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Composite Deck in Fenwick Island!

Composite Deck in Fenwick Island

This Fenwick Island, Delaware composite deck offers a virtually maintenance free way to enjoy summer barbecues! Alcoa Construction is a custom deck builder that can create a deck to fit any space and needs! And why stop there? We have also built several home additions in the area including screened porches, patio enclosures, sunrooms, guest houses, and much more!  We strive to provide the utmost customer convenience and service and pride ourselves on being a superior remodel contractor! Contact us today and find out exactly how we can enhance your home!

Composite Deck

Our primary service areas are Sussex County Delaware and Worcester County in Maryland.  The cities we most frequently serve include Ocean View, Bethany Beach, Millville, Fenwick Island, West Fenwick, Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Millsboro, Long Neck, Rehoboth, Dewey Beach, Lewes, Harbeson, Georgetown, Milford, Slaughter Beach, Milton, Greenwood, Bridgeville, Seaford, Laurel, Delmar, Salisbury, Pittsville, Berlin, Ocean Pines, West Ocean City, and Ocean City.  We also serve Kent County Delaware, Wicomico County Maryland, and Talbot County Maryland.

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Guest House Addition in Fenwick Island Delaware

Guest House Addition in Fenwick Island Delaware

This attractive guest house addition in Fenwick Island, Delaware is a great way to host company, family, and friends while providing them with added privacy! Alcoa Construction is a remodel contractor that serves it’s customers with fine craftsmanship, carpentry, skill, and an overall hassle free experience. Each project is completed in an efficient timely manner and on budget! Our company can update, improve and expand on your home’s living space with a room or guesthouse addition, porch addition, patio enclosure, second story addition, attic remodel, kitchen and bath remodel, and much more. We bend to fit our customer’s needs and wants! Contact us today and learn to love your home!

Our primary service areas are Sussex County Delaware and Worcester County in Maryland.  The cities we most frequently serve include Ocean View, Bethany Beach, Millville, Fenwick Island, West Fenwick, Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Millsboro, Long Neck, Rehoboth, Dewey Beach, Lewes, Harbeson, Georgetown, Milford, Slaughter Beach, Milton, Greenwood, Bridgeville, Seaford, Laurel, Delmar, Salisbury, Pittsville, Berlin, Ocean Pines, West Ocean City, and Ocean City.  We also serve Kent County Delaware, Wicomico County Maryland, and Talbot County Maryland.

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Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Popular Trends

National Kitchen and Bath Association Reports Trends for 2010 Results are in from a recent survey of designers conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association to reveal the key design trends for 2010 NKBA News Release January 13, 2010

Hackettstown, N.J., Jan. 12, 2010 — The results are in from a recent survey of designers conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) to reveal the key design trends for 2010. The results of the NKBA 2010 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends Survey confirmed the continuation of a number of existing trends in the marketplace, but also uncovered others that indicate shifts in the direction that kitchen and bath style will take this year. Below are 2010’s seven kitchen trends and four bath trends.

KITCHENS

  1. Traditional is the New Contemporary

Traditional will continue as the most popular kitchen design style in 2010, with contemporary following closely behind, while the Shaker style is seeing a surprisingly strong resurgence. Shades of whites and off-whites will be the most common kitchen colors in 2010, while brown, beige, and bone hues will also be popular.

  1. Cherry on Top

Cherry will remain the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple, while alder increases in use. As for the finishes placed on those cabinets, medium natural, dark natural, glazed, and white painted will all be common. Other colors of painted cabinetry and light natural finishes are in decline, however, as are distressed finishes.

  1. Floored by Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as natural stone tile, remain popular kitchen flooring options, but hardwood will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010. For countertops, granite continues to be the most popular option, but quartz will nearly catch up in popularity. For backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile and glass will serve as the primary materials.

  1. Flexible Faucets

Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010 in favor of more convenient models. Pull-out faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot filler faucets will also become more prevalent. Kitchen faucets will most often be finished in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel, and — surprisingly — polished chrome.

  1. Undercounter Refrigeration

French door and freezer-bottom are the two most popular styles of refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators remain a popular option. A surprising trend is the extent to which undercounter refrigerator drawers are being used in the latest kitchen designs. Perhaps even more surprising is that undercounter wine refrigerators have been recently specified by half of kitchen designers.

  1. A Range of Cooking Options

The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking continues to gain in popularity due to its energy efficiency.

  1. Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer

Standard dishwashers, with the traditional door that pulls from the top down, will once again be easily the most common type in 2010. However, an increasing number of dishwasher drawers will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thereby saving water and electricity.

BATHROOMS

  1. In With the Old, Out with the New

Traditional will be the most popular design style in bathrooms in 2010, as contemporary designs will be a distant second, followed by the Shaker style as an even more distant third. Beiges and bones will be the most common colors used in bathrooms, followed by whites and off-whites, and then by browns, indicating a somewhat subdued color palette this year.

  1. Ceramic and Granite

Ceramic and porcelain tile will be the dominant flooring materials in bathrooms this year, while natural stone will continue to prove popular as well. Though increasingly popular in kitchens, hardwood flooring won’t become common in bathrooms in 2010. For vanity tops, granite will remain king, with quartz and marble also proving popular options.

  1. Simple Fixtures

Perhaps more than ever, the most common color for fixtures will be white. Bisque and off-white will be the only other fixture colors at all common in new or remodeled bathroom. For sinks, simple undermount models will be most popular, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks, and pedestal sinks.

  1. A Nickel for Every Finish

Faucet finishes in the bathroom are similar to those used in current kitchen designs, with brushed nickel continuing to lead the way in 2010. Polished chrome and satin nickel will also be incorporated into many bathrooms, just as they had been throughout 2009. These faucet finishes will be followed by bronze and stainless steel.

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association with nearly 40,000 members that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. NKBA.org provides consumers with an inspiration gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs, as well as articles, tips, an extensive glossary of remodeling terms, and illustrations and explanations of planning guidelines. At NKBA.org, consumers can also find certified kitchen and bath professionals in their areas, submit questions to NKBA experts, and order the free NKBA Kitchen & Bath Workbook.

Contact Alcoa Construction today and let us be your bathroom remodelers or  kitchen remodeling contractors !

Our primary service areas are Sussex County Delaware and Worcester County in Maryland.  The cities we most frequently serve include Ocean View, Bethany Beach, Millville, Fenwick Island, West Fenwick, Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Millsboro, Long Neck, Rehoboth, Dewey Beach, Lewes, Harbeson, Georgetown, Milford, Slaughter Beach, Milton, Greenwood, Bridgeville, Seaford, Laurel, Delmar, Salisbury, Pittsville, Berlin, Ocean Pines, West Ocean City, and Ocean City.  We also serve Kent County Delaware, Wicomico County Maryland, and Talbot County Maryland.

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Winterizing Procedure for In Ground Swimming Pools

Winterizing Procedure for In Ground Swimming Pools

Chemicals Required:

  • Dry Acid/Alkali
  • Shock Chlorine granules
  • Long Life Winteriser
  • Liquid Chlorine
  • Ensure pool is clean and clear.
  • Bring pH to 7.4 to 7.6 using Dry Acid or Dry Alkali as necessary.
  • Super chlorinate the water to 10ppm using Shock Granules or Liquid Chlorine.
  • Add 1st Direct’s Longlife Algeacide. (2ltrs will treat 11,000 gallons).
  • Keep pump running for 8 hours to disperse chemicals thoroughly.
  • Periodically through the winter, check the pool, ensure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6 and the chlorine level is above 5ppm.
  • If chlorine level is low add Liquid Chlorine and stir pool to ensure even distribution, as concentrated areas of chlorine can cause bleaching of the liner. The pool should especially be checked after Christmas and around March as most pools go green when the ambient temperature starts to rise

1st direct Winterizing Program

  1. Never empty pools for the winter.
  2. Thoroughly backwash filter and lower the water level to below the skimmer weir; the only exception to the rule being pools installed in high water table areas, where lowering the water level could cause problems. In these circumstances, consult the original builder of the pool.
  3. Store summer covers clean and dry during the winter and fit winter cover.
  4. Store vacuum equipment and automatic cleaners indoors.
  5. Remove skimmer weir and basket and store in filter shed. Half fill plastic bottle with anti freeze mixture or small stones and place in skimmer barrel to prevent ice damaging the skimmer.
  6. Add winterising chemicals and allow to circulate.
  7. Make sure the filter, pump and heater are drained down for the winter and all exposed pipework holding water. If the filter is positioned below water level, seek further advice from the experts by simply clicking on ‘contact 1st Direct’.
  8. Spray the electric motor and any electrical equipment with a moisture repellent spray or preferably remove pump and store in warm dry conditions. Switch off electrical equipment.
  9. If heat pump is fitted flush with clean water.
  10. If auto chemical feeder is fitted, remove chemical and flush with clean water and leave drained.
  11. Remove all stainless steel steps, rollers etc and wipe clean and store in dry store.

If we experience a particularly hard winter, 1st Direct suggest the following especially for concrete pools: tie a row of half filled plastic containers (fill with an anti-freeze solution or sand) along the middle of the pool. This is to form a frost break to relieve pressure of ice on the sides. Formed ice should not be broken, as sharp edges may damage the pool lining. You may also be interested in looking at road sweepers to keep the area clean.

CertainTeed Cedarboards Vinyl Siding Contains 60 Percent Recycled Content

CertainTeed Cedarboards Vinyl Siding Contains 60 Percent Recycled Content

Highest recycled content of any siding product on the market, company says

News Release September 1, 2009 HousingZone.com

CertainTeed CedarBoards Double 6-inch Clapboard Insulated Vinyl Siding now contains 60 percent recycled material — the highest recycled content of any vinyl siding product currently on the market.

The announcement is the result of several partnerships forged by CertainTeed to develop a network of recyclers and a workable formula that meets the company’s stringent quality guidelines. Recycled materials, including scraps from job sites, vinyl siding distributors and other post consumer sources, are integrated into the manufacturing process and verified by a third party auditor on a quarterly basis. Ultimately, CertainTeed plans to work with its customers to develop a Cradle-to-Cradle program.

“This is wonderful news for CertainTeed and our customers, who will now earn even more points toward green building certifications by using this new CedarBoards siding product,” says Drew Brandt, marketing director for the CertainTeed Siding Products Group. “With its newly enhanced recycled content, CedarBoards D6 is one of the few cladding options available today that allow builders and designers to qualify for LEED-H, LEED-NC and NAHB green building credits for environmentally preferred products. This adds to the energy optimization credits CedarBoards products have provided from the beginning.”

Backed by extruded polystyrene insulation, CedarBoards Insulated Vinyl Siding improves the energy efficiency of homes by insulating continuously over framing where energy loss is greatest. Comprising up to a quarter of a home’s exterior, the wood studs of a traditionally insulated wood framed wall act as thermal bridges that allow more energy to pass through. CedarBoards breaks this thermal bridge and increases the overall thermal performance of the wall by up to 30 percent. The Double 6-inch profile is available in 12 and 16 feet, both with a 60 percent recycled content.

When used in conjunction with high-performance insulation products, such as CertainTeed fiberglass insulation batts, rolls and CertaSpray foam insulation, CedarBoards can help homeowners create wall systems that maximize the energy efficiency of their homes.

“Across the nation, so many homeowners are paying excessively high utility bills, due to poor energy efficiency in their homes,” Brandt adds. “CedarBoards can help reduce these energy bills and increase the overall R-value of a traditionally insulated wood-framed wall.”

In addition to the Double 6-inch Clapboard profile, CedarBoards is also available in Single 7-inch Clapboard, Double 4-inch Clapboard and Double 4-1/2-inch Dutchlap profiles. Molded from real cedar boards, CedarBoards has a natural rough-cedar texture and the flat-faced, straight-edged look of wide board wood siding. It is available in 18 colors and four styles, as well as two different panel lengths (12 feet, 6 inches and 16 feet, 8 inches), and with a full contingent of specially designed trim and accessories. CedarBoards is backed by a lifetime limited warranty with CertainTeed’s exclusive PermaColor Lifetime Fade Protection.

CertainTeed is an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council and the NAHB. The company has developed sustainability programs to continually improve processes to reduce energy and water consumption, carbon emissions and landfill waste. Cedarboards, along with 11 other CertainTeed products, was recently designated as Green Approved by the NAHB, giving building professionals an easy-to-use endorsement and reassurance these CertainTeed products support their green building initiatives. For more information, visit www.certainteed.com/buildingresponsibly.

Custom House Renovation in West Fenwick Delaware

exterior-before

Exterior Before

Exterior After

Exterior After

We started with a complete makeover for the exterior.  New paint on the shutters and front door, new hardware, window blinds, extra shutters, dentil molding at freeze board, railings on the porch, decorative porch hanging pots, new stone water table around house, new sidewalk along side of house with flower beds, raised mulch beds with trees and landscaping, raised stone flower beds in front of the house and the front of the driveway, extend the driveway by 3 feet.  The end result was a transformation from ordinary to Extra-Ordinary!

Custom Landscaping

Custom Landscaping

Great Room Before

Great Room Before

The extensive interior renovation included removing everything including all carpets, all vinyl flooring, all appliances, and all door hardware.  We then added stainless appliances including a double wall oven and gas on glass cooktop.  We added hardwood floors in the dining room, study, and upstairs hallway.

We stripped the original stairs and added hardwood stairs with custom runner.  With all the flooring removed, we went to work adding custom trim throughout the house including single, double, and triple crown moulding, coffered ceilings, chair rail boxes, chair rail wainscoting boxes, cased all openings, custom cabinet trim under the bar top, and added traditional wainscoting throughout.  The next step included complete demolition of the fireplace and installation of a new stone fireplace with bluestone hearth and mantel.  Every window received custom 2″ white blinds and window treatments.

Twelve custom colors painted throughout the house added a finished touch.  We then added 16×16 ceramic tile on the 45′ angle in the kitchen and morning room.  16×16 ceramic tile was added in the laundry along with a 15 lite glass door into the new exercise room addition.  The exercise room addition was an additional 350 sf and featured two cased windows, two ceiling fans, cable TV, wall to wall mirrors, carpet, and full HVAC.  We also added double frosted french doors leading into the workshop and two car garage.

The cabinets in the master bath were upgraded, along with the tile, and beadboard wainscoting in the powder rooms.  A Sunroom with columns was added to the owners suite.  We upgraded the electric throughout the house adding floor outlets, dual switched outlets in each bedroom, and 14 ceiling fans throughout.  We finished the bonus room with a deep blue paint, custom trim, a HD surround sound system fitted for both plasma TV and a ceiling mounted projector.  We then added a wet bar to complete the experience.

Great Room After

Great Room After

Great Room After

Great Room After

Study

Study

Dining Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Kitchen Remodeled

Morning Room

Morning Room Addition

Owners Suite Before

Owners Suite Before

Owner's Bath Before

Owner's Bath Before

.

Owner's Bathroom After

Owners Suite After

Owners Suite After

Owner's Suite Sunroom Addition

Owner's Suite Sunroom Addition

Exercise Room Addition

Exercise Room Addition

Bedroom 1 Before

Bedroom 1 Before

Bedroom 2 Before

Bedroom 2 Before

Bedroom 3 Before

Bedroom 3 Before

Bedroom 1 After

Bedroom 2 After

Bedroom 2 After

Bedroom 3 After

Bedroom 3 After

Bathroom After

Bathroom Remodel After

Bonus Room Before

Bonus Room Before

Bonus Room After

Bonus Room After

Bonus Room After

Bonus Room After

Bonus Room Bar

Bonus Room Bar

Loft and Hardwood Upstairs Hallway

Loft and Hardwood Upstairs Hallway

Wood vs. Composite Decks

Wood vs. Composite Decks

What you need to know to choose your decking material

Ann Matesi, Senior Contributing Editor May 1, 2008 Professional Remodeler.com

Wood, composite and PVC decks all offer advantages to the homeowner. Photo by Clark Marten

When it comes to selecting the surface material for their outdoor deck, homeowners’ options are better looking, better performing and easier to install.This includes traditional wood decking materials such as pressure-treated pine, redwood, western red cedar, or imported hardwoods; composites made from a blend of reclaimed and recycled materials that typically contain a percentage of wood fiber designed to mimic natural wood without the maintenance; and the newcomer to the market, vinyl — or PVC — decking products that promise a virtually zero-maintenance deck surface but so far have not been able to replicate the beauty of real wood.

All have their pros and cons in terms of appearance and performance that must be considered carefully job-by-job to give customers results that best suit their lifestyle and budget. For this reason, most deck construction specialists work closely with their clients to determine their needs, then specify, design and build what materials best suit the project rather than using a single material.

Natural Wood Decks Natural wood decks continue to be the benchmark for aesthetics. “I’m still a big fan of all wood decks, and my clients still seem to prefer the look of a wood deck,” says Dave Tibbetts, owner of Cumming, Ga.-based Atlanta Decking and Fence. “But the reality is that a wood deck requires a good deal of effort in terms of cleaning and sealing to keep it beautiful year after year.”

Composite and Vinyl Decks

Decks constructed using composite materials are more expensive than natural wood decks, adding about 35 percent to the total cost of the project. But the extra investment can be a worthwhile tradeoff for homeowners who are looking to quickly boost the market value of their home. When using vinyl decks, customers can expect to pay 5 percent more than composite prices. “These low- or no-maintenance decks can be a very good value if the owner is planning to be in their home for more than five years,” says Tibbetts, who today builds about 20 percent of his projects using composites.

Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces can be installed even on decks when the proper precautions are taken. Photo courtesy of Fiberon

Nearly 80 percent of clients of deck specialist John Burns, owner of American Deck of Winchester in Winchester, Va., opt for a composite deck. “Our typical composite customer has already had a wood deck in the past, is well aware of the maintenance requirements and does not want to deal with those again,” he says. “They come to us requesting composites because they are ready to make the upgrade.”"Composites have come a long way in the past five years,” continues Burns. “There have been tremendous improvements in terms of their performance and aesthetics.”

Composite materials also bring an added element of design flexibility to a project, says Jim Sasko of Teakwood Builders in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which really pleases his clients with upscale projects. “You can do some really interesting things like bending the deck around trees much more easily using composites.”

Sasko builds about 90 percent of his deck projects using composite materials and reserves all-wood decks for sheltered, undercover applications such as gazebos, screened porches and three-season rooms.

Installation, presentation challenges

All decks — wood, composite or vinyl — are constructed on a pressure-treated wood foundation, but design and installation techniques vary. Experience is the best teacher.

Wood decks still offer unmatched aesthetics, but there’s trade-off in maintenance and longevity. Photo courtesy of Southern Pine Council

“There definitely is a learning curve associated with working with composites and vinyls as you make the changeover from building all-wood decks,” says Burns. The most important thing to keep in mind, he says, is in the planning of the deck: “The spans must be designed correctly depending on the surfacing material that you are using.”"Composites require a slightly beefier substructure to handle the spans,” agrees Eric Kent, president of Archadeck of Charlotte. “Composites require 12-inch on center construction as opposed to 16-inch on center for wood.”

Hidden fastening systems, which eliminate the appearance of screws or other hardware on the deck surface are available for both wood and composite decks and becoming more popular and user-friendly these days, says Burk. “Nobody really wants to look at fasteners.”

“Use of hidden fasteners really takes the appearance of the deck so much further than just the use of colored screw heads, which is what we did in the past,” he says. “Almost all composite manufacturers have developed or improved upon their own hidden fastener solutions these days. Because they are designed to be used with the manufacturer’s pre-grooved deck boards, they can really save a lot of installation time once you are familiar with the product.”

“Do your homework,” advises George Drummond of Casa Decks in Virginia Beach, Va., “particularly when experimenting with new products or materials, including the new hidden fastening systems.” Drummond says that he uses hidden fasteners on about 30 percent of his projects. A simple mistake such as over tightening the screw in the fastener can ruin its integrity.

“The most important thing is to make sure that you read and understand all of the manufacturer’s instructions on how to install any decking product before you start the project because that can make all the difference. Remember, it is your reputation that is on the line as well.”

To read more about decking, click here. To read more about outdoor entertainment spaces, click here.

Whether it’s composites, wood or PVC, proper installation methods are the key to a successful deck. Photo courtesy of Trex

Installation tipsHere are some tips on working with the different types of decking: Wood Decking
  • Minimize the spacing between boards to account for material to shrink with weathering.
  • Use fastening systems that are compatible with the wood species, sealers and preservatives.
  • Consider diagonal installations to minimize splices and add visual interest.
Composite and Vinyl/PVC
  • Check code approval in your area.
  • Understand the framing requirements for spans during the design stage of the project.
  • Use only manufacturer-approved fastening systems.
  • Recognize these materials can not be used for structural framing.
  • Consider how you will finish the edges of the deck, treads and risers.

Proposed Legislation Would Boost Remodeling Activity With More Tax Credits

Proposed Legislation Would Boost Remodeling Activity With More Tax Credits

HIRE Act of 2009 offers credits for meeting environmental standards

News Release July 13, 2009 HousingZone.com

Congressman Henry Johnson (D-GA) and Nathan Deal (R-GA) are sponsoring legislation, the Home Improvements Revitalize the Economy (HIRE) Act of 2009, to provide tax credits to stimulate the purchase of kitchen cabinets and other remodeling and home furnishing improvements.

“Not only would this help stimulate the manufacturing market for home furnishings and buildings products, it would save retail jobs, generate billions in revenue and increase home values at the time when we really need a boost,” according to Johnson. “By creating this tax deduction, we will offer incentives for consumers who would otherwise forego spending in 2009 and 2010. We will encourage environmentally sound practices by doubling the benefits for the purchase of building products and home furnishings that meet nationally recognized environmental standards.”

Under the proposed HIRE Act, individual consumers and joint filers would receive respective $2,000 and $4,000 tax credits for purchasing items that meet recognized environmental standards (LEED, NAHB, Green Globes, SFI/FSC and ESP). Retailers, contractors and building product resellers can receive up to $10,000 for covered purchases.

A coalition that includes 14 associations representing kitchen cabinets (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association) home furnishings, flooring, paint and coatings, carpet and rug, and other interests have joined forces to support passage of the legislation.

“This bill would help everyone in our industry – manufacturing, retail, design and suppliers. The costs would be more than offset by increased economic activity and saved jobs. The incentives cease after three years. This definitely is a pump-priming effort of limited duration and near immediate payback,” according to KCMA Executive Vice President Dick Titus.

A copy of the HIRE Act can be viewed on the KCMA Web Site – www.kcma.org. Supporters are encouraged to contact their congressmen and ask that they co-sponsor the bill.

Thinking of a Kitchen Remodel?

The only thing that stops most people having the kitchen of their dreams is the potential cost. Kitchen remodeling costs will vary depending on the type of kitchen you currently have, the type of kitchen you want, and how much you want to spend. Even if your ideas are for all the best appliances, quality cabinets and worktops seem too high for your budget, it may still be possible for you to enjoy a new kitchen.

However, if you are willing to make a few compromises and a little research then there is no reason why you can’t get close to what you desire. So if you plan it carefully, the cost should only be a minor obstacle to you achieving the kitchen style you really want.

Many homeowners, in an effort to save money, often go the do-it-yourself route.  It should also go without saying that you need to be comfortable using tools and not afraid to get your hands dirty because if you aren’t then the chances of you completing this project are small. Whilst it may look very good on paper, if you are not able to do this but try anyway, the chances are you will have to pay a kitchen fitter to rectify your mistakes before they can complete the work.

The main factor you need to consider that will make your kitchen remodeling dream a reality is which jobs you’re able to complete yourself and those where you will need a professional tradesman.  Many homeowners find out the hard way that hiring a professional is actually cheaper in the long run after you factor in quality, warranty, and the value of your time that will be wasted trying to spend the next year on a remodeling job that would have taken a professional one month.