Kitchen Remodeling FAQs: Expert answers before you renovate.

The top ten frequently asked kitchen remodeling questions answered by Main Line Kitchen Design experts.

Kitchen Remodeling FAQ questions and answers are listed according to the timeline that questions usually arise.

Kitchen Remodeling FAQ’s

1 – Should I demo the house and frame the walls prior to having a kitchen designer measure?

No! The expert on kitchen design needs to be consulted BEFORE decisions are made. Even when major changes are anticipated, the most qualified kitchen designers are more than capable of measuring and completing designs before any demolition. When home owners bring in kitchen designers later in the process, decisions have already been made that limit homeowners’ options. This is how mistakes happen that create bad kitchens.  Final measurements will also be done after all the walls are framed to ensure that the carpenters have built the walls according to the plans, and that the design doesn’t need to be slightly modified. Answered by Chris Rossetti

2 – I’m taking out a load bearing wall. Should I call an architect first?

If your kitchen design firm has the necessary level of experience – and it should! Then, you should wait to hire an architect, or more likely a structural engineer, until after the kitchen is planned. Contractors generally have a relationship with an engineer and will be able to get the needed drawings at a discount and usually under $1000. Answered by Paul McAlary

3- How much does it cost to remove a load bearing wall?

Removing an interior load-bearing wall typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000, with an average of about $4,800 for projects that include installing a support beam. Costs range from $1,200–$5,000 for single-story homes to $3,200–$6,000+ for multi-story homes due to increased structural complexity. Longer spans tend to be more expensive. Answered by Jeremy Lista

4 – How long before I want the project done should I start planning and consulting a kitchen designer?

Homeowners need to allow at least 4 – 8 weeks for the design process.  The process involves measuring, your designer coming up with initial designs and meetings to evolve them to what the homeowner wants. This can be done in fewer weeks but most customers are unable to schedule more than one meeting a week – even though many of them can be virtual.

More expensive and extensive the projects require more design time and have longer delivery windows. Less expensive cabinetry and appliances can come quickly (2 – 4 weeks). Custom cabinetry and high-end professional appliances can take months to arrive. The construction required for larger projects can also require permitting, and permitting can involve engineering input – all adding to the timeline of the project. 

Generally, planning a kitchen renovation that totals less than $60,000 for cabinets, appliances, flooring, countertops and construction should begin at least eight weeks prior to a start date and very expensive kitchens need at least 6 months to plan prior to commencement. Answered by Doug Mottershead CKD

5 – Are expensive cabinets more durable than less expensive brands?

There is almost no relationship between cabinet pricing and durability. Very inexpensive cabinet brands can be constructed nearly identically to expensive custom brands. Left “un-upgraded”, expensive brands could be terribly made. Expensive frameless brands like Poggenpohl will not be as durably made as less inexpensive framed cabinet brands such as Fabuwood. Price differences most often represent the number of options produced by the supplier. More options means more complex factories and materials and increased costs. Answered by Paul McAlary

6 -Does keeping my kitchen footprint save money? and how much?

Plumbing & Gas Savings: Moving a sink, dishwasher, or gas stove requires rerouting pipes and lines. Keeping them in place can save between $300 and $1000.

Electrical Savings: Moving appliances or adding new outlets requires electrical work. Sticking with the current layout can save from a couple of hundred dollars up to $1000.

Alternatively, maintaining a flawed design costs homeowners tens of thousands when selling their home. Answered by Jeremy Lista

7 – What countertops can I put a hot pot on?

Only soapstone and Dekton countertops are completely safe to place a hot pot on. Granite and other natural stone tops are pitted if they have absorbed water prior to a very hot pot being placed on them (rare). Engineered quartz and Eclos countertops burn when exposed to temperatures above 300 and 448 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. Answered by Chris Rossetti

8 – How long does a kitchen renovation take once the job starts?

Most kitchen remodels, even ones removing interior walls, take 6-8 weeks to be completed excluding minor punch lists. Kitchen additions and very extensive remodeling projects can take much longer. Answered by Doug Mottershead CKD

9 – How long do cabinets take to get after they are ordered?

Cabinet turnaround times vary by manufacturer and depend on whether the cabinets are a stock color or a custom finish. For example, for a less expensive brand such as Fabuwood, stock color cabinets typically have a turnaround time of 4–6 weeks, while custom color cabinets require a minimum lead time of 8 weeks. In more expensive semi custom brands like Integrity, cabinets generally have an 8-week lead time, and custom cabinets such as Brighton cabinets typically require at least 10 weeks. Some custom brands can be far longer as well. Answered by Juliet Meja

10 -How long do countertops take to be installed once the tops are templated.

Once the countertops are templated, installation typically takes place about one week later, provided the fabricator’s schedule is not backed up. Delays most often occur around the holidays, when higher demand can extend turnaround times beyond the standard one-week timeframe.  Answered by Juliet Meja

Bonus Q&A – What if I still have more questions?

1. We offer extensive information at Kitchen Design Trends | Main Line Kitchen Design Blog and Main Line Kitchen Design Podcasts .  
2. If you’re local and need guidance, fill out the brief Contact Us ⋆ Main Line Kitchen Design and Paul will contact you and provide you with more answers than you probably anticipated.  
3. Paul also answers questions from all over the country on Fridays from 2pm EST to 4pm EST.  Talk to him, then, and you may be featured in a podcast, too!

By Editor Kitchen Remodeling FAQs Julie McAlary

Below are two other top ten lists on kitchen remodeling FAQ’s:

Link one

Link two

Top 10 Tips for Remodeling a Kitchen in a New Home.

Top 10 Things to Know When You Buy Kitchen Cabinets