Now vs. Later

People frequently ask me about plans to put in a new kitchen.  Naturally, budget and schedule are frequently part of that conversation. They should be.

Some folks have done more homework than others, & arrive with sketches & number crunching lists. Good for them on getting their arms around the project!

Rule of Thumb Alert:

Unless the savings on something is $1,000 or more, you’re wasting time & resources & it will come back to bite you during construction.

It’s money well spent to have someone who designs for a living take a look. There are oodles of nuances involved in renovating kitchens, & many can be expensive to correct on the jobsite. And frustrating – for everyone involved.

So that $500-800 design fee you might save now will easily end up being thrice that in the long run if the project is rushed & something is overlooked on paper. (“What do you mean we have to run wires for these undercabinet lights??”)

If you want the kitchen now, compromise on things that can be added later (like a backsplash), but don’t skimp on the planning!