How to Prepare Your Home for Kitchen Remodeling
Feb 4, 2016
So you have done all of the research, adjusted your budget, found the perfect contractor, have gotten any permits you may need (if necessary) and now the day is coming for the beginning of your remodeling project. Many home owners have little to no idea what to expect, or what the process of having a construction crew in the home is like. We wanted to offer these helpful solutions to alleviate some of the stress, time and pressure off of your shoulders. With the ideas below, you will grately reduce both project time and post project clean up time. Of course, every situation is different, but these tips are a good general guideline to keeping the disturbance of a building project as minimal as possible.
Before You Begin
1. Protect what you’re keeping, whether floors cabinets, appliances or fixtures.
2. Seal off the kitchen from the rest of the house to minimize dust and dirt in other areas.
3. Rent and schedule the delivery of a dumpster for non-salvageable items.
4. Make arrangements with Habitat for Humanity or another charity to haul off usable construction goods, cabinets, fixtures, hardware or appliances following the demolition. Your donation may qualify for a tax write off, so keep your documentation.
5. Pull a linoleum sample to test for asbestos. If it tests positive, make arrangements with an abatement team for floor removal. If it’s negative, you may safely remove the floor yourself.
Prepare Your Kitchen in 10-Steps
Work backwards from the way the kitchen was originally built to make removal easier. This is always the fastest way to strip out the kitchen while minimizing damage to fixtures, counters and cabinets intended for reuse or recycle.
1. Disconnect the gas, plumbing and electricity to your kitchen.
2. Disconnect the water and drain pipes from the dishwasher, sink and refrigerator.
3. Disconnect the gas from the oven and the electricity from any appliance that is hardwired directly into the wall.
4. Remove glass shades from light fixtures, outlet covers, heat registers and window coverings.
5. Pull out the appliances and remove faucets and sink attachments. Lift out the sink if it sits above the countertop.
6. Pry trim from around cabinets, windows and floor, removing the sink’s backsplash, wall tile, countertop and particleboard. Remove the sink if it sits below the countertop.
7. Remove the upper and base kitchen cabinets using a pry bar or drill.
8. Pull the old drywall or lathe & plaster off the ceiling and walls using a crowbar or prybar. Exercise extreme caution around electrical wiring and ductwork. Remove nails and insulation.
9. If your floor tested negative for asbestos, remove the various layers of linoleum and glue or floor tile and grout using a pry bar and rubber mallet.
10. Clean up waste and clear as much dirt and dust as possible to prepare for your new kitchen installation.
In conclusion
There are a few steps that you, as a home owner, can take that will stream line your kitchen remodeling and will be beneficial to both you, and the contractors working on your house. If you have any additional questions, contact your contractor and prepare your kitchen to be transformed into the kitchen youve always wanted.