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Kitchen remodeling - A Good Investment

For most of us, our home is our biggest investment and our largest asset. Remodeling your home not only increases its value, but if you aren’ t selling your home right away, you can actually enjoy your investment (try that with stocks and bonds).

According to Remodeling Magazine the kitchen is one of the best remodeling investments you can make. In our area you will get back between 85% and 90% of the remodeling costs if you sell your home within a year. And most REALTORS ® will tell you that attractive kitchens and bathrooms help sell a home much more quickly. Either way you win! If you are staying in your home, you can enjoy the improvements. If you are selling, improvements will help you sell more quickly and get a better price.

That brings up the first question you should answer when you remodel. What is your purpose? If you are staying and enjoying the home, you will probably spend a little more, especially on conveniences. Sellers usually spend the least amount necessary to accomplish the sale. In the latter case, sometimes just replacing countertops or flooring can do the job.

Assuming you are staying, the first order of business is to write down a Lifestyle Survey. Here are a few important considerations:

• How many years do you plan on living in the house you are remodeling?
• What do you like most about your old kitchen? What do you like least?
• Do you have children? Do they need a place to eat or do homework in the kitchen?
• Do you have elderly in your household?
• Do you plan to entertain frequently?
• Do you need a place for a desk in the new kitchen, for a TV or Radio?
• How many people usually participate in cooking? Are they right-handed or left-handed? Do you prepare large meals or are they frequently prepared “on-the-run”?
• Do you buy in bulk and require storage space? Do you require a separate pantry?
• Do you plan to use existing appliances or purchase new ones?
• Do you need space for recycling in your kitchen?

The next step is to find a good designer who will really listen to you and help you make the best choices and decisions. An experienced designer can help you avoid expensive mistakes and provide excellent suggestions for your consideration

consideration. Be wary of a designer who tries to push you into their ideas. You make the decisions; they help you make wise decisions. Ask friends or neighbors who have already remodeled if they are willing to refer someone. Before making any commitments, be sure to check their references. Share your Lifestyle Survey with the designer and be sure they thoroughly understand your expectations and budget limitations. You can find a more extensive lifestyle survey and planning information on the website www.cabinetdiscounters.com

When you get to the design stage, don’t let your thinking be limited by the current use of your space. Sometimes moving a door, a window, or modifying a wall, can allow you to completely re-think your space and radically increase the usefulness of your kitchen. Look through every magazine you can get your hands on for ideas and tear out pictures of the things you really like. Keep them in a file folder. This will help in the design stage.

When selecting products (cabinetry, countertops, and appliances), avoid fads and extreme colors. This can really devalue your home when it comes time to sell. Also, you may regret those decisions when the fads go out of vogue. There is plenty of creative latitude with mainstream materials and colors. This will protect and maximize your investment.

Finally, choose your installation contractors carefully. The lowest price is not always a good deal. A plumber or electrician who fails to show when scheduled can set a whole project behind and in some cases increase your cost. Choose dependable people who are licensed and insured. Get referrals and check their references. Pay more attention to quality and dependability than the price.

The most important overall advice is not to rush. Take your time to consider options and to reflect upon the consequences of the many decisions you will make. Bounce ideas off friends and family who know you. They may be more realistic and objective. Build extra time into your installation schedule to handle any unexpected difficulties. Be flexible and make yourself available either in person or by phone during the installation to answer any questions that may arise and make necessary decisions.

Careful preparation and planning, choosing reputable designers and contractors, sticking with mainstream materials, and not rushing will give you the best possible outcome. This is a big investment and it will pay you to do it right.

by Mike Bliss, Manager of Cabinet Discounters in Gaithersburg, Maryland 9153 Arbuckle Dr., Gaithersburg, MD 301-258-7360, www.cabinetdiscounters.com