What It Costs to Remodel a Kitchen: Here’s the Typical Price Tag

As a result of everyone spending more time at home during the last two years, more and more people are remodeling their homes. Kitchens are high on the list since this is one of the most high-traffic areas of any home. There are many factors that determine the final price for a kitchen remodel such as the size of the space, materials used, and the price of labor in your area. There are some ballpark numbers for different levels of remodels from research compiled by the real estate experts at HomeLight, and interior designer The Habitalist, that can help you get a basic idea as you start your research. 

Minor: $10,000 - $15,000 

When you want to increase a home’s marketability with low-cost improvements, or simply make a kitchen more pleasant to work and spend time in (with the least amount of financial commitment), then a minor kitchen remodel can be the way to go. A minor kitchen remodel is about updating the areas of your kitchen that are dated but without a major overhaul. This kind of change includes painting or refinishing your cabinets, replacing or adding a backsplash behind your sink, painting or adding a colorful accent wall, and even installing new appliances and light fixtures. The Habitalist shared with HomeLight that this kind of remodel could be in the lower price range if you go for a DIY job painting cabinets, use affordable white subway tiles, and go for a low-cost countertop like butcher’s block or Formica, instead of pricier stone materials like granite or marble.

Mid-scale: $15,000 - $30,000 

For a change that still isn’t too disruptive, but with better materials, you’ll be in the range of a mid-scale remodel. Rather than painting or refinishing cabinets, you can resurface them and also replace cabinet hardware and even your kitchen sink. You might also go for a natural stone countertop in quartz or granite. If you have the space, adding a kitchen island with overhead pendant lights can be a welcome addition.  If you feel like splurging, you can opt for stainless steel appliances, which you might even be able to get for a discount if you buy a refrigerator, stove, and oven, all at once. With midscale, you are still upgrading rather than starting a full-on renovation project.  

Major: $29,000 - $64,000 

A major kitchen remodel is the kind of project that makes you wonder if you are still standing in the same kitchen when everything is done. Tearing down walls and reconfiguring the placement of appliances, a sink, and a kitchen island could all be part of a major kitchen remodel. If you’re thinking of selling a home, going for a major kitchen remodel can make a home stand out in a competitive market. The sky's the limit with a custom layout and cabinetry, top-of-the-line materials and appliances, and upgrades that add that wow factor. To save money on a major kitchen remodel, you can mix high- and low-end finishes — with high-end cabinets and countertops while saving money on hardware, faucets, and light fixtures.

Remodeling a kitchen is a project, no matter how you price it out. Just how big of a project you make it, depends on your budget and what your future goals are for your home.

Repairs You Might Need to Make After Moving Into an Old Home

Are you getting ready to move into an old house and don’t know what to do next? Many home buyers do what is called due diligence, meaning that they hire an inspector to make a note of all potential problem areas of a house before making the final purchase. When moving into an older house, you might need to address those problem areas more frequently than you would with a newer house. The following are some repairs you might need to plan for. 

Basic Repairs

Some of the basic repairs that might need to be done in your home are: a new paint job, checking and replacing the wall outlets, making sure that all the electrical sockets function without any hazards, as well as replacing the old carpets. The last item, replacing the old carpets, is best done as a precautionary measure as many times you don’t know what they’ve suffered or to what they’ve been exposed. Finally, you should also check if the previous owners drilled holes in the walls, or if any existing holes need to be filled. This basic maintenance, if done thoroughly and in a timely fashion will help to ensure that your new house keeps its value long after you initially move in and call it “home”.

Advanced Repairs

Further measures that may entail more in-depth inspection and a larger investment, include possibly replacing the roof tiles as well as adding indoor insulation. If any molding or what is known as fruiting bodies has gathered in the interior woodwork, work must also be done to eliminate and replace that as well, as it is potentially a health hazard. Also, how long has it been since the previous owners have checked their furnace and air conditioner? Do they still function properly? How old are they? These are all important questions you must ask once you move in, as they could create a potentially very unpleasant summer and winter. 

HVAC Repairs

HVAC repairs are often needed after moving into a new house. If either the furnace or the air conditioner is malfunctioning or needs to be replaced, it is often recommended to replace both systems at the same time. Furthermore, one should also get at least four estimates from reliable, certified contractors, as to the cost of repairs. Finally, the appropriate size of the HVAC system must be accurately measured. 

All this hard work of getting settled into your new home can be exhausting, but it will be worth it. You will now be able to enjoy your home with peace of mind. 

Signs That Your Refrigerator Is in Fact Not Running

Dealing with a broken refrigerator is a major pain, especially during bad weather when you can't necessarily get out of the house to buy food or call for delivery service. Knowing both the subtle and the more obvious signs that your refrigerator is starting to fail can help you to take care of the damage before the appliance totally breaks and you lose a fridge-worth of food.

Unusual Noises

While refrigerators do make some level of noise, you need to know what's normal and what's not. Pay attention to any changes in the noise patterns of your refrigerator. Also, be aware of any unusual sounds. Of course, do check to ensure that the sound is not easily solvable. For example, some people don't realize that their refrigerators beep when left open for too much until the first time this situation occurs. When you buy a new refrigerator, ask about this feature so that you aren't startled.

Warm Food

Warm food inside of your refrigerator is a sure sign that the appliance is not cooling properly. For example, if you take the meat out of the freezer, that food should be frozen. If the food is simply a bit chilly or warm in any way, then either your fridge isn’t running or something is wrong with it. Once you become aware of how warm your food is, it’s probably best to throw it out as soon as you can. Since the food wasn’t being kept cold and depending on how long that was the case, it’s very easy for you to get sick should you try to eat it. After that, it’s important that you call for sub zero refrigerator repair right away.

Strange Smells

Of course, rotting food could lead to an unusual smell in the refrigerator, as could failing to clean it regularly. However, a device could also be malfunctioning. You might, for example, smell smoke or electrical burning coming from the fridge. These situations are serious and potentially deadly. You must call the emergency services and get yourself, your family, and your pets out of the house.

Tripped Breaker

A refrigerator is supposed to be on a dedicated line in the house. A variety of reasons exist as to why the breaker that the appliance is on could trip. However, you should have the issue checked out by both an electrician and an appliance repair person. By doing so, you can make sure that no issues exist with the breaker, the electricity in the house, or the refrigerator itself. If this issue keeps happening, however, you will need to hire professionals who can investigate further.

Your refrigerator is a critically important appliance in the house. Without this appliance, you won't be able to keep the food you need for the week cold or properly feed yourself or your family. Thus, you want to respond as soon as you notice a problem might exist, as the sooner you notice the less time your food has to go bad and the problem has to get worse.

How to Use Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper to Transform Your Home

We partnered with a design company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a type of wallpaper that uses a thin layer of adhesive to stick to the wall. You can remove it without damaging the surface attached, making it an environmentally friendly option.

This type of wallpaper has been gaining popularity in recent years. It is a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional wallpaper because it can be easily removed and reused.

Another reason why it’s becoming more popular is because it also provides a way for people to decorate their homes without spending too much money.

Looking for more creative ways to apply this wallpaper in your home? This article can help you do just that.

Use on accent wall

One of the easiest ways you can use peel and stick wallpaper to transform your home is making it an accent wall.

An accent wall with peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great way to add color and style to any room. It’s also an easy way to change up your home’s decor, especially if you’re looking for something new and different.

The process of applying the wallpaper is straightforward, and it’s not very messy.

Choose a patterned wallpaper and then add it to a wall that you want to emphasize more. It’s great for an otherwise neutral room with equally neutral wall paint colors.

Wallpaper the ceiling

Wallpaper on the ceiling is a practical and affordable way to transform a room. It can also be used as a design element in the bedroom or living room.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is perfect for adding color and style to your home without having to worry about it coming off. This type of wallpaper has an adhesive backing, so you can peel it off and stick it onto your desired surface.

It is a great way to add texture and color to the room without effort. Doing this will make your home feel unique and visually interesting, but don’t overdo it, or you’ll lose that effect.

Closet interior upgrade

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great way to make the inside of your closet look more polished. You can use it to add a splash of color and texture to the walls or even cover up some ugly paint.

You should start by finding out what kind of wall you want your paper to be on. You will need a primer before applying the peel-and-stick wallpaper if you are painting. There is no need for primer if you are using drywall because drywall does not absorb paint as other surfaces do.

When you add that wallpaper in your closet, you’ll feel like your closet interior was transformed drastically, even if it’s just the addition of wallpaper that’s new there.

Cover the stair risers

Stair risers are a common problem in homes. They can be unsightly, but they are also hard to cover. There are a few different options for covering stair risers, but the most popular one is peel-and-stick wallpaper.

Adding wallpaper to cover the stair risers is an easy way to make your home look better. You don’t even have to worry much about matching colors here and there because you’re adding wallpaper. You’ll be surprised just how prettier your stairs will look when you add wallpaper to the risers.

Highlight an arc

Arches are a vital part of any home design. They add depth and elegance to a room and create the illusion of more space. However, they can be tricky to decorate because they are often hard to reach.

Adding peel-and-stick wallpaper on the wall behind your arch will help highlight it and make it easier for you to decorate around it.

Through the help of the wallpaper, the arch’s details feel like they stand out more, even if you get a patterned wallpaper to highlight it. 

Use as a kitchen backsplash.

Wallpaper is an excellent alternative to paint, and it can be more fun and creative than painting. It is also cheaper.

It would be best to use wallpaper as a kitchen backsplash because it makes your kitchen look modern and chic. It also provides an easy way to change the look of your kitchen without having to do any DIY work.

Wallpaper is also a cheaper option than painting or other decorating methods. It’s important to note that the peel-and-stick wallpaper can be removed and replaced with something new if you decide that it doesn’t match your tastes anymore.

Also, unlike tiles, there isn’t much maintenance that you need to keep up to make your wallpaper backsplash neat.

Line the drawers and cabinets

There are many creative ways to use peel-and-stick wallpaper as home decor that isn’t only about sticking them on a wall.

Wallpaper is a great way to make your drawers and cabinets look more organized. It also has an exceptional quality of changing the color of your room without spending a lot of money.

Cabinet liners and drawer liners are a great way to add personalized style to your home. This is especially true if you have a lot of drawers or cabinets in your kitchen, bathroom, or office.

Cover up ugly tile

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great way to cover up ugly tile designs in your home. It’s easy to install and remove, and you can use it on any surface.

To make peel-and-stick wallpaper work for you, start by preparing the surface that you want to cover with the wallpaper. You’ll need to clean the surface, prep it with primer or paint, and let it dry completely before applying peel-and-stick paper.

It’s cheaper than having to replace tiles directly to make your home more visually appealing.

All of these tips and tricks can help you make the most out of any peel-and-stick wallpaper that you may have. Whether it’s to create new home decor or to hide bad ones in your home, wallpaper is versatile, so don’t hesitate to use it to elevate the appearance of your home.