Suppliers of Fine Cabinetry, Specialty Hardwood Flooring, and Diverse Countertop Products
Offering Personalized Design and Remodeling Services for Your Peace of Mind
Kitchen Encounters
Located at:
2603 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: 717-509-4679
Fax: 717-397-9249
E-mail: info@lancasterkitchens.net
The Remodeling Process 101
Preparing for Your Remodeling Project
It is important to remember that remodeling is not just a monetary investment. Be prepared to sacrifice time, convenience, and your normal way of life. It may sound traumatic, but if you organize your home ahead of time and expect the disruption of your everyday routine, it will be much less stressful.
First Step:
Initial consultation at the job-site to discuss the project design requirements and budget.
Phase 1: Preliminary Design and Budgeting
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Measure existing house
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Preliminary check of the existing mechanical structural systems
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Check zoning restrictions
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Develop preliminary floor plans / elevations
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Comprehensive project budget
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Meeting for design proposal with client
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Design retainer: average cost $250 - $1000
Phase 2: Project Planning and Documentation
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Refine and finalize overall design
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Review design and site conditions with mechanical and structural contractors at a walk- through of job-site with Project Manager
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Assist in product selections and design meetings with vendors and client as required
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Develop detailed construction plans / elevations
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Prepare comprehensive construction contract with menu of costs and options
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Estimated budget is established
Phase 3: Construction
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Projected start and completion dates developed and added to existing contract
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Permits procured by Kitchen Encounters and / or General Contractor
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Thorough dust protection installed
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Payment schedule outlining draw schedule
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In-house carpentry crews begin demolition and preparation
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Daily / weekly meeting between client and Project Manager
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Coordinate schedules of subs and inspections.
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Installation and construction
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Punch list and walk through
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Fixed price contract established
A Little Bit About Determining Your Budget
It is important to set a realistic budget. Most kitchen remodels in PA cost somewhere between $25 and $40 thousand dollars, and full baths between $15 and $25 thousand. Fortunately, 82%-94% of what you invest in your new kitchen (depending on numerous factors) is added to the overall value of your home the day it is completed. A complete kitchen remodel should cost about 10%-15% of the current value of your home, and a full bath should be around 5%-7%.
Decide what aspects of your new kitchen or bath are most important to you. There are numerous, less costly upgrades that can incrementally increase the beauty and value of your home. Ask for our cost vs. value report and see what real estate industry statistics say about various remodeling project return values. Despite what most people have heard from do it yourself programs and the media, unless you have hired a crook, it is extremely beneficial to you, to communicate to your remodeling contractor your projected budget. It saves lots of time and frustration for both parties involved and helps to more efficiently establish a fair and accurate contract, with fewer surprises. Tell us your budget and we can help you decide which improvements can create the most impact for what you can afford.
The No Risk Window
The no risk window is a great time to gather information and get to know your remodeling contractor. At the on-site free consultation, ask questions and give ideas, determine whether you seriously want to move to the first phase and pay a retainer for a project design and quote. Kitchen Encounters has a great planning guide that can help you work through some of the many choices and decisions required in pulling off a successful kitchen or bath remodel. This is also a good time to gather photos, watch design programs and really hone in on what you like, what you want and most importantly, how you work and use your kitchen or bathroom spaces on a daily basis. The better acquainted you are with all of this, the smoother and better your remodel experience will be.
Despite years of experience, skilled craftsman, innovative thinkers, intelligent designers, efficient organization, best intentions, and professional pride, change happens. Whether it is the hidden beam or ductwork, or a product that in the catalog seemed perfect, remodeling often has a certain element of change. Be prepared to, accept the things you can’t realistically change (like that hidden beam) and have the strength to choose to (like the picture perfect product, that even though was less expensive, didn’t really cut it in the end).
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