You just bought a new house and you know the kitchen needs an update. Should you get it remodeled before you move in, or should you wait until you’ve lived in the house for a while? There are pros and cons to both scenarios, so you have to make the best decision for your needs. Let’s review reasons you should or should not get your kitchen remodeled before moving in.
Reasons to Remodel Your Kitchen before You Move in
Here are the biggest perks to remodeling before you move in:
- You don’t have to deal with construction mess or demolition. You can walk in and enjoy your finished kitchen right away.
- You don’t have to clear out the kitchen and put everything back. If you remodel after you move, you’ll have some extra work involved prepping for the remodel and organizing after the project.
- You’ll have a functioning kitchen to use the entire time. If you’re home during the kitchen remodel, you may have a temporary kitchen set up elsewhere while your actual kitchen gets redone.
- Any stress you may feel during the remodeling process will be over with before you move. You can enjoy your new home with as minimal stress as possible.
- Workers aren’t going to interrupt your life. If you’re home for the remodel, the noise and movement of the crew could detract from working at home, lounging, family time, etc.
- You don’t feel like you’re micromanaging the project. This is an issue many homeowners face because they don’t want to be too intrusive during the remodel. Our remodeling crew is more than happy to work while you’re home, but we understand that you may feel uncomfortable along the way.
Reasons to Postpone Kitchen Remodeling until after You Move
Despite the benefits of remodeling before you move, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind. Here are the reasons you might wait to remodel your kitchen:
- You have an opportunity to re-organize your kitchen. This is an excuse to address lingering issues you’ve had with your layout or organization. You may have been putting that off for a while now.
- You can live in the kitchen first to see what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes it’s hard to predict what you’ll need out of your kitchen remodel if you haven’t functioned in the space from day to day.
- You can coordinate the kitchen based on the design for the rest of the house. You know what your style is in your current house, but it may change when you move.
- You may want to oversee the remodel as it happens. Some homeowners take a hands off approach, while others prefer to be there at various points of the project.
- Project delays won’t postpone your moving plans. If you’re already in the house for the kitchen remodel, a small delay in materials, shipping or installation won’t cause you to change your moving schedule.
- You can make design changes on the spot as they arise. If you’re not in the home, you may have to travel back and forth to your new house to make new decisions when they’re needed.
A Hybrid Solution – Remodel Half Now, Half Later
There is a happy medium to explore, and that’s doing a staged kitchen remodel. At O’Hanlon Kitchens, we offer a direct replacement program that replaces just your cabinets and countertops. Most projects are completed in under 10 days, making this the perfect remodeling option before a move.
If you want to get a new backsplash or new appliances after you’ve moved in, you can absolutely do so. This creates a semi-clean slate for moving day but provides the flexibility for additional improvements later on.
If you’d like a quote for direct replacement, complete kitchen remodeling, or something in between, contact O’Hanlon Kitchens at 443-285-0558.
