Monday, September 30, 2013

Basic Tools You Will Need For a Kitchen Remodeling Project

If you’ve recently decided to remodel your kitchen there’s a good chance you will want to do the work yourself.  There are more and more people who are making the decision to save money and gain experience by doing their own kitchen remodel.  This is something that can be accomplished little by little by working on the weekends.  One thing that will make your experience go smoother is having the correct tools for the job.  If you aren’t interested in DIY you probably already have many of the tools you will need.  And even if you don’t most tools are available easily at your local home improvement store or online.

When it comes to deciding what tools are necessary you will need to look at the scope of work you are doing on your kitchen.  The tools that are necessary for redoing the kitchen floor are different from the tools that are necessary for installing the sink.  One thing you can do is create a game plan for all the projects you intend to do in your kitchen.  Then completed projects one by one purchasing all the tools you need for one project and then completing the project.  Once you’ve purchased a set of tools for one project you can quickly eliminate any duplicates for the next.  Despite the fact that there are many specialized tools necessary for particular projects there are also many common tools that you will need no matter what project are working.

Some of the more common tools that you should have are a hammer, a set of screwdrivers, a battery operated drill, a set of wrenches, and battery powered saw.  These tools will allow you to complete many simple household tasks and some simple projects.  The one thing to remember is that it’s best to have the exact rule that you need for the job.  So, you may want to purchase the standard size hammer as well as a smaller hammer for more precise jobs such as hanging to small pictures.  A multifunction screwdriver to where you can change to screw head simply an easily is a great addition to your toolbox.  You may also want to purchase a set of miniature screwdrivers these have many uses around home from tightening your eye glasses two installing the toilet paper holder small screwdrivers are very useful.  A good set of wrenches including socket wrenches and crescent wrenches will help you with projects such as plumbing, automotive repair, and furniture assembly.  As you can see most common tools have multiple uses and you will be glad to have a nice set with plenty of choices to suit your household repair needs.

When you start more specialized projects such as flooring or cabinetry you will need more specialized tools to do your research first and plan on investing a little money into quality tools you will be happy that you did.  Good quality tools will save you a lot of time even if they won’t save you lots of money. I recently installed a whole house water softener and was able to do it myself with basic plumbing tools. Sometimes you will need to purchase a specialty tool but once you buy it you own it forever and can use it for all future projects. 

Be sure that you think about your safety as you are purchasing your tools.  Make sure you purchase form fitting gloves, well ventilated safety glasses, and possibly can quality face mask and hard hat if you will be doing painting or construction work.  Planning ahead for your safety and convenience will make your kitchen remodeling projects much more enjoyable.  

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Benefits of a Kitchen Remodel

Do you love your home?  Most homeowners take great pride in their home however, when your home
begins to look a little dated you may not be as proud of it.  You may be thinking about making some upgrades to your kitchen.  If that is the case it may be time to think about planning a major kitchen remodel.  Of course a new kitchen will probably make you very happy but it can also increase the value of your home.  The truth is a remodel can benefit your family as well as your investment.

The greatest value in a kitchen remodel is that it will increase the value of your home when you decide to sell.  Once you remodeled your kitchen you will find that the overall value of your home has increased.  Sometimes a kitchen remodel won’t impact the value of your home but other times it will impact it significantly it just matters what you decide to do in the kitchen.  The best way to increase the value is to change out cabinets and countertops.  Just putting a new coat of paint on will not increase the value much.  And other beneficial change in your home would be to replace the floor.  These changes greatly impact the visual appeal of your kitchen as well as the overall value of your home.

If you have a nicely remodeled kitchen you will enjoy your home more as well, you may find yourself inviting friends and family over more often.  A new beautiful kitchen is very inviting to get togethers and dinner parties.  Whether you are inviting friends over for coffee or hosting a large dinner gathering a new kitchen will be very pleasing and comfortable for everyone.


If you want to get the most value for your dollar you may choose to hire a professional contract, they will be able to do the work more quickly than if you do it yourself.  However the cost will be much higher.  If you want to save some money you can do the job yourself on weekends but be ready to spend quite a bit of time as most people underestimate the amount of time they will need to complete a project.  Be sure you complete each task before moving on to the next one you don’t want to have to go back and relearn each time you start and stop a project.  For example, if you install one countertop than one cabinet then work on part of the floor you will have three unfinished projects.  It would be better to do one project at a time that way you can enjoy the fruits of your labors after each project is completed.  And it won’t seem like you’re living in a construction zone.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

10 Must Haves for an Ideal Kitchen

The kitchen really is the heart of the home, it is where the family will spend much of its time.  An ideal kitchen should be bright and convenient.  There are few things that every kitchen must contain for it to be an ideal kitchen.

A bright, well lit room is a must.  It would be ideal if your kitchen had one or two windows at a minimum however if that is impossible you should strive to use bright light throughout the kitchen space.
Ample space is also must, there should be plenty of room for your table and chairs as well as room for all the appliances you need.  Be sure your appliances can be set up in a manner that facilitates a good work flow.  You should be able to get to the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator with just a few steps.  There should also be ample countertops for preparing food.

It’s best that your kitchen floor be a hard surface such as concrete or tile.  If you want wood floors or laminate floors be aware that you will have to clean spills immediately to prevent any damage to your floors.  As well, the best countertops are made of solid materials such as granite or marble or even tile.  Just be aware that some countertop surfaces can stain and make your choices accordingly.


Make sure you choose cabinets that are large enough to house all your dishware.  Having plenty of space is important but having good quality materials is even more important.  Don’t skimp on good cabinets solid wood is the best choice it will last the longest and be the most durable.

When choosing your appliances you should pick items that all match so if you’d like stainless steel, make sure your refrigerator, your stove, dishwasher, and microwave all have stainless steel finishes for a cohesive look.  Also he could even choose a stainless steel sink, stainless knobs and door handles, and stainless small appliances such as coffee makers and toasters.

Finally think about adding some items that will make your life easier.  A water softening system will take the hard minerals out of your water allowing your soap to lather better and your pipes and fixtures to remain cleaner and last longer.  A water filter will take any bad tastes or odors out of your water.  An air purifier will help to eliminate any allergens from your home.


If you follow these instructions you will have a beautiful, functional space that your family will enjoy spending time in.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Does taking a remodeling class make sense?

Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen?  If you are considering changing the appearance of your home to increase the value of it because you have repairs to be made you may be in the market for remodeling class.  Do you plan on doing the work yourself?  Even though it can be somewhat difficult many homeowners make the decision to do their own remodeling even if they haven’t had any experience.  It is possible to remodel your kitchen without any prior experience however you may want to take a training course.

Many homeowners wonder if taking a training course will really help them.  The answer is, of course it will.  Depending on the type of course you attend and the training you receive you will likely get the classroom experience and hands on experience.  His hands on experience you will not only have to read and perhaps watch a video you will also be able to try your hand and doing a small remodeling project.  Since the overall quality of your remodeling will surely have an impact on your home’s value is a good idea to get some training and experience before you try remodeling your own home.

If you’re looking for a seminar or class in your area the best place to look is your local newspaper or perhaps trade school.  Searching online is also a good idea.  In the U.S.  There are a good number of career training centers that host various classes and seminars.  Although the ultimate goal of these career training centers is to prepare students for a career you can still take individual courses for your own personal benefit.  In fact, you may find that you enjoy the course so much you might want to take additional courses, change your career, or have an interesting side business.  One thing to consider with these training courses is that they usually come with a cost if you’re looking into a course at a major university it can cost upwards of $1000 and will take about four months to complete.  Add a trade school or career training center the cost will be a few $100 to course might last the same amount of time but it may be a bit shorter.  You might also be able to find the single day or weekend seminar to attend you can expect to spend fifty to a hundred dollars one of these.

If you would like the more economical way to receive some training in remodeling check out your local home improvement stores.  Many of these large retailers offer training courses for their customers.  Most of the time these courses only last a few hours and the information is not very in depth however it will be a good start if you have no prior experience.  Most of these courses offered by big box retailers are free to the public.  One thing to be aware of with these courses is they usually focus on only one aspect of remodeling, such as installing countertops.  If you want to remodel your entire kitchen, you may need to that and more than one class.


Overall, much of the work in a kitchen remodel can be done by the homeowner.  You can always go to the library and check out some books on remodeling and even on plumbing and electrical.  However, I would stick to simple plumbing and electrical jobs and leave the heavy duty jobs to the professionals.  You can easily change out your own faucets and maybe even change outlets and switches.  If you have a major plumbing or electrical routing job you will want to hire a professional.  Otherwise, installing cabinets and countertops, new sinks, new light fixtures and the like is fairly simple you just need to take your time and work carefully.  

Friday, September 13, 2013

Monday, September 9, 2013

Are You Ready For A Kitchen Remodel?

I don’t know about you but my kitchen could use a nice overhaul.  Many homeowners think about remodeling a kitchen but not everybody can pull the trigger.  While there are many reasons that someone may want to remodel their kitchen there just as many reasons that they decide not to do so.  I think one of the biggest reasons that people decide not to go through with the remodeling job is that they are uncertain whether or not they really want to take on such a huge project .  Remodeling your kitchen
is a big decision and while it can be a scary choice it might just be exactly what you and your kitchen need.

Obviously the best reason to remodel your kitchen is because you’re sick of your old one.  Of course a kitchen remodel is usually a very large expenditure and many people are uncertain if they have the amount of money they need to make their desired improvements.  If you have the extra money and you really want to remodel your kitchen you should go for it.  If you’re thinking about remodeling- maybe you are watching some home improvement shows, or perhaps looking at home improvement magazines, then there’s a good chance that you’re tired of your current kitchen design. Since your kitchen is one of the rooms you spend most of your time and you will want to make sure it is warm, welcoming, and inviting to all those who enter. If your kitchen design is cold, dark, or you just feel uncomfortable being in it you may want to go ahead with your plans of a redesign. Sometimes home improvement projects are a benefit in a number of different ways.

One item that I didn't have that I was dying for was a tankless water heater. My water heater was leaking from the bottom and I discovered that it was ready for the junkyard. So I began shopping for a new hot water heater and discovered that the tankless ones were a great investment. People love them and they are a wonderful upgrade for your home. I ended up getting a point-of-use tankless heater for my kitchen so I can run the dishwasher and have instant hot water for cooking and cleaning whenever I want. 

One you are sure you’re ready to remodel you may not know exactly what you want to change. This can be a common problem for homeowners. Sometimes people mistake the feeling of dissatisfaction with one room as a reason to shop for an entirely new home.   Before you decide to jump into that you should consider if a few home improvements is all you need to get yourself back in love with your current home. By remodeling your house you can spice things up and make your home feel like new. As an experiment you could try remodeling your kitchen, even if you decide later on to sell your home a newly designed kitchen it will certainly help your sale.  

The most obvious reason to remodel your kitchen is if it needs repairs. Sometimes a few simple repairs like fixing a broken floor tile or replacing mismatched cupboard handles is a simple and easy fix. However, if your kitchen needs a major overhaul you may want to do more than just a simple fix. A perfect time to remodel your kitchen is when you already have some work to do. Even if you decide not to remodel your entire kitchen you can focus on one part of it such as refinishing your cabinet doors or replacing an old counter top.

If I still haven’t hit on the right reason for you to remodel your kitchen maybe this one will change your mind. Kitchen remodels bring a very good rate of return when you’re ready to sell your home. If you've ever watched HGTV you’ll know that kitchens and bathrooms sell a house. By remodeling your kitchen it will likely increase the overall value of your home as long as you do a successful remodeling job you will be guaranteed a good rate of return. If they decide to sell your home in the future you can get easily more money for your home than you paid for it. Depending on how on new your kitchen is you could easily get a full return on your investment when you decide to remodel your kitchen.   

As you can say there are many numbers of reasons why a remodel of your kitchen could be a good idea keep these in mind when you go to make your decision.