3 key features for kitchen renovations – KSHB

Remodeling your kitchen is a project with a costlikely to be recoupedwhen you sell and, more importantly, it will increase your enjoyment of living in your house.

When you put money into upgrades and appliances, your homes desirability to potential buyers in the future increases. But what are the best upgrades to choose for long-lasting value?

At the end of the day, there have always been three primary cost centers associated with kitchen renovation projects: cabinetry, countertops and appliances,"according to Mike Dodd, president and CEO of Wineteer Construction.

When you focus on these key features and select the best for your home, you will get a beautiful result well worth the investment.

First steps

Begin by figuring out your budget, and go from there. Its important to be realistic about what you can afford and to make research-based choices in your price bracket.

To start off, in the western region of the U.S., a minor kitchen remodel in 2016 cost $19,401, according to a detailedcost vs. value reportby remodeling.com.

This figure is an average, but you can get specific about likely cost.

Look to spend about 25 percent of the homes value for a new kitchen and 12 percent to 15 percent for an updated bathroom, according to one remodeler.

Cabinetry for functionality and aesthetics

Cabinetry is a concern for homeowners and contractors because it acts as a focal point of any kitchen, and accentuates counters and appliances. The wood, design and hardware choices you make will be front and center when anyone walks into the space.

Because theres no one-size-fits-all set of cabinets that will work for most homes, todays biggest trend is custom cabinetry.

Mixing and layering finishes and woods to create a custom look is a key trend, as is built-in accent cabinets that act as framework for the rest of the cabinetry, according to theNational Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Countertop trends and statistics

Next on the kitchen-remodeling agenda is countertops, an important asset, as the surface where homeowners do all their cooking, baking and even homework with kids.

When it came to kitchen countertops, granite remained the most popular type, followed by laminate, at 23 percent, and marble, at 19 percent, according to a trade group surveyof homeowners, builders, remodelers and general contractors.

Stone counter trends continue to dominate the kitchen remodeling field because they are durable, attractive and varied in appearance (they come in avariety of colorsand vein patterns). Granite and marble are the most popular, with shades ranging from black to pink, and everything between.

Appliance choices

Nearly 80 percent of homeowners undergoing a full kitchen renovation opted for new appliances. ... The most common were refrigerators, at 85 percent, followed by range ovens, at 74 percent, and those relationship-saving dishwashers, at 69 percent, the same survey found.

Appliances that blend into the rest of the kitchen are popular, as are smart appliances with internet connectivity. Choosing slate or wood appliances with new technological features gives you the best of classic looks and futuristic abilities.

Final steps

Once youve decided on the three key features of your kitchen remodel, youll have to work with professionals to get everything installed.

At the end of your remodel, take a moment to walk through your project and make a list of necessary adjustments, known as a punch list. If youre unsure about something, ask your contractor if that is normal or if he has a suggestion. Its best that this is brought up during the final stages of the project while your contractor is onsite, advisesNARI.

With research, attention to detail and careful supervision, your new kitchen will be poised to impress. Need more ideas for your kitchen remodel? Check out some examples from the experts atWineteer Construction.

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3 key features for kitchen renovations - KSHB