Kitchen is the heart of every home, families gather here to prepare every day meals and celebrations. As families grow, styles and needs change, renovations to the kitchen become important and necessary. In fact the need for larger and more functional kitchen in many cases is the key reason families decide to remove walls, build additions or move to a new house. Since renovations are always more economical than moving many people choose to go through the process of modernizing the existing space. The process however should not only involve replacement of the cabinets or their rearrangement; the utilities including electrical, plumbing, ventilation and lighting should always be a part of the overall plan. Over the years electrical and ventilation building codes have changed to address many issues arising from the growing amount of small kitchen appliances and to improve home air quality.
This is why when planning a kitchen renovation one should consult a professional general contractor that is up to date with all the current codes and technical issues but is also able to advise on the possible layouts and projected budgets.
There are three possible levels of kitchen renovations each increasing in complexity:
LEVEL 1: Renovate your kitchen by staying within the existing space; update the kitchen cabinets, countertops, fixtures and make some minor changes to the layout.
LEVEL 2: Renovate your kitchen by moving walls, open up the communication and access, expand into adjacent room to make the kitchen more functional.
LEVEL 3: Renovate your kitchen by building an addition to the house, create a brand new layout and incorporate the existing kitchen into the existing house.
Whichever route of kitchen renovation is the right for you depends on the existing space inside and outside the house, your needs and wants and of course the budget. Plan every step of your kitchen renovation carefully start with the layout, and continue with style, appliances and the colours to make to it your own.
Above all always remember nothing is impossible, all renovations are customized to your needs and you can always get what you want.
Information about construction costs, timing and other important details can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page here: Frequently Asked Questions page
Get the most out of your kitchen renovations.
According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada and various professionals we’ve consulted, the following
are a few things to keep in mind before you get started;
Invest in your kitchen!
About 10-15% of the overall value of the home should be spent on the kitchen. If you don’t plan on selling
for another 5 years, spending 15-25% more on it today will give you about a 44% higher recapture depending on the quality of the renovations. Buyers need a functionally designed, spacious, low maintenance kitchen. Scratch-resistant, durable materials such as granite countertops and high-quality appliances add tremendous value and have timeless appeal.
The bathroom is next!
You can expect up to a 60-80% (and in some cases up to 100%) contribution to value on a well-designed bathroom even if that requires a complete relocation of fixtures or walls. From floor to ceiling, new tiles, light fixtures and cabinetry to create one’s own personal spa, is especially appealing. Luxury fixtures to enhance pampering may include water jets, soaker tubs and double sinks in the ensuite bathroom.
Don’t forget the floors and walls!
The buyer wants a home that’s ready to move into. Smooth walls with quality, neutral paints will enlarge spaces and will give you an 80-110% recapture. Carpeting should be limited to bedrooms, if at all.
Hardwood and tiles not only benefit in allergen reduction but add elegance as well. Good flooring that flows from room to room and ties in with baseboards, cabinetry, walls and so on, can provide a 50-75% better contribution to value than low-cost, mediocre flooring.
Spend the money!
As the saying goes “You get what you pay for”. Over the past year the cost of materials may not have increased dramatically but the cost of labour is certainly rising. Quality craftsmanship and insuring a job well done is key. Nothing is more costly than having to do it twice or replace it early. The importance of using the highest quality materials cannot be stressed enough.
Remember: High-quality, easy maintenance, environmentally conscious products and timeless designs are all essential to ensuring value-added appreciation with the best contribution to value possible.
REMODEL KITCHEN
(cabinets, flooring, ceramic tile)
a) Average quality $16,000 – $27,000 return on investment 70 – 85% $11,200 – $22,950
b) High quality $27,000 and up return on investment 65 – 85% $22,950 and up
Rafal Milczynski – Gwidon Homes & Renos Ltd.
Renovation And Custom Home Quote Worksheet
Use our Renovation And Custom Home Design Work Sheet to help you get started on your next project. Feel free to review and fill out the fields provided for a preliminary overview of your next renovation project. A representative will contact you to answer any questions that you have and to assist in your renovation …
