Winter 2009

Current Promotion

How to create a realistic budget

Before you start visiting showrooms, stores and granite yards for your upcoming kitchen remodel, save yourself time, money and energy by establishing a realistic budget first. Begin estimating costs by answering the following questions:

• Are you planning to completely gut the space? Or replace just a few elements (appliances and countertop)?

$85,000 kitchen remodel

$25,000 kitchen remodel
• How much is your home worth in this market? How much do you think it will cost 10 years from now? Your project budget should be in line with that number. Putting an $90,000 into a kitchen remodel in a $200,000 home does not make financial sense.
• How long do you plan to stay in your home? Think about the return on your investment... If you plan on staying longer than 5 years, you will get a great return on your investment. If you are not planning to stay that long, then consider a less involved project.

For the next step, contact the design professionals at Kitchen Galleries...

Why hire a designer?

A lot of homeowners hope to save money on their remodeling projects by doing everything themselves. But in the long run, a professional kitchen and bath designer will help to avoid overspending and headaches.

Knowledge and Know-how.

Professional designers know where to get high-quality products and have connections with wholesalers, dealers, and contractors to get the best products the client can afford. Reputable designers can help with budget issues, they know what things cost because they do it every day, sometimes they can suggest a design solution that will reduce a budget by $5,000-$10,000.

Ideas and Creativity.

A professional designer can offer materials and storage solutions that a homeowner may not have considered. Removing a table and replacing it with an island, removing a portion of the wall instead of the entire wall, reusing a family heirloom buffet as a pantry are just some creative and inexpensive ideas that not many homeowners have thought of before.

Organization.

A professional designer can ease the burden of remodeling by coordinating all the details. At Kitchen Galleries we work with reputable companies and line up all the installers, fabricators and delivery trucks. A professional designer always a master plan that flows smoothly, which eliminates a lot of headache for homeowners.

Top 10 money-savings tips for appliance shopping

Modern appliances can make up the bulk of a remodeling budget. Follow these top 10 money saving tips and enjoy appliances that don't break the bank!

Counterdepth Fridge
1. Purchase a counter-depth fridge - instead of a built-in one - and place it in a niche for a high-end look.
2. Skip the ice and water feature in the refrigerator door.
3. Evaluate whether you really need the feature of a professional range. If not, select a less expensive model that has the pro-style look at a fraction of the cost.
   
   Low Profile Range
4. Opt for a complete range unit instead of a split cooktop and oven - you will save money on the appliances and cabinetry!
5. Pass on stainless steel finishes.
   
   Non-stainless Fridge
6. Forgo the extended warranties. Any repairs will likely cost about the same as the warranty.
7. Buy Energy Star-rated appliances that will save you money every month on your energy bill.
8. Pick up a floor model for a discount. Appliances with small dents or scratches are also sold at reduced prices.
9. Avoid appliance drawers. Traditional refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves are less expensive.
10. Confirm whether the price includes delivery, installation, and removal of old appliances. Charges for these services can add up.

Kitchen Galleries is the Bay Area's premier cabinetry and countertop provider for home remodels. We offer a wide range of American-made cabinets, including custom, semi-custom, and budget modular lines. We partner with experienced, licensed contractors, certified fabricators and work with a wide range of remodeling budgets. We proudly service the South Bay, including Santa Clara, San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Campbell, Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Mountain View. For cabinetry, countertops, and top-notch design, Your Dream Kitchen Starts Here...