If you want a quick turnaround on a kitchen remodel, the average “eight to twelve weeks…” it takes to complete a full kitchen remodel seems daunting. The reality is that while speedy and shortcut-targeted Chicago kitchen remodels are possible – and sometimes recommended – they aren’t typically the route for anyone planning to live in the new kitchen design for any length of time.
Are You a Candidate for a Speedy Chicago Kitchen Remodel?
Here are some of the questions we use to guide clients into the speedy or methodical categories as we calendar upcoming kitchen build-outs:
How long are you planning on living in the house?
If you’re planning to live in your house for five years or longer, don’t go the speedy route. Five years means 1825 days of kitchen use. If you wind up with a quick version of a remodel, using lower-quality materials and/or skipping some of the most important steps (like prioritizing function over form), you’ll wind up frustrated.
On the other hand, if you’re only going to live there for a short time and want to combine a quick revamp with increased home value, a faster kitchen remodel may be the ideal solution.
Are you doing it for resale value?
That brings us to the next question; if you’re remodeling the kitchen with the final goal of increasing resale value, there’s no reason to drop tens of thousands of dollars.
Instead, read, What to Keep in Mind if You’re Remodeling for Kitchen Resale. Some of the highlights include:
- Opening up a closed-in or galley kitchen
- Making sure there’s plenty of light
- Updating cabinets and countertops (there are plenty of mid-range items that get the job done without breaking the bank).
- Consider a few wow factors
- Think in contemporary design terms
Are you hosting a special event?
Sometimes it’s a special event – like a wedding or a large anniversary party – that gets the house in order. In addition to redoing the landscaping, homeowners hosting memorable events get extremely self-conscious about potentially outdated kitchen designs.
This is a great opportunity to speak with a kitchen designer about the possibilities. If you’re generally happy with your kitchen, we’ll find ways to quickly and affordably spruce things up in time for the event, without the need for a full-blown design and build kitchen remodel experience.
Is it an investment?
If you’re investing in high-dollar finishes – like granite countertops and custom cabinetry – go the extra mile and be patient through the methodical kitchen remodeling process. High-end finishes come with hefty price tags, so you don’t want to mar their quality with poor craftsmanship and empty “speedy” promises from unqualified or inexperienced contractors. For one thing, any contractor can promise a three-week turnaround, but ultimately they have no control over the unexpected things that might turn up along the way.
It’s true that two to three months can seem like forever when you’re at the beginning of the tunnel. It’s also true that time will see like nothing when you unveil your brand new kitchen design and enjoy it on a day to day basis for many years to come. If you are daunted by the steps required via the methodical kitchen design route – and the timeline associated with it – check out, Preparing For a Chicago Kitchen Remodeling Project.
You’ll also benefit from, What Aspects of a Chicago Kitchen Remodel Take the Longest?
Don’t make a speedy decision – or a methodical one – until you’ve spoken with an experienced design-build team. Schedule a consultation to pick our brains here at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited. We promise to steer you in the right direction.
