Kitchen Remodeling Services for Homeowners Across the Country

No matter how big or small your kitchen remodeling plans are, the experts at House Doctors can provide trustworthy information, advice, and service to ensure you end up with the kitchen youve always envisioned. Whether youd like something simple such as upgraded flooring, countertops, or cabinets, or your desired project is more involved and includes a total redesign of your space, the highly trained technicians at your local House Doctors franchise have the required experience and expertise to undertake the job. Thats because House Doctors has built its reputation on making home improvement easier for homeowners nationwide by providing excellent repair, replacement, and remodeling services for our growing list of satisfied customers.

Before your kitchen remodeling project begins, a House Doctors estimator will sit down with you to assess your needs and determine the available options. We will provide a complete breakdown of the products and services your job requires as well as an accurate timeline for its completion. Once the plan is laid out and you feel comfortable with the scope and direction of the project, we will begin the kitchen remodeling process.

The kitchen remodeling professionals at your local House Doctors franchise are experienced in completing a wide array of projects, including:

At House Doctors, we treat your home like our home, so you can rest assured that we will dedicate ourselves to ensuring you are fully satisfied with our work. We also proudly offer a one-year labor warranty on every task we perform, providing you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home remodeling investment is protected.

If you would like more information on kitchen remodeling services from House Doctors, contact us today to find a franchise near you.

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Kitchen Remodeling | House Doctors Handyman Services

As spring nears, homeowners may find themselves thinking about the ways their kitchens fall short and begin to dream of a remodel.

The National Association of Realtors 2015 Remodeling Impact Report found that 36 percent of homeowners reported the top reason for remodeling their kitchens was to upgrade worn-out surfaces, finishes and materials. Modernization of the kitchen was the second most common reason for remodeling, and ultimately it pays off: 82 percent of homeowners said they had a greater desire to remain in their home after completing such a project.

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News from SFAR: Owners love remodeled kitchens - Santa Fe New Mexican

Thanks to generational changes, economic improvement and necessity, contractors expect an uptick in remodeling this year.

Heres some of the more important remodeling trends for 2017:

As baby boomers and Generation X get older, they often see their family structure expand. They frequently move elderly parents in to more easily take care of them, and more college graduates are returning home and staying longer.

With these generational changes, universal design, which focuses on accessibility and ease, has come to the forefront. Elements include critical facilities such as bathrooms and bedrooms on the first floor to avoid climbing stairs, adding accessories such as handrails to make tasks easier, and wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or other assistive equipment.

Paul Verga, owner of Versatile Improvements & Remodeling in Port St. Lucie, Fla., says he includes such principles in much of his work. In any bathroom remodel we do for middle-aged or older customers, we beef up the walls and put more wood in there, he said. That gives more room and support to install handrails in the future.

Kitchens and bathrooms remain the center of many remodeling projects. For the latter, Duane Ward, president of the David Hazen Group in Zionsville, Ind., said hes seeing a move away from bathtubs. Large walk-in showers are very popular now, he said. People dont use tubs anymore, and they appreciate the convenience. Walk-in showers have a cleaner, more sterile look.

In kitchens and bathrooms, whites and shades of gray are the color tones of the year. Ward also points to luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, as a major trend in the future. Its been used commercially for some time and recently entered the residential market, he said. LVT is extremely durable, very thin, and virtually indestructible. It can look like tiles or wood. The product itself is a little more expensive than other materials, but installation is cheaper, which brings the price competitive with other materials.

Kitchen and bathroom remodelers say quartz countertops have skyrocketed in popularity, and they dont foresee that slowing down. More so than ever, its a major product for us, said Pasquale Mignone of Able Construction in Oakland Gardens, N.Y. It just seems to be the choice of customers, and manufacturers are constantly developing new styles and designs of quartz.

Quartz remains a more expensive choice, so granite has moved into less expensive projects.

As improving technology brings prices lower, more and more homeowners are mulling tech improvements in their remodeling projects. Its one of the most popular things out there right now, Mignone said.

In fact, new technologies drive many changes, ranging from HVAC systems you can program from your phone to minor improvements in convenience.

Although even a few years ago home automation was a Jetsons-style dream out of reach of all but the most affluent clients, the technology has moved into many price ranges since then.

Those higher-end products arent always in peoples budgets, Mignone said. But theyre making a lot of them now that have the same features but are aimed at a budget market.

Read more from the original source:
Home Remodeling To Pick Up in 2017 - Valley News - Valley News

By Grace Coffman, Allied ASID, AKBD, Cabinet Innovations

Photo: Courtesy Of Cabinet Innovations

This clean and classic-style contemporary kitchen includes frameless cabinets.

This clean and classic-style contemporary kitchen includes frameless cabinets.

Know cabinets' style before remodeling kitchen or bath

Many homeowners are once again looking to remodel their kitchens and baths. Among the many decisions to be made is the one involving cabinets, and the choice for many is a manufactured cabinet.

Decisions usually start with the standard list: door style, soft-close hinges, full extension drawer glides, dovetailed drawer boxes, and the ever-expanding array of organizational features. Beyond that, the choice between one cabinet and the next can generate serious angst. Face the task in a systematic manner, and manageable bits of information become the basis for your decision.

Start at the construction of the cabinet box - framed versus frameless. The frameless cabinet, also recognized as European-style, offers full access to the interior of the box. Framed, or traditional cabinet construction, literally has a face frame on the front of the cabinet box. Keep in mind a frameless cabinet does not limit you to a contemporary door. That's a common misunderstanding. Traditional-looking kitchens actually can have frameless-box construction behind those doors.

Related to box construction is door overlay. Think about how the door lays over the front of the cabinet. The full overlay door covers the front of the cabinet with narrow reveals around all edges. Doors with a traditional reveal present wider reveals all around. Inset doors are "set into" the front frame of a cabinet and are flush with the face frame.

Material used in box construction is another consideration. Plywood is often the choice for homeowners, but look to it as an upgrade. The other choice is MDF (medium density fiberboard) also known as engineered wood. The very best of engineered wood is structurally sound material and recommended for its dimensional stability, an especially important characteristic when you're talking about sizing cabinets down to 1/16" of an inch. A finished project in MDF looks just as good as the plywood project and you can't differentiate between the two from the appearance.

The most noticeable parts of your cabinets, the exterior material and the finish vary from company to company. Each has different wood species, laminates, stains, paint colors, glazed finishes, distressing packages, and so on. Whatever the look you're trying to achieve, you'll find the appropriate material and finish.

A final, very important feature to consider is the warranty. Is the manufacturer going to be there to care for you in the future and how far into the future? Two years, five years or lifetime? Every cabinet product looks wonderful at the beginning. All the hinges and drawer glides operate as intended. But after a period of time, under normal conditions, will the manufacturer be there to remedy a failed door hinge or drawer glide?

Being aware of these cabinet basics arms you with added knowledge which should make the selection process easier for you. You now have parameters in which to compare one cabinet to another so you can make the most ideal choice for your project.

This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit http://www.ghba.org.

Read more here:
Know cabinets' style before remodeling kitchen or bath - mySanAntonio.com

Mark Worley, Guest columnist 7:48 p.m. ET March 3, 2017

Spacious additions, self-indulgent/aging-in-place master suites, entertaining and master cooking kitchens are on the upswing in Tallahassee.

I see more and more people calling and telling me they want to stay in their home for the long run and are willing to invest in amenities that truly make it their space.

Our team has noticed consistent trends emerging when it comes to home renovations for 2017. This also includes a movement toward selecting man-made materials and kitchen remodels.

Kitchen remodels remain king in the home, and remodeling them continues to be the most in-demand home update as people look for timeless design and low-maintenance options.

Painted cabinets continue to dominate, but wood grains are gaining ground, especially in more modern designs. It used to be when I said painted cabinets people would immediately think white cabinets but now you have a dozen color options available that are considered standard from most manufacturers.

As for the style, craftsman/shaker seems to be in most demand on the jobs we have completed over the last five years. People like the clean lines; also the ease of cleaning is another benefit.

I see clients selecting more and more quartz countertops these days, as that they want a product that does not require maintenance while taking more abuse than natural stone. Corian seems to be a thing of the past as that it has creative limitations and durability issues.

Man-made means low maintenance thanks to new technologies, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between natural and man-made materials. Currently, there are tile options that look like hardwood flooring as well as engineered stones closely resembling marble. These man-made options require much less maintenance than a living finish and are also more durable, making them less likely to stain or chip.

Whats up with subway tile? I see it on almost every job. They are classic and timeless. Subway tiles never go out of style and I see so many options now, as related to texture and color that compliment the counters.

Youre definitely always safe with a subway tile backsplash. Like white cabinets, they are traditional and a long running favorite.

The kitchen is the hub, as we all know. But getting creative and making yours inviting is not as difficult as you might think. Pair painted cabinets with creative textures along with professional appliances and you will be surprised at the wow factor, as it becomes a magnet for entertainment and just hanging out with family and friends during daily use.

Home additions ideal for families who want to remain in their current home but could benefit from some extra square footage. There are plenty of options when it comes to expanding, whether building up, over or out. If you need more square footage and love your neighborhood but dont want to move, bump out your kitchen for an island or add a bedroom, bathroom, or master suite.

I am finding more and more people who are staying in their homes for the long haul and willing to invest with extensive renovations while making the home more luxurious as well as comfortable and being prepared for the later years by incorporating aging-in-place design.

Master suites are always in demand creating a private refuge for relaxation and rest has led to a renewed emphasis on the master suite. A combination of the master bedroom, master bathroom, and master closet; these spaces can recreate the feeling of a high-end retreat.

I am currently designing two master suite additions where the existing master suite is being converted into an in-law space. The owners will get a completely new space while offering guests their own private retreat, complete with coffee bar and wide screen TV.

What are you ideas for 2017?

Write and let me know, or for any ideas for future articles contact me through my website http://www.worleyconst.com

Mark Worley is the only Graduate Master Builder in Tallahassee and holds a Certified Aging-in-Place and Green Building Professional designation by the National Association of Home Builders. You can reach him through his website at http://www.worleyconst.com or at 850-668-3438 for help with your construction problems.

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Kitchens still king for home improvements - Tallahassee.com

A smooth kitchen remodel

By Sherry Vogel

Here in Montana, for various reasons, the best season to find contractors to do that kitchen remodel job is in the winter.

Whether you have hired a contractor, or you are brave and skilled enough to carry out an arduous do-it-yourself project is up to you. Either way, it is not wise to dive into a kitchen-remodeling project or any other interior remodel without some planning before the demolition begins.

Here are a few tips to make a kitchen remodel run more smoothly.

#1. Timing is important. Be sure to consider whether you can tolerate a remodel during the holidays, family events, or if you have children, whether to remodel when they arent in school.

#2. Functioning during the remodel. Give some thought to what other convenient area would work to move your refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot. You will still want to be able to function during the project

#3. Prepare and freeze meals ahead of time. It will be convenient to have meals you can just pop into the microwave. Takeout every night can be pricey.

#4. Sheeting off areas. Protect furniture and other sections of the home by placing large plastic sheeting to minimize and contain dirt and dust during construction.

#5. Protect furniture and valuables. Help by covering furniture with sheets and removing pictures from adjacent walls. Safely bubble-wrap glass and other breakables and remove to out of the way areas.

#6. Keep pets safe. With doors opening and closing it is easy for pets to roam outside and perhaps get lost. Also, power tools can be hazardous and loud. Protect pets by crating them in a far off room or take them to a friends home while the remodel is underway.

Fallon County Timely-TipsKitchenRemodelTImely Tips

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Fallon County Timely-Tips - Fallon County Extra

If 2016 was the year of embracing minimalism, sourcesNAHB, online residential design platform Houzz, and design firmsindicate 2017 is taking the contemporary trend a step further by incorporating individualism, comfort, and health.

Clean lines, minimal but impactful accessorization, healthy lifestyle, and technology are driving merchandising right now, says Joe Duffus, CEO of Maryland-based interior design group Builders Design. Manufacturers are focusing on ways to accommodate healthy-at-home concepts such as air purification and indoor herb gardens.

Looking to the winners of this years NAHB Best in American Living Awards, the projects showcase myriad prominent design trends that NAHB predicts will appear in homes and communities over the next several years.

Many of the winning homes and communities incorporated metal roofing and repurposed wood beams as interior design details, which is evidence that the modern farmhouse style is here to stay. Oversized farmhouse sinks and barn doorsevolving to suit a more contemporary aesthetic with glass, white tints, and mixed-metal hardwarewere other popular features. Many architects and designers opted for dark brown or black frames around windows and doors to make them pop against light siding, and well-placed benches and nooks within small spaces appeared in many plans.

While a white-on-white interior palette appears universally across projects, the hue is most prominently showcased in kitchens, where white cabinets and countertops continue to dominate. According to the Houzz 2017 U.S. Kitchen Trends Survey, kitchens are becoming healthier and more customized. The survey polled 2,700 Houzz-active homeowners that are in the middle of, are planning, or have recently completed a kitchen renovation project. One-third (33%) of respondents who have updated their kitchens report a healthier lifestyle post-renovation, and although the majority of homeowners (72%) chose stainless steel appliances in 2016, 7% opted for a more recent trend: black stainless steel.

The report found that millennial homeowners are more likely to choose a modern or farmhouse-style aesthetic in the kitchen, while boomers tend to opt for traditional finishes. Overall, contemporary just surpassed transitional as the most frequently picked kitchen style, with 22% and 19%, respectively.

Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz, notes that today, many people are renovating their kitchen space to suit their needs and lifestyle rather than to improve a homes resale value. With the growing trend of homeowners choosing to stay in their home for the long-term, she says in a release, the return on investment from a kitchen remodel is less tangible, measured in healthier habits and more face time with family and friends instead of dollars.

Read more coverage on Houzz's Kitchen Trends Survey here.

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Trend Tracking: Healthy Living is Driving Interior Design - Builder Magazine

When Wendy Morris was looking for a new home in 2005, she knew what she wanted.

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I was looking for an easy lifestyle and the space really worked for me, she said. I wanted a doorman building too.

A one-bedroom unit in Independence Place was the perfect spot. In addition to a doorman, the building features parking as well as proximity to lots of local amenities.

The gym is literally behind my building, Morris said.

After moving in, Morris began her upgrades.

Ive completely remodeled, she said.

By the time she finished, she had a new kitchen, new bathrooms and new flooring.

The kitchen renovation included custom 42-inch cabinetry, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. There was also new tiling.

I love my kitchen, especially the Italian glass tile backsplash, Morris said. I fell in love with it.

Her master bathroom now features an oversized shower, which she also counts among her favorite features. The master bedroom includes a walk-in closet and neighborhood views.

The formal dining room features built-in cabinetry and is adjacent to the living room with its floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors that lead to a private balcony.

Morris said her work means new owners can take it easy.

There is nothing left to do, she said. They just need to move in and unpack.

While Morris said she has enjoyed her time on Washington Square, her reasons for listing the 1,200-square-foot-home are happy ones.

Im getting married and moving in with my fiance, she said.

The home is currently listed by Pam Butera for $495,000.

Click here to view the full listing >>

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On The Market: Remodeled Washington Square condo for $495000 - Philly.com

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOTV) At Standale Interiors, were often asked how much a typical kitchen remodeling costs. There is no such thing as a typical remodeling project we say.

A remodeling project and the people providing the service tear your house apart and put it back together in a way that makes your home better for you and how you live.

MONEY: Thats usually what folks focus on. But remodeling isnt a commodity. Its a service that produces a product. What youre buying is a service relationship.

TIME: Even though Im in the business, I didnt even realize all the time and effort required to make the project go as smoothly as possible. There are many decisions to be made. Since most folks dont do this on a regular basis, but will be living with their decisions for years to come, it just makes sense to MAKE THE TIME. The less expensive the remodeling contractor, the more time YOU will spend on decision making.

FRUSTRATION AND STRESS: Saving money comes at a cost. Thats just life. There is no free lunch Even working with an experienced remodeler, there will be some stress. Again, the less expensive and experienced the remodeler, the more stress and frustration you will encounter.

Good things typically cost more. In the end, everyone pays the same price. What varies is the proportion of money, time and frustration that goes with that price.

SOURCE: Remodeling magazine

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How do I determine the cost of a remodel? - WOTV4women.com

About Remodeling Showcase: Remodeling Showcase is a paid series of profiles featuring local contractors in Southwest Minneapolis.

Bobbie Moesle and her husband, Scott, had been mulling a kitchen remodel for years. They visited home and garden shows, traipsed through Remodelers Showcase homes, and kept running across McDonald Remodeling.

At one of those shows, Scott took a break while Bobbie looked around. She met CEO Jim McDonald and saw some photos of a kitchen the Inver Grove Heights company had remodeled. Bobbie ran back to Scott and said, You have to come and see these photos. This is exactly what I want, she recalled.

We would see them come to many a showcase home, which isnt uncommon, but Bobbie and Scott made a mark, said McDonald president Greg Alsterlund.

The couple put off the remodel awhile. Then Scott Moesle died suddenly in May 2015. Rather than sell the house and move, Bobbie decided to go ahead with the project that she and her husband had been planning. The renovation of the 1958 split-level house in Edina expanded and updated the kitchen, adding a sunny family room and much-needed basement space beneath the addition.

Bobbie Moesle works in commercial interiors and had some definite ideas around color and storage space. She wanted white cabinetry, a white backsplash and pearly gray walls in her kitchen. Instead of shelves beneath the countertops, Moesle wanted drawers that would make it easier to find things. She also wanted a five-foot-deep kitchen island with a low-divide farmhouse sink and plenty of room for storage.

The addition of the family room allowed for the deeper-than-usual island, according to Susan Wittine, an interior designer with McDonald. The island has a white Cambria countertop shot through with gray and the occasional sparkly stone chip. At Wittines suggestion, Moesle chose a curved edge for the island counter.

That was another kind of feminine detail that made her kitchen feel special, Wittine said.

Wittine worked with Moesle on color, cabinet, hardware and light fixture selections. To narrow Moesles choices among the various shades of white, Wittine ordered large paint swatches and had different shades painted on cabinet samples for Moesle to see them in different types and levels of light. Moesle settled on Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace.

The homeowner and designer also collaborated on a hutch that caps off a wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Moesle gained that wall of cabinets by having McDonald remove an interior wall and the pantry behind it, adding three feet to the kitchens width. They added beadboard along the back of the hutch and curving brackets to support glass-doored cabinets that display Moesles stemware. The hutch also has a white-and-gray Cambria counter in a subtler design than the island.

The same style of counter spans the cabinets that hold a Wolf gas cooktop with its signature red knobs. Moesle had planned on the standard four burners, but when she saw the six-burner model and realized it made more design sense opposite the islands farm sink, it wasnt too much of a stretch to go bigger. She had also planned on a more moderately priced brand of double wall oven, but was able to pick up the previous years Wolf model for a comparable amount.

Its very functional, Moesle said of her kitchen, which was started in December 2015 and completed the following April. The cabinets above the side-by-side refrigerator have pan dividers to keep the baking sheets straight and accessible. The under-counter drawers enabled her to spread out pots, pans and other kitchen essentials rather than stacking them.

Its also a safer reach, Alsterlund added. Youre not lifting heavier things over your head. Youre keeping them down low, and thats a smart thing to do as you get older.

Moesles Tibetan terrier, Grady, also benefited from the remodel. A low shelf tucked into the side of the island has cut-outs to hold his food and water bowls.

No walls separate the kitchen from the family room, which has a fireplace, wide-screen TV, and comfortable seating. The rooms even share oak flooring stained a dark shade of walnut to coordinate with the adjacent dining room.

It doesnt feel like an addition, Moesle said. It just feels like part of the house, like it was designed as part of the house.

She took advantage of the expansion to have three patio doors installed along one wall of the family room, leading to a wide set of stairs and a patio built of pavers. The patio is just the right size for a small table and chairs, exactly what Moesle wanted.

The project went smoothly because the company designed it to Moesles goals, Alsterlund said.

You were well organized. You kind of had a vision of what you wanted, he told her.

I had a vision and they looked at it, listened to it, and incorporated it into the plan that they went forward with, Moesle said. They understood my vision.

The new kitchen and family room project also helped Bobbie Moesle grieve the loss of Scott.

My husband died unexpectedly and I said, Okay, what am I waiting for? she said. It was probably the best thing for me.

MORE ABOUT MCDONALD REMODELING:

Address: 6015 Cahill Ave, Inver Grove Heights

Phone: 651-554-1234

Website: http://www.mcdonaldremodeling.com

Read more:
Kitchen expansion feels like part of the house - Southwest Journal