Remodeling – The Kitchen Architect℠

20 May, 201429 July, 2017

Setting a reasonable schedule

First-time remodelers are invariably shocked when they find out how long their project will take to get built, from first sketch to last paint touch-up.

You can avoid a major disappointment by being realistic about your overall project schedule from the beginning. If you’re contemplating starting designs for a major kitchen remodeling in mid-September, with the idea that you’ll be cooking your Thanksgiving turkey in your new kitchen, you’re headed for a rude awakening.

Why do projects take so long? Let’s look at the steps involved. Continue reading “Setting a reasonable schedule”

23 January, 20143 December, 2016

Do architects really understand construction costs?

Many contractors are fond of promulgating the idea that architects don’t know what things cost and that architects are forever telling clients that projects will cost much less than they actually end up. Is this true?

Continue reading “Do architects really understand construction costs?”

14 January, 201421 October, 2014

How to Reduce Construction Chaos

Thinking about the dust and construction mess going on for months is enough to send shivers of dread down the spine of just about everyone contemplating starting a remodeling project. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the headaches and inconveniences that go along with construction. If you’re about to embark on a remodeling, here are some tips to make your life a bit more placid: Continue reading “How to Reduce Construction Chaos”

15 June, 201030 June, 2017

Some Tips on Kitchen Design

There are several significant ways that the use of kitchens has changed since the mid-century, which may make your existing kitchen layout obsolete: Continue reading “Some Tips on Kitchen Design”

25 May, 201024 July, 2012

Getting Bids Too Early Can Be Disastrous!

Imagine walking into a car dealership and asking the salesperson for a price on a “white medium-sized car.” It would be a silly request, of course, unless you told the salesman the exact make, model, options, and accessories you wanted. Yet many people try to get competitive quotes from contractors for their remodeling project, based on nothing more than a vague verbal description, or some rough sketches.

Most reputable contractors will refuse to quote a price without complete plans and specifications. Some, though, in their eagerness to please their customers, may attempt a “guesstimate,” which will probably be optimistic. Hiring the contractor who has the lowest “guesstimate” is asking for trouble. Continue reading “Getting Bids Too Early Can Be Disastrous!”

16 April, 201024 July, 2012

Home design software can help, but it’s not enough…

Go into any large bookstore or computer store, and you’ll see an astounding number of computer software programs for home remodelers. And I know that people are buying these programs to help themselves design their own remodeling project. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed more and more clients coming to me with computer-drafted sketches, rather than the crude pencil sketches I’m used to seeing.

Are these software programs valuable? Do they really allow you easily draft your own design? Continue reading “Home design software can help, but it’s not enough…”

16 February, 20105 August, 2012

Have some FUN with your Remodeling!

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to push for a little more fun and whimsy with my remodeling projects. It’s sometimes a bit of a challenge to get clients to go along, though. Many are convinced that they will get eventually get tired of anything out of the ordinary and end up going with “safe” decisions that they think will stand the test of time — mostly because these decisions then will be invisible forever. Continue reading “Have some FUN with your Remodeling!”