We are often asked which is better in terms of value: upgrading just a kitchen or a bath or doing a major renovation of the entire house? There is no stock answer because every homeowner’s situation is unique. So, instead of getting into all the variables, let’s focus on the one question that most homeowners don’t consider: “How does your home compare to housing expectations in your neighborhood?”

In our previous post, we discussed which bathroom updates added value to your home. Now let’s look at kitchen updates and remodels.

According to the latest National Association of Realtors impact report, updating or remodeling a bathroom is one of the best ways to increase the value of your home and one of the highest cost recovery returns (over 70%) improvements a homeowner can make. So, what are buyers looking for? Buyers want two things: livability and upgraded styles and finishes.

The US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy recently published a report stating that that the average American household wastes between $200 – $400 a year of their energy bills on preventable energy loss. A couple hundred dollars a year may not seem like much to some, but over the long term, it adds up to thousands of dollars squandered. Multiply that by the millions of households in the US and… well, you get the picture. The good news is that many energy drains are preventable and, with a little investment in time and materials, can be reversed, saving you money and making your home more comfortable for your family.

In a lot of homes, the kitchen becomes the collection point for all the kids’ stuff when they get home from school. Backpacks, jackets, lunchboxes, and sports equipment end up getting dumped on the table or kitchen island as the kids raid the fridge for a snack.

The “Smart Home” is no longer a futuristic fantasy like a scene from The Jetsons. Technology has made it into our homes and, increasingly, into our kitchens. What’s more, the prices for smart items have fallen, making them more affordable to more homeowners.

As we approach the end of the year, we are seeing the obligatory list of kitchen design trends expected for 2022. The lists, for a number of reasons, are longer this year than in the past.

Over the years we have learned that communication is the key to making our clients feel at ease during a project. We know that the process of designing, planning, then building a project can be overwhelming to some, so that is when we set aside the power tools and turn to technology.