Linda Lesyna, kitchen designer at Boston Building Resources, has a few suggestions to help minimize problems during kitchen remodeling.

Ensure a clear communication path

Lack of communication can contribute to misunderstanding that leads to changes when the project is already underway, and those changes are inevitably expensive. The homeowner and general contractor need to be clear about who makes the final decision for both financial and design matters. One person should have the final say. The more people who are involved, the slower and possibly more prone to misunderstanding the process will be.

Confirm fit

Ensure that items selected can fit before they are ordered.

Confirm structural changes

Any changes to pipes, walls, windows, doors, chimney, HVAC, etc., should be confirmed with the architect, general contractor, or builder before cabinetry is ordered.

Understand timing

There is a lot of overlap and coordination with others required to keep work on schedule (e.g., obtaining building permit, cabinets constructed during demolition and rough construction, electric and plumbing before drywall installation, cabinets installed before countertop fabricated). The general contractor will manage all of this, but the homeowner needs to understand the sequence of work and prerequisites for each stage, particularly when considering changes to plans or materials.

Architect Bill Boehm reflected on his own experience with a kitchen renovation, advising that homeowners think through whether they want to live in their home while renovation is happening. During the summer renovation of his kitchen, Bill and his family decided to live elsewhere, and they arranged to house-sit for a number of different friends while they were away on vacation. They got ideas for their own project while living in and using friends’ kitchens. They threw a party after the renovation was finished to thank everyone and so that their friends could see how they applied their experiences with all the different kitchens.

Resources

The following websites offer good advice on preparing for and understanding the kitchen design process, including timeline, budgeting, and the pros and cons of being your own general contractor. All timelines are guidelines only, and the actual timeline for any particular project will vary based on individual factors and conditions.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/dont-get-burned-kitchen-remodeling-guide

https://www.cliqstudios.com/remodel-timeline/

https://bostonbuilding.squarespace.com/get-started

Choosing a Contractor http://www.carrcarpentry.com/useful-info.html

https://www.thespruce.com/should-you-be-your-own-contractor-1822276

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/678-being-your-own-general-contractor/

Preparing for Demo https://www.kitchenpeople.com/remodeling-hints/

—Kathy Brown