Secrets of a Successful
Kitchen Remodel
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Top Kitchen Values
Consumer Reports asked 8,000 readers and 1,000 other Americans nationwide about their kitchens. Most readers were highly satisfied with their new kitchens, but almost half had some regrets about the products or pros they chose.
So before you start planning your new kitchen, here are six things you can do to save money and aggravation, six common mistakes to avoid and nine popular products to skip.
Next: Kitchen Secret No. 1More From Consumer Reports:
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Plan Before You Pay
Part of the joy of planning a new kitchen is exploring the options. Keep a running file of appliance picks, paint chips, countertop samples, and the like so you can slowly piece together your dream kitchen. The most common regrets mentioned by readers who hired help stemmed from rushing into their remodel, with 11 percent saying they should have done more research. And 12 percent wished they had chosen different materials.
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Stockbyte
Common Planning Mistake
Avoid being seduced by pretty products. Design magazines are great for ideas and inspiration, but you might find that real life often isn't so neat and clean. Take concrete countertops; they've enjoyed a certain cachet, but as we found in our latest report on countertops, concrete can crack or chip and requires regular sealing, which isn't a great match for a hectic household.
Next: Kitchen Secret No. 2More From Consumer Reports:
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Save Green With Green
Most readers chose eco-friendly products that save money. For example, 84 percent opted for energy-efficient appliances, 43 percent picked water-efficient appliances, and 38 percent used fluorescent lights. Those appliance will cut utility and water bills over their entire lifetime. But just 10 percent put down eco-friendly flooring, and 2 percent installed green counters.
Next: Common "Green" MistakeMore From Consumer Reports:
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Richlite
Common "Green" Mistake
Don't fall for green claims. There are no federal regulations or definitions of green products. Richlite calls its paper-based countertops “environmentally sustainable,” but they contain nonrenewable materials. And those countertops were susceptible to nicks and scratches.
Next: Kitchen Secret No. 3More From Consumer Reports:
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Run a Background Check
To find a contractor who is competent and honest, and shares your sensibilities, you need to do more than just ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations. All in all, 41 percent of readers who hired a contractor reported some problem with their project. Avoid problems by asking past customers specific questions about work quality and promptness before hiring workers for your project.
Next: Common Contractor MistakeMore From Consumer Reports:
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Common Contractor Mistake
Don't go with the lowest bid, as did some of our readers. While those contractors didn’t necessarily go over budget, their workmanship wasn’t as good, so readers had to spend more after the job was completed to bring the work up to snuff.
Next: Kitchen Secret No. 4More From Consumer Reports:
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Getty Images
Design It Yourself
If you'll be working within the room's existing dimensions, as 65 percent of the readers we surveyed did, you've got a great excuse for avoiding some expensive design fees. Nearly half of all readers who hired tradespeople handled the major design decisions themselves. If you're knocking down walls or drastically rearranging your floor plan, local codes might require an architect's or designer's sign-off.
Next: Common Design MistakeMore From Consumer Reports:
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Cassandra Shie, AOL
Common Design Mistake
Don't opt for extended warranties on appliances. We found that paying extra for such warranties doesn't save money in the long run.
Next: Kitchen Secret No. 5More From Consumer Reports:
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Say No to Pro Appliances
As in years past, our tests have shown that faux-pro-style ranges perform well and have stainless-steel styling for much less than the $4,000-plus price tags of brands like Viking and Wolf. And when we asked online subscribers who own a pro range about their experiences, nearly half reported repairs, which tended to be costly.
Next: Common Appliance MistakeMore From Consumer Reports:
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Common Appliance Mistake
Don't pay more for built-ins. Save thousands by choosing a cabinet-depth refrigerator.
Next: Kitchen Secret No. 6More From Consumer Reports:
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Build in a Cushion
Even the best contractor can't see through walls or ensure that products arrive on time. One in five homeowners who worked with a contractor paid 10 percent more than estimated, and 36 percent of those projects took at least two weeks longer than anticipated. So leave between 10 and 15 percent of your budget for the unexpected and set up a makeshift kitchen with your old fridge and microwave.
Next: Common Budget MistakeMore From Consumer Reports:
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Common Budget Mistake
Don't fall into the "while we’re at it" trap. Some project add-ons are inevitable, but sticking to the original plan and products for your will keep the budget and schedule in check.
Next: 9 Products to SkipMore From Consumer Reports:
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AP
Nine Products to Skip:
1. Pro-Style RangesDespite claims from manufacturers about the superior performance of their pro-style ranges, our tests continue to find that $4,000-plus ranges perform no better than less-expensive, conventional models. What's more, some pro-style ranges still lack common features and have high repair rates.
Smarter option: Faux-pro-style ranges from mainstream manufacturers combine style, performance, and reliability for thousands less.
Next: Speed CookingMore From Consumer Reports:
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MCT
Nine Products to Skip:
2. Speed CookingFound in some microwaves, ranges, and ovens, speed cooking combines microwaving with convection or baking and broiling to cut cooking time. But speed cookers have been slow to catch on. That isn't surprising, since performance was spotty in our tests.
Smarter option: Ovens and ranges with convection use a fan to circulate hot air, so you can bake and roast at lower temperatures for shorter times.
Next: Multimedia FridgesMore From Consumer Reports:
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Nine Products to Skip:
3. Multimedia FridgesSide-by-sides with TVs and calendars promise to help you organize your life as well as your leftovers. But none of the multimedia refrigerators we've tested out-cooled the best conventional fridges. You'll also find that a separate TV and sticky notes are easier and cheaper.
Smarter option: Save $2,000 or more by buying a top-rated refrigerator and a capable flat-panel TV.
Next: Turbo DishwashersMore From Consumer Reports:
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Nine Products to Skip:
4. Turbo DishwashersManufacturers tout the superior performance—without your having to scrub or soak dirty dishes—of their turbo cycles and high-pressure cleaning cycles. But we've found that most regular dishwashers do a very good job of cleaning dishes, even with baked-on food.
Smarter option: Pick a lower-priced dishwasher that blends top cleaning with quietness and shorter cycle times.
Next: Appliance DrawersMore From Consumer Reports:
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Nine Products to Skip:
5. Appliance DrawersThese drawer versions of appliances are touted as flexible, space-saving, and stylish. Some can be covered with cabinet-matching panels to hide them from view. But our tests show that their lower capacity, efficiency and higher prices, negate those perks.
Smarter option: Choose a good French-door fridge if you want style and accessible storage, run the rinse-only cycle on a regular dishwasher for small loads, and free up counter space with an over-the-range microwave.
Next: Pricey Faucets & SinksMore From Consumer Reports:
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Nine Products to Skip:
6. Pricey Faucets, SinksMakers say pricey faucets and sinks will look better longer and provide outstanding stain and corrosion resistance. But we've noted few performance differences between the least and most expensive versions.
Smarter option: Faucets in chrome or with physical vapor deposition (PVD) finishes performed best regardless of price. And all our stainless sinks resisted damage similarly, whether they were thick or thin.
Next: Trendy CountersMore From Consumer Reports:
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John Mutrux, MCT
Nine Products to Skip:
7. Trendy CountersMany companies claim that their concrete countertops require little or no maintenance beyond regular cleaning, while makers of limestone counters promise supersmooth surfaces. But our tests found concrete to be fragile and susceptible to damage. You'll also need to reseal concrete periodically. As for limestone, our wear tests left it scratched, stained and dinged.
Smarter option: If you crave the stone look, go for granite or quartz.
Next: Green FlooringMore From Consumer Reports:
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Bob Pepping, MCT
Nine Products to Skip:
8. Green FlooringBamboo, cork, and linoleum are considered renewable alternatives to standard hardwood and vinyl flooring. But our tests show that some of these environmentally friendly options could disappoint you. Many of these floors didn't hold up to the usual spills, scratches, dropped plates, and sunlight in a typical kitchen.
Smarter option: Solid wood floors can be sanded and refinished several times, while plastic laminate and vinyl proved toughest overall, and for less money.
Next: One-Stop ShopsMore From Consumer Reports:
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Nine Products to Skip:
9. One-Stop ShopsKitchen remodeling is often messy and complicated. So when a home center touts services that simplify the process, it's tempting to sign on the dotted line. But our latest surveys show that no one retailer was impressive in all areas of renovation.
Smarter option: Check our Ratings (available to subscribers) of various stores' strengths. Also check each retailer's return policies before you buy, and consider local independent stores and personal references.
· See CR's Full Kitchen Report
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More From AOL: Too Much Medical Treatment?
For many consumers, good health care means seeing as many specialists as possible. Though the "more is better" idea seems to make sense, recent research has shown that it does not necessarily help you live better or longer. As part of its report on this topic, Consumer Reports shares its list of the most aggressive and conservative medical centers in the U.S.
Next Gallery:
No. 1 Most Aggressive
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Recent Comments
Napaleila 05:48:13 PM Jul 20 2009
thank you everyone we are just beginning after long years of savings I mean long long years....so I really appreaciate your in put( I never learned how to use this computer but I learned alot about people...thank you so muchnapaleila
askmediy 08:17:52 PM Oct 27 2008
To carry this article to more detail check out http://www.askmediy.com even ask your own kitchen DIY questions and get a reply today..
azdmlj1 05:02:06 AM Sep 30 2008
In 1990 I purchased a Sharp Carousel II microwave/convection oven for approximately $500. In the 18 years I have had it, I have only had to replace the fuse twice. Of course it doesn't have the microwave cooking temps as the newer ones (for that I picked up a Panasonic microwave for under $200), but as a convection oven, I cook everything from a turkey (under 15lbs) to biscuits, cakes, etc. I even use it to broil meats, naturally popcorn, and everything else. I have only used my oven 2 times over the years and that was only when we were have a large holiday dinner party. Everything else I cook in my Sharp convection.
Mo MAP 5 10:58:27 AM Aug 05 2008
I agree...do not, i repeat do not ever buy a black JennAir electric cooktop. They stain and pit and I had to replace mine in only 4 yrs. I have a Thermador now and absolutely love it.
LyndaBOwens 09:09:04 PM Jul 26 2008
DO NOT, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT GET A BLACK JENN-AIRE GAS COOKTOP. YOU CANNOT KEEP IT CLEAN.
LyndaBOwens 09:07:09 PM Jul 26 2008
DO NOT, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT GET A JENN-AIRE BLACK GAS COOKTOP. YOU WILL BE CLEANING IT ABOUT 2 HOURS EACH DAY AND IT STILL WON'T GET CLEAN.
Paulie Glock 07:22:45 AM Jul 26 2008
People that go with the lowest bid and then get upset when they do not get quality. This never stops to amaze me. People will get 5-10 "bids" on a job and buy from the cheapest contractor and then get upset when they get a less than average job. Homeowners have a responsibility to check out a contractors background. Get references try to see some of his previous jobs. Ask if his employees are really employees or sub-contractors. You have price, service and quality product and rarely is one company best at all 3. People need to do some homework.
TONYDeLOGE 2012 07:37:45 AM Jul 22 2008
Make sure that the "contractors" are licensed......especially if you have to move a fixture, such as the kitchen sink........and make sure that the proper permits are pulled.......it will be on record when it comes time to sell the house......
BandD5761 05:40:54 PM Jul 21 2008
shop at www.betterstuff4less.com and save gas money and time.
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