Holding Elections for Your Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

Home remodeling philosophies are strikingly similar to the political philosophies that dominate American politics. Whether a new granite countertop is the change you need for that stained laminate counter or whether you need to put value first with a manageable, pork-free budget. And, needless to say, there are also some cultural differences between a shabby chic copper vessel sink and a classic white porcelain drop-in sink. No matter from what side of the street you cast your ballot, however, understanding the principles of remodeling politics is crucial for getting the right job for you and your home.

Big Government, Remodeling Companies, and the Left
Full-service remodeling companies are in the business of turn-key, push-button convenience that involves the owner, the project manager, and the designer, along with up to a dozen or so subcontractors. None of these professionals or remodeling steps are examples of frivolous "red tape," but they do come at a price. Estimates from these companies are often higher than smaller operations. It's not unlike a tax-and-spend approach. These spending programs have admirable gains, but it could be argued that the money is best spent when it's in your own pocket. Plus, as any home improvement guru will tell you, the best impetus for a major home remodel is enhanced enjoyment of your home, not increased property value.

This doesn't necessarily mean you have to break the bank to choose and realize the benefit of this type of remodeling company. Listen to the feedback from this La Palma, CA homeowner who spent $50,000 on her kitchen remodel, "Make sure you get a company that will lead you through the whole process and make it really easy to understand what your next step will be."

Small Government, Remodeling Contractors, and the Right
Small government proponents take an approach that's hard to argue with?.Why not take on more of the project yourself and save some money? This path, however, has dangers and pitfalls of its own. Hiring a small, independent remodeling contractor leaves you exposed to less reliable professionals in the business looking to make a quick buck. Talk to homeowners with complaints about their remodeling projects and you're liable to hear one of two stories: The project cost too much, or the contractor failed to show up on time and meet his or her promises. Big government may not sound like the best answer, but shoddy remodeling services may just be worse.

On the other hand, while the finished product may lack the same level of style, convenience, and brand name luxury of top-of-the-line remodeling, but smaller, independent contractors may also deliver a more cost-effective remodel. In terms of both initial cost and added property value, these contractors may be the best choice?.According to Remodeling Magazine's 2007 Cost vs. Value Report, the average rate of return for a midrange kitchen remodel was 78.1 percent and for a midrange bathroom remodel, 78.3 percent. By contrast, upscale kitchen and bath remodels saw the return rate drop to 74.1 percent and 68.4 percent, respectively.

Third Party Candidates and DIY Remodeling
Whether you're talking about the Libertarian Party advocating the Thoreau-like mandate to have as little government as possible or the Green Party advocating for consumers' rights, one interesting possibility is to be your own general contractor and designer. Done right, there is no doubt you stand to save quite a bit of money—10 percent or more by most estimates—on your kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Done wrong, you might end up spending four weeks and $25,000 just to cover up your mistakes and return your kitchen to its original condition.

There are a bunch of misconceptions about being your own G.C. or designer. The first is you need to be somewhat of an expert in construction. Not only do you not need to know about installing countertops, hot water plumbing, or electrical wiring, but knowing how to communicate and manage people are probably more important than any construction skills. Whether or not you have experience with home improvement, you'll need to spend several weeks planning. Look at remodeling magazines. Create a floor plan and an itemized list of the work to be done. Get several estimates from each type of subcontractor. And you must, must have the time to be in your home during the entire project to answer questions from the subcontractors and to respond to problems as they arise.

And, just like politics, you need to realize that perception and reality are rarely the same thing. Take, for example, the difference between kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Many homeowners would assume that designing your own kitchen and creating a remodeling floor plan for a kitchen would be more difficult than bathrooms. In fact, many interior designers will tell you the exact opposite. Optimizing the space of a small or moderate-sized bathroom is crucial, and if the measurements for the floor plan of a bathroom are off by even a single inch, the function and feel of that bathroom can be ruined.

Remember, as the Homeowner, Your Vote is the One that Counts
The great thing about remodeling is that your vote is the only one that counts. Of course, this only also means you have nobody blame but yourself should you make the right choice for your home. To this end, the best voter is the informed voter. Listen to what other homeowners say in referrals, and trust your gut when selecting the contractor for your remodel. At the same time, listen to what the professionals say about the relative pros and cons of stone vs. ceramic floor tile, solid vs. engineered stone countertops, and solid wood vs. wood veneer cabinets. The future of your home depends on making the right vote.

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