Kitchen Remodeling
Happy Valley Oregon
Need A Kitchen Makeover?
Homeowners invest a good deal more money on their kitchen remodeling projects than on any other home improvement project. The good news is that kitchen remodeling costs can be recovered by the increase in value added to your home. Having said that, it is vitally important to take the correct steps and make smart decisions if you are to maximize your return on investment.
How long does the planning phase take?
If you plan your kitchen remodel correctly, it might actually take you the same amount of time to plan that it will take you to execute the actual remodeling, or even more. In fact, the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends spending at least six months planning so you are sure about every little thing by the time the remodeling starts. The longer time you spend planning the less likely it is that you will discover a some new component that you want to include that could interrupt the construction process.
With the proper preparation we can reduce your level of inconvenience that occurs during the construction phase. It will also help you stay on budget and might even reduce your costs. The last thing you want to do is interrupt the construction process once it has begun. This would likely result in additional construction costs and negatively affect your return on investment.
Keep structural changes to a minimum
One sure way to drive up your remodeling costs is to decide to move your electrical outlets, plumbing pipes or knocking down walls. These often lead to unexpected problems, so whenever possible, try to keep the water fixtures, appliances and walls where they currently are. You will not only save on demolition and reconstruction costs, but you will also cut the amount of debris and dust you will have to deal with during your project.
Make the best decisions for the long term
A word of warning, you need to focus on the overall efficiency and design of your kitchen as opposed to getting too hung up on kitchen appliances and tools. A luxury brand refrigerator or commercial grade cooker may have caught you eye, but will they actually fit your cooking needs and lifestyle? Experts recommend investing your money in features that are more long term and add reasonable value, such as flooring or new cabinets.
Don’t forget to measure
You will likely add a small number of new features into your kitchen, but it is equally important to find out whether they will actually fit. For example, your doorway size might limit your ability to get the extra large refrigerator you want. You might think it was obvious, but often times people forget that any large items that you buy for your kitchen have to make it through your front door. You should make sure to measure your doorways and the height of the ceiling to make sure you can get all of your large items inside. It is a bad idea to begin construction until you have gathered all the necessary materials.
Happy Valley Kitchen Remodeling
Make quality your top priority
Although it is a good idea to be careful about throwing your money around on unnecessarily expensive kitchen items, it is just as important to go for durability and functionality, and this won’t always come cheap. Low-quality bargains may allow for a smaller budget, but they will ultimately cost you a lot more in the long term. You should instead go for products that combine long warranty periods and low maintenance. Countertops are a prime example of this. High quality countertops may seem expensive at first glance, but years from now when they still look striking it will be money well spent.
Be prepared
You should always leave room for the unexpected. While taking a good amount of time to plan should reduce the chances of any unpleasant surprises, there’s no guarantee that everything will go according to plans. For instance, it’s always wise to leave a little leeway for completing the project. If you have to have it ready by December for example, then plan for the project so it should be completed in October to be on the safe side.
Where do professionals come in?
Having professional help in Happy Valley for the planning phases is a sure fire way to guarantee the success of your kitchen remodeling project. Pros have a way of simplifying what would otherwise seem extremely complex. Expert skills would also be helpful in foreseeing potential problems which you will be able to avoid and save yourself a lot of trouble, and possibly money. It is also crucial to keep open lines of communication with your remodeling contractor. This will ensure that you are always on the same page, and it will definitely make it easier to stay on budget.
Are you planning a kitchen remodel for your Happy Valley home? Steve’s Home Improvement is here to make the process as stress free as possible. We are a team of professional home and kitchen remodeling contractors that will walk with you every step of the way and deliver the kitchen of your dreams. Give us a call at (503) 342-8234 today to schedule a consultation.
CCB# 185266