A kitchen remodel in Seattle can impact the feeling of your entire home. Go light and airy if you want to balance out the rain and grey outside, or lean into a dark and moody vibe to embrace the coziness of being indoors in the Pacific Northwest. You can even add a coffee station to bring the city’s caffeine culture into your renovated space.
Anything is possible, no matter the state of your current kitchen, with the right contractor.
Preparation
A well-planned, well-executed kitchen remodel will not only improve the function and look of the hardest-working space in your home, it will also boost the value of what is likely to be your biggest investment. To make your dream kitchen a reality, consider which elements you would like to see in your new space, how much you want to spend and which contractor will create your vision.
Envision Your Design and Set Your Goals
The first step to a kitchen remodel is to learn what your tastes are when it comes to cabinets, countertops, hardware, tile, appliances, lighting and layout; all of the components that will make your kitchen look great and function more easily.
Scour magazines, Pinterest, social media and blogs to see all of the options and discover what speaks to you. Dark walnut, white oak or painted cabinets? Inset cabinets or full overlay? Open shelving? Natural stone countertops, quartz or porcelain?
In selecting all of the details, consider your overall style and how you want your kitchen to feel. Modern with flat-panel cabinets, traditional with more ornate millwork or a mix of both by choosing a transitional style? Also think about what will stand up to wear-and-tear, stand the test of time and ultimately appeal to future buyers.
Function is also extremely important in any kitchen remodel. Your current kitchen should provide you with plenty of research. Consider how you move about your space. Would the refrigerator work better in a different location? How about the sink or stove? And then there’s storage. Consider deep drawers for pots and pans instead of cabinets for easier access, hidden storage for trash, and appliance garages to hide everything else to keep your counters clear.
Looking for some help to get you started? Arbor Construction of Seattle can guide you through the design process and give you all of the information you’ll need to get you one step closer to the kitchen of your dreams.
Plan Your Budget
Planning a kitchen renovation and the budget that goes with it involves figuring out all of the many components that make up a kitchen. Familiarizing yourself with the different price points of materials will allow you to make educated decisions.
Adjusting countertop material can change the cost, as can appliances and cabinets. Quartz countertops are cheaper than marble, while overlay cabinets cost less than inset. Appliances can also make a difference.
Changing the layout of your kitchen – moving the stove, refrigerator or sink – will add to the cost. Sticking to the original floorplan is a great way to save money on your remodel.
On average, you can expect a kitchen remodel in Seattle to cost somewhere between $300 and $700 a square foot, with an additional 10% to 20% to buffer for unexpected costs. With quality work and materials, your investment could provide a future return of between 60% and 80% if and when you sell your home.
Interview Contractors
Once you’ve narrowed down your budget and what you’d like to see in your dream kitchen, it’s time to find a contractor.
Arbor Construction has more than 30 years experience in the Seattle area and can guide you through both the design process and materials selection, while providing a detailed quote for installation and any additional construction, if you’re wanting to open up your space, move plumbing or add electrical.
The goal is to find a contractor who listens, respects your home and involves you in the process with clear communication about materials, execution and timelines.
Pre-Construction
Getting ready for your kitchen remodel is as important as the renovation itself to ensure a smooth process, from permitting and material selection to packing away your dishes and kitchenware, as you prepare for construction.
Understand Permitting, Timelines and Schedule
Before construction can begin, a Seattle building permit will be required to cover any structural changes, as well as plumbing and electrical. If your kitchen remodel is more of a minor kitchen refresh and costs less than $6,000, a permit may not be required. Most kitchen remodels are in excess of that amount and will require permitting, even without structural changes. Check with the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections or the SDCI website for more information.
Before work begins, your contractor will provide you with an overall timeline and a schedule to include demolition, electrical, plumbing, drywall, paint, cabinets installation, tile and flooring. The permitting process is part of that timeline and will likely take several weeks.
Choose Materials and Final Selections
Selecting your cabinets, hardware, countertops and tile is one of the more exciting parts of a kitchen renovation and the combinations are endless.
Choose a white oak island with creamy painted perimeter cabinets. Top those with a marble or black soapstone countertop for a more dramatic look. Or you could go with dark walnut or even a black painted cabinet for a more dramatic look.
Tile is both a practical and dramatic addition for above a range or on a backsplash. Some homeowners opt to bring their countertop material up onto the wall for a more seamless look.
Appliances are also a major consideration. Double ovens or a stovetop range? Double-door refrigerator or separate fridge and freezer? Another consideration is appliance panels that match your cabinetry to create the look of built-ins or an appliance garage to hide your microwave and other gadgets that can clutter countertops.
Prepare to Live without a Kitchen
As you narrow down all of your choices, including your contractor, one major consideration is how you will live through the renovation. If you decide to remain in your home during construction, there are ways to survive without a full kitchen.
Consider setting up a makeshift kitchen in a laundry or mudroom, where you can prepare quick meals. You will need access to a small refrigerator, portable cooktop and a microwave. Set up folding tables to give you more surface space for your smaller appliances and create a dishwashing station if there’s a sink. If not, paper plates and cups can fill in for those snacks and mealtimes when you’re not eating out or ordering take-out.
Construction
Once construction begins, while messy and noisy, you can rest assured you are now many steps closer to your incredible, new kitchen.
What to Expect during Construction
The start of construction is generally the loudest as your existing cabinets and floors are demolished and removed to create a clean slate for your new space.
If your kitchen layout is being changed, any framing, plumbing, electrical and drywall will come next with each stage inspected by the city of Seattle to insure compliance and quality work.
And finally, the most rewarding part: the installation of new cabinets, flooring, tile and countertops, as well as new, energy-efficient appliances.
Results
With careful planning and guidance, your dream kitchen will serve you for years to come. Hard-working countertops paired with hard-wearing cabinets will provide you with the functionality you need, as well as a beautiful space.
Inspect with Contractor
Once your project is complete, it is time to inspect every soft-close cabinet, appliance and surface with your contractor. Arbor Construction will take you through every detail of your new space and make any adjustments once construction wraps.
Enjoy your New Kitchen
It is now time to enjoy your new kitchen, whether it’s entertaining, cooking dinner for the family or sitting quietly with a cup of coffee at your new island. Contact Arbor Construction in Seattle to find out how your home can feel new again.
