What to spend on a kitchen remodel
According to Angie Hicks, of consumer group Angie's List, "The kitchen is the center part of your home. You spend a lot of time as a family gathering in the kitchen so it's a great place for consumers to invest dollars to make that space better fit their needs and still get a good return on your investment. The average kitchen remodel, if you plan on living in your house for a few years, gets you about an 85 percent return on your investment. And when you think about a remodel job, you can do a job for even a few thousand dollars by freshening up some paint, even door handles on the cabinets, all the way up to several thousand dollars if you are thinking about a full remodel."
Tips from Angie's List:
· You can remodel your kitchen for around $5000 but costs can climb much higher depending on size and whether you're gutting the old and replacing everything or doing something smaller.
· To maximize your return, don't spend more than 20 percent of the value of your home on your kitchen remodel. So if your home is worth $200,000, the most you likely want to spend on a kitchen remodel is $40,000.
· Don't go overboard for your neighborhood or your budget. If you can't afford double
Popular kitchen remodeling trends according to Angie's List:
· The biggest trend right now isn't a product: it's getting more value for less money. Consumers are investing in their homes, but they're more willing to negotiate now and shop for bargains.
· One of the ways to do this is to buy less expensive cabinets - or have your existing cabinets refaced - and instead focus on the trim and hardware, like door handles, because that's where the eyes are going to go anyway. A fresh coat of paint is also another less expensive way to spruce up a kitchen.
· Energy efficient appliances will start paying you back immediately, and you're going to be using these devices every day. So invest well in these items.
· Brushed nickel and stainless are popular, and quartz countertops are as popular these days as granite.
Angie's List tips for hiring a remodeling contractor for your kitchen:
· Kitchen remodels are among the most complicated projects out there because one part of the job depends on other parts of the job being done first and you could have a handful of different tradespeople responsible for each job. Chances are, your contractor has other jobs going and he'll be trying to get the most out of his crew so you want to streamline your project so you can get the specialists you need when you need them.
· Unless you can devote most of your time to the project, you may want to hire a general contractor to coordinate the electrician, the plumber and the others who will work on cabinets and countertops, tiling, flooring, appliances, lighting and painting.
· Do your homework to learn what your local licensing requirements are and don't settle for anyone who doesn't carry a valid license. They need to be insured and bonded, as well. If they aren't happy to show you proof of these things, find another contractor.
· If you are doing a total kitchen remodel, ask the contractor if/where they will set up a temporary kitchen for you and your family to use while the project is underway. Eating out for every meal gets old and expensive fast. And so does doing your dishes in the bathtub.
· Few homeowners are really prepared for the stress a weeks-long project has on their daily life. So after you've decided on a licensed, insured and bonded contractor, talk to him or her about these things. Set ground rules for when the crew can arrive, where materials will and things like that.
If you're thinking about a home remodeling job, the kitchen may be one of the best places to start.
According to Angie Hicks, of consumer group Angie's List, "The kitchen is the center part of your home. You spend a lot of time as a family gathering in the kitchen so it's a great place for consumers to invest dollars to make that space better fit their needs and still get a good return on your investment. The average kitchen remodel, if you plan on living in your house for a few years, gets you about an 85 percent return on your investment. And when you think about a remodel job, you can do a job for even a few thousand dollars by freshening up some paint, even door handles on the cabinets, all the way up to several thousand dollars if you are thinking about a full remodel."
Tips from Angie's List:
· You can remodel your kitchen for around $5000 but costs can climb much higher depending on size and whether you're gutting the old and replacing everything or doing something smaller.
· To maximize your return, don't spend more than 20 percent of the value of your home on your kitchen remodel. So if your home is worth $200,000, the most you likely want to spend on a kitchen remodel is $40,000.
· Don't go overboard for your neighborhood or your budget. If you can't afford double
Popular kitchen remodeling trends according to Angie's List:
· The biggest trend right now isn't a product: it's getting more value for less money. Consumers are investing in their homes, but they're more willing to negotiate now and shop for bargains.
· One of the ways to do this is to buy less expensive cabinets - or have your existing cabinets refaced - and instead focus on the trim and hardware, like door handles, because that's where the eyes are going to go anyway. A fresh coat of paint is also another less expensive way to spruce up a kitchen.
· Energy efficient appliances will start paying you back immediately, and you're going to be using these devices every day. So invest well in these items.
· Brushed nickel and stainless are popular, and quartz countertops are as popular these days as granite.
Angie's List tips for hiring a remodeling contractor for your kitchen:
· Kitchen remodels are among the most complicated projects out there because one part of the job depends on other parts of the job being done first and you could have a handful of different tradespeople responsible for each job. Chances are, your contractor has other jobs going and he'll be trying to get the most out of his crew so you want to streamline your project so you can get the specialists you need when you need them.
· Unless you can devote most of your time to the project, you may want to hire a general contractor to coordinate the electrician, the plumber and the others who will work on cabinets and countertops, tiling, flooring, appliances, lighting and painting.
· Do your homework to learn what your local licensing requirements are and don't settle for anyone who doesn't carry a valid license. They need to be insured and bonded, as well. If they aren't happy to show you proof of these things, find another contractor.
· If you are doing a total kitchen remodel, ask the contractor if/where they will set up a temporary kitchen for you and your family to use while the project is underway. Eating out for every meal gets old and expensive fast. And so does doing your dishes in the bathtub.
· Few homeowners are really prepared for the stress a weeks-long project has on their daily life. So after you've decided on a licensed, insured and bonded contractor, talk to him or her about these things. Set ground rules for when the crew can arrive, where materials will and things like that.
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