Dec 21, 2009
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Best Practices in Kitchen Remodeling

 

So you’ve chosen to remodel your kitchen? It is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and forethought. In many cases as the remodel continues and mistakes occur, it will be difficult to correct the mistakes. In an effort to assist in avoiding some common mistakes, the list below goes over some of the most common kitchen remodeling mistakes, and how to avoid them.

Going Overboard- If you own a $500,000 house, do not spend $200,000 on a kitchen, unless you are a world renowned chef de cuisine. This also applies to professional grade appliances. Real Estate experts will tell you that your kitchen is 80 percent or more of your home’s value, which is not always true. By setting your investment to high you may be depleting your resources for additional improvements or unanticipated expenses. A better target for your kitchen remodeling budget is between 10% and 25% of the total appraised value of your home.

Compatibility – With so many open floor plans, homeowners tend to disregard their home’s plan and its overall appearance. You may appreciate a more Asian Contemporary feel. Take a moment to consider the overall look and feel for your home. Does this approach to your kitchen remodel fit into what you have throughout your home? It is ideal to maintain a blend throughout. One suggestion is to try using furniture, which will complement a room you already have. Another simple approach for your kitchen remodel can be found in your moldings. Look them over and decide if they will fit into your plan. It is possible that may be enough to adjust the entire feel, and improve the look of your kitchen, keeping a theme instead of recreating one. This becomes both cost effective and does not hinder the value of your home.

Crazy for Islands-Islands are great additions for your storage and counter space needs, if you have enough room for one. Some common area’s of mistake here would include trying to install an island when the kitchen is to small, or not measuring before purchase and the island is oversized instead. Both of these will hinder the movement in the kitchen, and often require another contractor or installer to come to your home to make the needed adjustments. To avoid any issues above, you need to approach this with a sense of the recommended average spacing. It is recommended that when you are considering the installation of an island you maintain a minimum of 45 inches between your range, sink and refrigerator combined. Then between those and where your island would be you need to have between 36 and 55 inches to allow you to walk. The larger distance will allow for a hidden counter, often swinging and attached to the side of the island. By maintaining this rule of thumb you will have enough space to move in your kitchen, and still have the beautiful island you desire.

Under estimate time-Many homeowners try to estimate how long it will take for their kitchen to be finished, predicting their cabinets arrival, and estimate how long they will be without a kitchen. What they don’t realize is that kitchen remodeling is one of the most complex and time consuming projects in the construction field. The solution – do not start ripping out your kitchen until at least your cabinetry gets there. Even better would be to wait for all of your supplies to make it in before ripping out the existing kitchen. Always keep some of your current countertops, sinks, and stove to use for the time being. This way you can fully function on an everyday basis. Never plan a social gathering while remodeling, so keep work with the contractors closely and you will learn the exact length of time it will take to complete it. If you know you will need your kitchen for a specific date, wait until it has passed to begin the remodeling.

Under estimating cost- At times budgeting and planning still end up under cost for the final product. Your kitchen remodel can add up if your items are not in on time and you have a contractor waiting. The kitchen remodel adds up beyond budget if you find that there is mold behind one of the walls, or should you realize that windows need to be replaced or refit. These are simple methods of ending the kitchen remodeling project well over the preferred budget. To avoid the obstacle of unexpected expense, plan to add an additional 1000 to 3000 dollars to the final budget. By having the cushion the unexpected will not be a detrimental.

About the Author:
Joe Cline writes articles for REMAX Austin. Other articles written by the author related to Austin Texas real estate and Austin listings can be found on the net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Clinne

www.LKNcabinets.com offers very affordable kitchen and bath remodeling options for the Charlotte NC market

Dec 21, 2009
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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.

Lee Dobbins writes for A Kitchen Decorating Idea where you can find more tips on kitchen remodeling and decorating on a budget.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

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Dec 21, 2009
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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.

Reneson Andrino is a writer specializing on home remodeling. He owns and maintains Home Remodeling Made Easy, a resource guide for more kitchen remodel ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Reneson_Andrino

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