15 tips on surviving a kitchen remodel, and other hot links

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Kitchen remodels are fresh on our mind because MK Remodeling & Design is finishing one up in Scottsdale.

Kitchen remodels offer a great return on investment, but as the “heart” of the home, they offer a few extra challenges during the rebuilding process.

This article offers 15 tips on surviving a kitchen remodel, and the advice is spot on. They range from the obvious, such as setting up a temporary kitchen, and finding a different place in your home to eat, to the not-so-obvious, such as realizing you’ll have to wash your dishes in the bathroom sink, and considering the effect on your pets. 

The Motley Fool also has some assistance on the remodeling advice front.

This article offers a frank discussion on cost vs. value, and the dangers of assuming a dollar-to-dollar return on investment. Also, it highlights projects with a low return on investment, and suggests not skipping out on home improvements.

If those two articles aren’t helping you brainstorm, or maybe you are more of a visual person, consult these home remodeling boards on Pinterest!

Pinterest is great source for remodeling inspiration, and a great place to keep in touch with MK Remodeling & Design at pinterest.com/mkremodeling.

6 ways people break a remodeling budget, and other top links

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At MK Remodeling & Design, we are always sensitive to our clients’ budgets.

As with any money-saving ventures, it’s always important to have a good plan. But too many times, homeowners aren’t honest with their contractors – or themselves – about their budget. Failing to have an honest budget is the top way to blow your budget, as noted in this article by a construction group on the six ways homeowners blow their budgets.

Other costly miscues include not thoroughly vetting your contractor, and going top-end on all design choices.

Homeowners looking to save money should heed the advice of the Fiscal Times, which lists four projects most likely to recoup their investment.

Installing a steel entry door, and replacing a garage door are two great starting points for homeowners. Both have low initial costs and can deliver serious bang for your buck.

When done right, kitchens can offer a great return on investment, too. Forbes outlines its 9 steps to a kitchen remodel in this article.

We’d like to note the article’s emphasis on finding the right professionals for the job, especially designers. Check out the MK Design Shop for all of your designing needs.

Have a good week!

Remodeling a bathroom for aging in place, and other links

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For many homeowners, especially in the Valley, remodeling is more about ensuring their home is comfortable for the latter years of life.

At MK Remodeling & Design, aging in place is one of our passions and an area we are proud to lend a hand in.

AARP online has a story about remodeling a bathroom for aging in place without sacrificing a modern and friendly look. After you give it a read, give MK a call to see how we can help you achieve your goals.

No disruptions

A good remodeler gets the job done. A great remodeler gets the job done with minimal disruption to your everyday life.

Making remodeling less of a disruption is the subject of this Daily Item blog. Keeping as many rooms fully functional as you can, and keeping your eyes on the finish line are a couple of our favorite tips.

As with most things, the most successful remodels start with a good plan. Gathering your ideas, prioritizing your projects, being honest about your budget, and being diligent about hiring a contractor are the big takeaways from this columnist.

Have a good weekend!