DON’T CUT CORNERS WHEN RENOVATING
You’ve taken the plunge and decided to renovate your kitchen. It’s a big project – just be prepared.
Spending time on the planning, choosing of contractors and on quality control. Depending on whether you’re doing a quick cosmetic touch up or a major surgical face-lift, the cost can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Researchers in Australia found that people generally recouped around two thirds or more of the cost of a kitchen renovation when they sold their houses. Over half of all people in Australia will renovate during their lives. Even with the economic situation, upgrading a kitchen is still worth the investment as it will increase the value of a property at resale. However, any home renovations should ideally be done for the homeowner’s enjoyment and benefit, rather than for the primary reason of resale value.
There’s clearly a correlation between the size of the investment and the quality of the end product. Because kitchens are heavy duty areas and take a lot of punishment, any superficial products or work will be exposed fairly quickly. Benchtops, cabinetwork, appliances, flooring, woodwork etc all come in for some heavy use, so don’t skimp on quality.
A bit of knowledge goes a long way. Knowing what the different components of a kitchen cost will help you budget. When it comes to cabinets, construction accounts for around 50% of the cost with the variables including the profile, finish and material of the doors. For example, a grooved door or one with a glass insert requires a higher level of detail and therefore costs more. Laminate doors are the least expensive, with vinyl wraps, 2-pack painted and timber doors being the most expensive.
Doing a DIY kitchen ie purchasing flat pack units and constructing the cabinets yourself will save a heap of money, but a level of skill is required. Nothing screams ‘cheap and nasty’ than cabinets that don’t join properly, cabinet doors that don’t close properly, uneven profiles etc – and when it comes to kitchens, quality counts..
In fact, if you’re considering going the DIY route, it’s worth asking the suppliers about their woodworking machinery. If they use a cnc router to cut their cabinets, then the chances are that the products will be of consistently good quality as these machines cut material with precision accuracy as the cutting action is controlled by computer.
They should be able to provide you with a computerised system that allows you to input your data (ie dimensions etc) and then to precision-cut components that are tailormade for your needs. This cnc router can cut a whole range of materials (including laminate, vinyl, wood, MDF board) – and profile them to individual needs. Don’t always go for the cheapest, because kitchens are truly about quality and longevity. Trying to cut corners may just mean that the kitchen cabinet supplier you choose has also cut corners (off your cabinets!).
The benchtop is also a key area where quality counts. The higher the price (eg stone or granite), the better the quality. Other benchtop options include timber, stainless steel, polished concrete.
It’s important to do lots of research before making any final decisions or commitments. Ask for written quotes, don’t be tempted by sale items and think PRACTICAL!. Yes, benchtops, cabinets and flooring are important components, but lighting, power points, appliances, tapware, access to cupboards, location of waste bins, location of the sink, storage areas for dirty crockery, traffic flow etc are just as important.
So whether you’re going for a full-scale installation from a specialist kitchen manufacturer or a DIY flat-pack kit, doing a bit of leg-work upfront will save a lot of angst later.
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