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The kitchen of today is not only a
place to cook, eat, and store food but it is also a gathering place for
family events. Today’s kitchen reflects who we are. Our personal style and
how we live. Kitchen space needs to be beautiful but efficient, well
organized but inviting, and above all it needs to work for your individual
lifestyle.
Remodeling a kitchen or designing a
kitchen in a new home can be a tremendous undertaking. This is perhaps a
once in a lifetime event. The following steps will help you in the
planning of your new kitchen.
Remodeling and redesigning a kitchen
requires both skill and knowledge. In most cases, at some point in time in
your remodeling you will have to seek a professional to help you with the
layout and design of your kitchen. Before you seek out the professional,
you need to do some homework of your own.
The first thing you need to do is to
establish a budget. This is the-not-so fun part. No one likes to crunch
numbers, but establishing a budget is the only way you can determine the
size and scope of your project. It’s very disappointing to plan a
state-of-the-art kitchen only to find that you can barely afford a new
countertop. Don’t shy away from big dreams. Just don’t get your heart set
on any luxury until you decide how much you can honestly afford to spend
on the project. Remember, there has never been a better time to finance a
kitchen than now. Mortgage interest rates are at a record low. So, keep in
your mind that if you must finance a project, a kitchen remodeling is a
good one to finance because the interest can be tax deductible.
Once you have established a budget,
make a wish list of items you know you want your kitchen to include. Some
of these items may be appliances, garages. islands, downdraft cooking
appliances, under cabinet lighting, solid surface countertops, spice
racks, trash drawers, etc. The wish list may be endless. Make sure that
you are realistic in your wish list. Remember your kitchen is only so big
and you may need to list these in order of importance.
Now you are ready to meet with a
kitchen designer. How on earth do you decide on a person for this project?
There are many different kinds of professionals that may assist you. These
include: architects, interior designers, remodeling contractors, and
kitchen and bath shops. You need to feel comfortable with whomever you
choose to help you in your remodeling project. As you meet with your
designer, they will help you sort through your wish list and help you
spend your money wisely. This is the time you need to inform the
contractor of what exactly you want done. For example, are you replacing
cabinets only or are you replacing flooring too. What do you expect out of
the contractor? Do you need them to provide the plumber, electrician,
painter, floor covering person, etc. You should be aware that if you allow
the contractor to coordinate all aspects of the remodeling it will in the
end not only save you headache but you will more than likely save time and
money.
You should always get at least two bids
when remodeling. Ask for references, pictures and testimonials before
hiring a person to remodel your kitchen. Once again, you should find that
hiring a kitchen shop that can do the entire project is not only less
expensive for you but also gives you less headache.
Now that you have come up with a
working budget and have hired a professional to assist you in your
remodeling; you need to make sure you have selected the cabinet’s best
suited to your needs. Do you understand what cabinets your designer has
selected? Did you get the roll outs you wanted? Did you get the appliance
garage you wanted? Did the designer include the crown molding you
requested? Did you request dovetailed drawer? And, by the way, what are
dovetailed drawers? Are your cabinets quoted all wood? Did the designer
inform you of the cost difference of laminate tops versus solid surface
tops? This is the area where the designers are set aside from the persons
that simply let the computer auto design your kitchen. A designer places
every cabinet in a strategic place. A person that is not a designer but a
computer entry person allows the computer to design your kitchen. This
happens all the time, If the computer does the design, the customer
generally doesn’t end up with the cabinets desired. Make sure you hire a
designer that listens to what you want. You are paying the bill after all.
Are you a person that wants to
do-it-yourself? If so, make sure the designer knows that you only want to
purchase the cabinets and the design from them. Let them know that you
plan on installing your own cabinets. This is also a good time to ask if
you do your own installation, does it void the warranty.
It is now time to order your cabinets.
Be patient, it may take only a few days or up to six weeks for the
cabinets and counter tops to be manufactured. Upon ordering, you generally
have to pay half down and balance upon installation.
You now need to prepare yourself
emotionally. Remodeling a kitchen can be stressful. It can be hard to deal
with the sawdust and the noise and the inconvenience of not having a
completed kitchen. Be patient, the installation times will vary according
to the extent of the remodeling job.
Remodeling the kitchen is a very
exciting project. It should not only be exciting for you, but you should
select a designer that shares in your excitement. If you plan properly,
you can have the kitchen of your dreams at a price you can actually
afford.
How To Guide 2003
Monday, March 31, 2003 The Herald Bulletin Anderson,
Indiana |