A kitchen is often described as the heart and soul of the home,
and for good reason. This is an area that is often used for family gatherings,
for entertaining friends and for everyday living. You may begin mornings
talking to your family in the kitchen about plans for the day, and you may end
the day preparing a meal together while you discuss the day's events. This is
also a room that receives a great deal of scrutiny by buyers when you list your
home for sale, and its style can have a direct impact on property value. In
fact, in some areas of the country, homeowners may recoup more than 80 percent
of the cost of a remodel in an increase
in property value. With this in mind, you may decide to remodel your
kitchen soon. By following a few tips, you can more easily walk through the
remodeling process and get the kitchen you want.
Do: Create a Plan
Some homeowners
will throw together a kitchen remodeling project by the seat of their pants.
They may work on the back splash one weekend, and they may decide to do
flooring a month later. This can create a hodge podge look to your kitchen, and
it also makes it more difficult to budget properly. The best idea is to create
a thoughtful, well-researched
plan up-front before you
begin any aspect of the project. Pick out all of your materials up-front so
that they look great together, and you can even order them ahead of time so
that your project is not delayed.
Don't: Make Hasty
Design Decisions
Your kitchen
design will stay in your home for years to come and perhaps even a decade or
longer. It will influence the style of your home, your property value and more
throughout this time period. Consider if you have plans to sell your home
during this time period, and if you do, choose materials and an overall style
that has greater appeal to the masses. In addition, make design decisions that
add to the functionality of your space. For example, you can move the
appliances in different locations for better flow.
Do: Prepare a
Remodeling Budget
A kitchen
remodeling project may range
in cost from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more, depending on the size
of the kitchen, the quality of the features and other factors. Costs can easily
mount, so it is important that you create a budget and tally all costs. If you
plan to keep your existing appliances in place, you may want to get them
serviced. Review your home warranty to see if your appliance work is
covered in an effort to reduce remodeling and repair costs.
Don't: Forget to
Plan for Kids and Pets During the Remodel
In the days
leading up to the start of your kitchen remodeling project, think about the
scope of the project and how this will impact your daily lives. Your pets, for
example, may need to be kenneled in the days while workers are in your home so
that they do not get underfoot. You may need to move your fridge to the garage
so that you and your kids have access to cold foods as needed. You may even
consider asking a nearby friend or relative if the kids can stay with them for
a few days while this process is completed. Because of how frequently used a
kitchen is, a remodel can cause upheaval in your home that needs to be planned
for.
Do: Seek Financing
If Needed
The last thing you
want when remodeling
your kitchen is to run out of
money halfway through the project. Financing is available in a variety of forms
to help you pay for the high cost of a kitchen remodel. For example, some will
put the expenses on a credit card, and others will apply for a short-term
installment loan. If you have equity in your home, you may be able to access
that equity through a home improvement loan. Explore the options with your bank
to better determine which financing option is right for you.
A kitchen remodel
is an excellent idea for older homes or homes that lack superior style. However,
this is a major undertaking, and you want the project to be completed without a
hitch. These helpful tips will assist you in completing your project without
hassle or delay.
Buying, selling,
decorating, improving, or maintaining your home? Click here www.mickisellscharleston
Michelle Mustain
A House 'SOLD'
Name
843-338-4898