Lise Simms: Hi everybody! I’m Lise Simms here with five fabulous facts about getting started
on your kitchen remodel that you are not going to miss but before you start
tearing down those walls this is my favorite part. Let’s make sure we have all our
steps in order, listen a little extra work in the front is going to be payout big time
with time, money and headaches in the back so fact number one define your
goals. Sounds simple, but what kind of kitchen do you really want? And now is
your chance to be specific try to write it out in a single sentence. I want a kitchen
that’s modern and open and hip. Or asking someone at these questions, do I just
want to increase the resell value of my home? Or maybe I wanted to create a
gather place for all my family and friends. Do you want to make kitchen for all of
that entertaining your going to do, its good question.
Also don’t hesitate to get everyone in the household involves and nothing gets
forgotten, remember form always follows function. So what you are really
looking for is a kitchen that works or you and your family. You want the kitchen
that makes your life easier right? Now here is my favorite question of all, what
really bugs you about your current kitchen? Put that at the top your priority’s list
and then later if your budget gets cut your priorities don’t get cut. I know, it’s a
lot to take in but by defining your goals and now you are going to make
communicating with your kitchen designer and your contractor so much easier
later. On the fact number two, create a financial budget, you need to make sure
you know how much money you have to spend and that is realistic base on all the
things you want to accomplish. And then where’s that coming from? Are breaking
into the piggy bank or you taking out at the home equity loan and will you be
approve for that loan? And how long it will take to receive the loan and also then
will you have to move out during the remodel. Do you have to rent an apartment?
You need to figure all this items into your budget, so you got a real life idea of
how your cash flow is being affected.
Which move us on to fact number three, create a time budget. Everybody thinks
about the money grunts but now if I think about the time how long you are you
willing to be without the kitchen or potentially living somewhere else three
months, six months, a year. You know the average link of time for kitchen
remodel depends on the scope of the project but it can take as little as three
months and up to a year if you are moving exteriors walls or expanding your
space, think about it. The link time you have in mind may actually change the
parameters of the job. Next fact number four, create a wish book. I have to admit I
always start with this part first because it’s so much fun. This is your opportunity
to look in magazines pull out pictures of kitchens you love. If you see a turquoise
jacket in the catalog and it just the color that makes you sing, rip it out and go to
home stores. Go to kitchen design stores and pick pictures of friends kitchens,
everything. Specs sheets on appliances, brochures and they are go into your wish
book. For instance you are going to search the pattern develop, it’s going to
become apparent what’s styles you really do love. What colors work for you? It’s
a great tool, its super fun to put together and it will really to help you define your
likes and dislikes. And don’t forget channel surfing because there are s many TV
channels out there. There are ton of programs out there to help you pick a kitchen
that works for you. So your viewing for your family later, I happen to like HG
TV.
Okay finally fact five, keep it fun from the start. Yes the most important thing to
remember is this can and will be fun. Keep us sense of humor about you, is it
stressful and done thing thinking about all the work before the works actually
starts of course it is. But remember why you wanted to do this on the first place?
You really want a new kitchen, this is an awesome opportunity to create the
kitchen that works for you and your families and opportunity to have your kitchen
you’ve love for years to come. So sit backs and it will happen, get ready to laugh
that off. Is that easy? Don’t’ forget you have to comeback right here to me for five
more facts on how to make your dream kitchen of reality. I’m Lise Simms; I’ll see
you next time.