Remodeling Kitchen and Bathrooms, please help?

If you are doing a full remodel on the kitchen with new appliances and cabinetry, flooring, want to move the sink or stove to another wall, you will probably rack up a good bill, like 12K to 35K or more depending on size, location (CA is higher than anywhere) and tastes in finishes matters.
Like, do you want simple and marketable or fancy marble counters and a new picture window. Things like that cost beaucoup.
Bathrooms can cost a lot too with fixtures and finish being the big ticket.
If you are on a budget, like the cabinets and just want to give it a new look you can get by fairly inexpensively if you don’t find any whammies like water damage, plumbing problems or code issues.
I recommend for any level job to talk with as many people as you can about it.
Start with looking through magazines and books at the home centers that focus specifically on this subject area. I wouldn’t buy the books, just look through them and get ideas. If one has the dream kitchen or bath in it, yeah buy it and show it as an example to the contractor. The better they see what you want the more accurate their estimate will be and more likely you will get what you want.
Plan on getting a minimum of three estimates, seven is best, but that is hard to do and you may get a bad reputation and a pain in the @ss.
Investigate the contractors you consider using, ASK FOR REFERALS from all serious contenders for the work.
Actually talk to people they have worked for and try to see the work in person. Inspect it like you would your kitchen or bath.
Look for details like the molding makes straight joints and the caulking is clean and thorough. Ask if it was on budget, on time and why not if not? It isn’t always because of the contractor, some owners change their minds and add time and cost themselves. This usually leads to add-on terms to the contract, or should, so you both get what you expect.
Remember that add ons not written down are potential lawsuits waiting to happen for both sides.
If you are design-disadvantaged, hiring a designer as the general contractor can be a blessing and well worth the cost. They usually have guys that work with them regularly and that is like prequalifying them. They can do all the leg work for you, like picking out wallpaper and color matches for finish surfaces. They can do anything from a quick makeover to full blown remodels that require an architect or engineer depending on the designer.

Now is a good time in most places because the housing slump, so there are hungry contractors out there ready to work more cheaply than when work is abundant. Dont be quick to jump on a great offer cause price isn’t as good as quality work. Remember, you can counter offer their bids as well.

Remember that a month without a kitchen or bath can be murder on a family or a busy professional.
Solicit experiences from family, friends, webblogs, coworkers and people on the street to find out more.
Make notes when you see something you like in a friend’s kitchen or on Martha Stewart or ?
Appliances don’t have to be the most expensive to be great quality, check Consumers Reports to find the best quality items to use from toasters to Refrigerators to building material.
And personally, don’t overdo your financial commitment. Stick to your budget, make a plan and follow the plan.
Know what you want or find someone to do it for you.

Also, consult a realtor or builder about how the remodel will impact the resale value of your home or condo. Is it worth the expense if you plan to move or relocate. Will it throw the property out of kilter, meaning “now the kitchen and baths look so good the living room and the bedrooms need another $ 50K of work…or we have the nicest kitchen in the tri-state area.

If you are planning on staying forever, then please your needs and tastes. If your job could move you around or the kids are growing up and out and you may downsize later, consider putting the money into bonds and wait for when you get your dream house for retirement. But most of all try to enjoy the process, make it an adventure in learning and loving the journey. A good attitude from all involved should be foremost.

Redecorating the house in general will be less in cost than one bathroom probably, save major changes or problems, but there again, all things apply. Make the budget and plan and allow for 15-25% add on costs for problems and delays.
If you have an older home this is a very real potential addon cost factor. Have someone check your entire home as well.
The roof, HVAC, plumbing, house foundation, exterior finish all can matter and if you blow your budget on the kitchen and baths, then the roof goes bad unexpectedly, you will be left in a major pickle financially.
Make sure your systems work first, take care of things there first. A leaky roof will destroy your new kitchen and bath in one rainfall. Does that old tree need to come out before a wndstorm knocks it into the house. What about the neighborhood, are you over-valued already?
After the work is done, be sure to document your expenses, new appliances and other possessions with a home inventory and make sure your insurance is full replacement value to cover the old and the new stuff.
Homeownership is a full time job and you can avoid major woes by being thorough from the start of a major investment of time. You may find you have termite damage and realize that you can get the remodel partially paid for by the insurance payoff or that the house is so far gone you’d be better off just selling and starting over elsewhere.
Be informed and don’t be afraid to ask stupid questions.
If for nothing else but to see the look on their faces! hehe.
Good luck!