Recently, I had a client contact me after 3 other contractors had told her that she would not be able to get the kitchen remodel she wanted because of the constraints of the footprint of her kitchen. She was given some drawings of a chopped-up space that lacked flow or function and was told this was the best that could be done. This baffles me because I went in to the same space and in a matter of minutes determined that there were a number of remodel options that would work to give her the kitchen she wanted. The first was to install a more substantial support beam in order to be able to remove some “structural walls.” The second, which I felt was the best option for this Folsom remodel, was to move the kitchen out of its original footprint and put it where the dining room had been.
Of COURSE this is a more involved and therefore, understandably a more expensive option than simply swapping out some cabinetry and finishes over the existing plumbing and electrical. However, if you are like this client and you love everything about your home except for the size and function of your kitchen, moving the kitchen outside the box it is currently in, may be a viable option for you too.
The bottom line is that if you love your house and your neighborhood, your yard and your school district, you do not have to settle for a cramped kitchen or a facelift remodel simply because of the footprint in which the kitchen is located. Walls can ALWAYS be moved. Despite the cliché of the “structural wall” you see on all the DIY channels that thwarts the dream design of the homeowner, structural walls can be completely removed all together as long as another form of support takes their place. This is accomplished by installing support beams in the attic space of the home. Depending on the length of the open span, either LVLs or steel beams can open up virtually ANY space. Makes sure to consider the cost factor of this option, including the cost of the beams and the labor involved in getting them into your home.
The other option is to shop your house for better real-estate. Is your under-used formal dining room huge compared to your kitchen? Is the family room in a better location or does it have a larger footprint? If so, the kitchen can be moved into this space. Plumbing and electrical will need to be added to the space and this can be relatively simple or complex based on whether there is a crawl space or if it is on a concrete slab. Just like removing the wall, this can always be done.
So before you stick the For Sale sign in your beloved lawn because you can no longer stand your kitchen, consider thinking outside the box for your kitchen remodel and call us to walk you through the process.