10 KITCHEN AND BATH REMODELING TIPS

TIPS FOR FINANCING YOUR KITCHEN AND BATH REMODEL

Loans are granted based on your credit history, income, present level of debt and securable assets. 

Cash is a great option if you can save enough money.  By paying for your remodeling job up front you will not be responsible for making payments to anyone.  You will simply have to pay for the items as you need them from your own financial reserve.

Financing Options:

  • Cash-out refinancing. If you’ve built up a substantial amount of equity in your home, and interest rates have dropped since you acquired your mortgage, this can be a financial windfall.  You’ll pay for your project and lower rates on the rest of your mortgage to boot.
  • Home Equity Lines of Credit and Home Equity Loans. These two financing options are very similar and very popular for home improvements.  Both offer financing based on the equity you’ve built up in your home.  Because of that they usually come with very reasonable interest rates and the interest you pay is tax deductible
  • Value Added Loans. These loans are granted based on the value that will be added to your home after the project you hope to undertake is finished.  It allows owners of homes that have a lot of potential to borrow more than the home is presently worth.
  • Homeowners Loan. This type of financing is generally based on your income rather than your equity.  You won’t be able to borrow as much, and your interest rate will be a little bit higher, but you won’t have to jump through all the hoops that your equity secured loans require.

KITCHEN, BATH AND BASEMENT REMODELING COSTS VERSES VALUE

How much will a kitchen, bathroom or basement remodel and addition increase your home’s value?

According to the Remodeling 2019 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com) in the Pittsburgh market a:

@2019 Hanley Wood Media, Inc. complete data from remodeling

4 TIPS TO PREPARE FOR A KITCHEN AND BATH REMODEL

1)  Research your project.  Research will help you understand the scope of your project, and develop expectations in terms of return on investment (ROI) and timeframe.  And it will also provide an insight into popular product materials and designs.

 

2)  Determine your budget.  A thorough budget is a critical part of any successful remodel.  Be sure your budget includes products, materials, labor and an extra cushion for unforeseen costs.  Presenting contractors with your own established budget will help you communicate your goals and find the right fit for your project.

 

3)  Consider your family.  Your home dynamics should factor into the plans for your remodel.  Kids at home, weather and major family events are important considerations. 

 

4)  Find the right contractor.  The right contractor will assure your project stays on budget and on schedule and on par with your expectations.  Check out our FREE Contactor Guide where you will learn 15 questions to ask a contractor before hiring them. 

KITCHEN AND BATH REMODELING? WHY YOU NEED A RESIDENTIAL DESIGN CONSULTANT

Trained Specialist
Many homeowners planning to remodel their kitchen or bathroom are often surprised when asked if they have plans for their project.  When building a home addition, these plans become even more important.  While a contractor may be able to draw a set of building plans, Residential Design Consultants are specialists who are trained to use space efficiently and are educated in all the newest trends and available products.  Not only do residential designers draw plans, they also spend time with each client to determine their specific needs, lifestyles, priorities and budgets to design a custom room, addition or entire home.

Skilled Guidance
Range of services Designers offer.  Residential Design Consultants will sit down with you and ask you what you’d like to accomplish.  Skilled questioning by the designer to help determine even your hidden wants and needs is a very important part of the process.  An incredible array of products is available and getting guidance from a professional saves you time, effort and money.  Questions about your lifestyle, creative solutions or suggestions for new/specialized products may even trigger your looking at your project in a whole different light. 

Don’t Hire the Cheapest Contractor. Hire the One You Feel Most Comfortable With.

It’s easy to make your hiring decision based on who charges the least. Beware! There’s probably a good reason why they’re the cheapest option. Many experts advise tossing out the cheapest and the most expensive quotes and hiring a contractor whose quote is somewhere in the middle.