The first step for kitchen remodeling

Your dream kitchen will take some planning to meet the needs of your household. Find your focus in a family conference, discussing the new kitchen from each person points of view .First, look at the kitchen you’ve got. What is good about it? What is not so good? Is it too small, to dark? Is storage lacking? Are the appliances old, the finish faded? Have you always detested the cabinets?

Next focuses on the future. How will each family member use the new kitchen? Will everyone cook? Is this where the kids will hang out with their friends or do the home work? Will you want a baking center, planning desk, dining area? Do you love to entertain? How sociable do you actually want to be? Will you chat with gest while you cook, or do you want to prepare your culinary masterpieces in private? Will you want to open your new kitchen to surrounding rooms o to the outdoors?  

What about the size? Can you expand your present kitchen by annexing nearby space, thus avoiding major structural change? Does your budget permit an addition? Perhaps just reconfiguring your present kitchen will do the trick.

Your family conference will produce a clear picture of the kitchen your family wants. Put the ideas you discussed on paper in the form of a rough sketch. Whether you do the work yourself or turn the sketch over to a professional, you’ll have taken the first step towards making your kitchen dreams a reality. 

How to make your laundry room more functional

Is your laundry room as functional as you would like it?

This picture shows great ideas of how to maximize your storage space in your laundry room. Cabinets above your washer and dryer  machine give you extra needed space for storage, not to mention a countertop in your laundry room makes folding laundry so much easier.

The Pros and Cons of Countertop Options

 

Whether expanding your kitchen, adding an island, or building a new home, the right kitchen countertops are an essential ingredient for your cooking pleasure. Countertops can make a huge difference in the value of your home, and the right countertop can also bring out the gourmet chef in you. You will want to consider style, beauty, durability, and price. The do-it-yourselfer may also want to bear in mind the ease of installation. Here are a few options to ponder:

How to get a Home improvement grants

Home improvement grants can significantly help in budgeting for a kitchen remodeling project. Home improvement grants are not difficult to obtain. Complete government grant application forms and list all of your needs and wants. Approval should take a short period of time. Once approved, the funds should be available in a couple of weeks.

Two scams to avoid

When someone makes the decision to begin a home kitchen remodeling project, they can open themselves up to risk by entrusting their home to a stranger. Here are two scams to avoid:

“Free” Inspections

Beware of companies that advertise free home inspection. Often times, burglars use these ads as a ploy to check out your home. Seemingly-legit contractors can also use free inspections to find non-existent problems with your home. If a contractor offers a free inspection or estimate, be sure to check their credentials before allowing them into your home.

Handshake Deals

When it comes to a construction project, relying solely on a stranger’s promise is risky. By not getting your contract in writing, you run the risk of being overcharged, having deadlines ignored, and getting shoddy workmanship. An oral contract can be unenforceable in court.

Unless you know and trust your contractor and have seen their work before, get everything – from the estimate to the timeframe and deadline to all work the contractor will be performing – in writing.