There is nothing worse than starting a project such as a kitchen remodel and finding out half way into it that it is going to cost way more than you intended on spending. The key is to know in advance what you “intend on spending” and plan accordingly. Too many times our eyes get bigger than our wallet and we fall way to heavily on credit. No statement was ever more true when doing a home renovation project. Buying a car or a new computer is so much easier because it is easy to research and compare pricing. It is a little different in remodeling projects. The information is out there but not as easy to obtain. Here are a few questions that must get answered before you can start budgeting. The following are in my opinion (outside of a major restructure) the four key price points as it pertains to a kitchen remodel.

• Objective?

What is your objective? You need to get a clear picture in your head of what you want to accomplish. Like, do you want to rearrange the layout of the kitchen? Will you have to add or remove walls? Will the plumbing and major electrical outlets stay where they are? Any questions like these are the difference between spending money and saving money. I always say, “ It is best to shoot for the moon and then back down from there according to what you are able to spend”.

• Cabinets?

There are four major questions here. Reface? Pre-Manufactured? Semi-Custom? Custom?

Reface – Basically, this going to be the least expensive short-term solution. It entails a new exterior finish on the cabinet frames and fronts or simply doing all new fronts. It is best to consult a custom cabinetmaker for pricing on this option.

Pre-Manufactured – These types of cabinets can be purchased at you any of your major “big box” retailers. This option is easy to price on your own by simply going to the store or shopping on-line.

Semi-Custom – A step up in quality and price from Pre-Manufactured. Again, most “big box” retailers will have a line or two of this type of product. One of the distinguishing features of Semi-Custom as apposed to Pre-Manufactured is decorative molding. Semi-Custom will give you more character options to make your kitchen unique.

Custom – As a custom cabinetmaker myself, it is no secret that I am partial to this option. No question, it is far and away the best VALUE. You will spend more money up front but the rewards are long lasting. Working with a custom cabinet designer and manufacturer gives you the ability to shape and mold your kitchen into exactly what best identifies you and your family. No restrictions…the sky is the limit. The cabinets are more durable and the appearance is seamless. It is at least a good idea to start here when budgeting.

• Appliances?

This is something that you can research on your own. Also, I plan to do an upcoming blog on this topic because it is so important. Function and energy efficiency are two main questions and following that is appearance. When doing custom cabinets, you will have to option of integrated appliances. Integrated means that the cabinetmaker puts a panel on the front of select appliances so that it blends into the cabinetry. The most common integrated appliances are the refrigerator and dishwasher but several others carry the same option.

• Countertops?

Granite has emerged as option one currently but there are so many choices. Such as laminate, man-made solid surfaces, granite and marble to name a few. Most pricing for this will be given in square footage and can be obtained by making a few phone calls. Retailers such as Lowes and Home Depot are good places to start but not usually to finish.

      If you can honestly answer these questions and begin to accumulate pricing on these products you will have a head start on your dream kitchen. It is great to have all this information ready when you start to talk to a general contractor. Knowing how much you want to spend before you talk to him will help keep both you and him in check. A budget can be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on how it is structured so be honest and realistic about both what you want and what you can afford.

By Brian Johnson

Brian is the Operations Manager at Johnson Custom Cabinetry, Inc. in Lancaster SC. Johnson Custom Cabinetry, Inc. has furnished some of the most significant residencies in the Carolinas with hand made custom cabinets. Visit them at www.EJohnsonCustomHomes.com.

The time is now!

· There is no better time than right now to start preparing for your kitchen remodel. I do not mean to overstate this but it is really that good!

· Building materials are at “rock bottom” prices.

· Contractor availability is at an all-time high.

· The market in this industry is very competitive which is driving prices and fees lower and lower.

· Customer satisfaction is top priority right now; every contractor wants that coveted “good referral” because they all know it will lead to more business. So you should be getting “red carpet” treatment.

· Not to mention, the kids are in school so the house is relatively free for the majority of the day.

You must prepare!

· Begin to dialogue with your family and friends about your dream kitchen. Bouncing things off other people is always healthy because they may think of something that you haven’t and they can also affirm things that you desire.

· Start to clip out images that you would like to see come to fruition in your kitchen. There are countless sources for this, both on-line and in the marketplace. If you have it in the budget, you may want to consult an interior designer.

· Consult your friends and/or family to get referrals for reputable contractors. I always say, “You need at least four”. Do your research, call references, visit websites and give these guys the “third degree”. If they can’t handle it than you don’t want to give them your business.

If you are planning on acting as your own contractor, good for you! However, there will be so much more required of you. We will cover more about this in a later post.

Even if you are dreading the thought of tearing your kitchen apart, take a step back and realize that this could be the ultimate form of delayed gratification. However, it is vital that you get started off on the right foot so take your time but be intentional about your objective.
In the next article, we are going to discuss how to prepare a budget. This is crucial because you can’t afford to be shooting in the dark on this. Everybody that you deal with through this process will constantly try to “up sell” you so you need to know what your limitations are. A budget can be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on how it is structured, so please check back next week for the continuation.

By Brian Johnson
Brian is the Operations Manager at Johnson Custom Cabinetry, Inc. in Lancaster SC. Johnson Custom Cabinetry, Inc. has furnished some of the most significant residencies in the Carolinas with hand made custom cabinets. Check out their website at www.EJohnsonCustomHomes.com.

Sincerely,
Brian Johnson
Operations Manager
Johnson Custom Cabinetry, Inc.