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Remodeling Work and Home Value Upgrades

Remodeling Work and Home Value Upgrades

Remodeling a residential space can be both thrilling and rewarding. It can lead to various practical advantages, too. That’s because renovation projects can in many situations upgrade the values of associated homes. If you want to give the value of your living space a huge boost, then you should find out about any and all approaches that may assist you with matters. There are all sorts of things you can do to breathe new life into the price tag of your property.

Garage Door Systems

Garage door systems are big parts of homes. People rely on their garages to safeguard vehicles of all varieties. If you have a garage door that’s not exactly reliable or effective, it may interfere with your day-to-day existence considerably. Faulty garage doors can be loud. They can move in unpredictable and inconsistent ways, too. If you want to do something positive for the value of your residence, you should think about replacing an old and tired garage door with a fresh one right away. Doing so can be favorable for everything from serenity to safety and is a great remodeling asset.

Kitchen Appliance Updates

Food preparation spaces that are sleek, bright and streamlined can make residential spaces a lot more appealing to possible buyers. That’s how they can enhance property value in a dramatic way. If you want to make the value of your home a lot stronger, you should think about overhauling your kitchen. You can overhaul your kitchen by updating any old and tired household appliances that may be part of it. You should think about replacing everything from the sink to the microwave oven. Don’t forget to zero in on the floors, countertops, and cabinets that are part of your kitchen, either. Replacing kitchen cabinets that have many scrapes can make your home look a lot better. It can give it a polished ambiance that may be hard for possible purchasers to be able to to resist.

Think about installing custom cabinets, too. Customized cabinets can give your home a feel that’s welcoming and contemporary.

Deck Installation

If you want to make your home a lot more irresistible to others, then you should think in detail about your outdoor space and its feel. Don’t underestimate the value of a yard that’s pleasant and enticing. If you want to make your outdoor space as enticing as possible, you should think about constructing and installing a lovely and sizable deck that’s made out of wood. Why exactly are decks so advantageous for home value boosts? Decks can give you access to a lot more room on your property. They can also be suitable for people who like organizing outdoor gatherings of all kinds. If you want to enhance the amount of storage you have at home, deck installation can work. If you want to make your home a more exciting place, it can work as well. Contact the hard-working Walker Woodworking team A.S.A.P. for further details about home remodeling projects in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Remodeling 101 Part 4 Finishing Touches

Part 4: The Finishing Touches

Construction crews have left your home now and it is time to put your space back together with the last details.

Cleaning up

Now that everything is in its place and the dust has literally settled, it’s time to clean up.  As was mentioned in our article on Part 3; if you used a contractor some cleanup may be included in their estimate.  This is probably basic and may not include wiping down all of the surfaces.  Your new cabinets will be dusty inside and out.  First from being assembled in the shop, then from installation, and finally from the countertops and appliances being put in.  Hopefully, the dust barriers you put in place helped some, but you should still plan a large chunk of time to devote to the task of straightening up.

Tile backsplash  

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved

If you have a tendency to procrastinate, you’re in luck.  Your tile backsplash can be decided on and installed after you’ve lived in your kitchen for awhile.  In fact, mine wasn’t installed until after 6 weeks of using our kitchen.  We had narrowed our selections down to three options and my husband requested to wait on deciding until he could “see it all come together”.  Once it was all together we went with my original selection from months earlier…..happy wife, happy life, right?

Artwork

All of the photos and prints you took down to avoid being damaged can now be put back into space.  Since the walls have likely been freshly painted you can get creative with the way you rehang your photos.  Mixing frame sizes and finishes is gaining popularity.  Now that you’re living in the renovated space you will most likely want to buy some new artwork to bring the space together.  Don’t be afraid to play with scale and color when making art purchases.  If you live with something for awhile and don’t love it then you can always switch it out.  That is what makes decorating with artwork so fun.

Finding a place for everything

Great storage with drawers.

Restocking your new cabinets is an exciting time.  Think through where you want to put things based on how you utilize the space.  You probably planned this out with your kitchen designer in advance, but now you can put your plan to work. I’m talking about all the utensil dividers, spice pullouts, mixer lifts, custom corner storage, etc.  At Walker Woodworking they pride themselves on making use of every square inch available.  My favorite part of my new kitchen was using my silverware drawer.  We had not previously had one close to the sink in our old 80’s kitchen, so we’d been using a silverware tray set in an upper cabinet.  I now have a huge silverware drawer with a custom divider and knife block inside, courtesy of Walker Woodworking.

Grocery shopping

Now for the fun part.  If you’re like me you may be thinking “How on Earth will I fill all of these cabinets?”  Believe me, you will be able to. When I had gone shopping prior to our renovation I had to buy only necessities for the next meal; due to having very little extra pantry storage in our kitchen.  We now have a snack drawer, bread drawer, sippy cup drawer, a full tall pantry cabinet, places for stock pots, crock pots, storage for my broom/swiffer, and even a recycling nook.  I love being able to shop knowing that I have space for all the food to fit in my kitchen.

Cook and enjoy

You can now use all of your wonderful appliances and the gorgeous new deep sink you put in.  Once in your new kitchen, you can branch out and try some new exciting recipes.  Hopefully, you will be inspired to move beyond the microwave for cooking and learn some new techniques.  The only bad news is that using your kitchen means it will get dirty again.  Have fun in your new space……cook, clean, rinse, and repeat.

Article by guest blogger Jeneane Beaver, former Designer at Walker Woodworking.

“Having worked with Walker Woodworking for 7 years, I have the opportunity to share my experiences as a designer as well as a client, I remodeled my own kitchen in 2012.”  ~ Jeneane Beaver

Ready to start your next project? Call Walker Woodworking today and get the process started. 704-434-0823

If you have recently completed a renovation and you want to share your perspective, please comment below.

Check out the other parts of our remodeling series.

Intro to this remodeling series? Click this link to see it now.

Part 1 Budgeting and Planning Remodel Budget Analysis? Click here to see it now.

Part 2 Making your selections. Click link to view post.

Part 3 Under Construction. Click link to view post.

Remodeling 101 – Introduction To The Remodeling Process

Remodeling 101 Introduction

A four-part educational series of expectations when remodeling your kitchen or bathroom.

Over the years HGTV has made remodeling look so simple and easy that most people don’t realize how much planning really goes into making that 60 minute show happen from start to finish. Even the experts usually have a budget to work with and a timeline to stick to. So let’s be realistic. What is it really going to take to get your project started?

Working through each step of the remodeling process can help you determine if you are ready to have your home ‘under construction’.  Is the project within your budget? And is the timing right?

Here at Walker Woodworking we take a different approach to remodeling, making the kitchen or bath remodel process easier for everyone. During this four-part series we will look at the 4 phases of remodeling. We will also give you some great planning and budgeting tips to consider. 

  • Phase 1: Planning & Budget.  Starting your remodeling project with a realistic budget will save you time, money, and disappointment.
  • Phase 2: Making your selections. Finalize your decisions.
  • Phase 3: Tearing it all out and replacing it with new – what you can expect during this part of the process.
  • Phase 4: Finishing touches, getting those final details completed.

 

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

How to update your kitchen from this. ~ Before photo

 

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

To this. ~ After Photo

Want to see more of this before and after project? Click here to see more.

We also have a great blog about another remodel project. Read about it here. 

Before you get started on a remodeling project, consider the following tips to keep in mind.

Be prepared to take a little time off of work.

Keep in mind that kitchen & bath centers are usually open Monday – Friday, typically 9 to 5:30 – with limited Saturday hours. While a showroom may be open on a Saturday, you may not be able to meet with a professional designer during this time. You should be prepared to take some time off work to meet with various professionals in order to make necessary decisions to complete your project.

Think realistically about your lifestyle.

We like to know as much as possible about a client’s habits, likes, and dislikes. Many people have an unrealistic vision of how they will live once they have a new kitchen. As professionals, we have to design for real life, not fantasy. Having your kitchen organized and functional can make your daily tasks easier.

Don’t get stuck on a fantasy wish list.

When selecting items to add to your kitchen, ask yourself –  Is this essential and worth the cost? For example you may want a pot filler, a faucet on the wall behind the stove. It can cost about $1,000. Is it worth the extra expense?  Maybe you would rather use those funds on a nicer tile for your back-splash.

You will need a lot of patience. Major renovations are not completed quickly.

Most likely, it will take much longer than you thought. Including the planning process, most renovations take a minimum of three to six months and more likely nine months. If this is a major renovation and you can vacate your house during the construction, this would be most ideal. Your life will be less chaotic, your nerves less frazzled, and the job will go faster.

Don’t focus on perfection until everything is finished.

Delivery and installation can be tense. There’s been a lot of anticipation and when the big day comes, the truck arrives, and clients begin to ask questions. Walk away and give the installers a chance to install your cabinets. When you come back you will be surprised and amazed.

Appliances are expensive.

Appliances can be as much as 40% of your total remodel budget — especially if you’re hung up on brand names. For most people, the only major difference between ordinary and professional appliances is price!  But people who take their cooking seriously, are often willing to spend the extra money. Pro appliances are more robust, more powerful, less disposable, faster, and will handle more heat. They look and in fact, they are better designed.

Do you really need all of that counter space?

People think too big, too grand. They often want too much. For example, If you think an island can’t be too big, you’re wrong!  Bigger is not always better. We design our islands to meet the client needs and proportion with the kitchen space. We have actually built islands that can’t be reached in the center simply because the customer didn’t listen to their designer’s advice.

Keep your kitchen modest if you care about resale value.

You want the look and design to be timeless, not trendy. Resist your impulse to be creative and experimental with your materials. Keep your door style simple and your colors neutral. For example, think white, with a gray or brown stained island. You want to use well-respected brands for cabinetry and appliances, even if you have to spend more than you’d like. You want the association of quality attached to your kitchen.

Spend what your kitchen deserves.

If you want your kitchen to look amazing, don’t spend too little. Doing it on the cheap end often looks like…well…what it is. Remember the old saying, “You get what you pay for.”

Research your designer before signing a contract.

How long has the company been in business? Who owns the company and are they accessible?  Don’t just ask for references. Anybody can come up with a good reference. Do your own research. Most importantly, if you’re told a price that seems too good to be true…it is.

Now that you have had a few tips to consider, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty details.

Questions about Cabinet Lingo? Here is a few helpful definitions. 

Remodeling 101 Part 1 Planning & Budgeting ~ Read More…

Was this article helpful? We would love to have your comments.

Featured Wellborn Remodel Project

Featured Wellborn Remodel Project 

Are you on a budget for your kitchen remodel?

Wellborn offers a great product at a great value for you.

Find out how semi-custom cabinets worked well for this homeowner’s budget and why she chose Wellborn cabinetry.

Greenbrook Design Featured Project:

Our clients had debated about remodeling their kitchen.  Deciding factors such as budget and time frame were significant for the homeowners during the planning phase as they decided if they wanted to move forward with the project. Knowing their budget from the beginning of the design phase made designing so much more effective. It’s like having the final piece of a puzzle that makes the picture complete. Because the communication was open from the beginning, our designer was able to tailor the needs and give the customer what they needed – within their budget.

Homeowner Overview:

We asked: What are the top 3 reasons to remodel their kitchen?

1. Not enough room

2. No cabinet space

3. Tight areas for a growing family

Designer Challenges:

kitchen remodel before-5

Kitchen – Before

With a family of three, plus additional children, family, and friends visiting and eating together was the inspiration and main focus of this kitchen design.

This was not their forever home, but more kitchen space was needed for a growing family. The homeowner also wanted to brighten and open up the space by removing the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room, creating an open floor plan. The island was designed for the family to be able to sit together, as well as to offer more storage and countertop space for preparing meals.

We were able to make budget friendly selections while preserving the homeowner’s request for function and style.

Communication is key to success!  In asking the client…

What was more important to you?  The budget or the time frame? Her reply;

“I would say both were very important. First was budget because I couldn’t go over a dime! Second, time frame because my husband tore down the kitchen within a day and with a one year old and not having a kitchen is not fun at all. “

We were able to design, order and install this project within the client’s timeline.

Semi-custom cabinets can typically be ordered and shipped within a four-to-six week timeline.

Cost Overview:

kitchen remodel -view-3

Kitchen – After

 

Let’s break down the cost of this project – Note that a non load-bearing wall was removed & floors had to be replaced.

  • Wellborn Cabinets (including hardware & install): $9800.00
  • Granite Countertops: $2900.00
  • New Appliances: $3000 black stainless
  • Demo, Sheetrock repairs & painting: $2500.00
  • Flooring: Materials & Labor: $1800
  • Tile Backsplash: Materials & Labor: $1300.00
  • Electrical & Plumbing: $1200.00
  • Total project investment : $22,500

Even with a semi-custom cabinet order, the client still receives Walker Woodworking great customer service, professional installation, and a few custom extras:

*utensil tray

*silverware dividers

*spice pull out

Job Specific Facts:

Cabinets:  

Wellborn Product Information:

  • Door style: Hancock with a painted finish  
  • Glacier White painted perimeter
  • Willow paint on the island

Hardware:  Hardware Resources Information:

Product: Cosgrove Cabinet Pull in a Satin Nickel Finish

2 sizes:  6 ½ inch and 7 ¾ inch pulls were used

The homeowner chose to use a pull handle on both doors and drawers.  Hardware is the accessory to the cabinets, and is always a great way to include the client in decision making choices. Hardware is always a preference to the homeowner.

Appliance Information:  

  • Refrigerator: Black Stainless Samsung 25 cu. Ft. French Door w/ external water & ice dispenser
  • Microwave: Samsung 1.6 cu.ft. Over the Range Microwave – Black finish
  • Dishwasher: Samsung black finish
  • Electric range Oven: Samsung Large Capacity Convection Oven 5.9 cu. Ft. Freestanding Black finish

Finished Kitchen:

kitchen-view-fridge

Kitchen – After

When asked what the top three things she LOVES about her NEW kitchen;

1 OPEN space in the new design

2 More room for family & friends

3 Modern Style  / updated kitchen

When asked the client if she had more storage?

Her response; “Yes, we have tons of storage! So much that some of my cabinets don’t have much in them yet!”

Another successful remodel review:

“I LOVE MY KITCHEN and so glad that we finally were able to do it! Also blessed that Walker Woodworking had a cabinet line that I was able to afford!”

We were able to brighten this kitchen up and add an island with seating for 5! 

See more photos of this project.

To view the completed project click here

New cabinets made by Wellborn, cabinets designed and installed by Walker Woodworking. Wellborn cabinets can be installed 4 weeks after your order is placed. Call us today, we can help determine a budget for your remodel with our budget analysis program.  This service is uniquely offered by Greenbrook Design & Walker Woodworking.

 

 

Sam & Kim Kitchen Remodel

Sam & Kim’s Kitchen Remodel

In 2015, Sam and Kim decided to move back to Sam’s former home and update their kitchen. Enlisting the help of Walker Woodworking and Tony Brooks of Beam Edwards & Brooks, this kitchen remodel became an amazing transformation from an enclosed kitchen to an open floor plan. Follow this link to see the complete before & after photo gallery.

before-after-side-by-side

Walker Woodworking Before & After

Returning Home

Sam’s family moved into this house in 1962 as its first owners. Over the years the home was remodeled several times. Multiple additions included adding a master bedroom, enclosing the carport to build a playroom, and adding a sunroom. Sam along with his brother Al and his sister Andrea grew up there. Many children through the years considered it their home while Sam’s mom ran a daycare until the mid 80’s.

Growing up in the home the formal living room was used only on special occasions or to take family photo. The 7 grandchildren considered this their second home and have fond memories of playing and being loved there.

After Sam’s mother’s death, his father continued to live in the house and host weekly Sunday Dinner for the family. After his dad’s death the house was vacant except for grandchildren sometimes living there.

Planning & Design:

In working with Tony Brooks, a plan was formed to open up the formal living room and convert to an open floor plan. The playroom was converted to a den for use during construction.

After a desire for the open floor plan was determined they met at Walker Woodworking with kitchen and bath designer, Brandon Fitzmorris, to complete the kitchen design. Brandon was able to plan out the space for optimized cooking and storage. Since this will be their forever home, they wanted to make the space as functional as possible. One of the design challenges was to achieve seating at the peninsula while still maintaining the feel of an open floor plan. We were able to accomplish this through team work with the general contractor by incorporating a pass through to the living room.

The process:

Demo – Demolition started and cabinets came out. Site prep was done by adding a protective floor covering to prevent damage and a dust barrier to the existing living space.

Kitchen-remodel-before-tearout

Before demo started

Kitchen-remodel-before-picture

This double door was made into a single pocket door to add wall space for the kitchen area.

Kitchen-tear-out

Walls that needed new sheet-rock & finish work after cabinets were removed.

Construction – A wall was removed and carpet from the living room came out. Hardwood was added to the kitchen and den and matched up to the existing hardwood in the living room, a treasure hidden beneath the carpet. The end result was seamless, there is nothing left of the previous wall separating the formal living room from the kitchen.

Kitchen-remodel-during-renovation

Kitchen wall and living room after the wall was removed and the header added.

Plumbing & Electrical – The next part of the process was to update plumbing & electrical. By using our preplanned CAD drawings, the subcontractors were able to quickly and efficiently make the necessary changes to the updated kitchen layout.

Sheetrock & Primary Painting – Sheetrock repair and primary painting is definitely an expectation with an extensive remodel like this one.  The wall that needed to be removed was a load bearing wall. We had to build a header across the room and sheetrock that area.

Cabinet Install – Usually a 2 day process for a kitchen similar to this one. Our trucks show up full of cabinets, already assembled including the decorative hardware. One of the things that we do differently than most companies is to apply the toe kicks after the floors are finished. In most cases this eliminates the need for shoe-moulding.  This will give the cabinets more of a finished furniture style.

cabinet-install

Walker Woodworking – Cabinetry Install

Counter-tops – Typically counter-tops are ready for the template after the cabinets are installed. Once the template has been done, it will typically take 1 to 2 weeks before the tops are ready to install. Each fabricator is different. Granite can be installed in a kitchen like this usually in half a day.

Appliances – In most situations appliances will go in after the counter-tops.  Every project is unique and having professionals that realize the importance of when certain things should happen is important for a smooth remodel. This will also help to ensure that cabinets, flooring and counter-tops are not damaged  during the process.

The Finishing Touches – The last few things that need to be done include the tile back splash, final coat of paint, and the final sanding & finishing of the floors.

Kitchen-remodel-white-cabinets

Be sure you see all of the before & after photo’s in our Before & After Photo Gallery.

“Both Tony and the team at Walker Woodworking  held our hand through the process, which at some times was emotional because of the changes being made to the family home. The end result was more than we could have ever dreamed possible.The remodel was completed in time for us to continue family traditions of Thanksgiving & Christmas in the home.” ~ Kim Davis

Kitchen-&-Home-renovation-with-family

The open space was once a wall that extended the entire length of the room.

Kitchen-remodel-after-with-family-in-kitchen

These guys can still see whats going on the living room.

Family-by-christmas-tree

This home will be enjoyed for many years & future generations to come.

We would like to thank Sam & Kim for allowing us to share their story. Follow this link to see the complete before & after photo gallery.

flat surface cooktop,stainless hood,contemporary kitchen,custom cabinets

Jeneane Beaver Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen & Bath Designer Jeneane Beaver Creates contemporary look for her own 1980’s home.

As a kitchen and bath designer, Jeneane Beaver loved making her clients dream come true.  It was her job to create beautiful and functional spaces every day.  The home her and her husband live in was built in 1980 and the kitchen was not ideal for a person who cooks, nor did the room offer much storage.

Before Photo

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

The renovation process began April 12th, and was completed May 18th.  Follow this link to see more before and after photos of this contemporary remodel.

Jeneane Beaver has been designing kitchen and bath cabinetry for Walker Woodworking since 2008. She gained her foundation in cabinet design by earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design at Western Carolina University and is certified as an Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer through the NKBA. With 6 years of design experience Jeneane is able to truly create unique, user-friendly spaces and educate consumers on the many different cabinetry options available.

“It was hard to see all of those beautiful and functional plans I work on everyday, then go home to a decrepit outdated kitchen in my own home.” says Walker Woodworking designer Jeneane Beaver.

Walker Woodworking Custom Cabinets

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Planning a budget became a top priority, for the project to move forward. Cabinets, granite, electrical, floors, plumbing, and eating out all became part of our budget.

The wish list:
*drawers around the prep area
*a vented hood
*built in trash and recycling area
*more storage
*space for brooms and ladders
*better functioning cooking appliances
*more countertop space and improved workflow

custom storage,drawer style,utensil storage,double decker drawer,dovetail drawer

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

flat surface cooktop,stainless hood,contemporary kitchen,custom cabinets,kitchen island

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the results. Keeping in style with the house and leaning towards a more contemporary look we went with simplistic darker cabinets and lighter floors to contrast.”

“We know this will greatly add value to our home and it is definitely much nicer to use.  I can now say with pride that I love my kitchen!”  said Jeneane Beaver, Kitchen & Bath designer for Walker Woodworking.

Walker Woodworking can help you make the most of your space and design your Dream Kitchen, give us a call today 704-434-0823! There is no charge for us to provide you with an estimate and set of drawings.

A Farm House Renovation Project

A farm house of almost 200 years has been renovated with a new look and new technology; however, the character of the home remains unharmed.

A young couple took on a three-year project to completely renovate an old farmhouse, bringing new life to the aging piece of history.  Walker Woodworking was excited to be a part of their renovation.  The couple focused on handmade American products when selecting details for their home, and the cabinetry was no different.

Although most of the original house remained intact, Jason & Erin Metcalf had dreams of adding a kitchen to their 1840 circa farm house.  The original home did not come equipped with a kitchen.

Throughout the years, different owners had made some upgrades to the home that included adding a small kitchen. The first step of the renovation the Metcalf’s made was to remove the part of the house that had been added on. They then began construction for their own detailed additions while leaving the original part of the home intact.

As with any remodel, the design phase can be most difficult due to the fact that you are working  around existing beams and structures that must stay intact. The original structure of the home had no nails or screws but had been constructed using wooden peg joints, the Metcalf’s wanted those beams to be exposed where possible. The kitchen area was greatly affected by the exposed beams since they were load bearing and would be right in the middle of the kitchen.Metcalf beam

The Walker Woodworking team took on the design challenge while working closely with the Metcalf’s to achieve their desire to have a state of the art kitchen that would display beauty, originality and function in their updated farm house. Other challenges existed in the actual construction  and installation of the cabinetry due to uneven walls,  and flooring, The beams located in the kitchen were also out of square which made it difficult to place cabinetry right next to them.

After the architectural portion of the project was completed, the cabinetry, appliances and other finishing touches were integrated into the almost 200 year-old home to achieve a modernized kitchen.IMG_4607

The overall cabinet designs feature a classic white color with streamlined door styles. The blending of clean lines, square posts, and a simple square hood design all add to the clean farmhouse look.  Mullioned antique glass doors to display dishes, and open shelves were a couple of customized features in this kitchen. Other design elements that were added help transition the old with new, including:  Quartzite counter-tops, slate and glass tile, a farm sink, and metallic casting pendant lamps.IMG_4579

Visit the Farm House Portfolio to see more pictures from this project.

For more pictures and information on the overall project you may visit the Metcalf’s personal blog page.

Do you have a kitchen that needs updating or a unique project such as remodeling on old farm house? Let Walker Woodworking help you make that dream a reality! Contact us today, our estimates are always free.

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