Kitchen Remodelers

Update, replace, or remodel?

Remodeling or updating your kitchen can be one the most cost-effective changes you can make to your home. To get the most for your money, time, and the inconvenience of having your kitchen torn apart, plan carefully. The following questions may help organize your project:

• How old is your house? What is its value relative to other homes in your neighborhood?
• Does it have a particular style? Is it a Cape Cod, a ranch, or a Victorian? Each style has elements that work with other styles and some that don´t.
• Do you favor a particular style? Accommodate your desire for contemporary by incorporating it into your home´s existing style.
• Determine your budget first. How much can you afford to invest? How much will you need to borrow? Do you qualify for a home equity loan? How long do you intend to remain in your home or will you be selling in a couple years? Remodeling to suit yourself may be different than remodeling to sell, so plan accordingly for the best return on investment.
• What kind of work needs to be done? Once you know what your budget is, you can compare the cost of replacing the cabinetry with refacing, or repairing appliances instead of completely replacing them. Don´t forget to calculate energy savings into the cost of new appliances.
• How do you use your kitchen now? Start by evaluating changes that are essential to your convenience and efficiency.
• What kinds of activities take place in your kitchen? Are there activities you’d like to incorporate but don’t have room for?
• Are your kitchen requirements going to change in the next five years? Ten years? Are you planning on having children or will the kids be leaving home?
• What kinds of financial, design, or aesthetic tradeoffs are you willing to make?
• How much of the work are you willing to do yourself?
• What work will you have to hire out?

An experienced kitchen remodeling contractor has the background to help you make some of these kinds of planning decisions and can help with many of the design issues too. There´s so much to consider that it´s easy to get overwhelmed. And a kitchen remodel can easily become a full-time job.

Before hiring a kitchen remodeler, check licensing, insurance, references, and contact the Better Business Bureau to see how each candidate resolves complaints. Get a written estimate with specifications that detail the entire scope of work, including any subcontractors the remodeler might need to hire.

Ask about warranties, too. If there is a problem with workmanship or materials, it´s likely to surface a few months after the job is completed. A warranty policy that spells out the contractor´s services for making corrections is your assurance of quality.

If you do your homework, you´ll be able to minimize costs, get a great contractor, and create a kitchen that is both functional and beautiful.