The Kitchen Remodel Decisions You Cannot Undo Later

When remodeling your kitchen, you can get away with a poorly chosen backsplash, as you can replace it in a few years if the design stops working for you. However, it’s different for a sink drain, since moving one means opening the floor and paying a plumber twice. Generally, most kitchen remodeling advice is grouped by price, but a more useful way to think may be by how hard each decision is to reverse.  Here's what you should know:

Where Your Kitchen Remodel Cost Goes

The cost of kitchen remodel splits into two very different kinds of spending. 

• You spend one part on things you can see and change later

• You spend the other part on work that disappears behind drywall and stays there for a long time

Keep in mind that you will spend the most on cabinets, and industry data confirms this. Your labor bill comes next, and that number climbs whenever you move something. You’ll notice the same pattern in the resale figures. You’re likely to get far more of your money back from a remodel that keeps the existing layout than from one that changes it. 

However, it doesn’t mean you should avoid a layout change altogether, but just bear in mind that your decision is going to affect the final number more than any tile you pick. Be sure to take your time before you decide anything here.

The Choices That Lock In on Day One

When you consider any kitchen remodel checklist, you’ll know that it’s vital to pay most attention to five decisions, as they are going to stay with you for a very long time. They include:

• The layout, especially where your sink, range, and refrigerator sit

• The plumbing runs, which decide where a sink or dishwasher can go

• The electrical circuits, including whether you can add an induction range later

• The ventilation route, which depends on the shortest path to an outside wall

• The window and door openings, which set your natural light permanently

You should spend your planning time on the layout and everything that runs through the walls, and leave the finishes for later. It is also a good idea to use a professional’s help. Remember, an extra hour with a designer would cost far less than a plumber’s second visit.

The Choices You Can Revisit Later

Everything on the surface of your kitchen can be changed on a normal weekend, so none of it needs to be decided now. For instance, it’s easy to swap:

• The cabinet hardware

• The paint color

• The faucet

• The light fixtures

• The backsplash

However, you need to be more careful with your appliances. For instance, it’s easy to swap a dishwasher for another, but a move from gas to induction may require a new circuit and a lot more work. 

It is also a good idea to let the reversible items wait as long as possible. It means that a backsplash chosen after the cabinets arrive will suit them better than one chosen from a screenshot alone. Your paint works the same way, as a color that looked right in the store may clash with the finish on your doors. Take your time and leave these decisions for the very last stage of the kitchen remodel.

Endnote

Before you proceed with a kitchen remodeling project, you need to consider your overall budget. And the budget you decide will mostly go to your layout. Don’t make a design choice based on a fleeting trend either, as a countertop you have grown tired of can be replaced, but it won’t be the same when your dishwasher door blocks the drawer you need every morning. Be sure to have a budget in mind, and remember to work with a professional if you're unsure how to proceed.