Signature’s Eight-Step Kitchen Remodeling Process

Every jurisdiction, Rockville, Washington DC has different kitchen remodeling requirements. Therefore the first thing we need to do when we get started on remodeling your kitchen is to derive from your kitchen design the structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans. If necessary we then take these plans to outside engineers for review. Essentially, this step of the process entails converting your kitchen renovation design into construction documents, submitting them for construction permit approval and getting approval finalized.

You might not think kitchen remodeling would be hazardous but it is certainly not safe for your children, and you could get hurt as well. Throughout our work we expose wires, remove floor covering and sub floors, and expose stud walls that have protruding wires and nails, all of which are potentially dangerous. Additionally, though we try to limit dust and other particulates, the work can get messy. To maintain as clean an environment as we can, we install dust barriers at all the doors accessing the kitchen and install floor protection wherever we have to pass over flooring that is not being replaced. Even with these precautions dust is an insidious intruder and it will take our joint effort to control it as much as possible.

In the first few days of your kitchen remodel we disconnect all the water, gas and electrical lines going to existing sinks, ranges, receptacles and lights. We remove all the old kitchen cabinets, appliances, countertops, lights and floor coverings – many clients choose to donate these items to Habitat for Humanity.

One of the most critical steps of the kitchen remodeling process is the squaring of the room. Of course, if the kitchen remodel is just one part of a larger project, this step is much more complicated and all the more vital. It might surprise you that out-of-square, out-of-plane conditions are pretty common, whether in a historic Capitol Hill Row house in Washington, D.C. or a brand new house in Bethesda, MD or McLean, VA. In many projects we also remove and reframe a portion of the kitchen in order to make it larger and/or more efficient.

So far, everything that has been done with your kitchen remodeling project – from permit drawing to demolition to framing – has been done by in-house Signature designers and craftsmen. At this point in the kitchen remodeling procedure the work is continued by our trade contractors. These electricians, plumbers and HVAC mechanics have been working with us for years and are trusted members of Signature KAB’s team. Our contractors will then “rough in” the electrical and plumbing lines (bring the wires, cables and pipes to where they need to be once the wall is replaced). Your designer will then come to ensure that all the work being done is in line with kitchen remodeling design that you have previously agreed on.

At this point we bring in building inspectors to make sure all work is being done to the building code and issue close-in stickers so the job can proceed. If the project is being completed on a tight schedule we often hire an outside inspection service. Third party inspection services are currently available in Washington, D.C., Montgomery County and Fairfax County.

Signature Kitchens, Additions & Baths will now insulate and drywall all the open walls and lay down the flooring. Once that is done we set and adjust the base cabinets on top of the new floor. After that we can have our professional countertop fabricator, Norwood Marble & Granite, come in to measure the tops of the cabinets for fabrication. It can take a week or more to fabricate countertop from materials like granite, icestone, silestone, cambria or ceasarstone, while wooden countertops take a bit longer. While we wait for the finished countertops, we will proceed to hang and adjust the wall cabinets and install the appliances. Next we set about trimming the carpentry, including everything from cabinetry crown and light rail to window and door casement. The final part of this step is, of course, painting.

Once the countertop 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 kitchen remodeling project.

After the kitchen remodeling is complete, we’ll come to show you how to clean and care for your kitchen cabinetry, countertops and tile, and how to use all your new appliances. We’ll also complete our final inspection, show you before and after pictures, and discuss any other projects or work you might want done in the future. Step 9? Enjoy!