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4 Updates You Can Do to Improve Your Kitchen 

Listed below are 4 updates you can apply to drastically improve the functionality, feel, and look of your kitchen area. Keep on reading below for more: 

 

Construct an island oasis 

Depending on your kitchen layout, you can incorporate an island within your kitchen area to get more storage area and surface. This kitchen feature can also serve as one another focal point for your family, visitors, and friends to huddle around. You can also make more dining space by decorating it with some stools. 

An island can be as complex or simple as you want, depending on your kitchen needs. Others have included electrical outlets in their kitchen island to cater to more appliances. Plus, you can also consider installing a sink to make it a new station for your food preparation. 

Update your kitchen surface 

You can refresh your whole kitchen area if you try out new surfaces such as the backsplash behind your countertops and stove, or changing the countertops themselves. You can also create a good focal point in your kitchen by using a colorful backsplash with a distinct design or by selecting from different materials and colors with your current kitchen décor when you like to achieve a subtler feel. 

This technique can also be applied to your kitchen countertops. As you opt for the material to use, think about the factors that are important to you the most. Are you searching for a surface that’s easy to clean? If that’s the case you can choose between quartz or granite since they are resistant to scratch and heat. When you like to incorporate some warmer kitchen features, you can always incorporate wood countertops surfaces made out of cherry, maple, or walnut to get a rustic and beautiful addition to your kitchen. 

Refurbish your cabinets 

Usually, kitchen cabinets can consume a great area of any kitchen. Hence, revamping up this kitchen feature can make a huge difference in the functionality and look of the area. If you do not like to replace your cabinets, then you can come up with a new look with minimal kitchen disturbance by replacing, repainting, or refinishing the hardware. 

Update your appliances 

When your kitchen only has old appliances, it can be a hassle. Meanwhile, if you have new and updated appliances can both add functionality and style to your kitchen. When you have several family members or you usually like to entertain and host gatherings, you may want to invest in a high-quality dishwasher. A new faucet and sink or a new cooking range can also help modernize your kitchen and use it efficiently. There are a lot of different styles and units to select from, regardless if you want to achieve sleek and modern or a rustic or cozy feel. 

These tips are proven and tested ways to help improve your kitchen area while boosting your home resale value. if you want to try kitchen remodel services from the experts, let us know and call us. 

Things to Consider When Starting a Kitchen Remodel Project 

A lot of homeowners want to achieve a perfect kitchen through a remodeling project. You can spend a lot of time imagining all the ways to improve your kitchen with all the countertops, lighting, flooring, backsplashes, sinks, cabinets, and appliances that go into it.  

If you are planning a kitchen remodel, you’re probably wondering what to do first. The truth is that a kitchen remodeling project takes a lot of preparation and work. You can always achieve your dream kitchen if you plan it well.  

Today, we’re going to share with you several things you have to consider when starting a kitchen remodel project. 

Kitchen Ideas 

Websites, such as Instagram and Pinterest, can be ideal sources of inspiration if you’re looking for kitchen remodeling ideas. You can save photos that you like and show them to your kitchen designer.  

Aside from that, you can also look at the kitchens of other people for inspiration. It’s always enjoyable to talk with people about their kitchen. You can get ideas from them and make them better. You can also hire kitchen remodelers since most of them have a lot of good ideas for your kitchen. 

Create a Team 

You can’t do kitchen renovation on your own. You will need a team. Even if you’re going the DIY route, working with professional tradespeople or designers will help ensure that everything goes according to plan.  

If you want to achieve your goals, you’ll need to work with a professional contractor. Also, you probably want to work with a professional designer who can help you create the perfect design for your kitchen.  

Create a Goal 

It’s always ideal to understand what you want to achieve with your new kitchen. Are you remodeling your kitchen because you need more storage? Do you want more space? Are you planning to sell your house in the future? Understanding what you want to achieve with your new kitchen will help you design and plan properly.  

Try to think of all the issues you experience with your current kitchen. Write down these issues. You can then use these issues to create a solution that you can incorporate in your kitchen remodel project.  

Create a Budget 

You need to know how much you’re willing to spend on your kitchen remodel project. You can make huge mistakes in your planning if you don’t know how much your budget is. If this happens, you might end up abandoning the project without finishing it.  

One of the most expensive projects you can do in your house is a kitchen remodel. Thus, you need to know how much you want to spend. To complete the project, you might have to take money out of your savings or consider home equity loans. There are a lot of options you can consider.  

Think About Donating 

Do you have functional cabinets and appliances that you want to get rid of? Well, you should consider donating them. There are a lot of organizations out there that will be happy to visit your house and pick up items you want to give away.  

You can lower your waste while helping people in need if you choose to donate usable items. 

Hiring the Right Asphalt Paving Contractor 

Asphalt paving is a huge investment. This is particularly true for large-scale projects, such as commercial parking lots. That is why it is vital to pick an asphalt contractor that can do the job right the first time. Low-quality asphalt paving installation can easily develop potholes and cracks. This can result in more expenses in the long run.  

Are you planning to install a residential asphalt driveway or a commercial asphalt parking lot? Well, here are a couple of things you should consider when hiring a Bay Area asphalt paving contractor: 

Check References 

You should ask the contractor for a list of local references you can contact if the asphalt contractor has experience in your area. Once the contractor gives you a list, make sure you contact some of them. Ask the references about the performance and the quality of the contractor’s job. You should also ask about the cost of the service and the demeanor of their staff. These references can provide you an idea of how the contractor works.  

Ask Questions 

You shouldn’t be scared to ask for the details you want to know. As mentioned above, asphalt paving is a huge investment. If you visit the website of the contractor, it will only provide you so much about what they do and how they do it.  

A reliable asphalt contractor should always be glad to answer any questions you have. This is particularly true if it’s your first time working with them. 

Here are a couple of questions you should ask: 

  • How much does my project cost?  
  • Are you insured? Can you show me proof that you’re insured? 
  • Do you follow safety precautions during the project? What are your safety precautions? 
  • Are your services eco-friendly? 
  • How many years have you been in the industry? 
  • How will you do the project? 
  • Do you have your tools or do you have to rent them? 

It’s a major red flag if the contractor refuses to answer your questions or appears uncertain with their answers. You should not hire a professional contractor until you’ve got all the details you need.  

Do Your Homework 

Before you hire an asphalt contractor, it’s best to do your homework first. You can do this by searching for asphalt contractors in your area and reading any testimonials about them. There are a lot of websites you can use to do this. This includes Yelp, Angie’s List, Google My Business, Facebook, and more. 

It’s also important to consider the star rating of the company. However, other criteria to think about include how the contractor deal with bad reviews and their response time. It is crucial that it’s inevitable to get occasional negative reviews. However, a reliable contractor can easily resolve any complaints from past clients.  

Avoid Door Knockers 

A reliable contractor won’t knock at your door to offer their service. However, fraud contractors like to target houses with ugly driveways.  

Most scammers like to prey on uninformed, young, and elderly homeowners. That is why you should avoid any contractor that knocks on your door to offer asphalt paving services.  

How to Avoid a Boring Kitchen Remodel Project 

Renovating the kitchen is a very thrilling experience. A lot of homeowners want to do it. It’s a chance for them to make their kitchen exactly the way they want it to be.  

Though the concept of a kitchen renovation can make you think of all your favorite kitchen ideas, the truth is that it’s a tedious process. Every homeowner wants to have a successful kitchen remodeling project. Unfortunately, most of them end up with boring results.  

Fortunately, we are here to help. Here are a couple of tips you can follow to make sure you have a successful kitchen remodel project: 

Consider the Faucet 

A luxurious faucet will be more expensive compared to a regular one. However, it will help make your kitchen look better. Aside from that, it can also enhance the whole atmosphere of your kitchen. The main element in your kitchen is water. That is why you need it to flow from a durable, functional, and beautiful faucet.  

As much as possible, get the most beautiful faucet you can find. If you’re on a budget, you can adjust it on other factors. The faucet will help catch the attention of your visitors. You don’t want to make it look as dull as possible.  

Matching Appliances 

As much as possible, make sure you purchase a set of appliances that all have the same design. You can make your kitchen appear chaotic if your appliances have various styles. This will help lose the elegance factor of your kitchen.  

If you’re having a hard time finding an affordable set of appliances, you can always choose different ones but with the same finishes.  

Stay on Theme 

You need to ensure the theme of your kitchen matches the theme of your home. It can be off-putting if you try to make your kitchen look modern in a house that has a traditional design.  

Recognize the overall theme of your house and try to integrate the theme into your kitchen design. If you want to ensure you’re on the right track, you can always hire a professional designer for help. 

Be Cautious of Trends 

Always keep in mind that trends don’t last forever. The kitchen design that was trending on Instagram will become outdated down the line. That is why you should think about how elements of your kitchen will age. Make sure they still look perfect when if they’re outdated.  

You spend a lot of money on your kitchen remodel project. That is why you want it to stand the test of time.  

Try to Avoid Moving Electricity and Plumbing 

As much as possible, you shouldn’t make changes to the current layout of your plumbing and electricity. These types of changes to your kitchen will require a lot of work. You will have to hire professionals to make these changes. Thus, it will cost you a lot of money.  

You won’t have a problem if you’ve got the budget. However, if you have a tight budget, you should try to avoid moving electricity and plumbing. Find a way to work with the current electrical and plumbing layout. If you do this, you will save a lot of money.  

How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? 

A lot of homeowners dream of doing a kitchen remodel project. This is particularly true if they don’t like the current look of their kitchen. People spend a lot of time in their kitchen preparing meals. Thus, it’s understandable why they want to make their kitchen more beautiful and efficient. 

 

One of the most common questions people ask when planning a kitchen remodel is “how much will it cost?” Well, the answer depends on a lot of factors. A kitchen remodel can be as complicated as changing the entire layout, or as simple as painting the walls.  

On average, a kitchen remodel can cost around $12,000 on the low-end and around $37,000 on the high-end.  

Today, we’re going to share with you some of the factors that affect the cost of a kitchen remodel. 

Electrical Work 

When it comes to electrical work, you have to hire a professional. Usually, the rate of a professional electrician runs around $100 per hour. The cost of electrical work can greatly increase if you’re planning to make a lot of changes to your kitchen’s wiring system.  

You can save a lot of money on your project if you choose to use your existing wiring system.  

General Labor 

During a kitchen remodel, contractors have to do a lot of work. Thus, you should expect to pay around 20% of your overall budget to general labor. Usually, you will probably spend around $3,000 to $6,000 for the labor.  

You might be able to do some of the work on your own if you’ve got the tools and skills. However, it’s always best to leave the job to professionals.  

Design of the Kitchen 

Hiring a designer is the ideal way to achieve your dream kitchen. The typical rate of a kitchen designer runs around $120 to $200 per hour. For kitchen design, you should expect to pay around $3,000 to $17,500 to the designer.  

A kitchen designer will provide you 3D renderings and a detailed drawing of your new kitchen. You can work with them to explain what you want to achieve with your new kitchen. 

Countertops 

Every homeowner wants to upgrade their kitchen countertops to some beautiful and luxurious stone. They’re extremely functional and easy to clean. Depending on the materials you pick, you should expect to pay around $1,500 to $3,500 for a new countertop. 

Cabinets 

One of the most important components in your kitchen is the kitchen cabinets. They’re also one of the most expensive factors to consider in a kitchen remodel. Usually, you’ll have to spend around 25% of your overall kitchen remodel budget.  

You can go with cheaper options when you buy new cabinets. This will help you save a lot of money. However, if you have the budget, you can always go for custom kitchen cabinets that are built to fit your kitchen.  

Plumbing 

The piping system plays a huge part in your kitchen. On average, the cost of simple plumbing changes in the kitchen runs around $150 to $300.  

However, if you plan to change the layout of your kitchen, plumbing can become a huge expense. On average, a professional plumber charges $100 per hour for major renovations.