Invest in quality kitchen cabinet materials:
Your kitchen cabinets are not only the most important component of a complete kitchen renovation; they are also the hardest component to replace. To avoid having to replace your cabinets unnecessarily after 12-15 years, take the time to consider if a low-cost, temporary solution like particle board cabinets makes for a sound renovation investment. Furniture grade plywood cabinetry will typically outlast its particle board counterpart by as much as 4 times. By choosing 3/4" plywood for your kitchen cabinet box material, you will avoid many of the premature failures like loose hinges and doors, sagging horizontal supports, peeling laminate, and crumbling base cabinets that plague particle board.
Go for granite countertops or a textured laminate:
Today's trendy textures, more often than not become a tell-tale sign of a dated kitchen tomorrow, which ultimately detracted from the value of your home. It's fair to say that trends in today's countertop market like Quartz or Silestone offer a major resemblance to Corian from the 90's and at a similarly hefty price point too. Quality granite countertops don't scratch, melt, or date themselves anywhere nearly as easily or fast as Corian or Quartz countertops do. If you have a limited kitchen renovation budget, a steadfast alternative to granite would be textured laminates. With a cost less than $30 per square foot, and realistic stone-like and cultured appearances, today's laminates offer an excellent countertop solution.
It pays to stick with mid-grade appliances:
A few years back mid-grade appliance manufacturers finally realised that they could recapture a large consumer market by including value added features that use to be exclusively reserved to the professional tier of appliance brands like Viking, Thermador, and Wolf at a minimal cost increase. No longer do you need to spend $7500 on a fridge to get the luxury features you want; for less than half the price you can now get a quality mid-grade comparable and keep your kitchen remodelling budget intact. It's also worth noting, the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) through extensive research stipulates that kitchen appliances should account for approximately 12% of a total kitchen renovation to render the best financial investment return.
You'll never regret soft close drawer slides and door hinges:
Though some may first consider it an unnecessary luxury, investing the extra few hundred dollars for soft close doors and quality soft-close under-mount drawer slides pay for itself through increased service life of not only the hinges themselves but the doors and drawers of the entire kitchen. These soft closers prevent the high-impact wear that results in sagging doors, rubbing and separation of drawer fronts, and loose screws. The soft-closing technology also expands the capabilities of your drawers. Because of the smooth closing nature of the devices, you can store more delicate items in your base cabinet drawers without fear of your items being broken. Oh, and your fingers will thank you too!
Ask to see their liability insurance coverage:
Ensure all sub-trades, cabinet installers, and contractors hold adequate and current liability insurance. Unforeseeable events and accidents can happen at any time and they could not only devastate a consumer's financial well-being, but also that of a reputable business. Do not hesitate to ask any of your project service providers to view their current liability insurance summary. Doing your due diligence here can save you from a lifetime of financial hardship later.
If you're looking for a trusted kitchen designer who can make your kitchen renovation one of the best, contact Kellyville Kitchens today.
