Kenneth Lewis Blog

Spring is the time that many homeowners start to consider kitchen and bathroom renovations, but right now is the perfect time to consider these renovations.  Plumbers have better availability after the winter heating season and skilled workers are still available before the busy summer season. So when spring cleaning reveals older and worn cabinetry and vanities, call Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis.

A full kitchen renovation can cost quite a bit of money based on a variety of details along with the condition of the existing plumbing and electric.  Kitchen upgrades and smaller renovations with a big effect can be done for much less.  Great ways to change the look of your kitchen on a tight budget could include replacing cabinet doors, counter-tops, hardware, flooring and painting to name a few.

Likewise, partial bathroom projects or smaller bathroom renovations with a "WOW" factor can be completed for much less than a full make-over.  Vanity refacing or refinishing, a new toilet and sink, or just a new faucet, and painting are a few suggestions.

For more cost effective kitchen and bath renovations, contact Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis.

These days with the home market the way it is, more and more homeowners are staying put rather than selling with these low home prices.

But staying put doesn’t mean they are not upgrading. Homeowners are remodeling their homes to make them what they want them to be.

Upgrading and redecorating a house can be done in small steps, or in one overhaul, depending on your available time and finances, and the upgrades you want to do.

For example, redesigning your kitchen with new appliances, cabinetry, flooring and wall color will require a lot more time, money and decision making on your part than refinishing or refacing your cabinets and putting in new countertops. However, the effect is the same.

If you have a kitchen where you love the layout, and what you really need is a face lift, contact Kenneth C. Lewis Cabinetry.

With houses remaining on the market for months, or even years, now is not a good time to be selling your home, says BankRate.com.

It has become the trend that short of short-selling your home, making attractive upgrades and renovations make all the difference to potential buyers with many homes to choose from.

However, if you have decided to stay in your home, rather than sell right now, remodeling your home for comfort or aesthetic reasons are also worthwhile in both the short and long run.

The recession discouraged home sellers from spending on home improvements, and large home remodeling jobs have decreased because people are not sure about the economy.

A minor kitchen remodel can also translate into a nice return. You will recoup anywhere from 71-73% of your cost.

What is a minor kitchen remodeling job? Start with your kitchen cabinets. You don’t need to replace your old cabinets. Refacing and refinishing kitchen cabinets is a very economical option that will enhance the appearance and style of your kitchen.

Paint, new countertops and perhaps new flooring can also have a dramatic effect on the look and feel of your kitchen.

Regardless of what you spend on a minor kitchen remodel, you can be promised a large return on your investment.

For kitchen cabinet refacing or refinishing, contact Cabinet Refinishing 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 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.

Summer is the busiest time for home improvement projects and, after a few years of a down economy, it looks like more people will take the plunge in the summer of 2011.

Kitchen remodeling is the number one project that people take on.

It is also the best return for your investment.

You can get as much as an 85% return on your money and it can cost as little as a few thousand dollars for things like re-facing cabinets and a fresh coat of paint.

A good rule of thumb is never spend more than 20 percent of your home's value on any re-modeling job, especially if you are thinking about selling in the next few years.

"Understand exactly what the market is, do they have granite countertops, do they have stainless steel appliances, because the last thing you want to do is price yourself out of the market because that is going to cut into your return," Hicks, from Angies List, said.

In general, you can expect an 85% return on your kitchen re-model when you sell your home.

In the meantime, you get the benefits of a better kitchen, which for most families is the "heart of the home."

Kitchen remodeling on a budget
Just about everybody can make their kitchen their own dream kitchen space without breaking the bank or causing a divorce. Here are some suggestions to do kitchen remodeling on a budget.

1.   Add a fresh coat of paint  
2.   Order new doors or fronts for your appliances  
3.   Refacing your cabinets or replacing the doors  
4.   Replace the cabinet hardware with high end hardware  
5.   Replace your sink or just the faucet

Original article on 9news.com Written by Jack Maher