Suffolk County's Most Trusted Kitchen Remodeler Presents the Top Factors to Consider Before Remodeling Your Ronkonkoma, NY Kitchen

Reliable Home Remodeler is a premier Suffolk County kitchen remodeler. Our locally owned and operated, fully licensed and insured company has masterfully designed and successfully installed updated kitchens for dozens of Ronkonkoma, NY homeowners. Our contractor works with the top tradespeople in the construction and home improvement industry, including plumbers, electricians, cabinet installers, tile installers, carpenters, and more, and will ensure that your kitchen is as beautiful as it is functional. When it comes to kitchen renovations, no other remodeler in the Suffolk County area offers higher quality results.

Kitchen remodels are one of the most popular home improvement projects amongst Ronkonkoma homeowners, and for good reason; renovating a kitchen improves the functionality, boosts the aesthetic appeal and increases the property value of a home. With so many benefits, updating your kitchen is certainly a wise investment. However, before you dive in, you want to ensure that you’re making the right decisions; after all, a kitchen remodel is a big project and should be carefully planned and properly executed.

While researching ideas online and browsing through pictures in magazines can certainly render some great ideas, seeking the insight of a professional is highly recommended before you get started. Below, you’ll find some of the top factors that one of the top kitchen remodelers in Suffolk County – Reliable Home Remodeler – suggests taking into consideration before you begin your renovation.

Your Budget

Whether you’re buying a home, a car, or making any other significant investment, taking your budget into consideration is crucial, and a kitchen remodel is no different. While calculating the costs of the project and comparing those expenses to the amount you can comfortably afford to spend might be one of the most daunting aspects of a kitchen renovation, it’s undoubtedly one of the most important factors; therefore, it should be the first thing you consider.

Think about how big you want to go and what changes you’d like to make, then speak to experts in the industry to get an estimate of what you can expect to spend, such as a local real estate professional or a reputable Ronkonkoma, NY contractor (like the pros at Reliable Home Remodeler), for example.

When you’re doing any renovation, unexpected expenses are bound to come up, so make sure you leave some room in your budget to accommodate. That way, if anything unplanned for does occur, you won’t be taken completely by surprise.

Assess the Current Layout

Take a look at your current layout and determine if it works for your needs. To save money, industry experts suggest keeping the existing floorplan and layout. Why? – Because doing so won’t require major structural changes, such as altering plumbing lines, electrical connections, and gas hookups, which can get costly. However, if the floorplan you presently have really doesn’t lend itself to your family’s needs, adjustments might be necessary to make the space more functional, but rest assured that a reputable contractor will ensure you get you the best price possible and will keep the project within your budget.

Think Twice About Adding More Space

While adding more square footage to your kitchen might seem like a good idea, before you start knocking down walls or building out, really consider if it’s the best option. Sure, having extra space would be great, but it can present certain challenges. A professional and experienced contractor and his or her team could maximize the existing space you have so that you can get the most out of it without having to break through walls, take over other rooms, or expand out into your yard.

Consider the Cabinets

Cabinetry is an extremely important element of a kitchen, as it’s one of the focal points of the room, but new cabinets can get pretty pricey, especially if you’re looking at high-end materials. If you’re existing cabinets are sturdy and in good shape, instead of replacing them, consider refacing them.

Basically, refacing involves replacing the “skins” of the cabinets; the drawer fronts, doors, hinges, drawer pulls and handles. Since the foundation of the cabinets remain in-tact, refacing usually costs a lot less than installing brand new pieces. If you’re working with an expert contractor, he or she can connect you with expert cabinet refacers who will offer such high-quality results that your current cabinets will look as if they are brand new.

Consider Eco-Friendly Countertops

While granite and marble tend to be the go-to materials for countertops, they aren’t exactly the most environmentally friendly materials (they can cost a pretty penny, too). Plus, they’re so common that you can find them in pretty much any Ronkonkoma kitchen. If you really want your kitchen to stand out while doing your part to help the environment, consider choosing eco-friendly materials for your countertops.

There are numerous options available that are made out of recycled or sustainable materials, and they’re as beautiful and durable as more commonly used less environmentally friendly countertop materials; many are more affordable, too. A small sampling of some of the options include:

• IceStone. Made of a mixture of concrete and recycled glass, IceStone is more durable than concrete alone; it’s stronger than marble, too!
• PaperStone. Comprised of a blend of recycled paper and petroleum-free resin, PaperStone might not sound like its durable, but it is; in fact, its durability is comparable to steel!
• Recycled glass tiles. Similar to ceramic tiles in price and strength, recycled glass tiles are made of a high percentage of recycled content; depending on the tiles you choose, the content can be 100% recycled glass.
• Bamboo. Commonly equated with flooring, bamboo also makes a great countertop material, especially if it’s sourced from a reputable supplier. Bamboo is highly sustainable, durable, and economical.

By using one of these materials in lieu of the more traditional, less environmentally friendly options, you’ll minimize your carbon footprint while improving the beauty and uniqueness of your kitchen.