Showing posts with label remodel construct price build. Show all posts
Showing posts with label remodel construct price build. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Crouching Cabinets Hidden Budget

What happens when you start to work on a kitchen remodel?  What is the first thing discussed in the grand scheme of design? Appliances. Then counter tops. Then maybe cabinets....

If you work out or exercise you understand the concept of "working the core." The core supports the rest of the body, keeps the backbone strong, keeps everything fluid and functioning well. Let's call the cabinets the core. How long do you expect to keep your appliances?   10 - 15 years?  How about that pretty granite counter top?  You won't want to replace that....

So why is the cabinet budget crouching under the weight of the appliances and counter top? Aren't the cabinets the core that supports the appliances and counter top?

The core drives the function, drives the shape, drives the design. Pretty doesn't always cut it. Pretty fades. When beginning to remodel your kitchen consider that the crouching cabinet will be expected to outlast and out perform those appliances. Shift your thinking when it comes down to what will last.

You know that answer, you know you do.

Look at the best cabinets that you can afford to purchase and balance that purchase with all the other parts and pieces you are adding to the body of work. Balance accomplishes the best outcome. Balance all part of that remodel and work with trusted advisers. As with a personal trainer - a design professional is someone that can navigate the construction jungle and pull you through to a fitter, more balanced, aligned space. 

The grunting and sore muscles flexed on the front end will deliver a solid outcome. Anything worth investing in requires commitment on all parts so the end result has you in total balance. In total balance with your budget, your core, your complete results.

patcfield@gmail.com
Patricia L. Caulfield, LLC
AKBD, CAPS

Sunday, October 3, 2010

The BEST Price

What is THE BEST PRICE? We are all asking for it, we are all negotiating everything everyday. Myself included. But how do we know what THE BEST PRICE really is, when it is in an industry we are NOT in? Take construction for example. You are trusting someone to open your walls, take electrical wires in their hands, repair them, and then TRUST that they are correct. If not done correctly, they could start a fire. You are trusting someone to build a floor that you won't fall though. You are trusting someone to make sure all the plumbing connections are secure so that you don't spring a leak. What is the cost of trust?

I have seen some instances on some jobs where the contractor went from being low bid to outrageous crazy when unforseen circumstances arose. Were they unforseen or overlooked in order to get the low bid?  Do your homeowork. Get references, call vendors that supply the person that will be in your home.  Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Make sure they are licensed & insured. Trust your gut instinct. Are they so low because they can't get work?

When it all comes down to it, the BEST PRICE is a fair price given by fair people. People that are working in your best interest with their best price to the best of their ability. So what is the real cost of the best price? What are you willing to pay?