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Here at the MK Remodeling Blog, we like to talk about saving money.

The remodeling business can be expensive. There is no denying that. That’s why we put together this blog, so our customers can make informed decisions on their remodeling needs. We do it because we care.

With that in mind, you can understand our frustration when people assume any markup on a job goes directly to profit. Markupandprofit.com just posted an extremely informative article about what a contractor should charge and dispelled the myth that markup equals profit.

As the article points out, every job has overhead costs. A look at a few of the most common overhead expenses:

·      Advertising

·      Sales commission

·      Job supervision

·      Office expenses

·      Insurance

·      Accounting and legal fees

·      Licenses

·      Taxes

·      Employee expenses

·      Salary

As the article summarizes, “Markup isn’t profit, it is the money needed to make sure the contractor can complete your job, pay his bills and if he’s doing things right, make a profit on the job as well. Just like your doctor, your mechanic, your grocer and every other business.”

Now, getting a good deal is a great thing, and we’ve outlined plenty of ways to do that on this blog. When it comes to remodeling, your home is the likely the single largest investment of your life. Take care of it. It’s not the place to cut corners.

In remodeling, a deal that sounds too good to be true probably is. Drastically cutting costs means drastically cutting corners around quality and safety.

We know because we’ve had to repair that shoddy work. Maybe it’s low-grade materials and poor planning that lead a floor to be damaged by the roots of a nearby tree. Or it’s not conforming to code, putting the integrity of the structure – and the safety of its residents – at risk.

At MK Remodeling & Design, we will strive to be as open and honest as possible in the building and billing process. Because we care. We won’t put our name on anything less than the best.

Congratulations! You have survived St. Patrick’s Day. Now it’s time to talk about surviving a remodel.

As this columnist notes, the key to any remodel is to have a good plan, but that’s easier said than done. Preparing for a remodel means preparing for lots of different things.

Remodeling a bathroom might not pose too many problems if you have another bathroom to use in the meantime. But remodeling a kitchen requires setting up a temporary kitchen somewhere else in the house, unless you can afford to eat out every meal. So keep that in mind.

Then there’s the question of what to do with your stuff once it’s moved out of the project area. That’s easy if you have extra space in the garage or a storage shed. But for those of us without space, that means paying for a pod or, in the case of the columnist, getting some storage space from a friendly neighbor.

Lastly, the columnist says to prepare for dust because it’s bound to seep into non-work areas. But there’s a good coping mechanism for that. Beer!

Speaking of kitchen remodels, and in keeping with green things, avoiding sticker shock is the No. 1 goal for homeowners.

To keep costs low, the Washington Post suggests you avoid moving any electrical and gas systems, make a detailed list of your goals, avoid name brand cabinets since others work just as well, look at mid-price flooring, and do your homework on your contractor.

Taking care of all these things will help you save.

Have a good week!

Nobody’s made of money, so for many of us, remodeling comes down to Project 1 vs. Project 2.

Conventional wisdom holds that most kitchen remodels have a strong return on investment, and can add value to a home at resale. But one home expert says that might not be the case.

In a video on Time.com, Zillow chief economist Stan Humphries makes the case for bathrooms as a better option. Humphries says that once they crunched the numbers, kitchens didn’t return as much as a bathroom remodel.

A mid-range bathroom remodel adds universal functionality, whereas kitchen remodels don’t always translate to the next buyer at resale. Take a look at the video and let us know what you think!

Now, if you are committed to a kitchen remodel, that’s OK! One area to look at is the backsplash. If you are looking to add one or revamp one, the choices are endless, and can be a little daunting.

To help you get settled, consult this guide on Remodelista.com. Whether it’s a pop of color, an intriguing pattern, a fun texture, or cool shape, this will steer you in the right direction. Of course, MK’s own Krissy Gillis can steer you in the right direction!

If kitchens or bathrooms aren’t your cup of tea, boosting the curb appeal of your home is a great way to draw buyers or make neighbors green with envy.

Take a look at these before-and-after photos of a new façade, with bright colors, and sharper landscaping.

Have a good week!