A kitchen remodel is one of the best ways to inject a new lease of life into your old home. Because kitchens are consistently rated as the most important room for home buyers, any upgrades you make to this part of your home are guaranteed to boost its market value, says TG Management team.
But the actual value you get from a kitchen remodel varies. Some kitchen features have more impact on a home’s value than others. To get the highest returns when remodeling a kitchen, you want to pay attention to the kitchen’s ambience and functionality.
Ambience refers to the style and overall attractiveness of your kitchen. A great ambience helps you make the right first impression. Thoughtful lighting, a modern layout, and proper use of the right mix of colors & materials are key aspects of a kitchen’s ambience.
Function, on the other hand, refers to how useful the kitchen is in everyday life. Aspects of function include: how well the kitchen features are adapted to users’ lifestyle, efficient workflow, adequate storage, ergonomics, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
Function is more important than ambience, but ambience makes a louder statement. That’s why most homeowners place too much emphasis on their kitchen’s appearance at the expense of what potential buyers need.
When planning a kitchen remodel, you want to start by asking real questions, like:
- What are the things I hate most in my kitchen?
- How will my needs change over the coming years?
- Will this kitchen feature be functional in the next ten years?
Starting your kitchen remodel on this note ensures that decisions will be based on meeting actual needs rather than chasing fantasies.
Why an updated plumbing system is critical during kitchen remodeling
Almost every activity in your kitchen revolves around the plumbing. Without adequate water supply and efficient drainage systems, the kitchen will come to a standstill. Imagine trying to prepare meals or wash dishes without access to potable water.
The plumbing is the backbone of your kitchen’s functionality. Any plan to remodel your kitchen without proper evaluation of the plumbing will only result in failure or disappointing results. Why are plumbing upgrades vital for successful kitchen remodeling?
Prevent under-capacity
The water and drain pipes must meet the water demands of new appliances and sinks. If the plumbing is old, the new kitchen features may underperform because of the limited capacity of the plumbing.
Fix water pressure issues
Water pipe channels become progressively narrower as they age. This is mostly due to the accumulated debris and corrosion. Replacing existing pipes with new and more durable ones prevents low water pressure.
Improve water quality
In addition to low water pressure, aging pipes can introduce contaminants – odor and discoloration – to the home’s water supply. These problems may not be evident at first, but by updating the plumbing, you prevent them.
Save money
If your plumbing malfunctions after you finish remodeling the kitchen, you may have to demolish your new kitchen to fix the plumbing. This additional cost can be avoided by doing a kitchen plumbing upgrade along with your kitchen remodel.
How to approach the plumbing when remodeling your kitchen
Assess your kitchen’s water needs
What new fixtures and appliances do you plan to add to the kitchen? Before installing an ice-maker, new dishwasher, or double-sided sink, evaluate their impact on your existing plumbing system. Will your plumbing be able to meet the increased demand? By properly assessing the needs and mapping the needed adjustments, you save money and give yourself the ability to execute without future constraints.
Ensure proper drainage and ventilation
Drainage systems are responsible for the efficient exit of wastewater from your kitchen. Ventilation helps to maintain proper moisture levels and good air quality inside the kitchen. Without proper ventilation, you will have mold and difficulty in dispelling bad odors. Inadequate or inaccessible drainage systems can result in clogs and associated problems.
Reroute your plumbing
Before relocating sinks and appliances, consider the impact on your water pipes and drains. You may need to reroute the pipes. If you choose to retain the existing layout of your pipes without considering the impact on water pressure and volume, you may find that your new fixtures and appliances do not get enough water. Drain lines may also need to be rerouted to make them accessible and less prone to clogging.
Choosing the right fixtures and appliances
Plumbing fixtures and appliances do not operate in a vacuum, that is, independently of the kitchen plumbing. Select your fixtures and appliances with an eye on the system that supports them. Whether you are thinking of adding an ice-making refrigerator or garbage disposal, keep this in mind. It will save you from costly plumbing repairs in the future.
To sum up, if your goal for remodeling your kitchen is to make more money when you sell your home, the right place to start is by saving money when upgrading that kitchen. By following the advice in this post, you will save money today and also make money in the future.