GETTING THE MOST VALUE FROM YOUR KITCHEN UPGRADE
Renovations require addressing problems, setting a budget and hiring the right pros
When you’re ready to sell, kitchens are one of the big-ticket items when it comes to your home’s value.
A good kitchen can also bring a lot of personal value to your home, making you feel a little bit happier whenever it’s time to cook.
When you are ready to upgrade your home’s kitchen, here are a few of the things to keep in mind:
WORTHWHILE CHANGE IN YOUR KITCHEN
You wouldn’t be updating your kitchen if you weren’t ready for a change, right? While a lot of people jump immediately to the design when dreaming of their perfect space, a kitchen renovation is a good opportunity to address problems in your kitchen. Before you start thinking about your finishing selections, pay attention to areas of your kitchen that you really want to change. If you’ve got a problem that really drives you crazy, make sure you’re addressing that first. If you don’t, you’ll probably end up regretting it.
This is also a really good time to address features that you’ve always wanted in your kitchen. While your budget will likely keep you from splurging on every little detail that you want for the space, you should try to set aside some money for those few touches that you’ve always wanted. Take care of the necessary change first, but make sure to get some of those finishes you really want.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR UPGRADES
Does your kitchen use electricity or gas to power your cooking appliances? If you’re planning to switch from electric to gas, or vice versa, you’ll need to make sure you’re budgeting for it. If you’re upgrading to heavier-duty appliances, make sure you’re accounting for extra ventilation needs. You’ll want any fumes and moisture to vent directly to the outside of your home.
If you’re not sure your fans are powerful enough, try the tissue test: run your exhaust fan, hold a tissue up to the fan and let go. If the fan is running well, it should hold the tissue in place. If it doesn’t, it’s probably time to replace the fan.
Open-concept kitchens are a popular choice. But before you knock down any walls to open up your space, think about how you use your kitchen. Do you keep things neat and clean enough that you can have your kitchen on display at all times? When you cook, do you want company, or do you prefer being able to work on your own? Do you have small kids that you need to keep an eye on while you cook? These are all questions to consider before you swing the hammer. A good team of a contractor and designer can help you make these final decisions.
HIRING THE PROS
A kitchen renovation isn’t a doit-yourself job — but are you also factoring hiring a designer into your budget? Making the wrong design decision can end up being a costly mistake that you need to fix afterward. Working with a designer (and remember, they should be working with you based on your input) who knows the principles of kitchen design can help you create a space that is tailored to your needs, and looks good, too.
The process of hiring a designer is just like hiring a contractor. Interview as many people as possible, ask for their references, and check their design portfolios. Some designers may work best within a certain range of styles, and you want to make sure their capabilities match your vision before you get into the project. If you’ve already found a contractor that you trust, ask them if they have any designers they frequently work with who they can recommend. Your new kitchen will take a lot of teamwork between you, your contractor, and your designer — and if they understand how to work with one another, you’re already ahead of the game in your renovation.
A kitchen redesign is one of those major upgrades that will almost guarantee to add value to your home. If you’re planning on staying in the home for years to come, make sure you’re enjoying some of that extra value. Make choices for your kitchen that will get you excited to use the space. That’s real value, too.