FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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GENERAL RENOVATION QUESTIONS

I feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what materials I need for my remodeling project. Do I need to do this myself?

Absolutely not. A Certified Remodeling Consultant will assist you in choosing all the materials you’ll need to complete your renovation project. He will help you with everything from appliances to cabinetry to tiling and flooring. If your project involves painting or wood staining, he’ll help you in choosing the coloring, stains, and whatever else you’ll need to complete the project. The best part? We have all the materials or products you may need in our showrooms, making it easier for you to see what you’re buying, and enabling the remodeling consultant to help you with your purchases.

Will I need to run around to different stores or negotiate with many dealers to order my materials? Or can MyHome order the materials for me?

You can order all your materials through MyHome. This is actually part of our complete service. We not only help you with the design and choosing materials, but we can also sell you what you need, saving you time and frustration. But you don’t have to buy your materials from us to take advantage of our design or renovation services. You’re free to purchase whatever you need from wherever you please

I’m not really sure about the design I want to achieve by remodeling.
Do I need to decide before I call you?

You don’t need to know exactly what you want before you contact us. If you already have a good idea of the look you want for your new kitchen, bathroom, or whatever you’re renovating, that’s excellent. But if not, our Certified Remodeling Consultant is happy to share ideas with you during your free design consultation.

KITCHENS

I’m eager to get my kitchen renovations complete. How long can I expect the renovations to take?

That will really depend on the scope of your project. Obviously, if you decide to remove a wall to open up the kitchen, it’s going to take longer than if you’re not carrying out major restructuring. Plus, if you’re messing with adding or removing walls, you’ll probably need a building permit, which will add time to the schedule.

To give you an idea of how long a kitchen remodeling project can take, here’s a typical time line. However, this doesn’t include wall removals or additions, and depending on your renovation plans, it may take less or more time than this sample.

1. 1. Certified Remodeling Consultant’s free consultation and proposal write up
   – 1 week.
2. 2. Showroom meeting and finalization of the project and remodeling agreement
   – 2-3 weeks.
3. 3. Selection of materials
   – 1-4 weeks.
4. 4. Ordering and delivery of materials
   – 4-8 weeks.
5. 5. Demolition and removal of old cabinetry, sinks, etc., and appliances
   – 1 week.
6. 6. Installation of new kitchen, including appliances, flooring, plumping, electrical work, and painting
   – 3-4 weeks.

7. Finishing touch-up and clean-up
– 1-2 weeks.

How do I prepare to renovate my kitchen?

First you’ll want to think about the overall style you want. You can glean ideas from magazines, internet websites, or even remodeling television programs. When you’ve got at least a general idea of what you’re looking for, contact us for your free design consultation with one of our Certified Remodeling Consultants.

Whenever you finalize your remodeling plans, you’ll want to prepare your home for the renovations. Be sure to move out as many of your personal belongings from the area as possible, to avoid loss or damage. We’ll cover the areas near the remodeling site to help protect them from dust, but you should also cover your furniture with sheets or plastic. Dust travels.

What are the basic steps to the kitchen renovation process?

1. 1. Create your design.
2. 2. Select the materials.
3. 3. Order the materials.
4. 4. Receive the materials.
5. 5. Begin demolition.
6. 6. Prepare sub flooring.
7. 7. Install flooring.
8. 8. Install plumbing.
9. 9. Install electric wiring.
10. 10. Prepare walls.
11. 11. Prime and paint.
12. 12. Install cabinets.
13. 13. Locate appliances.
14. 14. Create countertop template.
15. 15. Fabricate countertop.
16. 16. Install countertop.
17. 17. Install sink and faucet.
18. 18. Install appliances.
19. 19. Install backsplash.
20. 20. Install light fixtures.
21. 21. Install accessories.
22. 22. Install door hardware.
23. 23. Apply final coat of paint.
24. 24. Complete touch-ups and clean up.

Into which features of my kitchen can I expect to invest the most?

Cabinetry is usually the most costly part of kitchen remodeling, mainly because there’s so much of it. But sometimes your countertops or flooring will cost more, depending on what materials and style you choose.

By how much can I expect my property’s value to increase?

For kitchen remodeling, Realtor® Magazine reported that the national average return was between 84.8% and 98.5%, depending on the extensiveness of the renovations. But for large cities like New York City, the return was substantially higher – anywhere from 119.5% to 135%. In other words, there’s a good chance you’ll make a profit on your remodeling investment.

I’m working with a tight budget. Do you recommend re-facing?

Re-facing your cabinetry is less expensive than replacing the cabinets, but it’s not a route we normally recommend. When you reface your cabinets, you not only replace the doors, but you also need to match the new doors with other visible parts. It’s not uncommon for the laminate to shift or peel away from re-faced frames, leaving unsightly seams.

Plus, you should keep in mind that 70% of a cabinet’s price is the door. With the large variety of cabinets out on the market, you should be able to find something that fits within your budget. Since you’re already investing time and money into remodeling the kitchen, why not replace the cabinets completely and eliminate future headaches?

MyHome does provide re-facing among our services, because it requires little labor and is extremely profitable for us. But since it’s not the best option for you, the consumer, it’s not something we recommend.

Should I choose particleboard or plywood for my cabinets?

Good question. A common mistake people make is thinking that plywood is better, probably because they’re thrown off by the word “wood” in the name. When, actually, particle board is often the better choice.

Plywood is made by gluing many thin sheets of wood together, and particleboard is composed of many, tiny wood particles that are held together by an adhesive. They both come in a variety of types and grades. Both plywood and particleboard make strong, durable cabinetry; however, high-density particle board is typically more resistant to expansion and contraction triggered by humidity. So in places where humidity is a problem – like New York – particleboard is often the best choice.

I’m in love with some cabinets I found at IKEA. Do you recommend purchasing cabinetry from them?

IKEA’s designs are no doubt beautiful, for extremely low prices. They’re also an excellent place to research European styles for cabinets and kitchens. However, when you purchase IKEA cabinetry, you receive the cabinets unassembled (this is how they keep shipping costs down and are able to offer such low prices). Your kitchen may come in hundreds or even thousands of parts, and either you’ll need to assemble them or your labor workers will – costing you time and money.

Also, cabinetry assembled onsite is rarely as strong as cabinets that have been assembled by the manufacture. And, IKEA cabinets are made with low-density particle board, which means if you ever need to nail or re-drill a cabinet in the future, the material may crumble.

What do you think about purchasing cabinets from Home Depot?

While Home Depot is an excellent store for most home improvement products, with usually competitive prices and all-under-one-roof convenience, this isn’t true for their kitchen cabinets. Home Depot’s cabinet prices are actually in line with the price you’d get from a small, kitchen cabinet dealer.

The other downfall of buying your cabinets from Home Depot is they don’t have staff to help with planning and designing, which makes it harder for you to make an educated choice. To keep their overall prices low, they can’t offer anything beyond the most basic services.

I’ve seen wood flooring in a few kitchens, and I love the look. But I heard it’s not a great choice. Is this true?

We don’t recommend wood flooring for kitchens, though it is popular. If you really love the look, or if you’re opening up your kitchen and want it to match the wood flooring in the adjacent room, then go for it. Just keep in mind that wood doesn’t do well in high traffic areas, and the finish will wear off faster than it does in other rooms of your home. To keep things looking spectacular, you’ll need to refinish the flooring in the kitchen every so often. Also, because of the plumbing, wood flooring in kitchens is at risk for water damage. Tile floors are more resistant to leaks and humidity than wood.

I really want to smooth out my popcorn ceiling. Is this possible? Should I even bother?

Popcorn ceilings, usually made from stucco or sand paint, were common in the 70’s and 80’s to hide imperfections in concrete slabs. If your popcorn ceiling is crumbling, it’s almost impossible to hide the repairs. Plus, some buildings don’t allow wiring to run through slab ceilings, making remodeling projects more difficult.

You have two choices. One is to scrape and skim coat the ceiling. This takes more work, but won’t lower the height. Your other option is to frame and Sheetrock the ceiling, which will decrease your ceiling height by couple inches, at least. However, if you do this, you’ll have an easier time running new wiring. Plus, we think it looks cleaner and less dated.

BATHROOMS

I can’t wait to remodel and enjoy my new bathroom. How long can I expect the process to take?

The time involved with remodeling a bathroom is really dependant on the scope of the project and will vary from bathroom to bathroom. If you’re planning on relocating fixtures or completely moving around the set up of the room, the construction phase will definitely take longer than someone who’s not doing as extensive work. Plus, this usually requires building department permits, which will also add time to your project.

To give you an idea of how long it may take, here’s a typical time line. However, this doesn’t include relocating fixtures, and depending on your renovation plans, it may take less or more time than this sample.

1. 1. Certified Remodeling Consultant’s free consultation and proposal write up
   – 1 week.
2. 2. Showroom meeting and finalization of the project and remodeling agreement
   – 2-3 weeks.
3. 3. Selection of materials
   – 1-4 weeks.
4. 4. Ordering and delivery of materials
   – 4-8 weeks.
5. 5. Demolition and removal of old bathroom fixtures and materials
   – 1 week.
6. 6. Installation of new bathroom, including flooring, plumping, electrical work, and painting
   – 3-4 weeks.
7. 7. Finishing touch-up and clean-up
   – 1-2 weeks

How can I best prepare for remodeling my bathroom?

First, you should get an idea of what you’d like. Peruse some magazines, check out websites, or watch some home improvement television programs. Then, be sure to meet with us for your free consultation with a Certified Remodeling Consultant.

Before construction begins, you’ll need to clear away your belongings from the area being renovated. We also recommend covering any near by furniture with plastic or sheets, though we will also do our best to protect your home from the construction dust.

What is the typical workflow for a bathroom renovation?

1. 1. Select your materials.
2. 2. Create the design.
3. 3. Order your materials.
4. 4. Receive your materials.
5. 5. Demolition begins.
6. 6. Plumbing is completed.
7. 7. Sub flooring is installed.
8. 8. Floor tiles are installed.
9. 9. Electric wiring is installed.
10. 10. Walls are prepared.
11. 11. Wall tiles are installed.
12. 12. Plumbing fixtures are installed.
13. 13. Countertops are installed.
14. 14. The medicine cabinet is installed.
15. 15. Light fixtures are installed.
16. 16. Accessories are installed.
17. 17. Painting takes place.
18. 18. Touch-ups and cleaning are complete

What part of my bathroom renovations can I expect to invest the most money in?

Flooring and tiling can be the priciest part of your renovations, depending on the materials and look you choose. Sometimes, though, the fixtures themselves or the shower and bath set-up may require a higher investment.

Will I see a return on my investment if I sell my home later?

You’re likely to see a great return on a bathroom renovation. For the year 2005, Realtor® Magazine reported that the average national return for a bathroom remodeling project was a between 93.2% and 102.2%, depending on the size and scope of the renovations. The investment return is significantly higher for renovations done in metropolitan areas like New York City, with the average anywhere between 116% and 136.3%. That’s great news for you -- you’ll very likely profit from your investment.

Could I have the bathtub re-glazed instead of replacing the tub?

You could, though there are advantages and disadvantages to consider, of course. You’ll save money if you re-glaze instead of completely replace the old bathtub -- re-glazing is less labor intensive and saves you money on the purchase and installation of a new tub. The downfall is that after a few years, the glaze often wears away. So you’ll need to have the tub re-glazed in as little as three years. If you’re not limited by budget, and you want to really upgrade the look in your bathroom, we suggest replacing the tub.

FLOORING

How much time will refinishing my floors take?

That will depend on the situation, honestly. If you need to remove the old flooring, or the condition of the sub-flooring is below standard, this will add time. If the room being refinished is empty, it’ll definitely take less time compared to completing the work in a furnished place. Another factor that will affect the length of the project is the size of the area, plus if there are any tricky areas to work around. Usually, if there’s no furniture or other obstacles, we can refurnish 500 square feet of room in one day, not including staining. If you want the floor stained as well, you should add at least one day for drying. And if there’s furniture in the room, the remodeling time doubles, at the very least. If you need to apply for a building permit to complete the work, that’ll also increase the time frame.

How do I prepare to refinish my floors?

We suggest removing everything from the areas being worked on. The installation of new flooring requires a good deal of sanding, which will throw dust into the air, even if a “dustless“ sander is used. Some dust particles always manage to get into closets and cabinets, even when they are closed. So, you really need to keep in mind the mess and clean-up that will be involved.

Will my home’s selling value increase if I refinish my floors?

According to a nationwide survey of real state agents commissioned by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), homes with wood flooring maintain their value better and sell faster (and at higher prices). Exact percentages on the return the investment aren’t available, however.