interview a few design companies that offer kitchen renovations and you will be better equipped to make the choice that is right for you.
Leanne Brownoff is an interior design consultant
