Ever wonder what tips and tricks you would give yourself when remodeling your own kitchen you’ll use instead of reselling when you flip your house? Think enjoyment, not resale value. You’ll also want to not think about the most expensive things you can put into the kitchen but what you’ll use. Consumer reports has a big list of what you should be focused on boiled down into 4 useful statements:

Good advice, and check out the rest of the tips at Kitchen Remodeling from Consumer Reports.

I am very pleased to formally introduce the One Hour Phone Consultation!

Call me about…well, anything related to your kitchen design project that is just not sitting right with you and for which you need a first OR a second opinion. 

I am happy to provide this kitchen design consulting service which can be invaluable to those who otherwise are at a loss as to what decision to make, be it in regard to products, design issues, style issues, or so many other issues that come up in the lengthy course of the kitchen remodeling process. 

I’m here for you!

When you do a kitchen once, maybe twice, I feel it is, in fact, a smart and responsible decision to seek advice from a professional…advice which can enhance your lifestyle in the kitchen, your enjoyment of your kitchen in an aesthetic or functional way, and provide “access” to a high end kitchen designer for a reasonable cost in the context of an overall kitchen budget.

Please call on me to work through [...]

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to decrease bathing-related water use, and its WaterSense standards for showerheads will call for flow rates below the current federal limit of 2.5 gallons per minute. The challenge for manufacturers is to meet that standard without affecting shower feel, since an anemic flow can result in longer shower times and greater water use.

If your showerhead isn’t looking its best or is delivering less than a satisfying flow, read our latest report on showerheads (full story and ratings available to subscribers), which covers single- and multisetting models as well as shower towers.

Installing a regular showerhead is a fairly easy job. You unscrew and remove your existing head and the plumbing tape in place, apply fresh tape (usually Teflon tape) for a tight seal, and screw the new head in place.

But when you’re installing a rain-shower model, installation might not be as straightforward. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Angle the showerhead properly. Because water literally falls from [...]

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There are so many choices where cabinets are concerned, such as the door materials, style, color, frames, etc., and so much variation in price that the whole area can be confusing at times.

Hopefully, this section should give you a good place to start.

You may also want to consider the option of having your cabinets refaced. You will be surprised at the results you can achieve by doing this, and also how inexpensive it is, especially if you can find a good deal with a reputable company.

Definitely check it out first, get some quotes and see if makes sense for you. There are plenty of good cabinet refacing advice sites out there.

Cabinet Manufacturing Classifications

The first decision when selecting cabinets is whether to go for stock cabinets, semi-custom, custom units or frameless cabinets. All have their own advantages and disadvantages.

There are the three basic classifications of cabinet manufacturing: Stock, Semi-Custom & Custom, and this can be further subdivided into Framed and Frameless. Pricing will vary depending on your layout, the manufacturer, wood, finish, door style and the interior accessories you select.

Stock

Lowest price range.

Limited selection of door styles, woods [...]

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Your budget will normally dictate your choice of products but there are other considerations you need to take into account when working out how much your new kitchen is going to cost.

Prices vary quite a lot, so the figures given below are just a guideline and, as always, shopping around is the best bet.

But work out roughly how much money you want to spend and use this figure when talking to designers and contractors.

Below are some guidelines for establishing a realistic budget.

Budget Guidelines

First of all, if you limit your spending to 15% of your home’s value you should recoup 90% of the costs when you sell. Try to keep your investment relative to your homes worth, but at the same time make it worth your while by spending on the items that you really want.

Second, figure your product costs to be 1/2 to 2/3 of the total remodel. Choose your appliances, cabinets, countertops, flooring and all other fixtures first. The remaining money will go towards installation and design.

Third, if you become overwhelmed with selection choices hire a design consultant to help you. A designer can save you money [...]

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