Kitchen Redo: Turning a Room from Dated to Dazzling

By Karen Alley
(of ListingBook fame... CLICK HERE to "Search the MLS like a Real Estate Agent")

Updating a kitchen can make your house more enjoyable for your family, but it can also rank high on the list of projects that will get you the most money at resale time.

A minor kitchen remodel ranks third among 16 projects that bring the most resale value to a home, according to the 2006 Cost Versus Value Report by Remodeling Online, the Internet edition of contractor trade magazine Remodeling. The study reports that homeowners recoup 85.2 percent of the cost of a minor kitchen remodel.

The same source shows a major kitchen remodel comes in at seventh place among the projects; it gives at least 80.4 percent of the value back.

Whether you’re a home’s new owner looking to customize the kitchen to your family, or an existing owner who has recognized the need to update, planning can be the most important part of a kitchen renovation.

1. First, decide on the best timing for your remodel. One family ListingLife talked to found that spring was best because they could cook out on the grill while their kitchen was under reconstruction. Another strategy is to break the job into several phases.
2. Next, choose a contractor. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry, outlines a code of ethics and best practices for its 7,000 members in the United States. NARI also offers homeowners a wealth of advice. For a free copy of the brochure “How to Select a Remodeling Professional,” call NARI’s consumer hotline at 800-611-6274.
3. Finally, start making the choices that will turn your wish list into a plan. Some will be functional—such as the room’s layout and the placement of utility outlets. Others will be aesthetic. Think about how to make the new kitchen look harmonious with the rest of your house.

Luxury materials and custom cabinetry and tilework can be beautiful, but they also add significantly to cost, NARI warns. You’ll be happiest with your kitchen if it sticks to the budget you and your contractor plan at the beginning.