STEP 16 – FINALIZE AND EXECUTE YOUR PLANS
Your last step is to finalize and execute your plans. Purchase a heavy mat board (a little stiffer, but about the same size or smaller than a standard poster board) in white or a soft, neutral color. From your collection of samples, make your choice (your best “like”) of one single piece of flooring, countertop, paint, stain, wallpaper, fabric, any picture of cabinet style, cabinet hardware, faucets, lighting fixtures, accessories, etc., and place the samples on the board. Exchange the pieces with others until you are satisfied with the overall look. Paste the pieces down. Now you have a planning board from which to visually see what your final kitchen will look like. This is the method every professional uses before a plan is executed. If you are employing an architect or contractor, you can give this to him or her.
Next, get out the floor plan you drew in Step 2. If you decided to make any physical changes after completing “all” the other steps in this Kitchen Organization and Planning Guide, sketch in the changes or make a note on the layout, or simply sketch a new plan. Be sure to include locations of lights and light switches. Use the symbols found in Step 13. Again, this will be important to the architect or contractor, or serve as your guide if you are doing the work yourself.
If you will need outside help for any of your major changes, make a list of professionals you can call on, or if you hire a general contractor, he or she will supply the subcontractors you will need. See Worksheet 16, page 1, to make your list and an appointment schedule. Be sure all your outside help is insured and bonded, whether it is the general contractor, sub-contractors, or a handyman you hire from an advertisement. For major renovations, a written contract, in all cases, is a necessity for your protection.
The following information should be included in the contract:
Scope of Work - a description of all the work to be done, materials to be used, equipment to be used, scope of work guides, and your expectations.
Work and payment schedule – a starting and finishing date. Never pay for the entire job upfront.
Confirmation on License – written on or in the contract. (Check the information thru your and Insurance state’s contractor and licensing board via your computer).
Provision of Cancellation – a statement of how to discontinue the job.
Change order instructions – a written means to make changes while the job is in progress and how it will affect the time line and cost of the project.
When your kitchen is ready for “move-in”, you can add any of the portable organizers you have purchased. First select the specific shelves or drawers you know will be used for certain items. An easy way is to draw an elevation of your cabinets (see Step 10), mark each shelf and drawer with a number or letter, and list the items to go in each place. This way you will know what organizer you’ll need in that space in order to get everything to fit.
Only you, or “supervised” people (family, friends, hired help) will be able to arrange and stock your shelves and drawers according to your needs of what you use everyday, every two weeks, or once a year (see Worksheet 8). You’ll want to put the things you use most often within your “normal working circle” (see Step 9). You’ll want to place food items and equipment you’ll use for baking in your designated mix-and-store center and your teapot near the sink, etc. (see Step 8).
Finally, use Worksheet 16, page 2, to set up the Budget and Priority Schedule for Your Kitchen. Review your other worksheets to get the information you need. Prioritize your plans so that you will not feel overwhelmed or cause a financial breakdown in completing your project.
Choose Worksheet 16—Finalize My Kitchen Plans
Check out Lifestyle Systems complete line of drawer and shelf organizers for the home and office at www.lifestylessystems.com. If you want to be an active participant to change/plan your kitchen download the corresponding worksheet for the workshop by clicking on the worksheet below:
Worksheet 1 – Cooks Profile
Worksheet 2 – Draw Your Kitchen
Worksheet 3 – My Work Triangle
Worksheet 4 – Location Of My Work Centers
Worksheet 5 – Measure My Counterspace
Worksheet 6 – Measure Heights of Work Surfaces
Worksheet 7 – Part 1 – Kitchen Storage Test
Worksheet 7 – Part 2 – Measure Your Kitchen Storage
Worksheet 8 – Part 1 – Kitchen Equipment Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 2 – Kitchen Equipment Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 3 – Tableware Storage Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 4 – Tableware Checklist Continued
Worksheet 8 – Part 5 – Supplies and Food Items Checklist
Worksheet 9 – Measure Points You Can Easily Reach In Your Kitchen
Worksheet 10 – How To Place Items In A Work Center
Worksheet 11 – Part 1 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 11 – Part 2 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space
Worksheet 11 – Part 3 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 11 – Part 4 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 12 – A Shopping List For Kitchen Equipment And Tableware
Worksheet 13 – Survey The Lighting And Electrical Outlets In My Kitchen
Worksheet 14 – Decorating Your Kitchen
Worksheet 15 – Gather Samples For My Kitchen
Worksheet 16 – Part 1 – Sources And Appointments
Worksheet 16 – Page 2 – Budget and Priority Schedule For My Kitchen
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