Planning a Kitchen Remodel

Kitchens are the hub of the home and as is commonly known, kitchens and baths sell the home. Kitchens on average are remodeled every 12-15 years.

A kitchen remodel requires careful planning and foresight. This space, more than any other room in the home, is often the most expensive per square foot and the remodel construction phase has the potential to temporarily disrupt the family’s routines.

Homeowners should start the process by defining the scope of the kitchen remodel, often with the help of a professional kitchen designer, to determine a practical budget and a time frame for completion.

For example, if you are planning to expand the kitchen to include a breakfast nook or design an open concept kitchen with great room, change out windows or add garden access doors, the cost and timeline will reflect the structural changes and/or the new square footage added.

A successful kitchen remodel demands careful consideration of functionality in the space, efficient layouts for the work zones, aisles and traffic paths, and , proper dimensioning for locating plumbing, electrical and ventilation systems.

The development of new technologies to conserve natural resources is evident in kitchen showrooms and local home improvement centers. Energy star appliances from refrigerator/freezers to dishwashers, and low wattage fluorescent and LED under cabinet task lighting and decorative interior cabinet lighting are standard in today’s kitchens. The offerings are diverse for other design elements such as cabinetry, counter surface materials, decorative backsplash wall tiles and flooring.

Professional Remodeling

A kitchen remodeled by a professional, experienced residential construction contractor has significant advantages over the “Do It Yourself” (DIY) handyman approach.

A residential design and build company experienced in remodeling projects, offers a range of valuable services that include design development, finish selections, the permit process, project management and quality construction. One such company that serves Bay Area homeowners is Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB) of Menlo Park, CA.

MDB has over nineteen years of experience with residential building projects including kitchen remodels. A variety of completed projects can be viewed at www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

Why Remodel Your Kitchen

Kitchens on average are remodeled every 12-15 years and as is commonly known, kitchens and baths sell the home.

If you are planning a kitchen remodel it is essential to have a clear understanding of the motivating factors and personal vision for the project. Your estimated budget and timeline for the design and construction phases for the project will be determined by your expectations.

The common reasons for kitchen remodels are:

• the existing kitchen space does not meet the needs of the homeowner/s or family lifestyle
• the layout restricts functionality and accessibility
• there isn’t enough natural light or views to the exterior landscaping
• the overall kitchen style and design elements are dated
• the overall components are damaged or in disrepair from water damaged cabinetry doors, cracked tile or scratched laminate counter surfaces and worn out flooring materials
• appliance performance is poor and the water and electricity consumption demand is high
• the lighting is inadequate and inefficient
• the existing pantry, cooking equipment and serving wares storage is inadequate
• you are preparing to sell and want to present a “turn key” home to prospective buyers
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When you have assessed the “why”, you then begin to develop your personal objectives and vision for the project.

The scope of the project may be a complete remodel that involves gutting the existing kitchen, often exposing the wall studs and floor and ceiling framing.

Partial remodels may involve upgraded appliances, often with the result that the existing cabinetry may need adjustments to accommodate the new appliance dimensions or to create a built-in appearance. The existing cabinetry layout may be satisfactory but the door and drawer panels need replacement and a new counter surface is a necessity.

Knowing what you want and what you must have will influence your remodeling budget, as will the quality and cost of the materials and appliances you select.

Homeowners with “Do It Yourself” (DIY) skills may choose to execute their own project but for the majority of homeowners, a successful kitchen remodel is dependent upon the residential design and build professionals you collaborate with.

A Successful Kitchen Remodel with MDB

If you are a Bay Area resident, you should consider contacting Mediterraneo Design and Build for a complimentary consultation.

MDB, located in Menlo Park, CA, is a full range residential design & build services company with over eighteen years of experience in providing homeowners with a professional and comprehensive approach to their remodel, addition or new home project.

As MDB is a single source of service, the homeowner is better able to communicate and monitor project progress. Furthermore, single entity responsibility can result in significant cost savings.

For kitchen remodeling or any residential building project, please call MDB at (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com. Visit www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com for more information about the company and their wide variety of completed projects.

The Room Addition Solution

As your family expands or as the family’s lifestyle evolves, often the existing floor plan and number of rooms no longer meets the family’s needs.

Consider the possibility of adding on to your existing home. Perhaps an at home office is needed, or another bedroom either for a child or visiting grandparents, or a more spacious family room adjoining the kitchen. Enlarging existing rooms or building new rooms is often a viable and practical solution to the alternative of moving to a larger home.

Be familiar with your lot size, setback requirements and the maximum square footage you can build on your property. Is there space in your rear yard to push out the back of the house or patio and deck areas that can be restructured into enclosed living spaces? Does the garage have the potential for adding a room or two above the required parking spaces?

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when considering an addition and or remodel project:

Determine your budget with an understanding of the project scope and entities involved. Consider design services, structural and civil engineering services, construction project costs, permit process fees, and miscellaneous costs i.e. tree removal.

Drafted plans should include a dimensioned site plan, floor plan and elevations.

Local planning and building departments will require that permit applications be filed.

Prepare for the inevitable disruption to your daily routines during the construction process.

Do It Yourself or Hire a Professional Contractor?

Many people are ambitious enough to embark on such an addition themselves. They may save some money but the project is likely to take longer and will lack the quality provided by a professional contractor. Some homeowners believe that they are truly saving money by not contracting with a professional residential building contractor. This is often not the case.

Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB) of Menlo Park, CA specializes in room additions. The company has highly experienced professional architects, designers and structural engineers on its team and is very well equipped to examine your existing home and recommend how one or more room additions can be made at the least cost with minimal inconvenience to the occupants. The company prides itself on rigid adherence to high quality building standards, meeting committed delivery dates and staying within the homeowner’s budget.

For more information about MDB’s completed projects, please visit the company’s website at www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

Bathroom Remodeling - The Design Component

Bathrooms today have a more important role in the home than simply a place for personal grooming. Design trends offer a wide variety of decorative options that are sure to please the senses while the elements of form and function should integrate seamlessly into every bathroom space. Plumbing fixtures and fittings, lighting, ventilation, mirrors, cabinetry and storage are components of every bathroom project.

When remodeling a bathroom consider the user/s, their habits and preferences. Designing a master ensuite bathroom has very different criteria than a Jack and Jill bathroom adjoining the kid’s bedrooms. Guest bathrooms, powder rooms and outdoor living bathing facilities all require attention to the whole house floor plan and how each bathroom will be used.

Whether the remodel will include a double person steam or spa shower, an infinity soaking tub, an accessible curbless bathing area or the space saving tub shower combination; a double vanity or single pedestal lavy; a dual flush toilet or a wall hung unit; the services of a professional bath designer will ensure a successful design project.

Plumbing fixtures and fittings and finish materials are the highlights of a themed bathroom. Creating a theme is a personal expression that requires careful planning to ensure years of enjoyment and satisfaction. Themes run the gamut from rustic mountain to sophisticated urban chic, from European minimalism to traditional luxury.

Mediterraneo Design and Build, a residential design and build firm can offer a host of suggestions to transform a bathroom or any other room in your house. Located in Menlo Park, CA this firm of building professionals undertakes complete remodeling and building projects in the Bay Area. For more information on its completed projects and the services that they offer, please visit the firm’s website www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

A Central Vacuum System

There’s no better time to install a Central Vacuum Unit (CVU) than during the remodel of a home. This system has a number of advantages over the traditional vacuum cleaner, the most obvious being one doesn’t have to transport the unit around the house, especially if the house is on split levels. The central unit itself is located in a remote location like a garage, basement or attic. During remodeling, inlet points can be carefully selected and the necessary tubing can be fitted behind walls in such a manner as to be strategically concealed. Some of the other advantages in a CVU are:

Assurance of healthy air with each cleaning since collected dust is sent to a remotely located unit.

The unit is driven by a more powerful motor than the traditional portable model leading to more efficient suction.

No inconvenience of cord length and cords tangling with furniture or becoming a potential tripping hazard. Only the brush unit and hose is plugged into a conveniently located wall inlet.

Quieter operation since the central unit is remotely located where the walls insulate the sound of the motor.

A Central Vacuum System enhances the value of a house.

Mediterraneo Design and Build is a design and build firm located in Menlo Park, CA which specializes in remodeling of homes. This firm advises its clients on those installations and modifications that are best undertaken during a home remodeling. The firm can provide complete information on Central Vacuum Units, the costs and other advantages. For home remodeling or building additions, please call MDB at (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.

The firm’s website www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com has more on the design and construction services available and the various projects it has completed.