The Kitchen Is Next in Importance

Every year Remodeling magazine publishes a ‘‘Cost vs. Value Report’’ that looks at the cost of different remodeling projects and what return you could expect if you were to sell. Obviously, the return varies widely with the area, but the kitchen is the most important project according to the report’s data.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to make your kitchen look good; here are five suggestions on how to do that:

1. If your floor is old and the vinyl is cracked, you’ll need to replace it. A mid-grade vinyl is a good way to go make your kitchen look new. Don’t try to give a flooring allowance so that the buyer can take care of it; that can cost you a sale. It’s easier for a buyer to simply go to the next home on the list than worry about installing a new floor.
2. Kitchen cabinets that are dated or look beat up can be brought back to life economically with a new facelift. There are companies that specialize in kitchen cabinet refacing that are worth looking into. Check the Yellow Pages under Kitchen Cabinets. As usual in working with contractors, get three bids. Another option is to remove as much finish as possible with a chemical remover, then sand the cabinets smooth with 220 or finer sandpaper. Using a good-quality gloss white enamel, apply as many coats as needed for a high gloss look.
3. If the countertops are dated or in bad condition, replace them with a new laminate countertop or whatever homes in your price range have most commonly. In other words, if homes in your price range have Corian or granite, you don’t want to put in anything less.
4. Appliances should all be in working order. Here again, if they’re dated, you’ll need to replace the range and/or dishwasher. It’s important to have the appliance colors match. If an appliance is in good condition but in a different color, you can have it painted for a fraction of what it costs to replace it. Look in the Yellow Pages under Appliances—Refinishing.
5. Lighting can make or break an otherwise great kitchen. If needed, upgrade or add lighting fixtures. The small halogen under cabinet lights can give a drab kitchen a designer look. Check out the options at a home center; there are enough choices to whet any designer appetite.