Kitchen Remodeling
West Linn Oregon
Need A Kitchen Makeover?
Homeowners invest a good deal more money on their kitchen remodeling projects than on just about every other home improvement project. The good news is that the costs of kitchen remodeling can be recovered by the increase in value added to your home. Having said that, it is important to take the proper steps and make smart decisions if you are to increase your return on investment.
How long does the planning phase take?
If you plan your kitchen remodel properly, it might actually take you the same amount of time to plan that it will take you to carry out the actual construction, or even more. In fact, the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends spending at least six months planning so you are absolutely sure about everything by the time the remodeling starts. The longer you spend planning the less likely it is that you will discover a some new item that you want to incorporate that could interrupt the construction process.
With the proper planning beforehand we can limit any inconvenience that comes about during the construction phase. It will also help you stay on budget and even save a good amount of money. Always remember that disrupting the construction process will likely inflate construction costs and ultimately impact your return on investment.
Avoid structural changes if possible
If you choose to start tearing down walls, or moving electrical outlets and plumbing pipes your remodeling costs will increase dramatically. These often lead to unforeseen problems, so if at all possible, try to leave the water fixtures, appliances and walls where they currently are. Not only will you 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
Many homeowners make the error of focusing on kitchen appliances and tools rather than the overall design and ultimate efficiency of their kitchen. 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 concentrating your dollars on features that are more long term and increase value, such as flooring or new cabinets.
Do your new features fit?
You in all likelihood add a variety of new features into your kitchen, but it is equally important to find out whether they will actually fit. For example, the size of your doorway might limit your ability to get the super capacity fridge you want. In other words, don’t buy any large items before you make sure they can make it through the door. This will mean taking measurements of your doorways, counters, walkways and even ceiling height. It’s a good idea to make sure that you have all of the fixtures and materials on hand before any construction actually begins.
West Linn Kitchen Remodeling
Go for quality
While you obviously don’t want to waste money on a bunch of overly expensive luxury kitchen items, you also don’t want to buy cheap items now that don’t last. Cheap bargains may allow for a smaller budget, but they tend to cost you a lot more in the long run. You should instead choose products and solutions that combine long warranty periods and low maintenance. There is no better example of this than countertops. High quality countertops may appear to be expensive at first, but many years from now when they still look gorgeous it will be money well spent.
Expect the unexpected
As with any project like this you should always be prepared for the unexpected. No matter how much time you take to plan your remodeling job, there’s no way to avoid an occasional unwanted surprise. For that reason, it is always worthwhile to give yourself a little wiggle room within your project. If you have to have it ready by December for instance, then plan for the project to close in October to be on the safe side.
When should you call us to help?
Getting professional help in West Linn Oregon for the preparation phases is a sure way to virtually guarantee the success of your kitchen remodeling. Pros have a way of simplifying what would otherwise seem extremely complex. Expert skills would could help you foresee potential problems which you can then avoid and save yourself a lot of money in the process. It is also extremely important to maintain open lines of communication with your remodeling contractor. This keeps us all on the same page, and makes it easier to keep the project on budget.
Are you planning a kitchen remodel for your West Linn home? Steve’s Home Improvement is here to make the process as stress free as possible. 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. Call us today at (503) 342-8234 today to schedule a free estimate.
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