Three Reasons to Remodel: Common Sense or Foolish Blunder?

The decision to remodel your kitchen should not be taken lightly. After all, a kitchen remodeling project can be a major inconvenience for your family. Beyond the sawdust and noise, you might not have access to your kitchen for a few weeks or more.

Also, of course, a kitchen remodeling project is a significant financial investment. Depending on the square footage and value of your home, you might pay up to 25% of your home’s value for a kitchen remodeling project.

Why would you want to create a major inconvenience that costs 25% of your home's value?!

Well, the hassle is temporary, and for most homeowners a new kitchen is a sound financial decision--although, perhaps not strictly for financial reasons.

A new kitchen is not merely about resale value; a new kitchen can alter the feel of your home, reduce your stress, and increase your happiness.

Before you make the decision to remodel, however, you want to make sure your reasons for remodeling are sensible. Below we discuss Three Reasons to Remodel, and we offer our verdict on each: common sense or foolish blunder?

Wow! Look at those new cabinets. Pictures of remodeling kitchens, like this MKBD project, often inspire homeowners to think about remodeling, but if you want to remodel your kitchen, make sure your reasons are sensible!

1. You want to increase your home's resale value

Many homeowners state resale value as their number one reason for choosing to remodel. If you follow this reason too, you might want to take a close look at the numbers. 

According to Remodeling, the most recent "Cost vs. Value" report for nationwide home improvements shows a 79.3% cost recoup for "minor" kitchen remodeling projects (cost: $19,226), and an 59 % cost recoup for "upscale" kitchen remodeling projects ($113,097). 

Considering your expense, then--"minor" or "upscale"--the return on investment (79.3% or 59%) might seem like a losing proposition. In reality, the "value" of a project is not simply about the immediate resale value.

If you plan to live in your house for at least five years or more, you will reap "valuable" benefits from your new kitchen: the joy and ease of cooking, cleaning, and eating in a new space.

VERDICT

If you plan to sell your house immediately, remodeling for resale value is a foolish blunder.

If you plan to live in your house for five years or more, remodeling for resale is common sense.

Beyond resale value, don't underestimate how the dramatic appearance of a new kitchen--like this Hatboro-area project--can influence potential home buyers. 

2. Your kitchen is out of date

We're just going to go ahead and offer our VERDICT here upfront:

Remodeling an out-of-date kitchen is common sense.

First, an out-of-date kitchen might pose some safety concerns. Cracked tiles or warped floor boards invite injury. An outdated refrigerator might pose food safety hazards. And electrical outlets might not be grounded properly--a potential fire hazard.

Please read: "Kitchen Safety: What You Need to Know."

Second, of course, an out-of-date kitchen poses aesthetic concerns. Do not undervalue the role of aesthetics in every day happiness. If you feel your kitchen is old and stodgy, you will not enjoy the time you spend in the kitchen. Perhaps, you will avoid the kitchen.

Third, an out-of-date kitchen is often inefficient: outdated appliances can cost you money. Technological advances have made appliances much more energy efficient; a new dishwasher, for example, can cut your water and energy usage in half.

3. You want to change your life 

Plenty of homeowners believe that a kitchen remodeling project will change their lives. Is this a fantasy? Well, in our experience, it depends.

We've met a few homeowners who seek the wrong type of change. You'd be surprised how often kitchen remodeling company must also play the role of family psychologist. Can a kitchen remodeling project save your marriage? Probably not.

And yet, if your intentions are more reasonable, a a new kitchen remodeling project can certainly be a life-changing event. A new kitchen will definitely transform the look and feel of your home. And as we noted above, a new kitchen can make life easier, relieving stress, and increasing happiness.

By making your life easier, too, a kitchen remodeling project can even help you be healthy. Your new kitchen will inspire you to cook more, and home cooking is the healthiest option.

Ahhh! A gleaming new kitchen--like this North Wales kitchen--can certainly change your life--in small, but important ways! Just don't expect to save your marriage!

VERDICT 

If you want to save your marriage, a kitchen remodeling project is a foolish blunder.

If you simply want to increase your happiness and ease your stress, a kitchen remodeling project is common sense.

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk the kitchen backsplash and more! Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

DIY or Professional? When it Pays to Pay a Pro

For many homeowners the cost of a kitchen remodeling project is prohibitive. As we've noted before, remodeling projects nationwide range from a relatively "minor" investment of $18,856 to a "major" investment of $54,909. A homeowner can expect to pay 10-25% of a home’s value for a high-quality kitchen remodeling project.

To cut costs, many homeowners choose to perform DIY renovations. In theory, a DIY renovation is a fabulous idea: a thrifty and handy homemaker can make a lasting kitchen upgrade at a fraction of the cost. If you possess professional skills and an abundance of free time, a DIY project might be your best choice.

Most DIY homeowners understand that kitchen renovation work is laborious and time-consuming. However, many DIY homeowners neglect the importance of technical expertise--the DIY craze has convinced many homeowners that renovation is as simple as following "Five Simple Steps to a New Kitchen Floor."

In fact, renovation is not as easy as "Five Simple Steps..." Blood, sweat, and tears can only get you so far. Without a great deal of technical know-how you're DIY project might be doomed from the start.

At MKBD, we've talked to many homeowners who have started DIY projects only to abandon the work halfway through. Most of these homeowners are determined and capable, yet they lack the technical know-how to solve unexpected problems.

We've seen crucial design mistakes, cut power lines, and water pipes spewing water. And all of this costs money--the precious money the DIY homeowner hopes to save!

Some DIY jobs are easily accomplished and some are best left to to the professionals.  To save you some hassle, we've compiled some simple tips below. Hopefully, these tips will help you save some money by answering a simple question: Should I DIY or call a professional?

DIY or Professional?

Kitchen Cabinets

The work of building and installing new kitchen cabinets is best left to professionals. Here (from the National Kitchen and Bath Association) is just one example of the technical expertise required to properly install kitchen cabinets:

"Once the base kitchen cabinets are lined up and connected, your contractor will be able to tell what kind of "shimming" may be needed on the walls and floor. A shim is a narrow wedge of wood that works much like a matchbook placed under the leg of a wobbly table in a restaurant. If your floors or walls are at all ‘wavy,’ as is the case in many older homes, shimming will be necessary."

Does this make sense to you? If not, make sure you call the pros. 

However, you can easily perform your own kitchen makeover by simply painting your old cabinets. Just prepare yourself for some hefty lifting. Each cabinet must be removed before painting. Then, once you’ve removed the cabinets, clean each cabinet with a sponge and soapy water. Next, sand the cabinets, then apply your primer. When the primer is dry, paint the cabinets with several coats of your new color, allowing the cabinets to dry after each coat.

 

For this Main Line project, MKBD created custom-made maple kitchen cabinets

Kitchen Floors

While the installation of a new kitchen floor does require some technical know-how, the biggest investment is sweat equity. If you want to install your own kitchen floors, prepared to work! Ripping up old flooring requires tremendous amounts of time and effort.

Thankfully, you can cover a kitchen floor with as many as three layers of new flooring before any removal is required. Just ensure that the new installation covers a smooth, clean surface. And remember to clean and vacuum your old kitchen floor thoroughly; any debris might later appear through the surface and damage your new floor.

And, of course, before you begin, make sure you get a precise measurement of your square footage. You don't want to purchase more flooring material than you need!

The verdict? If you're ready to work hard, and you can simply cover your old floor with a new layer, a DIY floor installation might be reasonable.

However, if you must rip up your old flooring, or if you want to install a specialized floor material like ceramic tiles or wood, we suggest contacting a professional.

In this North Wales, PA project, MKBD installed butterscotch wood floors. Wood floors are best left to the pros.

Install Appliances

The installation of a new appliance is rarely as simple as plugging the appliance into an outlet.It should go without saying that any electrical or plumbing work should be performed by a professional.

Electrical outlets should be properly grounded and installed according to code. And believe it or not, plumbing is often the most complicated element of a renovation. Just ask DIY Advice:

"Plumbing is the most complicated aspect of most bathroom and kitchen remodeling projects. Plumbing must conform to building codes to prevent dangerous and unhealthy conditions. The National Uniform Plumbing Code applies generally to the entire country.

You also must follow local codes, which may be more stringent. When planning your project request information about local plumbing codes from your local building department. Have the plans approved before starting work and perform all work to the satisfaction of the inspector. Draw a detailed plan that includes a list of all materials."

For these reasons, MKBD suggests leaving the installation of appliances to the professionals.

***

FREE Kitchen Appliances with any Full Kitchen Remodeling Project 

At MKBD, we partner with our customers to provide competitive prices. And now, for a limited time, we’re leveraging our buying power to offer you a tremendous deal: FREE kitchen appliances with a full kitchen remodeling!

To qualify for this offer, you simply have to schedule a FREE, no obligation kitchen design consultation—a value in itself! During our brief consultation, we will help you draft the kitchen design and layout of your dreams. Best yet, all consultations include a FREE, no obligation estimate. Call now to take advantage of this limited time offer: 215-355-474.

MKBD Exclusive: FREE Appliances with Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

A kitchen remodeling project is a serious investment. According to the nationally respected site, Remodeling, remodeling projects nationwide range from a relatively "minor" investment of $18,856 to a "major" investment of $54,909. In general, a homeowner can expect to pay 10-25% of a home’s value for a high-quality kitchen remodeling project.

If you're working on a strict budget, accounting for all the elements—cabinets, floors, countertops, and appliances—can quickly become an exercise in compromise. Depending on your budget, if you want to install your dream hard wood floors, you might need to opt for a less-expensive cabinet material, like plywood. Or perhaps you'll have to forgo your beloved ceramic backsplash for your even more beloved ceramic countertops.

At MKBD, we work to hard to ensure that our clients can afford a dream kitchen--without compromises. This is why we're currently offering FREE kitchen appliances with a full-scale kitchen remodeling project (more on this deal below).

In this major MKBD project, a 48" Sub-Zero refrigerator complements a Wolf cooktop,  double ovens, and a built-in microwave, proving that a seamless design is as important as the appliances!

Why FREE kitchen appliances, you might ask?

Why not FREE kitchen floors or cabinets or countertops?

Well, here's a little remodeling secret: most kitchen appliances are dramatically overpriced, and when homeowners shop for appliances they're subject to mark-ups--mark-ups that MKBD is not subject to. With our extensive industry experience as well as our connections with premier appliance manufacturers and distributors, we've learned how to procure the best appliances at the best prices--and we pass the savings to our clients.

MKBD also understands how to match each client with the best appliances for his/her lifestyle. Today's appliances come with an array of added features--features you might not want or need--and of course these features boost the price. So we partner with our client's to make sure they're not paying for needless bells and whistles.

Finally, we believe that the true value of a kitchen remodeling project is the expert craftsmanship. Appliances are made in industrial factories by nameless workers. Your new kitchen floors, cabinets, and countertops, however, will be built and installed explicitly for you by expert craftsmen familiar with your unique needs.

If you're interested in sourcing your own kitchen appliances, we recommend choosing the best for your needs. Do not pay for what you do not need--or event want!

This Old House has a helpful article for those looking to cuts costs without compromising quality: "The (Don't Get Burned Kitchen Remodeling Guide."

If you want to save yourself the hassle of haggling for the best prices, take advantage of MKBD's exclusive offer: FREE appliances with any full-scale kitchen remodeling project. Please see our details below!

For this project, in Hatboro, PA, MKDB installed custom Shaker cabinets, simply painted, to complement the Viking oven and range.

FREE Appliances with any Full Kitchen Remodeling Project

At MKBD, we partner with our customers to provide competitive prices. And now, for a limited time, we’re leveraging our buying power to offer you a tremendous deal: FREE kitchen appliances with a full kitchen remodeling!

To qualify for this offer, you simply have to schedule a FREE, no obligation kitchen design consultation—a value in itself!

During our brief consultation, we will help you draft the kitchen design and layout of your dreams. Best yet, all consultations include a FREE, no obligation estimate.

Call now to take advantage of this limited time offer: 215-355-4747

The Right Kitchen Floor For Your Family

Many families today treat the kitchen as the "living room," a space to cook and eat--and commune. Unfortunately, the increased foot traffic, not to mention the spaghetti sauce splatters, can wreak havoc on your old kitchen floor.

With the possible exception of your bathroom floor, no floor in your house is exposed to more traffic, moisture, and spills than your kitchen floor. Indeed, the kitchen floor is a glutton for punishment. If your kitchen has an old floor with cracked tiles or warped floorboards, you'd do well to invest in a new floor.

Most kitchen remodeling projects include a new floor--installed after the cabinets and counters to preserve the floor from wear and tear. However, more and more budget-minded homeowners are choosing for a "floor-only" kitchen renovation.

In both cases, a new floor can certainly revivify an old, stodgy kitchen.

Before you begin planning for a new kitchen floor, though, you should know: not all flooring materials are created equal, and not all families have similar flooring needs.

So before you begin your next kitchen remodeling project, make sure you invest in the right floor material for your family.

In this, MKBD project in Dresher, PA, wood floors match the maple suede cabinets

Choosing the Right Kitchen Floor Material

Of course, different families have different preferences, but your choice of kitchen floor materials should be guided, first, by your needs.

As noted above, the kitchen is the new "living room," the new center of activity. So durable flooring is a must for most families, especially if you have kids or pets. The best kitchen flooring material for a family with children and pets should be easy-to-clean, water and stain-resistant, and slip-free, and the most popular kitchen floor material, laminate, just happens to offer all three.  

Laminate is water and stain-resistant and impervious to dents and scratches. And although laminate itself is quite slippery, the market abounds with non-slip laminate solutions. Laminate is the most practical kitchen floor choice.

But what if practicality is not your primary concern? If your first preference is beauty, your best option might be tile or hardwood.

Tile floors offer the most variety in color, texture, and design. Some kitchen renovations even include multiple tiles blended to create a seamless and attractive floor. Just know: tiles offer the most stylish presentation, but they might not be the most comfortable choice for serious cooks and/or children.

In this MKBD project in Holland PA, porcelain tiles create a striking ambience

Depending on the look of your cabinets, your new kitchen floors might blend with your existing colors and textures, or provide a bold counterpoint, as seen in the project above. Hardwood, on the other hand, often blends seamlessly with cabinets, creating an atmosphere of rustic elegance.

Hardwood is undoubtedly beautiful, and with proper care, it can offer the perfect blend of functionality, comfort, and style. However, since wood can warp from water damage, homeowners with children or pets need to be diligent in wiping up spills.

Budget-Minded Options

If the cost of a new floor, well, floors you, then you might consider engineered wood or vinyl.

Engineered wood is a budget-minded alternative to solid hardwood, which can be quite pricey. Engineered wood is often impervious to scratches and stains, but it might scratch easily. 

Vinyl is the most inexpensive kitchen flooring option, and can easily be installed in one weekend by a kitchen remodeling company. Vinyl is also the go-to choice for many D.I.Y projects.

If you're considering a D.I.Y. project, you'll certainly need to prepare for a little sweat equity. Before you begin, though, just make sure you know the basics. Did you know, for example, that your old kitchen floor can be covered by as many as three layers of new flooring? Don't go ripping out those old floors if you don't have to!

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate!

If you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk budget and more! Call now! 215-355-4747.

Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

The Top Three Lifestyle Benefits of a Kitchen Remodeling Project

Increased home value is often cited by media reports, and homeowners, as the top benefit of a kitchen remodeling project. In reality, a kitchen remodeling project might not increase your home's value--at least not appreciably or immediately. The numbers tell a different story.

According to the nationally respected site, Remodeling, the most recent "Cost vs. Value" report for nationwide home improvements shows a 74.2% cost recoup for "major" kitchen remodeling projects ($54,909), and an 82.7% cost recoup for "minor" kitchen remodeling projects ($18,856).
 
What do these numbers mean?

Put simply, depending on the size and value of your home, you might pay 10-25% of your home’s value for a high-quality kitchen remodeling project, and in today’s housing market, you can expect to yield a return on investment of 74%--83%.

So a kitchen remodeling project will not necessarily increase home value. But these numbers can be seen as financially beneficial, especially if you plan to enjoy the benefits of your new kitchen before you sell your home.

One way to view the financial benefit of a kitchen remodeling project is to consider the cost of the project minus the value recouped: this is your real cost.

For major kitchen remodeling projects, then, the average cost of $54,909 would translate to a real cost of $14,167. ($54,909 - 74.2% = $14,167).

For minor kitchen remodeling projects, the average cost of $18,856 would translate to a real cost of $3,263 ($18,856 - 82.7% = $3262).

Viewing your kitchen remodeling project this way, you see the long-term benefits of making a change. And "change" is certainly the operative word here. Beyond "value," in our experience at MKBD, many homeowners cite "lifestyle change" as the top motivation for a kitchen remodeling project.

No doubt, a a new kitchen remodeling project can be a life-changing event. A quality project can transform the look and feel of your home. A new kitchen can make life easier, relieving stress, and increasing happiness. By making your life easier, a new kitchen can even help you stay healthier: with a new kitchen you will be inspired to cook more, and home cooking is the healthiest option.

So why are you reading this post?

Are you thinking about a kitchen remodeling project?

Here's our suggestion: Instead of fixating on home value, focus on the tangible lifestyle benefits. If you're thinking about making a change, consider how these benefits might apply to your unique situation.

The Top Three Lifestyle Benefits of a Kitchen Remodeling Project


1. Happiness

There's a reason that Pharrell William's recent hit, "Happy" is so popular. After several years of dour economic numbers and sorrowful worldwide news, many people just want to be happy.

And yes, at MKBD we've seen this benefit with nearly every kitchen remodeling project: project after project, our homeowners continue to report increased happiness.

So when planning the logistics of your project, try not to forget this crucial benefit: happiness. Before you even begin planning your project, try to imagine how your kitchen remodeling project might ease stress, inspire family communion, and change the mood of your entire home. By doing so, you might just conjure a tangible template for your kitchen style.


2. Renewal

Too many homeowners waste their hard-earned free time cooking and cleaning in cramped kitchens with antiquated fixtures and dysfunctional appliances. An old, stodgy kitchen can transform even the most resourceful cook into a take-out addict.

If you love cooking, but you've somehow lost your love for the fine art, don't blame yourself! The problem just might be your stuffy kitchen.

A major kitchen renovation is the essence of renewal.

For this "major" kitchen renovation in Fort Washington, PA, we gutted the entire room and replaced everything. Our expert team of installers removed everything down to the studs, and then installed a new radiant heat floor system in conjunction with new porcelain tile. New maple cabinetry created an upscale finish.

The above photo is a dramatic presentation of renewal. But you don't necessarily need to gut your kitchen A change can be achieved quite easily, certainly within the limits of the "minor" kitchen remodeling project noted above.

Simply updating old appliances can inspire a welcome return to the life of the kitchen. A new range, for example, can reignite your love for cooking. A new dishwasher or sink might even reveal a Joy of Dishwashing.

But a kitchen renewal need not be all about appliances. Without changing the essential layout of your kitchen, you can install new cabinets. A a new paint job can work wonders for the look and feel of your space. And a kitchen island can provide much needed prep space as well as a sitting area for your guests.

In this MKBD project, a new kitchen island anchored a harmonious renewal.

3.Efficiency

If you're like most home cooks, you constantly battle for kitchen space. Inevitably, most older kitchen become crowded with the home's junk. A new kitchen layout is the best way to optimize your available prep and storage space.

New cabinets can provide appreciably more space to store your appliances and pots and pans. As noted above, a kitchen island can provide much-needed prep space.

Remember, a beautiful kitchen is a clutter-free kitchen:

Over years of home ownership, most kitchens tend to accumulate more and more stuff. Of course, more stuff means less space, and the problem is magnified by a poorly-designed kitchen. Believe it or not, a great deal of today's kitchens were not designed to accommodate the appliances and fixtures so elemental to modern life. This is why we call a kitchen outdated: it no longer suits the lives of people living now. The problem, quite simply, is clutter.

To de-clutter your kitchen, focus on the necessities. Include only what you need in your kitchen layout. As we say at MKBD, less is often more!

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate!

If you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk budget and more! Call now! 215-355-4747.

Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!