Spring Remodeling Fever

           The cold weather is finally ending, and people’s thoughts now turn towards the traditional, yearly ritual of home improvement. And, of those contemplating this upcoming, seasonal compulsion, many will focus on their kitchens or bathrooms. Like the swallows returning from wherever they went, this need is not something to be ashamed of, as it is inbred in our DNA since the origins of man and women.

If you are facing the uncontrollable urge to remodel your kitchen, you will probably need some help. But don’t despair; you don’t have to do it alone. There are many qualified kitchen designers available to create a functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing, kitchen to satisfy your desires. Look for a firm that is associated with the National Kitchen and Bath Association. This is the largest organization in the industry and it sets the standards for basic kitchen and bath design parameters. But don’t expect to get something for nothing because, (if I remember my Shakespeare), “nothing will come of nothing”.

Most successful kitchen designers charge for their initial work, however their charges and pricing structures vary greatly. I know of companies that charge anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more, for this service. Usually, this sum can be applied towards the purchase of cabinets, and I wouldn’t recommend contracting with a firm that did not adhere to that policy. After all, a good design takes a great deal of time, effort and creativity, so why should they give this away for free?

An argument could be made that if you don’t like the design and/or estimate you’ve wasted your money. I don’t entirely disagree with this, and that’s why I recommend finding a firm with a minimum initial design fee. This smaller expense certainly does not compensate the designer for all the time they must spend creating your dream kitchen, but it shows a commitment on your part, indicating that you are serious about the project.

Some firms have a staged design fee, which includes a minimum initial design charge. If after reviewing the design, you wish to pursue the project, they have a secondary fee (sometimes called a retainer) for additional work on the design or releasing sketches to you. This seems to be an equitable compromise. The designer charges a minimal fee, confident that they will create an exciting design, within the budget that you specify. You get a chance to review the design and see how much the renovation will cost, before laying out a lot of money.

At that point, assuming the design fits your budget, you have to ask yourself three questions. The first is, do you like the design? It doesn’t have to be perfect yet, but it must show promise, and you have to be convinced that it can be modified to your satisfaction. The second question is, do you like the company’s products? This includes the cabinets, countertops and accessories. The final question is, do you trust the designer and his support staff? If the design or designer is not to your liking, or the cost is out of line, you have the option of ending the relationship without incurring additional costs.

If you answer, “yes” to the three questions, you’re ready to move to the next step in a “staged design fee” program. If any of your answers were “no”, look for another firm.

Once you find the right company to work with, a design you love, and a price you’re comfortable with, you can succumb to your impulses. Don’t feel guilty. Spring home improvement has been ingrained into our genes for a thousand years and it will remain that way for a long time to come.

Ballistic Missiles Headed Towards Your **** Hole Kitchen

Think fast! You've only got 20 minutes left to decide if you should remodel your dilapidated kitchen or bathroom before the devastation begins. But wait! It's too late for that. You should have done it years ago so that you actually had time to enjoy the renovation before the sirens went off. Now aren't you sorry you waited? Consider the error in Hawaii a wake-up call.

My advice is to get a jump on things before it's too late. Stop living in squalor and live it up! Today you have more choices in colors and designs and materials, at a wider price range, than ever before. And since the government is presently shut down there's less to do anyway. Why not stroll over to your local kitchen and bath dealer to see what you can do, before someone does something to you?

This month, the annual Remodeling Cost vs Value report has been published showing which home improvements have gone up or down in respect to the return on your investment. Just Google: "Cost vs Value" or click on the link at the end of this article. The standouts this year are increases in return on mid-range Bathroom and Kitchen Remodels.

More choices, better values, higher returns! What are you waiting for? Find yourself a licensed home improvement contractor with a stellar reputation (by looking at his stars on the internet) and you're well on your way. Don't worry about getting lost in the dreaded Kitchen Triangle, your professional will guide you through the pitfalls of poor design and point you to a creative solution to even the most perplexing floor plan conundrums. Streamlining the interior of the cabinetry to suit your every need, the trained mind of an experienced designer, using intelligent design, can increase your storage capacity without changing the size of your room!

Take out your pencil and paper. Make a list of everything that you must have in your new kitchen or bathroom. Then make a second list or "wish list" of additional things that would be great if your budget is amenable. Come up with a budget that you would be comfortable with for the project and discuss all of this with your designer or contractor. If you're not sure what your budget should be, the experts say for a completely new kitchen it's roughly 5% to 15% of the value of your home. This breaks down to about 5% for design costs; 40% for cabinets; 15% countertops; 15% for appliances; 5% flooring; 3% fixtures and 17% labor. This, of course, is only an estimate and will be affected by your choice of materials, the age of your home, and if you are making any structural changes to the area.

To paraphrase myself (and who better to do so) now that the sirens have gone off it brings to mind the 50's, when we were taught in elementary school, in case of a nuclear attack, to duck under our desks and cover our heads. This we were assured, by Bert the turtle, would certainly protect us from Armageddon and in case of a nuclear blast we would live to tell about it. Just Google: "Duck and Cover" or click here https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60 to watch the riveting 1951 production of Duck and Cover.

Don't wait until it's too late. If you haven't lost all your money by putting it into Chocolate Bit-Coin as mentioned in a previous article, add your funds to your biggest investment, which for most of us is our home. Enjoy it for years too come as it increases in value daily, and if the missiles do someday come, you can laugh at them and say at least I got to enjoy my home before they fell.

(Click here to see the latest "Cost vs Value" for our area: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2017/middle-atlantic/ )

You Can Afford a Kitchen With Chocolate Bit-Coin!

          With the world turned on it’s head, and everything that we used to count on collapsing like a failed chocolate souffle, I’ve devised a new monetary system called “chocolate bit-coin”. Easily baked by yourself using our simple, “chocolate bit-coin” system, that comes with our ultra-secret, proprietary recipe, you can now bake your own “chocolate bit-coin” and use it for purchases at remodeling establishments that accept such type of cookto-currency. All for only $5,000!

Whether you’re walking down the street, passing by a showroom, or in a “home center” strolling the isles, you can’t help but notice the stunning new kitchens on display. You work hard. You’re a good person. If anyone deserves a new kitchen, it’s you! But how could you possibly afford such luxury? It’s easy! Just send us $10,000 for your very own “chocolate bit-coin” baking kit (and proprietary recipe) and pretty soon you’ll have enough “chocolate bit-coin” to afford anything you desire.

Picture the pleasant vision of standing in your new kitchen, effortlessly preparing a gourmet meal instead of looking out from the poor house. Rather than walking on, regrettably abandoning the momentary dream of what you truly deserve, act now. Just send us $15,000 for your personal money making machine.

But if you’re not into risk-taking and you’re still inspired by those beautiful displays, there are steps to follow that can lead to a new kitchen without sacrificing everything you hold dear. The most important of these steps is to determine the budget that you are comfortable with, AND THEN STICKING TO IT! Today, there are kitchen solutions including new cabinets or refacing, as well as counter tops and appliances that will fit into almost any budget. The trick is to figure out what your budget really is, and then finding what options that will fit within that figure.

While determining your budget, it’s a good time to do your homework. Make one list of what you absolutely must have in your future kitchen and another “wish list” of things you’d like, but really could live without if necessary. Browse websites like houzz and pinterest and when you see something that interests you, save it into a folder so that you can show it to your designer. It’s always easier and safer to show someone a picture rather than trying to explain it, leaving less chance for misinterpretation of what you had in mind.

With budget in hand, it’s time to visit with a kitchen designer, who will work with you to create your “Dream Kitchen”, at a price that you can afford. They will review your ideas and then transform them into a working design. Don’t be afraid to share your budget with your designer. Whether your proposed expenditure is $5,000 or $100,000, if the designer does not know this, chances are their plan will not meet your expectations and you’ll have wasted both your time and theirs.

A creative designer, whom you’ve shared your “wish list” and other desires, should be able to create an affordable, functional, and stunning new kitchen, just for you. Unless money is not an object you may have to compromise here and there, but the end result will be something that you can not only afford, but be proud of as well.

Or, if you’re ready to take the plunge and invest in our $20,000 “chocolate bit-con” (whoops, that’s bit-coin) baking kit just send us $25,000 and you too could be baking your very own “chocolate bit-coin”, the currency of the future.

Antidepressants Found in Fish

     A recent study has indicated that fish swimming in the Great Lakes have tested positive for anti-depressants! No wonder they’re called the Great Lakes! So, what causes depression in fish? Do they all know that eventually we’re going to eat them, after preparing them in our very own kitchens (or perhaps in a restaurant)? Bleak future. But, “Bless Us and Splash Us!¹”. I say, rather than have them mope around all day let them feel good about themselves while they swim about. Furthermore, think of the savings of eating the doped up fish. You won’t have to shell out your co-pay for your own supply, you can get it for free along with a nice dose of Omega-3.

Which brings us to preparing those scaly things. Although I have been freely giving advice for the past twenty-five years and have designed many award winning kitchens, honestly, I’m not much in the cooking department. To be politically correct, my wife refers to me as domestically challenged. However, even if I am found lacking in the use of a kitchen for it’s primary function, I do know how to design them so that others can. We can thank Pratt Institute and the NKBA for that.

I can think of nothing that would make these poor fish happier than to be prepared in a newly renovated kitchen. Fortunately, there are many qualified kitchen designers in the area who can create a functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing kitchen for both people and fish. Designs which now not only include a cooking area, but an eating area, a meeting area, and a homework area as well.

Most successful kitchen designers charge for their initial work, however their charges and pricing structures vary greatly. I know of companies that charge anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more, for this service. Usually, this sum can be applied towards the purchase of cabinets and I wouldn’t recommend contracting with a firm that did not adhere to that policy. After all, a good design takes a great deal of time, effort and creativity, so why should they give this away for free? Remember you get what you pay for.

An argument could be made that if you don’t like the design and/or estimate you’ve wasted your money. I don’t entirely disagree with this, and that’s why I recommend finding a firm with a minimum initial design fee. This smaller expense certainly does not compensate the designer for all the time he must spend creating your dream kitchen, but it shows a commitment on your part, indicating that you are serious about the project.

Some firms have a staged design fee, which includes a low initial design charge. If after reviewing the design, you wish to pursue the project, they have a secondary fee (sometimes called a retainer) for additional work on the design or releasing the drawings to you. This seems to be an equitable compromise. The designer charges a minimal fee, confident that they will create an exciting design, within the budget that you specify. You get a chance to review the design and see how much the renovation will cost, before laying out a lot of money.
I say let’s leave the Great Lakes as they are. And, although fishing may be fun for some, since I don’t like to touch either fish (or worms) I suggest you buy these medicated wonders at the sea food store. Just be sure to eat a few before the construction begins and everything will seem a lot less stressful.

________________________________

¹ Gollum (Smeagol), in Tolkien, J.R.R. “The Lord of the Rings”. Allen & Unwin, London 1966.

Paul Bookbinder, m.i.d., c.r., is president of DreamWork Kitchens, Inc. located in Mamaroneck, New York. A Master of Design (Pratt Institute), and E.P.A. Certified Remodeler, he serves on the Advisory Panel of Remodeling Magazine. A member of the National Kitchen & Bath Assoc., he is also a contributor to eZine and Do It Yourself magazine. He can be reached for questions at 914-777-0437 or www.dreamworkkitchens.com.

Are Kitchens Obsolete?

Here we find ourselves in the 21st century and cars are driving by themselves, refrigerators are ordering food automatically on the interweb, and most shocking of all, Millennials have become the largest buyers of new homes! You could have fooled me. (See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZthGh758pYY ).

And, as we move inexorably into the future, technology is progressing faster than ever before in the history of mankind. A perfect example of this is Virtual Reality. It has made tremendous advances in just how real the virtual word that is created tricks us into thinking it is the actual world. (Read Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, written all the way back in 1992, for a glimpse of the future). My nephew works for Microsoft in the virtual reality department and he let me try out the latest hardware/software. In one program I felt I was at the top of Mount Everest and another at the bottom of the ocean, picking up clams. I really thought I was there!

So how does this directly impact our future, or more specifically, mine? The days of the modern kitchen are drawing to a close. Ever since Eve, with Adams help, messed up in the garden, they had to start preparing food for their family by themselves. Hence the need for a functioning kitchen. But picture Adam or Eve putting on their VR (Virtual Reality) headsets and dialing into any restaurant they had a yearning for. Open the virtual menu, tell the avatar (fake [virtual] person) waiter what they would like, and pay with a Bitcoin!

A few minutes later a driverless car would pull up to their home with their virtual dinner (probably just some mush) and a robot would ring the doorbell. They would certainly think it was by far the best meal they ever had. Virtual Reality 1; Kitchen 0.

Fortunately, it's not as bleak as it sounds. Although we're all aging in place as you read this, we're not quite there yet (even though I am using Word 2003 on a Virtual Windows XP program, residing somewhere inside my Windows 10 computer). Fortunately we still need kitchens and we'll always need bathrooms (I think). Our best bet is to try to slowly adapt to the new technology. Talk to Siri and Alexa which are good ways to begin and you'll still be able to sit in your kitchen to eat, do homework, have coffee and read the newspaper (while they still exist).

I figure kitchens as we know them will be around for at least another twenty or thirty years, so if you are thinking about remodeling don't wait until they are obsolete. Remodel now so you can enjoy it for many years to come. And, if you want to get a jump on things, fall is the best time to start planing and getting projects moving.

Hurricanes, nuclear threats and global warming may come and go, but for now nothing makes you feel better than a new or remodeled kitchen or bathroom. Even if you have to pay the deposit in Bitcoins!

And the Walls Come Tumbling Down

     While your name might not be Joshua, and you may not be living in Jericho, when major construction starts on a kitchen or bathroom renovation, you may feel that you are in the middle of a battle zone. The dust, the noise, the destruction, and the construction are all inherent in such a process, and even if you know what to expect, it can be nerve racking.
      Although nothing takes forever, once this process begins, it does seem like it will take at least that long. And, even though no one can predict exactly how long a project will take, there are some basic guidelines as to what you should expect when doing a major renovation, and what you can do prior to, and during that time, to minimize your anxiety. 
      The first step is to pack everything in your existing kitchen into boxes. If you label the boxes you’ll be able to find things as you need them, and it will be easier to restock the new kitchen when the job is done. At this point, feel free to discard anything that you haven’t used in the past five years. 
      If you can go to the Caribbean while the job is in progress, make arrangements now. Otherwise, you’ll need to create a temporary food preparation area. Find a suitable space, (usually the dining room), not too far from a sink, if possible. Have the refrigerator, coffee maker and toaster moved to this location. If the refrigerator won’t fit in the same room, move it as close as possible. If you don’t already have a microwave oven, this is the time to buy one because it will be indispensable for preparing foods and hot beverages. Purchase disposable plates, glasses and plastic utensils.
      Before any of the workmen pick up a hammer, make sure that the work area has been isolated in plastic sheeting and that heavy drop cloths are put on the floor. It’s best if there is a separate entry into the work area from the outside, but if this isn’t possible there are special “plastic doorways” that can be installed to minimize the infusion of dust into the rest of the house. (Even with the plastic, some dust is inevitable).

      It’s a good idea to set up a prearranged meeting schedule with your General Contractor (GC), prior to the start of the renovation. For example, every Monday morning at whatever time is convenient. And never hesitate to vocalize any concerns that you may have, at any time.
      The big day arrives when the demolition begins. This is what you’ve been waiting for. Dirt, noise, vibration, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, etc., etc. Second thoughts begin to creep into your head, but it’s too late . . . your committed. Now is the time to be strong, don’t let desperation set in, because pretty soon your dream kitchen will be completed. The workmen will be gone and you’ll be left with everything that you had hoped for.

      During the procedure you shouldn’t go into the kitchen while the men are working because it’s not safe; a wall could fall on your head. But, it’s never a bad idea to peak once in awhile, after they’ve gone for the day. The old adage, never show a homeowner a half finished job has some validity, because it’s the finishing touches and moldings, which go on last, that create the ultimate effect. But you may discover something that is being done that was not what you contracted for. 

      After the kitchen is done its time to make up a list of anything that you feel needs attention. Review it with your GC. Minor touch-ups can usually be done right away but if something has to be ordered from a manufacturer remember it can take several weeks.
       Although your project may have seemed like it has taken forever, if you consider that you will enjoy the efforts of your suffering for the next 20-30 years, its not really so bad. 

  

Toilet Paper Up or Toilet Paper Down?

Response to “When the Ship Hits the Fan” was so good I decided to continue with this theme and delve into toilet paper. Back in the day, before the invention of TP, people looked forward to receiving the gigantic Sears catalog, which was printed on very soft paper. However, time marched on and thankfully toilet paper itself was invented by Joseph Gayetty around 1857 and the roll of toilet paper was patented by Seth Wheeler in 1891. And, ever since, people have been debating the pros and cons of how to install it in the dispenser. Should it hang down in the back or hang down in the front.
     Although, it may not matter which way you install your TP, it does matter how you install your cabinetry, whether it be in the kitchen, bathroom or family room. I couldn’t possibly include all the instructions on how to do this properly in my column so here are a few web sites that will guide you through the proper procedure. If you’re reading this article on your computer or i-thing, just click on one of the links below. If you’re reading it in the newspaper, tap on them to your heart’s content. (Good luck).

a) http://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to-install-kitchen-cabinets 
b) http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/kitchen/how-to-install-wall-and-base-kitchen-cabinets 
c) http://www.familyhandyman.com/kitchen/diy-kitchen-cabinets/how-to-install-cabinets 

     After viewing these instructional videos it should now be apparent that there is a right and wrong way to do everything, and that extends to the toilet paper conundrum as well. But who is to decide which way is correct? Is there really a better way?
     Probably your best bet is to hire a contractor to install both your cabinets and your toilet paper, so you know that it’s been done right. Unless you’re affluent enough to have them install one of those $4,000 toilet bowls that eliminate the need for toilet paper. (Factoid: if you have the store that you buy the cabinets from install them, you don’t have to pay sales tax! Which leaves more money for TP.)
     Don’t look to me for an answer to the TP issue. I like it hanging in the back; Liz likes it hanging in the front. I guess it’s like a chicken and egg thing. We’ll never now which is better or which came first. What I do know is it sort of reminds me of the upcoming elections and the candidates we have to choose between. Will it really make a difference which way we go, after all, were just dealing with toilet paper.

NOTE: Hold the presses. Disregard this whole article. When Doug proofread the copy for accuracy he found the original patent for toilet paper at (tap away here) http://www.businessinsider.com/patent-shows-right-way-to-hang-toilet-paper-2015-3 which clearly illustrates the proper procedure.