You have gone through the process of finding your contractor. You did your research, checked their references, and even spent quite a bit of time speaking to the contractor and their team. You are confident that you have found the best contractor out there for the job, but have you really?
At Legacy Renovations, we believe that the best kitchen remodels are complete when the contractor and the homeowner are on the same page. However, this is not the case. There are some behind-the-scenes details that many contractors fail to share. We’re here to discuss those details so you can bring it up with your contractor when it comes time for your kitchen remodel.
1. Keeping kitchen appliances in the same position can save time and money
Kitchen renovations are expensive as it is. If you are on a tight budget, the most significant way to keep the total cost down is to avoid any big layout changes. Contractors are aware of the fact that the time and effort spent on moving appliances around and getting them set up is more money in their pockets.
For instance, moving a stovetop requires the team to make some changes to the gas and/or electric lines. Contractors know they can charge you extra for this and then some. The same goes for moving sinks, built-in microwaves, or refrigerators.
If you are looking to complete a major renovation, keeping appliances where they are might not be an option, but if the layout is not necessarily relevant to you, consider keeping appliances where they are to avoid the extra cost.
2. High-Quality Materials Aren’t Always the Best
Have you ever had a higher-end brand car and then switched to a lesser-quality brand just to find that they are almost exactly the same? For instance, perhaps you had a Lincoln and recently switched to a Ford. The technology in the car might be the same, they might drive the same, but the only significant difference is the name of the brand. Oh, and the price tag.
The same is to be said for home appliances and building materials. While luxury brand name materials are generally of high quality, most of the cheaper brands are just as good. Many people think that luxury materials used in their kitchens boost the value of their homes when it comes time to resell, but this is not always the case.
If you love the look of the luxury marble or soapstone countertops, you might want to consider granite and quartz countertops. They are just as nice and durable, only at a lesser value. Talk to your contractor about looking for materials at big-box hardware stores.
3. Being Frugal with Cabinetry Can Lower The Value of Your Kitchen Remodel
If you have looked into the cost of your kitchen remodel, you may have noticed cabinets are the most expensive part of the renovation. They can add up to 40% or more of your budget! However, if you are interested in selling your home one day- you might not want to be frugal when it comes to kitchen cabinet pricing because they provide a ton of value.
Contractors know how expensive kitchen cabinets are, and they very well might be trying to help by lowering the cost of the renovation. What they forget to mention is how important the cabinets are for the resell value and that high-quality cabinetry will offer the best style, storage and durability.
The kitchen cabinets you choose will set the tone of your kitchen. Depending on the amount of cabinet space you have, the kitchen cabinets are generally the first thing guests in your home notice. Cabinets are also used on a day-to-day basis. Spending a bit more on kitchen cabinets is worth it, knowing that you probably won’t ever have to replace them again.
4. The Highest Bids Aren’t the Best
When it comes time to complete your kitchen renovation, we strongly recommend getting a quote a few bids and compare your offer. You will find that you will have high bids, low bids and in the middle.
Price should be the very last thing you look at. During the time that you are receiving bids, you are also accepting the reasoning behind the estimate. We suggest you use the information they give you and work backward. Go through each of the bids and see what each one has to offer. Rank your favorite and then narrow it down by price! Remember, the highest bids are not always the best, but neither are the lowest.
5. Expect Some Bumps in The Road
Home renovations aren’t always a walk in the park. Delays during construction happen all the time, even to the best contractors out there! Your contractor might give a few blank days in the schedule to account for unexpected delays, but even then, the project could still take longer than expected.
Just like anything else in life, no matter how much effort we put into planning, things go wrong. Bad weather is the most unpredictable, and it can affect the team’s work schedule (depending on the scope of work.) Backorders on materials are another factor that is out of the contractor’s hands. Sometimes, materials can get lost in the mail and it can delay your project. If your project requires a permit, you might run into a permit delay. Most projects take no longer than 30 days, but it's not unusual for the permit approval process to take a couple of weeks.
Problems during the building process are sometimes inevitable, so the best thing you can do is trust your contractor and know that they are going to be proactive whenever an issue arises.
At Legacy Renovations, we work on the same page as our clients. We are here to share with you all the secrets that other contractors might not want to share. Have some more questions about your upcoming renovation? Contact our team today!
