Homeowners’ Guide to Kitchen Remodels in 2023

Expert Advice from Slate Design and Remodel Founder Adam Smith

Homeowners routinely ask us for advice on kitchen remodels, so we had our founder, Adam Smith, answer your top questions and share a guide to kitchen remodels.

Learn what homeowners can do to research and to vet a kitchen remodel company. Discover new trends in kitchen design to inspire your new kitchen style. Learn the best time to act.

It’s all in this interview:

Question 1: For homeowners just starting the research phase of their home remodeling project, what advice would you give?

A: “Make sure any contractor you’re going to interview is licensed and insured. You can check on the state’s regulatory board. In Virginia, you can go on DPOR Virginia to verify the license and to see if there are any complaints. As far as the research phase goes, do a lot of research on the budget, and make sure that’s accurate. That your expectation is realistic.”

• Ensure your remodeler is licensed and insured. Check for complaints against them on DPOR Virginia. Ask for a copy of their license.
• Make sure your budget is realistic. Don’t get your hopes up before you know what a job will cost.

Question 2: What’s the most important tip or guide to kitchen remodels for homeowners to set realistic expectations around their remodeling projects?

A: “A lot of homeowners start with the assumption that everything in the house is the way it’s supposed to be. Then, as we start tearing off drywall, we might discover some things aren’t up to code. Maybe it’s electrical. Maybe it’s plumbing. These are unexpected things that can result in change orders and additional costs.”

• Get clear, realistic expectations. Talk to a remodeling professional about everything this job could entail. When you’re clear on potential problems, you’re not set up for disappointment.
• Be flexible. Unexpected things almost always come up on a remodeling project. Change orders and extra cost might be required to address what’s found during demolition. Set an additional 5 to 10 percent of funding aside for newer homes and 15 to 20 percent for older homes.

Question 3: Before contacting a remodeling company, what steps should homeowners take? Do they need to know anything beyond budget?

A:

• Determine your budget range, and don’t break the bank. Have money in reserve, or a contingency budget, for the possibility of change orders.
• Be open about your budget. It’s important to share your budget with the company you’re researching so you don’t waste your time or theirs.

Question 4: How can a homeowner find a reputable, professional, and talented remodeler to trust with their home remodel?

A:

• Get referrals. Ask people you trust. Learn details about the process from them.
• Check reviews. Use Google, Angie’s list, and other sites.
• Verify professional licensing, insurance, and credentials.
• Look at the websites and portfolios of potential hires. This gives you concrete insight into the quality of work they do.

Question 5: What does Slate Design and Remodel specifically do that helps homeowners have a successful kitchen remodel?

A: “We are highly systematized, which is the way to be successful in any business. It’s not common in the remodeling industry to be systematized. Disorganized contractors are, unfortunately, the norm. We also have a solid, experienced team of specialists. No one is wearing too many hats.”

• Look for companies with strategic, organized systems.
• Give preference to companies with dedicated, experienced specialists.
• Lean on technology. Use a company that allows homeowners to see every aspect of the project updated in real-time, to message the remodeling company, and to alert the staff to any issues or concerns.
• As the business owner, Smith is deeply involved in every project.
• Get a detailed schedule. To keep everyone on the same page, remodelers should provide important dates (in calendar format) to the homeowner.
• The project manager should send regular updates.

Question 6: What does the Slate team do to make the projects run smoothly—from giving the initial assessment to delivering a complete kitchen remodel?

A: The Slate process:

• On the initial phone assessment, we make sure the prospective client has a realistic budget and that we are a good fit.
• The designer meets the prospective client at the home to take measurements, to ask questions, and to get to know the client’s wants and needs for the project.
• We put together a presentation package. This involves a preliminary design attached to the scope of work and a budget range. We then meet with the homeowner to present the package. During this meeting, we provide an example of a current project to illustrate what it’s like to work with us.
• When the client enters a design agreement with us, our designer comes up with a final concept. The client makes all selections for the project. The goal here is to get them into a fixed-price contract. Once you’re under contract, there aren’t as many surprises.
• Our project manager is responsible for the pre-construction conference. This happens prior to the start of the project, and the goal is to get everyone on the same page.
• Day one is the demo. Then the installation crew begins their work.
• The project manager is on-site throughout the remodel, communicating with the homeowner and the installation team. We keep the homeowner updated on all progress.
• The designer does weekly check-ins with the homeowner, making sure everything that’s been installed was done right.
• I do check-ins as well. I’ll also stop by and do random quality control checks.
• After completion, we follow up with the homeowner to make sure everything is up to the standards we promised and that the homeowner is happy with the project.

Question 7: Can you share a story about a recent kitchen remodel completed by Slate Design and Remodel?

A: “In South Riding, we recently did a kitchen remodel. We had to remove a load-bearing wall and put in a post and beam. It was a pretty big overhaul in terms of the actual kitchen layout.

The gas range, we moved that from the island and put it up against the wall. We put in a really nice hood. Really powerful.

It just gave the room a better look. More open space from the walls we knocked out. Now they’ve got a big, solid surface without having the cooking surface in the way.

It all went pretty smoothly. The homeowner was super thrilled. We’ve already gotten a referral out of it, and the experience for all of us was great.”

Question 8: How long does a typical kitchen remodel take?

A: “People love to say a kitchen remodel should take six weeks. Six weeks is not realistic!”

• For a pull-and-replace job, eight to ten weeks is more realistic.
• For in-depth kitchen remodels, expect ten to twelve weeks.

Question 9: What are the biggest kitchen remodel trends?

A: “Our lead designer attended KBiz, a kitchen and bath event in Vegas, and reported on the newest trends. Here’s what we’ve been seeing and doing lately.”

• Colors are in! This includes retro colors, lavender, pinks, yellow, sage greens, and forest greens. Koehler toilets are taking up retro colors, and it’s influencing cabinetry and other kitchen style trends.
• Mixed styles from different decades are popular. This trend is shaped by social media, home design and remodel shows, and fashion trends.
• Variety is big. People are mixing different textures, colors, and shapes of tile. Pairing wood tones and mixed metals is also popular.
• Ranges are changing. Big ranges are popular right now, as well as out-of-the-box thinking on range design, including colors, styles, and shapes.

Final Question: When is the best time to remodel a kitchen?

A: “Now is a great time to remodel. It’s always going to be now. Prices are not going down. We are doing projects now where the initial assessment happened about two years ago, and costs have increased significantly. Do it sooner than later!”

Ready to Talk about Your Kitchen or Home Remodel?

If you’re local to Northern Virginia and you’ve been thinking about a kitchen remodel or other home improvement project, get in touch with our team today.