Many homeowners are living with tired, drab, cramped or uninspiring kitchens, and wonder whether remodeling or renovating it would give them the kitchen of their dreams, or help them to sell the property for more. However, it’s a big decision to make, and the cost involved can be significant.
While typicallya worthwhile investment, a kitchen remodeling or kitchen renovation project must be carried out by an experienced construction firm who have the relevant trained contractors to complete the work to a high standard, otherwise you risk decreasing the value of your property, and being forced to live with a kitchen that doesn’t function well and may even be dangerous.
What’s the difference between kitchen remodeling and kitchen renovation?
Kitchen renovation typically involves cosmetic changes being made to the existing floor plan, and can include such things as painting, or adding new hardware and flooring.
Kitchen remodeling can involve structural changes and usually costs more than renovating it.
Answer the following questions to determine whether you should renovate or remodel your kitchen:
- Do you plan to move in the near future?
Generally speaking, if you’re not planning on staying in your home for the next couple of years, a kitchen remodel or renovation may not give you a high enough return on your investment.
- Is your kitchen functional?
If you plan to stay in your home for the foreseeable future, however, it’s important to ask yourself whether your kitchen functions as you want it to with its existing layout? There can be nothing more frustrating than a kitchen that has been designed poorly, meaning that space has been misused or not taken advantage of. If you don’t like your kitchen layout, then a kitchen remodel might be called for.
- Do you like your existing cabinets?
If you’re having your kitchen remodeled, replacing the cabinets can be one of the costliest aspects of the entire project, so if you can get away with just painting or staining them as part of a renovation, that might be more cost effective, or simply change the doors. If you hate them, on the other hand, note that you’ll likely pay a heavy price for replacing them.
- Are you prepared to have your kitchen turned upside down?
While full kitchen remodeling can be an exciting and worthwhile project, you do need to be prepared for the temporary disruption it will cause. If you can move out while the work goes on, so much the better, but if you can’t, you might need to set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in your home until the work has been completed.
Work with a professional remodeling firm, and the length of time taken for the project will be greatly reduced, but your dream kitchen won’t happen overnight.
- What is your budget?
Prices for kitchen remodeling and renovating can vary wildly depending on the level of work required, and the company you choose to work with, but it’s important that you carefully consider your budget before beginning either project, to make sure you have enough to complete the work, and to the standard you want.
Don’t forget that you can consult with a professional construction firm who specialize in kitchen remodeling and renovating, to get a more accurate idea of how much either project will cost, and which one will be best suited to your kitchen and your needs. Many offer free estimates and advice, so take advantage of this wherever possible.