Remodeling or completely renovating a kitchen can be a big task, but it also has the best return on investment of any home improvement.

But these improvements dont come cheap. A 2013 U.S. Census Bureau report noted the cost of an average kitchen remodel was $5,000, with the price tag for complete renovation at $27,353.

Given these costs, remodeling experts say there are ways to save in order to have money to splurge on key items.

Begin with a detailed floor plan, said Ariel Darmoni, managing partner at 123 Remodeling, a general contractor firm which was featured in Houzz and on HGTV.

Its going to be so much more if you dont have a floor plan that works for you because making changes later costs more. You can also save money if you dont have to move plumbing and electric, even if youre taking down walls, he said.

Dont skimp on important life-safety improvements like mold remediation and ventilation, said Beverley Kruskol, owner of M.Y. Pacific Building, a general contractor who has worked with high-end renovations, including for Mario Batalis restaurants in Los Angeles.

Tile, flooring and lighting can be both economical and beautiful, Kruskol said.

Tile is a great place to save money. There are thousands of styles, and theyre so amazing, she said.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles can be used on both floor and in kitchen backsplashes, said Suzanne Falk of Suzanne Falk Interior Design, a ghost designer on HGTVs Kitchen Crashers.

Tile is cheaper than hardwood flooring, and Darmoni prefers tile floors in kitchens because wood floors can be easily damaged by water leaks from dishwashers.

Big-box retailers sell attractive tiles for a fraction of the cost versus whats sold at designer showrooms, Falk said. For people who have their heart set on high-end tile, she recommended highlighting it in a specific area, like in a backsplash around the range, and then framing it with subway tiles, which Falk said are her go-to tiles.

Distinctive, affordable lighting options are available at retail stores versus paying up at a showroom, they said.

Compared to what was available four or five years ago, you can get beautiful lamps at a fraction of the cost, Kruskol said.

Choose a nicer faucet over a sink, Darmoni said, but look at the faucet construction. Better-made faucets have durable metal cartridges inside, which are the valves that turn on the water and mix temperatures.

High-end appliances might be a worthy splurge; however, Kruskol said homeowners should think about how they use them and how long theyll be in the home.

If youre in a condo, I dont think you need to spend the money to get a Wolf range, but it depends on your lifestyle, she said.

Homeowners who arent doing a gut rehab and really are scrimping can get new doors and hardware for their existing cabinets, Kruskol said, which can quickly update the look. Even refinishing existing doors can refresh a tired kitchen.

The two areas worth a splurge are cabinets and countertops, they said. Consider stepping up to semi-custom cabinets from a local cabinet supplier and avoiding the big-box retailer.

Working with a local cabinet supplier to design creative storage can help eliminate a lot of the wasted space in kitchens, Kruskol said. Upgrades like pull-out shelves and Lazy Susans are useful, but Falk warned about getting carried away with other costly upgrades like appliance garages and built-in spice drawers. These can look nice but may not be practical, she added.

Another benefit to using semi-custom cabinets is they can be designed to fit a homes inevitable imperfections in a way prefabricated cabinets cant, said Darmoni and Falk.

All three said consider upgrading to natural stone countertops versus manufactured styles. Not only do they look beautiful, but they will last for years. Granite has always been popular, but high-end materials like quartz and quartzite are becoming affordable.

The one stone they dont recommend for kitchens is marble.

Its porous and stains easily. For instance, if you put a coffee cup on it, it gets a ring that doesnt go away, Kruskol said.

The rest is here:
Where to save, where to splurge in kitchen remodel - Fredericksburg.com

FULL VIDEO- Video shows Carson School Protesters believe 8-year-old was bullied to death Victims of 1979 Mount Adams balcony collapse Amish buggy and car collide in Adams County Former Campbell County judge Timothy Nolan Is Sheriff Neil too easy on drunken deputies- I-Team- Sheriff ducks questions about WCPO staffers share their best texts from mom Healthy living- Cotton swabs- heroin and Corrections officer forces man into holding cell Testing out Kroger-s new meal kits Traffic mess on I-75 near Linn Street Traffic backs up after semi crash sprays Northbound I-75 reopens after semi crash Mount Adams hillside continues to slip Sister says she tried protecting boy shot in overdose deaths on the rise in Hamilton County overdose deaths on the rise in Hamilton County Car theft suspect falls 200 feet after chase PD- Crews rescue man who fell 200 feet off Crews rescue person from cliff behind Cincinnati Ben-Gals dance auditions Part 1 Ben-Gals dance auditions Part 2 Ben-Gals swimsuit competition Former heroin addict helps people find PD- 10-yr-old boy shot twice in Avondale Sheriff-s deputy choked unconscious at Wes Retherford OVI video contains warning Love triangle blamed for cold case murder High schoolers create a special surprise for Mount Adams hillside has been a concern for decades Retaining wall collapse sends hillside into Engineers trying to determine what caused Victim- Kidnapper said- -You-re mine now- Grocery secrets that get you to spend Prom- Wyoming- Glen Este and Roger Bacon- 1988 AAA recommends roundabouts among ways to Patricia Temke recounts night neighbor Mount Adams residents fear the impact of Families forced from their Mount Adams homes Bride-to-be Ally Kraemer wants your wedding advice

Read more here:
Home Tour: This 1858 house overlooking the Ohio River comes with rich lore and rich trappings - WCPO

By Kelsey Bajada, Morning Star Builders

Photo: Courtesy Of Morning Star Builders

This second service kitchen is both well designed and functional.

This second service kitchen is both well designed and functional.

GHBA Remodelers Council: Make way for the service kitchen

Service kitchens, or second kitchens, are making a way in today's custom homes and remodel projects. There are many benefits to building a second kitchen, such as hiding kitchen messes, limiting food aromas, creating a cooking space that is separate from the entertaining area, and adding twice the amount of cooking space, appliances and storage.

The kitchen is the hub of the home and is used more than any other room in the house. So, it comes as no surprise that homeowners strive to make this space look and feel beautiful, as well as functional. Thus, the importance of a service kitchen becomes evident. With the addition of a second kitchen, the main kitchen becomes the focal point of the home, leaving the "mess" of a well-used kitchen behind the scenes.

It's crucial to point out that second kitchens are not only a viable option for new-construction homes, but also homes in the remodeling process. But, how do you convert one kitchen into two? You might be surprised how far a creative designer/builder and experienced project manager can get you. Often, a service kitchen can be created using unused hallway space, a rarely occupied formal dining room, or even your current pantry area.

The layout of a second kitchen can vary according to your unique, personal needs. It can be as simple as added counter space or storage and a second dishwasher. Or you may be looking for a full second kitchen, complete with a second dishwasher, oven, microwave, sink and more.

Designer and owner of Chairma Designs, Cindy Aplanalp, said, "Sometimes the doorway between the (two) kitchens is fun, like a brightly painted barn door or a cleaver pocket door with an interesting, obscure glass to let light pass, while still hiding the mess". The possibilities are endless.

Whether you are building a new-construction home or remodeling your current home, don't discount the second kitchen. This supplemental space can provide your home with the added convenience, function and beauty you've been looking for.

This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit http://www.ghba.org.

View post:
GHBA Remodelers Council: Make way for the service kitchen - Laredo Morning Times

BY RICH GRISET STAFF WRITER

People are concerned about having the ground-floor master bedroom [as an] option for aging parents. With baby boomers eyeing a future where theyll age in place and millennials renovating older homes, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies is anticipating healthy growth for the U.S. home improvement market through 2025.

The centers recently released report Demographic Change and the Remodeling Outlook also states that boomers will continue to drive the remodeling market, and that the amount spent on improvements and repairs by homeowners and renters reached an all-time high of $340 billion in 2015, eclipsing the previous peak in 2007.

Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the center, says that the study was conducted to see how demographics will shape the future of the countrys remodeling market. For the past few decades, boomers have been the key drivers of the housing and home improvement markets. Baker says that trend will continue for the foreseeable future.

There was some thought that that [trend] was going to wane a little bit, Baker says. It looks like were not quite there yet. The baby boomer generation is still so large, and by and large wants to remain in their current home.

Baby boomers have been refitting their homes in order to care for aging parents, and in anticipation of a future when they themselves arent as mobile. Dan Bawden, 2017 chairman of the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers organization, agrees. There is an ever-increasing demand for aging-in-place work, Bawden says. He adds that boomers often make modifications to their own homes after seeing their parents age. They often take a look around their own home and go, If I broke my leg in a car wreck, could I get into my own house? Could I get into the bathroom?

Bawdens company, Legal Eagle Contractors Co., specializes in remodeling homes for the elderly in the Houston area. As aging-in-place home remodeling is more of a necessity (instead of, say, remodeling a kitchen for younger homeowners), Bawden says his company managed better than most during the economic downturn a few years ago. He adds that hes seen many more intergenerational projects such as adding in-law suites to facilitate having peoples aging parents move back in with them.

Kathy Corbet, owner of Willow Lawnbased Kathy Corbet Interiors, says shes seen this trend take place locally.

People are concerned about having the ground-floor master bedroom [as an] option for aging parents, says Corbet, a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry Central Virginia.

Now that the economy has come back, Corbet says boomers are finally getting around to projects they had been putting off, such as remodeling kitchens and master bathrooms. She says many boomers and millennials are trying to incorporate amenities that theyve seen at restaurants and hotels into their homes, like adding an independent coffee bar in the kitchen.

An increase in the countrys older housing inventory, as much as a million homes a year, is also expected as aging baby boomers move into retirement homes. Meanwhile, as homes appreciate and regain value lost due to the 2007-08 recession, homeowners can borrow against their equity to undertake larger projects.

Bawden says boomers are still trying to keep up with the Joneses, adding features to their homes like outdoor kitchens and living areas, and redoing indoor kitchens. Baker says energy-efficient features are continuing to gain popularity, and that home automation electronic systems that control everything from home temperature to appliances has become popular in the past couple years.

People are just much more used to their smartphone as a way to manage their life, Baker explains.

The Harvard report also states that millennials are poised to enter the remodeling market, but arent quite there yet. Given the cost of land and other factors, new starter homes are expensive to build and are often located in the outer suburbs and exurbs places millennials dont tend to gravitate toward. For both of these reasons, its expected that millennials will buy more affordable, older homes and remodel them.

Still, Baker says millennials have not entered the remodeling market as much as had been anticipated.

They have been so late in forming households, having children, buying homes, Baker says. Were not going to see a ton of growth from younger households quite yet.

Whenever they do start buying homes, Bawden says theres plenty of inventory in need of his services.

Theres a lot of housing stock that needs to be remodeled, and a lot of cities have older neighborhoods that are becoming gentrified, Bawden says.

Read this article:
Boomers fueling uptick in remodeling | http://www.chesterfieldobserver ... - Chesterfield Observer

Albany's Landmarks Advisory Commission will offer two free events on Saturday, May 20, for residents and visitors who want ideas and tips for remodeling or restoring their historic kitchen and for those who want to learn more about Albanys historic homes.

The first event is a Historic Kitchen Talk & Tour from 12:45 to 3 p.m. Participants will gather at the Albany Regional Museum, 136 Lyon St., for a brief presentation about historic kitchen design.

After the presentation, participants will drive or bike to four historic homes with kitchens dating from the 1900s to the 1950s.

The second event is a Historic Kitchen Contractor Fair from 2 to 5 p.m. at Calapooia Brewery, 140 Hill St. NE. Contractors and vendors with historic building and kitchen expertise will be available to share their knowledge and answer questions about restoring and renovating historic houses and kitchens.

Preregistration is required for the Historic Kitchen Talk & Tour. To register, call 541-791-0176 or email shawna.adams@cityofalbany.net by 5 p.m., Friday, May 19. Preregistration is not required for the Contractor Fair at Calapooia Brewery. Participants can take part in one or both events.

The events are partially supported with funds from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service.

Read more here:
Historic Kitchen Talk and Tour planned - Albany Democrat Herald

Home improvement, home renovation, or remodeling is the process of renovating or making additions to one's home. Home improvement can be projects that upgrade an existing home interior (such as electrical and plumbing), exterior (masonry, concrete, siding, roofing), or other improvements to the property (i.e. garden work or garage maintenance/additions).

While "home improvement" often refers to building projects that alter the structure of an existing home, it can also include improvements to lawns, gardens, and outdoor structures, such as gazebos and garages. It also encompasses maintenance, repair and general servicing tasks. Home improvement projects generally have one or more of the following goals:[1]

Maintenance projects can include:

Additional living space may be added by:

Homeowners may reduce utility costs with:

Emergency preparedness safety measures such as:

Home or residential renovation is an almost $300 billion industry in the United States,[4] and a $48 billion industry in Canada.[5][full citation needed] The average cost per project is $3,000 in the United States and $11,00015,000 in Canada.

Professional home improvement is ancient and goes back to the beginning of recorded civilization. One example is Sergius Orata, who in the 1st century B.C. is said by the writer Vitruvius (in his famous book De architectura) to have invented the hypocaust. The hypocaust is an underfloor heating system that was used throughout the Roman empire in villas of the wealthy. He is said to have become wealthy himself by buying villas at a low price, adding spas and his newly invented hypocaust, and reselling them at higher prices.

Perhaps the most important or visible professionals in the renovation industry are renovation contractors or skilled trades. These are the builders that have specialized credentials, licensing and experience to perform renovation services in specific municipalities.

While there is a fairly large grey market of unlicensed companies, there are those that have membership in a reputable association and/or are accredited by a professional organization. Homeowners are recommended to perform checks such as verifying license and insurance and checking business references prior to hiring a contractor to work on their house.

Home improvement was popularized on television in 1979 with the premiere of This Old House starring Bob Vila on PBS. American cable channel HGTV features many do-it-yourself shows, as does sister channel DIY Network.[6]Danny Lipford hosts and produces the nationally syndicated Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford. Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete co-host the nationally syndicated The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show.

Movies that poked fun at the difficulties involved include: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948), starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy; George Washington Slept Here (1942), featuring Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan; and The Money Pit (1986), with Tom Hanks and Shelley Long. The sitcom Home Improvement used the home improvement theme for comedic purposes.

Excerpt from:
Home improvement - Wikipedia

Since quartz is manufactured, you can choose the exact pattern, color, and texture you want. Many people like being able to choose the exact appearance of their counters, while others like the varied, unique look of granite.

Were proud to work with the helpful team at Pacific Shore Stones.

Many people think replacing kitchen cabinets is much more expensive than refacing them. However, we find that we can usually replace your kitchen cabinets with Waypoint for about the same price as refinishing your cabinets. Replacing your cabinets gives you the benefit of new boxes and drawers with full-extension, soft-close drawer boxes. These add value to your home.

If you already love your kitchen counters, refacing is a perfect alternative. You can choose from many door styles and finishes, and we handle refacing quickly and with minimal disruption.

We provide services to Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, Lompoc, Nipomo, Santa Ynez, Orcutt and other cities and towns in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.

Here is the original post:
Kitchen Remodeling Contractor | New Life Bath & Kitchen

Home Reality VR by MR Direct

Toledo, Ohio (PRWEB) May 10, 2017

Designed as a tool to envision multiple options before remodeling the kitchen or bath; the new Home Reality VR app from MR Direct has truly fulfilled its purpose. This technology provides potential customers with an out-of-this-world experience as they plan their renovations.

Home Reality AR was the first app designed by MR Direct. It utilized augmented reality and allowed any combination of sinks and countertops to be previewed in a users actual home environment. This augmented reality app was designed for use with iPads or Android tablets and has been met with great enthusiasm for several years.

With the recent advent of virtual reality headset systems, like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the MR Direct tech team set out to use this revolutionary science to their customers advantage. The new Home Reality VR app is a virtual reality program which will allow the user to walk throughout a pseudo kitchen or bath with the sensation of actually being there. While strolling through this virtual room, one can create a palette of infinite colors and use it to change the shade of the walls and floor. Also, any countertop, from an extensive library of the most popular styles, can be switched in and out at will. And most importantly, any model from the entire collection of MR Direct sinks can be inserted into or on these countertops. The combinations are truly endless as the user can mix and match all the elements and then walk around the room to view their choices from any angle.

Home Reality VR will soon be available in app stores free of charge.

A more complete story of both Home Reality apps, and the full collection of MR Direct sinks and faucets, can be reviewed by visiting http://www.MRDirectint.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Read more here:
New Home Reality VR App Offers Speculative Remodeling in a Virtual Kitchen or Bath - PR Web (press release)

Remodeling Construction Contractors offers highly respected service throughout the Fontana, California area. The Fontana Bath and Kitchen Remodeling team has been awarded the Best of 2015 recognition for Fontana.

Fontana CA: Remodeling Construction Contractors is the recipient of the Best of Fontana 2015 award. The Fontana Bath and Kitchen Remodeling professionals offer free consultations during the first visit with the team. The First Responder Discount amounts to five percent off. Saving money with the contractors team is part of the quality expectations delivered by the professional team. The company offers room addition, solar panel installation, bath and kitchen remodels and concrete. The professional team serves the greater Fontana area including Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and all the way down to Chino Hills, California.

A spokesperson for the team explains, We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty, integrity, and treats your home improvement as if it were our own. You will find us to be competitively priced, with close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships, and guarantee your satisfaction. In fact, our excellence was recognized by Best Businesses in Fontana.

He continues, Whether you have a house to renovate, you are looking for a room addition, or just need a block wall and a concrete patio, you can feel secure, knowing you will get prompt service and the best contractor construction prices in Fontana California. You have come to the best remodel company in the Inland Empire.

RCC is a leading construction contractor in Fontana CA, with more than twenty years of experience. The team has completed thousands of remodel and construction projects. The professional team is known for its ability to exceed expectations in residential construction. As a top-rated firm, the experts should be the renovation choice for Fontana residents.

The contractor in Fontana specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations, solar panel installation, roofs, windows and door installation, realistic synthetic turf installation (save water), concrete and paver installers, flooring-tile or stone, room additions, patio covers, and more. The professionals put the final touch on all the projects.

More information is available at http://www.RemodelingConstructionContractors.com.

###

Contact Remodeling Construction Contractors:

Karl (909) 726-7100 MyRemodelingContractor@gmail.com 15129 Foothill Blvd #E, Fontana CA 92335

Continued here:
Fontana Bath and Kitchen Remodeling Receives Best of 2015 Award In Fontana - Digital Journal

Tuesday, May 9, 2017 - by Mike Croxall, president, Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga

People remodel their homes for many different reasons, with an eye toward their own enjoyment and the eventual resale value. Some want to give new life to a house with an out-of-date floor plan. Baby boomers who want to stay in their homes as they age as well as younger home owners who are looking ahead want to enhance accessibility. And, many home owners want to add sustainable home features that also save money on utility bills.

As the home building and remodeling industry celebrates National Home Remodeling Month in May, one this is clear home owners are taking their wish lists to professional remodelers to make them happen.

Open up to new spaciousness Open floor plans remain as popular as ever, and more and more home owners are choosing to take out an interior wall or two to make the space feel larger and more connected.

Remove a wall between the kitchen and a formal dining room and the newly opened space can breathe new life into the entire floor. Natural light enters from more directions and family members working in the kitchen or eating at the counter can interact with others watching television or doing homework. Entertaining takes on a new ease, as friends can gather and move about more freely in the space.

Design for aging in place Enhancing your home to better accommodate aging in place can also be an upgrade in style, ease of use, and comfort for everyone.

A bathroom upgrade where luxury meets universal design might include a large walk-in shower with zero-threshold, a built-in teak bench or tile corner seat, and multiple shower heads, including a waist-high sprayer.

A new kitchen island may add an eye-catching look and adaptive conveniences with multi-level countertops of an easy to maintain, durable and attractive material such as engineered quartz, a deep drawer for dishes and another for the microwave, and a sink with hands-free faucet.

Going green Remodeling your home can not only fulfill your familys dream of a more comfortable and stylish home, but depending on the upgrades you choose, you can also realize savings on utility costs, improve air quality for better health and strengthen the long-term value of your home.

Some of the top upgrades that can make a home more energy efficient include putting in high-efficiency windows and low-flow water fixtures, replacing appliances and water heaters with ENERGY STAR-rated models, increasing or upgrading the quality of insulation, and installing a high-efficiency HVAC system that is appropriately sized for the area that is to be heated or cooled.

To learn more about remodeling or to find a remodeler in your area, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at HBAGC.net.

See the original post here:
Mike Croxall: Much To Celebrate About Home Remodeling - The Chattanoogan