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For some reason, we tend to approach kitchen remodels with the greatest passion and anything that goes wrong after the remodel seems like a crisis. Often it is nothing serious – small stuff like chipped paint or grease marks on stainless steel appliances. Here are some things that you can avoid to lessen disappointment later on.

The first thing you must do during a remodel is to be involved; do not give the contractor carte blanche to decide on what to do. You are paying for the renovations, so you make the decisions, of course…informed decisions made in consultation with the contractor. Left to their own devices, contractors are liable to place the dishwasher away from the sink, or some other inconvenience that you can fix before it happens if you are in on the planning.

See that you consider the durability of the materials used. Soapstone is soft and if you use it around the sink, you can’t wash heavy cooking pots there or the stone may chip. Countertop material durability is also an important consideration.

Placing wooden cabinetry above the sink is probably something that you don’t want to do. The steam from liquids that you pour into the sink while cooking will invariably affect the wood. Also, any water splashed from the sink can damage the finish of the wood.

When adding new appliances, consider your present family size and any future additions you might have; having the right-sized fridge can save you a lot of hassles if you have four kids and two adults in the house. Check out energy efficient appliances.

Research everything; don’t go for a material or an appliance because your neighbor has installed it. If your neighbor has added a granite countertop, it does not mean you too should have one, too, especially if you work regularly with glassware. If you have a problem with the cold, then don’t go for tiled flooring. Consider wood. If you wish to use materials like bamboo then ensure that it is mature, and be aware that the kitchen floor is a high traffic place in most homes, and bamboo can wear easily.

Avoid using material susceptible to heat and moisture near the cooking area. For example, thermofoil on cabinets close to the gas will melt over time. It is important to ensure that the cooking range is hooded so that smoke and steam finds an outlet.

With appliances it is worthwhile to purchase a quiet, noise-free model; these may cost more. So a dishwasher that is quiet – around 46 – 49 decibels of noise – is worth the additional dollars.

With kitchen remodeling, if you wish to reduce the number of regrets that you will have later on then you must have a clear idea of what you want, then budget accordingly for the material and labor. Get an expert opinion and decide on what you feel will be attractive and practical for both you and your family.