What To Do To Prepare For A Kitchen Remodel

Make Every Design Decision Before Demolition Starts

This sounds obvious, but it's where half of all project delays originate. Every cabinet style, countertop material, tile selection, fixture finish, and hardware choice needs to be locked in before we start tearing things apart.

Here's why this matters: changing your mind mid-project doesn't just cost time. It costs real money and creates a domino effect through your entire timeline. That tile you want instead? It has a six-week lead time, and now your plumber can't come back for another three weeks after it arrives.

Your kitchen remodeler will provide selection deadlines. Hit them. If you're struggling to decide between two backsplash options, pick one and move forward. Perfection is the enemy of completion.

Budget for your selections before you fall in love with them. Cabinets typically eat 30-40% of your budget, countertops another 10-15%, and appliances 15-20%. Know these numbers going in.

Clear Out Everything (And We Mean Everything)

Alright, let's talk about the physical work you're doing before we arrive. Empty every cabinet, every drawer, every corner of your kitchen. That includes:

• Dishes, glassware, and cookware

  
  

• Small appliances (toasters, blenders, coffee makers)

  
  

• Food from cabinets and your pantry

  
  

• Items under the sink

  
  

• Anything stored on top of cabinets

  
  

• Wall decorations, calendars, and magnets from the fridge

  
  

• Window treatments

  
  

• Everything in your junk drawer (yes, that one)

  
  

This isn't time to organize. This is time to box things up and move them out. Label boxes by category if you want, but don't overthink it. You'll be living without this kitchen for 8-12 weeks on average, sometimes longer for complex projects.

Consider this your forced decluttering session. That bread maker you haven't touched in three years? Donate it now. Those mismatched plastic containers? Recycle them. You're about to get a beautiful new kitchen. Start fresh.

Set Up Your Temporary Kitchen Like You Mean It

You'll need a functional temporary kitchen, and "functional" is doing some heavy lifting here. Pick a location with access to water. Your dining room, basement, or even a large bathroom can work.

Move your refrigerator to this space if possible. We can disconnect it and help relocate it (ask about this during your planning meeting). If moving it isn't practical, you'll work with what you've got.

Essential temporary kitchen equipment:

• Microwave

  
  

• Coffee maker (non-negotiable for most people)

  
  

• Toaster or toaster oven

  
  

• Electric kettle

  
  

• Slow cooker or Instant Pot

  
  

• Cooler with ice for overflow refrigeration

  
  

• Paper plates, plastic utensils, disposable cups

  
  

• Dish tub for washing (if you're not going fully disposable)

  
  

Set up a small prep station with a cutting board, basic utensils, and paper towels. You won't be cooking elaborate meals, but you can survive comfortably with some planning.

Here's the thing: this setup isn't about gourmet cooking. It's about making coffee, heating leftovers, and getting through your mornings without losing your mind.

Create a Meal Strategy (Your Sanity Depends On It)

Living without a kitchen changes how you eat. Plan for it now, not on day three when you're standing in your temporary kitchen area wondering what's for dinner.

Your options basically break down like this:

Takeout and restaurants: Budget an extra $500-1,500 for the duration of your project. Yes, really. Three months of increased dining out adds up faster than you think. If this doesn't fit your budget, focus on the other options.

Premade meals: Grocery stores sell rotisserie chickens, premade salads, and heat-and-eat options. Stock up on items requiring minimal preparation. Think sandwiches, salads, pre-cooked proteins.

Outdoor cooking: If you have a grill and the weather cooperates, use it. Grilled proteins and vegetables can carry you through weeks of the project. A camping stove works too.

Meal prep before demo: Make large batches of food the week before demolition and freeze portions. Soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes reheat well in a microwave.

Protect the Rest of Your Home

Dust happens during kitchen remodeling. Period. We'll contain it as much as possible with plastic barriers and negative air pressure, but some dust travels. Your job is to protect what matters.

Move furniture away from walls adjacent to the kitchen. Take down valuable artwork. Cover nearby furniture with plastic sheeting or old sheets. Remove area rugs if they're near the work zone.

We'll need a clear path from our trucks to your kitchen. That means moving furniture, decorations, or anything blocking hallways and doorways. The straighter the path, the faster we work.

Plan for noise, too. Demolition day sounds exactly like you'd imagine. If you work from home, schedule important calls for different days or find alternative workspace. If you have young children, consider having them stay with family during the loudest phases.

Figure Out the Dumpster and Material Storage Situation

Your kitchen remodeler needs space for a dumpster (usually 20-30 yards), material deliveries, and possibly a construction trailer. Talk through these logistics during your planning phase.

Where does the dumpster go? Driveway, street, side yard? Some municipalities require permits for street placement. Your contractor handles this, but you need to know it's happening.

Material deliveries arrive throughout the project. Cabinets might come three weeks in. Countertops arrive later. These items need protected storage, usually in your garage or a spare room. Clear that space early.

Of course, none of this comes free. Your contract should outline dumpster costs (typically $400-800 depending on your location) and any fees for extended placement. Ask about this if it's not clear in your proposal.

Handle Permit Requirements and Building Code Issues

Your kitchen remodeler pulls the necessary permits. That's not your job. But you should understand what's happening and why it matters.

Permits typically cost $500-2,000 depending on your location and project scope. This covers structural changes, electrical work, plumbing modifications, and gas line work. Your municipality's building department sets these fees.

Inspections happen at various project stages: after rough electrical, after rough plumbing, before walls close up, and at final completion. These inspections keep your project legal and safe. They also add time to your schedule.

Building codes change regularly. That kitchen built in 1995? It doesn't meet current electrical codes, especially around GFCI outlets and circuit requirements. We'll bring everything up to code during your remodel. This sometimes means extra work you didn't anticipate, particularly in older homes.

If your home was built before 1978, we test for lead paint. If it's present, we follow specific containment and removal protocols. This isn't optional.

Know What the Timeline Actually Looks Like

Here's a realistic kitchen remodeling timeline for a standard project:

Weeks 1-2: Demolition and rough-in work (electrical, plumbing, HVAC adjustments)

Weeks 3-4: Framing modifications, drywall, and painting

Weeks 5-7: Cabinet installation, countertop templating and installation

Weeks 8-10: Tile work, fixture installation, finish electrical and plumbing

Weeks 10-12: Final touches, punch list, final inspection

Delays happen. Material back-orders, weather affecting deliveries, unexpected structural issues, inspection scheduling. Buffer your timeline by 2-3 weeks mentally. If we finish early, you'll be thrilled. If we hit typical delays, you won't be stressed.

Custom cabinets take 6-8 weeks to manufacture after you order them. Countertop fabrication takes 2-3 weeks after templating. Some tile selections have 4-6 week lead times. These lead times drive your project schedule more than anything else.

Plan for Pets and Small Children

Let's be practical here. Construction sites aren't safe for curious pets or young children. Dogs and cats need to stay completely away from the work area. Period.

The dangers are real: exposed nails, power tools, chemical odors, strangers coming and going, and doors left open. If your pet normally hangs out in the kitchen or has food and water there, relocate their setup to a quiet room far from construction.

Some pet owners board their animals during the demolition phase or send them to stay with family. Others confine pets to bedrooms or finished basements. Figure out what works for your situation.

Small children face similar risks. If you can arrange childcare during the loudest phases, do it. The noise from demolition and tile cutting is intense. Even if they're home, keep them in rooms away from the construction zone.

Prepare for the Emotional Reality

Who would've thought kitchen remodeling could be emotionally exhausting? But here's the truth: living through a renovation tests your patience. Your daily routines disappear. Your home feels chaotic. Decision fatigue sets in.

Some ways to maintain your sanity:

Lower your housekeeping standards. Your home will have dust. Accept it. Focus on keeping the living areas functional and let go of perfect cleanliness temporarily.

Maintain one clean, calm space. Keep your bedroom or a family room as a retreat from construction chaos. This matters more than you'd think.

Communicate with your household. Everyone's patience wears thin during kitchen remodeling. Acknowledge it's temporary and be extra patient with each other.

Plan something to look forward to. Maybe it's a dinner out the day after cabinets are installed. Maybe it's a weekend away mid-project. Give yourselves a break from the chaos.

The disruption is temporary. The beautiful, functional kitchen you're creating? That's permanent.

What About Cost (Let's Talk Real Numbers)

Kitchen remodeling costs vary wildly based on size, finishes, and scope. Here's what you're looking at for a typical 200-square-foot kitchen:

Budget remodel: $15,000-25,000 New cabinet fronts, laminate countertops, vinyl flooring, keeping existing appliances, minimal layout changes.

Mid-range remodel: $35,000-60,000 New cabinets, quartz or granite countertops, ceramic or porcelain tile, new appliances, some layout modifications.

High-end remodel: $75,000-150,000+ Custom cabinetry, premium countertops, designer tile, high-end appliances, significant structural changes.

These ranges include labor, which typically represents 40-50% of your total project cost. The remaining 50-60% goes to materials.

Expect 10-20% cost overruns from your original budget. Hidden structural issues, code compliance requirements, and design changes during construction drive these increases. Setting aside a 15% contingency fund keeps unexpected costs from derailing your project.

Your Final Pre-Demo Checklist

The week before demolition, run through this final checklist:

• Confirm all material selections are ordered and delivery schedules are confirmed

  
  

• Box up and remove everything from your kitchen

  
  

• Set up your temporary kitchen space with all equipment tested and working

  
  

• Protect adjacent rooms with furniture moved or covered

  
  

• Clear the path from outside to your kitchen

  
  

• Arrange pet care or containment plans

  
  

• Confirm dumpster delivery date and location

  
  

• Stock up on paper plates, disposable utensils, and easy meal options

  
  

• Take "before" photos for your own records

  
  

• Have a final walkthrough with your kitchen remodeler to confirm the plan

  
  

What Happens Next

Once demolition starts, your role shifts from preparation to patience. We'll communicate regularly about progress, address any surprises we find, and keep you informed about the schedule.

The decisions you've made during preparation determine how smoothly your kitchen remodeling progresses. Every selection locked in, every box packed, every system set up is one less delay during construction.

Your new kitchen is worth the temporary chaos. The preparation work you're doing now makes the entire process manageable. Trust the process, stay flexible when surprises arise, and keep your eyes on the end result.

If you're still in the planning phase and haven't selected a kitchen remodeler yet, take time to interview contractors, check references, and review portfolios. The relationship you build with your contractor matters as much as any other preparation step.

Clear expectations, thorough preparation, and good communication between you and your contractor? That's how successful kitchen remodeling happens. You're investing in your home and your daily quality of life. Do the preparation work right, and you'll be cooking in your dream kitchen before you know it.