Give Your Home A Lift With A Kitchen Remodeling In Northern Virginia

By Jessica Moore


For most homeowners, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home, and the center of a great deal of family activity. With so much use, it does not take long for many kitchens to begin to show their age. No matter what your circumstances or budget, chances are good that you home could benefit from a makeover, and the good news is that kitchen remodeling in northern Virginia is one of those rare home improvements that can substantially increase the resale value of the home.

Start with the end in mind. Always have a good written design/plan. Regardless of whether your remodeling job is very basic, or very complex, good plans will ensure you get all the elements you want in your project. Plans are a valuable communication tool that always reduce mistakes during the project. Even if you have to pay a little extra for the design, starting with a clear picture of the finished product will be well worth it.

Comparison shopping is vital in order to ensure you get the best remodeling quotes and financing terms. If you are going to do the renovation yourself, you should definitely compare material costs by shopping online as well as visiting several home improvement stores. Prices for the same product can vary widely from store to store, as well as online. Some websites and retail stores are willing to match and beat the prices of their competitors for the same item.

Deciding on a theme is not always easy, of course, and it is important to choose your theme carefully, and to consider your lifestyle and that of your family when making the choice. Some homeowners will opt for the ultra-modern look, with stainless steel appliances and countertops, while others will look to the durability of granite counter-tops and solid wood cabinets. The key is to think about how you use your kitchen, and plan your choices appropriately.

Don't sweat the small stuff. To borrow part of the title from Richard Carlson's book: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff! Mistakes will happen on your renovation project. Period. End of Statement. Recognize upfront that mistakes will happen and recognize that an experienced remodeling contractor knows how to minimize and correct mistakes.

Financing options for this renovation project depend on its scope. For standalone upgrades below $1,000, you may consider various no money down or interest-free offers from local home improvement stores. For projects up to $5,000, you may want to consider using credit cards with low or 0% APR's. In addition, try to use credit cards that will allow you to accumulate reward points. For large scale projects, you may want to consider either taking on a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a home equity loan (HEL).

The right appliances are, of course, another important part of a successful renovation project. Many homeowners choose to replace those worn out or out of date appliances with newer and more modern ones, and remodeling time can be a great time to make those changes. It is important to look at the colors and materials of the appliances you are considering, and to ensure that they will look appropriate with the rest of the cooking room.

Simply put, these remodeling should be a cause for excitement! Stress may be an unavoidable byproduct of a remodel, but you don't have to lose your marriage over it! Follow these 6 vital tips, beat the stress, keep your marriage intact, and enjoy your cooking room for decades to come!




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