I Want to Renovate My Kitchen: Where Do I Begin?

They’re calling it ‘kitchen envy.’ No, it’s not a new Sherwin-Williams paint color. The term refers to the feeling of jealousy one gets when they see a kitchen that they prefer over their own. The New York Post reported on a study from last year that found that 50% of the U.S. respondents admitted to experiencing kitchen envy. The point is, many people are unhappy with their kitchens. We understand this will hardly come as a surprise… to half of our readers.

If you’re in that boat, it’s likely that you’ve been considering renovating your kitchen for some time now. The only problem is, most homeowners don’t have the slightest clue where to begin! Any sort of home remodeling project can be a daunting and overwhelming consideration. It costs money, time, energy, and more; a bona fide investment venture.

At HEX General Contractors, we’ve helped countless homeowners from the Bay Area to Sacramento upgrade and update their kitchens, bathrooms, siding, windows, doors, and even build ADUs, decks, and patios! If you’re approaching your kitchen renovation with zero experience and understanding, we can help. Our goal is to make premier craftsman renovations easy and accessible for our neighbors around northern California. Here’s a little guide to get you started on your kitchen renovation journey.

1. Define Your Goals

Establish the overall mission of your kitchen renovation before anything else. What are you trying to accomplish:

• Create more space?

• Improve layout and flow?

• Increase home value?

• Update outdated finishes?

• Add energy-efficient appliances?

By starting with tangible goals in mind, you’ll be able to direct your decision-making and streamline the renovation process.

2. Gather Inspiration

Once you’ve set your goal, have fun dreaming and discovering a more detailed vision for your kitchen! Helpful and inspiring tools include:

• Pinterest

• Instagram

• Design magazines

Pay close attention to every detail and collect them into one easy-to-access location. Being able to show your contractor the colors, layouts, lighting, and features that catch your eye will help them work with you in selecting and sourcing the materials and pieces. You can also work with our Interior Design arm to build your inspiration for the perfect kitchen!

3. Set a Realistic Budget

This is a massive step. It can be difficult to settle on a budget without the help of a professional team to give you a good understanding of what your plans may cost. Our team offers free estimates, so reach out to us for a consultation! We’ll come in and perform a walkthrough of your kitchen to build a cost analysis that you can review to make an educated decision. One word of advice is to include a 10-20% buffer for unexpected expenses that might come up. It’s always better to over-budget!

4. Hire the Right Contractor

There’s a lot to learn about when looking for a good contractor, but we’ll just give you the overview for now.

This step will make all the difference in creating a kitchen that you love and don’t regret. Highly-rated licensed contractors with local experience will be the best fit for you. Here’s what you can expect from a good contractor:

• They will help you fine-tune your ideas

• They can offer design assistance or connect you with a designer

• They can provide detailed, itemized estimates

• They will help you with any permits and inspections

Our team has decades of experience in and around Sacramento. We’re a small, family-owned business with local roots and a heart for the community. Our goal is to always prioritize the homeowner and make your dreams come to life.

Your Local Kitchen Renovation Experts

Renovating your kitchen is a big undertaking. It’s something we do for a living, so we try not to minimize just how big of a deal it is for you as the homeowner. At HEX, we do everything in our power to respect you and your home with the right attitude, quality materials, smart solutions, and a communicative team. We can come in and help you at any point in your renovation journey, whether that’s at step one or step four. When it comes to a kitchen renovation, we want to help you enjoy the process so that you can look back on it without any stress or regrets.

If you’re ready to reinvent your kitchen, reach out to us today! We’d love to chat with you through any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have. Schedule a free estimate to meet us in person and get an accurate understanding of the cost and budget of your plans.