A few weeks ago, we finally completed a painstaking journey most families have to go through at one point or another—a kitchen remodel. It was our first renovation project. so we had taken it lightly. We’ve learned our lesson the hard way.

Hopefully, you will learn from our mistakes! Follow these tips and you may save a lot of money and time, as well as your sanity.

Don’t Go Over the Top

When it comes to kitchen renovation, you have countless options. Before we started, I had been browsing Pinterest all day long and looking at amazing remodels. That led to a bunch of impulse purchases.

Don’t go down that road. Differentiate between “want” and “need.” Focus on determining the essentials. These questions may help you narrow down your list:

• Do I need to change the kitchen layout?
• Do I need more storage?
• Do I need more kitchen space?
• Which appliances do I need to replace?
• Which appliances can I keep?
• Am I planning to sell my house in the next ten years?
• Do I need to change the layout?
• What do I dislike about my kitchen?

Create a Budget

According to experts, you kitchen renovation budget should be between 5% and 15% of the total value of your house. It’s best to go with the upper limit. No matter how hard you try to make sure everything goes smoothly, chances are there will be some surprises.

Keep the miscellaneous expenses in mind, but always try to save money where you can. Once you have a number, you should allocate separate funds for different areas. Not everyone has the same needs, so this is more of a “rule of thumb” guide. Here’s a good breakdown of a kitchen renovation budget:

• Hardware and cabinetry – 25% to 30%
• Ventilation and appliances – 14%
• Installation – 17%
• Walls and ceiling – 5%
• Lighting – 5%
• Flooring – 7%
• Plumbing and faucets- 4%
• Doors and windows – 4%
• Design expenses – 5%
• Other – 1%

Hire Pros

If you’re reading this now, chances are you’re not a renovation expert. To cut costs, you may be tempted to do everything by yourself. But, keep in mind—cheap is expensive. You may be a great plumber, but that doesn’t make you a great electrician, and vice versa.

If you get in over your head, you will likely pay the price for it eventually. Hire certified contractors and technicians to do the job they are trained for. It may cost you up to 20% of your budget, but it will help you avoid critical mistakes.

An untrained eye can easily overlook problems. By installing something you’re not trained for, you may create safety hazards. That especially goes when there’s gas, electricity, and fire involved. Even ventilation can cause problems!

For instance, improperly configured HVAC system and ductwork can cause too much dust and grease to accumulate. Pair that with badly installed fire duct insulation and it may lead to a disaster.

To avoid hazards like that, hire a professional and make sure they are insured and licensed. Your contractor can help you get the best deals on appliances and materials. They will also be responsible for hiring subcontractors.

But, choosing a contractor may take as much work as planning your new kitchen layout. Make sure to agree on the terms before the job starts and put everything on paper. Also, make sure they’ll clean up everything once the job is done.

Keep the Existing Plumbing Lines

This can help you save lots of money. Reconfiguring gas and water lines is extremely expensive. If you want to do it just for the aesthetics, and not out of necessity, it’s best to go with some other design. So, if possible, keep all gas and water-connected stuff where it is.

Pay Special Attention to the Layout

Make sure the layout follows the kitchen work triangle. That’s when the sink, oven, and fridge are arranged in a triangular fashion. The less distance there is between those elements, the better.

Make sure the pathways can accommodate foot traffic. If you go with a kitchen island, be extra careful. You’d want to make sure people can move about without bumping into each other.

Have a Realistic Timeline

Don’t let home renovation TV shows deceive you. A kitchen remodel is not a quick process. It may take several months. Even when your contractor gives you an estimate, add one month just to be safe. Again, kitchen remodels often come with surprises, so don’t fall victim to an unrealistic timeline.

Be Involved in Every Step of the Process

Since a remodel can take such a long time, your contractor may lose track of your initial idea. Also, when people want to do something fast, they often compromise on quality. No matter how much you trust your contractor, you can never be too safe. Keep everything in check by giving your two cents every step of the way.