10 February 2009

Get 4 Bids from Kitchen Renovation Contractors

ConstructionDeal.com can connect you with Kitchen Remodeling Contractors in no time.

Submit your remodeling project - at no cost - and contractors call you!


Find a Contractor - Free

When you need to find a kitchen remodeler, you cah choose one at random from the phone book. Or ask for a referral.

Let ConstructionDeal.com be your solution!

Submit a Kitchen Remodeling Project in minutes:
  • Save time by having Kitchen Remodeling Contractors call you!
  • Save money by getting multiple quotes. More quotes mean you choose the company that is right for you and your budget.
  • We're happy to provide this service absolutely free!
Start Your Project Now

Homeowners know remodeling their kitchen is the key to improving their quality of life and the value of their home. The kitchen has become the gathering place. With the right kitchen designer, you'll transform the most important room into the best room in your house.

The national average age of American houses is 36 years. As your home ages, it's important to maintain and improve your largest investment. When you need a Kitchen Remodeler, think of ConstructionDeal.com and post your request with us!

It's fast, free and easy!

Construction Deal.com is a trusted member of the Better Business Bureau. We consider your information to be private and it will be held in the strictest confidence (view our privacy policy.) If you would prefer to call us with more questions or to post your remodeling project, please call us at 866-663-4711.

Be Informed
This is our Kitchen Remodeling Blog where we cover all the latest tips and helpful information on the best ways to remodel your kitchen! Bookmark this blog to keep up to date on the latest trends and ideas in remodeling!


09 February 2009

Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Today, homes are built with plenty of room in mind. Total square footage in most houses is two to three times what it was 50 years ago. Most homes built after the 80's have large, eat-in kitchens with room to spare - some have islands, breakfast nooks, two dishwashers, and walk-in pantries.

But many older homes, condos, and townhouses are stuck with very small kitchen areas. High budgets, neighborhood association constraints, and lack of a ground-level location prevent the homeowner from adding on to their kitchens.

What can you do if your kitchen is too small?

A small kitchen can still be renovated to allow for more space, without knocking down exterior walls and doing a complete kitchen addition job. Even if more space cannot be added to the room, there are tricks to add to the illusion and feel to make the kitchen seem larger than it really is.

Open It Up. Most older homes have a kitchen that is more or less enclosed. Kitchens were never a place for friends and family to gather. The kitchen was utilitarian in nature. 4 walls were necessary to close it off. If your small kitchen has one or two doors leading out of it, you should check with a structural engineer to determine if the walls around those doors are "load bearing." If the walls are not load bearing walls, you should consider knocking out the drywall/plaster and opening up your kitchen. If you have cabinets on those walls, and you're afraid of losing the storage space, you can still have cabinets installed that will hang down from the ceiling. Countertop bars can be installed in place of the wall to give eating and visiting space to give the illusion of a larger kitchen space.

More Modern Appliances. New appliances are now available that will do the same amount of work in smaller spaces. Dishwashers and refrigerators are available that have more cubic interior space than older and larger appliances that may currently be in your kitchen.

Take Over Other Rooms. Is the dining room next to the kitchen? Many are abandoning their formal dining rooms and expanding the kitchen out into that space. Since larger kitchens are more desirable it might be an option. At this time, a larger and more improved kitchen but without a dining room will not reduce the value of your home. In fact, it may even probably increase your overall home value.

Increase Light Levels. Can you add a window? Can you enlarge a window? You might even consider a skylight in the room. By adding total light levels to the kitchen, you can open up the space and create the feel of a larger room. Another way to help with this is dimmable recessed lighting overhead and under cabinets. Extra light and accent lighting can increase the rooms feel, too. Finally, consider lighter colors in paint and cabinet doors. By lightening up darker colors, you'll add to the illusion of a more open space.

Expand Up. Can you alter your kitchen ceiling? By pushing up the ceiling in a kitchen, you can allow for more headroom and raise the total cabinet height (and storage space.) A cathedral ceiling or exposing your rafters and beams will also allow for skylight additions.

Shiny Countertops. Upgrade to a high gloss surface on your small kitchen counters. Added lighting and sunlight will reflect off the shiny surface and add light all over the area.

Vary Your Cabinets. Opening up cabinets with transparent or semi-transparent cabinet doors will add an airy feel. Also, vary the height of the new cabinets you add to the room. A row of cabinets that are all the same height can make a more uniformed and closed-in feel. With some cabinets dropping down lower than others and some cabinets not dropping down quite as far, you can keep your kitchen feeling like it has more square footage.

If you need to find a kitchen designer to come in and give you a consultation on your small kitchen, consider using ConstructionDeal.com. Our site is dedicated to helping you find a quality kitchen remodeling company and we have a nationwide network of kitchen renovation pros. It's free to use it and it only takes a few minutes to post your job.

08 December 2008

Kitchen Remodeling: Pain Points!

According to the Kitchen & Bath Design News, based on a recent study by Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence, homeowners have many common dislikes when it comes to their current kitchen.

These are the things that homeowners most want to change about the most important room in their house -- their kitchen. These dislikes were evident no matter how old the house or what style of kitchen they had (modern, country, traditional, etc.)

Here are what they call the "pain points":
  • Organization: Homeowners would like to improve accessibility to appliances and various items throughout the kitchen. They also want ways to reduce the amount clutter.
  • Cleanliness: They want products, surfaces, materials, and appliances that are easy to clean and maintain.
  • Space: Having more room is always key. Adding cabinets, pantries, and islands help as well as improving capacity within the cabinets to maximize the space.
  • Product Design: Homeowners want improved products and features those products offer. Many appliances, materials, and products were originally installed to save costs and people want to upgrade.
  • Noise: Too much noise from appliances and products in the kitchen are constant problems for consumers.
Definitely things to consider when you're planning and budgeting your kitchen renovation project. Read the full article to get more details!

If you need to find a local Kitchen Remodeling Pro, post your request with ConstructionDeal.com! It's a fast, free and easy way to find local contractors. And there is no obligation to hire anyone you talk to. We just want to make sure you have as few "pain points" in your remodeling project as possible!

It's the smart way to find a kitchen renovator!

12 November 2008

Kitchen Remodeling Contractors - Get 4 Quotes

You're ready to remodel your kitchen. But you need to find kitchen contractors to help you bring your kitchen back to life?

We can help.

Submit your kitchen renovation project to ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast and easy way to find kitchen contractors. There's no cost and no obligation.

Just tell us about your kitchen remodeling plans and we'll match you to 4 kitchen contractors in the same day - sometimes within minutes.

Simply fill out a small form and then our network of kitchen contractors will call you. It's that easy. Are you ready to find a kitchen remodeling professional?

Find a Contractor - Free

Kitchen Remodeling Articles:
Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
The Perfect Kitchen Floor
Kitchen Remodeling Trends

Remodeling the Kitchen Cabinets

You're looking to remodel your kitchen, but you're not ready to renovate the entire room. It's usually not a cheap proposition to gut the kitchen to the studs and start from scratch.

A kitchen remodeling project can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,0000 for the bare minimum, low-end, and "budget" job. High end jobs, with the granite counters and custom cabinets can really break the bank.

You might consider doing your project one step at a time. Instead of a complete re-do, you might start with the core of your kitchen - - your cabinets. A quality cabinet installer could put in stock, semi-custom, or maybe even custom cabinets to bring new life and new functionality to the room.

If your not looking for the perfect fit for your new cabinets, you can really save money with stock cabinets. Stock cabinets are the ones that are not made to fit specifically in your room. They are pre-made kitchen cabinets that can be installed in place but you may not get the best organization structure needed for your room. There are usually less options in colors and finishes. The cabinets are usually a standard 10 inches wide to 4 feet wide (with a 3" incremental jump in size) and if they are less than 24 inches, then there is only one door and two doors if wider than 24".

A semi-custom cabinet is more expensive. But, you have more color, door, and finish choices. There are also more choices in height, width, and depth. These cabinets are not made just for your room, but because of the greater choice in options and because they are made to order by the manufacturer you can get what you need.

To get what you want, however, may require custom cabinets. These are the most expensive type but they are made on-site for your kitchen. There are no standard sizes that have to be squeezed into a room or a color or cabinet door choice you don't like. The materials are usually the best available, from the type of wood to the molding on the doors to the handles and accessories (lazy susans, pull-out drawers, etc.) Because these are made-to-order, the cabinets always require a long waiting period.

If you are only going to replace cabinets, you might consider spending a little more than you planned. It adds value to the house and the best in convenience and aesthetics for you. And since you're not remodeling the whole kitchen, you'll have a good base to build around when you're ready to wrap it up.

The other thing to consider - - if you do the cabinets, you'll more than likely need to have your choice in countertop installed as well. It would be a waste of money to have a temporary counter and/or backsplash installed until you're ready for your ultimate choice in material for the room. It could be done if it puts your budget out of reach, so it's best to consult a professional to see what your options are.

Ready to update those kitchen cabinets? We can help you find a local cabinet installer. Simply post your project and choose how many contractors you'd like to receive calls from. Make sure you get several bids on the project to make sure you're getting the best price and best package for your kitchen.

Important Cabinet Information:

Normal Cabinet Height - 34"
Normal Countertop Height - 36"
Normal Distance from Countertop to Cabinets - 14" - 20"

Related Posts:
Kitchen Design Ideas
Budget Kitchen Ideas - Cabinet Replacement
Kitchen Remodeling Components

20 November 2007

3 Designers Talk the Latest Kitchen Trends

From an article in the Poughkeepsie Journal.com: "If you're thinking of remodeling, think about your kitchen.

According to Money magazine, it can add 90 percent of its cost to your home's resale value. But, that's only if you do it right. And that means knowing what's up to date.

Three local experts filled us in on the details:

Style, Overall Look

The trend is toward cleaner, airier, sleeker - but still traditional, Caruso said. The rustic, warm and inviting Tuscan look is still popular. The heavy English Country look is out.

More kitchens combine lights and darks and also combine materials, Schanker said. For example, antique white cabinets may be paired with some dark wood cabinets for visual contrast. Or, some countertops (an island, for instance) may be done in another material or color.

Cabinets

Additional storage, darker colors and new woods bring plenty of options for cabinetry.

Standalone pieces offer extra appliance storage - a pantry, a baking center much like a Hoosier cabinet or a liquor and wine cabinet with glass doors and backlighting, Dahl said. They may be on legs and made of a different wood species or even painted to coordinate with the rest of the kitchen decor.

Darker colors, such as cherry wood in dark red stains and walnut or birch in rich, brown stains like espresso are popular, Caruso said. Oak has taken a back seat to maple, which is now the lighter-colored mainstay. Cabinets also have simpler, cleaner-lined doors with raised or recessed panels.

Homeowners also have more woods to choose from, like the plantation-grown Lyptus eucalyptus hardwoods, Schanker said. And the beauty of these more exotic woods is really showcased in the newer, simplified designs.

Countertops

Owners of even reasonably priced kitchens are sinking their money into countertops the way people used to with cabinets, Caruso said. They're going bolder with colors -greens, browns and soft yellowy-beiges - but not gray and black, which are too contemporary.

Granite is still the most popular choice, Caruso said, but quartz products mimicking the look are becoming popular because they're stronger than granite and don't require resealing. Solid surface materials such as Corian are waning in popularity. If the countertop material allows it, people are almost always choosing undermount or fused sinks, which have no raised rims or sealant, for easy cleanups.

Extras

Convenience is the theme of this category. Pot-filler faucets on the back wall of the range eliminate trips from the sink to the stove, Dahl said. A prep sink - a simple drop-in bar sink or a top- or under-mounted sink - simplifies meal prep for two or more cooks.

Warming drawers are also popular, Schanker said. Their convenience is now helping busy families keep dinner warm until after band or soccer practice.

Drawers also are housing appliances such as refrigerators, wine coolers and dishwashers. Cabinet door fronts can hide their purpose. A pair can be stacked on top of each other under countertops or split in different parts of the kitchen.

Microwave drawers are a new innovation, Caruso said.

Flooring

People still are very much into hardwoods and tile, Caruso says. Although you might hear that tile is out because it's hard to clean or hard on your feet, it's still fashionable and in demand."

To find a local Kitchen Remodeling company, post your request on ConstructionDeal.com. Save Time and Money! It's a fast, free, and easy way to find a kitchen renovator in your area. Tell us about your project and sit back and wait on companies to contact you.

09 October 2007

Kitchen Remodeling: Adding a Kitchen Island

If you have a large enough kitchen, it would be wise to consider adding an island to your new design when renovating the kitchen. If your current kitchen already has an island, consider a few options you have to update your more basic design:

What is a Kitchen Island?

If you don't have one or have only seen them in magazines or kitchen remodeling shows, you might not fully appreciate what an island can do for your room. A kitchen island is a cabinet that stands out in the middle of the kitchen, usually in L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen configurations. The long, narrow, or galley kitchens usually don't have room for an island. Kitchen islands are usually square or rectangle in shape, but many designs have included round and oval-shapes, as well.

The island provides the kitchen with additional storage space, food preperation area, counter space, and even an eating area on one or two sides. Some islands even include plumbing to add a sink or include some appliances.

Why Consider Adding a Kitchen Island?

The kitchen is such an integral part of the modern home. It's more than just a place to make dinner these days. It's the focal point for eating, meeting, and greeting. It's a much more social room than in past eras. The island gives you more cabinet space below, a place to hang pots and pans above, and even more valuable counter space which has been taken up by all of your new small appliances. It's perfect when more than one member of the family likes to cook because it gives room to have several projects going on at once. It's also a way to cut down on the lengths in a "work triangle" by giving a closer spot to jump doing during the cooking process. An island can even give you room to add a second dishwasher or other luxury appliances, like a garbage compactor, recycling bin, or wine cooler.

What Options Are Available?
  • Sit Down Dining: if you want to add an island, and you have the room, you should seriously think about adding one with a counter surface that will allow people to eat there. To enhance the social aspects of your kitchen, having guests or kids be able to sit at the counter and talk with your while you're cooking is a great advantage. Plan on a counter that can allow for either regular chairs or bar stools, depending on the height.

  • You Have Choices: consider whether you're going to go with a small, portable island that has wheels on it, or a larger built-in island. If you go with the built-in, consider whether you'll go with a stock island or have one custom-made for your room.

  • Stock vs. Custom: you can save money with a stock island installation. A stock cabinet has already been manufactured and will cost less than custom. Also, a stock one is usually available for delivery right away. However, you have fewer options with stock. A custom island can be built specifically for your room with the options you want - like a sink, room for appliances, with or without counters, and in your choice of cabinet materials and color as well as the countertop surface.

  • The Modern Trends: if you're feeling daring, you might consider putting a different countertop material or different color of material on your island versus the other kitchen counter top surface. The trend today is to mismatch, or jumble, the look of various cabinets and countertops.

If you'd like to talk with a kitchen designer or finish your kitchen remodel by adding an island, you can find a professional in your area today. It's a fast, free, and easy way to find local kitchen professionals - simply post your project on ConstructionDeal.com and sit back to wait for these experts to call you! It saves time over searching for a company or two, at random, in the yellow pages. And it saves money to have several companies bid on the job. You'll be able to pick the price and company that is just right for you.