The kitchen is the most commonly remodeled room in the house – it’s a space that we all use every day and spend a lot of time in. And the social distancing and stay home orders of 2020 have only made that more true.
Many homeowners decide they’re going to take this project on themselves – or hire an amateur neighbor or relative – but that can be a big mistake for an inexperienced individual. What you imagine as a simple project can turn into a disaster without proper planning and experience.
As a fully licensed, insured and certified Maryland remodeling company, T.W. Ellis thinks its important to hire a pro to tackle most remodeling projects. These are some of the key reasons why.
Experience & Safety
A lot of things can go wrong with a kitchen remodel. Depending on the scope of the renovation, there are potentially plumbing, electrical and other utility challenges to deal with. A problem with one of those can lead to a flooded kitchen, or even injury or death.
In older homes, asbestos or lead paint can be issues that need to be properly remediated to ensure the safety of the workers and residents. Rot or other unseen structural issues can present new problems. A leaky pipe behind the walls may have led to mold growth. These are all issues that a professional remodeler has experienced and is ready to deal with.
Design & Budget
Knowing those potential challenges can help us accurately plan the costs of your project. T.W. Ellis has been remodeling Maryland homes for nearly 20 years and that experience pays off in knowing the ins and outs of planning your project. We have experience designing for aesthetics and functionality to get you the best kitchen for your needs.
Whether you hire a design/build remodeler like T.W. Ellis or another professional designer or architect, it’s crucial to have final plans before you start work on a new kitchen. Plans should include precise measurements, product information and specific design choices. Without that, it will be difficult to determine exact costs or timeline for your project.
Read more on the benefits of Design/Build Remodeling
Cost & time
On the surface, it may seem like a DIY kitchen remodel is the cheaper option. That’s only true if nothing goes wrong – those issues we described above can lead to unexpected costs that quickly make the DIY kitchen a more expensive endeavor.
It’s also worth thinking about opportunity cost. How many hours are you willing to put into the project? What’s the value of your time? We see many homeowners that get enthusiastic about the project at the beginning, but once the work continues they discover they don’t really have the patience or time to finish it themselves.
Results & resale
When you hire an experienced professional, you get a better quality of work. T.W. Ellis works hard to find the best partners for every project to ensure the finest finished project. Working with a professional also gives you a warranty in case problems develop down the road.
This can also come back to bite you when it’s time to sell your home. If the kitchen remodel looks shoddy or unprofessional, that can be a turnoff to potential buyers. If work was not done up to code because you did it yourself or hired an inexperienced contractor, you might have to make expensive fixes. Potential buyers may also ask to see warranties, permits or other information.
Ready to remodel your kitchen with a professional, experience remodeler? Contact T.W. Ellis today to discuss any of your remodeling needs!