Helpful Tips on Upgrading the Kitchen

Whether you are renovating your own home's kitchen or working with a client here are some important points to remember and current trends to consider when remodeling a kitchen.

Everything in a home center around the kitchen. "All the best parties end up in the kitchen, and when it comes time to sell a home, it's the kitchen that generally makes or loses the sale". Homeowners are usually renovating for two reasons. " They aren't selling their homes because the market is bad, so they've decided to imporve their immediate environment". Or, again because of the economy, consumers realize they can get more for their renovation right now, because manufactures and tetailers have lowered their prices and labor cost are down thus, making it a good time to do so.

• Experts at the National Kitchen and Bath Association say the average cost of a kitchen renovation is about $45,000.
• One Rule on spending is to set your kitchen reovation budget at 15% of the overall home's value. For example, if your home is worth $250,000, then ideally spend no more that $37,000 on kitchen upgrades. However, most home exceed their original budgets by 10 to 20 %.
• To keep cost down, don't move the location of the sink it can cost as much as $2000 to move one.

Current Trends

• Going Green. Using appliances and materials that are eco friendly.
• Opening the kitchen up to adjoining rooms.
• Adding a prep, beverage or cooking island
• Adding freestanding furniture, such as antique armoire.
• Flooring made from extra wide plank heritage hardwood reclaimed from old buildings.
• Believe it or not, Linoleum is back. It has a 'green' appeal because, it's made of linseed oil and natural fibers.
• Beadboard for walls and ceilings when you want a 'cottage' look.

One final note is, when spending less than $15,000 on a renocation you can expect a 99% return on your envestment.

Good luck and happy remodeling!!

Jim Hirschman specializes in the luxury home and waterfront communites in the Sarasota Real estate market.