Kitchen Remodeling

Rose Lily asked:


So I just bought this house and the plan is to fix it up and then put it up for rent. Well it’s really a good size house 3-4 bedrooms, bath, kitchen, dining room, living room, another 2 small rooms I guess was entertaining room with fireplace also and then this tiny little room by the kitchen. We are painting it and leveling it among other things…..So my parents are wanting to do a lot of it themselves….and they are in an argument about painting the house…should they do it now or after they level the house. One says if they paint, once they level, the paint will crack and they’ll have to paint again…Well I know nothing about it I would think they should level the house first of all before ANYTHING but that’s just me. So any construction worker out there or someone who knows more than me obviously can you lend a helping hand.

Sue

Tyler David Johnson asked:


Kitchen remodeling is generally one of the largest expenditures in any home remodeling project. As such, there is a significant amount of planning involved, whether you decide to do it on your own or seek the services of a professional. In this guide, we will detail out the process in three steps: 1) determine the scope of kitchen remodeling project, 2) seek out remodeling contractor bids and financing options, and 3) getting your kitchen ready for the remodeling. 

The first step of determining the scope of the project will assist you in figuring out an estimated budget, as well as a time frame. You will need to decide whether you will be expanding the kitchen, changing the floor plan, what appliances you want, flooring, countertops, cabinets, etc. If you are expanding the kitchen and adding custom cabinets, expect your costs and timeline to both increase significantly. Custom cabinets generally have turnaround times greater than 6 weeks. What kind of countertops (granite, marble, tile, etc.) do you want? Do you want to add some new hardwood, engineered, bamboo, or laminate flooring? Do you want your dream kitchen to have an island, a backsplash, stainless steel sinks, larger exhaust fans, new doors? The best way to get a better feel for what options are available is to go into home improvement stores and do some online research. If you are willing to spend a little bit more you can hire the services of a professional kitchen designer. Figuring out exactly all the specifications you want for your kitchen remodeling project is essential and needs to be written down. Where will you be sourcing all these kitchen components? You can buy from retail locations or shop online. More often than not, online retailer prices are lower than their brick and mortar counterparts, even with cost of shipping factored in.

With a detailed project scope you are now ready to being requesting remodeling quotes. If you are planning to do the kitchen renovation yourself, you should make sure that you know all the laws and regulations that must be adhered to. We recommend that for larger projects that you either consult with a professional contractor or just hire one outright. Requesting remodeling quotes can be done through references, the yellow pages, or online. There are several online home improvement companies that have large pre-screened databases of professional remodeling contractors. To request a kitchen remodeling quote, you simply fill out a request form that essentially asks for the scope of your project. The company will review your kitchen remodeling project and send out this information to the appropriate contractors within your area. These contractors will then call you and set up a time to bid on your project. When you meet these kitchen contractors, make sure that you ask them for references, experience, insurance, and estimated timeline.

While you are searching for a kitchen remodeling contractor, you should simultaneously be exploring various financing options. What type of financing you use really depends on how costly your kitchen project is going to be. For example, if your project is estimated to be less than $5,000, you might want to consider just charging it on a credit card with a low APR. For kitchen remodeling projects over $5,000, you should consider either a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Which of these options you go with really depends on your financial situation. You should talk to your mortgage lender and other lenders to see what rates qualify for.

Lastly, you need to clear up some space in your kitchen in preparation of the remodeling project. A cleaner more open kitchen will facilitate a smoother running project. Try to remove dishes, cups, chairs, and other unnecessary clutter from the kitchen area. You will also want to put protective covering on the floor and furniture of the areas surrounding the kitchen. When working with kitchen contractors, make sure that you set a few ground rules, such as work hours, which bathroom to use, language, smoking, cleanliness, etc. Having everything set before work begins will ensure that both sides clearly understand and respect each other’s preferences.



Ella

Tyler David Johnson asked:


Kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular remodeling choices as the kitchen is an area of the home which is used day in and day out. In addition, remodeling a kitchen will increase your home’s resale value as well. A kitchen renovation will allow you to completely change your kitchen’s style, spacing, functionality, and colors. You can add modern appliances, energy savings ones, etc. This guide will teach you step by step what you need to create your dream kitchen. You will learn about materials, options, design ideas, and financing.

Step one is to do extensive research and learn as much as you can about kitchen remodeling. You need to familiarize yourself with layout, floor plans, cabinets, countertops, flooring, windows, styles, and designs. There are thousands of kitchen remodeling options available and you need to be able to choose which ones fit the overall style you are going for. When looking at options, you need to keep in mind, budget, spacing, and look. It would not make sense to have your kitchen remodeled in a style that clashes with the rest of the house.

The next step is to begin planning and conceptualizing your ideal kitchen. Here you will think about budget, scope of the renovation, financing, time frame, and getting your house ready for professional installers. Putting together a spreadsheet of your remodeling budget will help you determine what options you can have, timeline, and scope. When it comes to financing the project, you have several options. For simple projects, you could consider financing using your own personal credit card. If you go this route, make sure you either pay off the balance or use a card with a low annual percentage rate. For larger sized remodels, you could apply for either a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Which one you choose is really dependent on your own financial situation. Prepping your home involves clearing up space in the kitchen, so that the professional contractors can work comfortably and not damage anything.

The last step is requesting and comparing various quotes from kitchen remodeling contractor. You can ask for referrals from friends, neighbors, family, or simply get quotes online. Requesting online kitchen remodeling quotes has become especially popular in the last few years. There are several online remodeling companies that provide remodeling services nationwide. These companies pre-screen all of their contractors and will assist you in locating qualified local contractors in your area. Requesting a remodeling quote is as simple as completing an online form detailing out the project’s scope. The remodeling company will then match your project with the appropriate kitchen contractors in their database. These contractors will be e-mailed your project scope and will contact you to set up a meeting time. We recommend getting at least two or three contractors to bid on your project.



Julie

Tom Sample asked:


After years of going to work, resting up on the weekends and forgetting about everything that’s not a pressing demand, one day you look around. A little or a lot of kitchen remodeling is “suddenly” overdue. From outdated designs to shabby fixtures, it all seems more than a little behind the times.

Where do you start when you decide it’s time to improve your kitchen’s appearance? Take the time to formulate a plan for a kitchen remodel you’ll love for years to come.

VISIT OPEN HOUSES AT FOR SALE HOMES

There’s a good chance there are many house owners in your area who want to sell their house in your area. When houses become available for open viewing, participate as much as you can. Many owners remodel their kitchens just prior to offering their house for sale in order to improve its value.

Because they are local to your area, chances are you can easily access the same contractors and materials that completed the kitchen remodeling. If you ask, you might find the owners or real estate agent are happy to provide detailed information.

GO TO SHOWROOMS

Another excellent way to get ideas for your new kitchen is to visit showrooms. Here you can see professionally designed complete kitchens and get more information about materials such as cabinets, flooring and even windows. Showrooms can be an excellent way to become acquainted with all of the various decisions you really have to make about your remodel. You can talk to customer service staff for more information on materials, designs and accessories.

BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

Books and magazines allow you to browse kitchen remodels whenever it is convenient. There are magazines with kitchen remodel special issues or articles, and there are also books and magazines devoted exclusively to kitchen design. If you aren’t comfortable paying the high price tag of many of these remodel printed resources, borrow them from your local library. In addition, many magazines will offer a free issue as part of a trial subscription you can promptly cancel without charge.

HOME IMPROVEMENT TRADE SHOWS

These shows are held at least once a year in nearly every medium to large city nationwide. They consist of a massive gathering of leading home improvement materials suppliers and contractors.

It can be considered an expo, but if you take the time to talk to specialists and investigate their products and promotional materials, it can be time well spent. You may have to pay a small entrance fee, but it is a very small price to pay for getting in touch with true professionals who know what they are talking about.

In conclusion, think before you act when it comes to kitchen remodeling. Don’t simply call the contractor without having any idea how you want your kitchen to look. As a general rule, contractors are not kitchen designers. They may have helpful suggestions and good ideas, but it is best to have a plan on paper before demolition begins.

If you don’t feel you need to hire a designer but lack the skills to create a plan on paper, take advantage of free design services from a professional at a home improvement store. They are often more than happy to provide you with a kitchen design free of charge in the hope of selling you products.



Dolores

Sajid Nasir asked:


Your home is probably your biggest investment, but is it your best?

Its amazing what people will do to raise the value of their home, and quite honestly, the majority do not have a clue on how to maximize value.

In this important article, you’ll learn the simple, yet powerful tricks to really pump up the value of your home and get the biggest bucks at closing time.

First of all, focus on your kitchen. According to a 2004 survey by Kitchen Remodeling magazine, a mid-range kitchen renovation yielded the highest return on investment, at a whopping 92.9%!

Does a kitchen renovation sound expensive to you? Don’t worry, there are easy things you can do that’ll be really light on the checkbook.

For around $200-$500, you can get a brand new kitchen backsplash installed in your kitchen. A kitchen backsplash is usually tile, stainless steel, glass, or granite installed on the wall space between a countertop and cabinet. It serves as a beautiful and functional background in your kitchen.

As you can imagine, there are a variety of styles in kitchen backsplashes, ranging from low to premium price.

Typically, glass and stainless steel are the least expensive, while ceramic tile and granite are the priciest.

There are several designs such as mosaic, mural, and rustic. It all really depends on what type of look and feel you are trying to achieve.

The best part is that not only is a kitchen backsplash beautiful and functional, but its also easy to install yourself or pretty cheap to get installed professionally. Either way you choose, the overall cost is nothing to sweat over.

How can a kitchen backsplash help you? Well, it helps the walls from getting dirty and provides an easy to clean surface. It also serves as a very attractive centerpiece in your kitchen. You would be surprised at what an amazing upliftment a simple backsplash can provide to a bland kitchen.

Now, its best to choose the style of your backsplash based on the fixtures and countertops rather than the appliances.

Appliances change over quite often while fixtures are more permanent.

Another inexpensive kitchen renovation that can bring in big returns are refacing the cabinets, as opposed to replacing them.

Lastly, you can simply give your stove a nice cleaning, install new kitchen faucets and sinks, and of course, put in a nice light fixture. Just remember to have everything match your beautiful kitchen backsplash.

The second and third best home investments are bathroom remodelings and new siding, at 90.1% and 92.8%, respectively. These renovations have a lot of appeal with families and if you just focus on doing simple and attractive updates to your kitchen, bathroom, and siding, you can get the most bang for your buck.

The home improvements you want to avoid are adding a pool, finishing your basement, and remodeling your home office, as these bring in the absolute lowest return on investment. Also, beware of making new additions to your home.

Hopefully, this article has given you a good overview on the functional and aesthetic benefits of kitchen backsplashes. The next step is to explore the different materials and designs on the market along with respective installation tips.



Theresa

Twirpy asked:


Our kitchen is currently undergoing some renovations and the only cooking appliance available right now is my microwave. I was wondering if anybody knew if there is a ‘microwave’ recipe for the souped up minute rice. Thanks so much for any help!
The usual recipe that calls for making the soup of choice and then adding 2 cups of rice.

Herbert