If you are suffering from the kitchen blues – you want a terrific kitchen and don’t have one – you might need to decide whether the way to get that terrific new kitchen is to remodel your current home or move to a new house with the kitchen of your dreams. There are many things to consider as you try to make this decision. Here are a few tips to help you make that decision.

1. Do you like the rest of your current home? Are you happy with the size, layout/floor plan, location, neighborhood and yard? If you are not, then the decision to move might be obvious. If you are happy with your current home, but you would like to change a few things, it is probably worth considering some kitchen remodeling, perhaps in stages (taking one room at a time).

2. Is your current home worth the investment? Would the kitchen of your dreams be completely out of place in your current home? Would the kind of kitchen remodel you have in mind result in over-improving your home in terms of other houses in the neighborhood?

3. How do you feel about moving and about remodeling? Do you enjoy kitchen remodeling? Can your family live with the disruption while the work is done? Or do you cringe at the thought of even a minor remodeling project? Would you do the work yourself? Would you hire a general contractor? Would you do part of the work and have a contractor do the rest? Do you have the time to look for a house that fits your needs? Do you have the time to devote to a remodeling project?

4. Have you compared the costs of remodeling vs. moving? Many homeowners compare costs based on partial information and find themselves surprised by the actual cost of either remodeling or moving. There are many hidden costs or costs people don’t think about when they are making a decision.

5. How will you pay for the remodel or the move? Will you use available cash? Will you use financing options? Can either solution be financed without up-front cash from your savings? Do you know how much credit is available to you for either a remodel or a move?

6. Can you find the house you need with the kitchen you want by moving? Kitchens in newly constructed homes are often bigger and better equipped than many older kitchens. As you look for a new house with the kitchen you want, you might find it necessary to make some compromises between the kitchen and what you need in the rest of the house. What are the realistic chances you can find a house that meets all the needs of your family and has a terrific kitchen?

These questions should help you begin to think about the best way for you to get the kitchen you want. They will also help you ask other equally important questions as you decide whether to remodel or move to chase away the kitchen blues.

FEATURED KITCHEN REMODELING CONTRACTORS

North Shore Kitchen Remodeling – Since 1979 Basil Constantine has been building new homes and remodeling homes throughout the North Shore area. With a background and degrees in mechanical engineering, Basil Constantine has found joy in building and remodeling homes.

Raleigh Kitchen Renovation – With over 12 years experience in the construction industry, you can rely on us to be a very knowledgeable and professional company who will be there for you for years to come.

We have recently launched our new Roofing Contractors Directory site for homeowners to find in-depth information about roofing systems, types of roofs and to find roofing contractors in their area.

This is one of many niche directory sites we are launching in the next few months. Others include:

The signs of a recession are all around us. The current economic crisis portrayed by the media is weakening both consumer confidence and the consumer spending—much of it on credit—that has been buoying the US economy.

DO NOT CUT YOUR MARKETING BUDGET. This is not the time to cut advertising. It is well documented that brands that increase advertising during a recession, when competitors are cutting back, can improve market share and return on investment at lower cost than during good economic times. Contractors should keep their marketing plans where they are. It is not going to make any sense to cut back on this part of the budget because it will only result in a loss of sales. Meaning this is the time, when the good contractors thrive, while all the hacks will disappear.

ECHO THE CONCERNS OF YOUR CUSTOMERS. Then show them how your company can alleviate those fears. Your potential customers will want assurances that your services will provide strong benefits and good value before they buy. Which makes this a perfect time to use energy efficient marketing, do to the high costs in heating this winter.

CREATE TARGETED CAMPAIGNS. Really define your target neighborhood and work on campaigns to reach them directly and creatively so you are not spending willy nilly without a defined message. This includes, job signs, direct mail, newsletters, etc.

IF YOU ARE NOT DOING IT. THEN DO IT. If you are not sending out a monthly newsletter, then send one out. If you are not canvassing, then begin canvassing. If you are not doing pay-per-click, then get started. This is the time to increase marketing, not cut it.

Don’t succumb to the tough economic times. Remember, your image and company is important. Show the potential clients and customers that your company is resilient and that you’re still the best contractor in your area.

By now every contractor and registered voter has heard of “Joe the Plumber” but how many people know the company he works for? How did a future business owner not ensure that everyone would not only know that he was a plumber, but also the name of his plumbing company, website and/or phone number?

Why didn’t he insist during every interview, that his company’s name, phone number and website appear? We see authors, CEOs and entrepreneurs do this all the time. Here was a once in a lifetime opportunity to receive free marketing, and this individual doesn’t even mention his company’s name?

Other companies, like Roto-Rooter are taking advantage of the media craze, but not the plumbing company that Joe works for.

Drains-N-Pipes today announced the redesign of www.drainsnpipes.com as an information portal for Columbus area home owners to find information about plumbing solutions, and home improvement tips. With articles being added almost every day and an online monthly newsletter of home improvement tips the website is anticipated to quickly become Columbus’s primary resource web site for plumbing and home improvement information.

Future plans include educational guides on selecting a plumber, professional advice from local experts, and a question and answer forum for Columbus homeowners.

The web site will be an invaluable resource for homeowners in finding accessible information to address their plumbing needs. Information will be efficiently categorized for easy navigation.

Charles Garrard, president of Drains-N-Pipes stated, “Our goal is to be the best home and family resource center and information portal for assisting all Columbus homeowners with their plumbing and drain cleaning needs. The depth of knowledge and resources at www.drainsnpipes.com is simple, concise and offers every homeowner some information about their home.”

About Drains-N-Pipes– Drains N Pipes is a professional full service plumbing contractor with 40 years of experience. We licensed by the state of Ohio Lic#22412 and have a City Master Plumber license with the City of Columbus. We are committed to providing Columbus homeowners with the best quality work in a timely manner with a guarantee on every job. The overall appearance of the finished job is to the customer’s satisfaction or we don’t stop until you approve. For more information visit www.drainsnpipes.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Drains-N-Pipes
1015 E. Livingston Avenue
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: 614.253.5858
Fax: 614.253.5353
Columbus Plumber Profile