According to Remodeling Magazine in 2007, Americans spent an average of $15,000 remodeling their bathrooms. The resulting value rose in those same homes to about $12,400. Here we are two years later, and as you can imagine, that margin is even bigger now.

Time and again I have heard do-it-yourself remodelers say they regretted doing the project themselves. The projects took long hours and the material cost was still an issue. So, we’re going to steer this one to the professionals. In doing so, you’ll want a minimum of 3 quotes from reputable, licensed and insured remodelers and contractors. A few references from each that are verifiable are also highly recommended, as well as seeing photos of some of their work. These tasks take time, so why wouldn’t you go to a source that has taken care of it all for free? Yes, you read it correctly: FREE! Simply go to QwikBids for your remodeling needs. It’s really a no-brainer.

Having a smart contractor for your remodeling needs will make the entire process easier, and any good service provider in this field will work with you on maximizing the value added to the home through the project. Besides the choice of materials and new bathroom additives, it’s also recommended that you get advice from an experienced interior designer to make certain all of your ducks are in a row.

We set about talking to folks that have undergone the experience firsthand, and got some surprising feedback. Darlin Smith, of Ocala, Florida, indicates that she wished she’d gotten someone else to do most of the work from a skilled service provider. “I tried to take on the project myself, but realized I would need help with many things, such as removal of the tub and help with the plumbing. I also didn’t know anything about electrical,” she says.

Another home owner, Susan, was very unhappy with her remodeling project. She was quick to put in her 2 cents, “I’ve found the biggest challenge with any home repair is when you don’t have a choice but to hire someone; finding one that will actually show up, do the job (and do it well), and finish it within the agreed-upon estimate and timeframe.”

So it’s obvious what the main concern of consumers is. And if we told you there was a way to avoid a nightmare and stress by offering only service providers that are already prequalified wouldn’t you take advantage? If there was a service that allowed you to remain anonymous until you chose between multiple bids, already having the licensing, insurance and references checked out to save tons of time would you take advantage? It’s free, what are you waiting for? Go to QwikBids today!

With the economy in its current state, business as usual has not been business as usual for remodelers across the country. The economy is showing slow progress in the right direction, but we wanted to really know what consumers were still willing to spend money on when it came to renovations and remodeling. Just a phone call away, we asked several businesses in the Valley, and discovered that kitchen remodeling topped the list of higher-end spending. One remodeler remarked, “The general public isn’t really buying anything right now. As soon as they find their homes are worth half what they were worth a year ago, most of them give up.”

We asked how he was holding his business together under the strain of the economy. “The kind of requests I‘m getting usually involve garage doors, popping out a kitchen, and government jobs,” he says. It seems that many major remodelers and renovators are in the same boat.

Still, others contend the profits have been in the kitchen and bathroom. We’ll begin with kitchens, and where you should start.  As with all major upgrades to your home, we all know adding value, as well as energy efficiency, are major factors. So, there are many important decisions to make that come along with any major project, and we’ll talk about as many as possible here.

There are several major things to consider before beginning. It may be best to invest in a designer for the best results, but we have broken the kitchen renovation into seven categories:

•   Windows
•   Cabinets
•   Appliances
•   Sinks and fixtures
•   Countertops
•   Lighting
•   Flooring

In many of our articles in the past, we have touched on a few of these seven items with many great tips. These would still apply; choosing the right materials and contractors remains the challenge. Yes, we’re going to say it! Make it painless by getting your contractors through the QwikBids website. They’re already verified as licensed and insured, and come complete with references. QwikBids saves consumers from having to check all of these things and allows time for more important things, like choosing the remodeling scheme that’s right for you.

Windows – The right ones make a difference in convenience, space, and appeal.

Cabinets – Choose according to your storage needs.

Appliances – Practicality and energy conservation should be deciding factors here.

Sinks and Fixtures – Water conservation and style should be thought out.

Countertops – Durability of material should be considered. You’ll get what you pay for.

Lighting – Energy efficiency and strategic placement.

Flooring – Material durability and type/amount of traffic should be the focus.

Price should hardly be the deciding factor when quality, durability and style are most important. Remodeling a kitchen should be carefully planned and realistic budgets should be factored in with this. A short cut today may mean grief tomorrow.

There are some things easy to overlook before even getting started on your remodeling project. Money is usually the biggest hurdle, as is getting a fair estimate on each of the items you are looking to change or upgrade. It would be a good idea to set aside a fund (the newest trend is an escrow account or service that acts as the go-between for paying the contractors). This protects both the consumer and the business you choose.

There are other things to consider, and one of them may be the wiring in your kitchen. Making certain there are adequate power outlets with the new scheme is easy to forget. Items such as this illustrate the importance of a well planned project before beginning. Trust us; having the power outlets not matching your new design will create a lot of headaches!

There’s one more piece of advice from QwikBids: When you begin the kitchen remodel, and it looks like a war zone in there, it would have been good to plan how you’re going to eat and store food!