Contractor Tips Blog

Mar
28

Kitchen Remodeling

Posted in Interior Design

Kitchen remodeling continues to be one of the most popular of all remodeling projects in the United States.  A remodeled kitchen that is modern, efficient, well designed and attractive adds a great deal of value to any home.  Kitchen remodels vary in size and scope depending upon the homeowner’s needs and budgets.  In some cases the kitchen remodeling could involve only the replacement of flooring and countertops, where in other cases an addition to the home could be built to accommodate a completely new and much larger gourmet kitchen.  One thing that all kitchen-remodeling projects have in common is the long lead times for materials, especially cabinets and tops.  Often cabinets take up to two months to obtain, as they are typically built when they are ordered.  Tops can take up to two weeks to fabricate after the cabinets are installed. 

Many homeowners find it beneficial to engage a contractor that specializes in remodeling projects early on in the process.   A qualified and experienced remodeling contractor will be able to manage the long lead times and schedule the project based upon the delivery date of the long lead time items.   Design build is becoming a very popular option in residential construction, because of the reduced risk to the homeowner as well as the reduction in the overall build time of the project.  In addition, to managing the entire design process, based upon the homeowner’s guidelines, the design build contractor will be able to provide updated budgets as the design process and selections take place.  

Kitchen remodeling is an excellent means for a homeowner to increase the value of their home, as well as the functionality!

Posted on behalf of J Christopher Design & Construction Services

Feb
13

Types of Kitchen Counter Installations

Posted in Interior Design

It is safe to say that most kitchens have a counter and that the counter is one of the most prominent features of most kitchens.  Often the kitchen counter is the focal point of the kitchen or even the entire home, a place for the family to gather for meals or have important discussions.

With any kitchen design project, the type of kitchen counter installation depends on a number of factors including the size of the kitchen, the intended function of the counter, budget, and personal style preferences. Here are three basic counter installations for you to consider.

Basic island

Islands are freestanding counters that are usually placed in the center of the kitchen. They liven up a kitchen inviting family members and guests to gather around them. Chairs or stools are placed around the island to allow for eating meals or doing homework. Islands work best in large kitchens with sufficient floor space. The island can either be either fixed or mobile. The base of a kitchen island can have cabinets, shelves, and wine racks to provide the kitchen with extra storage.

Multi-level island

A multi-level island is a great way to make a kitchen counter multi-functional. With multi-level islands, the base countertop is used for food preparation; it is equipped with amenities such as a stove top, sink, and dishwasher. The elevated, “bar height” countertop on the other hand is used for serving and eating meals. It can also be used for other tasks like writing grocery lists or sorting through mail or as a place to set down flower vases and fruit bowls. Multi-level islands are a good way to get the most out of your kitchen counter.

Wall mounted countertop

Wall mounted countertops are countertop shelves mounted to a kitchen wall with brackets. They do not have a base or cabinets underneath them, and some are designed to fold up when not in use. Wall mounted countertops are usually small and thus best suited to small kitchens. They can be a minimalist dinning surface for one or two people, and can also be used for food preparation.

Nov
15

Kitchen Remodel Survival Guide

Once you have settled on the perfect kitchen design, hired a good remodeling contractor, and set up your budget, it’s time for the contractor to tear your old kitchen apart and start installing your beautiful new kitchen!  It’s an exciting time, but also a messy, inconvenient time.  Unlike on television, a major kitchen remodeling project will not be completed in an hour or even a weekend.

Your remodeling contractor will be able to give you a more accurate estimate, but depending on the scope of your remodeling project, plan on being “kitchenless” for at least several weeks while your contractor gets the job done.

Work with your contractor to minimize your kitchen downtime.  Try to put off demolition until most of the new fixtures and materials have been delivered.  Special order items like custom cabinets can take weeks for delivery and there is no sense in getting started until they have been delivered or at least until they are nearing the delivery date.

The easiest way to deal with living without your kitchen is to take a vacation or move into a nearby hotel for a while.  Unfortunately, moving into a hotel or going on vacation is not a practical or cost effective solution for most people.  However, you may be able to schedule the renovation to coincide at least partially with a vacation or a visit with family members.  Just a few days away from the mess and inconvenience of the renovation can provide a welcome “sanity” break.

During the time that you will be living with the remodeling project, you will probably be eating out a lot or living on take out or delivery food.  You can cut down on eating out by creating a “mini-kitchen” with a microwave, coffee pot, toaster, and small refrigerator in whatever space you can find such as an extra bedroom or a corner of the living room.  You may be able to temporarily put your old refrigerator in a garage or other area so you can use it during the remodeling. In addition, this may be a good time to consider brushing up on your grilling skills.

No matter how inconvenient, remember that your remodeling project will be done in a few weeks and you will be able to enjoy your new kitchen for years to come.

Nov
15

Planning a Kitchen Renovation

A kitchen renovation is a great project that can add value to your home and provide years of enjoyment.  Planning your renovation involves more than wandering through the aisles of your local home improvement center. For anything beyond a minor project, you will need to choose a good kitchen designer and a kitchen remodeling contractor.  Sometimes these are the same person or firm.

You may have a good idea of what you want to achieve from your remodeling project, but working with a great kitchen designer is usually worth every penny.  They know from experience what works well together and how to achieve the look and functionality you desire.  They will also have insights into the materials and fixtures that are available and will be able to offer suggestions for the design that you may not have even thought of that will result in a fantastic new kitchen that exceeds your expectations.

Some kitchen designers also function as the remodeling contractor.  If not, you will need a good contractor with experience in kitchen remodeling.  The contractor deals with and all the tradesmen who will be involved with the job.  You can attempt to do this yourself, but kitchen remodeling involves many different trades including plumbing, flooring, electrical, cabinet making, countertops, tile, masonry and general carpentry.

Finding and coordinating all these trades is much more difficult and time consuming than it seems.  A good remodeling contractor has the organizational skills and experience to efficiently manage your kitchen remodeling project.  They also have a good set of contacts and know who they can depend on to do good work.

When choosing your kitchen designer and remodeling contractor, you will want to be sure they have the appropriate qualifications and a good reputation.  Ask for and follow up with references and be sure the contractor is licensed and has sufficient liability insurance coverage.

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