Home owners remodel their homes for many different reasons, with an eye toward their own enjoyment as well as the eventual resale value.

Some want to give new life to a house with an out-of-date floor plan. Baby boomers who want to stay in their homes as they age as well as younger home owners who are looking ahead want to enhance accessibility. And, many home owners want to add sustainable home features that also save money on utility bills.

As the home building and remodeling industry celebrates National Home Remodeling Month in May, one this is clear home owners are taking their wish lists to professional remodelers to make them happen.

Open up to new spaciousness

Open floor plans remain as popular as ever, and more and more home owners are choosing to take out an interior wall or two to make the space feel larger and more connected.

Remove a wall between the kitchen and a formal dining room and the newly opened space can breathe new life into the entire floor. Natural light enters from more directions and family members working in the kitchen or eating at the counter can interact with others watching television or doing homework. Entertaining takes on a new ease, as friends can gather and move about more freely in the space.

Design for aging in place

Enhancing your home to better accommodate aging in place can also be an upgrade in style, ease of use, and comfort for everyone.

A bathroom upgrade where luxury meets universal design might include a large walk-in shower with zero-threshold, a built-in teak bench or tile corner seat, and multiple shower heads, including a waist-high sprayer.

A new kitchen island may add an eye-catching look and adaptive conveniences with multi-level countertops of an easy to maintain, durable and attractive material such as engineered quartz, a deep drawer for dishes and another for the microwave, and a sink with hands-free faucet.

Remodeling your home can not only fulfill your familys dream of a more comfortable and stylish home, but depending on the upgrades you choose, you can also realize savings on utility costs, improve air quality for better health and strengthen the long-term value of your home.

Some of the top upgrades that can make a home more energy efficient include putting in high-efficiency windows and low-flow water fixtures, replacing appliances and water heaters with ENERGY STAR-rated models, increasing or upgrading the quality of insulation, and installing a high-efficiency HVAC system that is appropriately sized for the area that is to be heated or cooled.

This article is provided by the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana, a not-for-profit trade association of builders and associated industry professionals dedicated to promoting the American dream of home ownership. Phone (888) 812-9099 or visit hbanwi.com.

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Much to Celebrate About Home Remodeling - nwitimes.com

Remodeling is a great way to update an outdated room, transform an unused space or just give your home a facelift. A remodel can also add value when youre getting ready to put your home on the market.

No matter how careful you are with your remodel budget, though, unexpected costs can sneak up on you. Discover what things to look out for and how to avoid them altogether or reduce costs when they occur.

One of the biggest hidden costs of a remodel resultsfrom homeowners changing their minds about what they want or becoming impatient.

If your contractor has already subcontracted out some work to others, like cabinet makers or custom furniture designers, you have to pay them whether you actually use what theyve made or not.

To avoid these costs, do your research well in advance of hiring your contractor. If youre worried about the progress of the project, ask questions. Behind-the-scenes work takes time and money, so dont assume the job isnt getting done and then change your mind just because you dont see progress.

Anytime youre moving a wall for an open floor plan, adding new walls or making a change to the structure of your home, you have to account for structural changes.

Tearing down a wall might reveal water damage, mold, pests that need to be exterminated or asbestos that needs to be removed. Adding new walls may mean running new electrical wires, installing outlets, adding plumbing or hiding HVAC ducts.

Some of these hidden costs are unavoidable, such as asbestos removal or pest extermination. The best way to prepare is to allow an extra 10-15% in your budget for these types of expenses. To prepare for costs related to wiring, plumbing and HVAC, discuss your planned uses of the remodeled rooms so your contractor can work these in ahead of time.

Building codes exist to ensure your home is safe, but codes change all the time. The older your home is, the more likely youll run into things that are not up to code.

Contractors are obligated to bring the building up to code or could be in danger of losing their contracting license. Plus, living in a home thats not up to code could put you and your family at risk.

This is another example of an issue that cant really be avoided, but you can prepare by doing diligent research before the remodel. Consider the age of your home and any updates in energy efficiency that might affect your house meeting building codes.

Also, think about recent events in your area, like natural disasters or increases in commercial buildings close to your neighborhood, which might introduce new codes. Discuss possible code issues with your contractor at the first meeting.

Although the extra electricity used by all the power tools during your remodel may be negligible, its worth mentioning that your utility bills may be a little higher until the remodel is complete. If youve already run into other unexpected expenses, that extra cost on your electric bill could be the straw that breaks the camels back. Just be aware that power tools, compressors and other equipment might add a few bucks toyour remodel.

You dont want your fur babies getting underfoot during your remodel.

Veterinarian Karen Halligan warns that any animals or the contractor could get hurt, or accidents could cause material damage, adding even more money to the final tally.

Halligan suggests that boarding pets for some or all of the remodel may be the best option.

You can prepare for this by being upfront with your contractor. Let the team know that you have pets, ask for estimated timelines and examine your boarding options before the remodel starts. If you have friends or relatives who are willing to take your pets for a while, take advantage of the favor.

If your remodel involves the kitchen, remodel safely and expect to make alternative dining plans. You may not have access to gas or power for some appliances, or the kitchen area may be off-limits altogether. If either is the case, you may find yourself dining out more than usual.

To keep it to a minimum, you can ask the contractor to create a temporary kitchen area. If thats not feasible, you can set up your own makeshift eatery, with a microwave or other countertop kitchen appliances, in another room of the house. Or, if the weather permits, cook outside on the barbecue. If all else fails, consider no-cook meals and snacks until your kitchen is back in commission.

Remodeling is stressful enough without added expenses, but being prepared can help ease your anxiety. Keep open lines of communication with your contractor, and expect a few bumps along the way. Try getting creative to finance those unexpected remodeling costs.

Do you have tips to save from going over budget during a remodel? Share them in our comment section!

Want to impress your friends and family with the knowledge we'll drop on ya? If so, subscribe now for tips on home, money, and life delivered straight to your inbox.

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Unexpected Costs That Can Break Your Remodel Budget - Zing! Blog by Quicken Loans (blog)

By Jason Robie

One of my favorite (albeit stressful) processes in building my house was laying out the floor plan. Anybody reading this with an ounce of sense is saying "You should have had a designer help you, dummy." and I couldn't agree more. But alas, I'm stubborn and independent and wanted to do it myself. Thankfully it came out great (and I had a lot of help).

I spent hours with a computer program laying out the cabinets, moving the abutting bathroom wall, shrinking and expanding the bedroom on the other side of the bathroom, etc., all in an effort to fit everything in and make the space accommodating and functional.

The more fun part was working on the deck of the main floor of the house before any of the walls went up. My friends and I measured out and marked with masking tape, the different sections of the kitchen in order to better visualize the space. Of course without walls this is a bit misleading, but it helped solidify my ideas about space and flow.

Besides the actual layout and "flow" of your kitchen, there are a few other considerations that are important when you are designing (or RE-designing) a kitchen. Let's look at a few of those today and perhaps I can save you from missing an important detail that you discover once the sheetrock goes up.

First and foremost, you need to familiarize yourself with the local zoning and building code rules and laws. I encourage you to employ the services of an electrician and/or plumber for this and just have them walk through the space with you to highlight any blatant errors in your design.

Simple things like spacing between outlets, ventilation specifications for the oven hood fan and even the routing of water pipes can all create a huge headache if they are not planned for until "after the fact." Nobody expects you to know all of these rules, so hire an expert for a few hours and be sure you are "coloring within the lines."

One of the more tedious parts of my layout planning was the spacing for the areas between the cabinets. My goal, which was later eliminated, was to have an island in the middle of the kitchen for eating and food preparation. I even considered having that island house the sink and dishwasher. After hours of figuring and re-figuring, moving walls and adjusting the shower location in the bathroom, we got it squared away.

Little details like the opening of the dishwasher, the swing direction of the refrigerator door and even the distance a drawer could slide open all factor in to where the walls will go and how much room you have to move around.

After re-designing your kitchen, it would be horrible to realize that there can only be one person in there at a time because the space it too confined. Beyond just using masking tape on the floors, I recommend borrowing a few big boxes from a local store and using those to mark the placement of the counters and other appliances. This visual representation will help you get a more accurate feel for the space and your ability to move around.

Although I'm not much of a designer when it comes to colors, fabrics and textures, it is important to give some thought to the finish of your fixtures and appliances. I bought my entire kitchen (cabinets, appliances, countertops, etc.) from a friend who was remodeling her kitchen. In this case, I didn't have much choice. But if you are considering a whole new look for your kitchen, be sure all of those parts and pieces will work well together.

"Often times folks will replace one or two items in a kitchen with a finish they have fallen in love with, only to discover it clashes with the remaining appliances," Badger Realty agent Nubian Duncan said. "I encourage people to take a faucet handle or other item from the pieces that are staying when they go shopping. This helps solidify everything will work together at least until the other items can be replaced."

Sink mounting is another decision you'll have to make along this journey. Once again, there are other factors that will determine (or limit) your choices. If you are replacing the entire countertop, the sky's the limit. But if you are just replacing fixtures and the sink itself, it might make sense to have an expert give you a few options.

Under-counter sinks are great and make cleanup easy and smooth. But they are not really an option if your counters were not originally designed that way. You'll also want to be careful about measuring your sink and cutting the associated hole in the countertop. Remember, you can always cut the hole bigger, but you can't cut the hole smaller. Ask me how I know.

Kitchens are a focal point of any home whether you are selling or just remodeling to enjoy it more yourself. As with most things, planning is key and taking the time up front will reduce the number of headaches in the future. Do a little planning for your kitchen and call in the pros when the time is right. You'll be glad you did and you won't have to be annoyed every time you open the dishwasher and pinch your fingers on the opposing cabinets.

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Jason Robie: Cool kitchen creations - Conway Daily Sun

NAZARETH, Pa., May 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Kitchen Magic of Nazareth, PA has two reasons to celebrate. For the fifth year running, the company was named a 2017 'Lehigh Valley's Top Workplace by a in the Morning Call and Workplace Dynamics annual survey, as announced at the Top Workplaces ceremony on March 8, 2017.

Additionally, the 2017 Top Leadership Award has, for the second time, gone to Brett Bacho, Kitchen Magic President, coinciding with his twenty fifth year with the company, 20 of which he has served as President.

The Top Workplaces annual lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by Workplace Dynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture are measured, including alignment, execution, and connection, to name a few.

Bacho learned the business and direct sales at the side of his father-in-law, Joe and brought the first computer hardware and software to Kitchen Magic. As a mechanical engineer by trade, Bacho later developed the company's manufacturing operations. These combined disciplines have put the company in a unique position in the industry. As they approach forty years in business, the family owned sales, marketing and manufacturing organization has grown to serve eight states, and employ over 200 people.

"First, we have a talented, dedicated team of people. Just an awesome team. Ours is a pretty complicated business; a lot of people have to pull together to make it work. Clear communication is first. Then it's being accessible and sharing our vision and goals. Everyone should know where we are going and how we are doing along on the journey," Bacho said.

"We hope to be back next year and keep this run this tradition going! We'll keep doing the right things-- for our customers and employees," he added.

Kitchen Magic was founded in 1979 by Jost 'Joe' and Reine Fleck in Allentown, PA. The company focuses on kitchen remodeling-- primarily refacing-- as an affordable and permanent solution for homeowners wanting to update and transform their kitchen.

Kitchen Magic is indeed a family affair. Bacho runs the company with the three Fleck daughters, Lotte Bacho (his wife), Renate Sprung and Cindy Purcell. His brother Chad Bacho leads the IT arm of the company and nephew Josh Mamroud,- the first of the third generation of 'Kitchen Magic family' heads up Web Technology.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kitchen-magic-five-time-lehigh-valley-top-workplace-and-president-brett-bacho-twice-recognized-with-top-leadership-honors-300447895.html

SOURCE Kitchen Magic, Inc.

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Kitchen Magic: Five time Lehigh Valley Top Workplace and President Brett Bacho Twice Recognized with Top ... - Markets Insider

Artists' rendering of remodeled Bethlehem Inn homeless shelter in Bend (Graphic: Bethlehem Inn)

Artists' rendering of remodeled Bethlehem Inn homeless shelter in Bend (Graphic: Bethlehem Inn)

BEND, Ore. - Bethlehem Inn announced on Tuesday that the city of Bend has granted the organization authorization to proceed with plans to construct its new 18,600-square-foot Family Residence and Service Hub on the site of its current shelter, a former motel on North Highway 97.

When completed in mid-2018, the new facility will double the Inn's capacity to shelter homeless families, replacing an aging five-family residence with space for 10 families at any given time.

"It will be the first facility in Central Oregon specifically designed to support families and individuals transitioning from homelessness to stability," the organization said in its announcement Wednesday, which continues below:

Construction will occur on the current Bethlehem Inn site at 3705 N. Highway 97, in Bend. SunWest Builders serves as the general contractor.

Executive Director Gwenn Wysling explained how the construction will take place without interfering with the Inns services to homeless families and individuals.

Before we start building the new Family Residence, we will install a portable structure that will allow our programs to continue operating during demolition and construction. Our goal is complete construction without interrupting or diminishing the critical services we provide every day.

Bethlehem Inn announced earlier that their Transforming Lives Together Capital Campaign has raised more than 90 percent of the funds needed to complete the new Family Residential and Service Hub facility, which has an estimated cost of $5.3 million.

Campaign Chair Heather Tennant Salvesen is spearheading the effort to complete funding, and also to launch a second phase of construction, currently in the planning stages.

According to Salvesen, Support for the capital campaign has been widespread. Our top supporter is a local couple who pledged $550,000. The Ford Family Foundation in Roseburg granted $500,000 because of our work with children and families. Local Rotary Clubs committed $200,000 to provide quality food in a suitable kitchen. For so many different reasons, our community is making this happen.

Asked why she gave to the campaign, Salvesen responded, "Families like mine are supporting the rebuilding of Bethlehem Inn because it puts a permanent stamp on our region as place of caring and compassion. When people go through a hard time in their lives and even lose their homes, there will always be a place to find a helping hand."

The Central Oregon Health Council is another major donor to the project, having committed $500,000 in 2016. Donna Mills, COHCexecutive director, explained the health impact of the project.

We acknowledge that food and shelter are some of the single most social determinants of health," Mills said."he Health Council's vision of Creating a Healthier Central Oregon is grounded in first things first. We appreciate the care and respect Bethlehem Inn affords the members of our region during their most vulnerable seasons of life."

With authorization to proceed starting this week, Bethlehem Inn anticipates being ready to open the new facility in about one year.

The building, designed by Ascent Architecture and Interiors, will house approximately 120 families per year, and provide a service hub serving as many as 1,150 adults and children. The service hub will include kitchen and dining facilities, classrooms and program space for services that help residents transition from homelessness to stability.

This project means Bethlehem Inn will be here for generations to come, saidWysling. Families and individuals do fall into situational homelessness, maybe because of an eviction, or a job loss, or a health crisis. Because our community cares, there will be a place to go to turn their lives around and get back on track.

For more information:https://bethleheminn.org/

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Bethlehem Inn shelter gets city OK for major remodeling - KTVZ - KTVZ

Samaritan House picked up another $80,000 for its plan to double capacity at its halfway house for substance abusers in Annapolis.

The nonpfrofit group said it raised $25,000 at its annual Burritos for Beds breakfast fundraiser Wednesday at Chevy's Fresh Mex, the same day the Annapolis Rotary Club announced it had presented a check for $55,000 from the club's annual Black Tie and Diamond's charity gala.

Lea Hurt, spokeswoman for Samaritan House, said the fundraising campaign is about 80 percent toward its goal of raising $1.8 million for the project.

Samaritan House is a state-licensed halfway house for men struggling with substance abuse, providing a continuum of care after medical detoxification. It provides individual and group counseling, case management, relapse prevention, life skills training, peer groups and family counseling, as well as career/vocational counseling.

Currently, there are 16 residential beds and an additional nine beds for transitional use. The would increase that number to 24 residential and 17 transitional beds; add a pavilion; upgrade the kitchen; and allow additional services.

Hurt said kitchen remodeling began Wednesday, the pavilion has been completed, construciton on the main portion of the expanded house could begin by late fall.

Samaritan House is located on 8 acres on Greenbriar Lane and received state certification in 1971.

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Samaritan House raises $80K toward expansion of Annapolis halfway house - CapitalGazette.com

Some home repair and renovation projects are inevitable pipes corrode, window trim warps, roof shingles buckle and curl. Others require more of a push, such as a living room addition to keep up with the space needs of a growing family, a new patio or deck to extend that area outdoors and even the installation of a home-entertainment system to bring it all together.

One of the most popular remodeling projects these days the kitchen is equal parts technical and functional.

Home-improvement spending is expected to grow 6% annually to $318.6 billion by the first quarter of 2018, according to the Joint Center For Housing Studies of Harvard University. And although DIYs popularity continues, owners in the millennial (76%), Gen-X (83%) and baby boomer (88%) generations overwhelmingly chose to work with a professional builder or remodeler in 2015, according to a recent Houzz user survey.

With remodeling spending on the rise, you can expect owners will continue to invest in their kitchens. The most common reasons for a kitchen renovation, Houzz found, are to refresh outdated designs and finishes and to upgrade appliances. Owners who renovated their kitchen in 2015 spent 12% more than they did the year before, averaging $50,700 for a major remodel of a kitchen greater than 200 square feet and $26,400 for a major remodel of a kitchen smaller than that.

Pros do more than construct the space. They serve as a sounding board and general guide for owners material and space decisions and thats not always easy when the likes of "House Hunters" and "Fixer Upper"skew projections of budget and timelines.

Consumers today are far more educated about the renovation process than they were even a few years ago, says Adrien Winger, a certified kitchen designer at Caruso Kitchens, in Lakewood, CO. With the prevalence of media brands like HGTV, social media websites like Pinterest and the general ease of searching for ideas on the internet, theyre very aware of what they want. They dont always understand the associated costs, however.

Thats where the pro comes in. In the Houzz user survey, respondents said they looked to home-improvement professionals for their ability to manage a project, keep it on-budget and help find the best products.

With more product choices available than ever before, helping customers weigh their options and make a selection is as important as the construction itself.

Regardless of budget and size, all kitchen remodels must start with understanding how the space will be used. Whether appliances will be upgraded or floors resurfaced should take a temporary backseat to determining how many people will typically be in the space at once, and for what purpose. Consider that space needs will be different for a person who enjoys cooking solo and for someone who likes entertaining large groups in their home.

Dedicated workstations can help keep messes to a minimum

Kitchen layouts have long used the work triangle concept, with the refrigerator, stove and sink located at the points to maximize efficiency. However, a popular design for todays kitchens, which tend to have more appliances than just a stove and a fridge is for separate work stations that dedicate space for food prep, assembly and cleaning up, according to HGTV.

Islands, on the other hand, remain a popular standby, according to HGTV, as they offer additional space for food prep and storage and can be fitted with electrical outlets, serving as a charging station for kitchens whose owners envision the space as the activity hub of the home. They can also double as seating for informal meals.

Kitchen islands can be fitted with appliances, storage and electrical outlets

Knowing how the space will be used can also help determine its lighting needs. San Franciscobased lighting designer Randall Whitehead told HGTV that a good lighting plan uses a combination of task, ambient, accent and decorative illumination. As for lamp type, LEDs are becoming more common in residential applications, with uses including along cabinet toe kicks for night lights or inside cabinets to make sorting through their contents easier or even concealed in crown molding to draw visitors eyes upward, according to HouseLogic.

Accessibility is also important, and it is getting more attention as baby boomers renovate their homes so they can age-in-place as their accessibility needs change. Features like side-opening ovens at counter height eliminate the need to reach up or bend down, as do under-counter microwave drawers, Gordon says.

At Design and Construction Week 2017, in Orlando, FL, Construction Dive made note that while kitchen products continue to get smarter, some of the most inventive upgrades of late have been unexpectedly low-tech. Consider Boschs redesigned dishwasher interior, complete with a third rack just for bowls, saucepans, long-utensils and other hard-to-fit kitchen tools.

The shared focus on analog improvements in an age when nearly everything can have an internet connection could be due to limited adoption of high-tech products. In a survey of 3,000 households, consulting firm McKinsey found that while connected devices exist for functions such as access control, energy efficiency and communication and will be installed in roughly 29 million homes as of 2017, uptake faces challenges from issues around product differentiation and compatibility, and how to use the data collected. According to the Census Bureau, there were 116.9 million households in the US from 2011 to 2015.

For the growing group of households that do have smart products, however, their features add value to more than just the general workflow. Using a companion app, occupants can tell their smart oven to preheat before they arrive home to make dinner, or even just double check that they remembered to turn the oven off.

Samsung's Family Hub 2.0 refrigerator

Refrigerators like Samsungs Family Hub(show above) have a built-in camera that connects with a companion app that occupants can use to check its contents while at the grocery store (or anywhere else)from their mobile device. Gordon notes that having an extra fridge at counter height can be useful for storing produce in the prep area or allowing kids to have easy access to pre-approved snacks.

Another example is GEs line of internet-connected appliances, which syncs with the free online service IFTTT (If This Then That) for functions such as sending a Twitter message when the oven is preheated. IFTTT uses an ifthenstatement to preset conditions. The appliances have a companion app through which users can set timers, start cycles and turn the device on and off. Additionally, dishwashing detergent pods can be automatically reordered, and hot water can be scheduled ahead of time for a morning cup of coffee. (Thats because GE also offers a refrigerator with an integrated Keurig machine.)

Continued growth in the touch-activated kitchen faucets market is giving consumers more options for products that improve workflow efficiency when cooking or cleaning up with messy hands. And Carusos Winger points out a popular hands-free garbage can that opens and closes when lightly touched.

For cabinets, Winger says, while there are many more styles and colors to choose from today than in the past, white is still popular. However, grays and other neutral hues are also becoming more prominent, especially in open-plan spaces where the kitchen is also part of the living area and is a primary entertainment space.

Frameless cabinetry has been trending for years, and it isnt showing signs of going away, says Angela ONeill, director of marketing and advertising for Ashland, AL-based cabinet-maker Wellborn Cabinet. ONeill notes a shift in consumer preference between painted and stained wood. Our current sales are trending upward of 50% for painted options, with white continuing to hold the majority, she says.

Grays and colorful pastels are trending again for kitchen cabinets

Decorative laminate veneer is also growing in popularity as a cabinet material because it offers a smoother surface for paint and a blank canvas for some of the more contemporary styles, she says.

According to Winger, kitchen design has simplified in the last five to seven years. She sees more homeowners shedding traditional design for a contemporary look. While many of Wingers clients trimmed details from projects during and after the recession to lower their costs, people are picking back up with what they want to live with, and not just what they need for resale value.

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What's cooking: The trends shaping kitchen design today - Construction Dive

Submitted by: DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Bellingham, a leading home remodeling franchise, recently announced that the company has been awarded a 2017 Guildmaster Award.

The service-oriented approach and exceptional quality of work of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen have earned them rave reviews in 2016 client satisfaction surveys.

We were very grateful to receive the Guild Quality award, but most of all, extremely pleased that so many of our clients had such a great remodeling experience with us, says DreamMaker franchise owner Ron Faber. We will continue to strive for industry excellence, and through our commitment to quality and to our clients satisfaction, have every intention of ensuring the best outcome in each of their remodeling experiences.

In order to be recognized as a Guildmaster Award winner, a Guild Quality member must achieve a recommendation rate of 90% as well as a certain response rate based on volume.

The annual Guildmaster Awards recognize service excellence in the building, remodeling, contracting and real estate professions. Each year the awards are given to companies that demonstrate an ability to deliver a consistently superior customer experience. In granting awards, Guild Quality considers two primary metrics for each candidate: the percentage of customers who would recommend and the percentage of customers who responded.

For more info please contact DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen at360-558-3171or visithttp://www.dreammaker-nw.com/

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DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Bellingham wins Guildmaster Award for Exceptional Customer Satisfaction - whatcomtalk.com

By: Kitchen Tune-Up | 0Shares 32Reads

May 01, 2017 // Franchising.com // ABERDEEN, S.D. - The national kitchen remodeling franchise, Kitchen Tune-Up, is encouraging homeowners to do their part to reduce waste and conserve natural resources by reconditioning their existing cabinets instead of replacing them. As part of their Tune-Ups for Trees campaign, Kitchen Tune-Up has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to promote their mission of inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. To bring attention to reducing waste, with each Tune-Up wood restoration completed by its franchise locations nationwide, Kitchen Tune-Up will donate a tree in the clients name to be planted in a US National Forest.

The Kitchen Tune-Up website explains the companys Tune-Up service as a wood reconditioning process that restores and repairs the original finish on cabinets and wood surfaces. During the preservation-friendly process the existing cabinets are left entirely, so no major waste is produced, yet they end up with a near-new appearance.

Originally begun in 1993 as the Plant a Tree campaign, Kitchen Tune-Up had 25,000 seedlings planted in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The company teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation again in 2008 in celebration of their 20th anniversary to continue promoting sustainability in kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

Heidi Morrissey, president of the franchise system, said the company is recognizing homeowners with more than the tree. Each person who has a Tune-Up project completed will receive a greeting card from our Home Office team expressing our appreciation, and will have their name added to the Tune-Ups for Trees page on our website. Now in our 29th year as a franchise family, were proud to do a small part toward replanting efforts in our National Forests on behalf of our clients.

Founded in 1988 by Dave Haglund, Kitchen Tune-Up specializes in affordable kitchen updates. It is known for its signature one-day wood restoration Tune-Up, cabinet refacing, cabinet redooring, new cabinets, granite sealing and storage solutions. It offers personalized service and incredible results that are structured around eight customer service Trustpoints to ensure a hassle-free experience from start to finish.

For more information about Kitchen Tune-Up, please visit http://www.kitchentuneup.com. To inquire about franchise opportunities, visit http://www.ktufranchise.com.

Sarah Eisenbeisz Marketing Director Kitchen Tune-Up Corporate Office 605-225-4049 Phone sarah@kitchentuneup.com

SOURCE Kitchen Tune-Up

###

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Kitchen Tune-Up Celebrates Arbor Day by Launching Tune-Ups for Trees Campaign - Franchising.com (press release)

The Top Workplaces annual lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by Workplace Dynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture are measured, including alignment, execution, and connection, to name a few.

Bacho learned the business and direct sales at the side of his father-in-law, Joe and brought the first computer hardware and software to Kitchen Magic. As a mechanical engineer by trade, Bacho later developed the company's manufacturing operations. These combined disciplines have put the company in a unique position in the industry. As they approach forty years in business, the family owned sales, marketing and manufacturing organization has grown to serve eight states, and employ over 200 people.

"First, we have a talented, dedicated team of people. Just an awesome team. Ours is a pretty complicated business; a lot of people have to pull together to make it work. Clear communication is first. Then it's being accessible and sharing our vision and goals. Everyone should know where we are going and how we are doing along on the journey," Bacho said.

"We hope to be back next year and keep this run this tradition going! We'll keep doing the right things-- for our customers and employees," he added.

Kitchen Magic was founded in 1979 by Jost 'Joe' and Reine Fleck in Allentown, PA. The company focuses on kitchen remodeling-- primarily refacing-- as an affordable and permanent solution for homeowners wanting to update and transform their kitchen.

Kitchen Magic is indeed a family affair. Bacho runs the company with the three Fleck daughters, Lotte Bacho (his wife), Renate Sprung and Cindy Purcell. His brother Chad Bacho leads the IT arm of the company and nephew Josh Mamroud,- the first of the third generation of 'Kitchen Magic family' heads up Web Technology.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kitchen-magic-five-time-lehigh-valley-top-workplace-and-president-brett-bacho-twice-recognized-with-top-leadership-honors-300447895.html

SOURCE Kitchen Magic, Inc.

Continued here:
Kitchen Magic: Five time Lehigh Valley Top Workplace and President Brett Bacho Twice Recognized with Top ... - PR Newswire (press release)