67 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Thinking about giving your kitchen or bath a full makeover or maybe wondering about remaking the kitchen and baths at the same time? No matter what kind of renovation you’re envisioning, or how soon you want it done, planning each step in the beginning with a professional will likely make all the difference between a waste of time and a new look you can smile about. “There are many things to consider when remodeling a kitchen or bath,” said Jay Valk, owner of Classic Kitchens of Charleston. “And whether the job is large or small, initial planning is essential.” PLANNING MAKES PERFECT For example, suppose you have a 30-year-old kitchen or bathroom, the original cabinets of which have seen better days. In greater Charleston and surrounding areas, there are several hundred contractors and remodelers to choose from and untold thousands of individual options to consider for designing and installing new cabinets. Perhaps you think all you have to do is contact a contractor, schedule an appointment and in practically no time you’ll have new cabinets in place of your old ones. Valk said rarely is it ever that simple, as he usually spends much of the early stages of the renovation process going over design options, pricing, scope, selection of suppliers, finishes, colors and style. “For kitchens especially, new cabinets not only have to fit in the space, they have to go with the new look and feel that you’re after,” Valk said. “So this first means researching and considering different size ranges and the right appliances – whether you want your refrigerator covered with panels, whether you prefer a stove with a stainless-steel hood or a wooden hood and whether the appliances you’re considering would be panel-ready.” Daily disruption to your normal home life is another factor to consider, especially if you have school children and can’t undertake any large-scale renovations until the summer months. As for the time to complete the job, projects vary depending on size and scope and unforeseen individual conditions, but your contractor will be able to work with you on your own unique situation. “Despite what you may have heard, remodeling does not have to be a stressful experience,” Valk said. “Our focus is on you, our client, and ensuring your project runs smoothly and according to schedule.” COST DOESN’T EQUAL QUALITY As for cost, both Valk and several colleagues added that pricing, while important, should not be the key factor in deciding on either a contractor, a set of appliances or a new cabinet look. “Quality is not fast or cheap – if a contractor can start tomorrow, there is a reason,” said Hunter Baker, owner of Hunter Baker Homes and Renovations in Mount Pleasant. “My advice to all clients is not to pick a contractor solely on price. Speak with the contractor and review their estimate in detail. Many times you will find that what they have included in their estimate may not be what you are expecting.” However, usually the planning phase will give both you and the contractor time to go over details, eliminate unnecessary work or accessories and replace part of your original idea with something better. Photos Provided by Classic Kitchens of Charleston. coastal dwellings
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1