Kitchen Remodel Cost – 10 Creative Ways to Save Some Money

Posted on by Kitchen Guru

Here are some helpful and practical tips on keeping your Kitchen Remodel Costs in check for your kitchen remodel project.


1. Go For Cheaper Alternatives

Instead of buying expensive products right away, you should at least try to look for cheaper ones that look just as good as the expensive counterparts. You do not necessarily have to go for the cheapest alternative in order to keep your kitchen remodel cost down. You only have to determine the brand that will give the best value for the amount you are willing to pay.


2. Try To Do It Yourself

Kitchen remodeling companies and contractors charge very high fees, so it may be best to just make the kitchen remodeling a DIY project if you are on a really tight budget. Some of the tasks that you can do are painting, installing new flooring, and replacing hardware. You might want to leave the electrical work to professionals though. The slightest mistake may cause a house fire.


Lacking time for the Do It yourself Route?

With some research, You can find an experienced and reasonable kitchen remodeling specialist nearby…

What’s for dinner? Some Great kitchen remodeling ideas! Find home contractors to grill up some ideas with Skokie Contractors.


3. Cabinets

Your kitchen cabinets may not have to be replaced at all. If the damages are minor, you can simply repair them yourself. For a new look, you can sand the cabinets down to the bare wood and paint or stain them with a new color. In addition, you can choose to replace the knobs with stylish handles to make the cabinets look different than they were before.

If the cabinets are broken and must be replaced, it would be a good idea to install solid wood fronts or particle board boxes. Not using hardwood will make you save around $200 to $400 on each cabinet.


4. Countertops

Rather than going for granite countertops, you can instead opt for less expensive alternatives like solid surfaces, laminates, and green alternatives. They come in many different patterns and look almost as good as real stone countertops.


5. Kitchen Appliances

It is best to keep your old kitchen appliances if they are still serving their purpose, and if a part needs to be replaced simply visit a site such as this one in order to replace it. If your old appliances are not energy-efficient and eco-friendly enough for you anymore, and you are looking to “go green”, consider purchasing energy star rated appliances at your local home improvement store.


6. Stove And Sink

Try not to move the sink or stove to a different location. Doing this may cost you around $2000. It would be best to stick with the current layout of your kitchen if you want to keep the kitchen remodel cost down.


7. Lighting

You have to plan the kitchen lighting ahead of time so you can upgrade it while the electrical work is being done. Bringing the electrician back to upgrade the lighting instead of having him do it at the same time with the other electrical work will cost you more money.


8. Walls

Changing the flooring will be very expensive, so you might want to just work on the walls instead. The color of the walls is one of the few things that determine the style or theme of your kitchen. You can give your kitchen a fresh look by simply painting or wallpapering the walls. You can even do a combination of both for an improved aesthetic look.


9. Flooring

If you decide to change the flooring, despite increasing the kitchen remodel cost, then just use vinyl as a substitute for tiles or laminates as a substitute for hardwood. These substitutes look just as classy as the expensive materials. They will help you to save a considerable amount of money as well.


10. Genius is in Simplicity

Have you considered going all with an expensive kitchen island and a range hood over it, installing natural stone, or fancy mosaic tiles around all kitchen walls, and brand new flooring. Top it off with a brand new backsplash, granite countertop over your kitchen island, brand new appliances, and new cabinets all around? Well, it sounds good, but you would also be looking at spending some $15,000 to $20,000 for all this fancy kitchen renovation work, and upgrades.

The alternative is to keep it simple! That’ right, you can repaint your existing kitchen walls, install a brand new kitchen worktop, replace the old sink and upgrade the backsplash area, and resurface the floors, all for under $5000.00. We are talking about real savings here. You may end up with a great looking kitchen on a budget. Besides there will always be room to upgrade small things like kitchen lighting, table and chairs, and window treatments in your kitchen. You could do many of these things yourself including painting the walls, and refinishing door and window trim in your kitchen. Sound like a great way to save thousands of dollars if you approach it with a creative mindset.

Good Luck!

Your self proclaimed Kitchen Remodeling Guru

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How to Do a Small Upgrade in Your Kitchen

Posted on by Kitchen Guru

Small Kitchen Upgrades guide:

Everyone gets to the point in their home that they are just plain tired of looking at the same old thing everyday. However, those who get to this point should not think that ripping down the old and building the new is the only option. Of course that is an option for those who can afford it and do not mind having to go through the process. However, for those who want a simpler way to improve their home, there are many simple yet powerful ways to redecorate it.

Ironically, when most people think of redecorating, they consider buying new expensive furniture, and new stylish home decor artifacts. Many people erroneously believe that making a large purchases is an absolute must in order to make any room look significantly different for a home decorating project, but the truth is that spending a lot of money to remodel your home does not have to be the case, when you throw a little creativity in!

For example, the kitchen is something that can become an eye sore quickly, just because the family members are constantly using the area. You may decide that it is just too old fashioned for modern time, and decide to upgrade with a more contemporary style.

The good news is that there is no need to build a brand new kitchen. You can simply spruce up the old one. For example, an easy way to add touch of modern style to your kitchen can be as easy as replacing the handles on your kitchen cabinets and drawers. This can give the room a completely different look, without causing too much fuss and without costing an arm and a leg. You really do not have to replace all the cabinets simply because cabinets stay in style much longer than the handles that they originally came with.

I my self tend to work on remodeling my kitchen a lot, I have replaced a countertop, a dishwasher, and installed porcelain tiles in my kitchen. My bathroom is going to be my next project. Like many homeowners who have invested a lot of time and money in their home, I take my home seriously and treat it with a due respect, I am sure you have the same approach, and this is why I recommend protecting your home with a respectable Home Insurance from Churchill to make sure that your home is covered for anything unforeseen.

Kitchen Cabinets and Door Handles

Beautiful Kitchen Cabinets You can See Door Handles

Another easy to do home improvement in the kitchen is to paint the walls. You can get away from the standard white that so many kitchens are painted in, and instead splash it with a touch of color. I dare say pink or yellow tones if it suits your personality! If you have dishes that have a design on them, you can even paint the kitchen to match the majority of your dishes, so you have a well thought out plan that integrates your existing kitchenware and kitchen decor.

How to Paint the Kitchen Walls

A beautiful Kitchen with painted walls

The countertop in your kitchen may have seen many years of abuse, so if you are looking for a more involved kitchen remodeling project, then consider replacing it. You can get one that is updated and matches your new paint job if that is what you want. You can also add a back splash area around the counter tops, which can change the looks of a kitchen dramatically.

If replacing your existing kitchen countertop seems a bit pricey, then consider a low cost DIY granite paint countertop resurfacing option.

Resurfaced granite finish countertop

Resurfaced granite finish countertop


Idea Inspiration Source for DIY resurfacing with a granite countertop paint video: http://www.gianigranite.com/learnhow.html

Small Kitchen remodeling cost

Overall, the point here is to try to find a way to make some tasteful small kitchen improvements that are not going to cost you a lot, however, in return you are getting a kitchen that is going to fit your taste and personality far better than before. Those that visit the home will be able to notice that you made some very noticeable changes and may even think that you must’ve had hired a professional kitchen remodeling company to do the job.


Resources:

http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com

http://helenafayballard.blogspot.com/

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Kitchen Remodel Ideas on a Budget

Posted on by Kitchen Guru

Kitchen remodeling is perhaps one of the most rewarding remodeling decisions you can make, especially if you just purchased your home recently, and your kitchen looks like it is 1950s or it has been ages since a last major remodel in your kitchen. In this guide we will explore kitchen remodel ideas you can do on a budget.


Walls and Ceilings

Simply repainting your old walls and ceilings can dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen. I recommend that you hire a professional interior painter to apply new paint to the walls and ceiling in your kitchen. This can be done even if you have wall tiles installed in your kitchen. A professional interior painter will know the right type of primer and paint that will adhere to your tiles. You may also consider refinishing the window and door trim in your kitchen to give it a nice face lift and a feeling that your kitchen is brand new again.

Professionally repainting your kitchen walls, ceiling and trim, will probable cost you around a $1,000.00, which is a great deal when it is done professionally. You can really have your kitchen transformed and renewed by doing just this one simple step.


Kitchen Flooring

Brand new floors including linoleum, porcelain tiles, or commercial grade flooring laminate tiles can be installed if your old kitchen floors are no longer in acceptable condition.

If your old floors are still in decent shape, then you can simply give your old floors a face lift by deep cleaning them first, and giving them a high shine, after.

Replacing Kitchen Appliances, and Installing Range Hood

Another important aspect of remodeling your kitchen is replacing your old appliances, with newer, more energy efficient, and more suitable ones. You will want to consider your overall kitchen design and performance of new kitchen appliances when picking new appliances.

You can find a wide array of energy efficient appliances at your local home improvement store. If you are doing a high-end remodel in your kitchen, then it is recommended that you install a suitable kitchen hood over your new cooking range.

If there is currently no range hood installed in your kitchen, then it may be necessary for you to hire a specialist to properly mount and install your new kitchen range hood including taking care of any necessary duct work.

Kitchen Cabinets

New kitchen cabinets can be very costly, and can easily run several thousand dollars. You can definitely go for it “all the way” If money is not an issue. however, if you are working within a tight budget, then you can save a few grands by resurfacing your existing kitchen cabinets. Take a trip to Lowe’s and look for Rust-Oleum’s cabinet and countertop restoration kit. I have personally used in my own recent kitchen remodeling project, and I must say that I was really quite impressed with the quality of a finished product. Consider that I was able to give my old kitchen cabinets a new look for under a hundred dollars.


Assemble it Yourself Kitchen Cabinets

If you prefer to replace your old cabinets, but want to do so on a budget, you will find that you can save thousands of dollars just by purchasing ready to assemble kitchen cabinets instead of cabinets that are already put together. Obviously, you have to be comfortable with using basic home improvement tools to put your new cabinets together. You may also have to give your cabinets a finer finish using sand paper, and apply a coating over it.

A majority of the already assembled cabinets found on the market have sides made out of particle board sides while ready to assemble cabinets can easily be found that have solid wood fronts and sides made out of paneled wood. If the task of assembling the cabinets yourself is overwhelming, simply hire a handyman to assemble the cabinets for you. This way, you will still save a bundle.

Kitchen Countertops

If your budget allows it, it is a good idea to have a granite, or natural stone countertop installed in your kitchen. It may be costly, but going this route will ensure many years of beauty and reliable service. Having a natural stone kitchen countertop installed in your home will also make your home far more attractive to a potential buyer should you ever decide to sell your home for whatever reason.

For a thousand and one kitchen remodel ideas and to find current kitchen remodel costs in your area visit KitchenRemodelIdeas.org

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Venting Kitchen Range Hood through the Roof or the Exterior Wall

Posted on by Kitchen Guru

It is essential to properly vent range hoods, so that smoke, fats, vapors, and grease produced when you cook your food at home do not create a settlement and unsightly stains on the ceiling of your kitchen.

Range hoods are typically vented using a duct work that runs through the roof, and less often, through the outside exterior walls of your home. The duct work is usually concealed in the walls, and it is really important to make everything air and water tight. This way, you won’t have to come back to fix things after everything is set and done.

How to Vent your Kitchen Hood through the Roof:

image of Kitchen range hood vent on the roof

If you are adding a new range hood over your stove, and plan to vent it out through the roof, you will need to get an adequately sized duct that will run all the way up through the ceiling into the attic and all the way up through the rooftop where it will be connected to your roof-top vent. Installing a new roof vent will require either hiring a roofing contractor to install it, or doing it yourself provided that you are handy, and can exercise proper safety precautions while on the roof.

image of How to install range hood vent on a metal roof - cutting the opening in the roof

Most common duct work is 10″ wide and shaped in a round accordion-like duct fashion. Yow will also need a same size roof vent (10″ opening) – preferably made with painted steel, and not plastic. First, specify a location for the roof vent between two rafters, and at least 3 feet away from a nearest roof protrusion, such as bathroom vets, skylights, chimneys, and most definitely, away from your roof valleys.

Note: An improperly installed roof vent can cause numerous roof leaks in your home, which would require a roof repair to address the problem caused by a faulty roof vent installation.

Also, be sure to place your kitchen vent at least 5 feet upwards from the eaves of your roof. That is five feet upwards along the slope of your roof, and away from the bottom edge.

image of Installing range hood vent on the roof

Once a proper location for your roof vent is identified and marked, drill a hole through the roof, from the inside of the attic, located in the center between two rafters. Once you drill the hole, you will need to cut an adequately-sized opening to fit the range hood vent (either square or round-shaped, depending on the design of your roof vent).

After the hole is cut-in, remove the roofing shingles on both sides of the roof opening, and at least 3 rows above the opening. This way you can properly flash your kitchen hood vent.


Installation:

Install the vent, and seal the underside of the vent flange with roofing-grade sealant / caulk. Then flash it with the shingles that you removed prior, on both sides, and above the vent. Seal between the top of the vent flange, and at the bottom of the roofing shingles, as well. That’s it – all you have to do now is connect the accordion duct to the roof vent.

image of Flashing range hood vent with metal shingles

The pictures we have provided here, demonstrate kitchen hood vent installation work on a metal shingles roof. The procedure for metal roofing shingles is nearly the same as it is for the asphalt roofing shingles, but it is much easier to work with asphalt shingles. Therefore, if you happen to have a metal roof installed on your home, then we strongly recommend that you hire a metal roofing specialist to do this job. Regular roofers are not capable of doing this work most of the time, and will cause many problems to your metal roof.

Installing range hood vent through the outside wall:

The procedure is similar to the installation of the kitchen hood vent through the roof, but it is, slightly different, though.

We will assume that you have a vinyl siding installed on your house. for other types of siding the installation steps are very similar. You will need same accordion duct work, and a vinyl vent. You can use a drier vent instead, but it might be too small – a typical drier vent is just 4″ wide.

Get a vinyl mounting box in a size of 12×18″, and cut a round hole in it of the appropriate size for the duct work. Then, attach the vent unit to the mounting box with long flat-head screws about 2-3″ apart, all around the perimeter. Apply some clear roofing-graded / exterior caulk to make a seal between the mounting box and the vent. Trim the flange on the vent to fit the mounting box size. Once the vent is installed and sealed, attach the accordion duct to it, and you are all done!

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Kitchen Remodeling Los Angeles

Posted on by Kitchen Guru

If you happen to live in Los Angles and you are looking to remodel your kitchen, then hiring a highly skilled kitchen remodeling contractor is the key to success.

It is a good idea to find a company that has an established reputation and solid track record. You will want to deal with a kitchen remodeling company that has successfully completed a few kitchen remodeling projects that are similar in nature to what you envision for your kitchen.

A reputable re-modeler will be happy to show you pictures of his work, and provide references for you to check out.
You can request a 3-D kitchen design sketch prepared for you by your re modeler. A competent contractor will be happy to provide with new kitchen design idea sketches to help you visualize what a new kitchen would look like.

MDM Custom Remodeling, a renowned kitchen remodeling contractor in Los Angeles, can help you select new kitchen cabinetry styles, colors, and match them with a new kitchen worktop, appliance, and a kitchen island if appropriate. The company will also help you choose matching floor and wall tiles, and kitchen lighting to integrate well with your new kitchen.

Kitchen-Remodeling-Los-Angeles

Should you also be interested in remodeling your bathroom, or other parts of your home, remodeling professionals from MDM will be able to assist you with your bathroom remodel, and any other home remodeling needs that you may have.

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Kitchen Hoods – Buying Guide For Your Home Kitchen

Posted on by Kitchen Guru

Cooking a delicious meal in your kitchen can be very rewarding, but while the scent of a good meal can be very enticing, it is less pleasant if it sticks around your home for days after the meal has been eaten. In addition to the smell, cooking can also produce other unpleasant side-effects, such as smoke, grease and moisture. These problems can be avoided by installing a kitchen hood over your cooking range. The hood will draw away the unpleasant smoke, steam and smells from your oven, leaving your kitchen free of bad odors and grime.


How kitchen hoods work

A kitchen hood uses a fan to move the air. These fans may be rotary, centrifugal or axial. A rotary fan is a conventional looking bladed fan. A centrifugal fan is shaped like a barrel and it is the quietest and most efficient option. An axial fan is a type of bladed fan that has an outer ring. It is quieter than a normal rotary fan, but less expensive than a centrifugal fan. Axial fans are a good option if you are looking for a hood that is less noisy and more effective than the cheapest rotary fans, but cannot afford to buy a centrifugal fan.

Comparing Kitchen Hoods

Kitchen hoods can be compared to one another in terms of the rate at which they move the air. This is usually measured in terms of the cubic feet of air that are moved per minute. The cubic feet per minute or CFM is a good way of determining how effective a kitchen hood will be at removing smoke and smells. The higher the CFM of a kitchen hood, the more effective it will be. If you use a gas powered cooktop, you will need a more powerful kitchen hood than if you use an electric cooktop.


How powerful does my kitchen hood fan needs to be?

The rate at which the kitchen hood can extract air from the kitchen should be matched to the size of the room. Larger rooms will need more powerful extractor fans in order to prevent bad odors. You can calculate the volume of your kitchen by multiplying its height by its length and width. You should be able to approximate the volume very easily, even if your kitchen is slightly irregular in shape. Once you know the size of your kitchen, you can work out how powerful the fan needs to be in order to achieve the rate of extraction you need. You should aim to choose a kitchen hood that is capable of completely replacing or cleaning the air in the kitchen at least eight times every hour, although more powerful fans which can replace the air at least twelve times an hour will be better, if you can afford them. You can work out how much air a kitchen hood can extract per hour by multiplying its CFM by 60. If you are looking for a kitchen hood that can change the air in your kitchen twelve times an hour then this number should be at least twelve times as great as the volume of your kitchen.

Noise Factors

Another important feature to compare when you are choosing a kitchen hood is the amount of noise which it will produce when it is working. Noise production is usually measured in terms of sones. One sone is equivalent to the sound made by a normal refrigerator, while eight sones is similar to the noise produced by light traffic. Obviously, a quieter kitchen hood will be more pleasant to work with, but you may have to compromise since more powerful kitchen hoods with higher CFM ratings are usually louder.


Understanding the exhaust systems

In addition to choosing a kitchen hood that has a good fan, you will need to make sure that your kitchen hood will have a good exhaust system. This is the system through which the air will pass when it is drawn away from the cooktop or range by the fan. Two different types of exhaust systems are available, ducted and duct-free systems. Some kitchen hoods are convertible and can be used with either type of system. Other hoods can only be used with one type of exhaust system.

The first system is the ducted or vented system. This system uses ducts to channel the air away and out of the building. If you intend to use a ducted hood, the exhaust system must channel the air out of the building and not into an interior space, such as an attic. It is best if your kitchen hood can be mounted on an exterior wall since this will mean that the duct is shorter and therefore more efficient. You can use a ducted system when you hood is being placed on an interior wall, but you should remember that the duct system will need to be longer and it can be a good idea to choose a more powerful hood in order to move the air efficiently through the long vent. It is possible to install a ducted system by yourself, but you can also hire a professional to install the exhaust system for you. The duct should usually be the same size as the attachment where it will connect to the kitchen hood.

The second type of exhaust system is duct free or non vented. Rather than channeling the air outside, this system passes it through a filter, which cleans the air. The filter usually includes both a grease filter, to draw out moisture, and a charcoal filter, to purify the air and remove odors. The clean air is then returned to the kitchen. Duct free systems are usually less efficient than ducted systems. Installing a non vented kitchen range is much easier than installing a vented system, but you will need to replace or wash the filters regularly. Grease filters should usually be replaced or cleaned every three months, while charcoal filters will only need to be replaced approximately every year and a half. Kitchen hoods may have indicators that show when the filters need attention. Some ductless systems have self cleaning filter, which can be more convenient.

Most kitchen hoods come with inbuilt lighting, which can be a very useful feature. Different kitchen hoods come with different types of lighting, including fluorescent, incandescent and halogen bulbs. The number of lights in the hood can also vary, with some kitchen hoods having a single light and others having as many as four separate lights. Some kitchen hoods have variable lighting settings, so that you can change the brightness of the lights to meet your present needs. You should think about how you use your oven and what sort of lighting you would prefer before you choose your kitchen hood. The lighting in some of the more expensive and stylish kitchen hoods can make an attractive addition to your kitchen.

Some kitchen hoods come with special features that can be useful, although you should consider whether you really need any of these features before you pay more to obtain a hood that offers them. Unless you are going to use the automatic shutoff facility, for example, which turns the fan off after a certain preset period, there is no point choosing a hood just because it has this feature. Another feature that you may want to consider is a heat sensor, which can activate the fan automatically in response to an increase in temperature.

Extra Features – Do you really need them?

You should make sure that your kitchen hood is the right size. A hood should ideally be at least as wide as the cooktop or range which it will be placed above, although it can be a good idea to choose a hood that is at least three inches wider than the cooktop, on each side. If you tend to cook a lot of food at the same time, you may want to choose a slightly wider kitchen hood in order to ensure that it captures all of the steam. You will also need to consider how much space you have available for the hood and how you intend to fit it into place. Most kitchen hoods will measure at least six inches in height, although this can vary. You need to make sure there is enough room for your new kitchen hood above the cooking surface. You should usually aim to mount the hood so that it is between 24 and 30 inches above the cooktop, although the optimum height may differ between models.

A kitchen hood can be a useful addition to any kitchen, but it can be particularly effective if you have an open plan kitchen, where the odors, smoke and steam produced by cooking can be particularly problematic and intrusive. You can use a kitchen hood with any type of cooktop or range, whether it is placed along an exterior or an interior wall, or placed in an island in the center of your open plan kitchen.

How to – Installing range hood

Kitchen hoods can be mounted on the wall, incorporated into your kitchen units or an overhead canopy or suspended from the ceiling. Island and chimney hoods are often used over cooktops that are set in a kitchen island, but they can also be set against a wall. These types of hoods can be particularly useful if your kitchen has an unusually high or low ceiling. Telescopic chimney hoods can even be adjusted to the perfect height and then hidden away when they are not in use. Downdraft kitchen hoods are another option that can be very convenient and attractive. These hoods sit in a slot in the work surface and can be drawn up when they are needed, then hidden away again when the cooktop is not in use.

Energy Efficiency

Some kitchen hoods are designed to draw air towards the edges or perimeter of the hood instead of moving it over a large area. This can make the cooker hood more energy efficient and it can also help to make the hood quieter.

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