Hi,
I hope Mother's Day was everything you hoped and you were surrounded with loving family!
Were you entertaining at home or where you a guest in another home? Was the kitchen functional? How smoothly did hanging out, cooking, serving and clean up go? Think objectively about the experience. Now is a great time to capture any of your thoughts and comments about how smoothly the day went wherever you were. Write it down on paper and slip them into your Design Wish Folder.
We have covered many important considerations these past few weeks. I hope I have educated you about possibilities and inspired your dreams. There truly are unlimited choices these days. Remodeling is exciting. Well, the dreaming, planning, picturing, and choosing new stuff is exciting.
The actual remodeling process? Well, that is more frustrating than exciting. It can be a nerve racking
frustrating messy interruption of your normal routine. This phase does pass thankfully.
Your enjoyment of the process returns and is even more exciting as you watch your new design take shape as the new fixtures, appliances, and cabinets are installed.
Let's talk about wisdom. Of course, price is very important. You want to get the most value! You must plan the biggest part of your budget to be applied to practical changes your kitchen needs to function best. The fun part arrives as you add many favorite extra items you've been dreaming about. This new kitchen is going to last for decades so think about priorities in the design process. Picture yourself moving in , cooking, entertaining, and cleaning your new space. Allow yourself a little "imagination" pad for items you may decide are important "must haves" you opt to add. The demo and installation phase is really exciting when you have the vision of your finished project. The vision helps to pull your through the hard reality and the stress living in your home while the kitchen is completely torn apart creates!
There are two BIG considerations to be wise. Often , they are not factored in. Both of these important decisions impact your safety, finances, and how happy you end up in the process. What are they?
1.) Being mindful regarding the appropriate scope of your project.
2.) Awarding your project to a contractor you know you can trust and feel comfortable handing the
keys to your home to.
Both of these require effort, time, and due diligence from the home owner to research the best fit for themselves, their family, and their home improvement project. "You get what you pay for" is a truth on steroids in the home improvement business.
We all want the best value for the least amount of money. That is human nature. The truth is sometimes a high price is not equal to the best value any more than a low price means shoddy work. How do you know you are working with the best contractor for your project? Referrals are always key, so ask around. Most of our projects are the result of satisfied customers referring us to their family and friends. There really is no higher honor than being trusted to help our customer's loved ones. Thank you! Angie's List and other professional organizations with reviews also help narrow down candidates. Reading reviews is an excellent source of information.
Lets' address # 1 first:
Our homes are typically the biggest investment we own. Their appreciation in value impacts our portfolio dramatically. Thinking about and planning with future value appreciation is one of the wisest moves any homeowner makes. However, sometimes our emotions can get the best of us and we spend much more than can ever be recovered in resale. One exception is: if you have a plan to retire and live in the same home forever then add everything on your wish list you can afford. Do not worry about profiting from it. However, if you plan to sell your home, the following advice is best.
Plan the project budget that is appropriate for the value of your home and your neighborhood. In other words, prioritize function with a few extra perks for a kitchen in a $ 150,000 to $250,000 home. Do not make the mistake of adding a kitchen you would find in a million dollar neighborhood home you plan to sell in the next few years. Also, if you have a large executive style home in an expensive neighborhood, be sure you select the appropriate quality, design, and amenities future buyers will expect to find in any prospective home purchase they make.
#2:
Remember, you are going to be working with this person and their team for weeks if not months. They are going to be in your home, around your family, neighbors, and pets. Do you like them? Are you able to communicate easily with them? Have you checked their references and reputation?
Do they show up as scheduled and communicate what you can expect? What have former clients shared about their work ethic, care for your property, cleanliness and organization every day working in their home? Did they respect the peace of their home by watching their language and not playing loud music? Did they refrain from smoking? Did they clean up the work area daily? Were their children and pets safe? Were their belongings and the rest of the rooms in your home respected and
left alone?
Your home generally is your most prized possession and biggest investment. It is also your safe place where you can find rest from the pressures of the outside world. Every area of your home is filled with memories. It is also filled with valuables. Some may be irreplaceable. It can be tempting to make a quick decision about who to award your project to based on pricing. However, there is a balance and hidden things you need to include as you consider value
See, there are so many things to consider when making the best decision about who you reward your project to. That choice will create an awesome outcome with good memories or just the opposite.
Here at Apple Wood , we have built our reputation treating our clients the way we want to be treated. We look forward to helping you create your dream project. Let's get started!
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