Kitchen Remodeling
Tualatin Oregon
Need A Kitchen Makeover?
When it comes to remodeling projects, the kitchen is the area that homeowners spend the most on. The reason is that kitchen remodeling has the tendency to have the highest return when compared to other rooms in the house. Having said that it takes some smart preparation and pragmatic decisions if you want to get the most bang for your buck.
How long should you spend planning?
If you want to do it properly, it might take longer to plan your kitchen remodel than the construction itself takes. In fact, the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends spending at least six months planning so you are absolutely sure about every little thing by the time the remodeling starts. The longer time you spend preparing the less likely it is that you will discover a some new item that you want to add that could interrupt the construction process.
Proper preparation will also make certain that you are inconvenienced for a minimal length of time during construction. More importantly it could save you some money in the long term, and at least help you to adhere to your budget. 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.
Limit your structural changes
If you choose to start tearing down walls, or moving plumbing pipes and electrical outlets your remodeling costs will drastically increase. These often lead to unexpected problems, so whenever possible, try to leave the water fixtures, appliances and walls where they currently are. You will not only reduce your demo costs, but there also won’t be anywhere near the same level of dust and debris to deal with during the project.
Make the best decisions for the long term
A word of warning, you really should place emphasis on the overall efficiency and design of your kitchen instead of getting too hung up on kitchen tools and appliances. The luxury brand refrigerator may seem like a must have item, but if it negatively impacts the budget and makes you cut corners that ultimately reduce your kitchens functionality then you will probably regret it. Experts recommend investing your money in features that are more long term and add reasonable value, such as cabinets or new flooring.
Don’t forget to measure
Regardless of what new features you decide to add, you should be certain you can actually get them into the kitchen. Case in point, the size of your doorway might limit your ability to get the super capacity fridge you want. To put it simply, don’t buy any oversized items before you check to be sure they can get in the door. This will mean measuring your doors, counters, walkways as well as the ceiling height. It is also recommended to make sure you have all your fixtures and materials before construction starts.
Tualatin Kitchen Remodeling
Make quality your top priority
Even though it is a good idea to be careful about splashing your money on unnecessarily expensive kitchen items, it is just as important to choose durability and functionality, and this may not come cheap. Low-quality bargains may allow for a lean budget, but they will ultimately cost you a lot more in the long run. The key is to find that balance between affordabiliy and high quality. You should also focus on products with low maintenance requirements and long warranty periods. For example, good quality countertops may seem expensive at the outset, but will look great for many years to come.
Expect the unexpected
As with any project such as this you should always be prepared for the unexpected. No matter how much time you spend planning your remodeling job, there’s no way to avoid an occasional unwanted surprise. That is why, it is always a good idea to allow yourself a little leeway within your project. If you must have it done in January, then it would make sense to plan to finish the project by November just in case.
When is it time to call the professionals?
Getting the pros from the very beginning, as early as the planning stage, is a smart way to guarantee that remodeling the kitchen in your Tualatin home will be a success. You may feel overwhelmed from the beginning, but we have years of experience to help streamline the entire process. We can make you aware all the potential pitfalls that you should avoid to save yourself a lot of money, and hassle as well. It is also vital to maintain open lines of communication with your contractor. This will ensure that you are always on the same page, and it will definitely help you stay on budget.
Are you considering a kitchen remodel for your Tualatin home? Steve’s Home Improvement is your perfect home remodeling partner. We are a team of professional kitchen and home remodeling contractors that will walk with you every step of the way and build the kitchen of your dreams. For a free consultation give us a call at (503) 342-8234.
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