Many homeowners today are considering putting in a new kitchen or bathroom, but a lot are unsure of what the possible cost could be. In fact, an estimated 40% don’t even know how much they want to spend, says Paul DeFeis, senior managing partner of Trade Mark Design & Build in Hawthorne, New Jersey, who has 15 years of extensive experience in Residential Design.
The remaining 60%, DeFeis says, come to a designer with a lot of renovation ideas, but no actual idea of what the cost will be to implement them. So where do you go to come up with a budget that best reflects both your needs and expectations?
The role of a good kitchen or bathroom remodeling service is to incorporate all your ideas into a realistic plan, then plan a project budget analysis based on that. That means assisting clients every step of the way with their choices, including finding objects that are aesthetically pleasing and function well in the given space once the actual construction is completed.
But how does a good design and build company help its clients get the most for their money while creating a realistic budget? Here are some of the steps Trade Mark Design & Build takes with clients to complete a kitchen or bathroom project budget analysis:
- Examine the room size and construction, as well as the relocation of major appliances or bathroom furniture, especially if you plan on doing an impact budget. That means that when your current range, refrigerator and sink are on the wall – or your toilet, sink and bath are in certain positions and you want to move them - then the budget will feel the impact.
- When it comes to kitchens, preferences in cabinet construction will also effect the budget, in particular whether the cabinets will be framed or frame-less. Countertop choices are another area that should be given a primary focus. The price can differentiate enormously as there can be swings as much as 25% depending on whether or not you go with a laminate countertop or a granite one, for example.
- Choice of products, in both kitchens and bathrooms, will also have a tremendous impact. Keep in mind that over the long term, the performance of less expensive products does not give the same return that spending a little bit more upfront does. It’s worth investing more in the beginning to reap the benefits for years to come.
An expert remodeling company will strive to advise as best as they can, based on both current projects and past projects. They will compare the project the client has in mind to a similar space, and give them a project range of what would be necessary to achieve a similar look.
Trade Mark Design & Build has a reputation for establishing a budget and staying within it – something that all too often is a rarity in this profession, according to DeFeis. Customers are satisfied because the projects are approached from a design-build perspective, which allows them to adjust the contract as they see fit.
