askjake

Remodeling online?

Question from Amy: 

I live in an older home (1889) and would like to remodel the kitchen, it is terribly inefficient and outdated. But are there any online design help-sites? We need help with the design/layout process. Take out walls? Put what where? Thanks so much. 

Jake's answer: 

I don’t know of any online design services and if I did I probably wouldn’t recommend them. You should find a knowledgeable kitchen designer and sit down with that person and share your thoughts on what you are looking for in your new kitchen. The kitchen design process is too important and detailed to do online. Go to NARI.org, the web site of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and see if they have any kitchen design firms in your area.

Time table for design of a room addition

My wife and I are looking to add a family room addition to our house (typical 1950\'s ranch in Old Leawood). We are hoping to do this early next summer (May/June 2008). Given that timeframe, when would be the right time to start getting bids from contractors and ultimately choose one to begin the design process?

Mark,

If you pick May 1 as your start date I would be ready to start interviewing the remodeling companies by the first part of January.
This is the way our process works:
One month to interview remodelers, make a decision and enter into a design agreement.
The design process for an addition is approximately two months.  This depends on the complexity of the project and your ability to make decisions.  When the design process is concluded we will present you with a construction contract.
Upon acceptance of the construction contract there is usually a two month wait.  This allows for permitting, material ordering,  proper scheduling, and other logistical matters.   
That totals 5 months.

Move or improve?

My husband and I want to remodel or rebuild a home that has been in the family over 60 years.  We want to stay in that spot but don't know the best way to go.  Is it more cost effective to remodel or rebuild?  Is is more cost effective to go out (addition) or go up?  Is a steep pitched roof much more expensive than an average pitched roof?  Do peaks add a lot more to the cost of the roof?  Thank you for your response!

name: Nadine

You ask a lot of questions that can be answered in several different ways, so I'm going to give it my best shot.  Regarding if it is more cost effective to build or remodel - I believe that it depends on the neighborhood and house you live in.  If you love your neighborhood, if you like your neighbors, if your neighborhood has and is continuing to appreciate in value, and you see yourself staying in the house for another 10 years, then I feel it can be more cost effective to remodel.  Regarding going up or out - in most cases it is more cost effective to go out rather than go up.  This depends on other factors such as access to your area of enlargement, the type of house and yard, difficulty of adding a staircase.  Regarding roofs - higher pitched roofs are more expensive and adding peaks will add expenses as well.  I hope this helps.  Jake

How long does it take

Jake,

I am wanting to get a new kitchen in by the end of the summer, when should I start to get it done by then.  Ben S.

Answer:  Ben S.

A typical kitchen for us will usually take 1 to 2 months to properly design and select all the materials it will take to create a beautiful kitchen.  Once this design process is completed it usually takes around 2 months to get everything ordered and on the site.  Once we start it will take around 3 months to complete the project.  That is a total of 7 months on the long side, or finishing up about Thanksgiving time.  So you as you can see Ben, if you want to get something done by the end of the summer it will be very difficult.  If you want to get something done by the end of this year, you better get it going pretty soon.  Of course, as in any remodeling project, each job is a little different and there can be many factors that affect the outcome.  Thanks for your question.

Jake