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.

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.