10 Tips To Get You Through Your Kitchen Remodel

Most everyone wants a new kitchen but few people realize the work and inconvenience that goes into a kitchen remodel. A big remodel can take months and you won’t have access to the room while the work is going on. While this can be a trying time, once you have your beautiful new kitchen in place it will be well worth it!

Here’s some tips to get you through the remodel and on to your new kitchen:

1. You will need to set up a temporary kitchen in another part of the house. Make sure it is a convenient location with have access to water and a space to keep food cold as well as a place to heat up meals. Sometimes portable appliances like a crock pot or electric frying pan and a small dorm fridge and microwave work good for a temporary arrangement if you will be replacing your old appliances.

2. Make sure you really think about how long the job will take. Most jobs run take longer than expected. This can be frustrating for everyone, so it’s in your best interest to set a realistic date and that way you won’t be disappointed.

3. Make sure you know what you are going to reuse. Whether you do some of the work yourself or hire it out make sure that it is very clear what things are going to be reused. The cabinets, counter tops and flooring can become damaged during a remodel and if you are planning on reusing them this can be a huge problem and expense. Remember to be careful around these reusable items.

4. Make sure you seal off the room properly so you don’t get dust and debris all over the house. If you have hired someone to do the job, they will probably know just what to do but if you are doing it yourself, invest in some plastic sheeting and make sure you secure it around the doorways as good as possible.

5. Get everything out of the kitche. Box up everything that will not be used in your temporary kitchen. Label the boxes and store them out of the way.

6. Remove anything that isn’t nailed or screwed down. This includes drawers, lazy susans, spice racks, wall clocks, ornaments, etc. Place a protective cover over anything that must remain in place while you work.

7. Make arrangements for the removal of any refuse that may accumulate during the remodeling. if you must rent a dumpster, do so in plenty of time or have a pick up truck on hand for hauling the rubbish to the dump. if you plan to salvage the old cabinetry for a workshop or donation to a charitable cause, have a place ready for them to go as you take them out of your work area.

8. Think safety and remember to turn off all utilities b efore removing any major appliances, turn off all utilities. This can be done at the individual shut off valves for gas and water. If there are no shut off valves, you will have to turn off the main valve. The main gas valve is usually located near the gas meter. Remember that, once you turn off the gas to the whole house, ALL pilot lights will have to be relit before they will work again. Without careful planning you may find yourself without hot water when you’re ready to clean up after a hard day’s work.

9. In older homes, the wiring may have been modified over the years and it may not be clear which circuits or fuses control specific areas. If you are unsure, turn off the main power or get professional assistance. Never take a chance with electricity! In addition, tape over the breakers so they won’t be turned on inadvertently. If you plan on upgrading your electrical system and adding new outlets and fixtures, it will be necessary to dismantle all existing outlets and fixtures.

10. Remove all light bulbs. Then, dismantle each fixture by using a screwdriver to unscrew the plate and the receptacle and pull the receptacle out of the box. Put wire nuts on any exposed wires for the interim. The bare copper wire is the ground and does not need to be capped.

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Practical Kitchen Remodeling Ideas For Your Budget

Though various home owners have kitchen remodel ideas to improve the space where family members spend much time, it’s also noteworthy that a remodel can increase the price of your home. A renovated kitchen is a home enhancement that augments the price of your home making it a luxurious place for family members to prepare meals. Such improvement however is a costly one, and if you have fewer resources available, you should plan your renovation carefully. Reports show that a remodeled kitchen can reap profits when you decide to sell later up to 90%. Experts concur that cosmetic change we make at home is the best mode of increasing its resale value. The kitchen is the most excellent place to begin since there are varied options available, the improvement may range from simple to extensive.

Learn to Prioritize your Improvements

In remodeling your kitchen, you should learn how to prioritize the changes you will make. Since it is hard to do improvements all at once, you have to list the changes that are important to you. If what you want is more cabinet space, then allocate money for a new cabinetry instead of buying a new refrigerator. Knowing how to renovate your kitchen with fewer finances means discovering the areas in your kitchen that needs to be changed.

Start with Small Improvements

You should begin with those little changes when you want to remodel your kitchen. These changes can make your kitchen more attractive and boost its usefulness without spending too much. For example, if you want to rush things, why don’t you consider re-facing the look of your cabinets? Even if cabinet doors are fairly expensive, it is far less cheap than changing your whole cabinets. You may consider replacing your kitchen hardware or you may change your kitchen lighting for the purpose of brightening and enhancing the surrounding areas of your home.

Redecorate

If what you desire is a change merely of the appearance and outlook of your kitchen areas, instead of spending so much on kitchen appliances and fixtures, paint or wallpaper your kitchen walls instead. A fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper can alter the appearance of your kitchen walls.

Change Kitchen Lighting

Another simple renovation technique is to change kitchen lights. If varied areas in your kitchen have poor lighting features spend your money buying new ones. Obviously, you will find out that it is so much better to prepare excellent meals and clean up afterwards with better illuminations. Pot lights are fashionable but inexpensive at the same time they modernize the appearance of your kitchen.

Add a Kitchen Island

Most homeowners complain that there is insufficient counter space in the kitchen. The best way to mend this problem is through kitchen islands. There are various islands that are ready to be set up in your kitchen. What is vital is that there must be sufficient space between further work areas where you intend to place the island and what functions it may serve. You can have it in the center of the kitchen or you may place it as a divider between the kitchen and living room. Knowing the functions it may serve is very much important.

Benefits of Modernizing your Kitchen When you decide to sell your homes later on, having a modernized kitchen is an advantage. This feature stands out and is more attractive to potential buyers. This design feature will also increase the value of your homes. After completing a deal this implies thousands of dollars in your wallet. When you remodel your kitchen always keep in mind the resale value of your home even if you have no plans of moving out. Take into account the style of your home, when you do kitchen remodeling. Your appliances and hardware should reflect your personal tastes, in the end, when its time to move out, you will be compensated by your effort. A newly remodeled kitchen is a luxurious place for your family to appreciate and for you to sell at a higher price.

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Remodeling Your Kitchen – Will it Pay Off When You Sell?

Many homeowners often ask the question, will I get back my money on this remodel if I sell my house soon? The short answer is, it depends.

My second short answer is yes! If your overall home is nice and your kitchen is lacking then it maybe wise to remodel before you resale. But you must take into account the cost to remodel, do not go overboard on your kitchen if your home is an average dwelling. Find out what is happening in your neighborhood as far as kitchen remodels go.

Never remodel with a strong niche theme in mind. That means no checkered flooring, retro, country, etc. A theme that does not fit with your home and or mass market may make it harder to sell your home. Remodeling for profit means your kitchen cost should be no more than 8% of total home value.

For an honest opinion ask your friends and family. You can never trust someone who has motive to gain business or profit from your home. Take it for what it is worth.

Hiring a remodeling contractor. Make a list of exactly what are must have item for your project then hand them out to all that come over to bid. Get as many bids as you like and then you can eliminate from the bottom up. Every contractor thinks they do good work. I know guys who have been remodeling for 20 years who are not very good with quality. Just because they have done it for the longest time does not have anything to do with their knowledge or quality.

Take your time. Avoid contractors that are in a hurry to get you to sign something. They are worried you will find someone better. They are not very confident that you will pick them and their deal.

Finally, If you are in doubt? Don’t do it. Time will tell. But if you plan to live there for a while and think you will enjoy the remodel and can afford it than I say go for it. Often times when I am done with a remodel the homeowner will tell me I really wish I would have done this sooner. ]

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