A kitchen remodel can be expensive. You want to ensure you get the most out of your money and spend it wisely. To do that, consider the following things before hiring a contractor and banging down walls.  

Know Your Contractor’s Work

Ask your contractor to provide an itemized bid for each kitchen remodel phase, including a labor and material costs breakdown. It will help you compare contractors and their prices.

It will also help you determine whether you can save money by acting as your general contractor rather than hiring a GC. It will involve much hands-on work, but it can significantly cut your kitchen remodel cost. Avoid over-customizing your kitchen, which may limit its appeal to future home buyers. Move plumbing only if necessary, and try to minimize layout changes. A good contractor can give you a detailed project breakdown and a time frame. It is important to ask for this information because it gives you an idea of how long your kitchen will be unavailable. Be wary of contractors who cannot provide accurate time frames or make promises that seem too good to be true.

Major kitchen remodels near me take more than just installing new countertops and cabinets. It will also involve the installation of electrical fixtures, plumbing lines, and insulation. Discussing these details with your contractor to avoid any unexpected costs is important. If you’re looking to save on the price of a general contractor, consider acting as your project manager and hiring subcontractors for the hands-on work.

Know The Timeline of The Project

Kitchen remodels are costly and often take months. It’s important to be aware of the time commitment before getting started so you can plan accordingly and avoid a financial crisis in the future.

A quality contractor should be able to give you a timeline for the entire project. They should also be able to tell you exactly what their process and work schedule will look like, including when your kitchen will be out of commission. If a pro is reluctant to provide details or makes promises that sound too good to be true, consider vetting them elsewhere. Check online reviews and ensure the professional is licensed through your state’s licensing board or with a trade association. It can verify you’re working with a qualified, reputable contractor in Wilsonville, Oregon and provide an additional layer of security.https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2807.303210444053!2d-122.85641499999998!3d45.282094300000004!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x186c133bee4527c5!2sKitchens%20by%20Rupp-Division%20of%20Rupp%20Family%20Builders%20Inc.!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1657651012972!5m2!1sen!2sus

Know Your Budget

Keeping track of costs throughout the remodel will ensure your kitchen upgrade remains within your budget. Kitchen contractors advise that you prepare a list of necessities and a wish list, then determine what is feasible given your budget. Ornate crown molding and pilasters can add to your overall cost, but simple, clean woodwork will keep you within budget. It would help if you decided whether to stay in your home during the remodel or move out for a portion of the project. If you will be living elsewhere during the work, you’ll need to factor in the cost of accommodations and storage fees. If you’re planning a heavy remodel that includes new electrical outlets, GFCIs and a full plumbing redo, expect the bill to be hefty. But with the right financial strategy, you can make it happen.

Know Your Materials

When designing your kitchen, consider the materials for countertops, floors, cabinets, and more. High-end options like granite are a great choice for durability and style. At the same time, more affordable laminate or porcelain tile is a good option for a budget-friendly material that offers similar qualities. Additionally, quirky backsplash tiles or eye-catching flooring patterns can bring your kitchen a burst of color or personality. For storage, reclaim your cabinet space by switching out shelves for drawers that allow easier access and are more eye-pleasing than standard stacks of cabinets. Finally, consider lighting, especially if your kitchen opens into other rooms. A mix of ambient and task lights is best for cooking, entertaining, and creating moods. Consider the time-tested kitchen triangle design concept when deciding where to place your sink, refrigerator, and stove.

The right exterior doors can boost curb appeal to any property. Maintaining an optimal temperature throughout the year can improve a home’s energy efficiency. 

However, homeowners should ensure that their front door styles complement their existing homes. Otherwise, the new doors may look like they don’t belong.

Color

Color is an essential factor when choosing a new front door. It can impact your home’s overall look and feel and even make a statement about your style.

The best front door colors should complement the overall exterior of your house and fit into a design theme you’re working with. It’s also a good idea to consider how the color of your door will affect energy efficiency—dark colors absorb more heat and can keep homes warmer in the winter. In comparison, light colors reflect more heat and can help reduce cooling costs in summer.

There are many options for selecting the perfect front door color. Some popular choices include white, navy blue, and yellow. When choosing a color, looking at paint swatches outside in natural lighting throughout the day is helpful to see how the shade will appear on your home over time. If you live in a neighborhood with restrictions on front door color, check to ensure your choice will be permissible before you begin painting.

Material

When selecting a front door for your home, it is crucial to consider its appearance, functionality, and security. The exterior doors of your home protect you from intruders and help regulate your home’s temperature throughout the year. They must also be durable enough to stand up against glaring sunlight, driving rain, and other weather hazards.

The suitable door material can make or break your curb appeal. For instance, if you have a traditional-style home, a solid wood front door might perfectly complement its architectural details and design. On the other hand, a modern-style home might look best with a sleek fiberglass or steel door that makes a sophisticated impression while offering energy efficiency. Steel and fiberglass doors are also incredibly durable materials that resist damage from harsh weather conditions and other hazards, such as stray baseballs. They’re an excellent option for homeowners who value a sense of security but want to maintain style and light.

Glass

The glass you choose for your front door will affect its appearance, but it also influences your home’s resale value and safety. Clear glass is ideal if you want it to let in plenty of natural light and create a bright foyer. However, if privacy is essential, then the frosted glass is the better option as it is less easily seen through.

Frosted glass is easy to clean and doesn’t streak like other types of windows, making it an excellent choice if your doors look their best. It is a good compromise for families that prioritize privacy while also wanting the brightness that windows bring to their home.

Many types of glass for front doors are available to suit your home’s design aesthetic and meet your family’s privacy preferences. Choosing the right door can dramatically affect your home’s curb appeal and overall resale value, so consult a professional before you purchase and install a new front door.

Hardware

When replacing an old front door, homeowners should consider the style and security of their home. There are a variety of front doors on the market that can fit any house style, from traditional to modern, and even ones with glass to let in more light. Some of the best options are wood doors that resist the elements and provide a classic look to any home and metal or fiberglass ones that offer solid protection from intruders.

Choosing the right front door is an important decision because it has many roles to play in your home: it dictates your curb appeal, protects your home from inclement weather, and contributes to the energy efficiency of your house. It’s a significant investment, so it’s essential to choose a front door that is both stylish and durable. 

As people’s lives become more digital, new homes are designed to support their lifestyle needs. This includes remote work, home offices, and voice-activated innovative technology like door locks and thermostats.

In addition, a new construction home gives frustrated homeowners an alternative to bidding wars over limited real estate supply and high prices. But what makes a new residential home genuinely innovative?

Uniqueness and Simplicity

Whether you’re in the market for your first house or want to upgrade from an older home to a new-construction home, Your Home Wichita has features that set them apart. From smart lighting to built-in storage solutions, these modern touches add a personal touch and make your house more appealing to buyers when it comes time to sell.

While some new construction homes may look similar, builders strive to create a unique feel that’s right for their community. In addition to a sleek design, many new homes are infused with elements like exposed wood beams and contemporary architectural styles that reflect the local landscape.

Smarter Technology

Smart technology has become a standard in new homes, making it easier for residents to control their environments. Mobile devices or voice commands can handle the latest home tech gadgets, and many can identify individual voices.

Similarly, bright lighting, which uses light bulbs and switches connected to the internet, can be controlled with simple voice commands or smartphone apps. The same system can access TVs and projectors to create high-quality, HD, cinema-like entertainment.

In addition, intelligent building management technologies allow apartment and commercial buildings to operate more efficiently and securely. Machine learning and advanced AI help reduce energy costs, increase building NOI, and improve occupant satisfaction. Smart apartments can even detect when maintenance is needed, for example, when the air conditioning filters need to be replaced or batteries in smart locks need to be changed.

Better Space Planning

Space planning focuses on determining the best use of living areas. It involves evaluating how each room will be used and the relationship to adjacent rooms (e.g., a kitchen-dining area or a bathroom). It also considers the acoustics of each space so that noise doesn’t travel too far and can be easily heard.

In addition, it’s essential to consider the potential multifunctional requirements for a space. For example, a music room may need storage for instruments and music, seating, and a door that closes off the area from other rooms.

This type of space-saving practice is a critical component of good design. It also allows for future expansion, such as adding attic or basement spaces using stacked trusses or cantilevers.

Energy Efficiency

The best part about modern residential new homes is that they’re often more eco-friendly than older homes. This is due to green construction materials, insulating techniques, and continual changes to energy code regulations. If you’re in an older home, there are still ways to make it more eco-friendly, such as solar panels, air leakage safeguards, and upgrading to energy-efficient doors and windows.

Cutting-edge builders are incorporating the latest energy-efficiency methods into their new homes. This can save you money on your bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, some of our latest homes create a power surplus so homeowners can sell excess energy back to their local utility companies. This is a truly unique and sustainable home feature! Learn more here.

Sustainability

A growing number of people seek sustainable homes. This involves environmental responsibility and optimizing energy and water use to lower bills.

Many new homes feature insulated walls and doors that limit air leakage, which reduces energy consumption. Efficient appliances and low water usage fixtures like dual-flush toilets are other standard sustainable design features.

Some modern houses incorporate green building materials, with builders using recycled wood and repurposed materials whenever possible. They also utilize energy-efficient windows and more muscular builds that resist harsh weather conditions.