In this article, we will outline 7 New Jersey kitchen remodeling questions that we get on a regular basis. The thought of remodeling your kitchen can be both exciting and scary. On one hand, by the time you’re done, you’ll have a brand new kitchen to cook in and maybe even have lunch or drinks in if you install a snack bar. On the other hand, there are a whole lot of variables to consider which can be stressful.
Just trying to find a suitable kitchen remodeling contractor in NJ can be a chore, and that’s before you even get the chance to ask them all the important remodeling questions. We are going to go over some of the most commonly asked questions people usually have when looking for a local kitchen renovation contractor, to help you make a more informed decision.
7 Top Kitchen Remodeling Questions and Answers
How much will it cost to remodel my kitchen?
How long is a piece of string? This is one of those questions that’s extremely difficult to answer without a whole lot more detail about what you’re looking for. If you find a NJ kitchen remodeling firm that’s willing to give you a quote before telling them any information about what you’re looking for, you should hang up the phone immediately – you can bet that price rises the minute you receive an invoice for the work performed.
Everything will be fully dependent on the size of your kitchen, the brands and models you select for installation and where you choose to source (or let the NJ kitchen renovation company source) the materials.
To put things into perspective, based on recent actual projects by the DBP Preferred Remodelers, information offered by Remodeling Magazine’s annual cost vs. value report, and various estimating software programs, the average price for a kitchen remodel in NJ is $65,000, including design, materials and installation. Keep in mind though, that’s for a brand new kitchen and includes the price of appliances as well. Feel free to subtract the cost of items that don’t need replacing, like fridges, dishwashers and cabinets. Obviously, the less you choose to replace or remodel, the less you’ll end up paying, and the more high end features you choose, the more your kitchen remodeling project will cost, so start from that number and work up or down, depending on your budget and taste.
Should I try to cut costs and how can I do so?
Many people try to cut costs and that’s understandable – no one ever wants to pay more than they have to for anything. Keep in mind though, when you cut costs, you are always compromising something, whether in terms of quality or the skill of the kitchen remodeling specialist in question. Also, trying to cut costs now, can end up costing you a lot more in the long run, when you have to start replacing things in just a couple years. We aren’t saying to just hand your money blindly to the first remodeling contractor you get a quote from – definitely shop around for a good deal, but keep in mind the lowest price is rarely the best option.
To help reduce costs on your own, there are a few things you can do. You might have a friend who is an interior designer and can help you design your new kitchen just out of kindness. This can reduce your costs drastically. Or, you could consider removing some of the current components on your own, while being careful not to damage anything. While no reputable remodeling company in New Jersey will have a problem removing your old kitchen for you, they will charge you for the work performed. If they get there and they don’t need to remove anything, allowing them to get right to work, you can save yourself from paying their daily rate for a couple days.
Do I need to pay for the kitchen remodeling up front?
No. Don’t ever consider working with a kitchen remodeler if they ask you to pay their full quote up front. That said, paying something up front is industry standard. Oftentimes, you will be expected to pay 33% – 50% of the quote up front, both as a guarantee that you will work with them until the end, and to help them cover the material costs until you pay them the remainder.
Any reputable NJ kitchen renovator will allow you to stay up to date in terms of costs as you move forward. They should be keeping a running tally of the work performed so far and the materials used. If things are starting to look way over budget, you’ll want to sit down with the contractor and discuss how you can keep things a bit more manageable for your budget. Many projects do go over budget, and it’s not always the fault of the contractor – so don’t be too quick to throw around blame. Many of them are willing to work towards a solution with you to keep you happy.
What are the biggest factors affecting price?
Believe it or not, custom cabinets are often the biggest cost in any kitchen – sometimes representing anywhere from one-third to one-half of the total overall cost. This is because custom cabinets are intricately designed and can take months to complete from start to finish. If you don’t have any huge problems with your cabinets right now, you might consider leaving them in and just adding a very nice layer of paint or finish – it could save you a ton on your total bill.
Also, the materials you choose can have a great impact on the final price. While that should go without saying, some people are surprised at the price difference between the budget and luxury materials. There is a hidden cost involved in budget materials though, as they are more likely to break and need to be replaced. For most people, a happy medium is to find something mid-range that looks nice and will hold up for several years. If you’re considering the more luxurious materials, then price is probably not too big of a driving factor for you in the first place.
How long will it take to complete a kitchen remodel?
Again, it all depends on the type of work you’re looking to have done. If you’re just looking to lay some new tiles and wallpaper, then it can all go quite quickly. If you’re looking to get custom cabinets designed then the whole process can sometimes take up to three months including the design and installation of all components. You should always discuss timelines with the contractor you decide to work with before you begin. Let them know what sort of timeline is suitable for you, but understand there will always be a bit of wiggle room with any estimate, both time and money-wise.
What is the kitchen work triangle and is it absolutely necessary?
The kitchen work triangle is the area in between the refrigerator, the main cooking area and the main sink. Unless you have a kitchen with only one wall, it should form a triangle – this will keep all activities in the kitchen functional and efficient, making your time spent cooking and cleaning drastically less than if you don’t have a kitchen work triangle in place.
As for whether it’s necessary or not, that’s all up to you. The reasons behind having it are solid, and you should really only avoid it if you have a very good reason to go with another set up. Remember though, if you choose to not go with a kitchen work triangle, and end up not liking it, it could be very expensive to fix and might even require your the remodeling company coming back out to perform the work all over again.
Will I be able to use my kitchen while it is being remodeled?
That all depends on the stage of the kitchen remodeling project. If you have an urgent need for your kitchen on any particular day, try to tell the contractor the day before so they can plan the next day’s work around it.
That said, there will certainly be some days where it will not be suitable to use your kitchen, as they might be moving appliances and your oven might need to be unplugged overnight. The contractor should make you aware of any days like this though to help you be more prepared.
When they are working on things like cabinets, they can usually do so in a fairly non-intrusive way that will still allow you to use most parts of your kitchen. The key here is to have proper communication between you and the contractor, both in terms of your needs and their workload. This sort of communication will help to prevent any surprises. Worst case scenario, you can always order a pizza or some takeout – it might not be the healthiest option, but it sure beats the mental burden of stressing over your kitchen.
New Jersey Kitchen Renovation Questions and Answers – Conclusion
We hope this has been helpful for you, to give you a better understanding of the things you need to know and should be asking about before hiring a home remodeling contractor. Remember, when in doubt, it never hurts to ask questions – it’s unlikely you’ll be asking about anything they aren’t already used to hearing dozens of times.
Top NJ Home Remodeling Pros – Local Areas We Serve
The Design Build Planners assist homeowners with their kitchen remodels throughout New Jersey, including Monmouth and Ocean Counties – Wall Township, Brielle, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Belmar, and surrounding areas.
If you have questions or are looking to find the perfect remodeling contractor for your NJ kitchen, schedule a phone consultation with one of us.
