When you’re remodeling your kitchen and if it’s the first time you’re doing it, then you might have some questions in your mind and the most asked one will be: Where should I start? Well, here is everything you need to know about which one to replace first during kitchen remodeling.

Floors Or Cabinets – What Comes First?

The floors as well as the cabinets of your kitchen are probably the most important things that you’ll need to look at when you’re remodeling your kitchen. You can’t just get on with the remodeling and not have a plan beforehand.

So, when you’re remodeling the kitchen and both your floors and cabinets need attention, the first thing you want to look at is the floors.

Installing the floors, especially if you’re using materials like hardwood, tiles, or any other material, will be easier. You’ll be able to get the floors installed and ready to go and you won’t have to worry about a thing later on. It is always a good idea to get the floors done first, because:

• The cabinet and countertop height will be accurate and there won’t be any problem.
• It leads to a more professional and clean look in the end, which you will love seeing.
• You get the layout design down and ready to go when you install the floors first.

So, installing the floors before anything else will certainly pay you off and from there, things will breeze by smoothly and you won’t run into any more problems in the future.

Do The Floors Need A Replacement?

Well, this is a question that you need to ask yourself before you go ahead and tear everything down.

Do the floors actually need replacement or not? This is something that a lot of homeowners will get confused by, because they can’t figure out whether their floors are in need of replacement or not.

Well, this is where you need to keep the following things in mind. Your floors definitely need a replacement if:

• They look very outdated and old.
• They have been through severe damage, either impact damage or water damage.
• The floorboards are all damaged and they can’t be fixed.
• You’re selling the house and you want a good return on investment
• The material you’re using is very high maintenance and you want to get another one

These are just some of the reasons why you can change your flooring. If you look at your existing floors and just see that they’re not in good shape, then you have to change them and if you’re planning on remodeling the kitchen, then this is literally the perfect time for you to get this done.

Flooring Installation Difficulty

Replacing the floors is pretty easy and depending on the material that you’re choosing, you can actually manage to install some floors on your own too. If you have a small kitchen and you are going for something like wooden planks or even laminate, then installation is super easy, especially if you know your way around floor installation. If not, then it’s best to sit back and call in a professional and let them do the work for you if your floors are in really bad shape.

You don’t want to test your DIY skills on something so crucial as floors when doing kitchen or bathroom remodeling Port Jefferson. This is not going to lead to good results, and if it’s your first time, then definitely don’t go down the DIY route. It will only be better for you in the end.

How Do The Cabinets Look? Signs To Replace Them

Now that the floors are out of the way, the next thing you want to look at is the cabinets. The cabinets can also be in dire need of replacement, but how do you know when it’s that time? Well, here are some signs that you definitely can’t overlook.

Bulging

If your cabinets look slanted or the foundation is sagging or bulging, then this is definitely something that you need to look into. You can’t just let the cabinets be in this condition for longer, otherwise, everything will fall down when you least expect it.

Old

If you see that the cabinets are getting quite old, then you can change them. Sometimes, you can do make some cosmetic changes to update your cabinets, but there will come a time when this won’t be enough and you’ll have no choice but to change the cabinet material all over.

New Kitchen Layout

If you’re changing the layout of the kitchen, then you have to change the cabinets. If the layout involves the moving around of cabinets and if it’s something that is non-negotiable – because removing cabinets can be a pain in the neck – then you have to do that. There is literally no other way around it.

Countertop Replacement Or Height Adjustment

If you’re changing the countertops or if you’re adjusting the height to make them taller or even shorter, then you will have to adjust the cabinets too, depending on how they affect the overall change and installation. This is something that you’ll have to discuss in detail with your contractor and they will give you a better idea.

So, if any of these things are on your radar, then this is when you need to bite the bullet and change the cabinets too. Now that the floors are done, you’ll have a much easier time working with the cabinets. If you’re doing a sustainable kitchen remodel, you can choose reclaimed wood for kitchen cabinets.

Pros And Cons Of Installing Floors Or Cabinets First

There are several merits and demerits of installing floors and cabinets first in their own respective ways. Here is what you need to know:

When To Replace Cabinets First?

If you want the height of the countertops and cabinets to be uniform, then you have to install the floors first. You can’t do it any other way, or else things will go south.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly way to remodel your kitchen, then you can go for changing the cabinets first. Usually, cabinets are way less expensive than changing the floors. So, you will be in for a treat and your wallets won’t have to go through the painful throes of money spending.

If you’re going for a really specific floor type like floating floors, then it is recommended that you don’t go for flooring first. It is better to do the cabinets first, because it will be easier to install floating floors later too. It all depends on the type of material and the flooring you’re going for.

When To Replace The Flooring First?

If you have appliances that are on the floor, like a dishwasher, a fixed refrigerator, and things like that, then you want to go for the floors first because they will prevent any alignment issues, which can be a huge deal – believe it or not.

Lastly, you want to evaluate how the floors and the cabinets look before the remodel. If you don’t see any visible damage and there is no immediate need for a replacement, then you don’t have to do any remodeling.

Conclusion

Now you know when you’re in the midst of remodeling your kitchen, where you should start. This will make the whole remodeling go by so smoothly and you’ll be done in no time. If need help, contact a kitchen remodeling contractor Port Jefferson who will ensure a carefully-planned and smooth remodeling project.