By Hank Ozzy
If you are thinking about renovating your kitchen, there is a lot to consider, starting with the scope of the project. It could be anything from a quick repaint to a total removal of cabinets and appliances, and your budget will likely determine the extent of the changes. The first thing to do is create a floor plan, preferably to scale, which will enable you to plan every aspect of the project to gradually build-up a complete picture of your new kitchen.
Testing for the Presence of Asbestos
Prior to carrying out any work, you do need to establish whether or not asbestos is present, especially of the property was built before the 1980s, as this was the time when asbestos use was banned in Australia. If you are certain that asbestos is not present, fine, otherwise call in one of the asbestos removal contractors in Perth, who can test for the presence of this harmful substance, and should it exist within your property, the experts can safely remove all traces.
Use Top-Quality Materials, Fixtures and Fittings
The kitchen is the busiest room in the house and this is definitely not the place to cut costs by using inferior quality materials, fixtures and fittings. If your budget is on the low side, you are advised to take out a small home improvement loan rather than skimping on materials, as this will ensure that your kitchen stands the test of time.
Engineered Stone
If you were thinking of marble kitchen tops, this will be costly, yet if you take a look at engineered stone, you will see the same properties as natural stone at a much lower price. An online search will put you in touch with a local firm that works with engineered stone for kitchens, where you can view a wide range of colours and designs.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
While you might have hardwood floors in the house, using solid timber in the kitchen is not advised, but luxury vinyl tiles offer the look of real timber at a fraction of the cost. There are timber, stone and slate finishes that look like the real thing, and vinyl is extremely durable and easy to keep clean, and with cork backing, you have a silent walking experience.
When talking to local builders, you should ask at least two local companies to quote for the project and invite them to help with the design, which might give you some new ideas.
