Everything you need to know about remodelling from Scavolini Toronto
The team behind renowned Italian brand, Scavolini Toronto (known for designing and manufacturing luxury kitchens, bathrooms, laundry and wardrobes), will be sharing their latest tips for remodelling and renovating your home in a series of upcoming articles.
In this first edition, learn how to plan and execute a kitchen renovation project – including the top must-haves and must-not-forgets, to get the kitchen design of your dreams.
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With added time spent at home, our kitchens have become multifunctional. More than just a place to prepare a meal, kitchens have become gathering spots, coffee corners, virtual offices, creative spaces to experiment with new baking and cooking projects, and much more.
Remodeling a kitchen can feel overwhelming, but equipped with the right knowledge and planning skills, the process can be made fun and easy. With the spring season in full swing, now is the perfect time to pick up on renovation projects and prepare for a summer of entertaining friends and family in the heart of your home – your kitchen.
The steps below provide guidance on how to go from a mood board to a brand-new kitchen, with expert tips provided by Scavolini Toronto’s in-house interior design and installation experts.
Step 1: Create a mood board and set your goals
Before you decide how extensively to renovate, you need to know what your end goal is for your home. Are you renovating to raise the resale value, or will you be living there for years to come? Are you looking to add more space, or just make your layout more functional or your cabinetry look fresh and modern?
Your first place to start is to find and collect images that inspire you and align with what you hope to achieve for your future kitchen. Next, create a mood board to help you visualize the transformation and guide your project, or if you’re working with one, share it with your interior designer so they can better understand your overall vision.
Next, it’s important to consider the cost of a renovation and its required accessories and installations, then set a comfortable budget range for your project. One of the biggest mistakes people make when renovating is miscalculating the total cost and the amount of work required to remodel and renovate, thus working with professionals is key.
For a total kitchen renovation, your budget should include new cabinetry, countertops and backsplash, appliances and lighting, in addition to installation costs which include updating and rewiring the back end of your kitchen. For these costs, be sure to consider electrical, gas, plumbing and structural elements (i.e. removal of walls or building new walls), replacement of a sink, flooring, painting, and HVAC changes.
A good tactic to get an accurate estimate of the budget required is to request quotations from plumbing contractors, electrical and mechanical contractors, and interior designers. If you’re only giving your kitchen a minor upgrade, consider updating your countertops, upgrading outdated appliances, adding a fresh coat of paint, and refreshing your accessories and decor items.
A professional design team, like those available at Scavolini Toronto, can help with sourcing all of this information.
Step 2: Plan your renovation
Good planning is essential in every aspect of the remodeling process, whether it is to ensure you are working within a set budget and have the correct measurements and appliances selected, or to find a product range and layout that works and meets your needs. Planning also includes sourcing all needed materials, such as appliances, paints, and accessories like new cabinet hardware; and choosing from an array of countertops, backsplashes, sinks, faucets, range hood fans, lighting and electrical finishes that meet your desired aesthetic and needs.
As you look to design the space, think of unique kitchen features you would like to include. For example, if you’re an avid baker, you may want to consider a special pull-out drawer for your well-loved mixer or a unique countertop material that makes kneading dough easier. If you love to cook, consider a spice drawer or cabinet beside your stove. A pull-out pantry can help you make the most of vertical space. If you have kids who love to help in the kitchen, extra counter space will help ensure they can participate in any cooking activities alongside you.
Typically, kitchen orders from Scavolini Toronto can take anywhere between 12 – 16 weeks to arrive, while other items such as appliances or furniture may have different timelines depending on availability and point of origin. Keep those timelines in mind while also calculating how much time is required for the removal of existing materials and the installation of new ones.
Step 3: Choose your contractor and learn about the perks of working with an interior designer
Designers are there to support and guide you through this process. A designer can help you to review your plans, priorities, and overall style to ensure its cohesive. At Scavolini Toronto, design services are provided at no additional cost.
When meeting with a designer, consider sharing photos of your space, measurements, and plans — anything that can help them determine the type and scope of work you have in mind. Bring your mood board or inspirational photos of design and concepts that appeal to you. The more they can learn about you, how you use your home, and how you like to live in your space, the better informed and suited to your lifestyle the design concepts will be!
Meanwhile, a contractor will help you determine the scope of work needed to install your kitchen, including any changes to electrical, gas, plumbing and structural elements (as mentioned above, this could include removal of walls or building new walls), replacement of flooring, backsplash tiling, painting, and HVAC changes.
For example, Scavolini Toronto’s design team provides installation and mechanical drawings to plan renovation with your contractor. These plans help the contractor estimate a timeline for the completion of the project. At this time, you should also apply for permits if required for your renovation.
Step 4: Prepare for the installation
Once the planning part is over, it’s time to consider ways to declutter, pack up or move any non-essential items away from your renovation area. Ensure protective coverings are in place for furniture, electronics, carpeting or flooring. And, if you’re installing a completely new kitchen, then it’s important to find an electrician and plumber to do all the necessary connections.
Be sure you’re available to be onsite to meet with your general contractor. For a new kitchen installation, once the cabinets are installed, the countertops can be templated. Tip: it takes approximately 3 weeks for your countertops to be installed and this is a good time to have an electrician and plumber do all the necessary connections.
Step 5: Complete a final meticulous check
Now that your new kitchen is installed, it’s time to complete a thorough final check of all the small details and finishes to ensure everything is perfect. Your contracting team should do their best to be sure to leave your home tidy, but you may want to consider booking a professional cleaner or setting aside time to further clean your renovation area.
Now, reorganize your kitchen utensils and pantry, bring in some fresh flowers, make yourself a cup of coffee, and prepare for all the ways you can enjoy your new kitchen!
For a complete remodeling guide, including a checklist of considerations for your kitchen renovation and a guide to properly measuring your space, visit www.scavolinitoronto.com.
