Janet Cook
October is National Kitchen and Bath month, a focus on the two most important rooms where design details affect one’s daily living experience! Investing in updating those rooms can add value to your life, and value when it is time to sell the home. Here are some money saving tips to get the most value for your remodeling dollar.
If you count the number of cabinets in a kitchen, you’ll realize that cabinets could be your biggest purchase when remodeling your kitchen. By utilizing a remodeling company that is an authorized cabinet dealer, you can have an experienced designer help you select a better quality, made in America cabinet for about the same price listed in a “big box” store. They can bring samples to your home so you can see how the cabinet colors and glazings look in the lighting of your home.
If your appliances are over 10 years old, today’s product offerings are much more efficient, lowering utility costs. In September 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency increased the requirements for products to be able to receive the Energy Star label, as well as added the, “Most Efficient Energy Star 2014” label to help consumers identify leading edge products. It is a good time to buy new! Some homeowners run two refrigerators negating the savings from their new efficient model by keeping the old. Plan on buying an Energy Star rated refrigerator that is of a sufficient size so you do not need to keep the older model. It will help you be more efficient by having your refrigerated food stored in one place and in the kitchen where you need it! A design-build firm will have vendor relationships that will help you get a better deal for your project because of the volume of business they bring. Check their website for specials and rebates manufacturers are offering.
There are many selections to be made when remodeling a kitchen or bathroom and an experienced remodeling designer can help your budget go far. With cost savings, maybe you can include items on your wish list, like a combination oven (steam, convection, convention) that cooks more quickly and retains more nutrition, or specify a hybrid cooktop that has induction heating which does not transfer heat to the kitchen. Perhaps you’d use the savings for a warming drawer, wine cooler, or the option of having dishwasher drawers. If a kitchen island is in the plan, you can add architectural details so it will look like high-end furniture. If a kitchen island is not for you, you could have a custom hood and decorative backsplash for a centerpiece to your kitchen. In the bathroom perhaps you’d like to have a groutless, zero threshold walk in shower, or in-floor heating to make it more spa like. Isn’t it time to have the home of your dreams?
Happy kitchen and bath remodeling!
Janet B. Cook, CAPS, is President of Cook Remodeling, celebrating its 35th year, voted Top Ten Best Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Business in Ranking Arizona. She partners with Jeff Cook, CEO, a Certified Graduate Remodeler.