When to Start Shopping for Appliances in Your Renovation Timeline

Renovating your home is exciting, but it demands careful planning, especially when managing your project's timeline and budget. Among the many decisions you'll face is choosing the right kitchen appliances. After all, more than just a place to cook, the kitchen is often the heart of the home, where functionality meets style. A well-planned innovation should include a detailed timeline for the kitchen space.

Knowing when is the best time to buy appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers will keep you on budget, without getting stressed down the road. Starting too late in the kitchen appliances timeline may delay your project, but starting too early might cause unnecessary spending or a design mismatch. So, when can you begin?

Let's go through the essential steps in your kitchen renovation timeline, from setting your budget to selecting your design and finally ordering appliances. This guide may help you stay on track and save you some money.

First: Set a Kitchen Remodel Budget

Naturally, the very first step you must do in a kitchen renovation timeline is set a realistic budget. Knowing how much you plan to spend and how long your remodel will take will ultimately decide when is the best time to purchase kitchen appliances.

Begin by estimating the total cost of your kitchen remodel. Include everything from cabinets and flooring to labor and, of course, appliances.

Here's a typical breakdown of costs you might expect in a kitchen remodel:

• Appliance Costs: Around 15-20% of a kitchen remodel should be dedicated to appliances.

• Cabinets Costs: Typically, cabinets are the largest kitchen remodel expense, occupying about 30-35% of a budget.

• Flooring Costs: On average, flooring accounts for 10-15% of a kitchen remodel.

• Contractor and Labor Costs: Plan roughly 25-30% of a kitchen remodel for labor costs.

• Spare Budget or “Wiggle Room”: Set aside 10-15% for unexpected setbacks or repairs.

Having these percentages will give you a clearer picture of your financial plan and the right timing to shop for kitchen renovation appliances. For example, if your remodel will take several months, you’ll want to coordinate appliance purchases closer to the installation phase to avoid storage issues or damage.

Next: Measure Your Kitchen

Taking accurate measurements is also essential in the kitchen renovation timeline before buying any kitchen appliances. When planning a kitchen remodel, take the time to measure your space carefully to avoid costly mistakes and ensure your new appliances will fit the new layout.

Without proper measurements in your kitchen remodeling plans, you risk purchasing appliances that are too large, too small, or incompatible with the cabinetry and layouts. This can lead to delays, extra return or replacement costs, and compromise your kitchen's design and functionality.

Here are some useful tips to measure your kitchen like a pro:

✅Measure twice, buy once: Always double-check your measurements to avoid errors.

✅Consider height, width, and depth: Don't just measure the width and height—depth is equally important, especially for appliances like refrigerators and ovens.

✅Account for clearance space: Leave extra room for doors to open fully and for access and ventilation around appliances.

✅Don't forget obstacles: Measure around windows, doorways, cabinets, and plumbing fixtures that might affect the placement of an appliance.

✅Use a reliable tape measure: Choose a standard, industry-approved measuring tape to ensure accuracy. This helps both homeowners and contractors work from the exact same measurements, reducing the risk of miscommunication and costly errors during installation.

Following these tips will ensure your appliance choices complement your space instead of clashing with it. They will also keep your kitchen renovation timeline plans on track.

Then: Select Your Kitchen Design

Having a clear vision of your kitchen design must be a priority before buying appliances. Knowing how your kitchen will look helps you choose appliances that fit the space and your needs. For example, different appliance finishes can change the mood and feel of the room, so knowing the options is helpful.

Consider these finishes:

• Stainless steel appliances: Classic and versatile, stainless steel offers a modern look that works well in most kitchens. It's also durable and easy to clean, but can show fingerprints.

• Black or black stainless steel appliances: These finishes add a bold, sophisticated touch and are great for hiding smudges and fingerprints. They work well in contemporary or industrial-style kitchens.

• White appliances: A timeless choice that brightens the space and fits well in traditional or cottage-style kitchens. White appliances can blend seamlessly with white cabinetry for a clean, uniform look.

• Custom appliances: For those seeking a high-end or personalized kitchen, custom appliances can be built to match cabinetry or unique finishes for a more integrated appearance.

Selecting your kitchen design first ensures your appliances will enhance the overall look and function of your space, making your renovation feel complete and cohesive.

Finally: Order Kitchen Appliances

Once you’ve set your budget, measured your kitchen, and selected your design, it's finally time to purchase your appliances. Of course, you don't have to always spend money replacing kitchen appliances. However, buying appliances for new construction means an opportunity for you to upgrade your kitchen from outdated appliances to new ones with better energy-saving features and more advanced features.

Keep in mind that most appliances normally take 6 to 12 weeks to ship. However, some stores and brands may have items in stock and ready to ship immediately. It's recommended that you find out these details upfront to schedule a delivery that aligns with your kitchen renovation timeline.

One smart option to consider is purchasing kitchen appliance bundles. These are sets of major appliances, including a refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave, sold together as a package.

Bundles offer several benefits, such as:

✔Save on shipping fees: Instead of paying separate delivery costs for each appliance, a bundle ships everything together, saving you from multiple shipping charges.

✔Install everything at once: Because all the appliances arrive together, your contractor can install them on the same day.

✔Get better pricing: Kitchen packages often come at a discounted rate compared to buying each item individually, helping you stay within budget.

Get a Start on Your Kitchen Renovation Timeline

With your planning steps in place, it's time to focus on the best appliances for kitchen remodel to bring your kitchen to life. Choosing the right products ensures your new kitchen is both stylish and functional. We’ve put together a few of our most popular bundles for consideration below.

GE® 4 Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Package

Shop This GE Kitchen Package

For a complete and coordinated kitchen look, consider this GE package. It features a French Door refrigerator, a smooth-top electric range, a built-in microwave, and a dishwasher, covering all the bases for a modern kitchen. Homeowners will appreciate the stainless steel finish that complements various kitchen styles while providing durability and easy cleaning. The appliances come equipped with spacious storage, efficient cooking options, and powerful cleaning cycles. This package truly does have it all: a cohesive look, reliable performance, and simplicity of process for those who want an efficient kitchen remodel without sacrificing quality.

Bosch 4 Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Package

Shop This Bosch Package

This Bosch package includes a French Door refrigerator, a gas range, a built-in dishwasher, and over-the-range convection microwave—all designed to work seamlessly with each other. Bosch is committed to quality and innovation, and each appliance in this bundles delivers on that reliable performance and durability. Each model is also equipped with advanced features aimed at convenience and efficiency. Any homeowner would also appreciate the sleek stainless steel finish that adds a contemporary touch.

Café™ 4 Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Package

Shop This Cafe Package

On the premium side, there's no denying the functionality and style of Café appliances. This Café set offers an excellent choice for homeowners seeking both aesthetics and performance in their kitchen. It includes a French Door refrigerator, a slide-in electric range, a built-in dishwasher, and an over-the-range microwave, all in a stainless steel finish that works for many design styles. What makes this set stand out is the thoughtful features of each appliance that cater to modern cooking and cleaning needs. For a well-coordinated suite of appliances that elevates the kitchen's appearance, this Café set will make your kitchen a more enjoyable space to be.

GE Profile™ 5 Stainless Steel Piece Kitchen Package

Shop This GE Profile Package

With five pieces, this is our most comprehensive package. Made by GE Profile, this kitchen set offers a French Door refrigerator, a gas cooktop, a range hood, a built-in dishwasher, and double wall ovens to our kitchen. Designed for homeowners who want a modern, stainless steel aesthetic, it also features state-of-the-art cooking and cleaning features. Notably, the gas cooktop features a powerful 18,000 BTU tri-ring burner, ideal for rapid boiling and searing. The included dishwasher operates at a quiet 42 dB, ensuring a peaceful kitchen environment. It’s a brilliant set.

KitchenAid® 4 Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Package

Shop This KitchenAid Package

KitchenAid brings the ultimate convenience and function for your kitchen needs through this package. The French Door refrigerator is spacious with a 27 cubic feet capacity, providing ample storage and a fingerprint-resistant surface. The gas range boasts Even-Heat technology for consistent cooking results, while the dishwasher's quiet operation will create a peaceful atmosphere. An over-the-range microwave with a 1.1 cubic feet capacity completes the package with a flush built-in design.

If you're wondering where to purchase kitchen appliances at a good price, consider Don's Appliances. We're always happy to serve your kitchen remodeling needs with expert advice on which brands to shop for your budget and design needs. Visit one of our Pittsburgh showrooms today for more remodeling tips that keep you on track and save you money!

Why Trust Don’s Appliances?

Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.

When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.

Shop Kitchen Appliances at Don’s

Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop in-stock appliances online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help kitchen renovation timeline — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!

Learn More: Modern Kitchen Design: Inspiration for Your Ultimate Kitchen Makeover

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