Z.Z.Daily Construction

Kitchen remodels remain one of the most popular home remodeling projects that homeowners undertake. In 2004, admittedly at the height of the recent housing boom, Americans spent more than $10.5 billion remodeling their kitchens. With the current downturn in the economy, the spending on remodeling is returning to more traditional levels of 5% a year.

While homeowners may be getting more cautious given the current market conditions, kitchen remodels still remain a key area of focus for homeowners looking to improve the beauty, functionality and value of their home.

Your kitchen can be one of the more expensive projects. You’ve seen some of the very extravagant kitchen upgrades in home decor and designer magazines. These high-end kitchen remodels can cost as much as $100,000 or more. While beautiful to admire, that’s probably beyond the budget of most Americans looking to improve their kitchen.

If you’re considering a kitchen upgrade, here are a few ways to get the most for your money.

Always start with a plan. According to a recent Consumer Reports Survey, people who did less homework before they began their home-improvement projects reported more problems. Nearly 25% of the over 2,000 homeowners surveyed said they wished they had done more research or chosen a professional contractor more carefully. One of the more common complaints was that the job wasn’t finished on time.

Keep a planning workbook. As you work through the planning stage, stay organized with a planning workbook. Keep a file of clippings from magazines including styles and products you like. Studies show that homeowners change their mind more frequently with kitchen remodels than other projects. Work with your contractor or designer to thoroughly understand your options, clarify your preferences, and understand your budget.

Set a Spending Limit. Speaking of budget, the kitchen is one of the easiest projects to get away from you when it comes to spending money. If you set an upper spending limit based on what you can afford, this will help manage a little discipline as you plan your kitchen project. According to surveys, homeowners spend an average of $10,000 to $15,000 to remodel an existing kitchen layout, and upwards of $25,000 or more when changing the floor plan. Cabinets, for example, can contribute to more than 50% of the kitchen upgrade cost.

Consider Faux-Pro Appliances. Professional and designer level appliances can really hit your budget. Cooktops and ranges such as Wolf or Viking can run as much as $4,000 or more for these top end kitchen appliances. While the designer label and highest price may stroke your ego, the most expensive price tag does not necessarily mean top quality or reliability.  Surprisingly, in some cases, consumers tend to report higher than expected repair and maintenance on some of the top name designer appliances. Do consider the faux-pro appliances. You have many options today of sleek, top-performing appliances that will give you the pro-style look and functionality at a fraction of the price. For example, you can find excellent gas ranges that offer stainless trim for under $1,000.

Don’t forget cabinet performance. Cabinets are a top priority focus in many kitchen remodels. While the aesthetic look and beauty of the cabinets is obviously very important to homeowners, don’t overlook the performance and functionality. Your cabinets get frequent use. Well-built drawers and guides are critical since they get so much use (and some abuse). You may not need solid hardwood or plywood cabinets, with advances made in sturdy particleboard construction. A luxurious veneer applied to a particleboard cabinet can get the job done without killing your budget. Often, homeowners don’t realize their old cabinets may actually be OK quality. A new veneer upgrade, or an affordable stain and refinish may be all that’s needed to restore the beautiful external appeal, and an a hinge and bracket upgrade along with new, better performing drawer guides and shelf runners may have you falling in love with your cabinets all over again.

Don’t neglect the countertops. Countertops are one area where you can achieve beauty and practicality at the same time. At the higher end of the price range, engineered stone and granite are top performers. To save on the budget, consider laminates which are more economical and still deliver versatility and durability.  Countertops are priced by the square foot, but the price can vary widely across the variety of materials and options. Most important, don’t overlook the installer and fabricator. An experienced and qualified installer and fabricator can make all the difference between a less than satisfying result, and a truly beautiful job that you’ll enjoy for years.

For more ideas and options you can consider for your next kitchen remodel or upgrade, don’t hesitate to contact Z.Z. Daily Construction.

Tags: kitchen applicances, Kitchen Cabinets, kitchen countertops, Kitchen Remodeling, kitchen remodels, kitchen upgrades