Worry about the amount of work involved or a fear of making bad design choices often makes many homeowners too anxious to take on large-scale projects that can improve our lifestyle and add value to our properties.
Updating a kitchen is one of those projects with a lot at stake. This is where the family gathers, you entertain friends, and it’s where memories are made. You want it to be right because it can affect how you feel about your entire home.
As an experienced agent in your neighborhood, I regularly work with clients who grapple with the pros and cons of remodeling their kitchen before selling up.
While the stakes are high, it’s an excellent investment. A quality kitchen can add between 5-10% to your asking price.
Conversely, a house that goes to market with a kitchen that needs to be ripped out encourages prospective buyers to demand discounts to pay for the work once they take ownership and to compensate for their inconvenience. So, you’re best served by giving your kitchen some serious sparkle.
Below is a list of common concerns many of us feel before a major remodel, and some solutions to help deal with them.
Spending too much
A kitchen should cost no more than 5% of the home’s total value. So, make a budget and stick with it. As an agent, I can appraise your home’s value to give you the guidance you need.
Getting value
It isn’t easy to keep a remodel on time and within budget. You need contractors you can trust. Seek a minimum of three quotes. Ask each contractor to respond not just with price but also with references and their contact details. Be confident in your dealings, so the contractors don’t think you came down in the last shower.
Missed discounts
You can drive yourself crazy by trying to find the cheapest deal on materials. That’s a never-ending quest. Instead, find a reputable supplier or retailer that offers good value and service, and stick with them. Don’t cast around for better prices after a purchase. Focus on the future.
That much, and then some
Expect the unexpected and have a financial buffer of 20% of your budget to deal with it. You should also expect a time overrun as one small hiccup in the supply chain of your appliances can throw all of your contractors out.
Seeking permission
Approval of the local authority may be required to do the work. Don’t fret about this; find out what’s needed and get on with it. You could be worrying about nothing. But don’t start demolishing walls, hoping for the best.
Poor layout
Consulting experienced kitchen designers is advisable. Consider the “triangle rule”: place your stove, fridge and sink in a triangle shape and fit everything else around these elements. If you want an island bench, make sure it doesn’t impede work areas and the traffic-follow in your kitchen. Oversized furniture, such as a kitchen table, will ruin a great kitchen, if its too large for the space.
Planning minimizes regret
It’s easy to make choices that you later regret. You can minimize this issue by planning everything to the last detail. You’ll know whether you want one sink or a double sink, and where the power sockets should go. Focus on planning, so you don’t have to worry about on-the-spot decisions. Yes, this is a great time to build a spreadsheet of your costs, decisions and timings!
Fashion victim
Fashion moves quickly in the world of kitchens. For example, big red backsplashes were in a few years ago, and now they’re not. So rather than give yourself a dose of fashion anxiety, go for a classic design. Kitchens should last around 20 years, so use this as your guide and choose colours, styles and materials that will stand the test of time.
If you’re considering selling your home at any time in the future, I’d be happy to appraise your home and help you understand the kind of kitchen changes that would improve its sale price. I look forward to hearing from you.