Most homeowners aren’t blind to the fact that they can get work from someone who is unlicensed for cheaper. Many of these tradesman are even very skilled in their craft as well as reliable. This raises an important question: Why would you hire someone who’s licensed if their bid is more expensive?

Let’s get into it.

1. Its the Law

This is kind of a moot point. Likely anyone reading this article is aware of that and yes we will touch on more reasons hiring a licensed contractor for your next remodel is beneficial. But just to touch on it, here’s the rule:

In California, any project thats quoted above $1000 dollars requires a license. This number includes all labor and material that the contractor provides in the estimate.

2. Home Remodel Expertise

When it comes time to hire a lawyer would it matter to you if the lawyer passed the bar? Of coarse it would. This would give you peace of mind that they have a basic understanding of the laws that can help you win their case.

When hiring a contractor wouldn’t the same principle apply?

3. Legal Recourse

Licensed contractors have to answer to the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) for poor quality work or failure to comply with local and universal building codes.

As a homeowner you have can dispute damages to the CSLB when things go wrong on your remodel. This gives you an added layer of protection when hiring a licensed contractor knowing that even if you made a bad choice, so long as he’s licensed, you’ll be able to take legal action.

Hiring an unlicensed contractor on the other hand gives you very little, or even sometimes no grounds, for legal recourse.

Your Next Home Remodel

As a Licensed agency in the state of California we would be happy to help you on your next remodel. KP Home Remodeling is based out of Long Beach and we love meeting our neighbors so please reach out if you have any questions

The post Why a Licensed Contractor Is Essential for a Successful Remodel first appeared on KP Home Remodeling LLC.

It becomes increasingly important that as we age we plan for this. We invest in a 401k and plan for retirement. But what about preparing our homes for this new stage of life?

Let’s look at some things to consider in your next remodel that can help you be ready for the challenges to come.

Empowering those with disabilities through design

Making things accessible doesn’t have to mean making them ugly. Design can either hinder or enable. When it comes to remodeling a space with a disability in mind the goal is the latter. Lets look at some ideas that can help you stay in your home longer but that don’t make your home look like a hospital

Accessibility

Wider door ways are a huge help if a wheel chair is ever a possibility. 32” wide is the minimum but 36” is recommended. Making switches a bit lower as well as outlets reachable can help as well.

Visibility

Many old houses don’t have nearly enough light built in. This can be addressed on your next remodel by adding more over head light via can lights or decorative ceiling fixtures.

Task lighting is also important. Under-mount cabinet lights can go a long way in making the kitchen easier to use.

Adding light switches that are backlit or that glow will make it easier to locate lights in a dark room

Smart Home Technology

Picking fixtures that do the work for you can go a long way for those who don’t have the same strength they used to.

Bidets are very useful for those who have little energy for basic hygiene. Many of the newer models keep themselves clean.

Smart mirrors as well as fully functional bath fans connected to timer switches help keep the steam in bathrooms down. This increases visibility and reduces the chances of slipping when getting out of the shower.

Wifi connected thermostats will help regulate temperature without the need to get up to make adjustments.

Safe and Easy to use Finishes

There’s a lot of options here that can help. Consider a few.

• Slip resistant flooring
• Levered door hardware (eliminates the need to grab and twist)
• Shorter toilet (or Taller toilet depending on the need)
• touch to turn on or touch-less faucets
• Decorative grab bars
• Curb-less shower.
• Night lights

Universal Design and Resale Value

When it comes to design theres a lot to factor in. We want our spaces to not only be useful for the future but to be useful now. We care about it being useful to others that live there and who will visit. Its also important that it doesn’t diminish our resale value. All these factors make universal design so important.

Would you like some help incorporating these elements in your next design project? Click here to reach out for a free consultation.

The post How to Remodel a Space you Won’t Age out of first appeared on KP Home Remodeling LLC.

Quality of Craftsmanship

This speaks for itself. A poorly done project that looks bad will always have lower value. Make sure you don’t go the cheapest route when looking for a contractor. That being said even the pros who charge a premium could cut corners. Make sure you hire someone you can trust.

If you do the work yourself don’t rely on you’re own knowledge. Check industry standards and inform yourself about materials and processes.

Know the Numbers

The more you spend on a remodel the smaller your ROI (return on investment) becomes. Many say that a kitchen remodel should cost between 5% and 15% of your home.

A light kitchen remodel has the possibility of recouping all its value. Once you start changing cabinets, layout, and adding fancy appliances you’ll start to see the ROI fall to 60% then 50% and even down to 40% if you start creeping into spending a fifth of your homes value on that remodel.

Pick Tasteful Finishes

Installing cheap materials and very hip designs will date your kitchen fast. Make sure to pick finishes, colors and patterns that work with your own taste but also could possible appeal to someone else’s as well. This is where friends and family come in. Get their honest opinion before you settle.

Summary

While thinking about ROI is important, it isn’t everything. Ultimately this will be the space you spend a large portion of your life and will be a space that draws in your family and friends.

If you would like help to plan your remodel click here for a free consultation at your home or on a video call.

The post How a Smart Kitchen Remodel Can Maximize Your Home’s Resale Value first appeared on KP Home Remodeling LLC.

The Condition of the Existing Cabinets

The first step in deciding whether your cabinets need a simple refresh or a complete replacement is to carefully assess their condition. There are several key factors to consider to determine if your cabinets are still in good shape.

Cabinet Boxes: Are the cabinet boxes still perfectly square, or has water damage over time caused them to warp or distort? If water damage is extensive, no amount of paint will restore their appearance. However, if the damage is minor, some repairs can be made before painting. Keep in mind that the more repairs required, the higher the overall cost will be.

Interior: Are the inside of the cabinets in good shape? This may not bug most people but wear and tear on the inside of the cabinets typically aren’t repaired when painting them.

Door and Drawer Faces: These tend to take the most beating in the kitchen. Stuffs, scratches and nicks will all be fixed when painting. Swelling or peeling paint insinuates a deeper issue thats a lot harder to fix.

If youe unhappy with the doors there’s always the option of buying new doors and drawers and just painting the cabinet boxes. This option will be discussed later in this article.

Cabinet Materials: It’s no surprise that some materials are more durable than others. OSB, commonly used in cost-effective cabinets, tends to swell when exposed to moisture and steam. Plywood also absorbs moisture but to a lesser extent. Hardwoods are the most durable option, with durability varying based on the wood type. Plywood and hardwood cabinets are ideal for painting and refinishing, while OSB cabinets usually require full replacement.

Time

When Planning a remodel time tends to be a huge factor. When you’re kitchen is down day to day life becomes a lot harder so you want the project to go as fast as possible.

Painting typically takes the longest time among these options and is also the most disruptive. Scaffolding is required to paint the doors, rendering your living room or dining room inaccessible throughout the project. Moreover, paint fumes, particularly during the priming stage, are an important consideration.

Installing cabinets on the other hand goes quite a bit faster and is less intrusive. The cabinets will come pre-finished so there will be no painting necessary.

Design and Layout.

Ultimately if you’re not happy with how the cabinets look or how your kitchen is laid out it may be a good idea just to buy new cabinets.

If you’re only unhappy with the door and drawer face style, a more affordable option is to keep the existing cabinet boxes and simply replace those parts. This also allows you to upgrade to soft-close hinges and drawer slides for added convenience.

Cost

This is a crucial consideration when remodeling. As the cost of living continues to rise, homeowners are looking for upgrades that offer the greatest value at the most affordable price. Each of these options can vary widely in cost.

Painting. This tends to be the cheapest option. The price is made up mostly with the cost of labor.

New Door and Drawer Fronts. This option includes painting the cabinets along with replacing the door and drawer fronts, giving your cabinets a fresh, upgraded appearance. It is slightly more costly than painting alone but offers a more transformative result.

New Cabinets. This is the most costly option, with prices varying significantly based on the cabinet style and materials used. The most affordable choice is a hybrid of OSB and plywood, while the highest-end option features hardwood cabinets.

	Painting	Painting with New Doors and Drawers.	New Cabinets
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Wrap-Up

Planning a kitchen remodel involves many important considerations, and this is just one aspect to keep in mind. Every project is unique, so consulting with a licensed contractor is the best way to ensure your remodel starts off on the right track. Click here to schedule a free in-person consultation.

The post Should you Refinish your Existing Cabinets or Install New Ones first appeared on KP Home Remodeling LLC.