Tips for New Homeowners: What to Keep in Mind When Kitchen Countertop Shopping
So you found the perfect home, or almost. The kitchen, admittedly, could do with a little work but the price is right and the rest of the house is almost exactly what you were looking for. So the prospect of doing a little remodeling once you move in is something you are willing to consider.
One of the most common kitchen remodeling tasks any homeowner commissions is the installation of new countertops, something that can transform a not quite right kitchen into the prefect space within the space of just a few days.
When you are remodeling a kitchen the countertops that you choose probably – together with the kitchen cabinets – have the biggest impact on the overall look and function of the space when the work is completed. Therefore it is very important that a lot of thought go into just which of the many options out there you pick.
These days consumers have more counter top choices than ever before so making the choice can be very difficult. Here though are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind once you start shopping:
Budget
New kitchen countertops are a big investment and one that is expected to last for years so choosing the least expensive countertop just to save money now may not always be the best idea in the long run, even if you have just ‘splashed out’ on purchasing the home they are being installed in.
Laminates for example can be very inexpensive, but the cheaper versions do tend to scratch easily and they cannot be resurfaced in the way that other counter options can so in the long term they may not be the best investment.
Determining just how much you are willing to spend before you head out is important though. That way with a solid figure in mind you can begin exploring all of the options in your price range from the least expensive to the most. It’s also something you should consider when making an offer on the home in the first place.
Installation Costs
There are very few people who are “handy” enough to install kitchen counters by themselves, especially if you are dealing with difficult to work with options like natural stone. Therefore when you are figuring out just how much a certain countertop option is really going to cost you it is important to remember to include the costs of installation into your calculations as well as the costs per square foot.
The Long Term ROI
Something you should keep in mind when shopping for new kitchen countertops is the ROI – return on your investment – they are likely to offer in the future. Certain countertop materials – especially the natural stone varieties like granite – are very much desired by home buyers and installing them can significantly alter the perceived value of your home.
Kitchen Use
Homeowners tend to make use of their kitchens in rather different ways. There are those love nothing more than to spend a great deal of time in their kitchen space preparing and cooking meals. Others though may barely use their kitchens for too much more than fixing frozen dinners in the microwave and washing dishes.
If you are a serious cook some kitchen countertop materials are probably a better choice for you over others. If you go into a commercial restaurant kitchen you will usually find that they are using stainless steel counter tops. Stainless steel is a great choice for cooks as it is stain and heat resistant and clean up is fast and easy. Natural stone is another great choice as well as it has similar properties but for many people is the better looking counter top option as well.