People who are considering doing some home improvement will be intereseted to know that the money you spend in order to complete your project is eligible for tax deduction. It is very important to know exactly what you are doing in your home improvement process, however, as home improvement is different from home repair. In the case of the tax deduction, home imporvement will qualify for the reduced rate, but home repair will not. It is imperative to know the difference between what constitutes repair and improvement.

SImply put, home improvement is an addition that will add to the appearance and the quality of your house. Items that fall under this category include things like kitchen remodeling, adding a fence to your yard, adding a swimming pool, extending a wing on your house and including a new room or two, building a garge, adding a porch or deck, installing new insulation, or upgrading heating and cooling systems. All of these upgrades are considered to be capital expenses.

Home repair, on the other hand, is in a different category. Home repair is a project that is undertaken in order to prevent the decay of your property. It does not add value to the house, instead it prevents the value from going down. This includes things like repairing holes in the walls or broken windows. These repairs correct a problem, and therefore are not considered eligible for tax benefits.

Ther is a way, however, that you can include your home repairs in your home improvement deduction. A clause in the act states that if an area of the house in need of repair is in the same area in which remodeling is taking place, the project undertaker is allowed to claim teh entire project as an improvement. Basically, if you are remodeling the kitchen, remember to fix the leaks in the roof and then claim the repair as part of the improvement.

Timing is definitely a factor when it comes to home improvement. The best time to do some upgrades to your home will be when interst rates are low. The lower rates mean that in the long run, the person using a loan to finance their improvemets will be able to spend less money. Refinancing is one way that many people secure the money to spend on their project. Loans secured in this way can be deducted in the same year as the refinance as points. If the proceeds of the refinancing are not used to improve a house, then points towards the improvement can be deducted over the life of the loan. If a project only uses a part of the loan that was taken out, then the deduction is considered proportional, with the remainder being taken off over the life of the mortgage. It is important to keep in mind that the points which are not taken off by the time the loan expires are usually deductible according to the percent rate in the final year.

Improving your home, in the end, will always add value. It is important in terms of saving some extra money that the home owner is aware of what can be deducted and what cannot.

ALmost everyone who undertakes some sort of improvement project on their home will end up using a contractor at some point. Although most of the jobs may be manageable by a handy individual, at some point expertise is going to be called for. Take, for example, kitchen remodeling. Although some jobs such as installing new sinks and new tile can be handled quite easily by the average handyman, installing cabinets is something that requires the sure hand and experience of a pro. The rigth contractor is worth every single penny she charges, but the wrong one can turn your project into a money draining nightmare. Here are some ideas when it comes to selecting a good contractor.

Most really good contractors also obtain a lot of business skill. They may not handle the financial and accounting aspects of their business, but they do have very good managemenn skills and are able to find the right people to assist them with big jobs. They will also be able to provide fair and reasonable estimates for the job that you are looking to have done. The first place to look for a reliable contractor is through your friends and family. Ask them if they have had any work done recently, and who they used to do it. Find out if they were happy with the job.

There are many people who will not be able to ask friends or family about recent contracting work, since they haven't had any done. In this case, you will have to start from ground zero. Before you hire the contractor you find in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet, make sure to ask them for a list of references. Don't worry about seeming suspicious; this is an expensive thing that you need to get done and you don't want to waste your money on subpar work. Good contractors are never shy about their past clients either; they will have a solid customer base that offers positive reviews. Referrals are the way they grow their businesses, and that is always in the back of the mind of every contractor.

Before you contact the former clients, make sure to prepare a list of questions you would like to ask. Find out about the size of the project that was done, and what the budget was like. Ask if the person who did the work stayed within this budget or went over; if they went over, by how much? Also, be sure to inquire as to whether the schedule was met on time in a satisfactory manner.

Remember that this is your project, and in most cases there will be no obligation to hire a licensed contractor. In fact, some of the best contractors out there do not have a license. If you do hire a licensed contractor, though, get the license number from them and do a background check. Contact business groups such as your local Better Business Bureau and see what they have to say. Check with city and state agencies and see if there are any outstanding complaints or impending actions against the company. Remember that it is not only contractors who are dishonest if you find some complaints, though; many clients are trying to get away with paying as little as possible and so will go to great lengths to get a deal.

When interviewing the contractor, trust to your instincts. Remember to treat the individual as a professional, but watch for warning signs. Evasive answers to questions or a lot of excuses and explanations should set off warning bells in your head.

Despite the bad press that is given broadly to a few individuals, the fact is that most contractors are upstanding and want to do the best job possible. Taking care in how you hire them will ensure that you have a good experience.

There are some basic steps you need to take when you decide to remodel your kitchen. Here I will present to you a quick overview of what you need to do when remodeling your kitchen; you will find more details throughout this website.

The first step is, of course, deciding on your goals for the kitchen. What do you want your remodel to accomplish for you?

You'll want to do some research even at this early stage. What kinds of materials will you want to use for countertops? Granite is hugely popular, as is Silestone, which is made from natural quartz and comes in a huge range of colors. What kind of wood do you want for your cabinets, and how light or dark should they be? What about flooring? Then you have to consider which appliances will need to be replaced, how you want the room painted, lighting and any major changes in the layout of your kitchen.

Of course, there's one more very important goal for you to consider - your budget! How much will you want to spend? Will you want to get a home equity loan for your remodel or have you saved money up for this project?

Now you will want to start sketching out your ideas. You don't need to be a great artist; just get some graph paper, pen or pencil and a ruler and start mapping things out. Of course, if you are more technologically inclined, you can do this on the computer as well if you have the right software.

Generally speaking, you will want your refrigerator, stove and sink to form a triangle in your kitchen. Include plenty of walking space and room for eating. Will you want an island in your kitchen or will that just be in the way? How will the table fit? You'll also want to look at where outlets are, keeping in mind where you plan on placing your appliances. You may have to move outlets or plumbing if you're rearranging your layout. Don't forget to consider installing extra outlets.

Make sure your sketches include dimensions. Whether you're doing it yourself or hiring professionals, accurate dimensions will help you plan well and give the best feel a paper sketch can give for how your kitchen will look.

Many home improvement stores will have kitchen designers on their staffs, and this is a resource you should take advantage of. They'll go over your plans with you and possibly have ideas you haven't considered.

When the time comes to place your order, make sure your measurements are very, very accurate or you will have a terrible time with your kitchen remodel. You can have professionals come out and do the measurements for you. In fact, if you are having your cabinets and countertops professionally installed, you WILL have professionals out taking measurements. If your measurements are accepted by the store without question and without sending out their own people, you will probably want to shop elsewhere. You're spending too much money on remodeling your kitchen to take that kind of chance.

Your cabinets will, of course, be installed before your new countertops. In fact, until your cabinets are installed, they can't even start work on your countertops if you have chosen granite or Silestone (or other stone) countertops because they need to make a template. Ask for temporary countertops and a sink to be installed so that you aren't eating out the entire time you're waiting for your countertops to be cut. It might take weeks.

Appliances such as stoves and refrigerators can be installed whenever convenient. As most dishwashers are installed beneath the countertops, you'll want to ask about the best time to replace your dishwasher.

Perhaps the most important aspect of planning your kitchen remodel. This is one of the most inconvenient rooms to remodel, so you'll want to do it at a time when you will have the time and patience to deal with it. Your kitchen will be marginally useable for weeks during the remodel. However, the beauty of your new kitchen should more than make up for the inconvenience.

Things are everywhere. If you cannot find a single kitchen cabinet or drawer to put your new mug, as the kitchen seems to be filled with a variety of stuff you always need, then you probably need to renovate this room of your house before you begin placing plates near the bed due to lack of storage space. In addition, if your kitchen's floor, tiles, sink or cabinets seem old and used, or are actually damaged, perhaps it is time to perform some kitchen remodeling and find your favorite spot in the house that you have been missing. But before spending any money from your savings account, it is important to consider first a few things.

- How much money do you plan to spend?

Forget about the usual $10,000 to $15,000 for kitchen remodeling. If you are going to replace your old flooring, tiles, sink, fridge, stove, cupboards, countertops and kitchen lighting, it is best to be prepared to spend over $40,000. Professional designs costs and remodeling your kitchen can cost less, only if you are extremely capable and wish to do some of the work yourself, you can save thousands of dollars. Of course, the cost depends on the materials you will use, but it is best to have a budget and try to find solutions that do not exceed it.

- How often and what do you cook?

If you want to save time and money, it is probably wise to think about how much food you prepare each day/week and what types of food do you need to storage. This will help you determine how much and what kind of storage room you need to add to your kitchen and if your frozen or raw food will fit in the fridge you are thinking of buying.

- How many people you use to entertain?

The number of guests you usually have over for dinner can help you determine if you need space for a bigger kitchen table, extra seats or bigger cabinets to store kitchen utensils and pots. A lot of things depend upon your kitchen use so it is best if you have thought some of them before you perform any changes.

- How many people use your kitchen?

Since the kitchen is the most public-intimate room in the house, it should meet the needs of the people that live inside the house and in addition be able to accommodate those who visit it as your guests. Finding room for all the kitchen equipments you or the other members of your household own means that you have to measure in advance the open surfaces of your new kitchen design or the space you will have available with the cupboards and shelves you are about to install.

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most desirable home improvement projects for many homeowners. It works because it is the art of sensible design and when you feel good your life goes in a positive direction creating for you wealth, health and happiness. But it requires careful thinking about how you live and what you want.

The important thing with kitchen remodeling is to know your budget, do your research and know what things cost and how much you want to spend. It can be hard to know where to begin and what concepts to use. Success requires the right preparation. With kitchen remodeling, not everybody has to enjoy the process of hunting and finding that perfect thing for their house or one particular object that's going to make a room.

If I were you I would call a general contractor and see if you can get a free estimate. Considering that a minor kitchen remodeling will most likely cost you thousands of dollars, and you don't want to blow that money on mistakes, a professional may be in order. Once you know the basic design principals, find out about kitchen cabinet choices at Cabinet Basics or learn all about countertops at New and Traditional Countertop Choices, and the advantages and disadvantages of the various flooring materials for kitchens at Flooring Options for Kitchens and Baths. It helps to feel and touch an item to make a better decision about the most appropriate solution.

An interesting statistic is that one out of 10 home-owners remodeled their kitchens in some form or fashion during the past 12 months, while one in 20 households plan to undertake a remodeling project within the next 12 months.

That being said, if you have the time, experience, patience and money to do it yourself, then more power to you! So many people don’t do the most important thing in a kitchen remodeling project: plan, plan, plan. Often I hear from clients that they have a vision of how they want a room to look, but that they can’t "get it just right.� But really, it is not so hard to do once you have it planned out.

Now it's time to get out a pencil and start putting your ideas in writing. I hope you enjoy it and thereby learn something. If not, then you will need to look for a reliable and licensed contractor to remodel the kitchen for you.

Don't forget to add your own personal touches to enhance the warmth and atmosphere of your kitchen, while expressing your own individuality. With kitchen remodeling, take some time to review all your selections before moving past this stage. It's important that you get the opportunity to see the tile in the kitchen before you buy. Also, be sure and confirm local codes and building permits with your local building inspections office.

Kitchen remodeling may not be easy for some people, but if you shy away from this topic, the consequences could be devastating. Stick with it and work your way through the problems. In the end the results will better fit your needs.

Thinking of remodeling or renovating your kitchen? Here are a few tips for preparation and avoiding common pitfalls.

If you have a large kitchen remodeling project you will need to set up a temporary kitchen a different part of the house. It's important that the location you choose is convenient and have unrestricted access to water and allow you to keep foods refrigerated as well as heat foods up. It's also a good idea to have easy access to portable cooking appliances such as a microwave, electric wok and electric frying pan. Daily life must go on and you don't want to be eating take-out every night or running to the neighbour’s house every time you need something from the refrigerator.

Here are the Top 5 Most Common Mistakes in Kitchen Remodeling:

1. Damaging the wall as you remove old cabinets

2. Damaging bench tops, cabinets or floors you plan to re-use

3. Not shutting down utilities before starting your project

4. Allowing dust and debris to spread throughout the house

5. Not allowing enough time to complete your project

Before You Get Started

1. Box and seal everything that will not be used in your temporary kitchen. Label the boxes and store them in a different part of the house.

2. Remove anything from the kitchen that isn't nailed or screwed down. This includes drawers, lazy susans, spice racks, wall clocks, art work, ornaments, pots and pans etc. Place a protective cover over anything that must remain in place while you are working.

3. Make arrangements for the removal of any rubbish that may accumulate during your remodeling project. If you must rent a dumpster, do so in plenty of time or have a utility on hand for removing the rubbish to the dump. If you plan to salvage the old cabinetry for a workshop or donation to a charitable cause, have a place ready for them to go as you take them out of your work area.

4. Before removing any major appliances, turn off all utilities. This can be done at the individual shut off valves for gas and water. If there are no shut off valves, you will have to turn off the main valve. The main gas valve is usually located near the gas meter. Remember that, once you turn off the gas to the whole house, ALL pilot lights will have to be relit before they will work again. Without very careful planning you may well find yourself without hot water when you're ready to clean up after a hard day's work.

5. Disconnect fuses or turn off circuits to the area in which you will be working. In older homes, the wiring may have been modified over the years and it may not be clear which circuits or fuses control specific areas. If you are unsure, turn off the main power or get contact an electrician. Never take a chance with electricity! In addition, tape over the breakers so they won't be turned on inadvertently. If you plan on upgrading your electrical system and adding new outlets and fixtures, it will be necessary to dismantle all existing outlets and fixtures.

6. Remove all light bulbs. Then, dismantle each fixture by using a screwdriver to unscrew the plate and the receptacle and pull the receptacle out of the box. Put wire nuts on any exposed wires for the interim. The bare copper wire is the ground and does not need to be capped.

Kitchen remodeling can be a rewarding and satisfying experience by planning right and avoiding the pitfalls. For more info visit http://www.home-improvement-catalog-online.com.

Did you know that remodeling your kitchen is one of the most common home additions that people do these days? The kitchen is one of the hotspots of most houses. People are constantly coming in and out of the kitchen, getting food, talking on the phone and using the kitchen a socialization point of the entire house. We've talked to a whole bunch of contractors who've told us that kitchen work can be some of the most difficult yet most rewarding for both the home owner and the contractor. Let's take a look at some of the factors you should strive for if you are seriously considering undertaking a kitchen remodeling.

1) Is your contractor reliable? I can't count the number of friends that I have who have had problems with contractors. Kitchen remodeling is no different. If you hire a contractor to redo your kitchen, make sure they come with great references from uninterested parties. There is nothing worse than have a kitchen that is only ½ way done after the contractor decides to disappear midway through the job.

2) Is your kitchen so complex that you will end up paying a ton of money? We know several people who had unrealistic expectations before getting their kitchens remodeled. They either ended up with a kitchen that wasn't as nice as they wanted or they ended up paying through the nose. Be realistic about what you want and what you can afford.

3) Are you informed about the kitchen remodeling process? Without knowledge of the kitchen remodeling process, points #1 and #2 aren't really all that important. Like everything, there are tricks and tips to make sure that your project comes out looking fantastic while not paying too much money. The insiders know exactly what to do and what to say to make sure that their project turns out looking like the kitchen of their dreams. Get informed on the entire process before investing your time and your energy on a kitchen that doesn't turn out how you want it. It's not that hard to learn, but learning about kitchen remodeling is well worth your time.

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. For most homeowners it is the most important room in the house. It is used for cooking, eating, and gathering, and is typically a focal point in the home. Consequently, though a great investment, a kitchen-remodeling project can be very disruptive to the family. And the length of the disruption can take as long as two or three weeks.

The Planning Stage

Planning is absolutely essential in remodeling a kitchen. The homeowner should first identify the main objectives of their future kitchen. They should next research the latest products on the market including: cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. If the kitchen is more than 5 years old, there are a lot of new products to choose from. For example, Silestone is quickly surpassing Granite and Corian, as the premier countertop surface as it is extremely hard, elegant in appearance, and comes in many colors. For cabinets, the trend appears to be towards lighter colors as they help the appearance of lightening and enlarging a room. In regards to appliances, the Stainless Steel look appears to be in. And for flooring, vinyl or wood is the trend. Tile looks nice, however, it can be unforgiving in a room where things tend to get dropped. In addition, if there is no radiant heating planned for the floor, tile has the tendency to feel cold on the feet.

Sketch out some plans

After the main objectives of the future kitchen have been identified and the homeowner has an idea on the products for it, they should next sketch some plans. I would suggest developing two or three sketches, keeping in mind three important points. First, professional kitchen designers like to think of a triangle when starting a new design. The three points of the triangle include the Sink, Refrigerator, and Stove. Make sure your sketches consider this as it will ensure a good functional kitchen. Second, consider adequate walking areas and space for an eating area, such as a table or center island, with applicable space included for chairs. I would suggest that the walking areas be wide enough for two people to walk through at the same time. The sketches should also include dimensions, as these will be needed when meeting with the Kitchen Designer. Finally, consider where the existing outlets and power for the stove are, and assess if additional outlets will be needed or old outlets relocated.

Visiting the Kitchen Design Center

Once sketches have been created, bring them to a Kitchen Design Center or Home Improvement store. A certified Kitchen Designer will then take the sketches and goals and incorporate them into a formal set of plans. Once the Kitchen Designer has formally generated the plans, typically someone from the Kitchen center will visit your home and take very precise measurements so that the plans can be finalized. In fact, make sure that they do visit your home; otherwise unexpected costs and delays could occur when the wrong size cabinets arrive on your doorstep.

When the cabinets do arrive at your doorstep, ensure that they match the list of materials generated by the Kitchen Designer. Again, this will help ensure that no delays or unexpected costs arise during the actual remodeling process.

Cabinets: Out with the Old and In with the New

Once the cabinets arrive, the cabinet installers will remove the existing cabinets and countertops, unless the homeowners decide to do this themselves, and install the new cabinets. If new flooring is planned, I would suggest installing the flooring between removing the old cabinets and installing the new ones, as this will save time and money. In addition, particularly with Linoleum, you will get a better end product, as the Linoleum will be unable to lift-up over time, if the material goes under the cabinets. If new flooring does get installed prior to the cabinet and countertop installation, additional care will be needed to ensure the floors are not damage during this process.

Installing the Countertops

After the new cabinets have been installed, measuring and templating for the new countertops will be required if Silestone, Granite or Corian are to be used. This task should be planned in advance so that it can be performed the same day the cabinets are installed. This will help to reduce the disruption time. Once the templating has been completed, expect several days to a week for the countertops to actually be cut and installed. During this interval the Kitchen Design Center should install a temporary countertop and faucet so that your kitchen remains operational.

Though remodeling a kitchen can be a huge disruption to the homeowner, the finished product will quickly erase the brief inconvenience. Between its new and contemporary look and features, and the knowledge of making a sound investment, the homeowner will swiftly forget about the disruption as they fully enjoy their new kitchen.

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most desirable home improvement projects for many homeowners. A new kitchen increases the value of your home and makes your life easier. The first step to your new kitchen is to set a budget. Decide how much money you are willing to spend. This will help drive your other decisions. Be sure to leave a cushion in your budget for additional, unexpected expenses.

When determining your budget, consider how long you intend to stay in your home. If you are planning to sell in the next year or so, you may want to spend less money. Decide which features you must have in your new kitchen. You can cut corners in other areas by substituting less expensive materials for the counter tops, flooring or cabinet doors.

Research Kitchen Trends

Before you start planning your remodeling project, do some research on the current trends and designs being used in kitchens. Look for information on the internet or in home decorating magazines. Visit your local home improvement center for more ideas. Start a file for pictures of kitchens you love, furniture, appliances, fabric swatches or anything else you find interesting. This will help when you are ready to start purchasing items for your new room.

Options in Kitchen Remodeling

Cabinets are an expensive item in any remodeling project. They often take up half of the overall budget for the room. If you can’t afford the cost of brand new cabinets, there are cheaper alternatives. Consider cabinet refacing rather than replacing the entire cabinet. In refacing, the doors are replaced and exterior wood areas are covered. This is much less expensive since you are using the same cabinets. An even cheaper alternative is to paint your existing cabinets and buy new hardware.

If you must have new cabinets, consider adding some extra features. Features such as tilt out drawers, pull out garbage cans or a lazy Susan inside a corner cabinet are great space savers and make the room more functional. The doors can be either solid wood, clear glass or stained glass. Shop around to find out what is available before making a purchase.

You can save money on flooring and countertops as well. Substitute vinyl flooring in place of more expensive ceramic tile to save money. If you can install ceramic tiles yourself, you can have them for about the price you would pay a contractor to install vinyl flooring.

Countertops vary widely in price depending on the material that is used. Counters that are more durable are also more expensive. You may want this if you want to be able to cut food directly on the counter. For most people, this is an easy way to cut the overall cost of your kitchen. You can find less expensive material that gives the look of marble, butcher’s block or other expensive materials.

Once you have decided what you want, consider how much of the job you can do yourself. Contractors can eat up a large portion of your budget. The more you can do, the more you will save in the overall cost of the room. Use the savings for great new furniture.

If you like to cook, or even if you just do it from necessity, having a homely, organized, and modern kitchen is probably important to you. Although, the traditionally kitchens are still out there, there are so many new, modern elements that can add luxury and class and convenience to any home. Kitchens have changed with the way humans have changed in the last few years. We have become more demanding of our time and having less of it to spend cooking. Many of us are on the move, always busy, looking for time saving methods. Then, there are those of us who are more interested in having a stylish kitchen, rather then workable. Others, prefer the look and feel of a country kitchen. With so many options out there and so much to consider, it is easy to become frustrated.

Consider your options and your needs when remodeling or even building a kitchen. Your options for kitchen equipment will be the first priority. What do you need and want in your kitchen? Do you want state of the art appliances or will ordinary models do? Do you want two ovens as opposed to the standard one? Dishwasher? What type of refrigerator will you want? Side by side, drawers under the counter? Maybe a larger freezer section? Also to consider is the amount of work surface you will need. Maybe a center island would provide extra room for preparations? Would you like a breakfast nook? Do you want all of your dining area to be in the kitchen or do you have a dining room? How many people will you plan to serve on a regular day? If you have children, you will want to ensure their safety in regards to appliances and counters.

Yet another thing to consider is space. How much space you have will depict what you have room for. Cabinets and pantry style storage is important as well. Perhaps you like modern style kitchens. An option for space here is to use more of a mobile kitchen. From the entire work surfaces and cooking surfaces to just appliances, many things within the kitchen can be mobile. Manufactures make products that can literally pick up and go at a moments notice.

Once you have your kitchen needs and appliances set, consider the style you are going to decorate it in. Maybe a country kitchen is the look you like. If so, adding some rustic items to your collection would add charm and a relaxed feel. A big farmers table and chairs would be an added touch. Is the space you are working in outdoors? Outdoor kitchens are also a big hit these days. Just about any type of appliance and cookware can be made to work outdoors. Grilling is the most thought of outdoor cooking style, but it is far from the only.

There are many stores that specialize in kitchens as well. Kitchens Etc and KITCHENS are two. These places offer an immense amount of options for whatever style you are looking for. Some carry large appliances as well. Small utensils, cookware, even decorations can be found in just about every make and model. You can shop these store online if you cannot find one near you. They make a great way of adding to or helping to remodel any kitchen. Definitely a place to start when looking for ideas of what you want your new kitchen to look like.

The kitchen is probably one of the most important and complicated rooms (besides the bathroom) to design or remodel in a home. Few rooms see so much activity and also challenge designers with such an array of practical, technological, and esthetic considerations. A new kitchen can be an excellent investment in most homes, which is why it must be a well designed kitchen or it can become a financial liability. Whether it is a remodel or a completely new kitchen in a new home, designing a kitchen that meets the requirements of being functional, aesthetically pleasing and be within your budget is on easy task.

Because kitchen design can be so highly specialized and complex it is a good idea to hire an independent kitchen designer before hiring a general contractor. Contractors tend to lack sufficient design experience and creativity needed for good kitchen design.

Kitchen designers understand how a kitchen works. The kitchen designer can analyze the family's lifestyle, interests in cooking and entertainment. The designer can ask questions, discuss needs and goals, appliance integration, and budget as well as considering ideas that the contractor or family members might not be able to come up with. By bringing in the kitchen designer early in the project it is possible to keep cost down considerably.

The kitchen designer while not having experience in engineering details can nevertheless assist with layout, choice of materials, and how the room will look and function. Because it is so easy to become overwhelmed by the number of available choices when it comes to design elements the kitchen designer is needed to help the homeowner when looking at design options such as, appliances, cabinetry, countertops, and flooring. The certified kitchen designer is trained to take your concept and turn it into a workable vision. They can coordinate materials and color to the best effect and define the best space usage as well as assist in other aspects of the kitchen design project such as electrical, plumbing, structural, flooring, appliances and tile.

In hiring a kitchen designer it is important to look for one who is certified. To receive certification the kitchen designer must have seven years of hands-on experience as well as course instruction in room layout, storage planning, cabinet installation and lighting design. The designer must pass a series of test administered by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). As members of NKBA, kitchen designers keep up with all of the latest design trends as well as the most recent developments in materials and techniques. They can draw up fully developed plans in compliance with the NKBA's kitchen planning standards.

Most kitchen designers will have either be affiliated with a showroom or have an extensive portfolio to show off their work. They can manage an entire remodeling project, or just provide design services only. They have the ability to be able to create a warm, pleasant, interesting kitchen design and at the same time solve problems having to do with storage capacity, accessibility, functionality, ventilation, and lighting.

About the Author:

James Mahoney runs a web site devoted to information about kitchen design. Learn about today's kitchen design ideas by visiting his site at http://www.kitchendesignersideas.com. If you liked this article and would want to subscribe to his information packed newletter visit: http://www.kitchendesignersideas.com

Read more articles by: James Mahoney

Deciding to remodel your kitchen is one of the best investments you can make. The kitchen is where people spend most of their waking hours while at home. It is where they cook, eat, and gather with the family. It is also where they talk and share ideas about the latest trends and fashions. Consequently, it is not surprising that the kitchen would be on the top of the list of home improvement projects. Having an up to date, modern kitchen, allows people not only to function better with new cabinets and appliances, but also enables them to feel that they are indeed living in modern society.

Kitchen remodeling however can be a very messy and disruptive home improvement project. And the length of the disruption can take as long as a month or more, even when well planned out.

To mitigate the disruption of a kitchen renovation project, planning is absolutely essential. The first item to consider is whether you will do it yourself, or hire a general contractor. Regardless of what route, a homeowner needs to first sketch out some kitchen remodeling ideas to ensure the kitchen design and costs will meet their targeted functional requirements and budget. If a general contractor is to be hired these initial sketches will be helpful in communicating your kitchen remodeling plans and ideas.

During the planning phase, the homeowner should identify the main objectives of the future kitchen. They should research the latest products on the market including: cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. If the kitchen is more than 5 years old, there are a lot of new products to choose from. For example, Silestone is quickly surpassing Granite and Corian, as the premier countertop surface as it is extremely hard, elegant in appearance, and comes in many colors. For cabinets, the trend appears to be towards lighter colors as they help the appearance of lightening and enlarging a room. In regards to appliances, the Stainless Steel look appears to be in. And for flooring, vinyl or wood is the trend. Tile looks nice, however, it can be unforgiving in a room where things tend to get dropped. In addition, if there is no radiant heating planned for the floor, tile has the tendency to feel cold on the feet.

It is also important to consider any structural changes to the existing kitchen area. Is a new kitchen island desired, or will walls or doorways need to be moved or installed?

When developing your kitchen remodeling plan, it is important to note that professional kitchen designers like to think of a triangle when starting a new kitchen design. The three points of the triangle include the Sink, Refrigerator, and Stove. Make sure your sketches consider this, as it will ensure a good functional kitchen. Also, consider adequate walking areas and space for an eating area, such as a table or center island, with applicable space included for chairs. I would suggest that the walking areas be wide enough for two people to walk through at the same time.

The sketches should also include dimensions, as these will be needed when meeting with the general contractor or kitchen designer. Finally, consider where the existing outlets and power for the stove are, and assess if additional outlets will be needed or old outlets relocated.

About the Author:

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. For more help on remodeling your kitchen, see http://HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet http://www.homeadditionplus.com/Kitchen%20Remodeling%20Bid%20Sheet.htm and visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com & http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

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