Tag: kitchen

Home Maintenance

Why Is Kitchen Remodeling So Expensive?

Laura

A major renovation could set you back over $100,000 and even a minor remodeling job in the kitchen can quickly add up to $20,000. There are major expenses related to new cabinetry and counter tops as well as appliances and flooring. That is just the materials and does not even begin to include the labor costs of installing the materials and the prep work that may be needed to get the job started.
One of the big factors in determining how expensive the remodeling job is going to be is the age of the home. Retrofitting old homes with new materials can be very time consuming and therefore, costly. Most contractors want to come in and gut the old kitchen and start over. This means ripping out the cabinets and flooring to make it easier to do the electrical work and plumbing that goes with a project of this magnitude. The trouble with starting over though is that some of the potential problems are not discovered until you get all of the old stuff out.
If you have ever gone to replace an old bathroom sink, then you probably have discovered that once you replace one piece of pipe a leak develops in an old piece somewhere else. It is always best to replace all of the pieces at once. The same holds true for kitchen remodeling jobs, all new plumbing fixtures need to be installed. The same goes for electrical connections. When you have the kitchen gutted, is the time to put in new outlets to serve the major appliances. In an older home it is best to install a whole new circuit to serve the kitchen and avoid overloading an existing one. Odds are you are going to want more outlets on the counter as well plus this is the time to run the wires for lighting that can be installed under the cabinets.
If you have been in your home for any period of time there are probably a number of annoying things that you have thought about changing in your kitchen, like the lighting and outlets. It might be that you just don’t like the flow of the room and want to change the location of the appliances. This is achieved much easier when the room is gutted. Perhaps you have always wanted a center island or a breakfast counter for coffee, now is the time to add it. Yes, all of these things will add to the cost of the project but remember what you spend fixing up your kitchen is going to add to the overall value of your home.
It does not make sense to scrimp when you are remodeling the kitchen because it is a project that you do not want to repeat any time soon. If necessary, take another six months or a year to save to be able to afford to get the kitchen just the way you want it. Yes, kitchen remodeling projects can be very expensive but in …

Renovation Costs

Kitchen Renovation: One of the Best Ways to Add Value

Laura

What type of remodeling is the best bet when it comes to adding value to your home?
A kitchen renovation is one of the best ways to add value to your home (a bathroom renovation is another potentially good home remodeling investment.) In addition, a renewed kitchen also gives you something you can enjoy while you continue to live in your home.
So, what should you keep in mind when planning your kitchen renovation? Houston homes with custom kitchens sell more than homes without — and there are some specific keys to keep in mind:
1.) Your kitchen renovation should be as functional as it is beautiful. Keep this in mind when it comes to the flow of your kitchen. Where will the work space be? Will the dishwasher be close to the sink?
2.) Lighting & fixtures can go along way in making a statement — sometimes it’s the small things that make the difference.
3.) Appliances are important — especially if you are selling your home soon. In this market — nice appliances can make the difference. Nice means both appearance (stainless perhaps,) and also brand & functionality.
4.) Storage is important — this is one of the top requests when it comes to a new kitchen. Additional storage space can often be added during a remodel. When renovating, think about way to add rather than decrease storage.
The best thing about a kitchen renovation in Houston, is the joy it will bring you for years to come as you remain in your home.…

Renovation Costs

Tips for a Successful Kitchen Renovation

Laura

It is a well-known fact that the kitchen and the bathroom are the most expensive rooms in the house, so a bit of research and planning ahead of your renovation will help to keep costs and stresses down, and have the project go as smoothly as possible.

Budget. As with any project to be undertaken, the first thing you need to do is fix your budget, and please, please, please remember to allow for overruns – you do not known what will be found in the walls or the floor that will result in additional costs to the project.

Layout. Does the existing layout work for you? Are you taking out any walls to make a bigger space, or adding windows or doors? These kinds of changes need to be taken into account when considering the layout of the kitchen. Remember the triangle between sink, stove and fridge!

Electrical Outlets. A very common problem in a kitchen is an insufficient number of electrical outlets, particularly at countertop level. If your large appliances are all to be built-in, each will need a dedicated outlet. How much countertop space will you have? Do you have small appliances that live on the counter like a coffee machine, toaster or toaster oven? Do you have other appliances that live in a cupboard and are used only occasionally? Additional outlets should be provided to accommodate these appliances.

Countertop. There are numerous choices for the countertop, from tiles to granite or polished stone, to concrete, stainless steel and various molded surfaces. And the price range is equally huge, with unique custom-made surfaces costing thousands of dollars. Be careful that you don’t overspend on the finishes as you might not get it back on reselling your property. Also think about wear and tear on the counter – do you have kids? Might there be frequent spillages that might cause staining?

Cabinets. The choice of finishes for your cabinets is limitless, from natural wood to laminates, stainless steel, glass, synthetic finishes and various combinations of them all. Do you wish your upper level cabinets to go right up to the ceiling – the advantages of this include more storage space though high up, no dust can collect on the top of the cupboards, plus it gives the illusion of a higher ceiling, which is particularly good if your ceiling is a little low.

Floor. Are you installing a new floor covering? If yes, it needs to be something that is very durable to withstand the wear and tear of traffic in the busiest room in your house! Hardwood, tile, stone or even polished concrete fill this role effectively and efficiently.

Appliances. The kitchen is often described as the “heart of the home”, so you don’t want to skimp on appliances. Stainless steel is more expensive but it will last longer. Having appliances that match is also very important to the overall look of the finished kitchen. Do you want a dishwasher and where do you want it to …

Remodeling

Turn Your Kitchen Into Your Dream

Laura

You always want to make your house just the way you imagined. At least once a year people go out of their way to paint or re-decorate their house. You probably dream of remodeling your kitchen, but your budget is never enough. With a plan in hand, there are some easy ways for kitchen remodeling. It is a fact, that the kitchen is the busiest area of your house, especially if your family loves to eat. House owners tend to mostly renovate this part of their house the most. Obviously, every one of us would want to cook in a well set up ambience. One of the simplest things to start up with for renovating your kitchen is, to change your kitchen counter-top. If you have that same kitchen counter-top for years, it is time for you to finally change it. There are all kinds of different colors and designs that you can choose from. Kitchen renovation is the best birthday gift you can give your family, if they love to cook. You can renovate your kitchen cabinets as it is the first thing usually people see when they enter. If you are not too sure about what will look nice, you can go ahead and ask your contractor about materials that are best for your kitchen cabinets. You can also find some good designs on the internet.
If you take time out, you will get several kitchen ideas. A perfect way to start kitchen remodeling project is to begin with the walls of your kitchen. You can use a mixture of wallpaper and paint with paint on the walls and a wallpaper border in your room. The kitchen plan that you make should be appropriate and easy for cooking supplies and appliances. There are some areas that need to be completed by professionals like electrical and plumbing. It is important that you change the sink and faucet of your kitchen as well. Your lighting fixtures should also be matching to the theme that you have for your kitchen. You can also attach a few pin lights and floor lamps around your kitchen.
The best kitchen design ideas that you can use is probably adding an island. Kitchen islands create the feeling of more counter space and provide a gathering place. Kitchen remodeling did not change much over the years except for the choice of materials and styles. There are many kitchen specialists for your assistance, who are more than happy to help you.
Wood flooring has now become a major attraction and a perfect way to improve or beautify the look of your home. This adds charm and elegance to your home. Choosing the shade and texture of the wooden floor that perfectly suits your home is a decision you need to take with utmost care. There is also variety of colors available. The kitchen remodeling project, gives your house an elegant and unique look. It also adds to your house a level of sophistication.…

Room Additions

Helping Your Kitchen Designer Figure the Best Plan For You

Laura

The first step to finding someone to help you with a great kitchen design in Toronto is to figure out your style and budget. The next step is to find a kitchen designer who will work with you to reconcile these two important aspects of your build or remodel. You need to find someone who knows how to tweak a design to fit your specific needs and preferences, and not just someone who will have to choose a design from a showroom.
When you first see a model kitchen that looks bright and immaculate, and is staged to seem homey and lived-in, it can really draw you in. But you need to keep in mind that this exact model may not be all that it’s cracked up to be. You may be attracted to certain qualities of the kitchen, but it might not suit your functional needs. You need to take into consideration how much counter space and the number of cabinets you will need. There are other such things to decide on, such as types of appliances and task lighting.
An important question to ask yourself is this: how much will you be using your kitchen? If you are an avid cook and entertainer, you will need more preparation and storage space, and you’ll probably want state of the art appliances.
A great way to figure out all of these aspects is to stand in the middle of your kitchen with a notepad and pen in hand and take inventory of what you have right now. What do you love about your current kitchen? What do you hate about it? What are the biggest must haves when you think about your dream kitchen? What are the things you would like to have, but are negotiable?
Include in your list the types of activities your kitchen serves. Is it a gathering place for friends and family? Should it be child safe? Maybe you are a professional chef and would like to have state of the art accommodations at home as well as work.
Having a list like this to present to your designer will be a huge help to them in assisting you in finding the design and materials that will best suit your needs and wants. This will clue them in to what is most important to you and your lifestyle. Being on the same page as your designer when it comes to these details will save a lot of time in asking questions and making decisions.…

Basement Renovations

How to Come Up With Kitchen Design Ideas

Laura

Everyone who is looking for new ideas for kitchen design in their Toronto home will find many different places from which they can draw inspiration. When you have made up your mind that you need to remodel that old kitchen, consider looking in some of these places for some fresh ideas.
Magazines
Magazines can be a great source of inspiration. Find magazines that focus on home d?�cor to find great pictures of kitchens. Many of the magazines will even list the types of appliances, cabinets, and flooring that the kitchens use. However, you do not have to limit your search to home design magazines. Lifestyle magazines, travel magazines, and more will sometimes have great pictures that you can use for your ideas.
The Internet
The Internet makes it easy to look up pictures of kitchens. You can find professionally designed kitchens, do-it-yourself kitchens, and everything in between. You can see pictures of old kitchens and ultra modern, semi-automated kitchens. Expand your horizons and look at many different types of kitchens. You never know what you might be able to find.
Showrooms and Open Houses
You can often find showrooms at furniture stores that have kitchen setups that you might like. In addition, go to some open houses to see how other people have created their kitchens. You might find something that you like. Visit as many of these showrooms and open houses that time affords. Pay particular attention to the homes that have kitchens that are about the same size as yours.
Hire a Kitchen Designer
When searching for ideas for that new kitchen design in your Toronto home, you might want to consider hiring a professional designer. He or she will be able to show you many different types of styles, designs, and materials that you might never have though of, or that you have already written off. The professionals know the ins and outs of kitchen design, and they will be able to help you understand how to work with the space that you have. Together, you will be able to come up with a design that makes everyone happy.
You will find no shortage of places to get inspiration. When you are in the planning stages, it is important that you keep an open mind and that you keep your eyes open as well. You never know where you might get your next great idea!…

Bathroom Renovations

Top Three Kitchen Renovation Ideas For You

Laura

Is it time for a kitchen renovation? Are you planning on remodeling your kitchen but have no ideas or not really sure what to do? You want a kitchen that will have every furniture, appliances and accessories in its proper place with still plenty of space to work around.
You also dream of having a nice set of kitchen accessories complimenting a well-planned layout and a gorgeous design and still keeping your expenses as minimal as possible. Is this even possible? Maybe it is but not in one sitting.
What you can do is to have a kitchen renovation by portion. It all depends on your priority and budget. If you can allocate a big amount of money and just want to stick to your budget then a lot of choices are open to you. However if you cannot spare that huge amount then you will have to be imaginative and innovative. Consider the following things when planning a kitchen renovation.
1. Pots and pans storage – This is the common problem that housewives have. They want some storage where they will have an easier access on those pots and pans that they want to use. Since most people have lots of pots and pans being stored in their cabinet, organizing and storing them has become a concern.
Solution : Get some pot racks or pot hanger. Your collection of cooking vessels can be accommodated. The racks and the hanger help you save space and you won’t have a problem even if you have a mix-and-match collection. It also adds a charming accent to your kitchen.
2. Enough room for your counter space – Probably you would often hear your friends’ complaint about having the need for some extra countertop space because there isn’t any room for them to prepare food. You cannot rearrange all the things that you put on the top because they are all important appliances and you use them everyday.
Solution : Mount an island because this creates extra storage space wherein you can place your other items from your countertop to free up space for preparing food.
3. Storage has always been a major concern of anyone. As days pass by, you get to acquire more stuff when you purchase additional appliance or got it as a gift.
Solution : Sort out the things that you need and want. Consider having a garage sale for things that you find no use of or are bored to look at. Spring cleaning is still the best way to do it. You get to have less of things to worry about plus you have additional money to allocate for other priorities.…

Renovation Contractor

Kitchen Renovations – How to Pick Your Contractor

Laura

If your kitchen renovation is going to be a sizable job, unless you are a genius at DIY, and have a lot of time on your hands, your are probably going to have to hire a contractor. With the right contractor, kitchen renovation can be a wonderful experience. With the wrong contractor, you can find yourself in the middle of a nightmare. Do all you can in the beginning to make sure you know how to pick your contractor wisely, rather than live to regret you choice later on.
The first step in answer to the question ‘how to pick your contractor’ is to start by making a list of contractors in your area. Word of mouth is often the best reference, but don’t rely on it. Ask your friends and family, and check out a couple of companies online. Another good option is to enquire at your local building supply store – they will often have good suggestions. Make sure to tell them you want someone who specialises in kitchen renovation. A quick first step is to check the names of the contractors with your local Better Business Bureau – a quick and easy step to take before making your primary choices.
The next step is to contact the contractors on your list, and set up an interview. If you want to know ‘how to pick your contractor’ then pay careful attention to this. A good contractor is willing to discuss his experience in kitchen renovation, more than happy to hand of a list of references from satisfied customers, and answers your questions in a forthright manner. If the contractor is offended by your questions, or evasive, that should be a red flag, to move on to the next interview. Kitchen renovation is an expensive exercise, and you don’t want to find yourself halfway in with a disaster on your hands.
Don’t just rely on written references – the contractor’s girlfriend and brother could have written them. Anyone with experience advising you on how to pick your contractor will tell you to contact the people on the list, and while you should be polite, you should also ask them as many questions as possible. You should look for an answer to these questions in particular ‘did you use him for kitchen renovation?’, ‘did he complete the job on time and on budget?’, and ‘were you happy with the contractor’s workmanship?’ If a contractor did a great job, you should have no trouble finding people who used him and are willing to answer a couple of questions. If the responses are lukewarm – be careful. Often people don’t want to speak outright of a bad experience. Besides references, there are a couple of other things to consider when you pick your contractor for kitchen renovation. Is he qualified/licensed, and does he have insurance which is current – don’t rely on his word here, ask for proof.
When you have chosen your top 3 or 4 contractors, ask them for a …

Bathroom Remodel

Ideas for Redesigning a Kitchen

Laura

If attempting to redesign a kitchen to give it the right look and functionality, you often have to start with a well thought-out plan. A complete kitchen renovation needs to look at all aspects of the design, and not just the style or appearance. Functional aspects, such as the type of storage, cooking equipment, and available work space also need to be considered.
Here are some of the main features to look at when doing a full-scale kitchen redesign –
Floor Plan – common floor plan designs include those with the more typical U-shape or L-shape, but if you’re looking for a more unique designed kitchen you might want to look at the possibility of a circular styled kitchen. A circular floor plan is a perfect way to make the most use of the available floor space, which will mean curved work surfaces entirely surround you, and this make it super easy to reach any area in seconds.
Floor Surface – relaying the flooring in the kitchen is often seen as a quite large and expensive job, but it certainly offers a great way to renovate a kitchen, which not only improves on the aesthetics but can also make the work area so much more comfortable. If hoping to increase the comfort level, you might want to look at the various types of rubbing flooring, which comes in a wide-range of colors and is extremely easy on the feet. However, if you’re after an elegant touch, the slate or limestone floors are a popular choice. Solid wood floor can also look appealing in the kitchen; although with this floor type you would need to ensure it is well sealed and maintained.
Dining Area – if you are looking for ways to modernize the kitchen to give a more family oriented feel, you might want to look at creating space to install a nook-styled area with a table and benches or a long breakfast bar. If the existing design of the kitchen gives limit to no space for eating a meal, you might want to have a floor plan professionally designed, which is able to feature everything you desire.
Storage Options – one of the most significant features to a well-designed kitchen is to include the right size and shape of storage units to ensure all you kitchen ware has somewhere to go. Modern kitchen cabinets and cupboards are extremely versatile and come in wide-range of innovative designs. If the right kitchen layout is created, you shouldn’t have a problem in having the most important kitchen tools close to hand at all times.…

Basement Remodeling

Living Through a Kitchen Renovation

Laura

So many details need to be addressed when looking into renovating any room in your house. This is especially true when it comes to a kitchen remodel. Many people are really interested in keeping their kitchen renovations within a budget. It is very difficult to make an accurate budget without doing some research into exactly what you want to accomplish with the renovation. Make sure that at the start you have a realistic game plan on what the outcome should look like and address a budget based on the completed renovation.
Each step of the way involves a new way of thinking. As you start the planning phase of your kitchen remodel think about the little details that are going to make you fall in love with your space again. Consider the natural light coming into the space. This will help to determine how dark the cupboards can actually be without closing the room in too much. Another thing that you need to look into is how much bigger or smaller you want the space. Will you be adding or removing cupboards? Is the space going to be use for cooking, entertaining and dinning? If so make sure that you plan for adequate space to move around in and space for seating. It is also important to consider how much of the renovating you want to hire out or are you interested in getting your handyman outfit on and doing the job yourself?
In order to stick within a budget it is important to plan each detail like it is the most important piece of the puzzle for your area to come together. If you are thinking about moving the appliances in the space make sure you budget a large chunk of money for gas, plumbing and electrical to be properly installed. Moving a sink, for instance, can cost upwards of two thousand dollars alone for the correct plumbing and drainage to be installed. These are things to think about ahead of time. Consider the lighting that is in the kitchen. Are you going to change this? If you are upgrading the lighting you will want to budget again for an electrician to come out and make sure the electricity that is currently being run is what is necessary for the upgrade.
When thinking about your cabinets look into having them refaced. If you are happy with the current layout and the cabinets are in good shape this option allows you to update the look. However if you are in the market for new cabinetry the best options are to sketch out your kitchen layout how you see it and take it into a cabinet installer. They will send someone out to measure will help give you tips to make the layout flow. It is also important to consider if you will use solid hardwood for both cabinet and doors or if you will save a bit and use press wood for the cabinet and hard wood on the doors.…