6 Lessons Learned After One Homeowner Performs Kitchen Upgrades for $35K

You want to make the most of your kitchen renovation investment. But if you’re not careful, you could be one making lots of unforeseen mistakes. This is the reason why it’s so important to learn from other’s mistakes.

Whether you’re planning to update your kitchen countertops only or got out everything and start from scratch, this list will help you.

Now, let’s look at some of the ways you can avoid making similar mistakes on homeowner did with her kitchen makeover.

1. Save Money by Planning Ahead

Waiting until the last minute to plan out your kitchen remodel can literally waste your money. In the case of the homeowner, this is exactly what happened. Her husband decided to assemble the cabinets on his own and hire a demo company to come and remove the old kitchen products away.

However, the demo company was booked for weeks, and so the contractor they hired to install the cabinets couldn’t do their job. So, the couple wasted precious days and an additional $1K they could’ve saved if they carefully planned.

The takeaway here is to work with a contractor that can-do majority of the work for your kitchen project.

2. Create a Budget that’s Realistic

There are two types of people in this world – those that are overly frugal and those that are overly unrealistic. If you’re the latter, then you could easily dig yourself into a kitchen remodeling conundrum.

Some homeowners will set a realistic budget at around $15K, then find ways to increase it. And in most cases, it’s due to finding better products and materials. In this case, you’ll have to determine what’s most important.

For example, that high-tech smart stove or the granite countertops. A functional countertop that’ll last for many years would seem more plausible. Especially when compared to getting a complex cooking gadget that doesn’t really do more than a regular stove as far as cooking goes.

3. Work Together with a Kitchen Designer

Sometimes, it’s just better to work together with a kitchen expert. One who’s very knowledgeable about design. This can help you determine what’s a good idea financially and functionality-wise.

The price you’ll pay for a designer could potentially save you thousands in mistakes. For instance, a designer can warn you of the excess costs of relocating a kitchen sink or adding an additional sink to a kitchen island.

A designer can also help you determine the best kitchen countertop to use based on what you do in your kitchen. For example, if you have children and cook a lot, then engineered quartz may be a better option than laminate or vinyl.

4. Buy the Right Cabinetry

It’s tempting to go with cheap cabinets you can assemble yourself, but this isn’t always the best route. Yet, the more expensive options may be unaffordable to your budget. Your best bet is to go for something in between.

The key is to choose a cabinet that is both functional and easy on your wallet. You can find some contractors that sell and install cabinets for you. This can also help you to save money and a headache.

In most cases, you can choose from a variety of brands and models.

5. Hire a Quality Kitchen Contractor

Now, the outcome of your kitchen project will greatly rely on the contractor you hire. The contractor you select should also sell the materials you want to use for your kitchen project.

Obviously, you want a contractor that’s very experienced in installing kitchen countertops, cabinets and flooring. With a contractor on your team, you can also seek advice about the design of your new kitchen.

He or she will be able to determine if certain changes will be too costly or unnecessary.

6. Choose Quality Kitchen Countertops

The countertops you choose for your kitchen should be high-quality and aesthetically appealing. Stone options are a great pick in this case.

The options widely available include the quartz, marble and granite. Quartz is an engineered version, but looks much like a natural stone, like granite and marble. What makes quartz an attractive option is the fact it doesn’t require sealing.

Natural stones aren’t as tough as quartz and will need to be resealed regularly. The design of quartz makes it durable against spills, scratches and heat. It’s nonporous, so the maintenance of the surface is easy and cheap.

There are many different colors to choose from and they have beautiful veining like natural stones.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Countertop Contractor

One area of the kitchen you don’t want to overlook during your remodel is the countertop. Therefore, it’s key to select a contractor that specializes in fabricating and installing them for you.

At Granite ASAP, we have a team of contractors who specialize in both. We’re all licensed, bonded and insured and have years upon years of in-the-field experience.

The countertops we have in our showroom come from top brands, such as Silestone, MSI, Cambria and Caesarstone. You can stop by our showroom to select the countertops you want. Seeing it in advance is always good, so you know what you’re getting before the installation.

Our rates are very competitive, so you won’t find better quality and rates than what we offer. The areas we serve in Virginia include Fairfax, Chantilly, Centreville, Tysons, Washington DC and Arlington.

If you’re looking to enhance your kitchen with beautiful countertops, then contact us today!