Kitchen Remodeling
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It’s one of the easiest and most economical ways to heighten drama and interest in our homes. So why, then, does color seem to strike fear into the hearts of so many?
There are a lot of people out there who are color phobic, yet color gives you so much pleasure, And, since you have so much wall space in a room, adding color is one of the most inexpensive ways to create a dramatic change.
Setting the wheel in motion
When creating a color scheme for a room, the place most designers start is the color wheel. Basically the rainbow wrapped around a circle, a color wheel visually demonstrates how colors interact with each other and offers harmonious options in combining colors in a single space – whether the desired outcome is soft and mellow or full of energy.
If you’re feeling bold, for example, you might opt for a complementary scheme – a high-contrast look that features two colors on opposite sides of the color wheel. Think of the vibrancy found in a kitchen of yellow and blue. On the other hand, if you’re looking to create a sophisticated, elegant feeling in a room, a monochromatic scheme, which uses different values or intensities of a single color, might be the answer. Take the same kitchen and swap out the blue for ochre and cream. Identical space, but a completely different feel.
Whichever route you decide to go, a wide variety of color options makes it easy to match the kitchen sink to your personal tastes.
People should keep it simple, just go with [the colors] they like.
Color me happy
Color does more than add life and personality to a space, it sets the mood for the entire room. Red denotes a sense of passion. Yellow is vibrant and happy. And nothing says “regal” quite like purple. Colors even seem to give off their own “temperature” - red and orange are considered warm, whereas blue and green feel cool.
If you took a sunroom and painted it yellow, people sitting in it would feel warmer than if the same room were painted blue. Blue is just much more calming. It’s like watching the waves roll in on the beach.
This sense of energy that comes from a warm color, such as orange or
yellow, may explain why they’re popular choices for kitchens today. They’re colors that inspire hunger and heat, whereas blue actually represses the urge to eat. If you want to lose weight, don’t use red in a kitchen.
The great cover up
In the same way women use makeup to highlight their best features (and disguise their flaws), color can take your home to the next level, highlighting a room’s architecture or creating visual interest where none exists. To emphasize a tray ceiling, pick one color, then use a darker shade of it on the tray and a lighter value of it on the ceiling. The result will add depth and create a focal point in the room.
Color can even change the space itself. Since warm colors tend to jump forward and cool hues recede, a carefully chosen color palette can make the room seem bigger or balance the shape of the space.
And what about the long-held belief that painting a small room a deep color will make it seem smaller? Toss it out. According to Davidson, using different values of a dark color in a small space will actually make the room feel bigger. Adding texture in the chosen color can add depth and interest and keep the eye moving.
If your eye is bored, it’s not good design. That’s why we use color.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Kitchen Remodeling
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Marble kitchen countertops are often praised for their elegance and beauty. Marble represents luxury and sophistication, and anyone with a marble countertop in his or her kitchen is proud to show it off to anyone who enters the home. There are so many colors to choose from when buying marble, which makes it easy to fit in with the rest of the kitchen. Pink marble, black marble, white marble, and yellow marble are always excellent choices. There are still plenty of other color marble kitchen countertops to choose from, as well.
Marble kitchen countertops and even tiles are become more and more popular considering the kitchen is the “most used” room in the home. Not only does having a marble kitchen countertop give the kitchen a beautiful, welcoming appearance, but it can also increase the overall value of the home. Whether a family wishes to install a marble countertop in their kitchen for their own comfort and enjoyment or in order to sell their home at a great price, they won’t be disappointed.
While marble kitchen countertops are known to be expensive, good deals can still be found for them. The Internet, for instance, is a great place to look for deals on marble. Online merchants dealing with kitchen accessories often have good bargains on marble. Artificial, cultured marble is usually less than natural marble, and while it’s not exactly the “real thing”, nobody can really tell the difference anyway.
In summary, marble countertops, whether natural or artificial, are the best choices for adding overall beauty, elegance, and sophistication to a kitchen. More and more families are finding out just how enjoyable and warm their homes can be with marble kitchen countertops. Marble can last for years, and investing in marble countertops is always a smart investment for any kitchen.
Popularity: 16% [?]
Kitchen Remodeling
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Who wouldn’t want a brand new kitchen accented with soapstone? Not only does remodeling your kitchen improve the look of your home but it also adds some value and equity to them, as well. Most every basic and boring kitchen has some design flaw that can be altered or changed to make the entire room more workable and more enjoyable to spend time in.
Kitchens are increasingly becoming the center of social and functional activities of everyone’s home. Remodeling your kitchen is increasingly growing in importance in the daily lives of families across the country. The only drawback of kitchen remodeling is you are often forced to work on a tight budget and in a tight space to do it in. In other words, while you may love soapstone stoves or a soapstone counter, finding the room for one isn’t as easy as you may think.
When it comes to choosing a new kitchen, the first and best place to start is in choosing a new countertop. There are a number of different factors that need to be taken into consideration such as your type of kitchen cabinets. Kitchen counters are normally set on top of the cabinets and cupboards. It may be a smart move to shop for all of your supplies and materials such as soapstone blocks all at the same time if you plan on remodeling your cabinets to match your counter. Now you’ll have a new soapstone counter that not only looks unique, but also compliments the new cabinets you just installed.
The most important thing to keep in mind, when choosing a new design, is the cost. You’ll discover laminate counters are considered the most affordable yet they are often considered boring. If you have some extra money to throw into the remodel, choose something flashier and better such as soapstone. Soapstone blocks improve the overall appearance of your kitchen quickly and easily. A large number of homeowners are choosing to wood materials or marble to match a soapstone stove, even.
Once you have decided on the type of materials you would like to use for your kitchen, whether they be a traditional laminate color for the floor or a stunning soapstone stove, you must decide how everything will be installed. My advice is to ask for some professional help for a kitchen remodeling expert or general contractor.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Kitchen Remodeling
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Tips to Manage Your Kitchen Remodel More Efficiently
1) For projects including structural or mechanical modifications, like moving a
doorway, adding a room or moving a furnace, hire an architect or building
contractor.
2) A clear understanding of what each supplier or contractor will provide, and
when, is essential.
3) Will your contractor or installer provide tear-out and disposal? Is it included in
his price?
4) Remember that the sink will be removed before the countertop can be torn
out.
5) The new sink cannot be plumbed and your water turned on again until the
countertop has been replaced. The new countertop cannot be installed until the
cabinets are set.
6) Flooring goes in after the cabinetry is in place, but before appliances are
installed.
7) Ceramic tile and some other flooring choices require more than one day to
install.
8. Will the plumber, the cabinet installer or the appliance installer connect the
dishwasher to the plumbing line?
9.)You may need to schedule the local gas company to install a gas range or
cook top or to change a gas connection. Is this responsibility yours, or will your
plumber or remodeler do this?
10) Who will install ductwork for vented exhaust system?
11) Ceiling patching may be required if you are removing or replacing existing
soffits. Who will complete this task?
12) If you provided measurements for your cabinet order, who is responsible if
there is an error? If your kitchen designer or architect took the measurements at
the job site, he or she is responsible. If not, you are.
13) Be prepared for unplanned events. Don’t let unforeseen extra costs and time
delays leave you frustrated! Remodeling the heart of your home is a complex
process and there will be unexpected delays and possibly costs, no matter how
well you plan. This is one of the best reasons to work with qualified experts who
Popularity: 28% [?]
Kitchen Remodeling
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Kitchen Remodeling Steps to follow.
- Put it down on paper. Draw a plan and make a list for your kitchen remodel to help you determine costs. Decide if you’ll need new cabinets or if you can paint them. Many home improvement centers offer computer generated kitchen remodeling plans based on your own photos. Decide if appliances will be replaced and what type you want. Check online for appliance features and stores that offer discounts.
- Hire a reputable contractor who is experienced in kitchen remodeling if you aren’t going to do it yourself. Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured. Get references from the contractor and make sure that you have a time frame in writing. Labor costs are estimated at approximately 30 percent of the total remodeling cost.
- Do it yourself. If you are experienced in home repairs, you may be able to do a lot of the work yourself to save money. Gas appliances need to be installed by experts. Make sure you hire reputable plumbers and electricians to help with the mechanical aspects of the kitchen remodel if necessary. Depending on the age of your kitchen, mechanical remodels can take as much as 30 percent of your budget.
- Keep at least 10 percent of your budget for those unexpected costs. You might have termites or dry rot in wood, which will need to be replaced. Wiring may be old and not up to code. Old water pipes could be leaking and need to be replaced. Always keep a “contingency fund” for just such repairs.
Remodel Buddy. Richmond, Virginia Kitchen Remodeling Contractors
Popularity: 27% [?]
Kitchen Remodeling
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If you’re planning to renovate, chances are your current kitchen is less than endearing. Whether it’s a case of color clash, mismatched materials or a kitchen that’s just plain, it’s hard to imagine someone else wanting it. Second hand kitchens are discovering plenty of people willing to give old kitchens a good home on the internet.
A kitchen designer mentioned he began to see how many renovators had kitchens in good condition, sometimes five years old or less, that they didn’t want for reasons of personal preference, he explains. “I saw a market for people to sell their old kitchen.” Now six months into the business,he says most listings get snapped up within a week, and he’s inundated with people wanting to buy old kitchens.
So what are the benefits of selling your kitchen? Saving on disposal costs is one. Rather than a kitchen company or subcontractor having to remove it, many people are happy to disassemble an old kitchen. Rental Homes, garages, opportunistic buyers or temporary kitchens during renovations are just some ways your old kitchen may be used. People who can’t afford a new kitchen may also be attracted to a pre-loved one - especially if appliances are included.
As a guide, kitchens more than 15 years old are likely to get between $500 and $1500. Selling your timber kitchen, provided it’s in good condition, is easy - and you may fetch $1500, while a kitchen less than five years old may attract offers of $2500 and above. Offers of up to $5000 are not uncommon for almost-new kitchens with quality stone bench tops. Not surprisingly, kitchens in neutral colors are more popular than bright pinks and oranges.
Laminate bench tops are much easier to relocate than granite, which involve more time and are difficult to modify. However, don’t let this put you off. Most buyers are likely to reconfigure your old kitchen, and may not even use the whole thing. You may also choose to sell it without the appliances.
When selling your old kitchen, provide as much information as possible, including measurements, to minimize the number of mildly interested callers. Having a good chat with a potential buyer will also help establish whether their interest is genuine before you invite them to have a look. Remember that disconnection of the electrics and plumbing is up to you, the seller, and it’s wise to receive payment in full before disassembly takes place.
Popularity: 25% [?]
Kitchen Remodeling
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The kitchen is evolving; No longer is it viewed as a place solely to prepare and cook food. Instead it has transformed into a space that can be truly utilized for living & entertaining friends and family.
In essence, out of all the rooms in the house, the kitchen is often the family hangout. Parents are cooking or checking emails, the TV is on, and the kids are doing their homework — all at the same time, all in the same room.
The next generation kitchen will be a place not only for cooking, but for social and everyday interaction. Kitchen design trends now concentrate on the kitchen as the ‘hub‘ of the household, incorporating the functional aspects of a kitchen with the ability to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
The trends in kitchen design are set to focus on comfort and usability. Imagine a kitchen that incorporates a couch and a television, a coffee table and internet access into its space. This is the future of kitchen design.
The kitchen space is set to evolve to incorporate all of the needs of everyday life.
As it becomes increasingly hard to juggle the tasks of every day life, this is a room to fit around your lifestyle. Having a ‘live- in room‘ provides a family space where you can prepare a meal whilst helping the kids with their homework. It is versatile and very useable.
This trend seems a natural progression in a period when open planned living has become the chosen preference for most households. Evolving the Kitchen into a live-in room therefore will add a new level of comfort and practicability to a style of living that most Americans have already adopted. As the kitchen continues to be the most used space in the household, adapting this space to be truly comfortable and useable is key to utilizing the function of the space.
Remodel Buddy has a network of Pre-Screened Kitchen Remodeling Contractors that are recommended by people in our community. These contractors are evaluated for proper licenses, insurance, quality workmanship, pricing and value and customer service policies. Remodel Buddy meets with these contractors for a face to face interviews to become familiar with their business practices and also check references. Kitchen remodeling contractors cannot pay to join our network, but must be invited.As a homeowner looking for the right contractor, Remodel Buddy is a simple and easy way to remove the tension and time involved in researching the Richmond area looking for the “good” contractors. With one phone call to Remodel Buddy you will receive multiple estimates from Kitchen remodeling contractors that are highly recommended by people in our community. We make it easier for homeowners to hire the right contractors.
Popularity: 27% [?]
Bathroom Remodeling
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While bathrooms often present design challenges, the range of design possibilities is virtually unlimited except by one’s imagination. Who would have thought ten or twenty years ago that the lowly bath would one day take an honored place in the pages of Architectural Digest? Here are some of the more exciting developments in the world of bath design:
Above-counter and under-counter sinks run the gamut of fabrications from ceramic, gemstone, stone, glass, molded stainless steel and even copper, which incidentally is more antibacterial than stainless steel. Sinks may be custom designed, hand blown, hi-tech and painted. Or what about an elegant hammered metal polished to a soft patina? The choices are stunning. Hardware is trending toward warmer finishes, like satin nickel, brushed chrome, and oil-rubbed bronze. Handsome and understated hardware designs are becoming ubiquitous as are space-saving wall-mounted faucets. Bathrooms become personal retreats with steam shower spas, dual hand-held showerheads, body sprays, air jet tubs and of course, whirlpool tubs.Separate tubs and glass enclosed showers are common in new houses where bathroom sizes are considerably larger than older houses.The average bathroom has almost tripled in size in the past decade, according to a Wall Street Journal report and increasing bathroom size is the number one trend in bath remodeling. Installing pieces of furniture, such as a wicker chaise or an armoire, is the latest designer trend in the larger baths.Luxuries such as heated toilet seats and towel bars, radiant heated flooring and electric mirror defoggers are all sought-after in cooler climates.More extravagant features include bidets, fireplaces and entertainment centers with hidden plasma screen TV and soothing music.Vivid color is coming to bathroom design in recycled and new glass tile, used inventively as iridescent glass mosaics. Some popular colors employed in baths are earth tones of red, blue, deep forest green, emerald green, terra cotta and rust.The trend in bathroom lighting is in sconces that provide soft and warm ambient light, some with a 7-watt nightlight feature. Fan/light combos are finding particular use in bathrooms as well, where ventilation is essential to control mold and mildew.In addition to wonderful shades in toweling and carpets, art on the walls and tropical houseplants such as ficus, bamboo, ferns and orchids add those delicious final touches to any bath design.
Popularity: 42% [?]
Remodeling Home
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Remodeling in Richmond Virginia. Is it a Good idea in todays Economy?
Some of the earliest signs of the present economic troubles appeared in the nation’s housing industry. Presently, new home starts (as indicated by permit activity) have dredged 25-year lows, and existing home sales have fallen even as they become seemingly more affordable amidst heretofore unseen devaluation. As lenders tighten their practices, real estate finance has become markedly more conservative, decreasing the ability for many to obtain credit for purchases and improvements.
While the daily headlines emphasize these and other domestic economic problems, is it any surprise that American consumers are holding tightly onto their wallets?
For some segments of the population, concern may be well-warranted. The promise of employment is increasingly threatened, as may be the ability to make escalating payments on overleveraged subprime mortgages.
For the more affluent, concerns might include diminishing net worth as savings in the form of equities have decreased in value.
Consumer confidence is a major factor in discretionary spending. As well, it may shift the paradigm in terms of what is considered “necessity” versus “discretionary”. The US Consumer Confidence Index, measuring current conditions as well as future expectations, has declined from around 90 (Dec 07) to 51.9 (Jul 08).
So if one does own a home, and maintains some net worth, is that home a good place to invest those savings?
In a Spring 2008 Remodeling Sentiment Report (remodelestimates.com), 50% of the homeowners surveyed state that they are “excited about remodeling”. However, 92% of those note that falling home prices are affecting their plans.
While homeowners have become accustomed to year-after-year of significant home value appreciation, we know that many homes have decreased somewhat in value over the past year. According to statistics available from the National Association of Realtors (NAR); however, the Richmond area has been less affected than the national average.
The NAR reports that the median home price in the Richmond, VA metropolitan area at Q4 2007 was $225,700 - declining slightly from earlier 2007, yet relatively flat in comparison to the $225,500 median in 2006. During the same period, the national decline was 7.3%. Clearly, this modest local decline does not nearly approach wiping out gains made during the 8.2 year average duration of home ownership since 1999 - a 76.6% appreciation from a median of $127,800.
It is surely wise, especially in light of these market conditions, to perform regular home maintenance and repairs to stem deterioration, maintain home use and value - or at resale, to maximize the selling price. As well, energy-saving improvements have become increasingly popular as the cost of heating and cooling has risen dramatically.
With the present conditions being described as a “buyers” market, sellers must prepare their homes to be competitive comparables. Most buyers demand that the home they purchase must be in good shape.
Renovation or remodeling work beyond minor repairs rarely present the same “dollar-for-dollar or better” return on investment.
In good news for homeowners in this area, H-Wood’s Cost versus Value Report (2007) indicates remodeling return-on-investment in our South Atlantic region as being generally higher than national averages. Various types of remodels and additions report returns in the 60 - 85% ranges, meaning that the true cost (less investment recouped at resale) would be only 15% - 40% of the expenditure.
It should be noted that, there may be additional economic benefits to remodeling. These may include any potential appreciation over time, tax benefits (mortgage deductions if financed, as well as rehabilitation tax credits), and other financial benefits.
Although recent experience may be disappointing relative to past gains in home values, it is rare that other investments would perform as consistently well over time, as real estate. Wise investors know that the smartest investments are typically made with the objective of long-term results.
Even in the present housing slump, the devaluation figures pale by comparison to losses from investment of the same dollars in the stock market. During the 9/07 - 6/08 period that the median home price in Richmond has held fairly steady to slight decline, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 18%.
Summarily, investing in one’s home, done wisely, is a relatively safe asset. As well, a new kitchen or sunroom will likely create more enjoyment than assets parked in the stock market. It is interesting how people that might regularly upgrade to a new automobile - almost always a depreciating asset - will hesitate to spend on home improvements if the numbers do not indicate expectation of an immediate dollar-for-dollar return on investment.
For most people, home is more than an investment… there are strong elements of identity, emotional attachment, and the opportunity to define one’s very living patterns and conditions through the elements and condition of their home.
Major remodeling projects - undertakings beyond maintenance - are likely more elective, or discretionary investments. In most cases, these are “lifestyle” improvements. These are typically done when the value of the lifestyle enhancement over the intended use of those improvements exceeds the cost required to accomplish. An increase in resale value might enhance the value side of the equation, but it is rarely the major factor.
In a time where more families are electing to remain in their homes rather than move, the value of improving or expanding one’s home becomes much greater. The “use and enjoyment” value of such projects increases as the commitment to remaining in-place becomes longer-term. In these situations, creating the dream home sooner than later is clearly more sensible.
In any market conditions, these upper-end improvements have always provided distinctly personalized accommodation, tailoring a home to the specific wants and needs of the homeowner. Architecturally well-designed projects with unique, well-crafted features create “that wow factor”. Besides providing an enjoyable experience for occupants and visitors, these extraordinary features differentiate one’s home should resale become necessary.
Whether or not the homeowner has cash available for home improvement projects, and depending on a multitude of factors surrounding the homeowner and his project, some form of traditional financing may make sense. While for some, the present “credit crunch” has narrowed the available instruments and ability to borrow, Wells Fargo home mortgage consultant Richard Day advises that renovation loans, cash-out refinances and home equity lines of credit are still available. Interest rates vary depending on product and a number of conditions; however, rates are reasonably low for qualified applicants.
The conditions in the finance industry have certainly changed over the past year. Some of the industry’s bigger players, including Countrywide Mortgage and National City Mortgage have pulled out of renovation lending.
Don’t expect to obtain 100% loan-to-value with any finance vehicle. Day notes that credit is “tight”, and there must be sufficient equity or cash in the property. As well, appraisers have become more conservative in their valuations. Finally, qualification is everything… the borrower must prove himself or herself able to carry the payments.
Another great advantage of remodeling at this time is that - like the buyer’s market for real estate, this is also a buyer’s market for major remodeling projects. The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies LIRA (Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activities) indicates a 5.6% fall in demand for owner-occupied remodeling projects for the year preceding 2nd Quarter 2008. The same report projects a further drop of 12% by Q1 2009.
As the previously-frenetic pace has slowed, even better remodeling contractors have become more available. Capable labor has become more abundant.
Although price escalation for certain commodities and products - especially, those driven by petroleum and transportation costs - has increased, contractors are more interested than ever in maintaining their backlogs by providing competitive prices for good customers.
The American consumer will tend to carefully consider their options when a big-ticket commitment is under consideration. Especially in today’s economic conditions, expect those in the market for home improvements to shop harder, and possibly make tough decisions between higher-priced, established service providers and the many available low-cost providers.
Particularly notable in the home improvement / remodeling business, we know that low-cost providers have historically been the source of much customer dissatisfaction. Good values are presently being offered at either end of this spectrum of choices; this might be a great time to engage a top-notch contractor that does not represent the risk inherent otherwise.
Opportunities arise from recognizing the true nature of market conditions, and reacting appropriately. The Richmond area has been less-impacted than national averages in regards short-term devaluation, although the housing market appears to suffer from negative perception based on national circumstances. Investment in one’s home remains a reliably high-return financial asset over the long term, as well as an immediate source of great enjoyment.
Popularity: 73% [?]
Remodel Buddy "IN THE NEWS"
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Remodeling Contractor Website Launches to Assist Homeowners Hire Preferred Contractors in Virginia
Remodel Buddy today announced the launch of www.remodelbuddy.com as an information portal for Virginia home owners to find information about contractors for remodeling, home repair, handyman, kitchen and bathroom remodeling just to name a few.
Press Release
Oct 24, 2008 – Remodel Buddy today announced the launch of www.remodelbuddy.com as an information portal for Virginia home owners to find information about contractors for remodeling, home repair and design needs. With articles being added almost every day the website is anticipated to quickly become Virginia’s primary resource web site for kitchen remodeling.
Future plans include educational guides on renovating your home, professional advice from local experts, and a question and answer forum for Virginia homeowners.
The web site will be an invaluable resource for homeowners in finding accessible information to address their Remodeling and contractor needs. Information will be efficiently categorized for easy navigation.
Timothy Nagle, president of Remodel Buddy stated, “Our goal is to be the best home and family resource center and information portal for assisting all Virginia homeowners with their remodeling needs. The depth of knowledge and resources at Remodel Buddy is simple, concise and offers every homeowner some information about their home.”
Remodel Buddy has a network of pre-screened contractors that are recommended by people in our community. These contractors are evaluated for proper licenses, insurance, quality workmanship, pricing and value and customer service policies. Remodel Buddy meets with these contractors for a face to face interviews to become familiar with their business practices and also check references. Contractors cannot pay to join our network, but must be invited. As a homeowner looking for the right contractor, Remodel Buddy is a simple and easy way to remove the tension and time involved in researching the Richmond area looking for the “good” contractors. With one phone call to Remodel Buddy you will receive multiple estimates from remodeling contractors that are highly recommended by people in our community. We make it easier for homeowners to hire the right contractors.
Popularity: 36% [?]
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