Kenneth Lewis Blog

Now is the season that home remodeling and home improvement projects start. This spring, if you’d like to replace your kitchen cabinets but are worried about busting your budget, try refacing them instead of replacing them. Refacing kitchen cabinets with new doors and drawer fronts, rather than replacing all of the cabinetry, can save about 50% on cost.

Save Money and Time

As a very general rule, if replacing the cabinets will cost you $5,000, refacing cabinets them will cost $2,500. If you are on a budget, this is a way to save money.

Most of what you see in a kitchen is cabinet doors and drawers, so this makes up the bulk of a remodeling job. The money you save can be used for replacing the flooring or countertops, buying new appliances or adding new lighting.

Cabinet refacing is also much faster than totally replacing cabinets, taking only three to five days. In most cases, the appliances do not need to be moved and the homeowner can still use the kitchen.

How It Works

Refacing cabinets does not mean you have to use the same color that is there now.

Most kitchen cabinets have good ‘bones,’ with cabinets that are furniture-quality construction.

At Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis, cabinet refacing is not a cheesy, peel-and-stick product and process. This is real wood or laminate veneer being adhered to your existing cabinets. If you do it this way, the new veneer becomes one with the cabinet box. It is there for life.

Because the outsides of the cabinets are redone, you also can take this opportunity to add a few more cabinets or an island. These can be built to match your refaced cabinets.

If you want to add a pantry or a kitchen island, it can be matched seamlessly.

The kitchen is the most-used room in the house, it should reflect the homeowner. All of the elements that you can add while refacing give it more character.

For kitchen cabinet refacing, contact Kenneth C. Lewis.

NorthJersey.com

Now is an excellent time to remodel your kitchen.  With summer about to start, the economy starting to pick up, now is the perfect time to start planning the kitchen project.  Kitchens are one of the most used spaces in the home, the “heart of the home”; used for homework, dinner parties, and coffee breaks.  How we use them plays a role in how we update them.

Before you begin your kitchen remodel project, ask yourself some questions:

• What do you want from the kitchen remodeling project? What is your budget in both time and money?
• To determine the scope of work think about the following:
• How many people work in the kitchen regularly?
• What condition are your cabinets in behind the old paint or ugly knobs and pulls?
• What is your cooking style?
• Who uses the kitchen and what do they do there?
• How important is easy cleanup?
• If you could splurge on one luxury, what would it be?

Don’t forget that you have options when it comes to cabinets. If you don’t need an entirely new kitchen layout, you may not need new kitchen cabinets. Cabinet refacing and refinishing are the perfect option for you. This dramatically cuts down on both the time you spend on the remodel and the amount of money you spend on the remodel.

When deciding to begin the project, remember that your home is still your biggest investment.  And you want to have the highest return possible on that investment, especially if are selling sometime in the near future.
 
Fortunately a kitchen remodeling project is something that recaptures nearly 100% return if you stay within the maximum 15% of the home's current market value.  

The entire kitchen project (including cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting) should cost no less than 5% and no more than 15% of the current value of your home with approximately 50% of the total cost allocated for kitchen cabinets if you are buying new.

If you go through this exercise and determine that you either don’t have a large budget, or you don’t need to redesign the layout of the kitchen, contact Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis.

Excerpts from The Baynet

Over the last couple years, remodeling projects have risen, implying that homeowners are staying put. Homeowners are finding it’s much more economical to upgrade their existing home rather than buy a new home. Many homeowners find remodeling to be an easier investment than moving in a housing market that hasn’t quite bounced back yet.

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects are still the most popular undertakings.  However, more homeowners who are remodeling kitchens are making the projects smaller in scale: Instead of a $70,000 to $80,000 kitchen remodel, they are remodeling on a smaller scale.

There are ways to do a kitchen remodel without spending all the money in the bank, or taking out a loan; especially if you don’t have to buy new kitchen cabinets. How do you remodel a kitchen and keep the same old cabinets? By refacing or refinishing cabinets, you use your old cabinets, but make them look like brand new.

Kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing changes the entire look of your kitchen because you are changing the look of your cabinets. While accomplishing your kitchen remodeling goal, you are spending significantly less money and getting the results much faster too.

If you are one of those who is contemplating remodeling contact Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis.

Only a small minority of homeowners undertake a massive kitchen remodel that entails gutting the room and starting from scratch. Since the kitchen is the most expensive and inconvenient room to renovate, it’s commonly tackled bit-by-bit. With careful planning and organization it’s possible to transform your space and budget costs and achieve that dream kitchen you envisioned.

Cabinetry: New cabinets are often the most expensive part of a kitchen remodeling project. However, they don’t need to be. If your cabinets are in good condition and are made of solid hardwood, then you should consider cabinet refacing or cabinet refinishing.

By stripping and refinishing your old cabinets or replacing the cabinet doors with new, your cabinets will have a brand new look. It is very possible to combine new doors and drawer fronts with refinishing cabinets for a totally new design.

Replace the countertops: Countertops can really change a kitchen. Granite countertops is an investment that will not be wasted. If you can't afford granite slab, consider granite tiles for your countertop instead. Instead of replacing the sink, consider changing the faucet for an updated look.

Flooring should be the last step: The most common mistake homeowners make in the planning process is prematurely replacing flooring. Resist the urge to replace flooring until the other renovations are complete.

Local10.com

Whether you are remodeling your home for sale right away, or simply to increase the value of your home for resale in the future, the right renovations will make all the difference. Kitchen renovations do much more than provide a cosmetic facelift to your property; they offer potential buyers the necessary motivation to select your home over the rest in your neighborhood. Kitchen face lifts offer the greatest value and resale potential for your home.

Kitchen Face Lift

Kitchens are the center of family activity, so it is no wonder these rooms tend to make or break a home sale. Buyers today are looking for kitchens that are light and airy, open enough for entertaining and filled with contemporary features and conveniences. Consider replacing laminate counters with granite countertops and updating sink hardware for an easy way to modernize the look of your kitchen. No need to replace the kitchen cabinets when they are well made, just worm out. Instead cabinet refacing and cabinet refinishing is a better, faster, less expensive option.

For information on fixing up your kitchen cabinets and countertops in order to sell your home, contact Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis.

Business 2 Community

Usually in Massachusetts, home repairs and renovations season usually doesn’t start until May. This year is different. Homeowners already are beginning their home renovations and repair projects.

The early start to the renovation season has lots to do with the unseasonably mild weather and early start to spring. But there is another reasons for it too.

Staying put

It may be a buyer’s market for house hunters, but not everyone is in a position to take advantage of the low prices and low interest rates. As a result, some homeowners are staying put and putting their money into their existing homes. Many homeowners are choosing to reinvest in their kitchens and the exterior of their homes.

Homeowners most often opt for kitchen remodeling, decks, exteriors and outdoor living spaces.

Kitchens are the center of a home. It’s not just a place to prepare food. It’s where a house becomes a home. But more and more homeowners are doing kitchen face lifts, rather than an entire, expensive remodel.

For a more economical solution, when the size and foot print of the kitchen are fine, replace the countertops and spruce up the cabinets with cabinet refacing and refinishing.

For information on kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing, contact Kenneth C. Lewis Cabinetry.

FDLReporter

As the weather starts to warm and flowers start to bloom, so does the desire of homeowners to get to their home remodeling to-do lists and projects.
 
The top trends in home remodeling based on industry statistics and customer requests indicate that people are choosing to do a series of smaller upgrades around the house rather than tackle larger renovation projects.

The most popular home remodeling job remains a kitchen makeover. Kitchens are the most popular room in the house to remodel. Homeowners in the market to sell their home recoup an average of 81% from their investment in a kitchen remodel. But smaller kitchen upgrades are what are becoming more and more popular. Cabinet refacing and refinishing are the perfect solution to a kitchen that has good layout and just needs upgrading.

Kitchen upgrades offer convenience for those homeowners wishing to stay in their home. Granite countertops, farmhouse sinks, and newly refinished kitchen cabinets are all popular choices.

Bathroom remodels are always a must-do project. Usually costing less than a kitchen remodel, many homeowners are turning their bathrooms into a spa. Updating a bathroom with new tile, vanities with granite or quartz countertops and dual rain shower set the tone for relaxation after a long day at the office.

A large amount of homeowners are doing remodeling projects that enhance their living space. For information on your kitchen or bath remodeling project, contact Kenneth C. Lewis Cabinet Refinishing.

NJ.com

In this day of living green and trying to “reduce, reuse and recycle” consider a green kitchen remodel. Really your kitchen cabinets are in fine condition, they just show the years and the knobs are outdated. That does not mean you need to rip them out and throw them away.

Reuse and recycle. With kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing you are using your existing kitchen cabinets in your kitchen remodel. No need to use the time or energy or materials to replace them.

Kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing means that you can “fix up” your old cabinets and stain them with green finishes or paints as well.

At Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis we are an expert in kitchen cabinet refacing and remodeling. We will use your cabinets and turn them into “like new.” Additionally, we will only be in your house for a few days, no stress or mess. Your new looking cabinets will be so beautiful  no one will know they aren’t. Best of all, you can be comfortable and confident that your kitchen remodeling project reduced, reused and recycled. Contact us.

Some home improvement projects do not give you the return on investment to make them worthwhile. However, there are some home improvements that increase market value. Most realtors will tell you, kitchens and bathrooms are where the sale is made.

Wall paint colors are easily and inexpensively changed, and chances are that the new homeowner is going to change the wall colors anyway. Complete ktchen remodels certainly create a wow-factor that will boost the value of a home, but the cost is prohibitive for many homeowners, and the work required is lengthy and messy.

Kitchens and bathrooms can benefit from a significant facelift simply by replacing outdated countertops with new custom countertops. At various price points, homeowners can choose from granite countertops, soapstone countertops, silestone countertops, concrete countertops, and a growing number of eco-friendly countertops.

Not every investment will actually pay off when you try to sell. New countertops, however, can beautify your home while you're living there and still provide great ROI when you're ready to move.

By choosing smart upgrades such as new countertops, a home's value will likely increase. Feature such as these are quickly becoming the standard for kitchens and bathrooms. Potential buyers will often not consider a home without granite countertops since they are so popular and readily available these days. Being competitive is crucial in a tough housing market.

For information or a consultation on new countertops, contact Cabinetry by Kenneth C Lewis.

Construction Digital

Most homeowners know that you get the best ROI on home improvements when those projects have to do with the kitchen. If you want the most return on your investment in home value and resale value kitchen home improvement projects are the way to go.
 
But kitchen remodeling projects force homeowners to live with disruption. When the kitchen is being remodeled your everyday life is upside down. There is an answer. Your kitchen can get a new look by replacing the countertops.  Add a kitchen island and increase your kitchen work space and home value. The interruption to your normal life is minimal as well because the average actual time Kenneth C. Lewis will spend in your home is 3-4 days.

When you want to save money but totally change the look of your kitchen, countertop replacement is usually the perfect option. We use all types of countertop finishes and can help you with your selection between granite, corian, cambria quartz and other materials for. If you are interested in updating the look and feel of your kitchen, contact us.