Home Remodeling: Focus on the Kitchen or Bath

When the housing market is difficult and the economy is stubborn, many families are finding that they can make do with what they have with a little improvement. After all, you want to enjoy your space! More and more people are staying home and having guests for dinner over eating out and meeting friends at the local restaurant. When you are thinking of updating your house, start with the kitchen and bath.

Why should you start with the kitchen and bath? These are the two rooms in the house that likely get used the most. Many people believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Meals are prepared and enjoyed; families and friends gather and memories are made around the table. While many people believe you should pursue a home remodeling project to add monetary value to your home, you should also consider the impact of a friendlier space while your family lives there.

The bathroom is another much-used room in the home. After all, everyone needs to spend time here and the look of a bathroom can become dated rather quickly. Updating the fixtures and adding a fresh coat of paint can go a long way towards bringing a new look to a forgotten space. You could replace the cabinetry or knock out a wall to expand the room, but a home remodeling job does not have to be big and expansive to have an impact. Small, meaningful changes can help if a big remodel is not in the budget.

When you begin to walk the pathway of home remodeling, it is important to know your budget limits and stick to them. Talk with your contractor about how much you can afford to spend and what changes you would like to see. Make sure you stress what is most important to you as far as usefulness and efficiency. Your contractor will provide you with an estimate, but you can expect to pay up to 10% more once the job is completed.

Of course, home remodeling can be done with the help of a few knowledgeable friends and your local home improvement store. It can be far less expensive (although perhaps far longer of a process) unless you have some very handy carpenters for friends. If your budget is tight or you have knack for such things, doing it yourself can be quite rewarding and fun.

Whatever you choose, keep your focus during your home remodeling project. Look at the big picture and anticipate what a few improvements can do to your home. Then pick up your hammer (or paint brush) and get busy! Before you know it, you will be enjoying your new space with your friends and family.