This week, countless American families are celebrating Thanksgiving. Perhaps there’s no other holiday that revolves around food as much as this one! I’m guessing that wherever you are this week, you’re spending a lot of time in the kitchen – whether it’s yours or someone else’s, it gets you thinking about kitchen design.
Remodeling a kitchen is a big undertaking. Everyone has their own reasons for going this route. The main reason people choose kitchen remodeling over moving or building a new home entirely is that they love their house overall and the neighborhood they’re in, but their kitchen simply wasn’t designed properly. In short, it’s just not functioning well for their day-to-day living. Why? Because it was designed for someone else originally! This really matters. Funnily enough, the most common complaint we hear is home owners or tenants absolutely hating their kitchen sink. We usually resort to using Ceramic Sinks to solve this problem, as they are design neutral and fit in with almost any kitchen design.
Kitchens are not a “one-size-fits-all” space. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Each kitchen in a home should be reflective of the current homeowners’ taste, needs, lifestyle and functionality requirements. Forget about the previous owners or the “future” owners who will buy your house. They don’t matter now. You do.
When homeowners call me to talk about a kitchen remodeling project they’re planning for, I first start by listening to them. I want to understand what’s not working for them just as much as I want to understand what is working for them. No matter how trivial they think their complaints are about their current kitchen, it’s not trivial to me. I sympathize with them and have been there myself. Over my 25 years in the custom home building and remodeling business, kitchen remodeling questions are among the most popular topics because it’s where we spend the majority of our time. Whether they have questions about the cost of granite countertops, or about the suppliers we get our materials from, I can answer them all!
I can also provide help and guidance, as well as industry contacts who can provide help and assistance in the future. For example, if you are bringing old appliances into your renovated kitchen, then I can recommend firms such as Junior Appliance Edmonton who will be happy to assist with any future repairs.
In an initial meeting, I continue with my extensive interview in order to assess what the homeowners’ immediate needs and desires are or — what I like to call – their “must-have” items are (including layout issues) for their new kitchen. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to addressing a whole host of topics ranging from the time frame of their kitchen remodeling project to selections, budgeting and everything in-between, many homeowners are pleasantly taken aback at the laundry list of related questions I ask them as we become engaged in the feasibility process. Any good general contractor or certified kitchen designer needs to ask you an army of kitchen remodeling questions early on. If they don’t, run quickly in the other direction.
Here’s an idea of some of the kitchen remodeling questions our team would ask as we work with you:
- Are you right- or left-handed?
- How tall are you?
- Do you do any specialized baking or cooking? If so, what type?
- Do you like to sit while preparing food?
- Does your spouse or children help prepare food?
- Who helps with the dishes?
- What type of eating area do you desire?
- How often do you entertain?
- In addition to cooking and baking, what other activities take place in your kitchen? Bill pay? Homework? Internet surfing?
- Do you need storage for liquor in your kitchen?
- Would a file drawer be advantageous in your kitchen?
- Where would you like a telephone?
- What is your feeling toward open display of pots, dishes, utensils?
- How many sets of Pots & Pans do you have?
- How many sets of dishes do you have?
- How much glassware do you have?
- How much silverware is stored in the kitchen?
- How often do you go shopping?
- Do you buy any foods or drinks in bulk?
- Do you keep a Kosher Kitchen?
- Do you store your table linens in your kitchen?
- How do you feel about decorative open shelves?
- Do you store medicine or vitamins in the kitchen?
- Do you have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen?
- Would you like a decorative hood?
- Do you have a particular period style in mind?
- Would you like a multi-level cabinet design?
- Do you prefer cabinets with drawers vs. doors?
- Would you like an entertainment system in or adjacent to the kitchen?
- Do you require a separate utility cabinet for brooms, mops and cleaning supplies?
These 30 kitchen remodeling questions barely scratch the surface when it comes to the actual layout, design, product selections, materials, hardware, lighting, flooring and finishes for your new kitchen. Our kitchen remodeling questions list goes into the hundreds. There are a lot more important details our design-build team needs to gather from you in order to create a custom kitchen to suit your style, needs and budget. Don’t be overwhelmed. You don’t have to answer these alone without professional help.
We have established relationships with top kitchen designers in the Chicagoland area to present you with options and help you make decisions along every step of the way. Just like a physician offers his patients guidance and advice for the best path to individual healing, your design-build team should be your advocate and help you make critical decisions to achieve the aesthetic and functionality you desire for your new kitchen. Remember: every kitchen is unique, just like every family that lives in it.
Smart people ask questions. Do you agree?
