Kitchens Archives - Fort Collins Kitchen and Bath Remodel

September 20, 2018

Home Remodel Return on Investment Guide

We love a good remodel. Not only does it spruce up your home and update the interior to your liking, it can also add tremendous value. In general, modest bathroom and kitchen remodels see an 80% return on investment. Follow these four tips to protect your remodel return on investment (ROI).

Tip #1: Keep it modest – Follow the 20% rule

Start your remodel planning process by getting a realistic understanding of your home’s value. You can figure this out by comparing sale prices of similar houses in your neighborhood, getting an appraisal, or using a site like Zillow. Once you know your home’s value, apply the 20% rule – spend no more than 20% of your home’s value on a bathroom or kitchen remodel. If you spend over 20%, you’re likely overdoing it and will see a diminished return on your financial investment.

Tip #2: Upgrade with future buyers in mind

When remodeling with a goal of ROI, a project budget should reflect a future buyer’s priorities and not just your own. For example, you might think that your cabinets are good quality and in good condition, but if they are made with a dated wood species, finish, or door style, no matter how many thousands of dollars you put into new countertops and backsplash, you’ll still end up with dated cabinets that aren’t relevant to most buyers. In fact, in some cases, it may make sense to spend less on the countertops and backsplash and prioritize an affordable cabinet replacement.

Tip #3: Design complete – The wow factor

What does design complete mean? Basically, you want visitors to enter your home after a remodel and say, “Wow! Did you just remodel?” If you are missing the “Wow factor,” home buyers will not assign value to what you consider a charming remodel. The key to achieving the “Wow factor” is having the discipline to focus on only the kitchen or the bathroom and allocate a realistic budget. A design complete remodel should fully transform the space. When you try to do too many things, it often comes out looking like the space was updated but not remodeled.

Tip #4: Is it sellable?

Ask yourself the question, “Is this remodel “sellable?” Would a potential buyer happily pay 80% of the remodel cost on top of the normal home price? The goal of the remodel is to create undeniable design improvements with mass appeal, now and in the future. Making remodel choices that are “sellable” can be difficult. Let your designer be your guide to the best, personalized remodel path. At Eheart, our designers provide several remodel paths for your style that all map to financial success.

August 23, 2018

Find the Best Time to Remodel with 6 Tips

Considering a renovation in your home but want to know the best time to remodel?

When planning a remodel, it is helpful to understand the timeline and potential speed bumps that you may encounter. At Eheart Interior Solutions, we are here to help guide our clients through the remodel process while providing tips and tricks that we’ve learned through years in the industry. Every remodel is different, but there are several common customer concerns that we can shed some light on to help make the process as fun and efficient as possible.

Depending on the scale of your project, expect to have work being done in your home for potentially six to eight weeks. Prior to the in-home work, plan for materials to take up to six or eight weeks, as they are custom made for your remodel.

With that being said, here are a few tips to help you plan your remodel to best accommodate your lifestyle.

Think twice about summer as the time to remodel.

The common misconception is that summer is the ideal time to remodel because you have an outdoor living space and a grill. Actually, in our northern Colorado climate, there are enough sunny days that any season is perfect for a remodel. The only time that the season needs to be taken into account is for projects that include windows or pouring foundation. The drawback of remodeling in summer, which is usually overlooked, is that a remodel can displace your kids who are home from school for the summer.

Do not pick a time to remodel that is prior to an event you would like to host.

At Eheart, we do our best to meet every deadline, but unforeseen circumstances can always arise that lead to delays. For example, if you want to host Thanksgiving, plan your project for an end of October finish. That way, if any surprises or loose ends come up, your project will still be complete in time to set your table for Thanksgiving.

Consider planning your in-home work when you are going to be on vacation.

Even though you won’t likely be gone for the entire project, missing the less exciting steps, such as drywall installation, wouldn’t be a bad idea. Talk to your designer about any vacation plans you may have and see if it is possible to align them with your project timeline! Worried about contractors being in your house while you are away? Don’t be, you are in good hands. All of our partners are licensed, bonded, and insured and can certainly be trusted in your home. Just make sure you are somewhat reachable for questions during your vacation.

Have you started the bank financing process?

Often times, homeowners don’t realize that getting financing for their project often requires pre and post appraisals, along with other steps that can each take several weeks. Be sure to start this process early so that it doesn’t hold you back once you’re ready to order your materials.

It can never hurt to order your materials early.

A perk of working with Eheart Interior Solutions is our capability to hold onto your materials in our warehouse until you’re ready to begin the in-home portion of your project. With this option, customers have more flexibility throughout the scheduling process. The last thing you want is to be ready to start your project and have to wait nearly two months for your custom materials to arrive.

Planning a remodel doesn’t take as long as your think.

Often times, it only takes two to four weeks of planning before we are able to schedule a remodel and order materials. Our experienced designers are able to streamline the planning process to help you design your new dream room.

December 21, 2017

Planning a Kitchen Remodel – What To Expect

Whether you’re sick of the way your kitchen looks, or an appliance has failed, a kitchen remodel gives you the capability to give one of the most frequently used and highly functional spaces of your house a face-lift. Before taking the plunge into a full remodel, it is important to be aware of the challenges that arise when you renovate your kitchen and the time frame to expect.

What is the sequence of events during my kitchen remodel?

Everything is torn out.
Structural, electrical, plumbing or HVAC changes to the space are completed.
Changes to walls are completed, including framing.
Dry wall is reinstalled.
The space is painted. At this point, you’re generally three to four weeks into the process.
Cabinets are installed, which generally takes three days.
Countertop template measurements are taken and sent to be manufactured offsite.
Flooring is installed while the contractor waits on the countertops.
Your sink is installed and electrical is configured.
Counter tops are installed.
Backsplashes are installed.
The faucet is installed, electrical is tested.
Appliances are installed.

How long should a kitchen remodel take?

On average, a kitchen remodel takes six to eight weeks. Obviously, the time frame depends on the scope of the remodel and how drastic the changes are. Be prepared for the process to be extended if you’re moving cabinets, changing walls, or re-flooring the whole level of your home.

Will my kitchen be usable?

No. Once the remodel begins, your kitchen will not be functional until completion. Without appliances and cabinets, there is no remaining functionality to the space. Follow our tips below to find the right way to plan a kitchen remodel and reduce the burden of losing your kitchen!

What can I do to lessen the burden?

Having no access to a kitchen for the entirety of six to eight weeks can cause some frustration, especially if your family cooks often. We want to give you some tips to help you get through this process as smoothly as possible!

The most important thing when planning a kitchen remodel is to set up a temporary kitchen in your home. Find a home for your fridge for the duration of the remodel, whether that is a laundry room or garage. Next, locate the closest “kitchen-like” setup in your home. For some, this can be a laundry room with a utility sink, or a wet bar in a living room or lounge. Use this area for simple cooking, using an electric skillet, crock pot, or microwave. Also, make sure to think about the items you keep in your kitchen cabinets that you want to keep on hand, such as medications or vitamins, so that you’re not having to dig through boxes to locate them.

Next, prepare simple food. As enticing as eating out for every meal for six weeks sounds, it can become incredibly expensive and dull. To avoid that, prepare simple frozen meals that you can store in the freezer prior to the remodel. Lower your expectations, and don’t be afraid to order pizza or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every once in a while, too.

Dirty dishes can be washed in your bathtub. For most of our customers, their bathtub becomes the substitute dishwasher. If you’re lucky enough to have a utility sink, this is a great place to clean your dishes as well!

Finally, consider scheduling your remodel around a vacation if you’d like to avoid some inconvenience.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel – Don’t Let This Discourage You

Remodeling your kitchen allows you to rethink the look and feel of your kitchen. After the remodel is over, you won’t regret it! Employing an interior designer helps to ensure that you get everything you could ask for, and more. If you want to learn more about kitchen remodels, or how we can help you create your dream kitchen, contact our talented design team!

May 22, 2017

granite vs quartz countertops: What you don’t know

In the granite vs quartz countertop debate, every homeowner has a different preference. In this blog, we explain the granite vs quartz countertop factors that you didn’t know about.

How it works:

Quartz:

Quartz is engineered using around 95% quartz and 5% polymer resins to provide the look of stone.

Granite:

“Granite” is actually a catch-all term that includes any stone that can be placed on a countertop except marble, limestone, and soapstone. Real granite actually has a pink tone. All “granites” perform differently because they are not all actual granite. This means they each have their own characteristics in terms of cleaning, usability, structure, and look.

Benefits:

Quartz

much less upkeep than granite
has a perfect surface
a wide range of colors to choose from
customizable design

Granite

displays more interesting movement in the stone
has a veining natural look of stone that people like
granite slabs are larger and provide more flexibility for larger countertops

Common Concerns:

Quartz

challenging to truly replicate granite using quartz
limited by the size of slabs and requires combining for larger countertops
have to make seams inconspicuous when combining slabs

Granite

people worry that granite is a dated style
it is imperfect and requires fill in areas within it

Trends:

Quartz:

The marble countertop look can be created using quartz to avoid staining issues.

Granite:

Lighter granite colors are trending now.

There you have it, now you can make the best decision about which material is right for your home. If you have any questions, we would love to help.

View our granite and quartz countertop picks on Pinterest.

March 24, 2017

7 Beautiful Ways to Use Subway Tile in Your Home

Classic, polished and clean, subway tile is like the “French manicure” of wall tile. In the past decade, subway tile has surged in popularity due to its versatility in complementing any space. When used in combination with starkly different design elements, subway tile allows the rest of the room to “speak” while making a subtle statement itself.
We’ve compiled just a few rooms that inspire us to install subway tiling in our homes. Which look is your favorite?

The reclaimed wooden elements are the focus of this kitchen when paired with the subway tile backsplash. The tile’s long and narrow sizing creates a unique contemporary look that complements the rustic elements of the room.

Photo by KitchenLab Design | Rebekah Zaveloff Interiors – Search traditional kitchen design ideas

This kitchen’s tiled walls don’t beg for all the attention, acting as the perfect backdrop to anchor the wooden window trimming and other surrounding traditional elements.

Photo by – Discover traditional kitchen design ideas

Complete with a yellow Labrador dog, this space represents a timelessly classic kitchen design. The beveled tile in the backsplash gives the wall some depth, making the white coloring more interesting to the eye. By using a white grout to set the tiles, individual tiles are not differentiated from each other and provide a clean looking design.

Photo by AN Builders Pty Ltd – Browse contemporary bathroom photos

Grout color becomes a design element when the tile covers this much of a room’s surface area. To create a uniform look with a highly contrasting black floor, the subway tile was laid in a grey grout. By outlining individual tiles the bathroom boasts a sophisticated minimalist design.

Photo by Highmark Builders – Browse traditional bathroom photos

An interesting twist on the traditional look, this shower is lined with elongated subway tiles cut from marble stone. Using tiles made of a material similar to the hexagon flooring gives the bathroom a comprehensive look.

Photo by Duet Design Group – Look for transitional bathroom design inspiration

Wondering what to pair with a bold, geometric floor tile? The simplicity of this shower backsplash creates an enduring look that has a modern, exceptional flair.

By mix and matching colors and shapes, this shower looks more like a contemporary art museum than a bathroom wall. Tiles made of glass give this shower an unpredictable design twist.