Tag: renovations

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 …

Remodeling Contractors

Kitchen Renovations: Kitchen Makeover For Less Than You Think

Laura

They say: “Nothing sells homes like kitchens and bathrooms”. That is true: old kitchen cabinets with chipping paint, dated backsplash and appliances, last-century tiles and vanities – this all could be a major turn-off for potential buyers. On the contrary, updated fresh comfortable kitchen or bathroom can make a totally different impression of the house, even if other rooms need some improvements. And there is no wonder to that: kitchens and bathrooms are the most costly rooms to make renovations, especially the kitchen. But here are some ideas on how to freshen up the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank.
1. Cabinets. Sometimes there is no need to change the cabinets at all. If your cabinets are in a pretty good condition from inside, putting a coat of fresh paint of a modern color would be enough, just strip and sand the cabinets well before painting them. Don’t forget to update the hardware with a new one – you’ll be amazed how it changes the entire look of your kitchen.
2. Backsplash. Backsplash could be one of the most expensive parts of renovations. Tip: tilting only the area directly behind the stove creates a focal point and helps to save on materials and labour. Instead of tilting the entire backsplash, which would cost around $3000, you can paint the remaining area with a durable, scrubbable paint of color that would complement your cabinets.
3. Appliances. The selection of appliances at big-box stores has grown to include professional-looking models without the hefty price tags. Big-box stores often work closely with national manufacturers, so you can find a great product line at a comparatively fair price.
4. Countertops. Instead of buying expensive granite or concrete countertops you can tile the countertop area either with tile granite or ceramic tile. Local tile stores, like Home Depot or Lowes usually have a pretty good selection of tiles. A little bit more expensive option is to install modular granite or solid-surface. Modular granite is bigger than tile, but smaller than slab, meaning that slices of modular granite can be even installed by you. Solid-surface is the term for man-made, polymer-based countertop materials. It is relatively durable and strong. If you decide to opt for an expensive granite countertop, try to save on finding models that are on sale or the store is discontinuing them.
5. Accessories. Beautiful strategically placed accessories is an inexpensive way to complete the look of your kitchen. Couple of pictures on the wall and original vases or knick-knacks on the table or window would create a finished high-end look of your kitchen.…

Kitchen Renovation

Kitchen Renovations – The Pro’s and Cons

Laura

For a lot of people just starting out, whether it be with the brand new house, moving into an older house, or perhaps just living in the same residence the many many years – it is always going to cross your mind…should we renovate the kitchen?
We may as well jump in then and look at some of the cons for kitchen renovations.
Price – a lot of people will not have the money up front to pay for a kitchen renovation. There are some builders and contractors out there who will put you on a repayment plan if available, otherwise the easiest option is to take out financing of some form from a lending institution.
Interruptions – Do many houses these days have 2 kitchens? No. The simple fact is that most families will be at a disadvantage for a week or two while the hub of the house is being torn apart and rebuilt.
Finding the right design and builder – This alone can stump a lot of people if they are quite particular in their choices or they are trying to push into a budget that is outside what they can reasonably afford. One recommendation I can make is to focus on what you really need upgraded, that way you receive the best bang for your buck up front. Surprisingly its the smaller touches that always rack up the costs in any renovation project.
While there are some cons that people deal with, the pro’s far outweigh them in almost every instance.
Refreshed – When the job is done, your kitchen will look simply amazing. It will be like walking into a new house again. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house and as such, any changes (large or small) will soon reflect on the rest of the house as well.
Usability – With a new layout, new tools, cabinets or just a bit of added vibrancy and oomph, cooking in the kitchen will again be fun for all parties involved. Perhaps if you upgraded the stove top and added a cooking grill, then the husband no longer need to spend time outdoors flaming up the barbeque and can enjoy his time indoors a little more!
Show it off! Heck, be proud of what your new kitchen looks like. After all, a new kitchen renovation is probably what you’ve been waiting for, for a long, long time!…