Tag: kitchen design

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Kitchen

Kitchen Remodel: Factors that Determine Costs

factors that determine kitchen remodel cost

Keeping Kitchen Budgets In Check

One of the first things people do when they are thinking about a kitchen remodel is to look for ideas online. It’s hard not to fall in love with all those picture-perfect kitchens on Pinterest and Houzz. If you are just starting the kitchen renovation process, you may be wondering if you will be able to afford your own dream kitchen.

The cost of a kitchen remodel can vary dramatically depending on what types of materials and appliances you choose, the construction, electrical and plumbing work involved, and the size of the space.

Here are a few of the elements of a kitchen remodel and the factors that can influence cost.

Cabinet materials, construction and finishes

Certain cabinet materials are more expensive than others. Stainless steel and solid, rare hardwood cabinets will cost more, while melamine or wood veneer cabinets will cost less.  Painted, glazed or custom distressed cabinets are more labor-intensive to create so these will increase your cost. Glass inlays, unique features, and entirely custom designs will also add to the price.

Kitchen layout, utilities and windows

Your kitchen remodeling costs will be affected by the room’s layout, cabinet configuration, the number of cabinets and panels that need to be installed, as well as any mouldings.

Removing walls and moving windows and utilities also need to be considered. Knocking down walls, rewiring the electrical, moving a gas stove, or relocating your sink can be expensive and may also require permits.

Changing the location of your windows and appliances, especially the sink or plumbing, can increase costs. JoAnn Lyles, Certified Kitchen Designer at Riverhead Building Supply said that, “If your workflow traffic patterns work and are comfortable, keeping appliance and sink locations in nearly the same locations can help with your installation budget.”

Countertops

Countertops are available in a variety of materials from affordable laminate and tile to higher-end butcher block, granite, engineered stone, marble, concrete, stainless steel and quartz countertops. Don’t base your material decision on just aesthetics or price. Each material has its pros and cons so it is important to do your research to ensure that you understand the maintenance involved and how the materials hold up to scratches, stains and heat.

Flooring

There are many flooring options at various price points. At the lower end of the price range are linoleum and laminate floors. Porcelain, hardwood and cork flooring are considered mid-range flooring choices. Natural stone tile flooring is among the most expensive type of kitchen flooring material. Similar to countertops, it is essential to compare the materials and understand how they will fit into your lifestyle. Consider the maintenance required and how the material will hold up to foot traffic, spills, pets, and even sunlight (which can discolor certain materials).

Set priorities

To keep your kitchen renovation budget in check, establish what is most important to you. If you love to entertain, buying professional-grade appliances may be essential. Do you want more light?  Moving your windows or installing larger ones may take priority. Make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves and go from there.

Creating your dream kitchen while staying within your budget can seem overwhelming. Your kitchen designer and your contractor can be great resources to help you sort it all out. JoAnn Lyles, CKD said that contractors “are very helpful in guiding you with construction decisions that may affect your overall budget. Your thoughts of moving a wall or changing a window location may stretch your budget and the amount of money you thought you would have for cabinetry, appliances and countertops.” That is why, she added, it is important to talk to them “very early in the process, before you start the designing of your new kitchen.”

Barry Gano, a Riverhead Building Supply Kitchen Designer, suggests that you develop a budget for your entire kitchen project. Your designer can then break down the numbers into different areas such as construction, appliances, flooring, and lighting. Those amounts subtracted from your overall budget is roughly what you will be able to spend on your cabinets which experts say can eat up between 40-60% of your kitchen renovation budget.

It is always best to be in constant communication with both your contractor and kitchen designer to ensure everyone is on the same page as you.

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Kitchen

Kitchen Remodel: Timeline

kitchen remodel timeline

A kitchen remodel is a big job, one that will temporarily disrupt your household’s routine. So it is understandable that most homeowners are anxious to get the project done quickly. What kind of timeline can you expect for your kitchen renovation? The amount of electrical and plumbing work will factor in heavily into how long it will take to complete your remodel, as will the type of cabinetry you choose.

Your cabinetry and contractor will often control the timeline

The kitchen remodel timeline generally works around your contractor’s schedule, but your kitchen designer will be able to tell you the estimated lead time based on your cabinet manufacturer.

Riverhead Building Supply’s JoAnn Lyles, CKD said that “Depending on the brand of cabinetry, your new custom kitchen could take up to 12 weeks from order date to completion. The actual construction phase may be just two or three weeks.” She said she usually recommends scheduling “the appliance delivery to coincide a day or two after the cabinetry delivery.”

Barry Gano, a Riverhead Building Supply kitchen designer, agreed. He said while “stock cabinets could take 2-3 weeks; custom cabinets can take from 8-12 weeks.” Countertops may be installed 2-3 weeks after cabinet delivery.

Plan on delays

Gano added that the most important thing a customer should understand when planning their kitchen remodel is that “there will be delays.”

As with any type of construction project, there may be some unforeseen obstacles that may disrupt the completion schedule.  Some of the things that may impact your renovation timeline include:

  • Weather conditions
  • Items arrive damaged and need to be returned and exchanged
  • Changes to original plans
  • Products being out of stock and on back order
  • Special order items
  • Delays getting necessary permits
  • Specialists such as plumbers or electricians being unavailable for a certain amount of time


Nelson Schneider, also a kitchen designer, said that “When a customer asks about the length of time for their project, I advise them that there are a lot of variables that go into that answer,” including “what is being replaced, what is being reused, etc.”

Some factors that can help your kitchen renovation go more quickly include:

  • Proper planning with a kitchen designer
  • Using stock cabinets
  • Getting all the necessary permits as soon as possible
  • Adhering to the original plans – avoid making changes during the construction phase

 
The kitchen renovation process can seem overwhelming but it is important that every element is completed correctly to exact specifications, even if that means stretching out the timeline a bit. In the long run, the inconvenience and disruption will be worth it. JoAnn Lyles, CKD said, “Your kitchen is an investment in your home and quality of life. Plan to set up a temporary kitchen if you have to be there during the renovation. A microwave, paper plates, and grilled dinners will get you through.”

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Community Paint

Building the Dream with Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk

When it comes to residential construction, what better partnership for a building materials supplier than to join forces with Habitat for Humanity?  The Riverhead Building Supply affiliation with Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk started in the late ‘80s, with chapter director Roger Metcalf first meeting with Edgar Goodale to share Habitat for Humanity’s goal of helping deserving families to realize their dream of home ownership. Riverhead Building Supply was part of that first Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk build, and is currently helping to complete a project in East Quogue.
Over the years, Riverhead Building Supply has contributed to Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk in a variety of forms, from donating materials and providing labor to offering special prices for Habitat for Humanity home builds. Riverhead Building Supply estimates that it has provided Habitat for Humanity with enough 2 x 4s to easily stretch the 90 miles from Montauk to the Suffolk County border, if placed end to end.  In addition to helping build homes in Suffolk County, Riverhead Building Supply has also donated materials to Re-Store, Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk’s retail store.

Habitat for Humanity home dedication ceremonies are a particularly heartwarming and emotional event, and seeing families receive the keys to their new homes has been a gratifying experience for Riverhead Building Supply and its employees.

Below are some images from the most recent home building site, in East Quogue, NY.

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Kitchen

Open Shelving Kitchens

open kitchen shelves

For the past few years, one of the most popular kitchen design trends has been open shelving. With open kitchen shelving, dishes and serving pieces come out from behind closed cabinet doors and are showcased artfully, like items on a bookshelf. It’s a concept that can add both style and practicality to virtually any type of kitchen.

The open kitchen shelving concept offers several functional and aesthetic benefits.

  1. Creates an airy look: Open shelving visually opens up your kitchen space to make it appear larger, brighter and more spacious.
  1. Convenient: There is no need to rummage through your cabinets and drawers to find a specific item. Open shelving provides quick access to your everyday dishes. You will be able to easily see everything at a glance.
  1. Adds style: Cabinetry can cover up attractive wall treatments.  With open shelving, you can show off more of your tiles, paint or other wall coverings.
  1. Budget-friendly: Open shelving is generally much more economical than traditional cabinets. Products and installation are less expensive. Save money or allocate your extra dollars to another area of your kitchen remodel.
  1. Encourages organization: Everything displayed on an open shelf can be seen, which will provide an incentive to keep your items neat and organized.
  1. A collector’s dream: If you have a collection of beautiful dishware, serveware, cutlery or decorative items, open shelving gives you a place to display it. Enjoy viewing your special pieces every day.
  1. The perfect fit for non-standard spaces: Shelves can be customized to fit into areas a cabinet can’t, such as odd corners or small spaces around doors.
  1. Enhances charm: Open shelving can add charm that cabinets sometimes lack. Whether you prefer a minimalist monochrome collection of dishes, or an eclectic and colorful mix, displaying everything out in the open can make your kitchen look warm and welcoming.

Concerns about open kitchen shelving

Some people are apprehensive about open kitchen shelving because, let’s face it, there are some less-than-attractive cooking and serving items you still need to have within easy reach. There is no rule that says that if you like open shelving that your kitchen has to be entirely cabinet-free. A mixture of cabinets, drawers and open shelving can give your home the style, storage space and functionality you need for preparing food, cooking, dining and entertaining.

Another concern is that dishes may get dusty or covered with grease. One of the benefits of open shelving is that you may find that you use your dishes more often – they will no longer be tucked in the corner of a closed cabinet. While you may have to rinse or wipe the dishes before serving, using the same items frequently will help prevent the accumulation of dust and grime.

Works with all styles

With so many beautiful shelving options to choose from, it is easy to incorporate this trend in your home no matter what your preferred style. Shelving material choices include wood, glass, stainless steel, and more, and the open kitchen shelving concept can work with modern, farmhouse, rustic, traditional and a variety of other designs. If you are ready for a kitchen remodel and want to consider open kitchen shelving, contact the experts at Riverhead Building Supply today.

Riverhead Building Supply

Riverhead Building Supply