custom kitchen Archives - Inspired Remodels

custom kitchen remodeing after picture kitchen island with drawers for storage

Breaking Down Custom Kitchen Remodeling Projects

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

What’s involved in a custom kitchen remodeling project? What elements are involved and how much can you expect to pay for a complete remodel? Of course, Inspired Remodels, like every other custom kitchen remodeler, tells everyone that costs vary based on your situation. But based on Forbes research, here’s what you can expect.

Cabinets

When it comes to budget, new cabinets consume a big chunk. Figure that your cabinets will take about 29% of the budget according to Forbes.

It might be tempting to shave a few dollars here, but cabinetry endures. Good cabinets may be refinished or painted over the years. So, when you figure cabinets last 20 years or more, it makes sense their cost is higher.

Labor

Those cabinets, floors, backsplashes, lighting, and appliances won’t install themselves. Expect to pay for installation labor in addition to the materials. That only makes sense.

When a licensed general contractor completes your custom kitchen remodeling project, those labor costs include the cost of the actual work plus the overhead associated with labor. This includes worker’s compensation insurance, Social Security, Medicare, etc. Don’t gripe – that’s all for your benefit.

Let an unlicensed contractor without worker’s compensation on your property and if something goes wrong, you are responsible for medical bills associated with any on-the-job injuries.

Forbes research shows labor is about 17% of the total cost.

Appliances

New appliances can run from several thousand to tens of thousands, depending on your taste. A cheap oven (who wants that?) can be as low as $400 but a Wolf all gas range can cost $4300 or more. Same applies to your refrigerator and dishwasher. A basic dishwasher clocks in at $300 but a Miele will cost $1,300 or more.

Appliances last, and the more you pay generally the higher quality you expect. Appliances don’t last as long as cabinets, so they consume less of the budget. Forbes research finds that all new appliances are about 14% of the budget.

Countertops

The remaining double-digit percentage of the budget comes from your countertop selection. Figure about 10% of the budget will be spent on the countertops.

On the low end, ceramic tile countertops can cost as little as $10 to $30 per square foot. On the other end of the spectrum, marble runs $60 to $200 per square foot. In between is your butcher block, composite, granite, and quartz.

All the Rest

The remainder of the budget will go to flooring, backsplashes, lighting, sheetrock, hardware, and faucets. If your custom kitchen remodel includes new windows and doors, expect to pay more than the average cost.

So, what do you recoup in value? The national average return on investment for a custom kitchen remodel is 52% to 71%. The greater the overhaul, the lower the ROI. That’s because the more you spend, the less you get back. In other words, a complete redo that changes the floor plan and moves doors and windows generates a lower ROI than an update that replaces cabinets, appliances, and countertops.

Custom Kitchen Remodeling Pros

Ready to talk turkey about a kitchen remodel? Make an appointment with the pros at Inspired Remodels. Orange County brings their remodeling inspiration to Jason and Joe Mueller and then watches as this brotherly duo brings them to life.

Schedule a consultation today.

Orange County Custom Kitchen Ideas

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Looking to remodel your Orange County kitchen? Turn to Inspired Remodels to see what’s happening with Orange County custom kitchen remodels. Inspired Remodels converts dreams into dream kitchens. Not sure where to start? Add these ideas to your lookbook. What strikes your fancy?

Stunning and Chic

Sometimes the best looks happen when you combine two aesthetics into one. In this Orange County kitchen, you get a stunning and chic look. Let’s deconstruct.

Wood floors provide warmth to any room. They create a perfect foil to the cucumber cool cabinetry. Make custom cabinets or semi-custom cabinetry part of your Orange County custom kitchen remodel to maximize your storage and working area.

Shake up Shaker cabinets with recessed panels for a new take on an old favorite.

Speaking of contrast, check out the dark cabinets on the island and the lighter tones on the custom kitchen cabinets. Seems to go against the grain (pun intended) but it works! The white marble countertops complement the light cabinetry and contrast with the dark. No matter which way you go, you go in style. And the recessed panels make a return appearance here.

And how about these chic island cabinets? The herringbone pattern on the flooring adds interest and breaks up the straight lines found on the cabinets and countertops. Pure genius!

Splashing Color on the Backsplash

What makes an Orange County custom kitchen custom? Those personal touches add your signature style and there’s no better way to express yourself than with tile. Check out this Rancho Santa Margarita kitchen.

Neutral subway tiles receive an injection of color and pizazz with colorful decorative tile. Gray decorative tiles behind the stove play off the black countertops over the cabinets and the white countertop over the island. Geometric designs lend a timeless touch of customization to any custom kitchen remodel. And because tile is easy to clean, it’s the perfect material for the backsplash behind the stove area.

In this kitchen, mossy green glass tiles add a subtle splash of color to the otherwise neutral palette. In contrast to the Rancho Santa Margarita tile, which only added color behind the stove, this remodel used colored tile for the entire backsplash. It works because the tones are muted.

In this kitchen, the vibrant tones come from the cabinetry. So what better way to splash color on the backsplash than with geometric tiles in soft, grey tones?

The tile color reflects a keen eye for detail as it pulls together cabinet hardware, appliance finish, and countertop color. Just marvelous!

Orange County Custom Kitchen Pros

No matter your personal style or what inspires you, Inspired Remodels makes your dream kitchen a reality. Trust the custom kitchen pros to design from scratch or work from your lookbook to create the kitchen of your dreams. Call (949) 716-1938, Contact Us online, or drop by the showroom to get your project started.

Kitchen Contractor Shares Signs of a Cook’s Kitchen

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

It’s almost Thanksgiving and cooks around the country will be heading to the kitchen to prepare the annual feast. A cook’s kitchen is a workspace. Whether it’s a small galley or a spacious open area, it’s a studio for an artist and the medium is food. A kitchen that’s designed for cooking maximizes the space available and is built with efficiency in mind. As you work in your kitchen this holiday season, evaluate your space and see if your kitchen is a cook’s kitchen. According to Inspired Remodels, an Orange County kitchen contractor, these are the signs of a cook’s kitchen.

Don’t Waste Steps

Think about how the space will be used and design accordingly. The cook can grab a quick drink of water when drinking glasses are stored in cabinets next to the sink. Bakers shouldn’t have to walk across the kitchen for a sheet pan or baking tray. Provide storage for these items next to the oven. Install cabinets for dishware and flatware close to the eating area to make setting the table easy or close to the dishwasher to make unloading and stowing easier. Hang a magnetic strip next to the main workspace and store knives safely. Hanging your knives will help keep them sharp. Of course, the kitchen work triangle is still the base upon which all efficient kitchen designs are built.

Use the Right Height

A cook’s kitchen takes into account the height of the cook. No, we’re not suggesting that the countertops, cabinets, and microwave be custom built to the exact height of the cook. But, if the cook isn’t the average size, the kitchen shouldn’t be either. Raising or lowering countertops will make it much easier for an extremely tall or short person to work in the kitchen. Also, keep in mind if kid’s will be using the kitchen on a regular basis. A microwave that’s installed the standard 15 inches above countertop may not be safe for use by kids. A below countertop model make much more sense if kids are regular cooks in the kitchen. A step-stool built into the toeplate of a cabinet is a great way to get kids up to countertop height.

Functional Islands

An island in the kitchen can provide extra workspace and a place to eat. But a skilled kitchen contractor knows it shouldn’t do both. Decide whether you want the primary purpose of the island be to additional eating space or working space. You should not place seating at an island with a cooktop.

Workspace

Cooks need a place to work. That means more counter space. Most cooks want this extra space to be between the cooktop/oven and the sink. Occasional cooks who prepare simple meals don’t want or need as much counter space on which to work. An island without a cooktop can double as workspace and eating space if positioned properly in the work triangle.

Use Cleanable Surfaces

A cook’s mess doesn’t linger. Cooks want surfaces that are easy to clean. Undermount sinks don’t provide a place for crumbs to hide. Smudge-free surfaces on appliances hide fingerprints and matte surfaces don’t show grime as much as glossy ones. Matte surfaces are great for floors. Quartz is an easier care surface than granite and concrete resists heat damage. Solid shelves in the pantry and refrigerator are easier to clean and help keep spills contained.

Let the Light In

Use task lighting to enhance overhead lighting. Light colors make spaces appear larger and dark colors shrink space. Soft shades for the cabinetry visually expands a small room. Shaker and French farm house looks are popular because they can make even the darkest corner look light and bright.

Inspired Remodels – the Kitchen Contractor that Knows Cooking

When you are ready to step up your game and create a kitchen for cooking, contact Inspired Remodels. Inspired Remodels is the kitchen contractor that knows cooking. From designs that combine function and beauty to making the most of the room you have, Jason and Joe Mueller can create the kitchen of your dreams. When you’re ready to start cooking, call Inspired Remodels at (949) 716-1938 to schedule your consultation.