Design a layout that supports an efficient kitchen
You want to ensure that your new kitchen is functional for your needs. As much as it may be desirable to have it be open and spacious, it’s also important to ensure you’re not having to travel great distances between your appliances. Most kitchen designs avail of “the work triangle” effect which puts the sink, fridge and cooker/oven in a triangular shape for ease of access. Consider how you use your kitchen and what layout is going to be most beneficial to you. Being a Design Build firm, we can help you with the details of this layout design to ensure you get the kitchen that is most functional for you.
The decision to undertake a kitchen renovation is no mean feat, and we understand that there is a lot to consider before embarking on such a big and disruptive project. The kitchen is often the heart of your home where the family gather to share stories of their day or where neighbours and visitors sit and chat about day to day life at the kitchen table or island. So, the idea of losing your kitchen for a month or more to renovation work can be an emotional ask.
This is why Arrow Design and Construction Ltd offer a cost effective, efficient and complete project management renovation plan so that we can complete your desired refurbishment works quickly and to the highest standards so that you can get back in your beloved new kitchen and start enjoying the benefits of your decision.
Here we discuss the five main things to consider when planning your kitchen refurbishment project.
- Make a precise plan and stick to it
Having your kitchen out of action for a few weeks isn’t the easiest thing to deal with, so you want to make sure before works begin that the disruption will be as limited as possible. This means it’s a good idea to put as much in place as you can before works start, so you know that once they do, they won’t have to keep stopping while you wait for products to arrive or contractors to be available. Thankfully, we at Arrow Ltd are a complete design and construction team so if you hire us, you can rest assured that your entire renovation project from start to finish is managed by us, so there will be no delays on the works side of things. We can also help you source quality products at discounted prices and ensure these are ready to install ahead of works starting. Our experienced carpenters are also on hand to design and build bespoke kitchen cabinets and storage units for your new kitchen. With everything taken care of by us, you know that when we give you a timeframe for your kitchen refurbishment, we guarantee that we will complete the job in this time because we control all aspects of the work being carried out from plumbing to electrics to installation and decoration.
- Budget
Kitchen renovations can be costly so it’s important to know how much it is going to set you back as well as how much you are willing to spend. You want to ensure that your refurbishment project promotes a solid return on investment overall, and that the cost of the works doesn’t exceed the value it will add. Anything from a 50% mark-up for a moderate renovation to 80% for a more lavish one.
You can save a lot of money right off the bat by keeping your major appliances in roughly the same location. If you do this you won’t incur the additional costs of any replumbing, rewiring or gas works. Even if you do this, you can still dramatically alter the look and layout of your kitchen by redesigning the layout of the cupboards and cabinets as well as installing new appliances.
The stove or range is the focal point of any kitchen. People often like to invest in a good quality range to be the centrepiece of the kitchen. However, if you are upgrading from a standard oven to a range, be aware that additional floor bracing work may need to take place in order to support the weight of the range. Also, if you are upgrading to a fridge with a water filter and ice maker, this will incur additional plumbing works. The same applies to the placement of dishwashers.
The team at Arrow Ltd will conduct a thorough consultation and take all these things into consideration in order to provide you with a quotation that covers the cost of all these works so that you don’t find yourself with fees you weren’t expecting. We will itemise all costs so you know exactly what you are spending and why.
Remember that energy efficient appliances are becoming more popular and will always benefit your return on investment if and when it comes to selling your home in the future.
- Put as much in place ahead of works starting as possible
In order to keep the disruption of having no kitchen to a minimum, we strive to work with you to put as much in place ahead of works beginning as possible. This means we spend time planning the layout and design of your kitchen with you in detail, assessing all works that need doing, sourcing products, designing any inbuilt cabinets and selecting colour palettes and floor tiles or wood. We put all our labourers in place ahead of time with a clear timeframe and schedule of what days they will be required for their part of the job and what days products will be delivered to your home. This ensures that the kitchen renovation project runs smoothly and on time. We will keep you updated as we progress and we will always respect your property while we are in it, cleaning up after each day and disposing of waste as we go.
- Lighting is Key
There’s nothing worse than a dark kitchen. If you have been struggling with this for some time, then planning your lighting sources is essential for your new kitchen. You spend your time cooking here and reading recipes, it’s important to be able to see what you’re doing. If you struggle for natural light, you may consider adding a window, or even a complete extension that not only brings more space but adds a lot of natural light. You can find out more about our house extensions here.
Our fully trained and experienced electricians will be able to install whatever lighting options you have chosen for your new kitchen.
If you would like to discuss your kitchen refurbishment project or have any questions, please call us on … or e-mail us at … and we will be happy to answer assist.