Kitchen Remodels: The devil is in the details
When people say that the devil is in the details, they mean that small things in plans and schemes that are sometimes overlooked can cause serious problems later on.
There is no place where this is more evident than in home remodeling; after all, it is impossible to see what is behind a cabinet or inside a wall until it is revealed when flooring is removed, or a cabinet is taken out. How could you know that a leak in a pipe behind the counter had started dry rot?
Another type of problem that can crop up is caused by too often selecting the cheapest product or craftsman. An inexpensive faucet may start to leak after a year, and the lowest bidder on your kitchen remodel may not be the most efficient or skilled at his job.
So, getting into the details, what do you need to be aware of when planning your kitchen remodel?
- Storage and space: Layout of cabinets and appliances. Use all available wall space by running cabinets all the way to the ceiling. Utilize creative storage compartments in the cabinets.
- Color selection: Choose light colors to make the kitchen appear larger and bright colors for interest and focus.
- Do you want an island? Is there room for it, and will it work for the way you use your kitchen.
- Type, location and amount of lighting: Under cabinet LED lighting is a great way to improve working lights without making the entire kitchen too bright for that early morning cup of coffee.
- Backsplashes: Done right, these make clean up easier and create a focal interest point.
- Surprises during demolition: Rot, leaking pipes and electrical wiring issues can add to the cost and time for a kitchen remodel. Be aware and leave a line-item in your budget for unknowns.
- Check out your contractor: Check references, go to licensing websites, such as: Washington State Department of Labor & Industry where you can search for a business by name and find out if they are licensed. BIAWC will allow you to search for a company by name, and will tell you the kind of work they do and training the contractor is certified in. BIAWC membership is additional reassurance that the contractor is reliable, skilled and trustworthy.
