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How to Pick a Kitchen Remodel Company

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Renovating the kitchen isn’t a do it yourself job. If you are thinking about a new kitchen you need to be thinking about hiring a kitchen remodel company. Hiring any contractor can be scary. Kitchens have all major components (electrical, plumbing, and heating/cooling), so you need an experienced contractor. Here’s some tips to help you hire the right kitchen remodel company.

Shop Around

You know you are going to shop all over town and the internet for your next kitchen appliances. You should put the same effort into selecting the contractor that is going to do your kitchen remodel. Start by asking friends, family and coworkers for a referral. If they give you a horror story, make a note of the contractor’s name and the name of the business. Business names may change, but the general contractor’s license will always be in the same name. This is one way to steer clear of any rotten tomatoes.

Get several estimates and make sure that all estimates include the same items. You want to compare apples to apples in your kitchen remodel quotes.

Don’t forget that the estimating process is a good way to determine the personality of the contractor and the company. If you think the estimate is a hassle, the kitchen remodel will probably be a hassle too. If you enjoy working with the contractor during the estimate phase, you’ll like working with them during construction.

Check it Out

On-line reviews are great. But take on-line reviews with a grain of salt. A business can’t influence a Yelp! review. The reviews on Porch are submitted by the contractor. So, not all reviews are the same.

Check the company out with the Better Business Bureau. Then check the status of their California license. You can search the California database by name of the license holder, business name or license number. Ask for a certificate of insurance. If the contractor allowed their insurance to expire, they won’t be willing to provide you with a certificate of insurance.

Don’t Be Penny-Wise and Pound Foolish

In your zeal to save money, don’t make some serious mistakes. The first mistake is paying cash. Beware of contractors that ask for payment in cash. That’s a tactic of shady operators – take the cash and run.

Don’t apply for your own permits. Your kitchen remodel company should be familiar with the building department in your town. They know what is required to get a permit. If the contractor asks you to pull the permit, they are avoiding the building department and you should wonder why.

The low ball deal may not be the best deal. A low ball price may end up costing you more in over-runs. Get the price in writing and get a clear and complete description of what the price includes.

Inspired Remodels – The Kitchen Remodel Company that Gets it Right

No matter how many companies you interview, make sure you talk to Inspired Remodels. From the initial design to the final clean-up, Inspired Remodels is the Orange Country kitchen remodel company you can trust to get it right. Check Inspired Remodels out on Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and with the State of California. You will find a professional, experienced kitchen remodel company.

From a minor update to a major innovation, Inspired Remodels will assign one project manager to be your point of contact. Your house will be treated like a home; not a job site. For professional work by a company with integrity, pick Inspired Remodels.

Call (949) 716-1938 to schedule your consultation.

Kitchen Trends from Orange County’s Hot Kitchen Remodel Company

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Looking for a new look for your kitchen? Are you a foodies and gadget guru? Take a look at what’s hot in appliances, brought to you by Inspired Remodels, Orange County’s hottest kitchen remodel company.

Induction Cooking

One of the hottest trends keeps kitchens cooler. It’s induction cook tops. They may look like regular glasstop cook tops, but they aren’t.

Induction cook tops use an electromagnetic field below the surface to generate heat for cooking. They only work when a conduction-friendly pot is in place. Induction surfaces stay cooler than radiant surfaces. That makes them easier to clean and they help keep the kitchen cool.

Because they heat up faster, you spend less time waiting for water to boil and sauces to simmer. Easier clean-up and faster cooking; what’s not to love?

Classic Palettes

We’ve said time and again, grey is the new neutral for home design. Grey makes a perfect neutral background to make accent colors pop. Whether you use grey for the backsplash, countertops, flooring, cabinets, or walls it is calming.

white ice appliances from kitchen remodel company

White Ice Appliances from Whirlpool

Grey isn’t the only hot neutral for the kitchen. White is making a comeback for 2017. Appliances with a clean white finish get a fresh new updated look with the addition of stainless accents. The Whirlpool White Ice collection gives a retro or vintage vibe while providing all the latest in appliance technology.

Speaking of Retro

Cooks today are yearning for the kitchen of yesteryear. Correction: the look of the vintage kitchen but with all the modern conveniences.

Big Chill delivers with their retro line of appliances. These have the rounded lines of your Grandma’s appliances, the colors of your Mom’s kitchen, but today’s innovations like induction cooktops. If you like industrial finishes, consider contrasting the industrial look with retro appliances. The mix of old and new is hot in 2017.

Smart Kitchens

Bluetooth, wireless, and connected. Need we say more? The internet of things is now in the kitchen. As a result, kitchens in 2017 are smarter. With the ability to control them from your smartphone, you can preheat the oven on the way home to speed dinner preparation.

GE’s Chef Connect will sync clocks on all appliances. No more pesky time warp between the oven and microwave. Undermount microwave lights come on automatically when you turn on a cooktop burner. You can even set the vent fan to turn on automatically when the cooktop is on. Smart.

Smart Kitchen Remodel Company

No matter what trend you want to incorporate, Inspired Remodels is the smart choice for your kitchen remodel company.

From small updates to major renovations, Inspired Remodels will make your kitchen dreams come true. Get a kitchen that functions as well as it looks. Call (949) 716-1938 to schedule your consultation. There’s no fee, no pressure and no commitment.

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Tips

Looking to give your kitchen or bathroom a facelift? If you are planning on updating your home, here are a few kitchen and bath remodeling tips to get the best results.

Light walls and reflective surfaces make room appear larger

Make the Room Feel Larger

We all like the feel of unlimited space when indoors. Maximize the space in even the smallest of rooms when you put color and light to work for you.

Light Colors. Make the kitchen or bath feel bigger without adding square footage when you use light colors. Any room feels bigger with light colors on the walls. It doesn’t matter whether you use paint, tile or wood; if it’s on the walls make it light.

Light finishes on the cabinets will also make a room feel larger. Light, bright, and smooth all give the illusion of space that really isn’t there.

Reflective Surfaces. Strategically place mirrors to add the appearance of space. Don’t forget that any reflective surface acts like a mirror. This means high gloss finishes on cabinets, floors, and shower walls, will make a room look bigger.

use LEDs in kitchen and bathroom remodel to save money

LEDs light the way

Go Green with LEDs

Lighting is an important part of any room. It’s especially important in the kitchen and bathroom. Whether you are considering recessed can-style lights, under cabinet lights, or interior cabinet lighting you should incorporate LED lighting where possible.

LEDs are small, so they are perfect for tiny spaces. They also emit very little heat. This is particularly important for installations inside cabinets. The use much less energy to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb. The cost more initially, but you will recoup your money in savings over the life of the bulb; and LEDs have a long life. You can expect LEDs to last anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000 hours. On the low side that means you could leave the light on for 2 years and it still wouldn’t burn out!

Keep in Mind Resale Potential

You may plan to live in your home for many, many years but plans can change. A change in jobs, marital status or health may require a move. The more “unique” you make your kitchen and bath remodel, the harder it will be to sell your home. What appeals to you may not appeal to future potential buyers. An experienced kitchen and bath remodeling pro knows what unique touches are popular with others and can help you strike just the right balance.

Don’t Do it Yourself

Speaking of using a professional remodeler, make sure you do! A kitchen or bathroom remodeling project is not the same as remodeling the bedroom or dining room. Plumbing is involved and you also need to think of the practical logistics of using the room. Use an experienced professional. Pick someone who understands your style and taste. Make sure they are qualified professionals who are licensed and insured.

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling with a Design Build Firm

There are definite advantages to using the services of a design build firm on kitchen and bath remodeling projects. These type of projects involved several skilled trades and these services must be closely coordinated. A design build firm like Inspired Remodels will give you a realistic schedule for completion of the work. They have resources and connections that are invaluable if there are problems with materials or unforeseen issues arise. They handle all the plumbing and electrical subcontracting and can keep the project on time and on budget. They can do the legwork to reduce the stress involved with remodeling.

Call Inspired Remodels at (949) 716-1938 or use the handy on-line Contact Us form to set an appointment for a consultation. A new kitchen or bathroom doesn’t need to be a dream. Inspired Remodels can turn your dream into reality.