We’ve mentioned in previous articles how important it is to think through every detail of your remodel before you make any final decisions – but we can’t stress it enough.  Some people go into a remodel thinking that the transformation will be primarily visual.  While aesthetics are important, there is much more you can do if budget allows. 

Have it all

Your kitchen can be designed to do facilitate what’s important to you: make multiple cooks comfortable by playing with the walking area width and placement of work areas, keep kids safe by focusing on appliance placement and corners, make life easier by getting storage where you need it and things at the proper height.  All of this can be done – it just takes proper planning. 

It’s not always easy to narrow down your style, and no one says you have to fit into one style bucket, but looking at clues (based on your lifestyle and pieces you already love) can make it much easier to finish designing and decorating.  Sometimes clues can be as seemingly abstract as your favorite beverage and colors. 

How to uncover your style

It can help to read and learn about different home décor styles, and then follow up by researching deeper into each style.  On a similar note, contacting your local remodeling and design experts can prove to be extremely useful, as they work with homeowners and pinpoint styles daily.  But, it can also be fun and informative to take a simple quiz online. 

If you were to come to us and ask what you should be looking for in a cabinet provider, we may seem a bit biased when we tell you to look no further than Brakur Custom Cabinetry, Inc. - so that’s why we not only give you questions to ask your remodeler and things to look for when choosing a professional, but we also urge you to take the word of previous clients.

Helpful hints

Today’s technology has made it easier for homeowners to look into remodeling professionals before ever even setting foot in the door.  At the same time, it has made it more difficult for unreliable or unprofessional dealers and contractors to pull the wool over your eyes – and that’s a good thing. 

If you’re looking for reviews, you may be able to find testimonials directly on the website of the professional, but also on sites such as yelp, Houzz (if it the company is remodeling or design related) the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List.  Social media can also be a helpful tool to find out more about companies these days – they may have reviews on their company facebook page, or you could potentially even find something helpful on Twitter.  There’s virtually nowhere to hide in today’s business review world, and Word of Mouth travels further than ever before.

Anyone who has previously set a budget and remodeled their kitchen or bathroom will probably agree – if you’re not careful, it’s easy to overspend and bust your budget. With so many products and stylish pieces available today, you have to make a conscious effort not to let things get out of control– which is why we advise you to pull apart all the pieces that will make up your remodel, and assign a certain amount of your budget toward each section.

If your median budget is $30,000 and you plan to do a complete overhaul of your kitchen, you shouldn’t be spending $20,000 on cabinets (unless of course you want to and you plan everything out accordingly). So what should you be spending in each area?

Remodeling costs uncovered

You probably have a good idea of what you like and don’t like when it comes to bathrooms - and you likely think some other people are crazy when you see their bathrooms… “What were they thinking?” Either way, it’s always fun to find out what the general public thinks when it comes to remodeling options; even if you don’t want to include any of it in your space.

What do people want in bathrooms?

Over 7,500 people recently shared their bathroom remodeling plans in a Houzz survey. Curious what they said? We were too. Here are some of the findings:

• The majority of homeowners are renovating to upgrade features and fixtures.
• 55% of respondents said they will have double sinks in their master bathroom.
• Glass showers are preferred by a large majority.
• White cabinets are generally preferred in the bathroom, followed by dark and medium wood.
• Younger homeowners prefer rain showerheads, and older participants preferred hand showers.

For more interesting findings, check out the full survey here: Houzz Bathroom Study.

Starting your kitchen or bathroom remodel? You, no doubt, already have 100,000 things floating through your head – from style to prices, layout and more. If you choose the right professional, you’ll be able to rely on their expertise, and they can guide you through each decision…but first you have to find them.

There are many questions you should ask each professional you talk to, but there are also a handful that you should ask yourself as you choose...

Ask and you shall receive

Cabinetry is the first thing most people notice when walking into the kitchen. It usually takes up the largest percentage of your remodeling budget and also plays a big role in determining your overall style. Needless to say, choosing the right cabinetry is important.

Remodeling your kitchen can be a lot of fun, but it can also get a little confusing when you dive in without a survival plan. Before you start making decisions, there are many other things to check off the list – gathering ideas, establishing your needs, wants and desires, setting your budget, finding a trustworthy professional, gathering quotes and more. It’s enough to make your head spin if you’re not ready for it all.

"How much will it cost me?" is a question that goes through many homeowners’ minds when they get the bug to remodel. While it is impossible to put an exact price on a remodel (without knowing all of the details), it is good to know the average of other people’s remodels.

If you had a choice between buying a product to help your local community, or buying one that would send money overseas, which would you choose? If prices were comparable, we venture to guess many people would choose the local option.