Tag: kitchen project

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Budget Your Remodel

Ah yes…the dreaded home remodeling project.  It really does not need to be a journey launched into the great unknown!   Here is a great, short read by Oliver Marks of Houselogic.com in which Oliver lays out 4 simple steps to follow before you jump in and do that home remodeling project.

Oliver presents the idea that most homeowners have no problem figuring out what they want.  The trouble lies in not figuring out – up front – what they can afford.  He suggest this four step plan:contractor3

1. Ballpark the costs.  Oliver suggests ‘Remodeling’ magazine’s 2015 ‘Costs vs. Value Report’ as a reference point for homeowners.  This report gives national cost averages for 36 common projects and can provide a basis for starting to add up project costs.

2.  Do you have the money?  If you can pay cash – Great!  If you need to borrow, you need to assess how much a bank will lend you for the project and what that loan means in additional monthly expense for the household.  In the article, Oliver goes into various home equity loan options available for home owners and the details of each.

3.  Get multiple contractor quotes. Oliver suggests getting solid quotes from at least 3 contractors.  And about those contractors… they should come from recommendations from family, friends and tradesmen you trust.  Provide each contractor a detailed project description and product list and request an itemized quote from each.   Take the winning bid and then add 15% for cost overruns and changes.

4.  Buy materials and appliances yourself.  Oliver suggests that by  educating yourself on item costs and then purchasing these items before your contractor begins your project,  you can avoid contractor mark ups.  However – before you buy, it’s imperative that you coordinate with your contractor to ensure you are purchasing the correct items for your project.

Click here to read Oliver’s complete article at Houselogic.com.

And if you are considering a home improvement project and you need contractor referrals or you have questions on how this improvement project may increase the value of your home, don’t hesitate to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  I can also be reached by email at sold@ericmckenna.com

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20 Kitchen Countertop Materials

Do you think you know all your kitchen countertop options?  I’d be willing bet you may not!

Since we are on a kitchen theme recently at EricMcKenna.com, how about some different options for kitchen countertop materials?

Lee Wallender at About.com presents this great article outlining 20 different materials that can be cut and used for kitchen countertops. granite-countertops-in-kitchens-pictures-itkb3sed

Of course there are the most thought of materials including granite, slate, quartz, tile and laminate, but Lee outlines other options including concrete, stainless steel, soapstone, recycled glass, paper composite, recycled aluminum, reclaimed wood, zinc and even bamboo.

Lee provides photos of each example as well as some of the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ associated with each.  While not every material is practical for every kind of use or family lifestyle, there certainly are some beautiful finishes available by simply thinking outside of the box.  And if one’s goal is to add a unique touch to a kitchen project, a different countertop material may be just the thing.

You can read Lee’s complete article at About.com right here

If you are considering a complete new kitchen project or a simple kitchen ‘redo’ and you have questions about how this project can improve the value of your home, feel free to call or text me at 412-613-4466.  I can also be reached by email at sold@ericmckenna.com