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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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Hammett
Average Return on Remodel Investment
Remodeling a current home instead of buying a new one is a popular decision among homeowners in today’s economy and housing market. It’s also a wise choice, for when the time comes to sell, the return on investment for many remodeling projectsis significant, especially in the kitchen.
According to the 2008-2009 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine, the national average cost recouped from a major, mid-range kitchen remodel is 76 percent. And until you’re ready to resell, you’ll have a beautiful kitchen designed for your lifestyle.
Before you take that first step and begin demolition, here is a few vital tips to help create your dream kitchen, save precious time and increase your home’s value.
Plan, Plan, Plan — Good design begins with a great plan. It takes thoughtful preparation and while a bit complex, it’s also exciting. A kitchen remodel is a big investment, so know how much you are willing to spend and plan ahead on the layout and design features. If you do, it will be easier to manage your budget and completion date. Keep in mind that hardware, paint and wall coverings can easily be updated to reflect the latest trends, but make sure your big purchases like cabinetry, countertops and appliances are something you can live with for years.
Think About the Way You Live — Your new kitchen design should be based on the way your family lives. How many people will be in the kitchen at one time? In addition to cooking, will you use your kitchen for dining, entertaining or homework? Does anyone in your family have special needs? Do you need a lot of storage? Prepare an inspiration folder of ideas you’ve seen in magazines or digital pictures you’ve taken of elements you like. The more you share with your kitchen design specialist, the easier it will be for them to get that sense of your family’s lifestyle.
Your Personal Style — When selecting your kitchen cabinets, are you traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between?
Before you head to your local Lowe’s, it’s important to know your style so your designer can help create a unique, customized look. Think about what appeals to you — styles, finishes, colors, etc. From a practical standpoint, review your priorities — your “must haves” — against your target budget.
SOURCE: At Home Magazine.
www.LKNcabinets.com handles Kitchen and Bath Remodels in the greater Charlotte area
Navigating Through the Sea of Options for Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are always the largest expense in a kitchen remodel. Because they are a major investment (and one that’s not likely to be made again anytime soon), you’ll need to sort through the hundreds of options and make choices with confidence. Not all kitchen remodels will require new cabinets, so step back and look at your kitchen with an open mind before deciding to just rip everything out.
FRESHEN UP
If existing cabinets are of good quality, are in excellent working condition and the layout functions well, the most affordable option is to freshen them up by restaining or painting. Another alternative, refacing, involves installing a new veneer on the exterior of the cabinet box and replacing the doors and drawer fronts, and should be handled by a professional. The process is much faster than installing new cabinets because the cabinets remain intact and the work is done onsite. It is important to note that when it comes to cabinets, doors and drawer fronts account for the greatest expense.
In reality, the doors and drawer fronts can account for as much as 70% of the cost of the cabinet. This is because most cabinets utilize plywood or particleboard for the cabinet box, which is significantly cheaper than the real wood used for the doors and drawer faces.
NEW AND IMPROVED
The decision has been made to install new cabinets, but there are other choices ahead. Are custom cabinets required, or will stock cabinets fit the bill? Custom cabinets are built to exact specifications and offer endless options with regard to materials, designs, finishes and accessories. Custom cabinets will require much longer lead times, and can be 2 to 5 times as expensive depending on the style of cabinet that you are looking at.
Semi-custom cabinets are just that: semi-custom. While the cabinets are made to the homeowner’s size requirements, the manufacturer produces them in predetermined increments. Often a spacer may be needed to conceal unused wall space, and that sacrifices storage. The range of materials, designs, finishes and accessories will not be as broad with semi-custom cabinets, but they cost less than fully custom cabinets.
Stock cabinets, which are the most affordable of new cabinet options, are pre-made and come in standard sizes. In the past, stock cabinets had a stigma to them because of the quality of materials that were used. Today, manufacturers are using solid wood for the face frame and doors, and better cabinets will feature solid plywood cabinet boxes.
If you ask any industry expert, they will tell you that 8 out of 10 kitchens cabinet be built using stock cabinets. A 1/2″ here or a 1/4″ there can be easily made up by using filler strips which will not take away from the overall beauty of the finished product.
No matter what type of cabinet is selected, it’s important to evaluate the quality of hinges, doors, drawer systems and finish. Don’t be afraid to pursue companies that sell cabinets strictly on-line. They will have lower overhead and therefore can offer better prices. Even RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) cabinets are featuring the same quality materials as the big name manufacturers, but at a lower price.
CONSTRUCTION AND STYLE
Next, consider the construction type and door style. Framed cabinets, which are popular in traditional kitchens, have a front frame around the cabinet opening. The door attaches to the frame. Frameless, or European-style cabinets, have no front frame. The door attaches directly to the side of the cabinet. Frameless cabinets, which are often used in contemporary kitchens, offer an advantage over framed cabinets. Because there is no front frame, there is open access to the cabinet interior.
When it comes to door styles, there are several choices. Traditional-overlay doors cover some of the frame, full-overlay doors cover the entire cabinet frame and inset doors sit inside the cabinet frame.
SOURCE: Gary Nealon, www.articlebase.com
www.LKNcabinets.com serves the greater area of Charlotte for high quality affordable cabinetry
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