Benefits of a Kitchen Remodel Using a Professional

Kitchen Remodeling Aug 11

A kitchen remodel offers numerous benefits to the homeowner and a remodeling professional can produce dream results. That’s because an experienced kitchen remodeler comes with years of installing kitchens of every imaginable style and complexity level, knows trends, has quick access to a wide variety of supplies at a savings, and has the experience and knowledge to ensure proper and timely installation of new and disposal of old materials. Benefits of kitchen remodeling include saving money in the long term, a faster home sale at a higher price, time savings with greater efficiency in the kitchen when preparing meals, increased storage space, improved comfort levels, clean and decluttered space, improved look and style, and a safer kitchen.

Saving Money in the Long Term

Water - The average faucet runs 2.2 gallons per minute, while low-flow models run 1.5 gallons per minute. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Sense program, a low-flow faucet that reduces water flow about 30% can save a home 700 gallons of water a year. Water Sense labeled faucets and faucet accessories (such as aerators) are high–performing, water-efficient fixtures that will help reduce water use in the kitchen, saving money on water bills. A professional remodeler knows what’s current and has access to a range of these fixtures. Power - Energy-saving appliances and LED lighting can cut power bills dramatically. In the kitchen, the best appliances for energy efficiency are the refrigerator and dishwasher. ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerators use 15% less energy than non-qualified models. Models with top-mounted freezers use 10%-25% less energy than side-by-side or bottom-mount units. According to energystar.gov, a dishwasher that has earned the ENERGY STAR gets your dishes clean while using less water and energy, and costs about $35 a year to run. On average, U.S. households run their dishwashers about 4 times per week, for a total of over 200 times per year. ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers use less energy than conventional models, helping reduce air pollution and protecting the climate. With a kitchen redesign, a professional remodeler identifies appliances with the ENERGY STAR symbol. All ENERGY STAR certified products are tested to strict efficiency standards and are certified by an independent third party.

Sell Your Home for a Higher Price

Buyers have demonstrated a willingness to pay higher prices for homes with attractive and up-to-date kitchen designs. According to a recent survey, 80% of homebuyers placed the kitchen in their list of top three most important spaces. That’s because many people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home. Home values increase with added beauty, energy efficiency, and updated appliances which are all accomplished with a kitchen remodel. In fact, the national average Return On Investment (ROI) for a major upscale kitchen remodel is almost 54%. That means a recoup of about $68,000 after spending around $126,000. The average cost of a minor kitchen remodel is about $21,000, and the average amount recouped is $17,000. The return on investment being 81%.

Save Time and Increase Efficiency When Preparing Meals

Cooking in an older kitchen can result in wasted time using outdated technology. Meals can often be prepared more efficiently following a kitchen remodel, allowing more time to enjoy meals with family. With proper kitchen remodeling, the owner has complete control over the layout of the appliances and counter space. An efficient kitchen keeps the distance between main workstations as short as possible. Most well-planned kitchens harness a triangle - the shape of the area between the refrigerator, stove, and sink. In addition, something as simple as adding a kitchen island can enhance the comfort of working in the kitchen. It's also a great spot for entertaining and quick meals, too. A remodeling professional can advise on kitchen island options and recommend a surface that not only enhances kitchen appearance, but will withstand hot pots, sharp knives and general wear and tear.

Add Increased Storage Space

Need more cabinets or more pantry space? Grocery stores now offer family size product lines that won’t fit in many current cabinets. Remodeling is the ideal opportunity to increase storage space and efficiencies. In small kitchens, a remodeling professional can offer numerous ideas for getting the most out of your storage space including but not limited to hanging pegboard, using the tops of cabinets, using the backsplash.

Increase Comfort Levels

Dated kitchens can feel uncomfortable, small, or cramped. A new kitchen floor plan can help and a remodeling professional can advise on a variety of lighting options, furnishings, and colors to make a kitchen coordinated, comfortable, and an inviting place. A remodeling professional works with the homeowner to listen to both needs and wants, budget, and recommends options to produce the dream kitchen.

Clean and Declutter Your Space

Kitchen redesign gets rid of undesirable surfaces and unnecessary elements in kitchens giving them a fresh, clean look and feel. A remodeling professional can give recommendations here.

Get the Desired Kitchen Style

Though one factor in buying a home is appeal, the kitchen may not have been current when moving in or is outdated now. Kitchen remodeling provides the opportunity to create the desired look, style, and environment. There are numerous styles available in kitchen design today and a remodeling professional is aware of these, has the necessary installation experience, and has longstanding sources to secure the best selection and price on materials.

Make Your Kitchen Safer

Health hazards can exist in dated kitchens including unsafe wiring, mold, and mildew. A remodeling professional can ensure that electrical is up to code and can handle any new load incurred. GFCI devices are installed instead of typical outlets (these are generally required anywhere near water, like kitchens).

Save Time and Money by Hiring a Remodeling Pro

Hiring a remodeling professional will save time and money while bringing expertise to a kitchen project. They relieve hassles and stress as well as significantly reduce the risk of mistakes or a project malfunctioning. The result is a functional, efficient dream kitchen that an owner can be proud of and enjoy with others.

No matter which area of your home you wish to remodel, this should not be a project that is done without much thought and careful consideration. This is a large project that should be handled by professionals and can increase the value in your home — if done correctly. While there are many specific tasks that will improve your living space, there are several things you should never forget no matter where you want to improve and recreate in your home. Let’s talk about four things you should never forget before you begin kitchen remodeling in your Royal Oak home, or another large project.

1. Your Budget

Determining what your budget is prior to starting the project is one of the most important things you can do before you begin kitchen remodeling or any other large project. This is because these projects will require a considerable amount of money to do the job well and to provide the desired results. And while the amount of money you need will differ depending on the project you hope to complete, the type of work that is needed, and even the company who is completing the work, you want to have a budget established and do all you can to stay within those numbers. When you work with professional and experienced contractors, they understand the importance of staying within a budget. They can help you complete a project that delivers exceptional results without spending a fortune. However, you want to keep in mind that problems will occur that were not expected and you should have a little cushion to help cover some of those costs. But in many cases, if these problems do arise, a contractor can help you determine how you can cut costs elsewhere and still receive a beautiful indoor living space.

2. Your Contractor

As mentioned in the point above, you want to work with a professional contractor for all major projects around your home. These individuals have experience and expertise to transform your indoor living spaces and create an area that you’ll be proud to call home and you’ll never want to leave. Additionally, these individuals know the ins and outs of the project. They can help you with the required permits — if needed — have knowledgeable staff, and can complete the project much faster than if you tried to accomplish it on your own. Furthermore, many of these contractors work closely with material suppliers, helping you receive high-quality products and materials without the high, unnecessary costs. They are there to answer your questions, walk you through challenges, and ensure you don’t make rookie mistakes that could wreak havoc on the entire project. As you choose your contractor for the position, you want to hire wisely. You want to ask all professionals you are considering many questions to ensure they are the best person for the job. A few questions you should ask include:

• What is your experience with this type of project?
• How would you customize this space?
• What is one of the greatest challenges you’ve ever faced with a similar project and how did you overcome it?
• Do you have a license?
• Can you tell me about your insurance?

Additionally, once you have found the individual that you wish to hire, it is important that you carefully look over the contract. There are many small details that go into such a large project and you want to ensure that there are no loopholes that could affect your overall outcome. A few things to look for in the contract include:

• Payment and price
• The time for the project
• All the work that will be required
• Any penalties for poor or incomplete work

3. What You Truly Want

When you work on your kitchen design, this is your chance to truly make it your own. You can customize and personalize the space so that it has the features, appliances, and characteristics that you desperately want in this area. As you consider your project, you must determine exactly what you want in the designated area of your home. Do you want a more open floor plan? More seating options? Better traffic flow? An improved cosmetic appearance? Decide what it is that you want and work with your contractor for ideas and ways to make it happen. If you are lacking ideas, many professional contractors have galleries and portfolios you can look through to help ignite your ideas and help you create an area that you desire.

4. Your Timing

There is always going to be a reason why the timing is not perfect for a large home project, but, there is no reason you should ever delay. Look at your calendar and ensure that you don’t have any major events or holidays scheduled at your home. Make sure that you have ample time to complete the project prior to your deadline. And, keep in mind that when unexpected issues do arise, you may need some extra time to fix the problem. However, in addition to looking over your own schedule, you also want to look closely at the schedule of your contractor. When can he or she begin the project? Many contractors are scheduled several weeks or even months in advance. This means that if you want to complete a major project in the near future, you want to reach out and begin working with a contractor today, rather than just a few weeks before the desired completion date. Before you begin any major home project, it is important that you think about the above four points. When you do so, you will have a much smoother experience and be more satisfied with the overall outcome. Additionally, you will reap the rewards of the project and fall in love with the inside of your home once again.