Avoiding Kitchen Remodel Regret: 7 Mistakes Montclair Homeowners Should Never Make

If you're considering a kitchen remodel in Montclair, New Jersey, there are a few renovation mistakes you need to avoid at all costs. As kitchen remodeling contractors, we know how quickly an exciting renovation can turn into a disaster, which is why we've put together this blog. 

Our team at G&L and Sons Renovations doesn't want you to make the kitchen remodel errors others do, because we want you to avoid regretting your choice to remodel. So, if you're eager to learn which mistakes Montclair homeowners should never make, continue reading. Our expert insights might just help teach you how to avoid kitchen remodel regrets we see time and time again. 

Mistake #1: Forgetting the “Hidden” Costs
Mistake #2: Designing a Pretty but Awkward Layout
Mistake #3: Going All-In on the Latest Trend
Mistake #4: Skimping on Storage
Mistake #5: Treating Lighting Like an Afterthought
Mistake #6: Assuming the Walls Will Cooperate
Mistake #7: Not Speaking Up Enough
Let’s Plan a Kitchen You’ll Be Proud Of Together

What Not to Do In a Kitchen Remodel: 7 Common Mistakes Montclair Homeowners Should Avoid 

Although there are far more than seven mistakes we've seen homeowners make over the years, we've rounded up the most important ones to avoid. 

So, before you commit to that kitchen renovation with the remodeler you've been considering, have a look at what we have to say below about the kitchen remodeling regrets you don't want to have: 

1. Forgetting the "Hidden" Costs

When it comes to kitchen renovation pitfalls, if there is one thing above all else you don't want to do, it's forget about hidden costs. Often, everyone budgets for the shiny new counters and updated cabinets, but they fail to consider the permits, plumbing updates, or electrical work required to accommodate the new appliance. Unfortunately, this is often when sticker shock sets in, and we don't want you to fall victim to it. 

Our tip: Add a cushion of 10 to 20 percent for the unknowns. It's a lot easier to breathe easy when surprises pop up if you've already planned for them.

2. Designing a Pretty but Awkward Layout

Layouts can be tricky to design because everyone wants them to look good, but what happens when they don't function as they should or do so awkwardly? In our opinion, no amount of beautiful marble countertops will make up for a fridge that blocks the doorway. Nor will stunning cabinetry make up for cabinet doors opening against appliances. Trust us when we say layout regrets are some of the hardest to fix after the fact. 

Our tip: Picture yourself cooking dinner. Can you move easily between the sink, stove, and fridge? Can two people work without bumping elbows? We'll help map it out so the flow makes sense before the first cabinet is installed and before any layout mistakes occur.

3. Going All-In on the Latest Trend

We know that the latest trends can be tempting to embrace, but they aren't always a good idea. In fact, embracing the wrong trends can be one of the biggest kitchen remodel mistakes. That's why we always advise questioning your trend decisions. 

For example, that bold backsplash may look great on Instagram, but will you still love it in five years? Trend-heavy choices might look good for a short while, but they can age fast and may not hold up to everyday use.

Our tip: Keep the big investments classic and let the smaller details show off your style. Swapping out light fixtures or hardware down the road is significantly easier than replacing cabinets.

4. Skimping on Storage

One of the primary reasons Montclair homeowners choose to remodel their kitchens is that they want more storage space. In Montclair, older homes often have far less storage, which can make daily living more difficult than it needs to be. With this in mind, it shouldn't be surprising that we've never had a client say, "I wish I had fewer drawers." Not once. On the other hand, we've heard plenty of "I should have added more storage" after the fact.

Our tip: Do a quick kitchen inventory. Where will the mixer go? What about sheet pans or oversized platters? Plan for those now with pull-outs, deep drawers, and pantry space that actually fits your life. Trust us, you don't want to skimp on storage; it's one of the biggest kitchen remodel mistakes you’ll make.

5. Treating Lighting Like an Afterthought

A single ceiling light makes for great shadows… and not much else. In our experience, good lighting makes a kitchen easier to use and more enjoyable to be in. 

Not to mention the right lighting can help keep you and others safer in your home while adding to the aesthetic appeal of your renovated kitchen. 

So it stands to reason that treating lighting like an afterthought is among the common kitchen remodeling regrets many have; we just don't want to see it become one of yours. 

Our tip: In our opinion, it's not enough to simply install a chandelier or a few new wall sconces. You need to layer it. What we mean is that you should consider your lighting as a multidimensional problem. You need general lighting to brighten the entire space, task lighting to aid in work zones, and accent lighting to create a beautiful, warm, and inviting atmosphere.

6. Assuming the Walls Will Cooperate

Montclair homes have charm, and with that charm often comes quirks. These quirks present themselves in the form of old wiring, outdated plumbing, or uneven framing, all of which can appear once the walls come down. 

We've seen time and time again that issues like these present themselves when homeowners least expect them. Many people also fail to budget for these unexpected expenses, which is a significant mistake, as they often assume that no unforeseen issues will arise when remodeling commences.

Our tip: You need to expect a surprise or two and budget for it if walls will be coming down during your kitchen renovation. We always check what we can ahead of time, but once demolition starts, it's best to be prepared.

7. Not Speaking Up Enough

As is the case with every type of kitchen renovation expert in Montclair, we can't read minds. Unfortunately, we've had clients come to us with regrets from past projects with other contractors. 

Most of the time, these regrets stem from assumptions that weren't clarified during the project, miscommunications, or the client's own failure to speak their mind. As can be imagined, failing to speak your mind is one of the worst kitchen renovation decisions you can make. 

Our tip: Ask questions. Schedule walk-throughs. Confirm details in writing. We'd rather have a five-minute conversation about your cabinet hardware now than see a disappointed look later.

Let's Plan a Kitchen You'll Be Proud Of Together

If there's one thing you should know when learning how to remodel a kitchen, it's that a remodel should feel exciting, not stressful. We hope that by sharing these mistakes with you, you can steer clear of them and embark on a kitchen remodeling journey that meets your expectations now and in the future.

If you choose us to guide you in the right direction, you can trust that at G&L and Sons Renovations, we keep the kitchen remodel process clear, the communication open, and the focus on what matters most: a space your family actually enjoys using. 

If you're ready to start planning your Montclair kitchen remodel and would like some kitchen renovation tips, please give us a call. We'd be glad to sit down, share ideas, and help explain more NJ kitchen design mistakes to avoid. 

Here are some other blog posts that might interest you:

Kitchen renovations

Planning a kitchen remodel

Choosing a remodel contractor

To recap, plan your project carefully and take the time to explore what matters most to you.

If you live in our northern NJ area and are ready to create the project of your dreams, we'd love to hear from you.