Planning Your Kitchen Remodeling Priorities

           

If you've decided to remodel your kitchen, you probably already know there's a lot to consider. One of the single greatest factors in planning for most people is budget. The good news? Once you've determined the budget you have to work with, the rest of the details begin to fall into place. But coming up with the right budget can be a little overwhelming. So just what's the secret to establishing the budget that's right for your project? Planning your wants and needs.

Determine Your Wants vs. Needs

It's important to recognize the difference – and to be honest with yourself about them. Something that is essential to your project's success is a NEED. Something you would like to include in your project but is not essential is a WANT. As “wants” by nature fall into the optional category, you will want to list your wants in order of importance to you. This will make it easier to make tough decisions as they come.

Determine Your Priorities

There are a wide number of factors to plan when you're planning a custom kitchen remodel, like:

• Do you use the kitchen
• Seldom
• Casually
• Every day
• How many people use the kitchen on a daily basis?
• How do you use the kitchen?
• For entertaining
• For preparing formal dinners
• For hobby-professional level cooking and/or baking
• For family meals and projects    
• For home office and/or homework center
• Does anyone using the kitchen have special needs: young children, a person with a disability, older adults?
• What do you like about your current kitchen?
• What do you dislike about your current kitchen?
• What are some things that are most important to you:
• Style
• Functionality
• Convenience   
• Convertibility   
• Kid-Friendly   
• Economy
• What are your plans for your home?
• Which is more important, personal customization or resale value?
• What do you want to replace?
• What changes do you know you want to make?
• What do you not want to change?

Determine Your Structural Remodeling Needs

• Will you need to change the floor plan?
• Do you like the present layout?   
• Is there adequate floor space in the room?
• Is there a wall to be removed or added?
• Is there adequate storage?
• Will you need new electrical wiring or plumbing for appliances, lighting and fixtures?
• Do you want to open up the kitchen to an adjacent room?
• Does the style of the kitchen fit with the other rooms in your home?

Now that you know what you want to build, you're ready to build your budget! Check out our next blog for an easy walk through the budget planning process. Together, we can construct great things!

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When you're ready to plan and schedule your project, give us a call at Ark Construction. We take pride in helping families fall in love with their homes all over again. ARK Construction has exactly the expertise that you need! Contact us today at (615) 274-9962. We look forward to hearing from you!

For more information about special offers and updates from Ark Construction,

click here: http://www.clarksvilleconstructioncompany.com/

Top 5 Reasons Not To Remodel Your Kitchen

               

It was probably at the height of fashion when it was first built. But if your kitchen looks more like a nostalgic nod to shows like The Brady Bunch or The Partridge Family than a beautifully contemporary, functional space for mealtimes and family gatherings, it might be time for a change. Still not convinced? We understand. In fact, here’s a little help:

The Top 5 Reasons Not To Remodel Your Kitchen

1. I Don’t Really Like Change

You may not feel like you want to introduce anymore unnecessary changes into your life, but guess what: life does that anyway. Like it or not. You’re not the same person and people you used to be. Many things have changed. And from the universal appeal of greater convenience and efficiency to more serious, hard to ignore matters like increased medical needs, there are many reasons why a kitchen makeover not only makes sense, it may even be necessary.

2. If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

This is a fun one, particularly because it most often comes spouting out of the mouths of the duct tape and superglue crew. It’s time to get honest with yourself: just because you can still operate that cabinet door with the missing hinge DOESN’T mean it’s not broken. In fact, if you take a look around from an unbiased perspective, you’ll probably recognize many repair needs that have been limping along for so long that they really need to be replaced instead. Finishes and hardware wear down over time. If cabinets doors are warped, shelves are bowed, glides are off drawers, and cupboards near the stovetop are soiled with grease and beyond repair, it may be time to remodel.

3. But I Love the Look of My Vintage Appliances

And they still work just fine, right? You may love the retro look, and you may even have a sentimental attachment to them, but do you know who doesn’t love them? Your wallet. That’s right. Huge advancements in energy efficiency and functionality have been made in today’s kitchen appliances. If it’s the look you’re after, many manufacturers offer a number of retro-styled lines.

4. I'm Not Big On Following Trends

Understandably, many people have an aversion to becoming a “slave” to fashion trends. Of course, at a certain point, a kitchen's value diminishes if regular updates are resisted. While you don't need to cater to the latest fads, periodically implementing changes like new cabinets, countertops, and a more efficient space, layout to keep your kitchen fresh and current looking, is important. Kitchen cabinet, countertop and decor styles will quickly reveal a home's age – and often prematurely age and devalue it.

5. There's Just No Way We Can Afford It

This is a pretty common response to the proposition of investing in much needed home maintenance and repairs. Of course, the longer necessary refurbishments are put off, the higher that price tag becomes as damage compounds. We recommend checking again. Today’s interest rates are lower than they were 30 years ago! When it comes to investing in your home's health, function and value, improvement loans may a very wise option. Why not make an investment that will add to your family’s comfort and the value of your home before it's too late and rates skyrocket?

Now is the perfect time to plan and schedule your project with Ark Construction. We take pride in helping families fall in love with their homes all over again. Ark Construction is your Greater Nashville renovation experts, with experience in everything from in-home remodeling, exterior remodeling, custom home remodeling, gutter cleaning, home siding maintenance, and home improvement projects.  Family-owned for over 20 years, Ark Construction serves Nashville and the surrounding area, including Stewart, Montgomery, Robertson, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson and Williamson Counties. ARK Construction has exactly the expertise that you need! Please give us a call today at (615) 274-9962. We look forward to hearing from you!

For more information about special offers and updates from Ark Construction,

click here: http://www.clarksvilleconstructioncompany.com/