Summer Home Improvement--the Kitchen

Spring inspires so many people to finally bite the bullet and get going on a major home improvement. As a former real estate agent I can tell you that if people want to make major upgrades or improvements to their homes and expect to recoup the money spent for these when the home is sold, making the right improvements in the right places is crucial. The bottom line is that any decision to undertake some big remodeling job should be based on whether it will make a home more enjoyable to live in. Will it be something that will enhance living in the house? Will it add to a home's entertainment value? Will it make the home a place where the whole family wants to spend more time together and enjoy liesure activities? If the answer is yes, then the project is probably a good idea. I would just suggest that people not take out a huge line of credit to embark on the project. Don't get in over your head and make sure that you aren't adding to an already existing mountain of debt, in the hopes that by selling the home soon afterwards will help pay loans off.

Ask any real estate agent. The two most cost-effective rooms to enhance and remodel are the kitchen and bathroom. Does this mean that a $20,000 spent on either will be totally recouped when the house is sold? Nobody can say that. All that we know is that money spent on these two areas are more likely to see real payback on down the line than on any other rooms. That said, some improvements will not cost an arm and leg but can really pick up a kitchen or bath's appearance. Take the time to do some consultation and planning about what is affordable that will make the most difference to your family's enjoyment of a room. Be very aware that this very crucial makeover is going to disrupt your family's life significantly. Make sure to be prepared for this and have them be ready for it too.

Kitchens can cost a huge amount to redo because of the high cost of new appliances. some of the new sub-zero refrigerators start at over $5,000. And the beautiful Viking professional gas stoves are even higher. But there are no rules to remodeling, and nobody should be allowed to convince you that top-of-the-line appliances are the only way to go. Sears has some excellent appliances which have the new metalic finishes everyone is loving today, and they're not too costly. Costco and Sam's Club also have appliances that are under othe major retailers.

Now one area of a kitchen that really can set the image is the flooring. If the kitchen floor is old broken or chipped tile, that definitely should be the first place to concentrate plans It can cost as much as $25 per sq. ft. or more for wood or tile flooring, but it will make a vast difference in updating the appearance of this room. Home Depot has some marvelous tiles which simulate the popular Mexican tile but cost much less.

Now, if an owner can do some of the work himself, that's great. It will save some money. Most people can take our fixtures, caulk, do some painting, face outlets and even install a ceiling fan. But some professionals are absolutely essential. A master plumber, electrician and architect (if the whole design is changed) are necessary to do a job right and up to local codes. It can even be dangerous not to use them.

Budgets can be cut on several things. Instead of corian or granite, some laminates are beautiful, strong, and cost down to 1/3 of what high-grade materials cost. Compare flooring costs and be willing to use less expensive materials there. Laminates are also available in flooring. Cabinets can even be faced with new fronts for a lot less than total cabinet replacement.

The remodel job will not go well if every piece is not properly coordinated with the others. Some things must be done in advance of others. Obviously, plumbing and electrical upgrades should be done before anything else, then the cabinets and sink, etc need to be removed. One real warning here is in order. I can't stress it enough. MEASURE CAREFULLY. Re-measure, and then do it again. This is crucial to getting the proper fit for new cabinets and even appliances. Once items have been ordered or and plans made it is extremely costly when they have to be changed because of a mistake.