9 Kitchen Remodel Mistakes Oakland County Homeowners Need to Avoid in 2026

A kitchen remodel is complex, with a lot of decisions to make and a lot of moving parts. The last thing you want is to learn a hard lesson halfway through the process. That’s why we’re sharing the most common remodeling mistakes we see here in Oakland County and how to avoid them from the very beginning.

In this blog, we cover the kitchen remodel mistakes that trip up Oakland County homeowners most often, like budget surprises, rushed design decisions, DIY slip-ups, and more. With a little guidance and the right planning, your 2026 remodel can be smooth, stress-free, genuinely enjoyable, and result in a kitchen you'll love.

Here's a glimpse of what we'll discuss in this blog:

• Mistake 1: Not Setting a Realistic Budget Up Front
• Mistake 2: Choosing the Cheapest Bid
• Mistake 3: Not Understanding the Design Before Saying “Yes”
• Mistake 4: Overlooking Storage & Organization
• Mistake 5: Not Considering Long-Term Maintenance
• Mistake 6: Starting Without a Clear Process or Timeline
• Mistake 7: DIYing Parts of the Project to “Save Money”
• Mistake 8: Not Planning for the Rest of the Home
• Mistake 9: Choosing Trends Instead of Timeless Design

Mistake 1: Not Setting a Realistic Budget Up Front

Setting a realistic budget is one of the most important steps in any kitchen remodel, yet it’s also one of the areas homeowners underestimate most. Prices aren’t soaring the way they were a few years ago, but quality craftsmanship still requires a thoughtful, accurate budget from the start.

What a Kitchen Remodel Really Costs in Oakland County

Most full kitchen remodels in our area fall within these ranges:

• $30,000–$50,000 → Semi-custom cabinetry, quality countertops, essential updates

• $50,000–$80,000 → More customization, upgraded materials, enhanced lighting, and storage

• $80,000+ → Larger layouts, structural changes, high-end cabinetry, premium finishes

Your total investment depends on factors like layout changes, cabinetry line, size of the kitchen, and the level of customization you choose.

Why Homeowners Often Underestimate Costs

Common reasons people misjudge their budget include:

• Comparing today’s costs to what neighbors paid years ago

• Not factoring in installation, mechanical updates, and craftsmanship

• Using generic online “cost calculators” that don’t reflect local pricing

• Forgetting to budget for design, permitting, or material upgrades

• Trusting costs on those popular remodeling shows

The Power of a Line-by-Line Estimate

A realistic budget isn’t just a singular number. It’s a breakdown. That’s why we provide detailed, transparent estimates that show:

• Where every dollar is going

• What’s included and what isn’t

• How different choices affect the final cost

• Your options for staying within your preferred range

When you have a clear picture from the start, you avoid surprise costs, stressful decisions, and mid-project changes. It’s the foundation of a smoother, more predictable remodel.

Mistake 2: Choosing the Cheapest Bid

It’s tempting to choose the lowest bids. But the cheapest bid is rarely the best value, and it often ends up costing more in the long run to make up for what those cheap bids are skipping over.

Why the Lowest Price Can Be a Red Flag

When a contractor comes in significantly lower than everyone else, something is usually missing. Common reasons include:

• Using subcontracted labor with inconsistent skill levels

• Cutting corners on materials or installation methods

• Vague or incomplete scopes of work that lead to surprise costs later

• Underbidding intentionally and making up the difference through change orders

A remodel is too big an investment to gamble on what’s hiding behind the “great price.”

Mistake 3: Not Understanding the Design Before Saying “Yes”

Rushing into a kitchen remodel without fully understanding the design is one of the easiest ways to end up with regret.

Before you sign off, you should clearly see how the layout functions, how the materials work together, and how the space will feel day-to-day. At Cabinet Creations, we walk you through renderings, selections, and key decisions so you know exactly what you’re approving.

No surprises, no second-guessing, just a design that fits your home and your lifestyle.

Mistake 4: Overlooking Storage & Organization

A beautiful kitchen only works well if it’s organized, and many homeowners underestimate how much smart storage they actually need. Thoughtful organization can completely change how a kitchen feels and functions, so we always encourage planning for storage early.

Some of our favorite upgrades include:

• Deep drawer bases for pots and pans

• Pull-out trash and recycling centers 

• Roll-out trays for easy access to lower cabinet items

• Vertical tray dividers for baking sheets and cutting boards

• Built-in spice pullouts near the range for efficient meal prep

• Hidden appliance garages to keep counters clear

• Corner solutions like Lazy Susans or blind-corner pullouts

• Dedicated pantry cabinets with adjustable shelves

• Pull-down shelves in upper cabinets for easy accessibility

• Drawer organizers for utensils, knives, and cooking tools

• Tall storage for cleaning supplies or household overflow

Mistake 5: Not Considering Long-Term Maintenance

A kitchen can look stunning on day one, but the real test is how well the materials hold up over time. Some surfaces require more care, more cleaning, or more cautious use than homeowners expect. Thinking about maintenance early helps you choose materials that fit your lifestyle, not just your Pinterest board.

Here are a few examples of materials that typically need more upkeep:

• Marble countertops: Prone to staining, etching, and scratching

• Butcher block: Needs regular oiling and can be sensitive to moisture

• High-gloss cabinetry: Shows fingerprints and smudges easily

• Natural stone tile: Requires sealing and careful cleaning

• Unfinished or matte wood floors: Can wear faster and show damage more readily

• Polished nickel hardware: Beautiful but requires frequent buffing to maintain shine

• Open shelving: Looks great, but gathers dust and needs consistent styling

Mistake 6: Starting Without a Clear Process or Timeline

Nothing derails a kitchen remodel faster or causes stress than not knowing what’s happening or when it’s supposed to happen.

A remodel has a lot of moving parts, that’s why we follow a proven, step-by-step system that outlines your entire process.

When you understand each stage (Consultation → Design → Final Measure → Prep → Installation → Enjoy), you always know what’s coming next and what decisions need to be made. A clear timeline also keeps your project on track, prevents last-minute surprises, and ensures every trade and team member is working in sync.

Mistake 7: DIYing Parts of the Project to “Save Money”

We understand the urge to save money where you can, but in a kitchen remodel, DIY attempts will create more problems than they solve. Kitchens require precise measurements, code-compliant work, and materials that need to perform long-term.

Before picking up the tools, it’s important to know how DIY can go wrong.

When DIY Electrical Goes Wrong

Electrical work is one of the most common DIY attempts and one of the riskiest. Problems often include:

• Incorrect wiring that becomes a fire hazard

• Circuits that can’t support new appliances

• Work that fails inspection and delays your remodel

When DIY Plumbing Goes Wrong

Even small plumbing mistakes can cause big (and expensive) headaches later:

• Slow, hidden leaks behind cabinets

• Water pressure issues

• Moisture damage that leads to mold

• Flooding from improper connections

When DIY Cabinet Installation Goes Wrong

Cabinet installation requires precision, experience, and the right tools. Common pitfalls include:

• Crooked or uneven cabinets

• Doors and drawers that won’t align

• Weak structural support for heavy countertops

• Gaps that can’t be corrected after installation

• Damaged materials from incorrect handling

When DIY Backsplash or Flooring Installation Goes Wrong

These might seem like pretty straightforward finishes to DIY, but those step-by-step YouTube videos can be very deceiving.

Backsplash Issues:

• Uneven tile lines

• Poor adhesion that leads to loosening or cracking

• Grout issues that cause staining or deterioration

Flooring Issues:

• Uneven surfaces that cause appliance alignment issues

• Flooring installed in the wrong order, damaging new cabinets

• Gaps or lifting from poor installation

Mistake 8: Not Planning for the Rest of the Home

A kitchen remodel doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It affects the spaces around it. Flooring transitions, electrical loads, paint colors, trim details, and even natural light flow can all shift once your new kitchen remodel is all said and done.

When homeowners focus only on the kitchen, they often overlook how these surrounding elements will look or function in the updated space.

At Cabinet Creations, we help you plan beyond the kitchen walls so your home feels cohesive, balanced, and thoughtfully connected from room to room.

Mistake 9: Choosing Trends Instead of Timeless Design

Trends come and go quickly, and choosing too many of-the-moment features can make your kitchen feel dated long before you’re ready to remodel again.

Instead of anchoring your design in the hottest colors or finishes, we help you focus on timeless elements that age gracefully and mix in trends in smaller, easy-to-update ways. This approach creates a kitchen you’ll love for years, not months, while still giving you the style and personality you’re excited about right now.

Set Your Kitchen Remodel Up for Success!

A great kitchen remodel requires making smart choices and having a clear plan. When you avoid these common pitfalls, the whole process becomes easier, clearer, and a lot more fun.

Our team is here to guide you, answer your questions, and help you create a kitchen that feels right for your home and your life. If you’re ready to talk through your ideas, we’d love to help you get started! Reach out to schedule a consultation.