Kitchen and Bath Remodeling in Raleigh, NC

Your Most Common Kitchen Remodeling

Questions - Answered!

Now is a great time to invest in your home, and kitchen remodeling is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make. As a room where families spend important together, the improvements can be enjoyed on a daily basis and much of the renovation costs can be recouped when you do decide to sell.

Want to get the most out of your kitchen remodeling project? Our friends from Moen help answer some common kitchen remodeling questions to get your renovation started on the right track before your home remodeler even sets foot in your house.

Q: Kitchen Remodeling is a huge undertaking. Where's the best place to begin?!
According to "My Home, My Money Pit" by Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete, you should start at the end - by determining how you want to use the remodeled space. Although your primary inclination will be to pick out the style of kitchen remodel you like best, you need to first consider how your kitchen fits your lifestyle and how you need it to function. Think about whether or not you already have ample space to work efficiently or enough storage for your kitchen tools, or if you're looking for your kitchen remodeling project to add these features. If you also use the space to pay bills and handle other household business, think about adding an office nook or built-in desk area. Do you want your children closer to you when they wolf down their afternoon snacks? Consider adding a bar space as part of your kitchen remodel. Once you determine what you need from your remodeled kitchen, you'll be able to ask your home remodeler to help deliver solutions during the renovation.

Q: What makes a kitchen remodel more or less expensive?
Kraeutler and Segrete say that cabinets can be the single largest expense in a kitchen remodel. If you're looking to cut back on spending, existing cabinetry can often be repaired, reinforced, repainted or refinished instead of replaced. Just be sure to check your cabinets' construction; if they're made of veneers, they can't be sanded or stained, so painting will be your only option (but it's still a good one). Surfaces are another remodeling spot where you can save or splurge - it all depends on the materials you choose. Look for cost-effective options for counters, backsplashes and floors to keep your remodeling budget in check, as there's a wide variety of selection for these products and something is bound to meet your taste and budget. Like any major purchase you should only spend what you can afford, but don't spend money on something you don't like just because it costs less. If you're careful about the budgeting and planning of your kitchen remodeling project, and work with a home remodeler who can show you options to suit all budgets, you'll easily be able to determine which products you can save on and which ones are worth spending a little more for.

Q: What is the kitchen "work triangle" and why is it important?
When remodeling your kitchen, keep the "work triangle" in mind - the kitchen area from the refrigerator to the main cooking area to the sink. It's important because with it all of the key kitchen activities - food preparation, cooking and clean-up - take place in adjacent locations, improving the functionality of your remodeled kitchen by streamlining the meal-making process.
Look to include budget-friendly options that allow you to upgrade your work triangle without incurring a huge expense. Simple remodeling options that satisfy this improvement include adding an undermount sink and pullout faucet to increase efficiency.

Q: What is the most desired kitchen remodeling feature?
The kitchen island has become the must-have item in any remodeled kitchen. Because it's centrally located, an island is easily accessed from all areas of the kitchen and ideal for various kitchen-related tasks, including eating, food preparation & workspace. Because of the added surface and storage space brought because of it an island will add instant functionality to your kitchen, and increase resale value down the road. It's a must-have if you're considering kitchen remodeling in today's market!

Q: There are so many moving parts and pieces involved with kitchen remodeling%u2026how do I tie it all together?
The advantages of using a home remodeling contractor are plenty, and this specific need is perhaps the highest on the list. A good home remodeler will know exactly what elements go into renovating a kitchen, and will be able to incorporate each in the proper order and timeline. What's more, because home remodeling experts have experience in the home remodeling industry they're far more up-to-date than you the average homeowner when it comes to creating design layouts and choosing products, regardless of how much HGTV you watch. To get the most from your kitchen remodeling project and the finished product, use a home remodeling contractor to guide you through the process from start to finish.

The Best of Bathroom Remodeling

When the room you're considering remodeling is also charged with the responsibility of being the most functional in the house, you may fall trap to the stigma that "functional" has to mean boring. But when it comes to present-day bathroom remodeling, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn just how wrong you are! Bathroom features and upgrades have come a long way in the last decade, and companies with vested interest in your bath satisfaction, like Moen, have put 21st Century technology to use in developing the latest products to ensure you love your lavatory.

Fun-ctional Features of Bathroom Remodeling
Why take the fun out of functional? Just because a bathroom needs to serve some very specific purposes doesn't mean it can't have features that make actually using the space easy and enjoyable. For instance, with the baby-boomers aging many of them need special modifications to accommodate their ailing health, and the home remodeling industry has seen an in-flux of walk-in or barrier-free showers and shower seats because of this. But these features aren't limited just to need-based customers; many average-Joe homeowners are taking advantage of these now common bathroom remodeling trends simply for their ease of use and upgraded feel. An oversized shower stall easily accommodates these features as part of any bathroom remodeling project, and you'll enjoy the extra space if expansion is part of your bathroom remodeling plan.

If you are undertaking a bathroom remodeling project to gain more space, you'll also want to consider a separate water closet (an enclosed area that houses just a toilet), and his-and-hers powder areas (let's face it girls - do you really want to be bumping elbows with your beau while you're trying to run your curling iron? And guys - does the thought of your woman waving a burning rod of hot metal around while you're brushing your teeth sound like your idea of fun?). If you're going to remodel your bathroom, at least consider putting in these separate areas for privacy's sake, and to allow you and your sweetie to separately primp and prime before leaving the house%u2026not only will you not have to share precious drawer space, but these bathroom remodeling features will also be major selling points when you do decide to put your house on the market.

Especially if you do know you'll sell sometime down the road, there are a number of simple features that are inexpensive parts of a bathroom remodeling project that you'll also enjoy while living in your home - and will definitely garner a strong return on investment down the road. Things like built-in shelving and storage, hidden vents and lighting control systems, to name a few, that any good home remodeling contractor should be educating you about anyway. Nowadays vents can be built directly into can lighting, eliminating the eyesore of a separate grate, and lighting can be easily set to operate on multiple switches that include dimmers instead of just offering one big "ON" or "OFF". Who really wants to see themselves in stagelights first thing in the morning anyway??

Bathroom Remodeling Products that Pamper
On top of the latest trends that add functionality and usability to bathroom remodeling projects, there is a shining list of bathroom products designed to turn your john into a Johnny-rock-star space - particularly when it comes to the shower. Fixture manufacturers, like Moen, have released new cutting-edge, technology-based products fit for a king, and have also introduced product features that make bathing worry-free. Most impressively, Moen's brand new, state-of-the-art io-Digital Spa Control System is designed to sync with a fully body-spray system, rain head and handheld showerhead and control the water pressure, temperature and flow-pattern with a space-age looking display. Additionally, the product is programmable and comes with a remote control - so you can get your shower heating up before lifting your head from the pillow. The best part about the system? It's surprisingly affordable, at around half what their competitors charge, so you don't have to worry about making Oprah-sized paychecks just to put one in your own bathroom. The greatest resource for learning about this product and others like it are by asking your home remodeler, who should be versed in product knowledge and can also provide a cost-estimate for installation. For all you do-it-yourselfers out there don't get carried away with this one - the system needs special support from your water tank and supply system, so find a home remodeling general contractor if this is something you'll consider as part of your bathroom remodeling project.

As part of (or separately from) their slick new system, Moen also offers a complete wall-mounted bodyspray and rain-style head for those wanting the complete shower experience (or who need to get really clean). They also offer a feature known as Moentrol (Moen + control, get it?) as an upgrade on their standard lines, which prevents quick, drastic changes in temperature, for instance such as caused by flushing a toilet. Unlike scald-control devices it won't prevent you from changing the temperature manually from within the shower; it simply helps regulate temperature fluctuation caused by outside influences. If you're considering bathroom remodeling, this feature is a must-have, and is definitely something worth asking your home remodeler about.

If showering just doesn't cut it for you, you'll want to discuss the option of adding a whirlpool-style tub with your home remodeler as part of your bathroom remodeling project. Becoming more and more common (and affordable), these small-scale hot tubs used to be a bathroom remodeling option only for the rich and famous - and are now affordably available for you, Mr. & Mrs. Jones, to put in your master bathroom. And if you're really looking for something special (I guarantee none of your neighbors have this%u2026yet), a good home remodeler will both offer and be able to incorporate a waterfall into your design. That's right, I said waterfall. Not only will you feel especially pampered sitting in your tub on a cold winter day, but this bathroom remodeling feature will definitely turn into dollar signs when it's time for you to sell.

Last and certainly not least, don't lay your bathroom tile without first consulting your home remodeler about adding a heated flooring system underneath. Another feature you'll love from the moment it goes in until it helps you sell your house, these systems make it easier to get out of bed in the morning and less painful to get out of the shower when you're done. It's upgrades like these that take today's bathroom remodeling to a new level!

Bathroom Remodeling Wrap-Up
Regardless of what functional or luxury items you're considering adding as part of your bathroom remodel, your home remodeler will be able to walk you through a complete list of features and products that will make your bathing experience one-of-a-kind. Especially if cold-stark-and-white is the default mental picture you get when someone says "Bathroom", remember to consider what a remodeling project can bring to this space while still maintaining its important functionality. After all - if you're going to sit on a throne, it might as well be fit for a king.

The 3 Biggest Home Remodeling DIY Downfalls

Thanks to shows on HGTV, DIY Network, A&E and TLC, ambitious homeowners from the Atlantic to the Pacific are being given the encouragement to tackle home remodeling projects on their own. Though do it yourself-ers can certainly be commended for their aspirations, many fail to recognize the potential roadblocks and downfalls they'll likely face by attempting home remodeling on their own

Problem #1: Work not done by a home remodeling professional won't look professional.
Let's face it, if you've never laid tile before and decide the place to learn is on a fancy backsplash you're installing as part of your kitchen remodeling project, you'd be wise to think again. While most homeowners are perfectly capable of adequately picking up a paintbrush and evenly distributing a coat of paint to their living rooms, the same can't be said for most parts of a home renovation project, and in the end, the homeowner suffers. Not just because their home remodeling attempts won't look professionally completed, but also because having to call in a general contractor to fix problems caused by trying to do something yourself often costs even more than having a professional out to handle the work in the first place. Taking this a step further, this problem doesn't stop with cosmetics. The guts of a home are equally as susceptible to suffering from poor workmanship as are its aesthetics, including plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems. And with these more fragile elements, problems may occur down the road; only to be discovered by a home inspector at the time of sale and costs valuable time, money, and perhaps prevent the sale from happening at all.

Problem #2: With home remodeling, the clock is always ticking.
Although the financial ramifications of having a lingering home improvement project aren't nearly as significant for homeowners as it is for house flippers, there are still plenty of problems with ongoing home remodeling projects. First of all, how long do you really want your family living in a construction zone? Not only is it an extremely unsafe way to live, but the accompanying characteristics are often hazardous to a person's health. Starting with dust and ranging to unstable structures and sharp objects, a construction site is not a safe place to call home. The average do it yourself project takes approximately double that of the same remodeling project managed by a general contractor or other home improvement professional, and at the end of a project that drags on many homeowners realize it would be worth the little bit of additional money to get the remodeling completed quickly and without worry.

Problem #3: Don't try to be a home remodeling hero.
I'll be the first to commend a homeowner who successful completes a home remodeling project - no matter how big or small (but bonus points for those of you who chose kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling). However, many homeowners make the mistake of biting off more than they can chew, get in over their heads, and then still refuse to call a general contractor or home remodeling professional! In particular if you're trying something for the first time, don't choose a major renovation or project that will become overwhelming - and if you overestimate your ability don't be too proud to call in general contractor. These people are paid to do the things you're trying to do on your own, and while there's no harm in giving it your best go, be wise about the size and type of remodeling project you choose. Finally, please, get help from a home remodeling professional if you need it. You don't have anything to hang your head about if you realize halfway (or less) through the renovation you can't finish it on your own, but at least do yourself (and your wife) the favor of getting help. The end result will be time and cost savings compared to trying to finish the project entirely on your own, and you'll likely learn valuable information from your home remodeler.

The Top 8 Advantages of Finishing Unfinished

Spaces

Whether you're thinking about basement remodeling, attic finishing or renovating another one of your unfinished spaces, there are a slew of benefits to consider as part of your big home remodeling decision. We've asked a group of expert general contractors in Raleigh, NC to develop a list of the top benefits of remodeling unfinished spaces, and their list is worth reading if a home remodeling project is in your future.

#1 - The Value of Finishing Unfinished Spaces
The cost per square foot of attic finishing projects or basement remodeling projects are both less than some of the most popular home remodeling projects, especially kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling in Raleigh. This is partly because of what the unfinished spaces will ultimately be used for; they're typically more basic spaces that don't require elaborate "guts" like a kitchen or a bathroom. Although bathroom remodeling in particular may be part of finishing your unfinished space, it still doesn't require the influx of a room that's part of the existing structure.

#2 - Cost of Unfinished Spaces Vs Building A Custom Home Addition
Similar to the advantages over kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling, unfinished spaces also edge out custom home additions when it comes to the value of these home remodeling projects. Both unfinished spaces and custom home additions offer the flexibility and blank canvas for homeowners to add their own stamps to, however, because basement remodeling and attic remodeling both take advantage of a current structure they're less expensive than having to build from the ground up as is with a home addition.

#3 - Unfinished Spaces Can Be Self Contained
Depending on what part of your home you're planning on remodeling and what its ultimate purpose will be, unfinished spaces can be completely self-contained. Perhaps you're considering basement remodeling to add an in-law's suite, or attic finishing to accommodate your new master suite. Either way, these spaces can typically house all parts of the remodel, so they can be completely separated from the rest of the house%u2026.which is a real benefit if guests - or your in-laws - will be staying in your remodeled space.

#4 - Unfinished Spaces Can Generate Income
Playing off the benefit of being "Self Contained", unfinished spaces - particularly basement remodeling projects - can be rented out to earn additional income. Because most remodeled basements typically rent for around 75% of a home's monthly mortgage, they quickly make up for the expense of the initial home remodeling project.

#5 - Unfinished Spaces Increase Livability
If you're not planning on renting our your unfinished space after remodeling, your family is sure to appreciate and enjoy the benefits of living in a home with a new space. Not only will there be more room for everyone to enjoy, but the space will be fresh, clean and up-to-date, making your unfinished space a truly enjoyable place to spend time.

#6 - Basement Remodeling and Attic Finishing Bring Additional Square Footage
It doesn't take an expert real estate agent to tell you that more livable square footage equals more money at the time of resale. While your unfinished space is sure to be loved and lived in while you and your family occupy your home, you'll also see much of your remodeling investment returned at the time of resale.

#7 - Remodeling Unfinished Spaces Increase Resale Ability
As if it weren't enough to see the price tag of your home rise, an unfinished space that is nicely remodeled by ahome remodeling general contractor will also help diminish the time your house spends on the market trying to sell. With the housing market at the center of the economic downturn any seller knows their property needs every advantage it can get, and basement remodeling or attic finishing, to name a few, are projects that turn unfinished spaces into selling features.

#8 - Unfinished Spaces Turn into Great Organization
Many homeowners don't make the most of their unfinished spaces. From scattered storage to unorganized belongings, simply finishing the space often offers the motivation and opportunity homeowners need to clean up - and fix up - their space. Basement remodeling can turn a storage nightmare into a bonus room heaven, and attic finishing can transform a cluttered space into a relaxing oasis.

You don't have to be a general contractorto figure out the benefits of basement remodeling, attic finishing or transforming another unfinished space far outweigh the costs. As a homeowner trying to get the most out of your property, its worth taking a second look at that dark, dingy corner you currently use for storage. It just may offer the home remodeling opportunity you've been waiting to capitalize on to make your home more livable.