From Concept to Construction ™

Kitchen Remodeling Best Practices

September 13, 2024

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house, and many homeowners choose to redesign it to keep it modern and practical. If your kitchen is worn out and you are looking to remodel it, you should know that you will face hefty expenses. The good thing is that remodeling is a long-term investment that can raise the value of your home. Due to this, you must put your ducks in a row and do the right things so you don’t spend too much time and money on the project. Some of the things you should do include: Have a plan A clear end goal and vision are essential for a successful kitchen makeover. You should note that this is not a nice picture of what you want your kitchen to look like. You need to decide what your life—and your family’s life—will look like in this new space because the kitchen must perform to meet those ends. Before you begin the remodeling, sit with your condo remodel contractors and explain your vision. You should then devise a plan for proceeding with the project. Being realistic is just as vital as any other aspect of home renovation planning. Before acquiring supplies or knocking down walls, ensure you understand what you can reasonably accomplish within your budget and available area. Make sure you’re also practical about upkeep—if you have children and know you won’t be able to tolerate continuous fingerprint smudges, stainless steel may not be the ideal option, even if you prefer the design. Understand the costs involved You should know the amount of money you plan to spend on the project. To do this, select the most crucial features in the kitchen. These include a kitchen island, correctly tiered lighting, increased drawer or cabinet space, and a dedicated food pantry. You should then allocate your finances appropriately. While working, monitor your budget to ensure you stay on track with your kitchen renovation projects. Even after creating your budget, you may find yourself spending more. Thus, it is critical to set aside a contingency reserve. Take time and extensively research possible cabinetry, countertops, flooring, appliances, accessories, and lighting options. This will reduce the chances of making mistakes. You should then set aside a 15% to 20% contingency. Choose the right floor. If you intend to install hardwood floors in your new kitchen, you should be cautious and ensure that you select the suitable wood. You should choose timber treated with the proper finish; a pre-finished sealed hardwood is a good choice. Hardwood flooring can be slippery, whereas a textured surface, such as hand-scraped, distressed, or reclaimed wood, can provide greater traction while concealing kitchen wear and strain. To be safe, use wood with a high Janka hardness rating, such as hickory, so it can withstand frequent use and drops while minimizing damage. The kitchen is the most accident-prone room in the house, so it’s critical to safeguard the areas where slips are most likely to occur when choosing new flooring. Use rugs or pads in front of the fridge, sink, dishwasher, and pantry. Many homeowners choose cork […]

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Living in a House You Are Remodeling? Valuable Tips to Consider

February 26, 2024

Are you thinking about having a home remodel project? Many people often leave their homes until the home addition contractors are done with the project. But what if you want to continue staying in the house? Which tips should you follow to increase your comfort levels and, at the same time, ensure that the contractors complete the project fast and within the given time frame? Here are these tips: Order your fixtures ahead of time Most remodel projects run into unexpected issues that will cause the project to be delayed. You don’t want this to happen to your project, do you? One way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to order your parts ahead of time. Make sure you’re prepared for the project by having all your parts selected and ordered prior to the start of your project. Either having a lead time as to when they’ll arrive or already having them on site makes a world of difference. If you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom and want to upgrade your vanity, hardware, cabinets, and worktops, choosing the fixtures ahead of time will spare you a few hassles during the demolition process. This way, you won’t be left with a mess in your home or everyday areas that aren’t in use for any longer than necessary. Cannot decide between different finishes or fixtures? Get in touch with an experienced interior designer who will help you make the right selection. Think about where you will be preparing the meals. The most inconvenient aspect of home remodeling is the extended downtime in the kitchen. Aside from the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most often-used rooms in the house. It’s the heartbeat of every home, but during a renovation, those comfortable home-cooked meals are unlikely to be available. However, this does not imply you cannot enjoy home-cooked meals. With a kitchen redesign underway, you can still cook at home; you just need to make a few changes. One trick you can use is to set up a mock kitchen in another room. Prepare a coffee machine, an electric griddle, and a plastic table to set up elsewhere in your home. You will also need to transfer your refrigerator using an extension cord. Of course, eating out is always an option, but you don’t have to, especially if your budget doesn’t allow. To save some money, fire up the grill. Cooking will become more interesting throughout a kitchen redesign. Plan food for barbecues, romantic nights, or family gatherings, or invite yourself to a friend’s place for dinner. Remember to stockpile the paper plates, glasses, and utensils until your kitchen returns to normal. Consider a staycation. It’s no secret that remodeling entails destruction, which means there will be a lot of noise and a disorganized mess. Those who work from home or seek relaxation after a long day at work should approach the project with the assumption that there will be no peace and quiet until the project is completed. Also, you won’t have a clean and tidy residence for the duration of the project. Be prepared for a mess during the project. […]

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Tips to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen

October 17, 2023

One of the most exciting home improvements home addition contractors or homeowners can undertake is to plan and design a kitchen makeover. For your project to be a success, you need to consider several tips. These tips include:  Functionality Once you’ve decided on a design, the next thing to consider is how you’ll use your kitchen. Do you enjoy cooking fancy meals, or is this mostly a place for quick, casual dining? It is critical to understand your lifestyle and culinary habits. Consider the kitchen workflow, ensuring the stove, sink, and refrigerator form a suitable triangle for quick meal prep. Your kitchen layout should be determined by how you use it, as well as the type of appliances and accessories you want to include, such as lighting, storage, workstation, and seating.  This will assist you in determining which dream kitchen changes are required for your and your family’s routines.  Choose appliances that complement your culinary habits and lifestyle. You should go for energy-efficient units to save on energy and cut your utility bills. Energy-efficient units are not only good for the environment, but they can also save money in the long run. When choosing the appliance, consider upgrading or replacing any current appliances, such as the refrigerator, oven, stove, dishwasher, microwave, or range hood. You should also consider the price of installation and maintenance for your equipment. Layout and flow Kitchen arrangement is critical because it defines how easy or difficult it will be to move and work there.  When designing a remodel, consider and optimize the existing layout to produce a useful and efficient kitchen. This includes looking at the work triangle and the location of other important features like cabinets, counters, and appliances.  You also should consider the kitchen’s natural traffic flow and ensure there is enough room for mobility. Evaluate how you now use the space and find any pain points or areas of inefficiency. A well-planned kitchen should have a logical flow that reduces the distances between major work zones. A great way to choose the layout is to picture yourself in the kitchen and think about how you use it throughout the day, creating a flow chart to evaluate how the space is used at different times.  You should keep pots and pans within arm’s reach, organize your utensils for convenient access, and keep your spice rack a simple turn away.  You can go with various layout options, including L-shaped, U-shaped, galley, island, and peninsula. You should also consider whether walls, doors, or windows should be relocated or removed to provide additional room or light. Pay attention to the kitchen layout and how it connects to adjacent spaces. An open-plan kitchen design, for example, might encourage a fluid flow between the kitchen and dining or living areas, encouraging a sense of togetherness. Style and aesthetics Next, examine your kitchen’s aesthetics and design. It should reflect your unique style while remaining visually consistent with the rest of your home. Consider the color schemes, materials, and design components of your kitchen. Your kitchen’s style shows your personality and taste, so you must choose an overall design and […]

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Kitchen Remodels That Are Worth It

February 9, 2023

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best ways to make your kitchen more appealing and increase its functionality. Are you wondering which are some of the best kitchen remodels worth it? here they are as given by commercial remodeling experts: Add an island Putting in an island isn’t easy, but if you plan to stay in your house for a while, it’s worth it. This hard-working feature adds value and has been on many buyers’ most-wanted lists for a long time, so if you are looking to sell your house down the line, adding a kitchen island can be a great way to increase the value of your home. When you add the island, you immediately have more prep space, storage, and seating space. Adding an island is a great idea, but you should avoid doing it if your kitchen is too small, as you will make it too clumped. As a rule of thumb, only put one up if you have at least 36 inches of space around it on all sides. 42 to 48 inches is even better. Stick to simple, neutral cabinetry. Cabinets usually last 20 to 25 years. For this to happen, stick to styles that will last this long. When choosing the colors, choose warmer neutral colors as they are more pleasing and safe. Pick the correct grade of the cabinet. There are four levels of quality for cabinets: custom, semi-custom, stock, and ready-to-assemble. You should work with your remodeling professional and design custom cabinets for your new kitchen. The beauty of custom or semi-custom cabinets is that you have many sizes to choose from. You also have many cabinet design and finish options. If you can’t afford to buy all new cabinets, you can save time and money by giving them a fresh coat of paint. Change the hardware Changing the hardware is another easy way to give old cabinets a new look. There are a lot of different prices for cabinet knobs and handles, but you don’t have to spend a lot to make a big difference. You can find many cheap options. Plus, you don’t have to worry about going too trendy because it’s easy to change back if it goes out of style. To have an easy time, work with an experienced contractor who will guide you on the proper hardware to go for. Go for marble countertops (or a cheaper look-alike) Creamy Calacatta and Carrara are still very popular with homeowners who like their appearance. The downside is that they need more care and cost more. If you love natural stone countertops, marble countertops are an excellent choice. To protect them from staining, seal them before installing them, then at least once a year after that. You also should be cautious when preparing your meals and avoid spills. In the event of an accident, move with haste and remove the spillage before it soaks into the inner layers. If you can’t afford marble, some options cost less. Quartz is an example of an engineered stone that looks a lot like marble and is stain-resistant and antimicrobial. Quartz doesn’t absorb […]

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Tricks To Modernize Your Home

January 27, 2023

If you have had your house for a long time, it’s most likely outdated. If you love to give your home a modern, refreshed look, you can do several things with your commercial remodeling professional to give it a look you are after. Some of the things you can do include: Update the furniture When was the last time you replaced the furniture in your home? Since the house is old, it has been a long. One excellent way to give the house a modern look is to update the furniture. There are no right or wrong pieces of furniture to install, as different houses look best in different units. Regardless of your choices, you need to avoid trendy pieces as it’s a matter of time before they get out of fashion and you have the urge to replace them. When getting new pieces, pay more attention to their functionality. As a rule of thumb, you need to ensure that the new furniture serves the purpose and meets your needs. You should always get high-quality pieces that not only look good but also will last for a long time. Again, there is no telling which ones are the best—you should work with your interior designer and find the ones that look the best for your home. You can furnish the house by yourself but for the perfect look, and work with an experienced interior designer. Repaint the house Paint gives any house a new breath of life. And the good thing is that it’s not expensive. While painting is an effective way to give your house a modern look, you shouldn’t go haphazardly at it—you need to be strategic in how you go about it. One of the tricks to use is to always go for neutral colors such as white, grey, and beige. These colors are timeless and give any house the clean, crisp look you are after. To make your house visually appealing, use a few bold accent colors. Some of the best places to use these accent colors include walls, furniture, and accessories. When it comes to the finish, go with a glossy finish that has been shown to give a modern touch to most homes. For a subtle look, avoid a matte finish that gives the house a more subdued, sophisticated look. Like when furnishing your house, you can do the work yourself or hire a professional to help you out. Incorporate smart home technology Including technology in your home will significantly make your home appear more modern. And the cool thing is that there are plenty of smart home appliances that you can include in your house. Some of the options you can go with include: Smart thermostats allow you to remotely control the temperature in your home using your phone or voice commands. There are many types of thermostats you can go with, and it’s up to you to research and find the one that is most ideal for your home. Smart lighting: These allow you to control your lights remotely. The lighting systems allow you to schedule the lights on and off. Using the systems, you can […]

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What Renovations Increase Condo Value The Most?

November 9, 2022

If you have a condominium you are looking to sell, you might be wondering which are the best renovations to do to increase the value of the property as much as possible, right? Well, according to condo remodel contractors, there are plenty of options you can go with, which include: Install new appliances You are looking to remodel your condo because it’s old, and this is a disadvantage on your part as your old property is most likely competing with plenty of modern new builds. One way to give your property a new look and increase its value is to install new appliances. When you do this, you make the space look more attractive to potential buyers. The new appliances also give the buyers peace of mind, as they know they won’t need to install new units once in the house. When choosing the appliances, go with stainless steel appliances, as they tend to be durable and look good for a long time. Ensure that the devices you install match the house design and style for a uniform look. Replace your floor A good quality floor isn’t cheap, but when done right, it can increase the value of your condo by 80-100%. Well-installed floors give the space a luxurious, upgraded, new feel that is extremely attractive to buyers. While there are plenty of flooring options, one of the best to go with is the hardwood floor which looks good and gives the house a warm feel. Touch up the bathrooms In most cases, condo bathrooms are smaller than those in a regular house, which can work against you. You need to work on your bathroom to make your home more attractive. Of course, you can do plenty of things to your bathrooms, such as installing new countertops, a new floor, showers, toilets, sinks, light fixtures, cabinets, and others – it all depends on your budget. If you have a small budget, undertake minor touches such as paintwork or tile installation, but if your budget allows it, go full-blown and convert your bathroom into the most attractive one in the area. Increase the storage space Due to their limited footprint, most condos have smaller storage solutions, and like the smaller bathrooms, the restricted storage areas can work against you. To make more buyers interested in your property, you must increase storage space. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to go about it. One of the ways you can do this is to install dividers and organizers. Is the condo short of closets? Build additional elbow room. You should analyze the entire house, and if there are areas that can use more space, go ahead and install it if the house design allows it. Remodel the kitchen Giving the kitchen a new look significantly gives your property a fresh breath of life, and the cool thing is that there are plenty of areas you can work with. Sinks, countertops, faucets, and lighting can change and transform your house. Who should work on your project? Regardless of the areas you feel will improve the look and value of your house, ensure that the […]

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Starting a DIY Furniture Making Project: What You Need to Know

April 24, 2020

It can be boring at home due to the ongoing lockdown, quarantine, or whatever it is called in your place. But instead of bumming all day, you can use this time to be productive at home. Some may already be productive since they are working remotely. Otherwise, you can improve your home little by little during this time. Hiring a home additions builder may not be the best decision for now. However, you can plan for a home remodeling addition or condo remodeling (if you live in a condo unit). A home addition can be a simple tile replacement or a major one like building a living extension in your home. DIY furniture, anyone? It’s nice to imagine living in your dream home. With your own backyard pool, a landscaped garden, and majestic walk-in closet. You’ll feel like a celebrity having these amenities. There are home addition companies that can help transform your house into your dream home. Then again, it may not be the right time to hire home remodeling architects while there’s a lockdown/quarantine ongoing. For now, you can focus on other things that you can improve at home. Say, change your current bed and pillow sheets or add a carpet to your bedroom. Or why not make your own furniture? Making your own furniture may seem intimidating. However, you don’t have to be a professional carpenter or craftsman to make your own furniture. More so, it’s not complicated to maintain your home and keep it in style. DIY furniture ideas Want to make your own furniture? It can actually be not that as hard as you think. You can use your old furniture and recreate it into a creative and useful one. You can use an old bench and turn it into an extra space to place your home décor. You can just repaint it if there is no damage to the bench. It won’t spend a lot of your time refurbishing the old bench, table, or chair. Not only is it a resourceful way to reuse old furniture but can look good in your home, too. Why not add an indoor swing? You and your kids will surely love this DIY swing right in the comfort of your own home. You can make a hanging chair made from canvas, leather, or any other durable fabric available. With some knots, drills, and couple of stitches, you can create your DIY indoor swing.  Make sure there are no vases and other fragile items nearby or else it might be knocked down accidentally. If you have an old drawer, you can revamp it into a kitchen island. You can repaint, repair, and modify some parts if you want. For example, you can add a slab of wood on top so it can be a countertop as well. Plus, this DIY kitchen island can be your extra storage space and a kitchen attraction, too. Old road signs can be converted into stylish stool seatings at home. Secure the metal signs on wooden stools, bend it if necessary, and you will now have eye-catching trendy seats at home. Tips in crafting […]

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Choosing The Best Stove Or Oven For Your Kitchen

December 8, 2018

Having a home remodeling addition project is both rewarding and such an achievement. The kitchen – for one – is just one the most important part of the house every homeowner wanted to look inviting and nice. It is the same reason for having a piece of cooking equipment which is the workhorse of every kitchen. It’s a plus if you were able to score a stylish stove or oven because it will not only inspire you to cook but can also be your kitchens’ focal point. Choosing the right cooking device is based on what suits your lifestyle and needs. And for that, you have to do your homework for you to be able to take home the right cooking range or stove. Tips Before Purchasing A Stove Or Range Measurements Finding out the dimensions of your space is important to make sure that what you will be purchasing will fit. Consult with installation and stove expert regarding the right dimensions of your prospect item and your kitchen space. Kitchen Cabinet Spaces There are 3 kinds of ranges: the drop-in, slide-in, and freestanding. The drop-in can be supported by cabinets since it’s fueled by electricity. The slide-in is a perfect choice for in between cabinet spaces, while the freestanding should be placed where there are no cabinets beside it. Instant Or Gourmet Style There are a lot of homeowners who are experts when it comes to the kitchen. It’s like they own the entire space. Therefore, they are in need of a durable and high precision cooking equipment which could be a gas or induction. For daily chefs, they would prefer a convenient and versatile cooktop that is multi-functional in all aspects. Burner Quantity Matter If you think that a cooking top with 2 to 4 burners is fine, consider how big your family is and your lifestyle.  Choosing more professional and flexible equipment is what you need, 5 burners or more will work well with you. Choose A Power Burner A burner that easily heats up and is easy to control can be your kitchens best friend. It can flawlessly do anything you wish in your cooking. May it be for sauces, main courses, high or low heat requirement, big or small pans – you will always be in control. Consider The Right Type For You Buying is easy, but you have to decide well in what type of range or stove you want. There are three types: electric, gas, and dual-fuel (a gas top and electric oven in one). Whether you opted for an electric or a gas cooktop they separately have their own advantages. The Electric Smoothtop When it comes to style and modern look, the electric smooth top is a top choice. They usually come with an exceptional burner, at least. Other burners have dual expandable or triple components that allow you to change from large to small components or even a lower-power control. There are some ranges that can keep dishes warm through their centralized warming component. The excess heat of some burners takes time to completely cool off even when you have already […]

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Kitchen Remodeling Contractors: What You Need To Know About Kitchen Remodeling

January 9, 2018

As a homeowner, you will have to remodel your kitchen. You can do it on your own if you have the skills or hire Kitchen remodeling contractors if you have never done it before. Signs you need to remodel your kitchen Many people are always on the fence as to whether they should remodel their kitchen. While you can postpone the project, sometimes you have to remodel it. Here are signs that it’s time to renovate it: The appliances are falling apart: When your kitchen equipment starts developing issues, and the appliances don’t perform as good as they should, you need to remodel the kitchen. Falling apart appliances mean that your kitchen is old and it’s time for a facelift. The cabinets look old: The cabinets are the most conspicuous units in the kitchen. This means that when they lose their color and luster, they give your kitchen an ugly look. To improve the look of your kitchen, you need to renovate the cabinets. You can repaint them or install new ones. You don’t like the look of the kitchen: The cabinets might still be looking good, and the appliances might still be intact, but if you are feeling that you don’t like the current look, it’s time to ask a kitchen design contractor to give the kitchen a look and help you in renovating it. You might not like the current look if you have had a look for a long time. To enjoy spending time in the kitchen and also taking your friends there, you should improve the unit. Tips to consider when remodeling the kitchen For you to properly remodel the unit, you need to do a number of things. Some of these things include: Avoid doing it alone: You can renovate the unit on your own if the project is minor, but if its complex and you need to purchase some of the appliances, you should consider hiring a contractor to help you out. In addition to the expert professionally installing the units, he/she will also help you in buying the right units at least cost. Use high-quality materials: When renovating the kitchen, you should treat the project as a onetime thing. This means that you should do the project using high-quality materials. You should avoid cheap units as they don’t look good or last for a long time. You also should ensure that the project is done by a reputable kitchen renovation company Washington DC.

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Kitchen Renovation Tips

December 21, 2017

Are you looking to undertake kitchen renovation? Here are beneficial tips that will be of value to you: Avoid overspending Even if you want a beautiful kitchen, you are most likely like other homeowners—your eye is always at the cost of the project. Before you start the project, you should have a budget in place that will guide you on how you should spend your money. If you aren’t sure of how much to budget for, get the input of kitchen contractors. The key to avoiding overspending is starting the renovation early enough. When you start early, you will have enough time to visit the various stores and check what they have in store and how much they are selling them. You will also have time to find a reputable kitchen expert to help you with the installation of the units. Be cautious of trends Trends aren’t only important in the fashion industry; they are also important in kitchen remodeling. Before you begin the project, see a number of the recent publications and see what they have to say about the latest kitchen designs and plans. You also should make an effort of visiting the recently remodeled houses. This way you will have an idea of what is hot. For example, you will know the best kitchen countertops, cabinets, and other units that you should go for. While trends are important, you should also be cautious of the theme of your entire home. While keeping up with current trends, also remember the theme of the house. Don’t touch the water and gas lines If you have installed both of these units, you will agree with me that they don’t come cheap. This means that if your remodeling project requires you to move them from one place to another, you will have to part with a lot of money. To save money and also ensure that your water and gas is running normally, don’t move the lines from their original location. Don’t be too stingy While we have mentioned above that you should work at avoiding overspending, it doesn’t mean that you should go for the cheapest units in the market. You should note that you get what you pay. If you buy a product that is too cheap, you might end up with a unit that is too cheap that you have to replace it after only a short time which will be costly to you. To be on the safe side, you should work with your kitchen renovation company dc and find good quality units that cost less.

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