Prepare for a Kitchen Remodel: A Stress-Free Guide

Are you hesitant to remodel your kitchen because you are worried about the construction, timeline or logistics? With hundreds of remodels under our belt, we are here to help and will guide you along the way. With careful planning and help from the Kowalske team, you can do it without much headache. This guide will help your family and pets prepare for a kitchen remodel. Don’t worry – soon your new kitchen will be an exciting new space with a beautiful design.

Prepare for a kitchen remodel by following these simple tips:

1. Speak to Your Designer & Project Manager

Build a strong relationship with your Kowalske Designer and Project Manager. Ask questions about your concerns, the timeline and construction. Discuss logistics of the project such as where the dumpster will go. What can you expect with the construction? Ask as many questions as you need to feel prepared for your kitchen remodel. Your project manager will be happy to address your concerns.

One of the best parts of working with Kowalske is that we provide you with an online schedule. We give you a project completion date – and stick to it! You’ll know what is happening each week of your project and when your project will be completed.

2. Pack up the Old Kitchen

Before you start boxing up pots, pans, recipe books and utensils, be sure to take stock of your kitchen. Think about what appliances, décor and dishware you want to keep. Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t used your grandma’s dishes for six years, you might want to donate them or give them away.

Get rid of broken, unused and outdated items. If you have a tough time getting rid of stuff, then call a friend or two over. Your friend will be honest with you about whether you should keep that old cracked teapot or that still wrapped fondue set.

Once you have cleared out unnecessary items, start boxing up items. To prepare for a kitchen remodel, you want to have everything cleared out of the space before renovation begins. Here are a few quick tips to make packing easier:

• Have a friend help you with packing to make it faster and fun
• Separate items you will need in the interim and set them aside
• Pack and store items you won’t need during construction
• Label and color code boxes. For example, yellow labels for spices or red labels for dishware.
• Clear out every nook and cranny, from drawers to under your sink
• Remove décor, paintings, knickknacks, calendars and curtains

Consider items you want to keep or donate during the demo phase. These items include appliances, light fixtures, faucets, and cabinetry. Let your project manager know so these items can be saved during the demolition. Schedule a pickup with Goodwill Restore for large items you want to donate.

3. Set Up a Temporary Kitchen

It’s not easy to live without your kitchen, but you can set up a temporary kitchen while your kitchen is being remodeled. If you ever lived in a college dorm room or small apartment, you might remember how to get creative with making meals.

Here are some tips:

• Designate an area of your home as a secondary kitchen. Your basement, laundry room, or empty bedroom are good options.
• Choose a space that has a sink, trash can and a large table.
• Create an area for your small appliances – coffee pot, microwave, crock pot, toaster, etc. Other helpful appliances include a hot plate, electric griddle, small toaster oven, or Instant-Pot.
• Ask Kowalske move your refrigerator to the area of your temporary kitchen so you can still use it.
• Set up a mini-pantry with food items that are quick and easy.
• Use disposable plates, cups and utensils.
• Choose meals that are quick and simple to prepare, such as the dishes featured in Green Chef’s weekly meal plans. These plans provide a variety of healthy options that don’t require extensive prep work and can be conveniently cooked in a temporary setup with minimal appliances.
• Buy a plastic tub for washing dishes in your laundry sink or in the bathtub.

4. Grill Outside

If the Wisconsin weather is nice and you have a grill, take this time to enjoy your outdoor space and patio area. Even if you can’t eat outdoors due to cold weather, enjoy grilling a healthy meal and eating indoors in your makeshift kitchen.

During your kitchen remodel, you should plan meals that don’t involve much preparation. Minimize the mess by planning simple meals like sandwiches and salads. During warmer weather, plan for outdoor picnics in the backyard. Make eating together fun. Have tea party lunches with your toddler in his room, or invite friends over for an impromptu pizza party under the stars.

5. Go Out to Dinner

If you don’t want to eat at home during your kitchen remodel, check out all the top Milwaukee restaurants and make a list of your favorites! This is a great time to explore the city.

4. Relocate Your Pets Away from the Kitchen

To prepare for a kitchen remodel, you must also think about how you’ll keep your dog and cat safe during construction. If you typically set up your pet’s food and water in the kitchen, you’ll need to find a new location. Depending on the timeframe, you may want to send your pet to a safer place during the remodel. If you keep your pet at home, keep them away from the construction area.

5. Clear a Path

Before your kitchen remodel, you should move personal items that might block contractors when they enter or exit your home. Remove valuable art, photo frames and furniture. Dust is a part of the construction process, so take measures to protect items from dust. Cover furniture with protective plastic or move items to the garage or storage.

6. Consider Moving Out

Some of our clients don’t want to be home during their kitchen remodel. Are you able to move out of your home for a few weeks? If your parents go to Florida for the winter, ask if you can stay in their house. Or maybe your friends have a finished basement where you can crash. You can avoid the noise and dust, returning home after the kitchen is finished.

7. Schedule a Family Vacation

You might want to plan a family vacation during the bulk of the remodel. Why? If you decide to stay home during construction, life may start to get cramped and stressful. Small children especially might react to the disruption with meltdowns, sibling squabbles and tears. By planning a great vacation, you will help curb some of the stress for the whole family.

Here are some great ideas for making the kitchen renovation a little more fun for your family:

• Plan a couple of weeks at the grandparents
• If you choose to stay with relatives, alternate between homes a week at a time
• If the Wisconsin weather is cold, this might be a great time to visit Florida or Arizona
• Plan a big vacation away like Disneyland or other popular tourist destination
• Plan a staycation by renting a room at a local hotel and visiting Wisconsin sites like the Circus World Museum or the State Capitol
• If the weather is beautiful, plan a trip hiking and camping
• If you have to stay in your home, arrange for your children to have sleepovers at a friend’s house

Minimize the stress on your family by having a wonderful time on vacation. Talk up the fun with your kids ahead of time. Explain to them that when the family comes back, the house will have a brand new kitchen!

7. Remember the End Result: A Beautiful New Kitchen!

Treat each moment of your kitchen remodel as an exciting adventure. Whether you decide to stay home during the remodel or take the opportunity to vacation with your family, these few weeks of inconvenience are well worth a gorgeous kitchen. Once you make new memories with family and friends in your new kitchen, the remodel inconveniences will disappear.

Frequently Asked Questions