Posts Tagged "Kitchen Remodel"

When Is The Best Time To Remodel

January 19, 2012

Most people think of spring and summer as the perfect time to undertake a remodeling project. It is quite true that warmer temperatures and sunny days are beneficial when it comes to working outside – or rather hiring other people to work outside – but temperature is far from the only consideration when deciding when is the right time to begin your remodeling project.

In many cases, knowing when to remodel is likely to save you money as well as time during your project. Spring and summer may be the most popular times to call in a contractor but they may not be the right option for you.

Avoiding Contractors’ Busy Times

If you go to your favorite restaurant when they are very busy you are unlikely to get the same careful level of attention as you would at off peak hours and you are far less likely to get the extra side portion of salad dressing or any other extras you want the first time you ask for it. The staff are simply going to be too busy to give you all the attention they probably should.

The same can often hold true for renovation or remodeling contractors of all kinds. If they are juggling several projects at once they may simply not have the resources or time to pay as much attention to yours, especially if it a smaller project, as they usually would if they were less pressed for time.

Additionally, when every contractor within a ten mile radius is putting in orders for hardwood flooring, paint, lumber and all kinds of other building supplies there is a much greater chance that orders will suffer stock shortages, get delayed, or even mixed up, causing everyone involved extra headaches. Remodeling projects are already a bit of a hassle anyway so these types of extra delays can become a real annoyance.

By working with remodeling contractors in their “off season” you may also get a more favorable to you price estimate as when they have less projects on their books.

The best possible scenario for many remodeling and home maintenance projects is to schedule them a few months earlier than everyone else is likely to be doing.

Keith Gerety
General Contractor

Kitchen Renovation: Adding Value To Your Home

December 8, 2011

A kitchen renovation is one of the smartest ways to add value to your home. Real estate experts agree that a well-designed and updated kitchen attracts buyers. Whether you are completely remodeling or simply making a few updates, homeowners can improve the appeal of their home and increase the value with a kitchen renovation.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report, a homeowner will recoup about 60% of the cost of a major kitchen renovation. This makes it one of the best remodeling choices for homeowners looking to build equity in their home. A modern kitchen makes your home more valuable and more attractive to buyers when the time comes to sell.

The kitchen is the heart of a home. It is a place to gather as a family, visit with friends, and share meals. Because it is one of the most popular rooms in the house, kitchens tend to suffer a lot of wear and tear over time. Countertops, appliances, and flooring can get worn and damaged, decreasing the style and appeal of the room.

A kitchen renovation may include knocking down walls to add space or redesigning the layout to improve functionality. Homeowners have the chance to design the room they have always wanted. Make the most of it by increasing storage space and improving traffic flow.

Consider upgrading your appliances to high-efficiency models. Not only can they save you money in energy costs, you may be eligible for tax rebates. Be sure that your electrical wiring and plumbing are properly installed to prevent damage and ensure that your appliances will work correctly.

Your existing cabinets can be re-surfaced or you may decide to replace them entirely with new ones. Choose a countertop surface that will blend well with your cabinets. Stone, especially granite, gives your kitchen an up-scale and classic look that will last the lifetime of your home.

Hardwoods and ceramic tiles are the most popular choices for kitchen flooring. Both materials are attractive to buyers and need very little maintenance to look good.

Lighting is extremely important in the kitchen. Ambient lighting will keep the room bright. Task lighting illuminates the food prep and cooking area. Under cabinet lighting can accentuate the beauty of your room.

Find a wall color that will accentuate your new cabinets, flooring, appliances, and countertops. Consider the addition of a colorful backsplash or accent wall to create a focal point in the room.

A kitchen renovation is a large project and can take months to fully complete. Discuss a timeline and a specific budget for your project with us so you will know what to expect.

Not everyone is willing or able to complete a large-scale renovation of the kitchen. Even minor improvements can change the entire look of your kitchen and make it more appealing to potential buyers. Whether you are selling your home or simply want to improve the room’s appearance, small projects like painting or replacing outdated appliances can make a big difference to the value of your home.

Keith Gerety
Greenwich CT

How To Choose Custom Kitchen Cabinetry

August 12, 2011

If you consider choosing custom kitchen cabinets an open and shut matter, you are gravely mistaken. Whether it is a new or a remodeled variety that you want, you could have a tough time getting hold of the variety that you want. Since the choices and options are endless; you will really have a tough time finding the item of your choice. Cabinets add up to 70 percent of almost every kitchen’s cost so you need to ensure that you are getting the best return on your investment. A single mistake on your part and it could ruin your entire investment! So make sure that you are carrying out each and every process of selecting your custom kitchen cabinetry with the required amount of attention and precision.

If, you wish to control your costs, and at the same time want to have great looking custom cabinets, you will need to do some research. Or you can even go for the option of purchasing standard sized cabinets and then opting for upgrades. You would have fewer finish options but you would surely get custom kitchen cabinetry at a much lower cost. You can always get custom units which offer the perfect fit and exact dimensions if you are ready to research adequately. Top-quality materials and craftsmanship can be used if you are not on a tight budget and these superior quality items are easily available in the market.

Your first task will be to analyze your kitchen’s layout and cooking habits of your family. Depending on these factors, analyze what you would need to store in your custom kitchen cabinetry. You may even have plans to get accessories for your cabinetry, but for that you need to organize your kitchen activities through the skillful organization of your cabinetry. If you feel that you are not competent enough to carry out the task, seek professional guidance. An architect or a kitchen designer can help you in the process of making choices thereby making the most of your space.

You should always select your cabinetry based on the material used to manufacture it. Take some time to select the wood and the desired finish. Try to choose those which are easy to clean and are durable. Opt for those manufacturers who offer warranties and cover typical repairs. Browse through showroom samples in order to get a broad idea of the items that these manufacturers make. Since custom kitchen cabinetry should be designed on the basis of your desires and demands, you need to spend a good amount of time and energy finding a design that is appropriate for you and your kitchen. You can even get help from your friends and relatives who have purchased such cabinets at some point of time. Their suggestions can be of great help when it comes to choosing your cabinetry.

Custom cabinetry is the best investment you can make in your home improvement. Make your house a home with kitchen cabinetry crafted to your exact requirements for the kitchen you only dare dream of. Now it can be reality. You’ll be surprised how affordable your dream custom kitchen cabinets can be.

Keith Gerety
Greenwich CT

Kitchen Remodel in Chappaqua NY

July 13, 2011

 

The kitchen is the one room in your home that you will immediately feel the benefits of remodeling since it is one of the most frequented room in most homes. We do our best to make the whole process as easy and painless as possible.

Here is a brief description of a kitchen remodeling project we are in the process of completing:

For this particular kitchen remodel our client decided to go with Candlelight Cabinets.

The Door Style was Nottingham Square and the finish selected was a Davinci Snowflake.

A Model Engineered Oak flooring with a Colonial Stain Semigloss finish was selected (pictures coming soon)

 

Keith Gerety
Greenwich CT

Benefits of Kitchen Remodeling

June 1, 2011

The kitchen is probably the most frequented room in your home, and if you are feeling frustrated every time you walk into it because it feels like you just went back in time, then it is time for a kitchen remodel.

Remodeling your kitchen is not as overwhelming as you may think, and we are excellent at making the whole process smooth and painless. Here are some of the benefits of remodeling your kitchen:

Add More Space

With a new design, your kitchen can be organized more efficiently and give you more space. You will get the benefit of more walking around space, as well as storage space. Using computer guided design software you are able to see a digital representation of your future kitchen.

Update Appliances

When you remodel your kitchen you also get the benefit of updating your appliances. With computers becoming less inexpensive, many appliances (example) have integrated lcd touch displays that serve as your own personal kitchen assistant, walking you through your favorite recipes, checking your email, or reading/watching the news.

Increase the Value of Your Home

Last but not least, your home value can be dramatically increased by simply performing a kitchen remodeling. Most people in the market for a home today are turned off by “old style” kitchens. If you plan on selling your home in the future, remodeling your kitchen will definitely make your home more sellable.

Fresh New Look

A fresh new look is another benefit of kitchen remodeling. Does your kitchen feel and look outdated ? If this is the case, you’ll love the new look you get when you do a remodel in your home.

Keith Gerety
Westchester NY