Kenneth Lewis Blog

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

At Cabinetry Refinishing by Kenneth C. Lewis, we take what our customers say about us very seriously. To everyone who has taken the time to comment and recommend us, we appreciate it very much.  Customer satisfaction is a big part of what we do.

Kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing is an easier, faster and much more economical solution to an entire kitchen remodel.
 
Here is what some of our customers are saying:

Thank you so much Ken for revitalizing our kitchen. Before you came and made our kitchen beautiful it was extremely dark and dreary. My husband and I were thinking of putting in a new kitchen and then we found out how much it would cost and how much time it would take for all the contractors to complete it.

You saved our kitchen and our sanity. – From Julie in Newton, MA

Our kitchen has never looked so good, my wife raves over how easy our cabinets are to clean and says the finish is so durable! You're very talented and we are glad we chose Kenneth C. Lewis over all the other options. – From Sam in Newton, MA

Simply put: I love my kitchen! – From Fran in Sharon, MA

We've had problems since the day we installed our kitchen. We live on the ocean and the cabinet manufacturer said that the reason for the finish failure was the environment. You completed our kitchen in days instead of months and it looks better than it ever did. – From Joe & Kathy in Duxbury, MA

Many homeowners who want to remodel are faced with the question: Should they replace their kitchen cabinets or just replace the cabinet doors?

Other homeowners have no idea that, depending on the material, they could restore their countertops to save some money, rather than buy new ones.

They want their kitchen remodel to be done right but also economically. They are also sure about one other thing.

They are not interested in buying a new home, just in making their existing home more comfortable by fixing up the kitchen and the bathroom.

The state of the economy and real estate market has created plenty of interest in remodeling projects. But consumers are not spending as much money as they used, but rather looking for more economical solutions. One of those solutions is cabinet refacing or cabinet refinishing in the kitchen and the bathroom.

If you are interested in spending your money more wisely, looking for value, and staying put, contact Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis.

If you’re planning on a few home improvements, it's best to know which of them are likely to pay off if you sell your home and which won’t. ROI, or return on investment, should play a part in your plan. Basically, it is how much money you could recoup when you sell. Will that minor bathroom remodeling job be a good investment or not? Should you spend the extra money to fix up the kitchen?

More often than not, sellers can get back a substantial percentage of their outlay for a variety of well-executed improvements if they keep the market in mind.

According to the Cost vs. Value Report a "minor" kitchen remodel (in home improvement speak that's about $20K) is usually a good investment. The national average for cost returned is about 83%.

Keep in mind that spending more doesn't necessarily mean you'll get back a higher percentage later. In the last year, an upscale kitchen makeover, which might involve installing custom cherry cabinets and other luxurious amenities, the average recouped value is lower (about 78%) than for a minor kitchen remodeling project (83%) that is much less extensive or expensive.

This is why you should consider spending less and getting a larger return on that investment. If you have nice solid, but perhaps run down kitchen cabinets, consider kitchen cabinet refacing or refinishing. Contact us.

Original article - Demesne

There are many colonial homes in Massachusetts. Often in these homes, you would like a kitchen remodel, but it is important to stay with the period look.

Often in these kitchens, the cabinets are custom made and designed, so they are challenging to replace. Additionally, when considering replacing the kitchen cabinets often you feel s though you may need to remove walls, which would detract from the cozy, colonial feel of the original kitchen.

Cabinet refinishing can save you the hassle and expense of ordering and installing new kitchen cabinets, and will allow you to keep the look of your kitchen and home intact.  With cabinet refinishing, the original cabinets remain in place and the doors are refinished in the look and style you are looking for.

Besides being a less expensive route, it takes far less time; around 3-4 days. Contact Kenneth C. Lewis at Cabinet Refinishing for more information on the process.

If you are considering a kitchen remodel, you are certainly considering new cabinets. We encourage you to consider cabinet refinishing or cabinet refacing. These are less expensive options to replacing your kitchen cabinets. However the effect is just as dramatic and just as beautiful.

After your cabinets are refaced or refinished, you’ll need to know how to take care and maintain them. Like any high quality furniture, your kitchen cabinets should be treated carefully and cleaned and maintained with quality materials.

• Clean cabinets with a mild detergent or with soap and water (use sparingly) and dry them well using a lint-free cloth.
• Wipe up spills, splatters and water spots as they occur, keeping cabinets and countertops dry.
• Give special attention to areas near the sink and dishwasher that come in contact with moisture.

Use cleaners and polishes designed for wood cabinets and clean all surfaces as needed. As with any product constructed of wood, a few minutes of care can keep your newly refinished or refaced kitchen cabinets looking their best.

Contact Cabinet Refinishing for your kitchen cabinet remodeling needs.

There are quite a few homes on the market. You need to be sure your home stands out in the crowd. You can do this with a kitchen remodel. There are few home renovations that are worth it when I comes to making your money back, and remodeling the kitchen is one of them.

Kitchen renovations will get you 75-80% return on your investment. But you don’t have to spend a lot to remodel your kitchen. If your kitchen cabinets are in good shape, don’t replace them; reface them.

An alternative to replacing them is refacing them. Cabinet refacing is less expensive than buying all new cabinets. Cabinet refacing involves the replacement of the door and drawer fronts and installing a veneer of new wood over the existing cabinets.
 
If your kitchen is just dated, and not in need of a new floor plan, refinishing or resurfacing the cabinets will update the look and save you money to spend on replacing the appliances.
 
Contact Kenneth C Lewis Cabinetry if you want a less expensive option to a kitchen remodel.

As you know, when contemplating a kitchen remodel, new cabinets are the majority of the cost, and the stress. Why don’t you think about cabinet refinishing?

Newly refinished cabinets give you the feel of a brand new kitchen. Best of all, you can much better manage the cost of your kitchen makeover.  Spend the money or something else, or put it in the bank! No matter your décor, refinish your cabinets with a contemporary finish or old world charm.

If your original cabinets are in good shape other than being a bit dated or worn, refinishing your cabinets are a great solution to getting you a new kitchen with half the cost and in far less time.

It is possible that remodeling your kitchen has been cost prohibitive. Not with cabinet refinishing. Cabinet Refinishing is a great way to save money and achieve the look you are after.  

Contact Cabinet Refinishing by Kenneth Lewis for an appointment.

For some, the idea of remodeling the kitchen is overshadowed by thoughts of cost overruns, delays, and decisions. Certainly the process seems daunting, but in the end it is very rewarding. A nice and easy kitchen makes life…nice and easy.

1: How will you use your kitchen

To have a successful kitchen remodel, it is important to think about how you’ll actually be using your kitchen. A kitchen island will often help make kitchen living easier. A kitchen island provides extra seating and serving space for a family and can include great storage options to help keep the kitchen organized.

2: Storage

A kitchen can never have enough storage. Existing cabinets can be refinished rather than replaced to save money while updating the look of the kitchen. Additional cabinet options can be added to existing cabinets such as roll out shelving, peg boards, and cup hangers. Near the garage, as you enter the kitchen, consider a utility cabinet with roll-out trays and cubbies to minimize clutter from purses, hats, and  keys.

3: Make the kitchen functional for all

Understand who is using the kitchen and for what. Do you like entertaining in your kitchen; reface some of the cabinet doors with glass fronted doors. Perhaps you are at home chefs, have all your cooking supplies organized. Is it a homework spot for kids? Have a drawer designated for school supplies.

The kitchen is no longer just where you eat and store food. The kitchen is mom’s command center, the kitchen is where you gather with family and friends.

If you kitchen is feeling a little dated, but a total remodel is out of the budget, try a cabinet upgrade by refinishing, refacing, painting, or installing a kitchen island.

Cabinet refinishing is a great way to save some money and still have a beautiful or elite looking kitchen. The cost can be lower if your cabinets and doors are in good shape.  Decorative Possibilities for Your Cabinets are almost endless due to the fact that Kenneth C Lewis we use the most durable commercial grade lacquer on the market.  Many decorative effects can be achieved during any cabinet refinishing project with paint or stain.

You could also add lazy susan or pull-out shelves to your existing kitchen cabinets. Replace a door or two with a glass front or some other more modern style and change the entire look of your cabinets. New hardware is also changes the look of your cabinets and drawers.

Refacing Cabinets - An alternative to refinishing is refacing. Although cabinet refacing is cheaper than all new cabinets, it is still considerably more expensive than cabinet refinishing. Cabinet refacing involves the replacement of the door and drawer fronts (with new) plus installing a veneer of new wood over the existing cabinets. This is usually done with your existing countertops in place if they are in good shape.