Your home is likely your biggest investment so any renovations should be taken very seriously (courtesy Nip Tuck Remodeling)

Q: We’re stressing over a potential remodel project. Any tips to help us along the way?

A: You’ve made the decision to turn your dream home into a reality. Congratulations. Here’s what you need to know: basic dos and don’ts, with don’ts placed first because, like your remodel, we want you to end on a good note.

DON’T leave any detail unnoticed, no matter how trivial you might think it is. Experienced remodelers will tell you to put together an extensive file with inspiration images and features you envision for your renovation.

DON’T panic over things you can’t control. Dust and dirt happen during a renovation, as do unforeseen circumstances like material and permitting delays, and design changes mid-remodel. You adapt, you move on, and you might even get what you wanted without realizing you wanted it in the first place.

DON’T try to take things on yourself. Your home is likely your biggest investment, and any renovations done within that realm need to be taken accordingly. Performing surgery on yourself? Performing a home remodel? Don’t try either unless you want a ton of painful recuperation.

DO plan ahead. You might be surprised at the waiting list of many Puget Sound remodelers, some of which rival Santa’s annual Naughty or Nice list. If a home remodel is on your wish list this year or next, don’t hesitate—meet with potential remodelers and get a timeline going. They’ll happily walk you through a realistic estimate of how long each aspect of your project will take, which can include permitting and materials availability, depending on the size and scope of what you want done.

DO interview your potential contractors. Treat it like any other working relationship. You need to know you can trust and get along with the person in charge of your sizable investment and that they’ll be able to deliver what you’re asking for—realistically, of course.

DO hire a professional to get the job done right. You might think your non-licensed brother-in-law can do the job for a quarter of the price, but you’ll soon realize that you probably aren’t as handy as you think you are and that your brother-in-law is only about a quarter qualified for the job. Renovations done right will likely cost you, but it’s nothing compared to the safety and sanity you’ll risk trying to go cheap—not to mention the costs to fix things that weren’t done right the first time around.

On that note…

DO visit the Oct. 26 and 27 Remodeled Homes Tour, a free, open-house tour taking place in 15 convenient locations throughout King County. Stops include beautifully remodeled homes in Shoreline, Renton, Queen Anne, and throughout the Eastside, including Issaquah. The Remodeled Homes Tour occurs annually and is produced by professional remodeler members of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

With all homes open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and select homes available during the same period Sunday, visitors get a hands-on look at the latest and greatest in residential renovation and in-home technology. Guests can also chat with the remodel pros themselves, all of whom will be on site to talk through their work and answer questions you might have on your own upcoming project.

Remodeled Home Tour tickets are free and available at remodeltour.com/free-tickets.

Cameron Poague is a content specialist at the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’s nearly 3,000 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: My kitchen is seriously dated and I’m thinking about a major upgrade to something a little more cutting edge. What features should I be looking for?

A: If you’re thinking about upgrading your kitchen, it’s worth considering all the options at your disposal, especially the latest features and design elements that will make your life easier. Before we get to the kitchen of tomorrow, let’s take a brief look at the kitchen of today.

Today’s Kitchen Design

Using a work triangle. The kitchen work triangle is formed by three key areas of the kitchen: refrigeration (fridge/freezer), washing station (sink), and cooking area (cooktop/stove/oven.) This idea originated with the modernization of the 1940s “kitchen of tomorrow,” but the concept has not seen much improvement since its invention.

Centering the sink. For a long time, having the perfect kitchen meant having sinks centered on an exterior window so you could watch squirrels frolicking in the backyard while washing dishes. This concept was very popular in the 1950s because most kitchen time was spent at the sink. Today’s homeowners typically spend more time in front of a cooking appliance, thanks in part to the advancement of the dishwasher.

Utilizing corners. The invention of the lazy Susan solidified the corner cabinet as a key kitchen design solution. To maximize space, homeowners use corner cabinets—often multiple corner cabinets. Unfortunately, corner cabinets usually just mean having more cabinets without necessarily offering more usability—and with a higher price tag.

The Future of Kitchen Design

Will we have fully autonomous cars and robot home-chefs in the future? Hard to say. But what is certain is that our kitchens will make more efficient use of space, feature a bevy of technological conveniences, and showcase attractive and seamless modular design elements. Drawing on the best in contemporary European design, these are the up-and-coming features to look for.

Space-saving features that increase efficiency:

• Substantial, centrally located workstations, counter spaces, and islands so that items do not have to be moved over large areas and can be set down easily.
• Appliance-workstation integration whenever possible, so the sink and dishwasher are easily in reach with one hand while the cooktop and oven are in reach of the other.
• Spacious prep area for chopping and cutting with easy access to mixing and cooking appliances, as well as compost for waste disposal.
• Integrated pantry and storage.
• No corner cabinets and better use of space planning. Corner cabinets and storage solutions cost more due to their complexity and are far less efficient (225% higher cost for 10% less storage).

Technology that makes the kitchen experience easier and more seamless:

• Handle-less cabinets with electric assist features, allowing access to nearby cabinets without the use of one’s hands.
• Integrated lighting that not only accentuates the beautiful features of the kitchen, but adds a layer of comfort. Practically integrated lighting allows better overall visualization of surfaces for cooking, cleaning, and safety. Lighting control and energy efficiency allow consumers to make smart choices.
• Smart home automation integration. Imagine walking in with an armful of groceries and being able to turn on your cabinet lighting via voice command. Integration with cabinet lighting is already available on the market.

Modular design elements that make the kitchen experience less stressful and more attractive:

• Work units that generate visual interest while offering practical usefulness in the form of cabinets and worktop surfaces.
• Advanced styling marrying warmth with ease of use and cleaning—tone-on-tone or contrasting finishes employed to dazzling effect.
• In the high-end markets, kitchens as functional art; dramatic spaces with unique textures and concepts that will filter their way through all levels of the market.
• The integration of minimalist techniques to create calming spaces free from the chaos of daily life.

Dave Giltner is with Bauformat Seattle, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: I recently purchased a home built in the 1980s with a claustrophobic floorplan and I’m thinking about opening it up with a remodel. Do you have any good advice for newbies like me?

A: Major remodels are never a cakewalk, even for experienced homeowners. But there are a few pointers you should keep in mind. Here are some of the most important:

Plan, Plan, and Plan

The trick to staying on budget and avoiding serious delays is planning ahead. By thinking through every detail from the start, you can make important decisions up front instead of at the last minute. When planning, don’t leave out any details, no matter how trivial they may seem. Everything from floorplan measurements to decorative elements should be included. A miniscule mismeasurement can cause major headaches down the road.

Hire Professionals

Getting your remodel right the first time means hiring experienced professionals who know what they’re doing. Putting friends and relatives to work may seem like a money-saver, but it’s more likely to result in a busted budget when rookie mistakes lead to professional repairs. Don’t throw away expertise, safety, or peace of mind to save money. Get it done right the first time.

Interview Contractors

It might be tempting to hire a company based on an attractive website, word of mouth, or Yelp review. While all these are great for identifying a slate of potential contractors, you should never make any final decision before interviewing each candidate. Remodeling is expensive and time-consuming; having a conversation about the details beforehand will give you a sense of whether working with the contractor will be a dream come true or a nightmare. A gut check never hurts.

Make Site Visits

When making a hiring decision, it’s important to get a sense of how the contractor manages projects on an actual jobsite. Visiting one of their sites is a great way to find out how they work, if they’re organized and efficient, how seriously they take safety, and if their work will be disruptive to your life or your neighborhood’s.

Get a Detailed Contract

We already went over the importance of planning. You’ll want to make sure that same level of detail finds its way into your contract. Without a detailed, unambiguous contract, you’re setting yourself up for ugly surprises during the remodeling process or, worse yet, legal disputes. Avoid misunderstandings with your contractor by spelling out expectations ahead of time.

Communicate Effectively

Remodelers are not psychic and need to be told if an aspect of their work is unsatisfactory or simply fails to meet your vision. If you maintain open lines of communication with the project lead throughout the process, you can avoid unnecessary frustration or, worse, a botched job.

Don’t Panic!

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” offers great advice: don’t panic. This is especially true of remodeling projects, which can be very stressful. The reality is, you’re going to have to deal with unexpected developments such as permitting delays or materials not arriving on time, or the frustration of having your home turned upside-down for the duration of the project. Go with the flow, adjust as necessary, keep your wits about you, and let the results speak for themselves. Only worry about the things you can control.

Check Out Successful Remodels for Inspiration

If you want to see some of the spectacular results of remodels done right, check out the 2019 Remodeled Homes Tour on the weekend of October 26–27. Get a sense of what it’s like to live in a gorgeously custom-remodeled home by touring private residences across King County. The best part is you can circle back with the featured remodelers with any questions you may have about the process. Get your free tickets today at remodeltour.com/free-tickets.

James Slone is a writer for Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ nearly 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.