Preparing for a Kitchen Remodel: Building More Than Cabinets
There’s something sacred about the kitchen. It’s where quiet mornings begin. Where birthdays are baked, and dinner becomes therapy. It’s the place that wears the fingerprints of your family. The soundtrack of your home starts here.
So when someone decides to remodel their kitchen, they’re not just upgrading countertops—they’re reshaping the way life flows through the house.
That’s why preparing for a kitchen remodel shouldn’t begin with catalogs or color swatches. It should begin with the way you live. What matters to you? What drives you crazy? What do you wish this space could do that it doesn’t?
This guide isn’t a checklist. It’s a conversation. A way to walk through the decisions that matter—before they get poured in concrete.
What No One Sees (But You’ll Feel Every Day)
The parts of the kitchen you don’t see—the wiring, venting, outlets, shutoffs—are the parts you feel most when they’re missing or wrong.
Planning for function isn’t glamorous, but it’s foundational:
Will you need outlets in your island for baking days or charging laptops?
Do your mornings feel dim or shadowy? Layered lighting—task, ambient, and accent—can change everything.
Filtered water or a pot filler? They may seem like small luxuries, but they’re plumbing decisions that need to be planned early.
Do you cook late or early? Dimmers and switch locations matter more than you think.
These are the choices that affect how your kitchen works when no one else is watching.
Cost Isn’t the Enemy—Surprise Is
Most people don’t go over budget because they’re careless. They go over because they didn’t know what to expect.
Here’s what we’ve learned from walking people through this process again and again:
Cabinets: Semi-custom cabinetry typically ranges from $12,000 to $25,000+. Custom starts closer to $30,000.
Countertops: Quartz, granite, and quartzite range from $50–$100+ per square foot installed.
Plumbing/Electrical: If you’re adding lights, outlets, or relocating appliances, expect $3,000–$8,000 in upgrades.
Design & Project Management: If you're hiring someone to manage the entire job (and you should), plan on an additional 10–20% for daily oversight and scheduling.
Always reserve 10–15% of your budget for the unknowns. Especially in older homes, walls can hold surprises—structural issues, hidden damage, or outdated wiring.
And time? A full kitchen remodel typically takes 6–10 weeks, depending on the size of the space, how fast materials arrive, and the level of customization involved.
Is White Still “In”? Or Just Safe?
White kitchens are still a favorite. They're clean, timeless, and easy to build around.
But timeless doesn’t mean trendless. It means balanced—a mix of neutral tones, layered textures, and smart contrasts.
Some of the kitchens we love most lately feature:
Soft taupe or greige cabinets
Deep navy or woodland green islands
Matte black hardware and brass accents
Light oak flooring for warmth
A white kitchen with butcher block and bold lighting? Timeless. A slate blue kitchen with warm lighting and texture-rich backsplash? Also timeless—if it fits the home.
Don’t chase trends. Choose what feels like peace at 6am when the house is quiet and coffee is brewing.
Choosing a Countertop: What You See vs. What You Live With
Your countertop isn't just a surface. It’s where the life of your kitchen unfolds.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s out there—and what you might want to live with:
Quartz: Durable, low-maintenance, and consistent in color. Ideal for families and daily cooking.
Granite: Natural and unique. Heat-resistant. Requires occasional sealing.
Marble: Elegant, soft, and prone to scratches. Better for baking and light use areas.
Quartzite: Strong like granite, beautiful like marble. Premium choice, but worth the investment.
Butcher Block: Warm and homey. Needs maintenance, but ages with character.
Laminate: Modern patterns at a lower cost. Less durable, but good for budget projects.
Each material has its personality. The right one depends on yours.
(We’ll dive deeper into each option in Part Two.)
A Real Example: Tuberose Kitchen
We called this one the Tuberose Kitchen—not just because of the finishes, but because of what it taught us.
It came together beautifully: white shaker cabinets, Calacatta quartz, a warm butcher block island, matte black fixtures, and soft brass accents. The photos turned out great—but the process was what stayed with us.
The homeowner talked a lot about trusting the process. She stayed involved, communicated her vision clearly, and gave us the freedom to build with care. Near the end of the job, we missed the mark—there was a lingering issue we didn’t resolve quickly enough. She gave us honest feedback about how it made her feel, and we could tell we’d let her down.
We owned it. We apologized. We tried to make it right, but sometimes resolution comes too late to undo the weight of disappointment.
And yet—months later, she reached back out to order additional doors from us. She didn’t have to. But she did. That moment reminded us that how you recover matters just as much as how you build.
🖼 See the Tuberose Kitchen here →
📂 Want to Plan With More Clarity?
We know it’s hard to budget for something this big. That’s why we created the Client Resources tab on our website. It includes PDFs that break down:
What we offer (from tile to cabinetry to lighting)
Real examples of upgrade choices
A budget worksheet where you can write down your numbers and prioritize what matters most
It’s not about cutting corners—it’s about clarity. So you know where you want to spend, and where you’re willing to save.
Ready to Talk?
If you're early in the process, or just need help figuring out where to start, we’re here. Whether you’ve got a full Pinterest board or just a few thoughts in your head, we’ll help sort it out.
Tish Gomez – Client Services
📞 (432) 894-2672
📧 tish@alphageneralconstructionwtx.com
Joel Gomez – Planning & Design
📞 (432) 250-7940
📧 joel@alphageneralconstructionwtx.com
Final Thought
A kitchen remodel is more than a project. It’s a transition.
You’re not just rebuilding cabinets—you’re reimagining the way your home feels when people walk in, sit down, or gather after a long day.
Prepare with intention. Be honest about your needs. Expect a few bumps. And surround yourself with people who don’t just want to build—but want to build something right.
📍 Coming soon: Part Two — A Deep Dive into Choosing the Right Countertop Material for Your Kitchen.
