Remodeling any part of a house can be a daunting task. Horror stories from friends, bad experiences with contractors, and attempts to cut into a wall that ended in burst pipes, can all make homeowners very leery of any kind of major construction project. But a kitchen remodeling project can be even more intimidating because the kitchen is the heart of the home. That being said, if your kitchen is no longer functional or if it’s looking tired and dated, it may be time to reconfigure and realign your kitchen to fit your priorities and lifestyle. To this end, we want to break down a couple of myths around kitchen remodeling and look at some of the tell-tale signs that your kitchen is in dire need of an overhaul.
Myth #1: Contractors are fly-by-night, untrustworthy, good-for-nothing, lazy bums.
We’ve heard all the names. And, frankly, after being in the construction business for over 20 years, we can tell you that this stereotype is sadly often true. So, you MUST be careful and do your due diligence to weed out those remodelers who can offer a great price and promise a extremely quick turnaround time, but will fail to deliver every time. That being said, there are also some honest, hard-working, client-oriented, and quality-focused contractors out there. They may be few and far between, but they are out there.
As you look for a kitchen remodeler, be sure to ask them about their experience, how they will address problems in your kitchen, and what kind of products they will use to do the job. Take some time to look up their rating on BBB (Better Business Bureau) and look up their MHIC standing. Also, be sure to keep in mind that quality and cost are almost always directly proportional to each other. If someone offers you a better price, beware! There are three things that every businessman has to weigh: price, quality, and service. Generally speaking, he can only offer his client two of those three. So, if his price is better, that means that quality or service are lacking.
We often receive work because someone else did shoddy work. The bathroom below was only renovated 6 months before we were called in because the shower pan was leaking.
Myth #2: A fresh coat of paint on kitchen cabinets is good enough.
We all love watching renovation shows on HGTV, but sometimes they make remodels look much simpler, quicker, and much, MUCH cheaper than they actually are. They often quote numbers that are actually wholesale prices for the show’s benefit. One of the biggest issues as a kitchen ages is that appliances start to fail and drawer hardware and hinges begin to malfunction or breakdown.
While painting cabinets can be a cheap facelift that makes them look much trendier, the paint fails to address quality issues and structural integrity of the cabinets themselves. Painting can even add issues where the paint starts to peel and flake because it was not compatible with the oils and finishes that were on the cabinets already. And painting alone doesn’t address any issues with a poorly laid out kitchen, plumbing leaks, electrical shorts, or removing bulkheads above the cabinets (which were super popular in the ‘80’s) to help open up the kitchen.
Ultimately, it is up to you how much or how little your want to renovate your kitchen, but it is always best to have a professional evaluate your space and give you a detailed summary so that you can make an informed decision before moving forward.
Your Kitchen. Your Identity.
For most Americans, the kitchen is the center of their home, the place where family and friends congregate to share memories over good food and enticing smells. Your kitchen should be an expression of your personality. Whether you are fun, outgoing, traditional, reserved, extravagant, understated, or stately, your kitchen should be the place where others see your tastes expressed.
Although remodels can appear daunting, if they are done well, they can open up a world of possibilities that did not previously exist. Whether you want a sleek, modern look or a more filigreed traditional style, DLC, Inc. sees it as our priority to help your kitchen express who you are. We will work with you every step of the way to make your vision a reality.
The individual needs of each household vary as much as people themselves. When we consider the differences of those who live in or visit our homes, we realize that they represent a widely diverse group. Children who are small in stature, a visitor who may use crutches or a wheelchair, a grandparent who may have weakness, visual impairment, or balance concerns, and an overnight guest may not be able to use the stairs or access the tub. We understand the principles of Universal Design and how to integrate it into a home renovation that makes sense on every level.
We are proud that DLC, Inc. is an award-winning company whose subcontractors are courteous, honest, hard-working and second-to-none. If you don’t believe us, check out our Testimonials. We also only work with subcontractors who have consistently demonstrated high levels of quality and craftsmanship. As examples, our electrician has worked with us for more than 16 years, and our plumber for more than 20 years.
So come stop by our office in West Annapolis and see your dreams become reality! Our address is 105C Annapolis St. Annapolis, MD 21401 and our office phone number is 410-626-6080.