Kenneth Lewis Blog

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

When it comes to renovating your home for re-sale there are a few major renovations that top the list but Kitchen remodels top them all. For the largest return on your investment when reselling your home, consider a kitchen remodel.

Buyers want to envision themselves in a gorgeous newly renovated kitchen where they can see themselves entertaining friends and family, where the kids do their homework, and guests can gather around a gorgeous kitchen island. This is what buyers look for.

Kitchen Remodels give you a ROI of 75-85%. The function of the kitchen has evolved over the years, and now more than ever the kitchen must meet those needs.

• A major kitchen remodel may need to include a new floor plan to improve on a poorly designed work triangle.
• If the kitchen is completely dated, refinishing or resurfacing the cabinets will update the look and save you money to spend on replacing the appliances and countertops.
• If at all possible add a kitchen island into the plans. Everyone loves them!
• Replacing appliances, lighting, flooring, finishes and fixtures and adding new doors and windows will grab the buyers' attention. Refinishing or resurfacing the cabinetry is easier and more efficient than replacing it. 

When deciding on home remodeling projects, you get the most bang for your buck out of a kitchen remodel. You will get the most return on your investment in the way of home value and resale value if you have a new and updated kitchen. But what if the kitchen remodeling project is too costly? Or perhaps you are concerned with the disruption to your everyday life. There is a solution. Kenneth C. Lewis can help you with your kitchen remodeling project without breaking the bank, by offering alternative solutions. Did you know that your entire kitchen can get a new look just by replacing the counters? Perhaps you could add a kitchen island, to increase work space and home value. The average actual time we will spend in your home on a kitchen remodel is only 3-4 days with minimal interruption to your normal life.

Countertop replacement is usually the best option when you want to totally change or remodel your kitchen. We can guide you in your selection of countertop finishes. We use granite, corian, cambria quartz and other quality materials for replacing your existing countertops. If it is not a kitchen remodel you are after, but you are interested in updating the look and feel of your kitchen. Speak with us about refinishing your existing countertop. Let us help you revitalize an older kitchen, or give a newer kitchen the look and feel you dreamed of.