By now we are all well aware that a kitchen remodel is not only one of the most popular home improvement projects – it’s also a great way to invest in your home.   To give you an idea of how important kitchens are to the value of a home – here in the US, the kitchen remodeling industry is a $15 billion dollar/year business.  And even in today’s market you could expect to yield a return on investment of 75-100%.

So whether I’m designing a major kitchen renovation or a moderate upgrade for my clients our initial conversation and the questions that follow are often the same.

1. Q:  Where do we start? – What comes first?

A: Educate yourself and focus on the styles of kitchens and interiors that speak to you. Grab some kitchen design magazines and tear out the pages that inspire you in some way.  Start an inspiration file and share it with your designer during your initial meetings.  It’s also a great idea to begin researching appliances at the same time. The options available are endless and you definitely need time to do some research in that arena.

2. Q:  How much should I expect to spend on my kitchen?

A: Obviously the cost of a new kitchen is dependent on many factors.  The scope, size and complexity of each project varies – but typically you should expect to spend anywhere from 10 – 25% of your home’s current value.  For example: If your home is valued at $500,000 (and you plan on living there for another 5+ years) then budgeting 75-100K would be considered a reasonable investment.

3. Q:  What makes a kitchen more or less costly?

A: Your selection of cabinetry, appliances, countertops, flooring, as well as the electrical and plumbing will determine the cost of your kitchen remodel.  Cabinetry alone accounts for close to 50% of the total cost of the project – eating up half of your budget before you even blink.  Stock, Semi-custom and custom cabinetry each have different price points, so making that selection will be based on your home’s value and your budget.

4. Q:  How do I ensure my kitchen won’t become dated?

A: Investing in the services of a professional designer will definitely help guide you – by planning the space, designing the details and selecting materials and finishes that best suit the architecture of your home and your family’s personality.  Selecting timeless door styles and specifying quality products will extend the life of your dream kitchen.  Just realize however, that all high traffic and well-used kitchens will eventually wear 10-15 years down the road.

5. Q: How long does a kitchen remodel typically take?

A: Depending on the overall scope of the kitchen remodel the time commitment will vary.   It could take anywhere from 4-6 weeks for a light and simple facelift or upgrade – or 4-6+ months for a major kitchen renovation where major construction is involved.  With large kitchen remodeling projects, there are a series of stages to progress through.  From the planning and development phase, through the bidding process – it could take weeks or months before your contractor even picks up a hammer.

Just remember that a quality kitchen remodel will give you and your family years of enjoyment and increase the overall value of your home.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

When it comes to renovating your home for re-sale there are a few major renovations that top the list.

1.  Major Kitchen Remodels. (ROI 75-85%)

The function of the kitchen has evolved over the years and now more than ever the kitchen must meet those needs.

• Buyers want to envision themselves in a gorgeous newly renovated kitchen where they can actually see themselves – preparing meals for their friends and family –where the kids nestle into a cozy banquette doing their homework, or their guests mingling around that gorgeous island.  Buyers want to see this in their minds eye and know that it’s attainable.
• A major kitchen remodel may need to include a new floor plan to improve on a poorly designed work triangle.
• If the kitchen is completely dated, isolated and compartmentalized with an inefficient floor plan and layout – don’t think that replacing the cabinets and appliances will camouflage the problem.  It won’t!
• If at all possible add an island into those plans. Everyone loves them!
• Replacing all cabinetry, appliances, lighting, flooring, finishes and fixtures and new French doors and windows will grab the buyers’ attention.
• Since kitchens and baths are the costliest rooms to renovate, the buyer will be thrilled that the work is already done for them.

2.  Family Room Additions. (75% ROI)

The family room is the second most popular space in the home after the kitchen.

• Adding 400 sq. ft. of bright and cheery living space (if your neighborhood will bare it), will definitely improve the value of the home.
• Increase the overall height of your space and introduce a vaulted ceiling.  Creating a sense of volume instantly makes a room feel more spacious.
• Consider the details and add beautiful French doors, floor to ceiling windows or even skylights to flood this new space with light and maximizes a view.  Take it one step further and add the deck.

3.  Deck Addition. (72-95% ROI)

Deck additions are quite possibly the best investments these days. They naturally transition the interior to the exterior – instantly expanding your living space.

And who doesn’t love that?

• It’s a vacation-at-home experience, as it expands your living space and extends the summer season – forcing you to live more outdoors before the winter season sets in.
• Its design can be as simple or elaborate as the home it’s attached to.
• Multi-leveled or single, built in seating or casual seating areas, hot tubs, and outdoor kitchens – all of which add to the vacation home atmosphere.
• Decks are more popular than pools and relatively easy to build.
• Design the deck to compliment the character of your home’s exterior architecture.  Give it some thought in planning – it should be proportionate to the size of your yard.
• Incorporate energy efficient solar or led lighting.

4.  Main Floor Master Bedroom Addition (73% ROI)

Adding a 400 sq.ft. master bedroom suite and spa-like bath provides a private retreat and appeals to many home buyers.

• Access to main floor is gaining in popularity.
• Empty nesters and others, who no longer want to tackle stairs, prefer to have the master bedroom and bath retreat on the main floor level of the home.
• Immediate access to a gorgeous deck or patio outdoors also adds to the return.

5.  Two-Story Addition (77% ROI)

• A two-story addition of 800 square feet could include a new main floor family room and an upper level master suite complete with a full bath.
• Or utilizing that extra space and designating it, as the home office, is very appealing to home- buyers.
• Homeowners are spending more time working from home and with the homepreneur trend growing, buyers are attracted to the extra space dedicated solely to operating their home based business.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.