Whether you moved into a fixer-upper or it’s simply time for an upgrade, you’re in the market for a kitchen renovation. This can be an exciting time, but you may be a little anxious about the entire process. Don’t worry, that’s totally normal. Undertaking a renovation of any kind can be a little nerve-wracking at first. Finding a general contractor that makes you feel ultra-confident is job number one. From there, preparing for a kitchen renovation is fairly simple.

How to prepare for a kitchen renovation

1. Consult with the general contractor to determine an exact timeline for the project.

A great general contractor will keep you informed every step of the way. But before the project gets started, you’ll want to get an understanding of what the timeline will look like. This information will include:

  • Dates the renovation will take place.
  • What time to expect workers each day
  • Daily quitting time

2. Prepare the area

This might be the part that has you most concerned. But preparing the area for a kitchen remodel is fairly simple. There are just a few things you’ll want to do. You’ll want to:

  • Remove everything from the walls including pictures, mirrors, and wall hangings
  • Move all furniture or cover it with a protective plastic sheet. You’ll want to do this with all the furniture in and around the kitchen area.

3. Consider meal prepping

For most people, the kitchen is one of the most utilized spaces in their house. Going without it, even temporarily, can cause internal panic. One way to minimize the impact of a kitchen renovation is to prep as much food in advance as possible.

4. Utilize your freezer

Along the same lines, as meal prepping, you’ll want to utilize your freezer. Aside from the meals you prep in advance, you may want to freeze foods to prolong their freshness for the duration of the renovation.

5. Pack up

This might be the part you’re dreading. And we know it can be a real drag. But you’ll want to pack up your kitchen as if you’re moving. Take this as an opportunity to take inventory of what you have and purge what you no longer need. Just think, your brand new remodeled kitchen will be nicely organized once you unpack.

6. Seek out storage

You’ll need to find a place to store all your kitchen belongings. This might be another room in your house, a garage, a basement, or even a temporary storage unit. You should have a pretty clear understanding of how long the construction phase should last, so make your plans accordingly.

7. Bare necessities

If you’re planning to live in the house during the renovation, you’ll want to hold on to the essential items during the packing phase. These items may include things like the coffee pot, can openers, utensils, and any other heavily used kitchenware or appliances. You may also want to consider purchasing paper goods to use throughout the process.

8. Establish a mock kitchen

Living totally kitchen-less may not be an option for you. If this is the case, you’ll want to set up a temporary mock kitchen in another location in your house. You’ll want to move your refrigerator and any other essential kitchen q2 into this location. If you’d prefer not to use your full-sized fridge, you may want to consider purchasing or borrowing a mini-fridge. Planning meals around a microwave or hot plate would be ideal. You may also want to rely on an outdoor grill during the renovation.

Need some fresh ideas for your kitchen remodeling project? See our Top Kitchen Remodeling Trends blog.

We are Meridian Design Build, Ltd. a Charlotte construction company that provides every client with comprehensive, timeless results with an unwavering commitment to quality, character and integrity. Ready to start a project? Schedule a consultation.