Kitchen Renovation Specialists - topics.info.com

A kitchen renovation specialist should ask plenty of questions before the remodel begins.

Kitchen renovation specialists make kitchens more useful to the people using them and more attractive to potential homebuyers. The kitchen is probably the busiest room in the house -- used for cooking and eating, entertaining and as a family gathering place. Because of its utility, renovations to the kitchen provide an excellent return on the money invested, both in the short term when the family is using the house, and in the long term when it comes time to sell.

Kitchen renovations may take the form of cosmetic updates with granite countertops, solid wood cabinets and hardwood flooring. They may also include improvements in energy efficiency by replacing old refrigerators and dishwashers with new Energy Star rated appliances, or in reducing effort by installing self-cleaning ovens. Major kitchen renovations involve expanding the kitchen space and rearranging elements so cooking is easier. Kitchen renovation specialists provide the know-how and resources to flesh out homeowner's ideas for improving their kitchens.

Experienced kitchen renovation specialists will ask homeowners looking to remodel their kitchens about how they use their kitchens, how they shop for food and whether they have sit-down dinners or eat on the run. A gourmet cook who entertains a lot may want a large amount of counter space to lay out the ingredients for dinner and a lot of storage space for the cooking utensils involved. Someone who relies on convenience foods needs much less space.

When planning a kitchen renovation, it is a good idea to first identify what the kitchen already does and doesn't do well. The kitchen's main purposes are storing food (refrigerator and pantry), preparing it (sink and countertops) and cooking it (range, oven and microwave). Some kitchens also function as places to serve and eat food. The kitchen should be laid out so these functions can be carried out efficiently and effectively. It may help to list the kitchen's positive and negative aspects on paper before deciding what needs to be changed.

When the good points and bad points are determined, it is time to consider how to minimize or eliminate the bad points while strengthening the good ones. The best way to get ideas for renovating a kitchen is to look at other kitchens, either in pictures or in person. Some sources for ideas include:

• Online design galleries and manufacturers websites
• Kitchen design books and lifestyle magazines
• Hardware superstore design showrooms
• Kitchens of model homes, of friends and of family

While researching, it is helpful to consider the planned size of the kitchen after it is remodeled. Enlarging the kitchen may mean adding on to the house or removing walls, both of which will add to the cost of the remodel. New cabinets may improve the kitchen's look and storage capacity, but it may be enough to reface the cabinets and add storage bins or move small appliances to gain more space. According to Remodeling Magazine, in 2007, mid-range major kitchen remodels returned 78.1 percent in resale value and upscale major remodels returned 74.1 percent, while minor kitchen remodels returned 83 percent in resale value.

Homeowners should interview several kitchen renovation specialists to determine which one can best provide the desired kitchen for the amount the homeowner is willing to spend. The homeowner should ask questions about the contractor's background, training and experience in kitchen renovation. The contractor should be licensed and insured according to local laws, and be able to show that information upon request. If not, license and insurance information can be confirmed with a government agency.

Kitchen renovation specialists should be able to give a reasonable estimate of when the work will be completed and also be able to guarantee their work in writing. They should make the homeowner aware of any permits that need to be issued for the work and offer a choice of materials to be used in the renovation project.

Kitchen renovation specialists should also be able to provide the names of several references, along with their addresses and phone numbers, for the homeowner to interview. The homeowner should ask the reference whether the work was completed on time, if there were unexpected expenses, and if the person was satisfied enough with the contractor's services to use that contractor again and recommend him to others.

It is a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau or a local consumer agency to see if any complaints have been filed against the contractor and, if so, how those complaints were resolved.

Once the homeowner has decided on the work and which kitchen renovation specialist is to perform it, the details should be written into a contract that includes the contractor's name, address and license number. The payment schedule should also be specified and tied to the work performed and equipment provided. The Rockland County, New York Public Advocate recommends that any down payment should be no more than $1,000 or 15 percent of the contract price, and the final payment should not be due until at least 30 days after the work is completed to allow time for inspection. Any changes should be written in a change order form and signed by both parties.