Posted on Tue, Aug 24, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
After you have made a wish list and considered a budget for a kitchen remodeling project we recommend working with a professional kitchen designer to create a plan for the project. Consulting a designer doesn’t have to be costly. Most kitchen showroom and home centers offer design services. Some designers will offer an initial "free" home consultation. There are design/build remodeling contractors, including McClurg, who will include the cost of the design service in the total cost of the project.
Consult a professional who is certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). NKBA certifications are based on written exams and industry experience. Always check the credentials of the designer you consult to verify that they are trained, certified and experienced.
NKBA suggests you do some research and prepare some specifications for your project before meeting with a kitchen designer. Here are some suggestions to prepare for that meeting:
- Make a checklist of major and minor problems that you have with your current kitchen. Consider the following:
- Are you happy with the traffic flow through your kitchen? Is there adequate counter, storage and floor space in the present configuration of your kitchen?
- Is your kitchen efficient? New appliances may have more efficient features and can save money on energy costs.
- Are there children or people with impairments living in your home? If so, the design of the kitchen should address safety and access for these individuals.
- Do you like the location and design of your kitchen? What are the best features? What do you want to change?
- Collect ideas and information. Read magazines and books for ideas and visit online galleries to view kitchen projects. Here are some resources:
Make a clip book of the pictures and ideas that reflect what you want to include in your project. Bring the idea book to your meeting.
- Visit showrooms and retailers and make a list of appliances, cabinetry, counter surfacing, flooring and other products you plan to use in your kitchen. Gather information about dimensions and installation if you can. Many retailers offer product information brochures to consumers and most manufacturers have product information posted on the internet. It is helpful to identify appliances because the dimensions will be factored into the design. A good designer will address this with you.
- Discuss your budget expectations with the designer. Your designer will make suggestions to help you achieve your desired outcomes and will help you keep within the limits you set for the project. A designer is knowledgeable about product lines and can save you money.
- NKBA has designed a Kitchen and Bath Workbook that includes a handy worksheet to prepare for a planning meeting with a professional designer. Complete the information as you do your research and make a copy to share with the designer.
- Questions to ask your designer:
- How can the efficiency of my kitchen be maximized
- Where can appliances be placed?
- What built-ins can be used in the design?
- How should a pantry be incorporated in the lay-out?
- How should cabinets be organized? Discuss the purpose of each unit. Consider stackable shelves, roll-outs, cup and plate racks and dividers to meet your needs.
Do you have any questions about your designing your kitchen? Our kitchen designer Paul Thompson, Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, will provide answers.
Paul Thompson is an experienced, award winning kitchen and bath design consultant who began working with us in June. He has been designing beautiful kitchens and bathrooms (as well as other rooms) since 1987. His credentials include Certified Kitchen Designer, Certified Bathroom Designer, and Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer. Paul's designs have won many awards including 1st place in the CNY Chapter of National Kitchen and Bath Association's design contest in 2006 and 3rd place in 2007. Paul is available help you with your kitchen remodeling ideas and project plans. Call him at (315) 673-2051 or schedule an appointment online.
Posted on Tue, Aug 17, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
If you’ve put together a wish list the next step is to determine how much it will cost to remodel your kitchen.
- Cost is determined by the scope of your project. A minor kitchen update where you are painting existing cabinets, installing new countertops and flooring can cost under $10,000. A major remodel where you are upgrading appliances and installing new cabinets, countertops, flooring and making structural changes can cost anywhere from $50,000 to well over $100,000. Cost may also be influenced by where you live. Remodeling Magazine annually publishes a report on “Cost Versus Value.” For our region (the Middle Atlantic States) the average cost of a minor kitchen remodel of a 200 square foot kitchen is $22,130 while the cost of a major remodeling project is $59,905. An upscale remodel averages $115,608.
- Establish your priorities when planning your project. What do you want to change the most? What can you keep? What can be replaced at a later time? Knowing what is important to you can help you save money over the course of the project. If granite countertops are not important to you, then you can save money by installing granite-look laminate counters. Countertops can be upgraded at a later time.
- Consider your home’s value. Is resale value important to you? Are you planning to live in your home for a very long time? A common principle you may have read about remodeling a kitchen is that the cost should be no more than 15 percent of the current value of your home if resale value is important to you. If you are anticipating selling your home in the next few years, spending up to 15 percent of the value on a remodeling project can be a lot. However, if you plan to live in the home for 10 years it may make sense to spend more to renovate the space to meet your long term needs.
- Identify the “big ticket” items for your project and shop around. Cabinets are generally the most costly item in a kitchen remodel and can be as much as 20 to 30 percent of the budget. Appliances and counter surfaces are also expensive line items. Knowing the cost of these items will give you a ballpark estimate of what you can expect to pay for your project. Labor and installation can be double the costs that you spend for material. Check out home shows and talk with retailers and contractors. Visit showrooms and compare products and prices. We are a design/build firm and we shop with our clients to guide them in the process of selecting products for their project.
- Talk to friends. Talk to friends who have recently remodeled their kitchens and review reference magazines on remodeling to get a realistic idea about what it will cost you. Research on your part will help you prepare a realistic budget. A design/build contractor can prepare a budget for you.
- Work with a design/build professional. A kitchen remodel is a significant investment and it pays to consult with a professional kitchen designer who is certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. However, a kitchen designer alone may not provide the best cost information or adequately address structural and mechanical issues. You wouldn’t want a designer to build or a builder to design. Working with a design/build firm combines both services into one. A professional designer who works with your contractor will be best suited to determine logistics, suggest materials and products, and create a functional design that incorporates your personal style and budget.
- Plan your budget to address unexpected circumstances that may occur once the project is underway. Your contractor may encounter unforeseen issues once the project begins such as having to reconfigure plumbing or electrical circuiting, re-framing wall supports, adding duct work, or other problems. As a design/build firm we generally are able to get this cost down to 2 to 5 percent because we address most problems in the planning stage. Be sure you have enough in your budget to deal with the unexpected.
Which of these tips do you find most helpful? What tips would you recommend to homeowners?
Posted on Tue, Jul 13, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
The “Universal Design” movement has gained momentum because of the advocacy efforts of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). One of the goals of AARP is to enable retirees and older adults to remain in their homes and live independently, safely and comfortably for as long as possible. The U.S. Baby Boom generation is 77 million strong (28 percent of the population) and has reached the age of 50+. As this cohort ages, making changes in their home environments will be essential to their quality of life.
To address this issue, AARP collaborated with the National Association of Home Builders to train contractors and remodelers in modifying homes to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and senior adults. The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) training program was designed by the Remodelers Council of NAHB, the NAHB Research Center and NAHB Senior Housing Council in consultation with AARP.
Graduates of the CAPS program are trained in:
- Communication techniques.
- Identifying home modifications or changes that will help people live independently in their homes.
- Finding solutions to common obstacles that make houses unsafe or uncomfortable.
- Technical/construction aspects of designing environments for a lifetime.
- Ethics.
Once certified, CAPS contractors must maintain their credentials through continuing education and subscribe to a Code of Ethics.
A CAPS contractor will typically address the barriers and obstacles in a home of a person with special needs by:
- Creating access to enable an individual to safely and securely enter and exit their home.
- Improving the function of the kitchen for easy meal preparation and eating.
- Modifying bathrooms for safety and access.
- Enabling a person to maneuver in their home safely, securely and independently.
- Designing accommodations while preserving the aesthetics of a home.
AARP maintains a list of certified contractors and remodelers and will help consumers locate CAPS contractors in their area. Scott McClurg is a CAPS-certified professional and is available to answer your questions about “Universal Design” and “Aging-in-Place.”
One final note, not only are organizations such as AARP and NAHB promoting “Universal Design,” but consumers are beginning to show more interest in home features that promote comfort, ease of access and safety. Adding these amenities can add value to your home.
Posted on Tue, Jun 22, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
Recently I met with a client who wanted to remodel a kitchen. Her house was built in 1958 and the kitchen layout and cabinets were original to the home. She told me it wasn't a practical design. She had to get down on her hands and knees to access the lower cupboards, the work triangle didn't provide for modern appliances, food prep space was scarce, the sink had an old fixture that lacked a spray to clean dishes, and the faucet was too low to fill large pots. When she was preparing meals, she often banged her head on an exhaust hood placed over a cook top on a peninsula.
This homeowner, who is a "Baby Boomer", plans to live in the house for another 20 years. She wants the kitchen to work for her today and in the future. She's also concerned about installing any "accessibility" features that might affect the resale value of her home.
If you can relate to this situation and are planning to remodel your kitchen, consider the following ideas to enhance the function, safety and value of your home:
- If your plans include "gutting" a kitchen, reframe doorways and allow at least 36 inches for clearance and easy access.
- Install multi-height, rounded edge countertops so household members can work either standing or sitting.
- Install storage with pull-out shelves, carousels and adjustable height shelving to keep you off your knees and from stretching on your toes and losing your balance when you reach in the back of upper cabinets for stored goods and dishware.
- Add a stove top "pot filler" water fixture to your cooking area so you won't have to lift heavy water filled pots and carry them from the sink to the stove.
- Place your garbage disposal switch in a location where it is easily accessible.
- Install built-in storage space for recyclables and trash.
- Add anti-scald faucets with lever handles to your sinks.
- Use D-shaped or pull-style cabinet and drawer pulls.
- When selecting a refrigerator, consider an easy access side-by-side model or an under-counter drawer-style unit.
- A drawer-style dishwasher will reduce the need for bending.
- Add extra electrical outlets for small appliances, including under the counter for easy access.
- Install bright non-glare task lighting over work areas, -sink, stove and counters.
Before you remodel, consult a kitchen designer or a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist about your needs and options. They are knowledgeable about aesthetics and details that you may not have considered. More information about "Universal Design" ideas for kitchens is available on the American Association of Retired Persons Web site.
Posted on Wed, May 05, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
As you may have heard or read about in the news, starting April 22, 2010 all contractors performing renovation, repair or painting on pre-1978 homes must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. If you live in a house built before 1978, there's a good chance it contains lead paint.
We've received a number of questions from homeowners about this new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirement and we wanted to share our answers with you.
1. How do I know if my house has lead paint?
If your house was built before 1978 assume that lead paint was used. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about two-thirds of homes built before 1940 and about half of homes built between 1940 and 1960 contain heavily-leaded paint. Lead was used as a pigment and drying agent in alkyd oil-based paints until 1978 when the legal maximum of lead content in paints was reduced to a trace amount (0.06%). Lead paint can be on any interior or exterior surface particularly on woodwork, doors and windows. Latex or water-based paints generally have not contained lead.
2. What are the health risks attributed to lead paint exposure?
In most cases, lead-based paint that's in good condition is not a problem. As it deteriorates and breaks down into dust and chips, however, it can become a health risk. It can get into your body when dust is breathed in or swallowed, or by ingesting soil or paint chips that contain lead. Children are vulnerable to lead poisoning because their growing bodies absorb more lead and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects. Lead poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage and adversely impact development. In adults, lead poisoning can cause nerve damage, reproductive problems and high blood pressure. Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase your risk of exposure. Learn more about the health effects of lead on the EPA's Web site.
3. What does the EPA require from contractors?
The EPA requires all companies and contractors (including carpenters, painters, electricians and window installers) who work on homes built before 1978 - to be certified in the use of lead-safe practices. EPA issues separate certifications to businesses and individuals. Upon completing an 8-hour EPA-approved course, contractors are certified for five years. All certified contractors must provide their clients with a copy of EPA's lead Hazard information pamphlet, "Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools" and follow procedures to contain the work area, minimize dust, and clean up thoroughly.
4. What should I expect from my contractor?
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EPA certified contractors will explain the steps they will take to protect you from lead dust.
When they're working on the inside of your home, contractors must:
- Use signs to keep residents and pets out of the work area.
- Remove furniture and belongings, or cover them with heavy plastic sheeting.
- Use heavy plastic sheeting to cover floors and other fixtures (e.g., appliances) in the work area.
- When appropriate, use heavy plastic sheeting to separate the work area from other areas of the home.
- Close and seal vents in the work area and turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning systems.
To protect the work area outside of your home, contractors must:
- Mark off the work area to keep non-workers away.
- Cover the ground and plants with heavy plastic sheeting.
- Close windows and doors near the work area.
- Move or cover play areas near the work site.
- Wrap all removed materials in sealed plastic before taking them out of the work area.
- Use personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of workers.
- Provide you a list of all "trained workers."
Other precautions to minimize dust include:
- Misting areas prior to sanding, scraping. Drilling or cutting.
- Scoring paint before separating components.
- Prying or pulling apart components instead of pounding and hammering.
- Using a shroud with a HEPA vacuum attachment when using power tools and equipment.
5. How much will this new rule add to the cost of my project?
The cost of complying with the new EPA regulations will depend on the type and size of the project you are undertaking. A baseline cost for all projects will take into account the contractor's cost for EPA certification, training, equipment and required EPA documentation. For us, the minimum cost will be $100, even for the smallest jobs. On more extensive projects the cost could be thousands of dollars. Most contractors are just beginning to implement these regulations and may not know their exact costs until they have experience in fully meeting the requirements. If you are working with a qualified contractor, however, they should already be taking steps to protect your home and keep the job site clean, which will help facilitate compliance with the EPA requirements.
6. What if I do the work myself?
The EPA regulations do not apply to individual homeowners making their own repairs or painting their home. However, if you suspect there is lead paint in your home or your home has tested positive for lead paint, take the time to read the EPA's "Renovate Right" brochure for information about how to work safely. Remember, common renovation activities such as sanding, demolition and cutting can create lead dust by disturbing lead paint. If you're painting, prep work such as sanding, scraping and using a "paint-burning" heater will also release lead dust and paint chips.