A kitchen renovation in Victoria is an experience that many homeowners consider only a few times in their lives. It might be when you are buying a new home and want to upgrade the space, adding a new kitchen to outfit your new suite, or investing in yourself when the kids finally leave home. Whatever the reason for your renovation, MAC Renovation has the team, the time, and the talent to help you get exactly what you want.
We recently met up with Terri-Jo Geddes, our millwork specialist and a long-time designer here at MAC Renovations in Victoria. She shared her thoughts to help homeowners in Greater Victoria begin planning for a kitchen renovation to minimize the stress and maximize the results.
We’ve discussed ways to help you budget for your renovation and shared information about home improvement loans, so this article is focused on some of the lesser-known parts of a kitchen renovation.
Why renovate your kitchen?
While each situation is unique, there are some common reasons for homeowners in Victoria to update their kitchens. “Cramped and cluttered kitchens are a frustrating issue for many of our clients,” explained Terri-Jo. “We recently planned a new kitchen for a home with four cooks, and they had spices and gadgets spilling out of the drawers, onto the counter, and across the stove. They needed more efficient and effective storage space that matched the way they all cooked, and we found that for them.
Questions your designer may ask:
- Who is the main cook in your home?
- Do you entertain often?
- What do you love about your current layout?
- What do you dislike about your current layout?
- Does your lighting make it easier for you to work in your kitchen?
- Do you need a space in the kitchen for your pets – food and water?
“Another reason people contact us to update their kitchen is to fulfill promises that were made when they bought the home. Back then, one of the spouses might have been told that the kitchen would be updated, but then life happened, and it got postponed, but now they’re ready to make the kitchen into what they’ve always wanted. Health and safety is another driver – as people are aging-in-place, they want to preserve their independence, so we help them create a space that accommodates their new needs. And surprisingly, appliances breaking down is also a reason for people to reach out to us. They’re tired of fighting with the appliances that came with their home, so they have us do all of the updates to go with the new appliances.”
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
There are typically three kinds of kitchen renovations available from MAC: a complete revamping of the floorplan, with appliances relocated (or introduced), walls moved, and the kitchen’s square footage changed significantly. Or there’s a remodel, where we keep the existing footprint and work within the space to create your dream kitchen. And third is the refresh, where we keep everything in (or close to) its original space and update the cabinets, countertops, fixtures, and accents. Each project has different influences that will impact the schedule, and the more complex the project, the longer it will take to complete. Mentally preparing for 10 – 12 weeks for a remodel is a reasonable place to start, but your design team will give you a solid timeline once the planning is completed.
Do you need to move out during a kitchen renovation?
Like any renovation completed by MAC, if you have an opportunity to relocate during the construction, you will minimize the disruption in your life, but it’s not essential that you move out to make it work. “There’s floor protection from the front door to the kitchen and dust walls at all of the doorways to minimize dust within the home,” explained Terri-Jo. “It will be inconvenient, but it is manageable.”
Planning for the disruption will make everything much easier. Many families create a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the home, whether that’s using the outdoor kitchen to make their meals or setting up a kitchen station in the garage or laundry room. Wherever you plan to have the temporary kitchen, make sure you have a good-sized sink to handle the dishes. Preparing meals in advance and freezing them will help, and exploring Victoria’s excellent restaurants is great – especially since you won’t have to do dishes. “I’ll get cheeky and suggest they ask friends to invite them for dinner,” said Terri-Jo. “It’s not the cooking, it’s not the storage, it’s the cleanup that people stumble over.”
That said – during a kitchen renovation would be a great time to take a cruise, relax on the beach in Hawaii, visit family back in Ontario, or whatever getaway you’d like to enjoy. We can stay connected through a virtual consultation and advanced tools, such as BuilderTrend, so you know what’s going on with your project, no matter what time zone you’re in.
The MAC Design Centre
Today’s homeowners make the time to research the materials and designs for their kitchen renovation in Victoria, but what looks good on a computer screen or magazine may not feel great when you’re working with it. To help with this, MAC has created a Design Centre at the Ranch, our HQ on West Saanich Road. Here, you’ll meet your designer and review the actual materials being considered for your kitchen remodel. Not only do you get to feel it, you’ll get to see how it works with your other selections. “Context is key,” shared Terri-Jo. “With some materials now available in larger formats, it’s important to match it up with the other building materials so you can appreciate the subtle impact. For example, for tile flooring, 12×12 used to be the standard, but now it seems that 12×24 is considered ‘small.’ Coming into the Design Centre to experience the materials really helps you bring it all together in your mind.”
Warm and Welcoming Kitchens
Details make the difference
When you’re planning an update for your kitchen, the scope of the project depends on what you want to focus on. “Imagine there are two Honda Civics sitting side by side,” said Terri-Jo. “One is $20,000 and the other is $40,000. They look pretty much the same from 15 feet away, but when you walk closer, one has leather seats, a kick-butt stereo, a sunroof, and all the bells and whistles. They’ll both get you from A to B; it just depends on the level of finishing you want. When I’m sitting at the desk creating a design, it’s just lines on paper with an elevation and a floor plan. At that point, the kitchen could be built out of cardboard or raised-panel Cherry. The kitchen still functions the same: everything is where it will be, and it still stores everything you need, but the finish and nuances are what make the difference. You can have a massive island with a cascading marble waterfall or a simple butcher block. A counter-depth, panelled fridge that vanishes in the design or a more traditional look with as much space as you need. We work with you to uncover what’s important to you so we can create a design that fits your taste and your budget.”
How to survive a kitchen renovation in Victoria
The key to a successful kitchen renovation in Victoria is to choose a professional with a reputation for delivering the level of quality you’re looking for. At MAC, we have a highly experienced team of professionals with the education, training, and hands-on experience required to do your job right. Our crews know how long a project will take, how to overcome some of the hidden traps left from DIY or previous renovations, and how to communicate effectively throughout the project. Long before your project begins, you’ll have a solid idea of how long we’ll be there, what we’ll be doing while we’re there, and when you can expect to enjoy the kitchen of your dreams.
Learn more about MAC Reno Design Build and what we do for homeowner’s throughout Greater Victoria.
Check out some of the kitchens we’ve completed for families throughout Victoria, then give us a call to find out how we can help you weather the minor pain of a kitchen renovation to experience the massive gains it will bring to you and the people you share the kitchen with.