Remodeling a kitchen can be difficult and stressful, as there are a lot of things involved with it. The good news is there are several things you can do to prepare your kitchen remodel. With that said, below are a few preparation steps that should happen before the remodel is performed.

Note: We are not a general contractor and you should consult one, along with your local authorities, before taking on any demolition or remodeling work in your home. This article is purely to help you brainstorm some things to research further before remodeling.

Get A Permit

One of the very first things you need to do is figure out whether or not a permit is required to carry out the work. This is easy to do because you can contact city hall or your town hall. Tell them what kind of work you have planned and what will be included in the kitchen remodel. The chances are they'll have some questions for you.

If it turns out a permit is necessary, then fill out the paperwork and pay the fee. If it's not required, then you're fine and can work on your remodel. Just remember, not all projects require a permit, which is why it's necessary to contact local authorities as soon as you decide you want to tackle the project.

Collect Your Tools & Supplies In Advance

A big mistake people tend to make before a kitchen remodel is not having all of their supplies ready. They often look for tools as they need them, and this can waste a lot of time and delay projects by days or weeks.

The best thing to do is to collect all of your tools and supplies in advance. This includes everything from small hand tools to large tools to paint and anything else you can think of. Collect them all and put them in one spot about a week or two in advance. This will save a lot of time and you'll be able to complete the remodel much quicker.

If you’re working with a general contractor, then they’ll likely supply all the heavy construction tools and communicate with you about any other supplies or products you’re responsible for. Ask for the entire list up front so no work is delayed waiting on items.

Rent A Dumpster

When you’re renovating any full room, especially a large one like a kitchen, you’ll need it a place to dispose of debris and rubbish during the remodel. Dumpsters come in many sizes, such as 10 yard, 20 yard or 30 yard dumpster, so you'll want to choose an appropriate size. The size of your kitchen will be one factor to determine how big a dumpster you’ll need as well as the bulk of debris you expect to produce, such as whether or not you’re removing cabinets and countertops or simply refinishing them.

If you're unsure of what size you need, simply call and a representative will walk you through options and considerations.

Cover Furniture

A day or two before you're due to start the demo, you'll want to cover your furniture. Too many homeowners think this isn't necessary, only to regret it later on. The last thing you want is for your furniture to become damaged because repairing or replacing furniture can be expensive. Plus, covers will protect your furniture from debris, dust, dirt, paint and more during the duration of the kitchen remodel.

As a general rule of thumb, you'll want to either use thick plastic or a thick sheet to cover your belongings. While you're at it, cover the floors too, unless you plan on removing the flooring.

Remove Large Appliances

Let's not forget about your large appliances such as your fridge and stove. These appliances could easily become damaged if you don't remove them prior to the demolition. Make sure they are placed in another room while you work on the kitchen. Furthermore, empty out all of the food and store it in a cooler or keep it in the fridge, if you plan on plugging the fridge into an outlet of the room it's going to remain in.

Turn Power Off

You will want to turn the power off to the kitchen because leaving it on while you're removing light fixtures can potentially be dangerous. Plus, if you're knocking down walls, there may be wiring behind them and you don't want an accident to occur. If you want to be extra safe, then you should turn power off to all of the rooms in the house.

Double Check The Demo

Finally, you'll want to double check the job once you've actually demolished everything. There have been many times in which homeowners thought they demolished their kitchen, only to find out there was more work to be done. By double checking everything after the job, you'll be able to be 100% everything is fine.

Another good way to double check the demo is to check as you go along. Make a punch list of things you will do on certain days of the week. After you've done those tasks, double check.

When it comes to what you should do prior to a kitchen remodel, the above are the first things. By doing the above, your remodel project will go a lot more smoothly. Good luck with your kitchen home remodel.

FAQ

Do I need a permit for a dumpster?

It depends on your village. Every municipality has different regulations regarding whether an on-site dumpster requires a permit for parking it on property. Some only require a permit if you need to store the dumpster in the street, rather than your driveway. Other towns may require a permit for a dumpster placement no matter where it is loaded onto your property.

How long can we rent a remodeling dumpster?

The rental period varies based on the dumpster company you rent from. Most dumpster rental companies rent remodeling dumpsters for a period of 3 days to 7 days. This timeframe can typically be extended for an additional fee, should you need more time.