KITCHEN REHAB – “No! Not That!”

KITCHEN REHAB – “No! Not That!”

By Bridget White REALTOR

The big renovation plan is always Kitchen and Bathrooms and while Bathrooms can sometimes be heavily personal, Kitchens should be comfortable, inviting and have storage options.

I recently read via Bob Villa opinion piece that, homes are now stepping away from kitchen cabinetry for a more antique feel.?Although, I would agree for a few, this might be a temporary or selective trend but from the majority, kitchen cabinets are an essential staple.

I have written many articles about color pallets for kitchens, special needs for some kitchens this article is about the things you absolutely should not do to a kitchen when completing a renovation.

• DON’T assume expensive is better, so many owners think their specialty Frigidaire refrigerator should get them a bump in their sale, guess what, it absolutely does not! How expensive it was for you may not translate to a sale, even in a frenzy.
• DON’T go cheap on counter tops and don’t paint laminate to “update”.?Laminate countertops offer a 5-year life span max unless there is no water access (sink or dishwasher) without water affecting the underside a laminate counter is great and long lasting but for standard kitchens its money literally down the drain.?Dishwasher steam and leaks from the sink area (even with a really good seal) tends to soften the pulp core of the laminate and usually around the 5-year mark the counter starts to dissolve from underneath.?I suggest a good Corian or quartz counter top for look and price or even multi-task it by doing an island in butcher block and surround in quartz.
• DON’T Peel and stick look-a-like tile, it sounds like a good idea, ultimately it is cheap and it looks it, use a good tile, do the grout and let your kitchen shine.
• DON’T stop the paint job, if you started the job – finish it, paint all the way – too many projects get weigh laid due to an unfinished job, but paint should be the first and last thing anyone should do, that way if you decide to not tile the entire space you can paint the remainder, and please get behind appliances etc.
• Forgetting to install new appliances, they don’t have to be expensive but an average set will go for around $2400 all in.?Make sure they match the décor, but don’t go stainless unless you are sure it goes with the décor.?It is far cheaper to replace with Black or White (the standards) into any kitchen.?The only reason to go stainless which can up your price-tag easily by $1500 is because its only one piece to replace.
• DON’T Mix and match appliances – just don’t. Its tacky at best and just won't gain you anything but concerns from the buyers. If older than five years invest in a new set - but don't go high end, your fridge dosn't have to order your breakfast or groceries for you and don't go stainless unless it is the actual need for decor choice.
• DON’T Go Bold, don’t use Orange, Yellow or Red – these are great for accent but not for full wall colors, Red kitchens sound like a good idea because the color red is a color to encourage appetite, but in reality, Red is an accent color best served in small uses the same goes for the Yellows, Oranges, Pinks and Purples.
• DON’T Decrease storage ever no matter what Bob Villa says – if you remove cabinets to replace with shelving, that will detour buyers.?When it comes to storage – more is always better.?If you want an accent piece, make it a removable piece so you can take it with you.
• DON’T spend mega on rentals – Any property you buy for a rental keep the kitchen: clean, white and tight.?Personally, I would put quartz into a rental for counters because it will hold up better against abuse, but everything else, I would go low grade from cabinetry and flooring to appliances.
• Lastly, Rethink putting in heated floors in a kitchen (well in any room) - I can see this for bathrooms but kitchens, not so much. Sure its a nice feature but it's not something that really raises value. It's a want in areas that are very cold in the WINTER, but even then not a sellable feature.

Sometimes, it just takes that one person to tell you the truth.?Be smart about renovation as home ownership is always a gamble, nothing is set and repairs are expensive.