Navigating a Kitchen Renovation In Victoria

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.

“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.”

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.

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.”