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Forgive us for revisiting kitchens again, but we just put the finishing touches on a kitchen remodel and it’s gorgeous! Suffice to say, we still have kitchens on the brain.

As a result, we’re talking about how to do a kitchen renovation the right way. Sure, you’ve probably heard that you need a good plan, or need to take advantage of space, and to add a little wiggle room in your budget, but there are other tidbits you need to keep in mind.

For starters, as this article from Huffington Post points out, don’t skip on the technical stuff. Think about where you need electrical outlets or where the best location for your sink is. Then, in consultation with your contractor, build out from there.

Additionally, it pays to give an honest assessment of how you use your kitchen. For example, if you are an entertainer, you can’t skip out on a gathering space. Also, a family of four will require more resilient flooring than a pair of empty-nesters. As they say, the devil is in the details!

While kitchen jobs offer a good return on investment, there are plenty of other projects that give you serious bang for your buck.

Boston.com has a list of the 6 best home fixes for your money. Kitchen overhauls come in at No. 3. Coming in at No. 2 is a family room addition. To get serious savings, you can combine the two, but if that isn’t your cup of tea, just put together a great entertainment space. Family room additions have universal appeal, which comes in handy at selling time.

Master bedroom remodels appear twice on Boston.com’s list with a major overhaul landing at No. 6 and at No. 4 for a moderate one. If that sounds appealing, check out these tips on master bedroom remodels from Home & Garden TV.

They touch on the benefits of a new a bathroom in the master suite, factor in the return on investment, and highlight aging in place.

Have a good week!

It’s Halloween, which means we are tackling the scariest thing about remodeling: budgeting!

Some homeowners are hesitant to consider a remodel out of a fear of going over budget. But with a good plan and the right remodeler, your-hard earned money can deliver the home of your dreams.

Forbes has 8 ways to stick to your home budget. Chief among them is to have a plan. You can’t wing a remodel! Don’t put off decisions on appliances and tile until after construction starts and expect to have a smooth time. Instead, be diligent about all your decisions and keep the lines of communication open with your remodeler.

That said, it’s always good idea to have a contingency. Unexpected events can arise during a project, so planning a 15% or 20% contingency and reducing it as the project is completed is good way to stay on track. Be careful not to feel as though you must spend the contingency either. Resist the temptation to say, “While we’re at it, let’s …” because that’s a great way to blow your budget.

Nailing down a budget can be tricky. Not every job can be priced per square foot. No two jobs are the same in scale and difficulty. Instead, think of your budget more as a percentage of your home’s value, as this Time article notes.

For example, a kitchen budget should be around 10% to 15% percent of your home’s value; a master bathroom suite should be around 10%; a regular bathroom/powder room should be 5%; and other rooms should be 1% to 3%.

Using this baseline, you can make an informed decision on your remodeling needs, and hopefully take the scariness out of budgeting.

Happy Halloween!

We are no stranger to kitchen trends at MK Remodeling & Design.

Whether you want the latest and greatest, or a throwback to a classic design, we are happy to accommodate your needs and give you the kitchen of your dreams.

As this article notes, more kitchens are incorporating shades of gray, built-in charging stations, distressed wood flooring, beverage centers, and colorful appliances. These trends allow homeowners to entertain comfortably while still retaining a style all to themselves.

When it comes to remodeling, sometimes “splurge” is treated like a bad word. We’ve talked a lot about staying on budget in this blog, but when it comes to getting the home of your dreams, don’t sell yourself short!

Getting something you really love, or adding high-end materials and/or features to your most-used places are good ways to splurge, as this blog says.

Splurging or not, most homeowners are looking to cut down on the mess during a remodel. Even the cleanest work requires some shuffling of furniture or appliances, and that’s where portable storage comes in.

Portable units offer a convenient, cost-effective way to keep your stuff protected and nearby during any work on your home. Read more about it here.

Feel-good stories are always a good way to kick off the weekend.

Chicago Bears standout Jared Allen and his charity are helping to remodel a home for injured Army Ranger Cory Remsburg, as azcentral reports.

Remsburg, who was honored at the State of the Union address earlier this year, should be able to move into his new home before Christmas.

Have a good weekend!