Intro: Turning Challenges in Houston into Opportunities with Strategic Planning

Starting a kitchen remodel in Houston can feel like a herculean task due to floods of strict flood codes and a bustling contractor market. From River Oaks to Spring and even the Heights, the entire journey of planning a kitchen remodel can go haywire without effective strategies. Houston Chronicle reports that 78% of kitchen remodels are delayed due to lack of proper planning. Fret not! Mendiola Remodeling & Construction is here to walk you through the first five steps that will ensure your remodeling is a Houston success right from the get go. These steps are a must to ensure that your project progresses on schedule without any unnecessary delays.

Step 1: Goals & Budget

Refining Your Kitchen Remodel Objectives

Shifting your focus to cabinetry and countertop selection is exciting, but first, think through strategies to define your goals. What are your answers to these questions: Are you remodeling for resale, functionality, or perhaps to improve the overall style of the space? Are you looking to update your space to match a modern aesthetic, or are you more focused on increasing the value of your home?

Your objectives are bound to affect the remodeling process, including the design choices, materials to be used, and cost estimates. Take, for example, renomating for increased resale value. It would be best to focus on neutral tones, timeless designs, and quality materials appealing to many prospective buyers. Conversely, remodels based on personal preferences require more tailored approaches. If you wish to have additional built-in smart features or wished to maximize the counter space available, those are the personal needs you can consider accommodating.

Setting a Realistic Budget for Your Remodel

After defining your goals, it’s time to get budgeting. One of the first steps in kitchen remodeling in Houston is making sure that you have adequate funding for Houston-specific concerns like mold removal or hurricane-proofing. Because of the mold issues and the flooding problems that the city tends to experience, it is important to set aside about 20% of your budget for these additional necessities. Moisture-resistant materials and other preventative measures need to be implemented to ensure that the remodel lasts in Houston’s weather.

Step 2: Research & Hire Licensed Professionals

The Importance of Hiring Licensed Experts

After defining your goals and creating your budget, the next step is to get the right professionals that will help you to achieve your goals. In Houston, hiring licensed contractors is a very important part of the process. Make sure that your local contractors are licensed to work- a TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) credential is a must. Also, do not skip the local reviews for Houston-specific work. In addition to having a good reputation, the contractor should understand the limitations posed by the city’s weather conditions.

Mendiola’s Edge: In-House Designers and 24/7 Tracking of Ongoing Projects

Mendiola Remodeling & Construction knows how important communication is. That is why we have in-house designers as well as REMORES who collaborate with the clients to ensure that all information about the remodel is accurate. Furthermore, all clients, especially those from Katy and surrounding areas, who require constant updates about their kitchen remodel are kept in the loop with our 24/7 project tracking system. This additional level of customer service ensures that your project is always on schedule.

HOA Compliance: An Important Step for Defined Areas of Houston

Like other subdivisions within Memorial or The Woodlands, compliance with HOA rules requires submission of your remodel plans. From the perspective of some homeowners, these submissions serve only as additional hoops to jump through instead of serving a purpose toward ensuring their project complies with the community guidelines. At Mendiola Remodeling & Construction, we specialize in handling all permit applications, HOA submissions, and the necessary inspections, allowing you to concentrate on the more important aspects of remodeling.

Step 4: Be Prepared in Case of Delays

Managing Expectations around Weather and Supply Issues

There are also times when the weather is very unreliable, and Houston can also experience storms or flooding which will greatly delay any active construction work. On top of that, supply chain issues are the norm now, especially when it comes to appliances and cabinet works. To mitigate the frustration, setting timelines that account for these reasons can save your schedule. Even the most skilled project managers will need to pad timelines to prep for delivery delays associated with specialty items.

Mendiola Remodeling & Construction is fortunate to have established relationships with many of the local suppliers and contractors, allowing us to better control, and thus meet, timelines set by the clients. We deliver all the estimates in a timely manner and throughout every step of the project, the client is informed about the progress.

Step 5: Make Design Decisions Early

Selecting Materials and Design Features

The last step is deciding the design elements of your kitchen remodel. All of the cabinetry, countertops, and flooring options are exciting, but they need to be set in the beginning. This allows the contractors to start as soon as the permits are in because they do not need to start planning new plans on the fly after getting approvals.

Having a clear kitchen style decision along with your primary objectives ensures decision-making is not stalled. Don’t forget to have a sharp eye on all these selections because Houston is notorious for its weather which brings focus on durability. There are many styles and themes ranging from sleek modern to traditional that one can go with but ultimately it will depend on what accent your home’s design and style. Mendiola offers design consults that aid in making the decisions that guarantees seamless execution of modern kitchens.

Conclusion: Proper Preparation is Key to Starting your Remodeling Project

A kitchen remodel in Houston can be a challenging task, but if you follow these 5 steps, you will make the process seamless. Aim for specific goals, account for Houston-based spending, use licensed experts, and get permits on time. Each step needs meticulous foresight to avoid hindrances.

Looking for the first move? Visit Mendiola Remodeling & Construction. Book a discovery call and get Mendiola’s Free Kitchen Estimate to begin your Houston kitchen remodel!