LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Home renovations can be exciting for some people and terrifying for others.
Either way, it has to be carefully planned out. Especially when you're renovating your kitchen.
Contact 13 looks at five things to consider before remodeling.
1. THE FIVE YEAR RULE
You're looking to make some changes. You want bright, you want modern and you want upgraded appliances.
But before you do anything, consider how long you plan to be in your home.
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"A lot of people are worried about resale, or they're worried about trends," says Jeff Adler, Senior Designer with Willbanks Kitchen Design Group at Fort Apache and Sahara.
He says the first thing to consider for any renovation is what he calls the Five Year Rule.
"If you're going to own a home for five years or less, consider resale. Consider the next person. If you're going to own it for five years or more, do it for yourself," says Adler.
2. CREATE A PLAN
Next, create a plan.
Jeff says that starts with focusing on lifestyle.
"The kind of materials we would sell or recommend might have to do with how well or how abusive they might be to the cabinets," says Adler.
"If they have kids or not. Are they empty nested? Also the shape and design the kitchen would have to do with, do they entertain in the kitchen, or elsewhere?"
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Once you understand what you need out of your kitchen, you can start looking at materials.
"Counters, cabinets, appliances, perhaps flooring," says Adler.
3. CONSIDER MAINTENANCE
But something to keep in mind is maintenance and ventilation.
There's nothing wrong with trying to create a dream kitchen, but that dream will probably include a big dose of reality.
For example: you want granite counter tops? Along with a major price tag, granite requires up keep.
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Or maybe you want a new cooking range? That may require all new ventilation.
"Hoods have very specific requirements when it comes to professional style cooking... There is a recommended way to do it and then there's the way you usually see it done. Those aren't always the same thing," says Adler.
4. BUDGET
Speaking of reality, remember that renovations are expensive.
Really expensive.
According to Remodeling Magazine the national average cost for a full, mid-range kitchen remodel is about $66,000. If that's overwhelming, consider doing the work in stages.
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"Don't worry about stuff you don't have to buy now. Don't worry about stuff that doesn't affect price yet. Let's just get something on paper," says Adler.
5. HIRE A LICENSED CONTRACTOR
Finally, once you have a plan and budget in place, hire a licensed contractor.
"Any HVAC, heating, electrical, plumbing and fire protection services would require a license," says Jennifer Lewis with the Nevada State Contractors Board.
Remember if something goes wrong, the Contractors Board can only investigate licensed companies.
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"When you go with an unlicensed individual, you assume that risk and liability and often times have to go to civil litigation in order to recoup any losses," says Lewis.
The Contractors Board suggests getting at least three bids for any job and recommends never paying more than 10% or $1,000 up front.
Click here to search for a contractor's license.
