kitchen update Archives - Inspired Remodels

DIY or Hire Kitchen Remodeling Services – Which Makes Sense for You?

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Thinking about a new look for your kitchen in 2020? If you are handy with tools or have a flair for design, you might think about making it a DIY project. So when does it makes sense to hire a contractor for kitchen remodeling services and when should you do it yourself? Well, it depends.

Installing hardware is a great DIY project

DIY Projects

Are you handy with tools and a paint brush? Try patching, sanding and painting walls yourself. Make sure all surfaces are clean before you start. In a kitchen, grease gets every where, even where you don’t suspect. Successful painting begins with careful preparation. If you can prep, you can paint. Just make sure the paint goes on the walls and not the cabinets, floors, and appliances.

If you have basic knowledge of wiring and are smart enough to cut the power before you start work, you can swap out light fixtures. Just make sure the next fixture is roughly the same size as the old fixture. Take care to make sure the light output is sufficient for the kitchen. It’s dangerous to work in a dark kitchen.

Swapping out cabinet hardware is almost child’s play. If you’ve got a screwdriver and are swapping knobs for knobs and pulls for pulls, you’ve got this one down cold. If your hardware change involves changing the type of hardware, you may need to drill additional holes or patch and stain existing holes. Avoid patching and staining. Use a drill for guide holes.

Hiring Kitchen Remodeling Services

So when should you hire a contractor for kitchen remodeling services? Well, if major structural changes are involved it’s best to get a contractor.

Does the job require a permit and inspections? It’s a hassle, but for your protection. Hire a pro for those jobs.

If the skills required to do the job stretch your current skill set, it’s time to bring in the pros. Do you really want to hone your woodworking skills on custom cabinetry? Probably not. The risk of failure is high as well as the cost.

If a change in the mechanical systems is involved, definitely hire those kitchen remodeling services out. You don’t want to be the one moving plumbing, gas lines, electrical conduit, or HVAC ductwork. These trades take years to learn and there’s a reason performing them requires a license. Screw up here and you put lives and structural integrity at risk. Saving a few bucks just isn’t work it.

Maybe a Blend is Right for You

If you’re itching to get your hands dirty, then maybe a blend is right for you. Hire a pro for the floors and cabinets and you can handle painting and installing the refrigerator.

Or maybe you want to remove the old, greasy wallpaper or tile backsplash before the pros come in. That might be the perfect plan.

Just because you hire a pro for your kitchen remodel doesn’t mean you can’t still be involved. When you interview and get estimates, talk to the contractor about your desire to get hands on. They may have suggestions of how you can help and where you need to back off.

Whether you want to do part of it yourself or rely totally on a pro, look to Inspired Remodels for all your remodeling needs. Custom cabinets, new floors, and open floor plans are just a few of the possibilities. Call (949) 716-1938 and let’s discuss your project. There’s no time like 2020 for the kitchen of your dreams.

A Kitchen Renovation to Make You Thankful

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Any renovation project is a major disruption. But a kitchen renovation or a bathroom renovation can make simple day-to-day activities even more difficult. But all those dinners of microwaved soup will be worth it if the project brings you a kitchen that is functional and beautiful. Now that’s a kitchen renovation to make you thankful. To make sure that’s why you get, follow these guidelines.

Pick the Right Kitchen Renovation Partner

To end up with the right kitchen, you’ve got to start with the right partner. You need a kitchen renovation expert that knows how to convert your dreams to reality. A kitchen is just more than a collection of appliances and cabinets. A kitchen includes all construction elements. You’ve got plumbing, electrical, drywall, HVAC, and flooring as well as cabinetry.

Changing the kitchen could mean changing the plumbing. The right renovation partner considers all the pieces that must come together to create the kitchen you want. When budget is a concern, that’s important. Pick Inspired Remodels as your partner.

Approve a Workable Design

Your renovation must start with a plan. Make sure the design you approve is a workable design. Kitchens are work spaces. The most efficient designs are based on the kitchen triangle. The refrigerator, sink, and stove are essential to cooking. Place these items in a triangle and the cook moves efficiently between the essentials. Include storage for the most used items in easily accessible places.

Work with a design/build contractor and make the kitchen renovation process easier. A contractor like Inspired Remodels not only creates a workable design, they execute the design as well. That’s one less headache for you.

Utilize Easy Care Finishes

Unless you want to spend as much time cleaning as you do cooking, pick easy care finishes. Do you pine for granite countertops? Did you know that quartz is easier to maintain? Tile makes a lovely backsplash, but do you want to scrub grout?

Talk with your kitchen renovation specialist during the design phase to pick out finishes that are not only lovely and durable but are easy to maintain.

Once you’ve selected your design and finishes, then set up your temporary kitchen in another area. Use disposables, small appliances, and practice patience. The end product will be well worth the disruption.

Celebrate with A Party

Once the work is complete, invite friends over. You’ll be thankful that entertaining and cooking is so easy in your new kitchen. Picking the right partner and relying on their expertise in design pays off in a workable kitchen. You’ll have a kitchen that’s great for cooking and easy to clean when you’re done. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us today and schedule a consultation.