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When the pandemic closed restaurants in 2020, most of us experienced limited trips outside — and in effect, home cooking has become part of the new normal, according to SmartBrief. With cooking, eating, and fixing groceries, the kitchen is one of the spaces wherein people tend to spend a lot of their time. As such, you might want to renovate it to make it to suit your taste. But, the designers at Showcase Kitchens agree, before you start choosing tiles and buying new appliances, you’ll need to ask yourself a few things.

What’s your goal?

You should first consider why you want to do the renovation in the first place. Are you planning to sell the house in the future? Do you want to optimize the space or make the kitchen more functional? Do you want to incorporate a trend or add your own personal taste? To help solidify the idea of the kind of kitchen you want to have, scroll through Instagram and Pinterest photos of renovated kitchens and peruse home decor magazines and other online sources to get your creative juices flowing. Answering this first question gives you a clearer direction on what you want to accomplish.

Do you need permission?

Depending on the nature of your kitchen renovation, you may need a permit. If you’re living in a condo or townhouse complex, you’ll need to speak to your landlord or commercial real estate operator. Aside from that, you’ll generally need a permit if you’re dealing with plumbing, electrical, and mechanical aspects. Tiling, painting, replacing cabinets, and such don’t really require a permit. However, if you’re unsure, it’s best to ask professionals that would possibly be involved, such as the contractor, architect, or interior designer.

How long will it take?

It’s hard to predict exactly how long the renovation will take -- but you can have a timeline of what to expect if you work with a professional renovator. However, you should also anticipate unforeseen issues, such as with plumbing, structural, or electrical. Materials can be delayed and backordered due to high demand from loss of production during the pandemic. More customizations will also make for a longer lead time, as well as products that are being shipped from overseas, such as Italian marble.

Could you do it yourself?

Our article 13 Reasons to Hire a Professional For Your Kitchen Upgrade mentions that you can handle the decorative enhancements yourself. However, rewiring, new plumbing, architectural modifications, and such are better handled by a professional with good references and experience. Attempting major changes by yourself will eventually cost you more money and time in the end since you’re not equipped with the skills to handle it.

Should you buy new appliances?

Renovating the kitchen is the perfect time to buy new appliances. Start out fresh by throwing away appliances that are old and invest in some good quality models that will look great in your new kitchen. To save you some money (and space), you may want to consider getting multi-functional appliances. As seen on WeKnowRice, one good example is the good old rice cooker. Some models don’t just cook grains, they act as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, food warmer, and more. Plus, they’re sleek and not bulky like traditional appliances. Meanwhile, FoodNetwork shows that some air fryers can now also broil, bake, roast, and dehydrate food. As you are already spending money on your renovation, include new appliances into the budget.

Will the project add value?

Kitchens are the heart of the home -- and according to the National Association of Realtors, 95% or those polled said that after a kitchen renovation, they have an increased sense of enjoyment when at home. But Forbes also says that kitchens are what help sell a house. In fact, Remodeling Magazine notes that homeowners will likely recoup 60% to 80% of what you paid. A renovation that improves a kitchen’s functionality and livability is sure to increase a potential buyer’s interest. So when you’re renovating your kitchen, remember that while you want it to suit your taste, it should also help add value to your home.

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Written by Alessa Hendricks