Common Questions to Ask When Beginning Your Kitchen Remodel
Your kitchen is the heart of your home serving a multitude of purposes for you and your loved ones. When it comes to the heart of your home, you want to make sure it’s entrusted to someone who will respect and cherish it. That’s why choosing a remodeler is one of the most important steps in your remodeling journey. But, how do you know which remodeler is right for your unique project? Follow these 4 commonly asked questions when beginning your remodel journey to ensure your home and vision are taken the upmost care of.
1. What experience do you have with this type of remodeling project?
Remodeling contractors often have different skill sets and while one might have done a great job on your neighbor’s garage or backyard shed, that doesn’t make them qualified to remodel your kitchen or bathroom. Ask potential contractors for a list of past projects they have completed that are similar in scope to what you have in mind. Don’t hesitate to contact prior customers for their thoughts on contractors work quality, adherence to schedule, and overall competence. The same can also be true when considering the dollar amount of a project – a $30,000 kitchen remodeling project often requires a different level of expertise than one that costs $3,000.
2. Can You Work Within My Budget?
The perfect kitchen design doesn’t do you much good if it’s out of your price range. Discussing budget early on will allow a designer to give you an idea of whether or not they will be able to work within your budget. You don’t want to work with a designer who only designs with very high-end, expensive products, if your budget is more in the middle range for kitchen remodels. Be honest and firm with your kitchen designer about your budget and early on make sure your remodeling dreams are feasible with your budget.
3. How Much Input Will I Have?
Hiring a kitchen designer is for the sole purpose of creating a space that suits the needs and desires of you and your family- not a kitchen that demonstrates their talent for design. An excellent kitchen designer should take time to find out what remodeling ideas you have, your family’s lifestyle, and even tie their work in with the overall style of your home. Find a kitchen designer who is willing to make your ideas be at the center of the project not backstage.
4. Can I Review Examples of Your Past Work?
Samples of past kitchen design work is a must. You need to know if the designers have experience creating a number of different kitchen design options and ideas to consider. You should eliminate any kitchen designers who seemingly use the same design elements over and over again. Instead, you want a designer who can be versatile and eclectic in style and design choices. You want to interview designers who are creative thinkers with the ability to clearly communicate their design concepts.
Kitchen Solvers
At Kitchen Solvers, we want to ensure that you, the homeowner, protect and preserve your beautiful kitchen. The most important factor in how to make a kitchen remodel easy is getting help from professionals. At Kitchen Solvers, our expert design team can help you create the ultimate kitchen that fits your budget and offers some of the best features and styles available.
And be sure to read our helpful articles: How to Make a Kitchen Remodel Easy and Confused about Cabinet? A Guide to a Cabinet Reface or Replace!
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Designer Crafts Thoughtful Brand
Salisbury, NC — When Sara Lee started her design business in Salisbury, North Carolina, she knew just what to name it – SISU Home Designs. “SISU is personal to me,” says Lee. “It is a word used by my grandmother and mother of Finnish and Norwegian heritage. In one word, it embodies determination, potential, grit, freedom, courage, preparedness, strength, community and heart.” She adds, “In the business of design, there is inherent potential for what is possible.”
This inherent potential of design has, according to Lee, always been part of what drives her. “I always enjoyed setting up rooms and drawing house plans, even as a child,” she says. “Design school was a natural decision, and I specifically fell in love with kitchen and bath design. There is so much technicality, plus creativity. It’s problem-solving, communicating and wonderfully challenging.”
Branding a journey
Like most in the industry, Lee worked her way up from the bottom. “My first opportunity was with a large cabinet manufacturer, and I worked in marketing and sales, drawing plans for nationwide Lowe’s store displays and ‘The New American Home’ projects.” After a subsequent stint with a small dealer in order to gain more sales experience, she moved to Washington, DC to get a feel for the luxury market at a high-end showroom.
“A move to North Carolina in 2013 gave me new opportunities to serve a uniquely southern clientele,” she continues. “I thrived and felt a new confidence for what I could do for people and their spaces.”
When it came time to hang out her own shingle, Lee was careful to take her personal journey in the industry into account, working with an expert to create a cohesive narrative across all her digital channels.
“The branding [for SISU] was created by a lovely woman in London – we had much communication about who I am and what SISU represents,” she says. “The brand experience engages the senses and imagination through a visual narrative that is timeless, elegant and full of intentional detail – a visual identity that speaks with poetry and textural appeal to communicate inherent possibility and expertise.”
She adds, “Consistency is important. The brand carries over into social media and, I believe, sets a standard of credibility.” The Instagram presence of SISU in particular features a balance of crisp, beautifully staged project imagery, personal touches and anecdotes and graphics featuring the company’s sprouting plant-inspired logo.
New growth
Like the little sprout featured in SISU’s logo, Lee cultivates her client relationships carefully. “I get to know my clients through many meetings, calls and even texts,” she notes. “I have the privilege of going into people’s homes, and that requires trust, and I honor that. Our welcome packet actually goes over the entire process from beginning consultation to photoshoot day! It gives my clients a nice road map of what will happen over the course of the next few months.”
Looking ahead to the new year, Lee anticipates growth for her business. “Plans for 2022: I would love to hire some help and continue moving toward having a fantastic showroom.” 
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Anticipation Builds for In-Person KBIS 2022
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ – As the year comes to a close, many in the kitchen and bath industry are looking ahead to the return of the Kitchen & Bath Industry, the largest North American event dedicated to this segment of the market. With safety protocols and procedures in place, professionals are celebrating a return to an in-person exhibit and educational forum, where they can learn, reconnect and recharge for a promising business future.
Once again scheduled to be part of Design & Construction Week with the International Builders Show, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show is scheduled to be held February 8-10, 2022 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. KBIS and IBS, hosted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the National Association of Home Builders, respectively, are expected to feature over 800,000 net square feet of exhibit space and showcase more than 1,000 design and construction brands.
While the event is still several weeks away, Kitchen & Bath Design News is offering this sneak peek at just a few of the products that will be on display.
The post Anticipation Builds for In-Person KBIS 2022 appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Choosing a New Countertop
If you’re planning to upgrade your kitchen, you may want to consider a new countertop. Kitchen Remodeling Omaha can install countertops using various materials. These include natural stone, quartz composites, and even tinted concrete. They also come in dozens of colors, patterns, and textures. Soilstone is a dense, non-porous material that is good for acidic substances. Soapstone is also heat resistant and is often used on islands. Because of its durability, soapstone can be very easy to maintain, too. It can get scratched, but it can easily be buffed out using sandpaper.
Stainless steel is an expensive option, and many homeowners will opt for a less ostentatious countertop material such as soapstone. However, soapstone requires a yearly application of oil. As a natural stone, it is very rare and is best for upper-end homes. Despite these disadvantages, soapstone is an excellent choice for many homeowners. It can be very durable and is an excellent choice for those who love the look of an authentic stone kitchen.
Another popular countertop material is laminate. This type of material can be purchased in many different colors and patterns. These countertops are available in a wide range of prices but are more expensive. These countertops are typically made from a core material with a veneer applied to the surface. They can be scratched and burned, and cannot be repaired. Nevertheless, they are inexpensive compared to other countertop materials. So, when considering a new kitchen countertop, you’ll want to make sure you do your research and make the right decision.
Another popular option for a kitchen countertop is soapstone. This material is durable and has the benefit of being low-maintenance. Unlike plastic countertops, however, soapstone will need more maintenance than other materials. This is a natural countertop and is therefore suitable for those who don’t want to spend too much money on a new countertop. You may be tempted to replace it if you don’t know how to restore it.
There are a variety of materials you can use to create your new kitchen countertop. A non-porous material, quartzite, is a good choice for a kitchen countertop because it won’t absorb leftovers. This material is available in a variety of colors and textures and is ideal for both indoor and outdoor uses. A high-quality ceramic or melamine surface is an affordable option, and can also mimic other materials that have a similar texture.
Choosing the right material for your countertop is an important decision. If you can afford the price of granite, you might want to opt for this option. While you can save money by using cheaper alternatives, there are also many advantages to choosing a solid-surface countertop. It is a good investment for your kitchen and is easier to maintain than other countertops. The downside of this material is that it is more likely to scratch than other materials, and is more expensive than most laminates.
Besides natural stones, you can also choose a plastic laminate countertop. It comes in a variety of colors, designs, and textures, and it’s a great option if you’re on a budget. If you’d like to make a more sustainable choice, you can opt for a concrete countertop. These countertops are more durable than other materials and can be customized. It’s a good idea to think about how you will use the space in the kitchen before making a decision.
After choosing the material, you can choose a countertop. Remember that thicker countertops tend to cost more, and the edges and designs can vary greatly, so it’s important to find a countertop that suits your preferences. You can also consult with a designer and visit showrooms for design ideas. Lastly, you can choose a countertop that’s perfect for your kitchen. You can find a new kitchen countertop at your local home improvement store, or hire a professional.
If you’re on a budget, consider installing a plastic laminate countertop. These countertops are a great choice for many reasons. They’re budget-friendly and DIY-friendly. If you’re going for a more natural look, you should opt for a granite countertop. Alternatively, you can opt for a natural stone countertop like soapstone. If you’re looking for an ultra-durable countertop, granite is an excellent option.
