The kitchen in your home should inspire you, be alluring and grab your guests’ attention. If you are unhappy with how it looks, a kitchen upgrade can greatly improve its appearance. A kitchen remodel enhances the beauty of your home and also adds resale value too. Remodeling your home is a large commitment of money and time. Research has shown that kitchen renovations have the highest returns of any type of home improvement project and one of the best investments to make in your home. For a professional job done right, hire an Oakland CA contractor for your kitchen upgrades.
Selecting Finish Materials for a Kitchen Remodel
There are many different finish materials that need to be considered during your kitchen remodel. Taking a trip to your local hardware store or looking online can be overwhelming so consult with your kitchen contractor who can help guide you into the right materials for your kitchen style and budget.
Cabinets – New cabinets in your kitchen enhance the appeal and functionality of your kitchen. They are the main centerpiece, so it is important to review all of the options including, brand, color, features and type of wood. The best quality cabinets have solid frames, self-contained doors and drawers and reinforced corners. Cabinets made of solid hardwood, such as Oak, Cherry, Maple, and Hickory usually cost more than laminate or veneer cabinets.
Countertops – There are endless colors and textures available for kitchen countertops. Before deciding on one that looks nice, consider how you plan to use it, your budget and what you expect of its durability and maintenance. Some popular types of countertops include laminate, solid surface, granite, soapstone, engineered stone, marble and concrete.
Lighting – Another finishing material that is often forgotten is kitchen lighting. For your kitchen upgrade, you should think about general lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. General lighting is the ceiling lights, which can easily be upgraded to pendants or even a chandelier to create an elegant look. Task lighting enables you to see during meal prep and cooking. It should be bright and very target for that specific area of the kitchen. Accent lighting helps create the mood in your kitchen and can be done with under counter lighting, accent lights inside cabinets or highlight a design or décor feature.
The Importance of Hiring a Licensed Contractor
Hiring an Oakland CA contractor to remodel your kitchen can be a daunting task. You want someone is qualified and experienced in kitchen remodeling projects. Make sure not to hire an unlicensed contractor who is likely to leave the project incomplete. Quite often with an unlicensed contractor, the job seems to be going well when they suddenly disappear forcing you to hire someone else to finish the job. To make matters worse, they may do a poor job or even steal tools and materials from your home. No matter what, don’t ever hire an unlicensed contractor. If your kitchen contractor is using other workers, such as professional carpenters then make sure they are Licensed Subcontractors to protect yourself. Also make sure to get a written warranty or guarantee. With all of the time and money spent on your dream kitchen, you want something fixed if there is an issue a month or two later.
Experienced, professional kitchen remodeling contractors in Berkeley CA should have a website and online reviews. If you are unable to find any reviews online about their business then they are likely shady, inexperienced or both. Their website doesn’t have to be the most visually stunning you’ve ever seen, but should have a list of their services, before and after photos, contractor license number, address and phone number. Be sure to ask for references from past jobs too. If a general contractor is unable or unwilling to provide past references then it is a big red flag. Take the time to call their references with specific questions about the project and their quality of work.
When you’re ready for some kitchen upgrades, hire an Oakland CA general contractor to build the dream kitchen that you have always wanted. We are a small business serving the East Bay Community, for any questions related to your home improvement project contact Edgar at 510 859 7448.
