Kitchen Remodeling Tips and Tricks
Here are some Kitchen Remodeling Tips and Tricks:
You’re looking to get the most bangs for your buck when you remodel your kitchen. That’s great! The following tips will give you some insight on what options are out there for you to consider, how much they cost, and why the cost is so high or low in comparison to other items. This should help lead you down the right path for the successful completion of your kitchen renovation. Be sure to read all aspects if this article before spending any money.
What’s Up With Kitchen Cabinets?
The term ‘cabinetry’ can include everything from custom cabinets made by artisans (which costs the average Joe 6 figure $$$) all the way down to plain white boxes from your local big-box megastore. The key thing to realize is that cabinet boxes are priced according to particle board construction, features (like soft-close doors), and the type of finish you desire. Now, this won’t help you know if you need 2 or 24 of them, but it will give you an idea about what goes into the price.
What’s Up With Countertops?
Countertop material can vary quite a bit depending on which option(s) you go with. Just like cabinets, there is the custom route or readymade options for purchase at certain stores/websites. Custom countertops typically include stone slab tops (granite, butcher block, marble…etc), solid surface materials (Quartz has become the most popular these days), and wood (cherry, arborite). Readymade options can include: laminate, tiling, and paint on materials.
The price of these items is simply dependent on the material chosen, whether or not you need extra features like sinks cut out (which costs more money), and how big they are. For example…if you need a 60″ X 18″ X 1/4″ solid surface piece for your bar area it’s going to cost $$$$$$, but if you simply want a 12″ X 36″ painted butcher block countertop that sits beside your stove it will be much cheaper.
What’s Up With Appliances?
Appliance pricing depends on the type of range top (electric, gas, or induction), the size of it (30″ vs 36″), and which features you want. The more expensive options include stainless steel bodies, convection baking features, high-end racks, and variable cooking elements. The cheaper options include plastic exteriors/interiors, lower-end racks, and manual heating elements.
In addition to these factors, appliance sizing can vary between manufacturers and models even if they’re from the same brand name. An example would be a counter depth fridge vs a standard depth fridge…both may come in an $800 price range but the counter depth will force your wall cabinets to adjust so there’s an additional cost involved there. It is best to go onto appliance manufacturer websites and compare models along with their specifications before making a purchase rather than just price shopping.
What’s Up With Lighting?
The cost of lighting is divided up by two factors: the type of light source (fluorescent, ceramic metal halide, LED) and how many lumens you need to light your room. To calculate lumen needs to take out a tape measure or ruler and record the width & height of an area. Multiply those numbers together and divide that number by 10 to get a rough estimate. For example…if you have a space that is 8′ X 10′ the calculation would be as follows: 8 X 10 = 80 / 10 = 8 so around 800 Lumens should do it for this size area. This will help ensure all areas of your kitchen are adequately lit without sacrificing energy or causing discomfort to the person.
In addition to this, you need to decide what color of light you want. And if you want any special features like dimmable lighting. In regards to color temperature, the lower Kelvin-rated shades (2700k – 3000k) produce a warmer richer tone. While higher numbers (3500k – 4500k) create a cool clinical look. The main feature people get concerned about is dimmable lighting. Due to their living area being used as a home theater. At certain times of day…in this case, LED/low K options make the most sense for $$$ effectiveness here.
Don’t Forget About The Flooring!
Ceramic tiles will typically cost $4 per sq/ft while porcelain will cost around $6 per sq/ft. The reason for this is that the latter has a harder more scratch-resistant glaze. Making it better suited for high traffic areas in kitchens. However, glass tiles are becoming an increasingly popular option due to their affordability ($2 per sq/ft). And the ability to produce interesting visual effects when they’re installed.
Conclusion:
This guide is to help new homeowners and renovation novices understand some of the basics of kitchen pricing. So there’s less stress involved in understanding what certain features cost. Of course, more information can be found online or by speaking directly with a contractor. But this should at least give you a rough idea as to how much kitchens cost.