5 common kitchen renovation mistakes and how to avoid them
It’s almost inevitable that when renovating your kitchen, they’ll be some mistakes. From forgotten products to wrong delivery dates and tradespeople – sometimes things just don’t go to plan. But if you’ve done your due diligence, and prepare as best you can, hopefully, any setbacks you encounter will be minimal.
Here’s some kitchen renovation mistakes to look out for!
Not having a budget
The budget. It’s the number one thing to think about when undertaking a kitchen renovation – it guides your spending, informs your product purchases and keeps your project on track. But if you haven’t mapped out a budget and recorded your spending, it’s likely things will end up costing more than you intended. Our advice? Set up a spreadsheet or write down the estimated (or quoted) price for everything before you begin, including tradespeople, appliances, fixtures and fittings. Then, once underway, make note of the actual cost, so you can track how much you’ve actually spent. It’s also smart to add a buffer – just in case. If you need a hand budgeting, check out this article on how much a kitchen renovation costs.
Not locking in tradespeople early
Tradespeople are some of the most in-demand people out there – they’re always busy and there’s always more work to be done. That’s why it’s important to lock them in as early as possible, once you’ve determined out your renovation plans and budget. Ask for a quote from multiple tradespeople, then confirm with the one(s) you want.
Wondering if you can renovate your kitchen yourself? Make sure you have the relevant skills or qualifications, so nothing goes wrong. It can also be a good idea to make a renovation checklist of everything you need to organise, to help ensure nothing is overlooked!
Not researching appliances
With so many appliances and new kitchen gadgets to choose from, it can be hard to know what’s best for you. Invest some time into researching and reading up on different appliances to see what fits with your wants and needs – not just what’s trending at the moment. Read reviews from other customers and compare different products using consumer sites like Choice. For example, NEFF’s built-in Slide&Hide oven is Choice recommended – meaning it’s backed and trusted by consumers. There’s more on our must-have appliances here.
You can also attend one of our free NEFF product demonstrations to get a better understanding of how our appliances work. Book yours in today.
Not including enough storage
You can never have too much storage – especially in the kitchen. Whether it’s somewhere to put your pots and pans or the good crockery you use once a year, there’s always room for more. But when your renovation is in full swing, considering the type and location of additional storage is easy to overlook. To avoid any cupboard-less dishes at the end, make sure you factor storage into your initial kitchen renovation plans. Count up how much storage you currently have, and factor in any items you’d like to put in a separate spot. This could be a simple open shelf or a series of overheads.
Not choosing function over style
With so many products and appliances out there, it’s easy to get caught up in what looks best. But it’s important to remember that a kitchen renovation is an investment, so you want everything to last and serve you for years to come. To avoid disappointment, research every product you intend to purchase – from splashback tiles to your oven and benchtop. Understand the functionality of each piece, and question how durable it will be in the long run. For example, if you have children or like entertaining while you cook, you might opt for a hardy benchtop, such as stone. Or you may choose an induction cooktop, which are both efficient and safe to touch. There’s more on how to renovate a kitchen in this article.
At the end of the day, your kitchen renovation should be about making a functional, practical and enjoyable space for you to cook and entertain. Do you research, include products that work for you and remember, planning is key.
About NEFF
NEFF is a German-engineered kitchen appliance brand, with a product range that includes ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, coffee machines and dishwashers designed to make life in the kitchen a daily pleasure. For people who love to cook, NEFF gives you the tools to creative meaningful connections, express your creativity and make memories. Because real life happens in the kitchen.
Learn more about NEFF here.