Our Company

▪ Design/Build firm

▪ Specialize in kitchens & bathrooms

▪ Local - Established 1988

▪ Showroom in Down Town Kennewick

Your Presenter

Warren Smith, CMKBD, CAPSCertified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist

Kitchen Remodeling101

A Step by Step Guide

Warren Smith, CMKBD, CAPS

This presentation is available free on our website:

http://www.kitchen-restylers.com/presentations.html

Kitchen Remodeling

▪ Reduces Information over-load

▪ Reduces stress & boosts confidence

▪ Significantly speeds up the project

▪ Controls costs & eliminates surprises.

▪ Produces dramatically better results

A Detailed Planning Process,

The only way to go!

The Process

1. Gather your thoughts.

2. Assemble ideas.

3. Research products.

4. Establish a budget range.

5. Design the space.

6. Establish the final costs.

7. Plan for the installation.

8. Build the project.

9. Project wrap-up.

The Tabbed BinderAn organized way to manage a complex project.

The Digital Binder The Physical Binder

Ideal for:• Web research• Managing photos• Simplified document organization & control• Collaboration• Collecting Specs.• Print when complete

Ideal for:• Job site Use• Digital dinosaurs• Collecting literature• Fast access• No WiFi required• Field modifications

The Tabbed BinderAn organized way to manage a complex project.

The Digital Binder

• Works on all devices• Cloud synchronization• Handles photos well• Allows text on photos• Collaboration• Web Clipping

The Tabbed BinderProcess Management Tabs

1. Meetings – Client Notes, meeting logs2. Site Data – Measurements and Photos3. Design – Design Drawings – Big Picture4. Estimates – Take-offs, estimates, & vendor quotes5. Selections – Items chosen, decisions made6. Contract Docs – Scoping document, final costs, & agreements7. Work Order – Scoping document with extra job site details & instructions for the team.

The Tabbed BinderConstruction Process Tabs

8. Demo & framing – What tears out, what stays, what gets framed.9. Exterior Windows & Doors – Spec. Sheets10. Plumbing – Product specifications, placement drawings11. Electrical & HVAC – Lighting, hoods, down drafts, ducting, switches12. Drywall, Paint, & Wallcoverings – Textures, paint colors & diagrams13. Appliances – Installation specs14. Cabinets - Layout drawings, detail drawings15. Countertops & Splash – Edge details, sink cut-outs, splash design16. Flooring – Layout drawings17. Interior Millwork – Molding diagrams, spec sheets, detail drawings18. Hardware & Glass – Hardware locations, spec sheets, glass doors

1. Gather Your Thoughts▪ Problems with the space that need solving.

▪ Features you think you would like to have.

▪ Who will be using the space now and in the future?

▪ What appliances do I want?

▪ What kind of countertop?

▪ What goes on the floor?

▪ Start a Scoping Document – Use a spreadsheet

1. Gather Your Thoughts

▪ Physical attributes of users - age, height, handedness, capabilities.

▪ Use a kitchen planning questionnaire as a guide.

▪ Am I willing to move doors, windows, walls, fixtures, appliances?

▪ Evaluate the viability of keeping existing elements.

2 Million Photos

of Kitchens

Searchable

Idea Books

Collaboration

Products

Professionals

Advice

Articles

Ideas

3 Research Products

▪ Visit appliance showrooms.

▪ Visit cabinet showrooms.

▪ Do some online research.

▪ Talk to professionals.

Research - Appliances▪ Talk to the professionals in the stores.

▪ Touch, feel, & try-out.

▪ Research each appliance by brand & model #

▪ Amazon Reviews – sheer volume - read the negative reviews

▪ Consumer Reports▪ Questionable Research

▪ Subject to influence

▪ Different Criteria

Research - HGTV

▪ Entertainment oriented.

▪ Not always fact-based.

▪ Cost information is often misleading.

▪ Magic of TV – unrealistic expectations.

▪ Sponsor influence on products featured.

▪ Verify everything with other sources.

Designing the Project

▪ Designing your own▪ Some can, some can’t

▪ Home-owner tunnel vision

▪ Get independent, professional review

▪ Getting professional design help▪ Better designs

▪ Bigger tool box of ideas

▪ Pragmatic experience

▪ Unhindered by tunnel vision

Choosing a Designer

▪ Big Box Retailers

▪ Lumber Yards

▪ Independent Cabinet Vendors

▪ Limited training - cabinet layout mostly.

▪ Limited knowledge of associated products.

▪ Limited experience in associated fields - plumbing, electrical, drywall, etc.

▪ Limited remodel & installation experience.

▪ Focus is on selling cabinets.

Interior Designers

▪ Some are very good at kitchen & bath.

▪ Training is usually not kitchen & bath specific.

▪ Design strengths are usually on the aesthetics.

▪ Frequently less technically-oriented.

▪ Often have limited construction experience.

▪ Most are weak on cabinet product knowledge.

Choosing a Designer:

Kitchen & Bath Specialists

▪ Training & experience are broadly based.

▪ Remodel focused.

▪ Balance of aesthetic & technical design.

▪ Holistic - design the complete project, all aspects.

▪ Knowledgeable in most aspects.

Choosing a Designer:

Certified Designers

▪ Almost always a kitchen & bath specialist.

▪ Training is remodeling & people-focused.

▪ Minimum 4 years supervising projects required.

▪ Demonstrates a serious commitment to career.

▪ In-depth, detailed training on adapting designs to individuals.

What is a Design Retainer?▪ An upfront deposit made to the company to secure the designers

professional services.

▪ Kitchen retainers are $1500 to $3000 an are applied to the cost of

your project.

▪ The designer becomes your guide & advocate.

▪ If you decide not to proceed with the project, the retainer covers a

portion of our time, and you gain the benefit of the designs,

education, and get to keep all of the drawings, estimates,

specifications, etc.

Without a Retainer▪ No commitment required from you▪ Designer must limit time spent on your project.▪ Designer must design to sell a specific product to

get paid.▪ Designers are guarded about sharing drawings and

giving away their best ideas.▪ Designers will intentionally minimize the real costs

in order to sell the project.▪ Designers usually do not deal with all aspects of a

project, making final numbers hard to pin down.

With a Retainer

▪ Represents a serious commitment by you.

▪ Allows the designer to devote serious time, energy, & creativity to your project.

▪ Designer does not have to design to sell a specific product.

▪ Allows for a open, candid atmosphere regarding the real costs of the project.

▪ Retainer is applied to the cost of the work.

4. Establish a Budget Range

▪ Make a realistic appraisal of the budget you are willing to commit to.

▪ Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report.

▪ Talk to local kitchen & bath specialist or contractor.

▪ Agree on the scope & a realistic budget.

▪ The average kitchen or bath remodel client spends 20% over their original anticipated budget.

▪ Factor "scope creep" into the budget.

Remodeling Magazine 2017 "Cost vs Value" report

Costs averaged for the Pacific region are pretty

close to what we see here in the Tri-Cities.

A. Concept drawings

B. Decide on a look

C. Choose products

D. Finalize the plan

5. Design the Space

A. Concept drawings (rough sketches):

▪ Must be drawn to scale.

▪ Focus on placement of major centers.

▪ Try out several ideas.

▪ Identify the best features from each plan.

▪ Combine the best features of each into one final concept.

5. Design the Space

Kitchen Remodel Project

Concept Drawing

Kitchen Remodel

Floor Plan

Kitchen Remodel

Elevation 1

Kitchen Remodel

Elevation 2

B. Decide on a look

▪ The physical layout informs our next decisions regarding the look.

▪ Traditional, Rustic, Antique.

▪ Contemporary, Modern, Crisp & Clean.

5. Design the Space

C. Product Selections

▪ Choose the most important items first to set the style & tone.

▪ Look at only one thing at a time until the decision is made.

▪ Each decision lays the foundation for the next.

5. Design the Space

C. Product Selections

▪ Make ALL of the selections - down to cabinet knobs and paint colors.

▪ Record decisions in order of appearance.

▪ Collect specification sheets and populate binder sections as you make decisions.

▪ Catch mistakes early - Read the specifications

5. Design the Space

D. Finalize the plan

▪ Physical layout finalized with all component sizes and positions.

▪ Each center individually discussed and detailed on drawings.

▪ Product-specific engineering: tile layouts, appliances, etc.

5. Design the Space

D. Finalize the plan

▪ User-specific engineering: height, age, handedness, preferences.

▪ Detail drawings of specifics and interfaces.

▪ Populate the binder with drawings & specs.

▪ Edit the Scoping Document to reflect decisions.

5. Design the Space

Floor Plan Diagram

Product Spec Sheet

6. Establish final costs▪ Final costs determined by:

▪ Final scope of your project.

▪ Products you have chosen.

▪ Services you would like performed.

▪ Do actual material take-offs based on final drawings, for work you will provide.

▪ Include all associated materials, adhesives, grout, freight, labor, hardware.

6. Establish final costs▪ Scope written in order of appearance.

▪ Think it through item by item, task by task.

▪ Use your photographs to remind you of details.

▪ Get fixed quotes from sub-contractors based on final drawings and details.

▪ Update the Scoping Document with pricing for everything.

7. Plan for the Installation▪ Complete the Final Plan

▪ Dimensioned & detailed floor plan.

▪ Dimensioned & detailed elevation drawings.

▪ Detailed framing & electrical plans.

▪ Drawings of specific details, such as backsplashes, under-cabinet lighting, etc.

▪ A specification sheet for each fixture, fitting, or appliance.

▪ A complete list of material selections for everything, right down to the paint, & grout colors .

▪ Completed Scoping Document

▪ Everything in the binder, in order.

▪ Scrap out the binder of all old stuff.

7. Plan for the Installation

▪ Decide who will do which steps.

▪ Do not order materials until you know the answer to the above.

▪ Order materials.

▪ Confirm delivery on all materials.

▪ Create the schedule – schedule loosely.

▪ Notify sub-contractors.

7. Plan for the Installation

▪ Use a key box for sub-contractor access.

▪ Designate a construction entrance.

▪ Designate a construction worker restroom.

▪ Designate a materials storage area.

▪ Seal off the construction zone.

▪ Ventilate the construction zone for dust control.

▪ Protect flooring materials, doors, trim, etc.

Choosing a Contractor

▪ Different ways to get the work done:

▪ Do it yourself.

▪ Contract it yourself.

▪ Hire a general contractor, non-specialized.

▪ Hire a general contractor, specialized.

▪ Hire a kitchen & bath specialist / dealer.

▪ Hire an interior designer & contractor.

Allowances

▪ Allows a contractor to give you a price without knowing exactly what you want.

▪ Allows a contractor to tell you what you want to hear: low-ball estimates.

▪ Allows a contractor to add-in items he left out of the original quote.

▪ Allowances are usually vague.▪ Customer has no way of knowing

if allowance covers the products they actually want.

▪ Allowances almost always lead to change orders & extras.

8. Build the project

▪ Doing it Yourself

▪ Most DIYer’s waste lots of time re-thinking, looking for tools, getting opinions, chasing materials, and getting ready to work.

▪ Always be thinking 5 steps ahead.

▪ Plan Everything – Yes Everything!

▪ Buy Everything – Stock pile it on-site if possible.

▪ Tool-up – buy, rent, borrow.

▪ Build-it! All of the above allows you to work efficiently, even with small amounts of time.

8. Build the Project

▪ Project Survival Tips

▪ Set up a makeshift kitchen to use.

▪ Do not attempt to live in the construction zone.

▪ Make sure you have “construction-free” zones.

▪ Move more stuff than you think you need to.

▪ Put down more floor protection than you think you need to.

▪ Protect pathways to electrical panels, attic access, crawl space access, plumbing shut-off valves, etc.

▪ Do not under estimate dust migration potential.

8. Build the Project

▪ Project Survival Tips for Kitchen Projects

▪ Stock up on disposable plates, bowls, silverware, & napkins.

▪ Easy meal ideas: frozen microwaveable steamer bags (veggies, etc.), ready-made soup, canned fruits & veggies, frozen pizzas, microwaveable dinner & breakfast items.

▪ Remodeling-friendly appliances: microwave, electric teapot, toaster, toaster oven, mini fridge, portable coffee maker, electric can opener, rice cooker, electric grill/ griddle, Crock Pot, outdoor BBQ (no dishes required!)

9. Project Wrap-up

▪ Test-drive everything in your new space.

▪ Keep all receipts, contracts, warranties, and product information in the binder.

▪ Understand the proper care and maintenance of all new products.

▪ Call quickly if there are any issues.

▪ Relax and enjoy your dream come true!

Conclusion

▪ Preparation, preparation, preparation!

▪ Good outcomes depend on good planning.

▪ Don’t rush through the planning stage. Better projects result from longer planning cycles.

▪ Choosing the right team to help you will makes things go much more smoothly.

▪ Trust, but verify.

Kitchen Remodeling101

A Step by Step Guide

Warren Smith, CMKBD, CAPS

This presentation is available free on our website:

http://www.kitchen-restylers.com/presentations.html