Escondido Kitchen Remodel - Green
Escondido Kitchen Remodel
Green remodeling requires a new approach to the remodeling process, with more up-front planning and coordination to capture opportunities that are often missed in the conventional remodeling process. This includes expanding your list of objectives as well as the way you compare the price of products and services, by taking wide-angle and long-term views of decisions. It also means being willing to invest time and energy to find solutions that best fit your needs. And finally, it means approaching your remodeling project with health and safety at the forefront. This advance planning pays large dividends in terms of long-term satisfaction with your Escondido Kitchen Remodel project and cost containment.
Planning a remodel can elicit equal parts excitement and terror. The choices are endless. Where do you begin? Generally, when doing an Escondido Kitchen Remode, lthe more you can stick with existing walls, cabinetry, plumbing and electrical layouts, the less you will spend on your remodel. You’ll use fewer resources with less waste. So first, define your priorities and then consider all your options carefully.
Are materials and finishes nontoxic? Is ventilation sufficient? Are surfaces easy to clean without using harsh chemicals? Does the layout promote safety from slips, cuts, burns, and electric shocks?
Does the design make kitchen tasks easier and more pleasant? Create a list of your common kitchen tasks. Does the design help or hinder these? Expand your definition of Cost Initial price gives only a peephole view of the true cost of a product or design. A higher purchase price can mean a better deal in the long run: you can actually reduce the cost of living in your home by choosing resource-efficient materials and designs (lowering monthly bills) and durable materials (requiring less frequent replacement).
Focus on long-term savings, ease of maintenance and conservation, not just initial price. A low purchase price may mean a good deal, or it may signify a lack of quality or durability, or that some environmental, health, or social costs are not included on the price tag. Incentives and tax credits may be available for specific features of your Escondido Kitchen Remodel, helping shorten the payback period.
Be sure to check the incentives list at www.seattle.gov/dpd/greenbuilding (click on Residential, then Homeowners, then Incentives & Assistance) do your homework Research helps you ask the right questions of retailers, your designer and/or contractor–or avoid costly mistakes if you are doing the work yourself. Finding some “green” products can be a challenge. It pays to start early, looking for manufacturers that offer products you like. Keep a file of contact names and businesses, and magazine and newspaper clippings.
Identify everything for your new kitchen–down to the appliance brands, light fixtures and finishes. This helps determine cost and availability and reduces the need for expensive, last minute decisions. Find out how long it takes to receive special-order items and factor this into your schedule. The Internet is a great place to start when searching for information and products–but be aware of biases in information sources. The line between sales pitch and factual information can be quite blurry when looking to the web for help in your Escondido Kitchen Remodel project.
