Chicago Kitchen and Bathroom Contractors

In rough economic times it is hard to sell a house and any Chicago buyers are looking for deals. In some cases they wouldn’t take a good house in a good location if you gave it to them for 10 cents on the dollar. Why? One of the main reasons is that the new breed of buyers wants a finished home and the top priorities for completion are remodeled kitchens and bathrooms. Formulating a plan and hiring the right contractor is first step in ensuring your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project is a success.

Until only a century ago most Americans had homes where both the bathroom and main kitchen appliances were outside. In almost all of rural Chicago bathrooms were outhouses and much of the kitchen storage was in sheds or root cellars. As piped water made it possible to get washing and drinking water out of the elements both became housed in self-contained areas. Since then these areas became the most important parts of the home and most buyers based their buying decisions on them.

Chicago Resale Facts

One of the best ways to sell your home in Chicago is make sure that the kitchen and bathroom are up to standard. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money but there is a certain fact amongst realtors. Every dollar spent in a kitchen or bathroom will get two to three back on resale. Not only that the home will sell quicker with these areas being upgraded.

Cheap Kitchen Remodeling

When you check the home and renovation magazines there are ways in which you can spend $50,000 on a kitchen without breaking a sweat. However, this kind of money is not easily attainable to do the work in the first place so you have to size up your kitchen and see what trends would both fit into the area and your budget. You’ll find that there are many things you can do to make a tired kitchen into a sales magnet.

1. Cabinets - Unless your cabinets are not structurally sound you can rework them into modern miracles. There are many Chicago kitchen and bathroom contractors that specialize in cabinet refinishing. This is where a colored, melamine finish can be applied that makes the cabinets look like they came directly from the factory. A carpenter can build a pantry beforehand and it can be finished the same way. Now just add some new, discounted hardware and you’re in business.
   
   
2. Kitchen Island Design - If you need an island go to cabinet store and look in their discount center. Since a kitchen island is just two or more cabinets put together you can get the discounted ones and add a countertop. This is will be a fraction of what it would cost to have one made. And don’t worry if it doesn’t match the main cabinets. The style calls for mismatched islands.
   
   
3. Countertops - In almost any kitchen granite countertops are the crowning touch. Any kitchen designer will tell you that. And marble kitchen countertops are the next best thing - but both are expensive. However, you can have granite or marble countertops by buying the 12” x 12” tiles and having them installed over your present laminate counter. The tiles are about $5 a square foot plus another $5 for a professional to install them compared to up to $80 for sheet granite. And for those who want to keep it really simple go for a high-end laminate that looks like granite.
   
   
4. Flooring - Tile is still a big seller for kitchen and bathroom floors but it is time consuming work and can be expensive. The new engineered-wood flooring like bamboo and cork can really set off your kitchen without the hassle of installing tile. It is under $5 a square foot and you can install it yourself but get a Chicago flooring expert for a great looking, and long-lasting, floor. For those of you who want a beautiful floor at a reasonable price, but don’t want to do the work, consider a high-end vinyl, cushioned floor.

Cheap Bathroom Remodeling

1. Space - If you have a small bathroom the best way to get dimension is through mirrors and lighting. High sconces can give a larger look to the bathroom as can well-place mirrors and, if you have the space, a window. The paint tone can also enlarge a bathroom.
   
   
2. Shower/Tub - In Chicago most showers installed after the 1960’s are a one-piece shower/tub arrangement. If you have one of these just have it refinished. Check and see the colors of toilets and get the shower finished in the same tone as the new one and you will have the latest color.
   
   If you have an old shower then it would be best to spend the money and replace it because there could be rot behind the walls and a home inspection would pick this up. This could be the most expensive part of your remodel but getting a Chicago bathroom contractor to put in a new shower/tub or tiled shower would be a big plus for buyers.
   
   
3. Vanity - The newest style vanity is a furniture-style cabinet with a glass bathroom sink. These can be purchased for under $500 with matching hardware. This would be ideal if you are changing the shower and toilet because, unlike regular sinks, it doesn’t have to match.
   
   
4. Floor - Tile is a big favorite and the new styles call for the floors and walls to be covered with the big 16” to 18” pieces. It looks great and you can put it up to the ceiling. A small piece of high-end vinyl, cushioned floor would also make a statement.
   
   
5. Accessories - Never underestimate the look of new shower curtains, window curtains, mats and towels. This finishes off the bathroom and shows to the buyer that you manage all the details.

Get a Professional Contractor

The best way to get the results you want is to hire a professional. Chicago kitchen and bathroom contractors are ready answer all of your questions about remodeling for selling your home. They will show you the inexpensive ways to get quality work done. Because if you are selling your home, they want to be on the list for your next house project.

So post your project on line and get a Chicago kitchen and bathroom contractor to take a look at your project.

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