Kitchen comebacks

July 18, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Bargain prices and good looks aren’t everything

McClatchy Newspapers

The explosion of remodeling shows on TV and makeover spreads in magazines has whetted America’s appetite for glamorous rooms brimming with the latest furnishings, appliances and color schemes.

Kitchen remodels are among the most popular, according to a report in the August issue of Consumer Reports and online at consumerreports.org.

And the economic slowdown means there are outstanding deals on everything from cooktops to countertops.

It also means kitchen designers and building contractors are eager for work and willing to negotiate.

But bargain prices and good looks aren’t everything, said Celia Kupersmzid Lehrman, Consumer Reports’ deputy home editor.

“When remodeling a kitchen, functionality is every bit as important as style. Fortunately there are many products that look good and work well,” she said.

The design of your kitchen is every bit as important as what goes into it, said Jim Spence of Spence & Vaughn Fine Kitchen and Bath in Maitland, Fla.

The most functional design is based on the “work triangle” — the relationship between the prep area, the cooking area and the sink, he said. Ideally, the distance between them should never be less than four feet or more than nine feet.

When planning a remodel, determining your budget is one of the first steps.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association calculates the average kitchen remodel costs between 10 percent and 20 percent of the home’s value.

But obviously, the extent of the makeover determines its cost.

In its latest issue, Consumer Reports takes top-performing products and creates three design schemes: a do-it-yourself makeover for $5,000; a plan that costs $15,000 (the average spent on a kitchen remodel); and a full-scale renovation for $50,000.

Determining your priorities is another key step, said Phil Johnson, a partner at Spence & Vaughn and a certified kitchen designer.

“Do you love to cook? If so, now might be the time to consider professional-style appliances,” he said. “Think about the things you love in your old kitchen — and the things you dislike.”

In addition, Johnson recommends the following steps for a successful remodel:

Do your homework. Watch TV remodeling programs, clip appealing pictures and articles from magazines, attend remodeling seminars, visit home shows and parades of homes. Consult with a kitchen designer who has the training and experience to avoid many of the things that can go wrong with a remodeling project.

Visit a showroom. Examine the options in cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, plumbing and lighting. Decide what you want, and can afford.

Schedule a home visit. The designer/installer need to measure the kitchen and adjacent rooms, and make a note of existing walls, doors and windows, electrical supplies, ceiling height, attic access, type of wall construction, plumbing details, etc.

Finalize the project. The design is refined, construction plans are completed, appliances and supplies are ordered and the initial deposit is paid.

Survive the dust, noise and workers. With proper supervision, the disruption can be kept to a minimum. Make sure materials are ordered and on the way before beginning the tear-out. Clear a space in the garage for workers’ tools and items removed from the old kitchen. And communicate regularly with the designer/installer.