13 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your McKinney Kitchen Remodel

Are you tired of trying to whip up culinary masterpieces in a kitchen that doesn't function properly, isn't suited to your needs, or is just plain ugly and outdated? It's time to get started on planning a kitchen remodel.

While planning a kitchen renovation is a big challenge, it's also a lot of fun! This is your opportunity to really put your own personality and sense of style into your home in a big way—or, if you're thinking of selling your home soon, choose a classic, neutral look that will increase your property value and offer a good return on investment.

Whether you need a major remodel or a few small tweaks to your existing room, there are some pitfalls you should avoid during the planning process. This guide will explain six common mistakes to navigate around so you can come up with a plan that will result in your ideal cooking and socializing space. And, when you have a vision in mind, you can rely on the McKinney handyman experts at Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County to turn your dream kitchen into reality.

1. Completing a Kitchen Remodel in McKinney By Yourself

Do you have a passion for DIY projects? Even so, we advise knowing what aspects of a McKinney kitchen remodel you can take care of yourself, and which jobs will need expert help—such as the team at Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County. For instance, often homeowners in McKinney will repaint outdated walls in exciting new colors. Likewise, tasks like swapping out faucets and light fixtures don't need to be handled by the experts—although they can be. Completing small projects and adding finishing touches is a lot of fun, and will ensure that you put your own unique stamp onto your kitchen remodel in McKinney.

However, professional designers and contractors are essential for executing such a large project. Even if you have a clear idea of the kitchen design you want to achieve, it's worthwhile to consult with an interior designer. A designer will provide helpful advice that will make it easier to complete the kitchen remodel and accomplish your unique vision. Often, McKinney homeowners experience a disconnect when trying to achieve what they imagine. This is where a designer can help. He or she can also provide useful tips, like if you should opt for a stainless steel appliance or if quartz countertops are a worthwhile investment. Also, an expert will be able to give you design ideas that you may not have previously thought of.

When it comes to actually getting the renovation done, embarking on a McKinney kitchen remodel is not a good idea without the help of a handyman professional. Tasks like knocking down walls and refitting drywall, installing custom cabinetry and building a bespoke kitchen island are tasks better left to the professionals.

Your McKinney kitchen remodeling project is going to be a big undertaking. It will have a great impact on both your finances and emotional well-being. You want to be sure that you've hired a trusted contractor to take care of everything for you—and put your faith in someone who will keep the project on budget and on-track as much as possible. This will help mitigate the stress of the renovation project. Rather than worrying about if your handyman will do a good job, you should concern yourself with questions like what style of upper cabinets you like, or if a subway tile backsplash is the right choice.

At Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County, each of our technicians has many years of trades experience—with some of our team members specializing in flooring installation, carpentry and more. When you hire our skillful, hardworking and honest contractors, you can have peace of mind that your McKinney kitchen remodel is in the best hands.

2. Forgetting to Gather Inspiration

It can feel overwhelming to start such a big improvement project. You likely have a few ideas and a sense of what kind of style you like, but it's important to narrow those ideas down as much as possible. The success of your McKinney kitchen remodel relies on you being able to clearly communicate your vision to designers and contractors. While small details might change along the way, ideally you’ll come back to the same aesthetic time and time again.

When you have a clear vision, you can communicate clearly with your McKinney handyman team. There are many places where you can gather design inspiration:

• Flip through design magazines

• Scroll through Pinterest

• Collect a folder of images that speak to your aesthetic

• Make use of Instagram Saves

Once you have an idea of what aesthetic you're going for, it will be much easier to choose whether you need cabinet lighting, if you should install a farmhouse sink, and if a stainless steel appliance is the right option.

3. Deviating From Your Budget

Ah yes, the budget. It's one of the most important parts of your McKinney kitchen remodel, and one that can cause the most problems. Renovating is a big decision, so it's essential that you think carefully about how much you can actually spend. This can feel a bit overwhelming. You may have a sum in mind, but how do you know if that's enough? You need to go beyond the lump sum, and consider what the cost breakdown will be.

Firstly, it’s important to always leave a cushion for unexpected costs. Even if you have every single thing planned out to the dollar, there are always unexpected situations in any kitchen project that push the budget past what you were planning to spend. The best way to deal with this problem is to pad the budget in advance by adding at least 20% on top of the average cost you've calculated. That way, unexpected issues can be handled without financial stress, and in the rare event that you don't need that padding, you've got the start of a bathroom remodel fund.

After saving 20% of your budget for emergencies, a typical breakdown of the average cost for an McKinney kitchen remodel is as follows. To help you stay organized, you can use this table to help plan for your project.

4. Prioritize Form Over Function

When you're paging through glossy photos of epic, beautifully appointed kitchens, it's easy to forget that kitchens aren't all about aesthetics. Appearances are important, but not as important as making sure this highly utilitarian room functions perfectly for your needs—when you're in the middle of cooking a four-course meal, you'll care more about ease of use than looks or kitchen trends.

This isn't so much about quality of materials—of course you want to use high-quality products—but the expensive option isn't always going to be the best choice for you. For example, laminate flooring or countertops may not scream "luxury," but they're durable, attractive, and easy to maintain. Or, you may want a radical new layout; yet, be attentive to the fact that kitchens tend to follow a few tried-and-true patterns for a reason. The stove, refrigerator, and sink should be situated in a rough triangle with one appliance or fixture at each point for ease of use in a busy room.

5. Neglect the Cabinets

Because they take up so much space—both physically and visually—it's a big mistake to leave your kitchen cabinets out of the remodel. If you've ever wished you had a better solution for storing pots and pans, or that the cutlery drawer was closer to the dishwasher, or you had a pantry cupboard next to the refrigerator, this is you chance to correct those problems with custom or semi-custom cabinetry that is designed and constructed just for you.

If you like your current cabinetry layout and they're still in good condition, but you want a style refresh, cabinet refacing is a cost-effective option to drastically change the appearance of your kitchen by changing out doors and drawer fronts while leaving the cabinet boxes as they are. Or, if you're keeping the same style, a fresh coat of paint may be all you need to take them from drab to fab.

6. Forgetting About Your Backsplash and Ventilation

Your stove and oven are two of the most used appliances in your kitchen. And as you're likely already aware, these two areas can get very messy with regular use. From flecks of pasta sauce staining grout and your stove-top getting covered in soup that has boiled over to burning a loaf of bread in your oven, these appliances take a lot of wear. So, it's important to carefully consider your backsplash and ventilation.

Backsplashes are aptly named, given that they catch splashing sauces, oil and wayward ingredients spilling out of their pots. Carefully consider what backsplash material, color and (if applicable ) grout will hide stains and be easy to clean—while looking great with the rest of your design. Ceramic tile is often a popular choice for backsplashes, as they wear well and don't stain.

It's also important that your space is properly ventilated. For this, you'll need a good hood fan. Even if you're a pro home cook and don't usually burn anything, the smoke and steam that’s a byproduct from preparing meals can damage walls and ceilings if not properly ventilated.

7. Choose the Wrong Tile

When you look at the product options available for tile, the wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes, patterns, styles, and materials can feel overwhelming. One of the biggest questions you need to ask yourself is how much maintenance you're willing to do.

Natural materials such as slate and marble are stunningly beautiful, but they require regular maintenance such as sealing to keep them looking good. On the other hand, porcelain or ceramic tiles may not be as visually dramatic, but they're highly durable and a lot easier to maintain than more expensive flooring. You may be fine with extra work in exchange for the appeal of natural stone, but it's good to be aware of the pros and cons before you decide.

Don't forget about the backsplash! While glass is not suitable for the floor for obvious reasons, a glass tile backsplash can brighten up the room with its translucent beauty and add a pop of color along with its protective qualities. And if you have damaged tile, our ultimate tile repair checklist may help.

8. Fail to Add Storage Space

Whether you've got a small or large room to work with, storage is an absolute must-have in a kitchen. You may be perfectly happy with the amount of storage you have currently, but most people could use more if they had it. Additions such as pantries, kitchen islands, hanging pot racks, pull-out cutting boards, cabinet turntables, and many other options can better utilize the space available and make it a lot less frustrating for busy chefs. It doesn't have to be elaborate—a pantry can be a separate room like a walk-in closet, but it can also be as simple as a large, fridge-sized cabinet for storing dry goods.

9. Not Enough Lighting and Electrical Outlets

Cooking when you don't feel like you can see very well is incredibly frustrating. Not to mention, lighting is a key part of creating a cozy ambiance in the space. While we're sure you'll have at least one main light source as part of your McKinney kitchen remodel, lighting should be layered to create a welcoming environment. The kinds of lights you choose also make a big impact. For example, fluorescent lighting might be common in schools or at work, but it hardly evokes coziness in your kitchen.

To make sure the space is adequately illuminated, so you can cook safely and enjoy being in the space, layer together three light sources:

• General overhead lighting, which illuminates the room as a whole

• Task lighting that is more focused for food preparation

• Accent lighting, such as wall sconces, that rounds-out the space's illumination

10. Cutting Corners

As you near the end of your renovation and your budget is dwindling, it can be easy to cut corners on little details like cabinet knobs and other fixtures. While installing pantry pull-outs or soft-closing drawers might not seem as important as what stove you buy, these small touches can make all the difference within the room. If you’re investing a significant amount of time and savings into your McKinney kitchen remodel, and don't plan on doing it again any time soon, you might as well make sure you get exactly what you envisioned.

11. Stay Locked In a Closed-Off Room

Is your current kitchen blocked off from living or dining spaces? It doesn't have to stay that way. If you'd like to be able to keep an eye on the family room while you're cooking, or socialize with people in the dining room, consider removing a wall or creating a pass-through to open up the space and make it easier for people in the kitchen to see and participate in what's happening in other rooms.

12. Choosing Your Appliances Last

Your appliances impact everything else in your kitchen, from your countertop length to how much space you have for storage, because they take up quite a lot of room and sometimes have to go in certain areas. Do not wait until midway through or near the end of the construction process to choose your appliances. This is a huge mistake. Your contractor might have to re-do work that’s already been completed if it turns out your appliances don't fit properly.

13. Ignoring the Big Picture

It’s very easy to get tunnel-vision when remodeling your kitchen in McKinney, TX. But, remember that this room is a part of your home—so it needs to look like it belongs there. This is especially the case if you have an open floor plan. Make sure your design decisions flow with the rest of your home. Think about what colors, materials and stylistic choices you make in your McKinney kitchen, and how they could tie-in the rest of your house. Even small details, like decorative bowls, can be an opportunity to create a cohesive look.

Trust Mr. Handyman to Take Care of Your Kitchen Remodel Project

Whether you're in McKinney or nearby towns such as Altoga, Allen, or Melissa, you can count on experienced kitchen renovation services from the professionals at Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County. We also offer expert advice, so you can make remodeling decisions with confidence.

Give us a call today at 214-387-3474 to chat with our friendly customer service staff about how we can help transform your kitchen and create a beautiful space!