Don't put your kitchen renovation at risk! Signature Kitchens, Additions & Baths, a leading kitchen remodeling contractor, follows an eight step process to ensure your kitchen remodel is your family's favorite room in the house

No matter how good the kitchen design, in the end it's the quality and craftsmanship brought to bear by your kitchen remodeling contractor that counts. After the design is agreed too, and all selections of kitchen cabinets, kitchen appliances, and granite or quartz countertops, cabinetry lighting, and flooring are made. It's then time to start the kitchen renovation, it's time for permits and demolition, framing, plumbing, electricians, drywall & finishing, cabinet installation, tile setters, and floor layers.

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STEP #1: BUILDING PLANS & PERMITS FOR THE KITCHEN RENOVATION

Every jurisdiction has different permit requirements for kitchen remodeling, be it Washington DC, Montgomery County, Farifax County, Ann Arundel County or in some cases the local city such as Rockville, Arlington, Takoma Park, Alexandria or Chevy Chase. The first thing necessary is to derive from the kitchen design, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans. If necessary we will have the plans reviewed & stamped by one or more engineers. The kitchen renovation must essentially be memorialized in the construction documents, submitted for construction permit approval and then processed to approval.

STEP #2: KITCHEN REMODELING SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS

Kitchen remodeling may not seem hazardous but it is certainly not safe for children, and adults can get hurt too. We are exposing wires, removing floor covering and sub floors, exposing stud walls that have protrusion from wires to nails, all of which are potentially dangerous. In addition the work is messy and dusty. We install dust barriers at all the doors accessing the kitchen and install floor protection where ever we have to pass over flooring not being replaced. Even with these precautions dust is an insidious intruder and it takes our joint effort to control it as much as possible.

STEP #3: DEMOLITION & FRAMING

Generally, in the first few days, we are going to disconnect all the water, gas and electrical lines going to existing sinks, ranges, receptacles and lights. Out go all the old dysfunctional kitchen cabinets, kitchen appliances, kitchen countertops, lights, and floor coverings. Many clients will have Habitat for Humanity pick these items up.

One of the most critical parts of the Kitchen Remodel is to square the room, especially where cabinets meet along the walls, and where kitchen cabinetry and appliances abut the floor and the ceiling. It may surprise you that out of square, out of plane conditions are common whether it is an historic Capitol Hill Row house in Washington DC or a brand new house in Bethesda MD or McLean VA. Often we are also going to be removing and reframing a portion of the kitchen to make it larger or more efficient. Of course if the kitchen renovation is part of a larger house addition or whole house remodel then this step and all others is exponentially more complex.

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"Our kitchen is just gorgeous! We were so pleased and amazed that the kitchen remodeling was done so smoothly. The organization was superb - the men were all so courteous, efficient and accommodating. I have remodeled two homes in the past 25 years and this is the 1st time I can say it was a real pleasure to have workers in our home. "Signature Kitchens, Additions & Baths" total teamwork gives the customer a real sense of confidence and total satisfaction. We couldn't be happier with our new kitchen remodel."

- Remi & Joan Thyson

STEP #4: MEP, MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING

Everything in our typical kitchen remodeling project from kitchen design, to permit drawings, to demolition and framing has occurred "in house" through Signature Kitchens Additions & Bath kitchen designers and craftsman. Now the kitchen makeover continues with our trade contractors the electrician, plumber and HVAC mechanic, these are contractors who we have typically been working with for many years. They will "rough in" meaning, these tradesman are going to bring the waste, supply and gas lines as well as the proper electrical branch circuitry to the top of the countertops, and to each appliance as well as the ambient, task, and cabinet lighting. Your kitchen designer will usually be ensuring that the exact rough in location is identified and cut sheets provided for each specialty appliance and all cabinetry lighting, so proper documentation is critical at this juncture.

STEP #5: THE BUILDING INSPECTOR(S)

If the work is done properly to the Building Code then the inspectors will issue close in stickers and the job will proceed. If the job is on a tight schedule it is often worth while to hire an out side inspection service. Third party inspection services are currently available in Washington DC, Montgomery County and Farifax County.

STEP #6: THE KITCHEN REMODEL CLOSE IN

Signature Kitchens, Additions & Baths will now insulate and drywall in all the open walls and lay the flooring. Once compete we set & adjust the base cabinets. The we'll have Norwood Marble & Granite our kitchen countertop fabricator come in to measure the top with a laser. It takes a week or more to fabricate just about any countertop from granite to Icestone, Silestone, Cambria & Ceasarstone, except for wood tops which take a bit longer. While we wait will proceed with the kitchen cabinetry by hanging & adjusting the wall cabinets, & installing the kitchen appliances. Then trim carpentry which includes everything from cabinetry crown and light rail, to window and door casement. All of which have to be meticulously installed. The final touch is painting.

STEP #7: SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION

Once the counter top has been installed, our in house tile setter sets the kitchen backsplash tile, the plumber returns to install the faucet and connect the appliances, and the electrician returns to install light fixtures and device plates. Final touch up substantially completes the our kitchen renovation project.

STEP #8: OUR LAST STEP IN OUR KITCHEN REMODEL HAS ARRIVED

It's time to learn a bit about how to clean and care for your kitchen cabinetry, Granite or Quartz Countertops and tile as well as how to use all the new kitchen appliances. We'll do this and our final inspection, as well as discuss any other projects or work you might want done in the future.

We're always there for you at Signature Kitchens Additions, & Baths just call us at 301.384.3011 or 301.384.3117 or write us a simple email at info@signaturekab.net and we will get back to you right away! After hours you can always call the owner Gary Case at: 202-359-3286.

You should take advantage of this web site it has been designed to inform and help you in the kitchen, addition & bath design & remodeling process. Browse through, you'll find lots of inspiration. More important you'll find our well thought out design philosophy, a proven remodeling process, and the critical steps necessary in a major remodel or addition. As well as information on kitchen cabinet selection, bathroom design, accessible kitchens & baths, and much more. Add our site to your browsers "Favorites Tab".