Smart Tips For Kitchen Remodeling

Homeowners spend more on kitchen renovations or remodeling than on any other home improvement project, and for good reason. Kitchens are a focal point in family life, as well as a source of pride.

You can recover a substantial amount of your kitchen remodeling costs by the value that your project adds to your home. A full kitchen remodeling, which has a national median value of $80,000, rebounds at the time the house sells for around 75% of the original cost of the project, according to a National Association of Realtors' Remodeling Impact Report.

The project also gets a huge thumbs-up from homeowners. Those polled for the report gave their new kitchens a "joy rating" of 9.8 (out of 10!), a rating based on those who said they were happy or satisfied with their remodeling.

To help ensure you get a good return on your kitchen remodel, follow these seven remodeling tips:

#1 Plan, Plan, Plan

Planning a kitchen remodel should take longer than the actual building. If you plan carefully, you will be able to minimise the time that you are interrupted by the chaos of the build. Plus, you are more likely to stick to your budget.

How Much Time Should You Spend Planning? The National Kitchen & Bath Association recommends a minimum of six months. That way, you are not tempted to change your mind midway through the build, and you do not end up with a change order, which adds more to your build costs and eats into your return on investment.

Some tips on planning:

Study Your Existing Kitchen: How wide is the doorway into your kitchen? Many homeowners make the mistake of buying a super-sized refrigerator, only to discover that they cannot fit it through their doorway. To prevent mistakes like these, make a blueprint of your kitchen, including measurements for the doorways, walkways, countertops, and more. And remember height.

Think traffic patterns: Work zones should be a minimum of 42 inches wide, or 48 inches at the very least for families with more than one cook.

Design for ergonomics: Drawers or pull-out shelves in base cabinets, counter heights that adjust up or down, and a wall oven rather than an island are all features that make the kitchen usable by all - and enjoyable to work in.

Plan for the unforeseeable: Even if you plan out down to the number of nails you will need for a remodeling project, anticipate the unexpected. Build in some margin for finishing a remodel. Want to have it done before Thanksgiving? Then schedule it for completion by Halloween.

Choose all of your fixtures and materials ahead of time: contractors will be able to give more precise estimates, and you will reduce your risk of delays due to backorders.

Do not be afraid to ask for help: A professional designer can simplify your kitchen remodeling. Pros can help with styling decisions, anticipate potential problems, and scheduling contractors. Most best kitchen designers charge $65 to $250 per hour, or 10% to 20% of your total project cost,

#2 Get Real About Appliances

It is easy to get carried away planning a new kitchen. A commercial-grade, six-burner range and luxury-brand fridge might make for an attractive centrepiece, but it might not meet your cooking needs or your lifestyle.

Appliances are, at their core, tools used for cooking and storing food. Your kitchen remodeling should be less about tools than it is about design and function for your whole kitchen. So, unless you are a gourmet chef that does a lot of cooking, focus your dollars on the long-term features that will increase your value, like cabinets and flooring.

Then, opt for appliances made by trusted brands with strong ratings on online reviews and "Consumer Reports".

#3 Keep the Same Footprint

Nothing increases your remodeling costs more quickly than changing where plumbing pipes and electrical outlets are located, as well as tearing out walls. This is typically the place where unexpected problems arise.

So, wherever possible, store appliances, fixtures, and walls in one place. Not only will you save money on demolition and rebuilding costs, but you will reduce the amount of dust and debris that will be created by the project.

#4 Don’t Underestimate the Power of Lighting

Lighting can make all the difference in your kitchen. It can make it feel bigger and more vibrant. And it can help you ‌operate in a safe, efficient manner. You should have two different types of lighting in your kitchen:

Task Lighting: Under-cabinet lighting needs to be high on your must-have list, as cabinets make for such dark working areas. And because you are remodeling, this is not the best time to have the lights wired in place. Plan on having at least two fixtures for each work zone, so that shadows are eliminated. Pendant lights are best suited to islands and other countertops that do not have lower cabinets. Recessed lights and tracing lights are great above sinks and in general preparation areas with no cabinets above.
Ambient Lighting: Flush-mounted ceiling lights, sconces, and track lights provide overall illumination for the kitchen. Include dimmer switches for intensity and mood control.

#5 Be Quality-Conscious

Functionality and durability should be the first priorities when remodeling your kitchen. Resist cheap, cheap deals, and opt for products that offer low-maintenance combined with long-lasting warranties. Solid-surface countertops, for example, might cost a bit more, but they will last for years if properly maintained.

And if you are planning to move in a short while, products with solid warranties are a selling point.

#6 Add Storage, Not Space

Storage will never go out of style, but if you’re sticking with the same footprint, here are a couple of ideas to add more:

Install cabinets that go all the way to your ceiling: These can be pricier--and you might need a stepladder--but you will get some precious storage for holiday plates and other one-time items. Plus, you will not have to dust your cabinets and countertops.

Hanging It Up: Hang small shelves in unoccupied walls and within cabinets doors, suspend stockpots and big pots from a rack on the ceiling, and add hooks to the backs of cabinet doors for aprons, brooms, and mops.

#7 Communicate Clearly With Your Remodelers

Developing good relationships with the project manager or building crew is critical for staying within the budget. To keep the sweetness in your project, make sure to:

Drop in to a project site during business hours: Your presence communicates your commitment to quality.

Establish a routine for communicating: Hang up a board at the site for you and your project manager to drop off everyday communications. Give your email and mobile number to your subordinates and team leaders.

Set up house rules: Be explicit about smoking, boombox noise levels, bathrooms available, and parking arrangements.

Be nice: Offer refreshments (a little hospitality goes a long way), give compliments when warranted, and refrain from harassing them with conversations, jokes, and questions while working. They will perform better when they are refreshed and allowed to focus on their work.

And one last piece of advice that can keep frustration levels low as the building goes forward: Plan a temporary kitchen. You will be happier (and less frustrated) if you have already found a way to have a meal when the construction is going on.