There are countless styles of off-the-shelf kitchen available in a wide selection of colors and looks.  While these kitchens can be fitted into most homes, many homeowners prefer a one-of-a-kind kitchen that fits to their home and lifestyle.

A custom kitchen can complement itself far better to other rooms in the house than a fitted kitchen, regardless of the style your home already has.

Significantly less limitations

With a customized kitchen you don’t have to settle for anything you’re not 100% happy with.  Often with an off-the-shelf model you have to make compromises, not so with a custom solution; you’re in control.  Everything from an almost limitless choice of colors to specific back-splashes and custom cabinets, right down to the finder details such as handles and accents. You won’t have to work around the limitations of your kitchen, your kitchen will work for you, serving your lifestyle perfectly.

A more complete package

When you hire a company to design and install a custom kitchen, they aren’t just thinking about the cabinets and worktops.  They can also help to plan the right flooring, wall color, lighting and appliances that fit eloquently into your home.  Whatever you use your kitchen for, you can create a 100% unique space with a custom kitchen design.  If your kitchen is a room you spend a lot of down-time in, you might consider a specialist television built into the wall, or if entertaining’s your thing, an island or bar might be important to you.

Custom designed kitchen desk-space with wall-mounted TV.

Longer lasting

Custom kitchens are almost always made out of higher grade materials and hand-crafted to exact specification by experienced specialists.  If you want your kitchen to be durable and still look just as good in years to come, a customized kitchen is best.

Better fitting

Sometimes it is not the fact that the homeowner desires a custom style or function but that the room itself requires it.  Some older homes don’t have uniform walls and floors, or have alcoves that make standard cabinets and appliances tricky.  A kitchen designer can consider every minor inconsistency and flaw to plan a kitchen that fits perfectly.

Often people choose a custom kitchen because their glassware and appliances do not fit standard size cabinets.  Although they can offer some flexibility in where the shelving can be placed, sometimes the flexibility isn’t enough.

A kitchen designer can source and recommend premium materials and appliances that otherwise wouldn’t be available to you, such as premium television screens that blend discreetly into your kitchen, unique storage solutions that make better use of your space, and features that make life a little bit easier, like a pot filling tap.

A custom kitchen isn’t just about opening up a limitless choice of colors and finishes, it’s about creating dream room as unique as you.

1. KNOW YOUR BUDGET AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR DESIGN TEAM

It is critical that the professionals you hire are aware of your budget before design begins. There is nothing more frustrating than spending lots of time and money on a design, only to discover that the plans you love can’t be built for your budget, or you simply can’t justify paying so much based on the value of your home. At TR Building & Remodeling, we discuss budget from the first meeting to be.

2. Evaluate the professionals you hire

Make sure that the firm you’ve selected to design your project has a proven track record of predicting construction costs accurately. TR Building & Remodeling has more than 14 years of experience estimating and tracking costs for large renovation and new construction projects.

3. Update the budget at each phase of the design

Home renovation plans go through many iterations, so it is imperative to update the budget after each phase of design to maintain a realistic view of the projected costs. If your professional isn’t mindful of costs throughout the design process, the scope of your project can easily creep up, quickly exceeding your established budget. We make a point of reviewing the budget with our clients every step of the way.

4. Lead from your heart rather than your head

Start the design phase by sharing your vision for your home—how you hope to use your new space, as well as any frustrations you have with the current design. Don’t leave anything out, just because it does not seem possible or practical. The skilled team at TR Building & Remodeling will consider your needs and desires and then offer creative, yet realistic, solutions that may not have been apparent to the untrained eye.

5. Decide on the details when you view the plans

When design details are left ambiguous, change orders are much more likely to arise during construction. Insist that your design team designate specifics—such as trim profiles, door styles and cabinet designs—rather than leaving questions for the contractor to fill in. At TR Building & Remodeling, we make sure that every detail is fully understood during the design phase, avoiding costly changes later on.

6. Finalize your selections before construction stars

Choosing materials and fixtures—like appliances, cabinetry, hardware and tile—during the design process ensures a better design solution with more predictable costs and a more streamlined schedule. We work closely with our clients to make sure that all selections are finalized and ordered at the start of the job, eliminating potential delays and keeping the project on time.

7. Invest in the design process

It is easy to underestimate the value of detailed drawings and to see them as an expense you might try to avoid. However, the tighter your budget, the more critical it is to have a well-documented set of drawings. A detailed set of drawings pays for itself by helping you avoid costly change orders, scheduling delays and hours of frustration.

8. Find out who manages the day to day details

To stay on schedule and within budget, a well-run construction project requires a tremendous amount of oversight. Having a dedicated field supervisor is critical to the overall success of your project. When you partner with TR Building & Remodeling, a dedicated field supervisor will run your project from start to finish. Your field supervisor is focused on managing every aspect of your project, which makes a substantial difference in its overall success and your level of enjoyment.

9. Invest in a written schedule

To finish a large project on time, it is critical to partner with a firm that understands the value of running a project with a written schedule. A well-managed schedule should be updated on a weekly basis. TR Building & Remodeling maintains an active construction schedule for every project which includes a three-week look ahead. This ensures that the entire team is kept abreast of the critical dates and milestones of the project which results in a more predictable outcome for all.

10. Consider using a build firm

A design build firm takes care of every stage of your project—from the earliest design sketches all the way through to the final construction details. As a homeowner, you’ll never have to serve as the intermediary between your design team and your contractor. When you work with TR Building & Remodeling, we are accountable for every aspect of your project from design through completion of construction, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable outcome.

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Your kitchen is the heart of your home. From preparing meals to helping the kids with homework or entertaining friends, many families spend most of their time in this room. If yours is feeling a little outdated, a kitchen remodel could be just what you need. As with any home renovation project, you have to create a plan before you start knocking out cabinets. Read more