Planning a Kitchen Remodel
An interview with Joe Casas, Appliance Specialist
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
There are some basic questions you should ask yourself before beginning a major kitchen remodel.
1. How often do I cook?
2. Do I entertain? If so, how often and for how many people?
3. Is it a formal gathering or just casual?
4. Do I do the cooking when I entertain? Or do I use a caterer?
5. When I entertain, are there people visiting in my kitchen or if not, would I like to allow space for them?
6. Do I have any cultural or specific requirements for my kitchen?
7. Does anyone in my home or who visits my home have special needs such as the use of wheelchair or sight impairment?
8. What appliances do I currently use and what do I like/not like about them?
9. Is it possible to borrow floor space from an adjacent room or do I need to work within the existing floor plan?
10. How long do I plan to stay in my home?
11. What is my budget for this project?
These are all important things to consider before starting your remodel. If you think your time in your current home will be relatively short, say, 5 years or less, speak to a local realtor to make sure you keep your home in a marketable price range. You never want to “overbuild the neighborhood”. That being said, it is good to note that kitchens are the room in the home, where you will enjoy the greatest return on your investment.
Next, make sure you hire a team of professionals to help you with the process. From day one, make sure you have chosen your Interior Designer and your General Contractor well. If they are a good fit, this will help to keep the stress level low and the entire process an enjoyable one.
Appliances-What Type of Cook Are You?
The “Everyday Cook”
This is someone like me for instance, who likes to cook, but is busy with work and family, and perhaps, doesn’t consider cooking a personal hobby but more as a necessary part of life. Quality and good value are key in appliance selection. The “Everyday Cook” will spend somewhere between $6,500 and $8,500 on appliances for this new kitchen.
The “Intermediate Cook”
This person enjoys cooking as a hobby perhaps on weekends and on special occasions. He/she has probably taken a few cooking classes for the fun of it and enjoys entertaining quite a bit. A good number of this person’s appliance selections will be on the higher end but most likely be combined with value pieces from less expensive brands. The “Intermediate Cook” will most likely spend between $13,000 and $20,000 for appliances for this new kitchen.
The “Serious Cook”
This cook wants only the best quality in his/her appliances. Cooking is more than a hobby in this home. Appliances with efficient, professional features are necessary to keep up with the demands of widely varied preparations. High heat and proper ventilation are needed. Multiple sinks, ovens, dishwashers may also be required. Money is secondary to quality in this kitchen. The “Serious Cook “will probably spend between $20,000 and $60,000 for appliances in this new kitchen.
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