Aug

9

Move Or Remodel?

August 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment

remodelingHomeowners Julie and Scott Madison, who live in a home built in 1992 on a lot in south Phoenix, liked their neighborhood and house, which was the perfect size for them and their two children. But the home’s white laminate counter tops and oak cabinets cried out for an update.

So the couple, who own an accounting firm, took out a home equity loan for $75,000, they updated their kitchen and two bathrooms.

Remodeling has become a popular alternative for Valley homeowners whose house values have risen as much as 50 percent over the past five years. “I’ve never seen it so good,” said Wayne Minde, a Chandler, Arizona based remodeler who has been in business for 23 years. “All of a sudden, their home is worth more. They say, ‘We can afford to remodel.”

In the Phoenix metro area, the costs can range from $40,938 to $72,456 for a mid- range to upscale major kitchen remodel and $8,966 to $23,626 for a midrange to upscale master-bathroom fix-up, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2004 Cost vs. Value Report. Homeowners recoup 77 to 79 percent of the cost of a major kitchen remodel and 67 to 70 percent of bathroom remodels, according to Remodeling.

A midrange major kitchen remodel involves updating a 200-square-foot kitchen with new cabinets; sinks; faucet; appliances, including microwave; custom lighting; and laminate countertops. An upscale major kitchen remodel includes new custom cherry cabinets, stone countertops, commercial-grade oven, built-in refrigerator, new sinks, task lighting, flooring and ceramic-tile backsplash.

Flooring, cabinets, countertops and appliances bump up the cost of remodeling a kitchen. Flooring alone can account for 50 percent of a budget, said Sally Fisher, a certified kitchen designer with Affinity Kitchens in Scottsdale. Other costs are incidentals, such as drawer pulls, molding, pendant lamps, raised soffits, paint and gadgets, which often make the remodel sing.

According to Remodeling, a midrange bathroom remodel includes new fixtures, including a standard-size tub with a tile surround; tile floor; solid-surface countertop with two integral sinks; and vinyl wallpaper.

An upscale bathroom remodel involves enlarging a 5- by 7-foot bathroom to 9 by 9 feet within the existing space in the home as well as relocating and replacing the tub with a 4- by 6-foot shower featuring a full body wash shower wall; new toilet and bidet; tile floor; custom vanity cabinet with stone countertop; wallpaper; new lighting; and hardwood trim.

Depending on the bells and whistles - water jets, claw-foot legs and stylish shapes - tubs can cost thousands of dollars. Faucets and sinks, although available for less, can run $800 or more. As with kitchens, flooring and countertops are high-ticket items.

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Mar

21

Five Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes To Avoid

March 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Five mistakes you need to avoid when planning a kitchen remodel:

Not maximizing your storage space
Where you put your cabinets can be as important as how much they can store. Find organizational advantages–this means adding a swing-out caddy for cookware or a Lazy Susans for cabinet corners, installing pullout shelves in pantries, and outfitting drawers with glides and built-in dividers.

Not planning for ventilation
It is important to dispatch heat and odors in the kitchen. Options may include a vented over-the-stove microwave or a quality range hood.

Light it up
Lighting from the ceiling isn’t enough. implement lighting under cabinets to provide sufficient light while working at the kitchen counter.

Designing too large of an island
The island shouldn’t be any deeper than four feet. If more than one person is preparing food in the kitchen, allow at least three-and a half feet between the island and surrounding cabinetry.

Visible Garbage
Unless you are peeling potatoes several hours everyday, visible garbage receptacles have no place in kitchen design. Plan for a garbage space near the sink or dishwasher.

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Feb

26

Advice For Hiring A Reliable Kitchen Remodeling Contractor

February 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment

When you’ve decided to start your kitchen remodeling or renovation project it’s time to hire a . If your screening candidates, don’t just take their word for their work. Ask for the contact information of two or three customers who had similar projects or work performed.

In addition, get a feel for a personality “match.� Do you prefer a contractor that doesn’t want to be micro-managed? Or would you prefer working with someone that wants your input on every detail of the job?

A few good questions to ask prior clients of your prospective contractor may include the following:

1) What did they like about working with the contractor? What did they dislike?

2) Was the project completed in a timely fashion?

3) Did the cost of the project exceed the initial estimate?

4) Would you rehire the contractor for another project?

Once you have signed the contract, most remodeling contractors will require 20-30% down. The remaining balance should be paid incrementally throughout the project. Hang on to the remaining 10% balance until the project is completed to your satisfaction.

Feb

15

Kitchen Remodeling Project - Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinets

February 15, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Replacing your kitchen cabinets can be a very a costly project. Choosing the right style and design is important to successfully improving both the look and functionality of your kitchen. It is crucial that you make the right choices the first time to avoid added expenses and more importantly to ensure that you are pleased with the end product.

Let’s explore some of the choices you will need to make. When planning a kitchen remodel the first step is deciding on a cabinet maker. Once you have found a reputable professional it is time to start planning. Your first design decision is the placement of your cabinets. Going with a U-shape, an L-shape or even a straight-row of cabinets is a major decision.

Your choices are generally limited depending on the size and shape of your kitchen but there is often times some room for creativity on your end. Once you have decided on the shape of your cabinets you must also consider additional structures such as an island or possibly a range.

A general rule of thumb is to leave space for cabinets between the refrigerator and the oven thus keeping the heat from the oven away from the refrigerator while placing the sink and the dishwasher side by side. In large kitchens it is important to place appliances relatively close together in order to create a convenient workspace.

During the brainstorming phase it can be helpful to draw a basic floor plan and cut out pieces of paper to represent each appliance. You can then move the pieces around freely until you determine an ideal layout. After you have decided how you would like the your kitchen laid out you should consult your cabinet maker.

It is important to keep in mind the direction each appliance as well as each cabinet will open to avoid doors and drawers that may hit one another when opened simultaneously. There are plenty of logistics that an experienced cabinet maker can share with you to ensure your design is pleasing to you while remaining functional.

General Planning Guide for Your New Kitchen Cabinets

Before contacting a , here are a few things to consider:

Material: Research cabinet and cabinet top materials. Figure out what you like as well as the best value for your budget. Making an informed decision is the best way to avoid costly mistakes.

Structure: Deciding how you would like your cabinets constructed is also an important decision. Choosing whether you want panel or framed cabinet doors and drawer fronts will also require some research. If you take the time in the beginning to make this decision you will likely be more please with the outcome of the project.

Hardware: Choosing your handles, knobs, hinges, and drawer slides is a big decision. These elements and truly effect the look of your kitchen. Shop around, determine what you like and ensure that they are of good quality. They will like get a lot of ware and tare and it is important that stand the test of time.

Fixtures: Deciding on your sink and faucet is also important. These too must be of high quality and work with the look you are trying to achieve in your new kitchen.

Making these decisions during the planning process will make the entire project more efficient and ensure that you are pleased with the outcome. Good luck and have fun!

Feb

10

Bathroom Remodeling FAQ - Sample Workflow Of Full Bathroom Renovation

February 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

1. Select materials

2. Create design

3. Order materials

4. Deliver materials

5. Demolition

6. Plumbing

7. Sub flooring

8. Floor tile installation

9. Electric wiring

10. Wall preparation

11. Wall tile installation

12. Plumbing fixture installation

13. Countertop installation

14. Medicine cabinet installation

15. Light fixtures installation

16. Accessories installation

17. Painting

18. Touch up and cleaning

Feb

9

Phoenix, Arizona, Hardware Stores - Phoenix Remodeling Resources

February 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Home Depot
3609 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 225-0980
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Ace Hardware
3111 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 952-0058
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

True Value Hardware
1409 N 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 252-6157
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Ace Hardware
2242 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 244-8031
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Griggs Paint-Domcom Enterprise
3635 S 16th St, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 243-3293
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Sherwin-Williams
2135 E Jones Ave, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 276-5020
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Ace Hardware: Phoenix
1929 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 249-2818
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Frazee Paint & Wallcovering
2131 E Jackson St, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 275-5444
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Home Depot
2650 W Thunderbird Road, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 548-9600
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Ace Hardware
5545 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 241-4000
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Home Depot
4848 N 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
(623) 849-0125
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Ace Hardware: Phoenix
1940 W Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 274-6503
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Construction Lots
2915 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 275-3315
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Raw Materials
901 S 12th St, Phoenix, AZ
(602) 252-2525
Category: Hardware-Retail: Kitchen Bathroom

Feb

7

Selecting Kitchen Counter Tops – Kitchen Remodeling Article

February 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The perfect countertop is usually at the top of most homeowners’ kitchen remodeling projects. Whether you’re eyeballing granite or or are smitten with the unique look of quartz surfacing, there are certainly no shortage of options to choose from in today’s marketplace.

With an overwhelming array of options, it is important to approach your selection process wisely. You admire the appearance of the various types of countertops, now it’s time to review their individual characteristics.

For practical purposes, natural stone, solid surface, and quartz tend to hold up best. If you spill something, hope it lands on solid surface, quartz or stainless steel. You want to roll dough on marble and cut on stone or wood. Laminate and solid surface offer the widest varieties of color. The flexibility of solid surfacing and stainless steel makes them ideal for fashioning decorative shapes or integral sinks. Once sealed, concrete functions as an excellent surface that’s quickly gaining in popularity today.

Wood, tile and stainless steel present exceptional looks, but each have their unique tradeoffs–tile doesn’t offer an ideal smooth surface for food preparation, and the grout can become discolored. Wood requires sealants and maintenance; and steel scratches and shows fingerprints. Specialty surfaces like hemp-based countertops and those fashioned from lavastone provide alternative choices outside of the countertop norm.

You can create the best of all worlds by establishing a mix of surface materials; a granite island for serving, a maple butcher block square for cutting, solid-surface tops for food preparation tasks, and tile for a backsplash accent.

Jan

31

Why Should You Hire A Licensed Remodeling Contractor?

January 31, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Unless you are a wiz with home improvement projects, most projects should be left to the professionals. Selecting an experienced and knowledgeable remodeling contractor will most likely save you time, money, and frustration.

Remodeling experts can help you get the customized look your shooting for, using stock or wholesale materials, which can provide significant savings.

Getting something done right, the first time, will add value to your home and give you enjoyment that lasts for years to come.