Touch Up High-Use Areas

One of the quickest and easiest ways to increase the value of your home is by freshening up areas that show wear and tear. High-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms tend to show the most wear, so consider refreshing those areas first to get the most bang for your buck.

To do so, either touch up your current paint where it is worn or, if necessary, repaint to a color that will appeal to a broad range of people. It’s a great idea to do both interior and exterior paint in order to help the house’s overall appearance and boost its curb appeal. In addition to paint, consider replacing high-wear items like front door knobs, kitchen faucets, and the like.

Install New Flooring

Speaking of high-use areas, one element of every home that gets worn quickly is the floors. Despite the initial expense, replacing or refurbishing the current floors can easily pay for itself when selling your home. As buyers tour different houses, new floors stand out. In conjunction with the fresh paint we mentioned above, these two changes alone can make your home feel new, clean, and inviting. If you want to get the highest possible offer for your home, consider upgrading the flooring.

Renovate the Kitchen & Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms tend to show their age more than other areas of the house. Outdated appliances and bygone design fads in these rooms can make your whole house feel old and undesirable, lowering its value. If a large-scale kitchen and bathroom remodel is out of your budget, even some minor DIY updates—such as repainting cabinets, adding new cabinet pulls, and installing new countertops—can help increase the value of your home. By updating the look of these rooms, you will find more interested buyers.

Open Up the Floor Plan

Open floor plans are certainly in style, and having a home that has large, shared spaces will command a higher price compared to one with more siloed rooms. Specifically, modern home buyers are looking for an open floor plan that connects three of the major rooms in the house. If you’re already planning on remodeling, then changing up the floor plan to connect the kitchen, living room, and dining room areas into an open concept can be another great way to add value.

Finish the Basement

Finally, if your home has an unfinished basement, consider finishing it. Finished basements add another level to your home, creating a unique space that is separate from the rest of the house. As a result of their more relaxed and genuine atmosphere, they are quite popular on buyers’ wish lists. Finishing your basement is a great way to add liveable square footage to your home and will positively affect its resale value.
That’s it! Those are five ways you can immediately increase the value of your home. Looking for help in putting these steps into action? Contact us today for a quote on your home remodeling project.

The post 5 Upgrades to Increase the Value of Your Existing Home appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Secure Your Medicine Cabinet

One way to make your bathroom more kid-friendly is to make sure that your children can’t get into the medicine cabinet. Young kids always want to put everything in their mouths, and medicine is certainly no exception. For younger children, getting their hands on even some regular household items can be very dangerous.

As a result, ensuring that your medicine, cleaning products, and other dangerous substances are well out of reach of your kids is a necessity. From simply putting them on a high shelf to adding a childproof lock on the cabinet door, there are numerous approaches you can take. Even if you don’t share your bathroom with your child, it’s always a good idea to keep them out of reach of your children.

Add a Stepping Stool

The second way to easily make your bathroom kid-safe is to put a stepping stool in the bathroom for their use. Whether it be to reach the sink or for getting out of the bathtub, having a secure stool that they can easily step onto is a great idea to make your bathroom as safe as possible. Bathrooms are no strangers to water, and can often be quite slippery. Adding a stool or two can allow your kids to use the bathroom both safely and easily.

Use a Bath Mat

Speaking of slipping, you can also place bath mats near the tub and sink to prevent your child from slipping and falling on a wet spot. Bath mats are an easy and cheap way to make the area a little bit safer, and have become common in many bathrooms as a result. They are also great for contributing to the design of the bathroom and spicing up the look. If you want to be even more careful, you can also install some handlebars near the bathtub or toilet. While they are a bit more expensive and can be less appealing to the eye, their effectiveness is certainly worth the consideration.

Regulate the Water Temperature

Whether they’re sitting in the bathtub or playing with the sink, it’s very easy for a young child to turn on very hot water without even realizing it. There are plenty of ways to help prevent this, especially with newer smart faucets. Some options will reduce water flow once it reaches a certain temperature, while others will light up once the water reaches a temperature threshold. If these options are beyond your price range, there are also countless temperature-sensitive bath toys that will visibly change colors to let your young ones know when it’s safe to get in. Investing in one or two of these approaches can help to keep your child from scalding their hands.

Install a Toilet Safety Lock

Similar to the medicine cabinet, our final tip to make your bathroom kid-safe is to add childproof locks to your toilets. If your child decides to go playing in the bathroom, it’s not too difficult to get the toilet open. This can easily lead to injuries, or, in the worst cases, drowning. Adding a safety lock to prevent your child from getting into the toilet is another easy way to make your bathroom safer for your kids.
With all the creative ways our kids devise to hurt themselves, it’s important to find ways to reduce their likelihood. By implementing these methods in your bathrooms at home, your kids will be able to grow in independence and confidence without fear of injury. If you want additional ideas, installation help, or simply an outside opinion on your design choices, contact us today!

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Make Space to Breathe

If you’re planning out a kitchen remodel, keep in mind the location of the refrigerator, stove and sink. As the three most used parts of every kitchen, you should make sure that your new kitchen design puts each of these in a position that is both easy to access and has enough counter space to work at. Having to deal with a lack of space around any of these will leave you feeling cramped and make your kitchen less efficient, so be sure to allow plenty of elbow room.

Keep Things in Arm’s Reach

One of the best and easiest ways to have a more efficient kitchen is through proper organization and storage. A cluttered kitchen can be very difficult to work in, which is why it is important to organize everything in a way that makes sense. In your remodeled kitchen design be sure to include storage for items close to the spaces where they’ll be used. Allow space to store your pans near the stove, your containers near the fridge, and so on. With your most used items, find or create a place that will give you easy access no matter what you’re doing.

Utilize the Counters

You can also store food items that are used very often, like flour, sugar, or pasta, in open storage containers on the counter so they can be easily used. Storing these food staples in containers on the countertop can also help if your shelf and cabinet spaces are limited, as well as contribute to the design and look of the kitchen. Countertop containers are a great way to add some color while also making your kitchen more efficient at the same time.

Know Where it Goes

Once you have everything in your kitchen stored in a good spot, you can even take it one step further by labeling any items that can be labeled. This will make it easier to find whatever you’re looking for, saving you time while you’re working in the kitchen. If you’re not a fan of labels, you can also use clear containers to see what’s inside of each one. Any way that can help you to save some time is just another way to make your kitchen more efficient. 

Choose to Reuse

Investing in reusable, multipurpose kitchen items is another excellent way to make your kitchen even more efficient. Mason jars can be readily used as both cups and item storage, saving you both space and money. Reusable bowl covers can eliminate the need for cling wrap. Stackable storage bins for fruits and veggies in your fridge can be a great way to keep the space organized. As an added bonus, these reusable items serve to keep your kitchen eco-friendly and limit waste!
There are many ways that you can make your kitchen more efficient and easier to use. Some are simple, some will take some time to set up, but all of them can end up saving you lots of time in the long run! If you’re still not sure where to begin or you want an expert opinion on what will work best for your home, get in touch with us today!

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Tile Variations

The first thing to understand is what kind of tiling best suits the area you are working in. There are lots of different types of tile to choose from, each with its strengths and weaknesses in different areas in the house. Ceramic, quarry, vitrified and terracotta tiles are all very good options for floors and walls throughout your home, natural stone tiles like marble or granite are often used in kitchens, and mosaic tiles are best used in kitchens and bathrooms. Knowing what type of tile you are selecting for what job is important, as it allows you to find durable and long-lasting options that will seamlessly blend in with the room you choose.

Size and Practicality

The next step is understanding what kind of tiles to choose based on the layout of the room and your desired aesthetic. If the room in question is larger, such as a kitchen or living room, then larger tiles will usually complement the space nicely. In the same way, smaller tiles would be better suited for smaller areas like the bathroom to avoid the tiles being too imposing for the space.

Incorporating what we know about tile variations, natural stone tile may lend itself to a bigger living room, while a slightly smaller more decorative terracotta tile may be better suited for a smaller living room. Natural tiles are also a great option for bathroom floors because they are less slippery when they get wet, while larger terracotta or quarry tiles can minimize the appearance of dirt in a mudroom or hallway. 

Grouting Choice

The final thing to consider when selecting tile is grout. If you want your floors to be seamless and have minimal gaps, consider porcelain and natural stone tiles that have very little gaps between each piece. If you prefer a style that will need visible grouting, then choose a grout color that won’t clash with your tile of choice.
Ultimately, the tile you choose is up to your personal preference. These tips are here to help inform you so that you can make the best possible tile selection for your home in terms of functionality, longevity, and personal style preferences. If you have any questions, or if you simply want more insight about selecting tile for your home, contact us today!

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Tile Selection appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Pros and Cons of Moving

First, let’s talk about moving and the advantages and disadvantages that are associated with it. One of the major advantages of moving is the fact that you get to pick the location of your new home. This is beneficial in more ways than one. Not only can you move to an area that you really like, but you can also pick what neighborhood you want to live in and what schools you want nearby. You can also move into a home that is turnkey-ready, avoiding the hassle and upfront cost of remodeling your current home. 

However, there are also some disadvantages to moving. The first is that, unless you are able to find a house that suits your needs and tastes perfectly, you will inevitably have to make some compromises. In most cases, the cost to both buy a new house and remodel it to your liking is unfeasible. Furthermore, although you may find an area you really enjoy when moving, it may also mean leaving an area that you have grown to love and leaving behind the roots you planted in your current neighborhood. 

Moving can also be time-consuming, stressful, and expensive. Dealing with move-in and move-out dates and trying to find a house that suits you within a short time frame can be highly taxing, even to the most level-headed people. Another factor to consider is the additional expenses you will have to deal with when moving, including realtor and moving fees. 

Pros and Cons of Remodeling

If moving does not sound appealing to you, the other option is to remodel your current home. One of the greatest advantages of remodeling is that you are able to plan and customize the entire renovation process to your exact specifications. Another big advantage to renovating is that you don’t have to leave behind your current local community, allowing you to maintain your current lifestyle far more easily.

Many homeowners don’t feel like remodeling is a possibility for them due to the cost. However, with options such as home equity lines of credit, it can be possible. Remodeling also allows you to avoid the expensive real estate agent fees that come with buying and selling houses.

However, there are also downsides that go along with remodeling. Surprise expenses are definitely a concern when remodeling, whereas the price is listed up front in home buying. Another downside is the potential difficulty of living in the space you are remodeling, although this depends on the location and scale of the project.

There are many things to consider when determining whether to move or remodel. In the end, there are many determining factors, and you have to decide which to prioritize based on your needs and wants.
Sometimes, simply getting clarity on what things will cost is necessary to make an accurate decision. If you want a quote on a remodeling project to better determine if you should build or buy, fill out our contact form today!

The post Moving vs Remodeling: Which One Is Right for You? appeared first on JL Remodeling.

As a homeowner trying to improve the value of your property, how do you know which upgrades will give your home that wow factor and make the most difference when buyers make their decisions?

This is a question that many owners ask. But sadly, there is no magical way of knowing what buyers will prefer. Every buyer is different and their idea of what makes a perfect home will vary. Some want a yard where they can grow a vegetable garden, some want new hardwood flooring, and yet others may be more interested in a green home.

Moreover, because the trends that dominate home design are constantly changing, what a specific buyer wants one year may be completely different from what they want the following year. And even if you somehow managed to find out all the desires of the average buyer, it is highly unlikely that you would have enough money and time to do all the projects.

This is why when renovating your home, the best strategy is not to try and satisfy everything buyers could possibly want in your home. Instead, you should focus on projects which have the most appeal to the greatest number of people. As WRents.com explains, investing in such projects will increase the probability that your home will interest more buyers and that one of them will end up paying for the property.

So what are the home improvement projects that meet this criterion?

The two best renovation projects for your home

Kitchen and bathroom upgrades have consistently proven to add the most value to a home and to attract the attention of the majority of buyers. The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most utilitarian areas of the home. How well they perform their respective functions plays a huge role in how buyers perceive a home and how much they are willing to pay for it.

The value of a kitchen lies in its role as a social hub. Humans have always built ceremonies around the preparation, sharing, and eating of meals. The kitchen is the place where family members gather to share food, play, enjoy each other’s company, and indulge in catching up. It is also one of a homeowner’s favorite places for receiving visitors and showcasing their home.

Bathrooms, on the other hand, are essential to sanitation and health. It is where we go to take care of many of our physical needs, and we spend a lot of time in them accordingly. People expect their bathrooms to be inviting and comfortable. They want the room to energize them before  work and to help them relax when they come home.

An investment in the home’s kitchen and bathrooms touches every member of the family in a very personal way. No other home upgrades have this unique quality. For other types of home renovations, one member of the family will usually value the changes more than other family members. But bathrooms and kitchens are equally loved and used by everyone in the home.

How much do bathrooms and kitchen renovations impact your home’s value?

How will a bathroom or kitchen renovation impact the resale value of your home?

Based on data from the market, a kitchen upgrade will add between 60-80% of the project cost to the value of the home when the property is sold. Midrange kitchen renovations fetched a higher return on investment (ROI), averaging around 80%, while upper-end bathroom renovations resulted in around a 60% improvement to the value of the home.

Conversely, a bathroom renovation will add between 60-67% of the project’s cost to the home’s resale value. As with kitchen renovations, midrange upgrades outperform upper-end bathroom projects. For midrange renovations, homeowners were able to recoup 67.2% of their costs, while they only regained 60.2% of the costs from more expensive renovations.

But this does not necessarily mean that renovating the kitchen is better than renovating the bathrooms. This is because kitchen renovations cost more than bathroom renovations.

Several factors determine if your home will benefit more from a bathroom renovation or a kitchen renovation. Kitchens are more visible than bathrooms, so visitors are more likely to see them. But you also spend more time than you realize in your bathroom, and renovating it will take less money out of your pocket.

If you have difficulties deciding which project will make the most impact, speaking with an experienced real estate agent can help. That is because the value-add of a bathroom or kitchen renovation also depends on the location. Some locations value one type of renovation over the other. Talking to an agent who knows the market will give you some valuable insights.

Whether you choose to renovate the kitchen, bathroom, or both, the agent can also help you determine which specific areas of the rooms you should focus on.

Guest post from Rob Lancaster of Windermere Property Management.

The post How Bathroom & Kitchen Renovation Projects Can Affect the Value Of Your Home appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Remodeling, when done right, can be a fun and creative experience. However, if you get stuck with a bad remodeling company it can be a nightmare of overdue deadlines, over-budget projects and low quality work. So, how do you avoid partnering with an unscrupulous company? By the end of this article you are going to know how to vet out your potential remodeler so that you partner with a company that will treat you fairly.

1. Do you have a license?

The first question you should ask a potential partner is whether they are licensed. This will help weed out any bad actors who are trying to make a quick buck off you. When a contractor has a license, it protects you, the customer, and shows that they have a basic understanding of what guidelines need to be followed per state and local regulations. Additionally, US law requires all licensed contractors to have insurance, which protects you in the event of an injury or other unfortunate event during the remodel.

2. Can I get a list of past customers as references and photos of their projects?

Another good way to verify a contractor’s work is to ask to see pictures of some of their previous work and to speak with the homeowners. This is a great way to see the quality of the contractor’s work and to ensure that they are someone you want to hire. From these conversations with previous customers you can discover:

• Do they communicate clearly and often with the homeowners? 
• Do they remain under budget? 
• Do they work quickly and efficiently?

Asking this question also lets you see their style of work and what they’re good at, helping ensure that they can complete the remodel to your specifications. 

3. Who is on your team and what is their experience?

Remodeling companies are more than just a GC. They have many people who are talented at different tasks. Get to know who these people will be and what value they will be providing by being on the project. Additionally, because these people will be at your home everyday, it’s a good idea to get to know their faces and names.

4. How will revisions be managed?

Planning for contingencies is something your home remodeling company should have a plan to handle. Ask how they will manage changes or roadblocks to the plan. Inquiring about these things now, and discovering how billing will be handled if they occur, is important should they arise. In nearly every remodel there is sure to be something that comes up that wasn’t part of the original plan, and changes will have to be made accordingly. 

This conversation is also a good time to clarify whether you would like the remodeling team to make decisions using their best judgement to save time and make the process more efficient, or if you would like decisions to be run by you first so that everything in the final project is exactly how you want it to be. Clarifying how you want changes to be handled and how the remodeling contractor manages contingencies is important to ask. 

5. What’s your timeline and budget for my project?

The final thing that you should ask your remodeling company is how long and how much they expect the project to be. This will give you a good understanding of what you’ll be paying for and how long the project will last.

With these five questions you should be able to vet any remodeling company to determine if they are going to be a good fit for your home remodeling project. 

To get a quote on your remodeling project, fill out the form and contact us today!

The post 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Remodeling Company appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Doing It Yourself

For many people, part of the joy in owning a home is that they get to do their own work to it. Unlike a rental, when you own a home, you can do whatever you want—tear down walls, replace cabinetry, repaint everything—the world is your oyster. 

If this is you, then the DIY route may be the way to go for your remodeling project. Doing everything yourself will, unless you make mistakes, likely be cheaper and is rewarding—there’s something about stepping back and admiring something you put together with your own two hands. That said, DIYing a large project has some unique disadvantages, too.

The main disadvantage is how much time it takes. Be honest with yourself about how much free time you have and how much of that free time you are willing to commit to the project per week. Will the timeline of the project be acceptable to you given the progress possible working alone? If the project is going to take 80 labor hours and you can commit 16 hours a week, the project—which would have taken a skilled team of professionals only a few days—will stretch out over 5 weeks. Depending on the room you are refinishing, this may be unacceptable.

Another disadvantage of doing a home remodeling project yourself are the hidden costs. One hidden cost is in the tools required to complete the project. Unless you already own the tools, these costs can add up quickly. Another hidden cost is in the additional material you will use learning how to do things properly. This could be miniscule, like a couple extra pieces of drywall with holes cut in the incorrect spots, or massive, like a cracked granite countertop. You will have to assess the risk and determine, based on your skill level, if doing your project yourself is the best option or not. 

Finally, doing things yourself may not make sense if there is a possibility for injury. Tinkering with garage door springs, electrical boxes, load bearing walls and the like is, unless you know what you’re doing, best left to the pros. 

Contracting Out the Work

Contracting out your project is another option to consider. This can be a great option for those who have some DIY skills but don’t have the time to commit to completing the project by themselves. Contracting out the work allows you to negotiate rates, manage timelines, get your hands dirty, and have the project completed in a timely manner. This option makes a lot of sense for those who are savvy in home repair but simply don’t have the time to complete the project themselves.

That said, there are some pitfalls to avoid when contracting out your project. The first is that the project management falls on you. Gathering required materials, sequencing tasks and assigning tasks falls to you. If you drop the ball, you won’t just be wasting your time but the time of your hired contractors—an expense that can balloon rapidly. 

Another pitfall is that you don’t know what you don’t know. If a hired contractor tries to pull the wool over your eyes, will you know? If you need to get permits from the city, will you know when to do so and how to do it? If your answer is yes, then acting as the GC on your project may make sense. If not, consider hiring a remodeling company. 

Hiring a Remodeling Company

Hiring a remodeling company is the safest and most efficient way to complete your home remodeling project. 

A professional team will have the experience, expertise, and insight to keep your project on-budget and on-time. While they may have a higher upfront price tag, the cost, when factoring in the potential issues that can occur when doing a project yourself or when contracting out the work, can easily pay for itself. 

In addition to reducing risk, you can be sure that the project will be done right with the project manager keeping you filled in with how things are going along the way. If you are unsure of your remodeling abilities or are unable to commit the time to a remodeling project, hiring a company to do it is the best option. 

Looking at hiring a remodeling company but not sure how to choose? Check out our article “5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Remodeling Company.”

Ready to get started? Fill out the contact form to get started! 

The post When to DIY vs. Hire Out your Home Remodeling Project appeared first on JL Remodeling.

Touch Up High-Use Areas

One of the quickest and easiest ways to increase the value of your home is by freshening up areas that show wear and tear. High-use areas tend to show the most wear, so consider refreshing those areas first to get the most bang for your buck. 

Either touch up your current paint where it is worn or, if necessary, repaint to a color that will appeal to a broad range of people. It’s a great idea to do both interior and exterior paint in order to help the house’s overall appearance and boost its curb appeal. In addition to paint, consider replacing high wear items like front door knobs, kitchen faucets and the like. 

Install New Flooring

Speaking of high-use areas, one element of every home that gets worn quickly is the floors. Replacing the floors (or refurbishing the current ones), while an expense, can pay for itself when selling your home. As buyers tour homes, new floors stand out and, in conjunction with fresh paint as mentioned above, can make a home feel new, clean and inviting. If you want to get the highest possible offer for your home, consider upgrading the flooring.

Renovate the Kitchen / Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms tend to show their age more than other areas of the house. Outdated appliances and bygone design fads in these rooms can make your whole house feel old and undesirable, lowering its value. If a large scale kitchen and bathroom remodel is out of your budget even doing minor updates—such as repainting cabinets, adding new cabinet pulls and installing new countertops—can help increase the value of your home. By updating the look of these rooms you will find more interested buyers.

Open Up the Floorplan

Open floor plans are certainly in style, and having a home that has large, shared spaces will command a higher price as compared to one with more siloed rooms. If you’re already planning on remodeling, then changing up the floor plan to connect the kitchen, living room and dining room areas into an open concept can be another great way to add value. 

One of current home buyers’ top priorities is an open floor plan that connects three of the major rooms in the house. If your current house doesn’t already have an open concept space consider knocking down a couple walls to increase your home’s value.  

Finish the Basement

The final upgrade we recommend is, if your home has an unfinished basement, to consider finishing it. Finished basements add another level to your home, and are popular on buyers’ wish lists as they create space that is separate from the rest of the house. Finishing a basement is a great way to add liveable square footage to your home and will positively affect its resale value. 

That’s it! Five ways you can increase the value of your home. Looking for help getting your home ready to sell? Contact us today for a quote on your home remodeling project.

The post 5 Upgrades to Increase the Value of Your Existing Home appeared first on JL Remodeling.

By the end of this article you will have the tools and resources you need to successfully plan and execute your kitchen remodel so that it stays on-time and on-budget. At JL Remodeling we’ve helped hundreds of people design and build their dream kitchens in a timely and cost effective manner and can help you build yours too.

Step 1: Clarify Your Budget

The first step is to determine what your budget for the project is. It might be tempting to jump to the fun parts of picking out hardware and designing layouts—but don’t do that just yet! Without clear budgetary constraints a kitchen remodel can quickly become a massive expense. When determining your budget consider the purpose for your remodel:

• Are you looking to flip and sell the house or are you planning to stick around long term? 
• Is this home your main residence or do you rent it out?
• What is the value of your home compared to the surrounding area and will increasing the value of your home through a remodel be returned to you upon selling? 
• How much money do you feel comfortable spending on the project? 

These are all important questions to consider when determining your budget.

Step 2: Design Your Kitchen

Okay, now for the fun part. Hop on Pinterest, flip on HGTV, and get those creative juices flowing! Identify the styles, materials and colors that you like and create a list of upgrades you want made. We recommend identifying layout changes first, then material upgrades and finally finishings like colors and appliances. If there are particular materials or items you want be sure to add links so you can easily price them out later. Your list might look something like this:

• Remove wall between kitchen and living room (structural)
• Add walk in pantry (structural)
• Add skylights and upgrade to LED lighting (structural) 
• Install solid granite countertops (material)
• Install updated hardwood floors (material)
• Install undermount sink and new faucet (material)
• Install backsplash (material)
• Install new dishwasher and range (Appliance)
• Update cabinet handles (Finishing)
• Repaint walls (Color)
• Repaint cabinets (Color)

If this step feels daunting to you, hiring an interior designer can take a lot of the stress off. They will know how to put together a space that suits your preferences and will likely have a healthy list of contractors and remodelers who can help complete the project as well.

At JL Remodeling, we have design experts with the experience and skill to walk you through these decisions. 

Step 3: Prioritize Your Upgrades

In the same way a coach has to choose which free-agents to hire and which players to fire, you too must make some tough decisions in order to build out your on-budget and on-time dream kitchen. Begin by pricing out the different changes you want made. If you are planning on doing the remodel yourself then you only need to factor in the cost of materials and any additional tools you will need to purchase to complete the job. 

Be wary of underestimating the cost and time it will take to DIY a project. It’s important to have realistic projections otherwise going the DIY route may end up costing you more. For components of the job you are hiring out, call around and get the job priced out by various contractors. Add all these numbers to your budget and see what your total is – likely you will be over budget, but that’s okay!

Begin by removing elements that are not as important to you and consider changing to lower cost materials to save cash. Make cuts to your project plan until you are under budget. How does it look? If it feels like too much of a compromise consider waiting to begin your remodel until you have enough funds saved that you are satisfied with the result. But, if you are happy with the changes, you are ready for the next step.

Step 4: Create a Project Plan

If you are planning on DIY-ing your remodel or will be acting as the general contractor then you need to have a project plan. A project plan is a calendar of what needs to happen, when it needs to happen, and how long it will take. Having a concise project plan will help keep your project on track. Be sure to sequence events properly to avoid doing rework. It’s no fun to finish drywalling only to realise you forgot to run plumbing!

In addition to sequencing jobs properly, be sure to be honest about how long things will take. It can be tempting, especially when doing things yourself, to underestimate the amount of time projects will require. Be sure to do research on how long different components of your project will take to have accurate projections.

If creating a project plan feels overwhelming consider hiring an experienced remodeler to manage your project. They will have the knowledge, team and resources needed to plan and execute your project in a timely manner.

Step 5: Execute

All that’s left now is to do it! Begin by removing food, dishes and equipment from the room – dust will find its way into everything. Then, contain the workspace by sealing off the kitchen from the rest of the house with painters plastic. Once prepped, begin the remodeling process, following your project plan. It’s likely that there will be hiccups along the way – perhaps a component doesn’t ship in time or a contractor cancels on you last minute. Be sure to plan ahead and leave space for contingencies. If you begin to fall behind schedule consider hiring additional help or extending your timeline.

Once the project is complete, remove all of your tools and remaining materials and give the room a proper cleaning. Be thorough since you will be prepping food on the surfaces.

And that’s it! Your on-time and on-budget kitchen remodel is complete! A project like this can feel daunting but now you have the resources to plan and tackle one yourself. 
Ready to redesign your kitchen? Fill out the contact form and let’s talk! As a certified kitchen remodeler, we’re thrilled to help our neighbors achieve their dream homes!

The post How to Plan an On-Time and On-Budget Kitchen Remodel appeared first on JL Remodeling.