Saturday, July 14, 2007

Kitchen Remodel on a Budget


I am always being asked how much it will cost to update a kitchen that is showing its age...dark cabinets, avocado appliances and worn Formica just don't do it in today's market. The answer isn't so simple. A homeowner can easily spend $50,000 to $100,000 for high-end renovation, but statistics from the National Association of Realtors say that this kind of workmanship will only recoup about 80% of its cost when the home is sold.
A better investment(if the layout is good and the cabinets are sturdy)is to invest a few thousand dollars, sticking with neutral colors and natural materials. It's also a good idea to spend a few hundred dollars on a professional kitchen designer to suggest products, colors and materials.
The steps to take include new lighting, flooring and cabinet hardware first. With a slightly larger budget, reface the cabinets and update the back splash with laminate or tile. The final step in "economy mode" is to replace the appliances, if budget allows, using good quality but moderately priced choices.
Et voila...a "new" kitchen!

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