If you have commissioned a home repair or home improvement project that is going to take several days, weeks, or even months to complete getting along with the tradesmen who come to your home every day is important, not only for everyone's personal comfort but for the sake of the success of the project as well. Having your tradesman walk out in the middle of a complete kitchen renovation? No fun.
Give the Tradesmen Room - If you went to work everyday and had your boss standing over your desk, all day, everyday, chances are it would get on your nerves more than just a little bit. The same is true for the tradesmen working in your home.
Too many homeowners fall into the habit of trailing tradesmen as they work, questioning everything they do, or offering "helpful" suggestions at every turn. The interest (and concern) is understandable up to a point. If something seems to be going very wrong by all means speak up. Otherwise, let them get on with their job.
Set House Rules - Most of us are rather picky about what goes on in our homes and have certain rules that we like obeyed. Unlike your kids though, the tradesmen coming to work in your home have no idea what those rules might be. If you want your main bathroom to be reserved for family use only, let them know that ahead of time. The same goes for any rooms you do not want disturbed.
Play Nice - While no one is saying that you have to treat your tradesmen like royalty, an occasional gesture of extra hospitality is nice. Make a cup of tea for your tradesmen in the afternoon, or lay out a plate of biscuits one morning at break time. Who wouldn't be appreciative of those kinds of small tokens of thanks? And if you take the time to join them you can all get to know each other better.
Showing posts with label Kitchen Renovation San Diego. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kitchen Renovation San Diego. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Say "No" to The 3 Bid Theory
If you needed heart surgery would you ever consider asking 3 surgeons to submit bids and then select the lowest one? The rhetorical answer is of course not. However many home owners think nothing of shelling out thousands of dollars and opening up their home to a remodeler they selected solely on his price.
Granted a remodeling project is not a life threatening operation, but it could have a definite effect on the families well being and financial health for years to come. Many factors other than price need to be considered before you can find the best contractor for a specific project.
A common tactic is to solicit three remodelers for bids. The homeowner will throw out the high and low bids and select the middle bid, confident he has minimized the risk by dropping the 2 extremes. Price drives the selection.
No job interview begins by negotiating salary and a home remodeling project should not be any different. Before you get to compensation you should make sure you have a qualified applicant. One of the first things you do is to check references. It is important that you talk to people who have hired this remodeler to do jobs similar to yours. A beautifully remodeled kitchen or bath sheds little light on his ability to build a second floor addition to your home. You'll want to ask the references if they had any problems with quality, payment schedule, employees or completion time.
The most telltale question you can ask is "Would you hire this remodeler again?" Some people will be hesitant to make negative comments, but the enthusiasm in which they answer this question is bound to tell you all you need to know about this remodeler.
After you have talked with the references, take a look at their work. Check out the quality of the craftsmanship and materials, overall aesthetics, creativity and how the project blends in with the rest of the house.
Also verify the remodelers licensing if required in your city/state and insurance. If you hire a remodeler who does not carry workers compensation insurance and one of his employees gets injured on the job, you could be liable for medical bills and lost wages.
Granted a remodeling project is not a life threatening operation, but it could have a definite effect on the families well being and financial health for years to come. Many factors other than price need to be considered before you can find the best contractor for a specific project.
A common tactic is to solicit three remodelers for bids. The homeowner will throw out the high and low bids and select the middle bid, confident he has minimized the risk by dropping the 2 extremes. Price drives the selection.
No job interview begins by negotiating salary and a home remodeling project should not be any different. Before you get to compensation you should make sure you have a qualified applicant. One of the first things you do is to check references. It is important that you talk to people who have hired this remodeler to do jobs similar to yours. A beautifully remodeled kitchen or bath sheds little light on his ability to build a second floor addition to your home. You'll want to ask the references if they had any problems with quality, payment schedule, employees or completion time.
The most telltale question you can ask is "Would you hire this remodeler again?" Some people will be hesitant to make negative comments, but the enthusiasm in which they answer this question is bound to tell you all you need to know about this remodeler.
After you have talked with the references, take a look at their work. Check out the quality of the craftsmanship and materials, overall aesthetics, creativity and how the project blends in with the rest of the house.
Also verify the remodelers licensing if required in your city/state and insurance. If you hire a remodeler who does not carry workers compensation insurance and one of his employees gets injured on the job, you could be liable for medical bills and lost wages.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Innovative Kitchen Ideas that Make a Statement!
What are the new additions you should consider for your kitchen remodel? Here are a few tips what to look for:
Induction cooktops
Induction cooktops are probably the most widespread of all kitchen technologies. These cooktops use electromagnetic effect to heat up pans and pots you put on them. As the cooktop itself does not heat up at all, it's much safer than regular ones. Also, it consumes much less energy, as it heats the pots directly.
One thing to watch out for, however: induction only works with ferrous metals.
Dishwasher drawers
When you're short in space, a dishwasher drawer comes in handy. They need about half the space of a regular dishwasher, and can be fitted with your cabinets in a way that gives the appearance of a regular kitchen drawer. They are easy to operate, too - imagine not needing to bend down again!
Appliance garage
Are you tired with small appliances cluttering your worktop? Worry no more, an appliance garage is like a cabinet, only put on the worktop-level, where you can easily stow appliances. It has a roll-down door you can easily close, so there is no clutter, and - as a bonus - your appliances don't collect dust. If you want even more fancy, add electric outlets into the garage too.
Microwave drawer
If you have a base cabinet you can spare, a microwave drawer can free up worktop space too. Just like the dishwasher drawer, they might be easier to operate and are more accessible too. A few things to consider though: you should put the microwave on the side of a counter and far from the cooking range, so there are no issues with greasy splatters from the regular cooking. Also watch out for the steam when you open it.
Induction cooktops
Induction cooktops are probably the most widespread of all kitchen technologies. These cooktops use electromagnetic effect to heat up pans and pots you put on them. As the cooktop itself does not heat up at all, it's much safer than regular ones. Also, it consumes much less energy, as it heats the pots directly.
One thing to watch out for, however: induction only works with ferrous metals.
Dishwasher drawers
When you're short in space, a dishwasher drawer comes in handy. They need about half the space of a regular dishwasher, and can be fitted with your cabinets in a way that gives the appearance of a regular kitchen drawer. They are easy to operate, too - imagine not needing to bend down again!
Appliance garage
Are you tired with small appliances cluttering your worktop? Worry no more, an appliance garage is like a cabinet, only put on the worktop-level, where you can easily stow appliances. It has a roll-down door you can easily close, so there is no clutter, and - as a bonus - your appliances don't collect dust. If you want even more fancy, add electric outlets into the garage too.
Microwave drawer
If you have a base cabinet you can spare, a microwave drawer can free up worktop space too. Just like the dishwasher drawer, they might be easier to operate and are more accessible too. A few things to consider though: you should put the microwave on the side of a counter and far from the cooking range, so there are no issues with greasy splatters from the regular cooking. Also watch out for the steam when you open it.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Don't Let Your Kitchen Remodel Cause You Stress! Choose Marrokal!
Kitchen remodeling can be costly and inconvenient process. However, you can avoid them by seeking the services of a professional kitchen remodeling contractor. Not only will you be able to remodel your kitchen in a cost-effective manner, you can also look forward to a beautiful and functional kitchen after the job is complete.
Kitchen remodeling contractors are vital to the success of your remodeling project within the budget, especially contractors from Marrokal. The best contractors can guide you during the remodeling job by collaborating with you about ideas and other concepts that can help with the completion of a functional kitchen. They can also provide professional advice so that you will make informed decisions during the remodeling project. Thus, before embarking on a kitchen remodeling project, take your time in seeking the best contractors. They can ease your worries and even make your remodeling project enjoyable.
Kitchen remodeling contractors are vital to the success of your remodeling project within the budget, especially contractors from Marrokal. The best contractors can guide you during the remodeling job by collaborating with you about ideas and other concepts that can help with the completion of a functional kitchen. They can also provide professional advice so that you will make informed decisions during the remodeling project. Thus, before embarking on a kitchen remodeling project, take your time in seeking the best contractors. They can ease your worries and even make your remodeling project enjoyable.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Kitchen Remodels Made Easy
Cabinets along One Wall
Using wall cabinets on both sides can make the room feel cramped, so consider replacing with open shelving. This could be practical if you have a long narrow kitchen. This is the least functional type of kitchen. If you have to have this type of plan, make sure the sink is in the center with the oven and fridge close by so the cook can easily prepare the food. Also make sure you have enough counter space between appliances a common mistake is to put only 8" to a foot between appliances and layout is not conducive to family gatherings in the kitchen unless you have a larger area where you can put a table and chairs.
Galley Kitchen
This style of kitchen is often seen in apartments and smaller homes and offers an efficient use of space, making it the choice of many professional chefs. A layout with two rows of units allows room for lots of preparation space, and moving between activities areas can be as easy as simply turning around and consists of a somewhat narrow kitchen with cabinets along 2 opposing walls. The most efficient use of small space, the Corridor Kitchen allows for convenient access to the cabinets and appliances on both walls. Allow for the corridor to be at least 48" wide. Closing one end off will cut down on traffic, but it does not leave any room for family or friends to join in the fun.
L Shaped Kitchen
An L shaped cabinet arrangement can make good use of space and be a lot easier to work in. The work triangle joins two key areas on one side of the L, with the third on the other side. The sink, cooker and fridge can be in any order, although putting the sink and cooker on opposite sides of the L works well, as you’ll have worktop space around them. The L-Shaped kitchen provides a work area largely unbroken by traffic. One of the most common kitchen designs, it provides excellent flexibility in the placement of major appliances.
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