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If you are in the market for some new cabinets, then today is your lucky day. We’ve got two big pieces of advice for you that will take all of the fuss out of your decision-making process.

First, go with our friends at SOLLiD Cabinetry! Hey, and wouldn’t you know it, MK Remodeling & Design is an official SOLLiD Cabinetry dealer. Be sure to check out www.mk-cabinetry.com for more deals. And do not worry if you aren’t in the Phoenix area. We can ship the cabinets anywhere!

Second, check out this guide from Elle Decor! It’s got a wonderful breakdown of the pros and cons of different types of cabinets.

We’ll spotlight some of the best nuggets of info:

Wood cabinets offer a classic feel at a good price, can be easily repaired, and can be refreshed later on with a new staining or paint job.

Eco-friendly cabinets offer a more updated look without the guilt but at a higher price. They also can require a little more upkeep.

Laminate cabinets come in all kinds of colors and textures and are very affordable. While durable, deep cracks or scratches are almost impossible to repair.

Metal cabinets are sturdy and resistant to rust and stains. They tend to be more expensive and show fingerprints.

If any of these options sound good to you, head over to www.mk-cabinetry.com and scope out our latest deals.

Have a great week!

If you’re like most customers, you feel inundated with salesman speak and lofty promises.

The best way to sift through the noise is to focus on how you are treated. That’s the key point in an article came across about the 5 qualities of an expert contractor.

First, a good contractor will always put your needs ahead of a schedule, and will marry your expectations with your budget.

Second, a good contractor will have a plan in place to deal with the mess a remodel will cause.

Third, an expert contractor will be forthcoming about any unexpected challenges as they arise and will clearly explain how they will handle them. A good contractor will not cut corners.

Fourth, the best contractor is one who is licensed, insured and seeks the proper permits and paperwork.

Lastly, an expert contractor will clearly define a fair contract and outline a payment program.

If anyone you deal with falls short in any of these areas, you would be wise to start looking elsewhere.

Speaking of expert advice, we were really struck by an advice column by a handyman titled “Have realistic expectations when remodeling.”

One quote in particular was a great summary of what we regularly encounter while talking to people about remodeling.

“Reality TV does not mean you get a reality price for remodeling,” the expert says. In fact, he’d estimate that most people think jobs cost half as much as they really do as a result of unrealistic TV shows.

So, keep that budget advice and our expert contractor tips in mind when you think about your next remodeling project.

Have a good week!

 

If you are thinking about embarking on a home remodel, there are a few things you should keep in mind. We came across an article that offers a few great tips before construction gets started.

Think ahead. While you will be able to book an initial consultation quickly, that doesn’t mean construction can start the next day. Many contractors are booked out for several months, so plan ahead. TV shows make home remodels look as easy as ordering a pizza. This isn’t the case! It takes many months of planning.

Do your homework. Ask friends and family for referrals. Check out reviews and photos of prior work on Angie’s List, Yelp, and social media. Be sure to prepare a list of questions for your consultation. And be skeptical of someone with a “We’ll figure it out later” mentality. That will cost you in the long run.

Get it in writing. Insist on contracts. Do not subscribe to any handshake agreements. Contracts protect both sides of the deal. Customers know what to expect, and contractors know their milestones and when they can expect payment.

Insist on the best. Only use licensed and insured contractors. Anything less is risky at best and downright dangerous at worst. We’ve seen McDonald’s wrapper used as insulation and shoddy electric lines that were in danger of starting a fire.

Now that we’ve gotten the serious stuff out of the way, let’s shift gears to some fun stuff. Backsplashes are like the cherry on top of an cool kitchen. Apropos of nothing, here are some photos of some very cool, and very inexpensive, backsplashes.

Have a good week!