Some Tips on Finding the Right Appliances for Your Kitchen

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Getting anything new can always be fun. Going out to a get a new car or looking for a new house has an exhilaration written all over it. New computers, CDs or books don’t have the same pizzazz as a new house or car, but entertainment stuff is always a grand thing to buy. Buying things, especially when you can truly afford to do so, is just fun and we all known fun is good!

Even getting new kitchen appliances can be fun. While it lacks some of the luster of entertainment, fun, a new refrigerator, stove or dishwasher can make your kitchen really sparkle and add a whole new look to one of the most used rooms in your home. It can be just as much fun to see it rolled into your home and placed along or under your kitchen countertop. New stuff is just a fun endeavor for sure.

If you are in the market for new kitchen appliances understand that there are some things you need to do ensure that your new appliance doesn’t become a new pain instead of a new solution. It just takes a few simple things to do on your part.

The first thing to consider is space. Does that new double-door refrigerator fit where your old one did? Refrigerators come in all shapes and sizes and so you need to take some measurements before you go and buy. The last thing you want to do is to buy something that simply does not fit. This is true of a dishwasher, stove, microwave, or refrigerator. Make sure that length from the wall out into the kitchen meets the dimension of the appliance as well. You sure don’t want your dishwasher sticking out five inches from your counter.

Next make sure that the appliance works with your current setup. There is no reason to get that amazing gas stove if you have an electrical hook up there. It can be quite costly to change over, and would not be worth the added expense. In some homes the kitchen is equipped for both, but you need to make sure first. A refrigerator that has a water or ice machine is no good if there is not a water hookup behind the refrigerator. Check these kinds of things out first before you buy.

You also want to make sure that electrical outlets match what the appliance needs for power. Most use a regular wall socket for current, but this is not always true. Some electric stoves require special sockets.

Lastly, ensure that the appliance does not require more power than your outlets can handle. This is especially true if you have an older home. The wiring in your home simply may not be able to handle the demands of the appliance, thus you will frequently encounter overloads, or maybe even pose a fire risk. Check to see if there are drains on the power supply before you risk your home in this way. You will be glad you did.

Open Floor Plan Kitchen: How to Plan It Correctly

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Homeowners are always focused about the decor of their living room and the comfort of their bedroom, but they never really pay attention to kitchen that also is an integral part of the home. Kitchens today are beyond any ordinary cooking place, as many families prefer to have their meals together in the kitchen area. On the other hand, there are many people that would like to party and would like to invite their guests in the kitchen area. Keeping this is mind, many homeowners focus on open floor plan kitchen that would allow them to get enough space to walk and work around conveniently.

traditional-living-roomIf you are planning to have a perfect kitchen you need to start with a perfect open floor kitchen plan that suits your requirement and budget. There are many factors that you need to consider when you are preparing open floor kitchen plan. While you are doing that it is important that you focus strictly on your cooking requirements and styles. This will help you great deal in preparing your open floor plan kitchen. Everybody home has a different requirement and prepares meal differently and that is a crucial factor that needs to be incorporated while making kitchen based on open floor plan. This also gives the family ample space that they need to be together and optimize the limited floor space.

When you talk to the experts about open floor plan kitchen many might provide you with ideas of having kitchen in certain shapes that can optimize the space. For instance, there are kitchens that are developed in G-shape, L-shape and even U-shape and in all these designs renovators and interior decorators work on combining the three most crucial elements in any kitchen which are; the cooking area, the refrigerator and the sink. You can certainly go through all these shapes and see which one fits your kitchen space in the best possible way. Single wall and gallery kitchen styles also work for many homeowners, so do keep that in mind as well.

While you are making the kitchen efficient, you also have to keep in mind not to make it look monotonous. For this you can create more countertops and place them in the right way to provide a new dimension to your kitchen. With a proper plan for cabinets, drawers and shelves you can ensure that you store a lot more items in a neat way. Most kitchens that do not have proper plan for storage often end up looking cluttered taking up the limited space. It is recommended that you know about your cooking styles, so that you know how many storage options you need to keep your kitchen look spacious.

If you are internet savvy you can certainly make use of various programs that help you to design your open floor plan kitchen and you can experiment with different ideas before you finalize a design that suits your kitchen requirements. It is also recommended that you keep a close watch on the budget while preparing your plan.

 

Know When to Hire a Professional for an Ohio Remodeling Project

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A study from the Join Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University suggests that fewer Columbus homeowners remodel their property than people living in other major cities. One of the main reasons may be that many people are more likely to do their own remodeling without seeking a permit first. While it may be tempting to save money handling the project on your own, there are instances where it is clearly necessary to hire a professional.

Columbus Real Estate Journalist Discusses Importance of Hiring Professionals

home-improvement-and-remodeling-contractor-in-great-falls-virginiaJamie Curtis is a well-known writer in Columbus. She does a lot of DIY remodeling projects with her husband and discusses their progress on her blog, Living the Dream House. Curtis points out that many projects can be handled by amateurs, but states that they need to recognize their limitations and know when to hire an expert.

“Start with the easy projects first, like painting trim and doors,” she told Interest.com. This will help you gauge your skills and how much time you can dedicate to a bigger project.

Curtis states that the average homeowner can remove old fixtures, take down wallpaper and do minor woodworking. However, more complex projects are beyond the average homeowner’s skillsets. Electrical and plumbing work should almost always be handled by an expert, because they can lead to very expensive damages if anything goes awry.

Hire a Professional that Pays Close Attention to Detail

Many different factors need to be taken into consideration while remodeling a home. Unfortunately, the average homeowner doesn’t usually understand all of the intricacies involved, so they will need to hire a professional if they want to make sure the job is handled properly.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to know which expert to work with if you need assistance, because the abilities and work ethic of remodelers vary as much as any other profession. However, you will be on a much better path if you choose a contractor that has a solid track record with their previous clients.

We recently received an excellent recommendation for a client on Houzz for our attentiveness and professionalism. “Quality of work, attention to detail and related communications were exceptional. At end of every day the work area and areas of traffic were cleaned as if no one had been there. Exhibited great professionalism along with care and concern about getting things right. Of all the work I have contracted out as a homeowner in over 38 years, this was the best experience I have ever had.”

We take pride in our work and are always pleased when a client appreciates it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance as well.

How To Plan a Smoother Kitchen Remodel

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Remodeling your kitchen is an important step in making your home more useful. The kitchen can be one of the most used rooms of the house. You can help make sure your kitchen remodel goes more smoothly by following some simple steps while planning.   Read more

Columbus Kitchen Remodel

Take a Closer Look at Popular Cabinet Door Styles

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If you are going shopping for cabinet doors, it would be best to get to know the popular styles before you head on. You want your kitchen to look really neat and pretty, and the best way to achieve it is to make sure that your kitchen cabinets are covered with the right type of doors. Read more

Speak With Your Homeowners Association Before Beginning Any Remodeling

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Many homeowners mistakenly believe that they have the freedom to remodel their property as they see fit. Unfortunately, you don’t have as much flexibility as you may think. Most homeowners are under the jurisdiction of a homeowners association, which means that they will need to check their bylaws and are usually required to receive permission before doing any remodeling.

The Importance of Consulting Your Homeowners Association Before Remodeling

Homeowners associationshomeowners-association typically require members to receive prior approval before beginning any remodeling or new construction. They may be forced to pay a fee if the policies are violated.

Homeowners associations are often very strict about enforcing their policies. In 2009, a homeowner tried to have a lot of electrical, plumbing and cabinetry work done without seeking approval from the homeowners association. According to statements from the Ohio 8th District Court of Appeals, the homeowner didn’t try to receive the necessary permits before starting any work.

The association made repeated efforts to contact him and resolve the issue, but the homeowner wasn’t compliant. They were eventually left with no alterative except to take the member to court. The homeowner was forced to pay over $18,000 to cover the legal fees of the homeowners association after the judge ruled in their favor.

Always Check With Your Homeowners Association Before Remodeling

Policies can vary among homeowners associations, so you will need to read the policies before applying for a permit. Some homeowners associations work directly with their members, while others use a third party company to oversee their policies. You will need to speak with someone for further details if you have any questions.

What should you expect when applying for a construction permit from your homeowners association? It will depend on the management, because some organizations are more flexible than others. However, here are some of the things that you may need to be prepared for:

  • Many homeowners associations have material and color requirements that property owners must abide by.
  • You don’t typically need to outline your plans in as much detail for smaller remodeling projects that don’t require any major construction or electrical work. However, other projects will usually require architectural plans and contractor agreements before work can begin.
  • You will be required to adhere to a number of rules to ensure the contractors don’t create any inconvenience or safety concerns for other residents.

Some homeowners associations can be annoying to deal with, while others are much more tolerant. However, it will always be much easier to made accommodations ahead of time rather than risk the consequences of working without approval.