Kitchen
Services
- Kitchen Remodeling & Renovating
- Kitchen design and planning
- Kitchen cabinet installation
- Kitchen backsplash
- Kitchen cabinet lightning
- Kitchen cabinet crown molding
- Kitchen cabinet refacing & painting
- Kitchen cabinet repair and maintenance
Allow us to make your future remodeling or renovating project simple, enjoyable, stress free and with a peace of mind. Your dream project is only one step away from becoming a reality.
Our Instructions
Steps for kitchen remodeling or renovating
Things to Consider
Plan
It is important to understand that every project is unique and everyone has different goals , desires, ideas, available budget, or space for remodeling or renovating a kitchen. It is important to familiarize yourself with what is available in the market and also what is in style nowadays. Online research can provide a lot of useful information and samples on the styles that you would like to upgrade your kitchen. Another useful source of information would be to visit the local stores that provide kitchen cabinets. This is the most useful methods because you get to see actual samples in person and work a rough virtual project for what the price will be for your kitchen cabinets of the selected style. The style or the material of the cabinets are also important because they will define the total cost of your kitchen remodeling or renovating. The price varies and some cabinets can cost a fortune. The crown moldings and its complexity can often affect the cost of the cabinets as well as the installation. Another key factor is the backsplash and the countertop. We always recommend our clients to go with something mineral.
In reflection to kitchen remodeling or kitchen renovating we have to define the difference between the two terms. Our clients often refer to any kitchen services as kitchen remodeling. It is important to understand that when you doing a kitchen remodeling you are planning to change electrical outlets, plumbing location and/or any structural alterations. These scope of work usually requires permits by the DOB. Each client should consult with a register architect and draw out some plans. The architect will have to file the papers with the DOB and make sure that everything is under the code. Whereas kitchen renovation usually refers to simple kitchen cabinet repairs, replacement, upgrades, or maintenance including floor refinishing. When renovating a kitchen, you are not allowed to relocate any of the crucial components such as electrical outlets, plumbing locations or structural (walls). You can basically expect to update the style of your kitchen cabinets to a new one while maintaining the same structural blueprint.
At MCR Construction we help our clients navigate the whole process from the beginning to reduce their stress, speed up the process and make sure to provide the best professional advice to maintain the total cost withing budget. For this purpose, we approach every project as follows:
- Identify the reason of remodeling.
Usually when a client contacts us for a kitchen remodeling, they plan to expand their kitchen, relocated their stove or plumbing. This makes it a bit challenging to keep the cost withing budget since remodeling has often unexpected costs such as architect and permit fees.
- Identify the reasons of renovating & recommendations.
When a client reaches out for a kitchen renovation, we approach this situation by closely paying attention to our clients’ project final goals to identify an affordable solution. Our approach usually reflects:
1. Kitchen cabinet painting
Painting your cabinets is usually the most affordable solution when the cabinets are in good condition. The customers usually agree on this when they like the style of their cabinets and only want to change the color. It is important to understand that not all the cabinets can be painted. We cannot apply this method on laminate cabinets. We repaint kitchen cabinets that are made of wood or MDF and that were originally painted or stained by the manufacture. The whole process is quicker and simple to complete.
2. Kitchen cabinet refacing
We don’t prefer the laminated method of refacing kitchen cabinets even though it is very popular and affordable. It is often the cheapest solution and usually they do not last for a long time. The majority of clients select this option when their cabinet doors are extensively damaged and they want to change the appearance andthe color of their kitchen.
Our method of refacing is to replace the kitchen cabinet doors with new ones. By replacing the doors, we give our clients the opportunity to update the cabinets style to newer version that is more popular and more durable. The remaining boxes of the cabinets are usually painted to match the new doors that we install.
3. Full kitchen renovation
This is the best approach for a kitchen and it often comes with a higher cost. This option is always the most preferred once since the clients has the opportunity to upgrade everything and turn the kitchen to modern one. Planning for kitchen renovation is usually approached by our team as follow:
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Cabinets
We work with our clients to select the color for the cabinets and the cabinets style. There is a variety of cabinets in the marked. We highly recommend to our clients that they select painted or stained cabinets made by wood. Wooden cabinets have a log life expectancy compared to other ones. MDF or composite materials are often more affordable and do not last as long as wood cabin
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Crown Molding
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Crown molding gives a more luxurious look to the kitchen. It definitely makes it look more attractive. We always recommend our clients to install crown molding if the space allows us to do so.
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Countertop and Backsplash
Countertops are very important in a kitchen we always recommend our clients to select countertops that are mineral such as quarts, granite, marble etc. Avoid any fabricated countertops of engineered wood or plastic. The mineral countertops are more durable to scratches or damages and will last forever.
For the backsplash we recommend two options only.
The first option is to use the same mineral that is used for the countertop resulting at a higher price for the client. The other option is to do tiles. We prefer to use large format tiles since they resemble similar features as the mineral countertop. It is usually cheaper than the first option.
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Cabinet handles
We always advice our clients to not go cheap when selecting door handles. Always select very durable handles so they can last forever.
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Appliances
These is totally on the clients budged and desires. If the appliances are old, we recommend our clients to considering buying new appliances.
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Sink & Faucet
When selecting a sink each client should refer to the available cabinet space as well as the usage plan for the future. We do not recommend our clients to get a sink smaller that 23-24in and we always ask them to avoid sinks with oval corners since they have a more elegant appearance. We also recommend them to select faucets with one hole for appearance purposes
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Floor
This is the best time to redo the floor underneath your kitchen. This varies from project to project; however, we always recommend to use tiles in kitchen areas. Tiles perform better and are more durable.
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Cabinet lighting
This is not necessary; however, you should consider lights underneath the cabinets if you concerned of the appearance. The lights will give your kitchen more of a modern appearance.
Do not hesitate to contact us to plan your future kitchen. Let us help you with the process We have partners that can provide us with all necessary materials to speed up the process at an affordable price without jeopardizing the quality or integrity of your kitchen.
Set a budget
The total cost is different from project to project and it is important that each client pre-sets a realist budget goal before the project begins. The necessity to budget the project makes planning one of the most important steps towards remodeling or renovating. In today’s market the total cost of any project can fluctuate amazingly fast. It is important that the entire process is navigated with a General Contractor from the beginning and avoid online estimates since they always provide unrealistic data. The total cost of any project can be defined by a variety of factors such as:
- The type of project.
Every project requires a unique approach in order to make the whole experience enjoyable for the client and the contractor. The labor cost will need to be calculated based on the project and the necessary services for its completion.
- Permits
There are many projects that require/not require permits. When a project requires a permit, it will increase the total cost of the project. The client should expect to pay filing fees and permit fees as needed (read more about in the permit section below)
- Jobsite Location in the building
A contractor will inspect the jobsite, and account for labor that may require the transportation of materials to the jobsite. Some examples include floor level, the presence of an elevator, the distance from the street to the building etc.
- The address of the jobsite
Parking zones and parking fees will need to be considered by the contractor and may be added to the total estimate.
- Building requirements
Most Co-Op or Condominium buildings have a set of rules and regulation that each contractor must follow. These rules can affect the cost of the project since they can delay the job further and require for extra measurement when it comes to hallways and building protection during the services.
- Management
Different management companies have different rules and regulations. In most cases they have a deposit fee in case of any property damages. (Contractors do not get this fee back most of the time)
- Insurance policies
Each contractor must provide a COI before they are allowed to perform any work on most of the properties. Each client should be aware that some buildings require contractor that provide a COI with higher premiums. The higher the insurance requirements the hire the total cost of the estimate will be.
- The materials, the design, architectural requirements, and DOB code.
When the contractor has to follow a specific design the cost may get higher because of the specific materials and DOB requirements for the project. Everything has to be conducted as it is written on paper.
All these factors tend to be a surprise for most clients that use online sites for estimates. Most of our clients claim that online estimates were way-off from the actual ones that our company or other companies had provided, therefore, these mistakes make clients feel like the total cost of the project is out of their budget.
At MCR Construction we attempt to help our clients with budgeting their expenses to have the project that they have dreamed for years. It is important that the expected budget for the project is discussed with the contractor before they provide you with an estimate. The reason we suggest such approach is because every contractor will provide an estimate with the intention to use all top tier materials. We always recommend to our clients that they use the best material in the market for the best results and extend the life and durability of every project. We are always open to collaborating with our clients and lower the price of the estimate by providing them other options on materials to use for the project. Another helpful approach that we use all the time is our connection to various partners in the industry which gives us the opportunity to get discounts. We also partner with numerous suppliers that can also provide us with affordable choices and very high-quality materials. Our knowledge and connections can help our clients to maintain the total cost of the project within budget. These insight information makes it vital for clients to discuss their budget goal with their contractor.
Contact a Contractor (MCR Construction)
Contacting a contractor can be achieve at any time in the process. We highly recommend that a contractor is involved with the project from the very beginning to avoid any confusions or misleading information. Most of our new clients do not know what to expect when they are looking for a renovation or remodeling project of any category. The entire process can progress quicker and more secure the moment a contractor is involved. The main concern that everyone has when they hire someone for the services is their ability to excel the task trust to them.
At MCR Construction we treat every project with care and full dedication. It is important to us that the entire process goes as smoothly as possible and that the clients’ will be satisfied with our services. We begin every project by trying to understand the need of every client. We assess their plans and professionally advise them if we think that their ideas will not work. All of this does not justify our ability to excel in the tasks that our clients entrust us to complete. For this purpose, we provide every new client with key points to pay attention to identify a trustworthy contractor.
- The initial contact
The initial contact is important for the contractor as well as the client. Stay away from contractors that are disrespectful and refuse to answer any questions. A vast number of contractors out there are in the industry only for the money and they do not pay attention to the clients’ concern.
- First in site consultation
This is usually the first in person interaction between the client and the contractor. It is important that during this interaction the client pays attention to signs that will assure them of the contractor’s knowledge regarding the project. The ideas and suggestions that they will represent may be a good sign that they know how the entire process works.
- Communication
This is also a vital point to identify a trustworthy contractor. The clients should be able to communicate their ideas to the contractor. The contractor should interpret all the ideas and provide feedback to assure the client that their ideas can be implemented on not in their project.
- Ask for proof of completed project
Every trustworthy contractor must have something to show. No one will want to hire an inexperienced contractor.
- Estimate or binding contract
Always stay away from contractor that provide you with a one paper estimate that only reflects a simple description of services and the total price for the project. That is a red flag since the estimates should describe everything in detail. An estimate is usually what a binding contract will turn out to be in when signed by both parties. Do not only focus on the lowest estimate available.
(read more on this on the section below “estimate & binding contract”)
A low estimated price for the project should not be enough to ensure that the contractor is trustworthy. We have encountered many clients who were not satisfied with their previous contractor. Some clients have reported that their previous contractor demanded more money than what was written in the contract. Another group has reported that their contractors left to never return back to finish the job. Some other reports reflect disappointed clients that had to hire us to correct someone else’s mistakes. In a few extreme cases we had to redo the whole project from the beginning. It is important to hire the right contractor because when clients only aim to hire the cheapest contractor, they forget that the final results can cost them more. At MCR Construction we make sure that every project is treated with care to assure our clients’ satisfaction with the service that we provide.
Evaluate the Design
It is important for anyone to have a plan, an idea, or a specific design before starting a remodeling or renovating project. Each project has its unique features and characteristics that must be achieved to make the entire project successful. At MCR Construction we welcome all the plans or ideas that our clients may have when they reach out to us. We make sure that every detail is carefully reviewed and confirmed with our clients before purchasing any materials. When the plans or the ideas of our clients do not fit the situation, we make sure to provide our clients with our professional advice and suggestion. It is important for us to put up the effort to explain the reasons behind our suggestions and make sure they understand every change that we are suggesting for the project. It is our duty to make sure that each project receives the necessary attention and the perfect design or blueprints for excellent results.
The majority of our clients have gone through our instructions and they prepare a plan ahead of time on how to address their future projected. A considerable amount of them have consulted with a local designer for their project and have us review all the drawings. In some situations, we find that the local designers tend to miss some minor details. It is up to us to identify these details to avoid any further situations with any designs. We also recommend our clients that they provide us directly with the designer’s info to avoid any confusion or delays and allow us to make the necessary arrangements to fit the available space of the project. There are also situations where blueprints bare the signature of an architect or building engineer that we have to follow. In this case, we cannot easily implement any changes changes since they make sure that everything is under the DOB code and must be performed as they requested. Critical situation where changes must be made to fit the nature of the project, the involvement of the architect or the building engineer is necessary to approve any adjustments.
Renovate or remodel
When the status of the project comes to the renovating or remodeling state, all the responsibility falls on the contractor. The contractor must draw out a plan to completed all the necessary services. It is also important that the contractor also draws out a plan to protect the integrity of the property especially if the services will take place inside of the premises. Different contractors have different methods of conducting their services however at MCR Construction we prefer to include everything in the statement as well as in the binding contracts. Our clients value the fact that they are informed ahead of time on how the entire process will progress and we make sure that every client is well informed in this matter. A simple description of our approach in remodeling or renovating services begins with the preparation. We make sure that all the areas are protected from any contaminations or debris. All surfaces are covered with a protected layers to avoid any damages during the services and the area will be insulated from any leaving space. If the jobsite is located in a building, we make sure that the floor outside the premises is protected as well. We strictly follow all the rules and regulations that each property management has in place. In the estimate and in the contract, we will always describe the plans of demolition, installation, and finishes. It is important to our company Each client is satisfied with our services when a project is completed.
Estimate & Contract
Everyone who is looking to hire a contractor for any sort of construction services must collect a few estimates before selecting the best one. Some of our new clients do not read our estimates in detail and they only look at the total price disregarding the full description of them. These clients also dismiss our estimate without considering our services just by looking at the total cost. This is one of the biggest mistakes that some clients make and leads them down the rabbit hole causing them unrepairable costs. Estimates do not reflect only the total cost of the project but they also reflects:
- the type of services that will be performed
- the required permits
- the description of the construction process
- the schedule of payments
- the laws that protects both parties
- the responsibilities for both parties
- the liabilities for both parties
- the a section describing when a contract can be terminated or considered complete
- the start of services with the time needed to complete the services
We highly recommend our client to stay away from contractors that do not provide clients a clear statement of these crucial points of the estimate. These points are important because an estimate is a actual reflection of the original contract to be signed by both parties. It is hard to hold any of the parties accountable for their responsibilities in a situation where a contract has confusing or missing crucial information. At MCR Construction we make sure that the estimate is very detailed and explains everything as needed. Our contracts reflect the same criteria as the estimates with the exception on the wording that changes the description from "this is an estimate" to "this is a contract". It is important that the document is signed by both parties to be valid and binding.
Unexpected cost & unexpected issues
Unexpected cost & issues happen almost at every jobsite. It is important for us to inform every client of some possible issues that may occur resulting in the increase of the total cost as the project proceeds. It is hard to identify some problems before we have completed a demolition of the site. Issues can be hidden underneath materials and need to be corrected for the best result of every project and also to save money to our clients for the near future. We always inform our clients in the issues that we encounter as the project continues, we provide them with a solution for the issue as well as the cost to address it, and we leave it up to the client to decide on whether they will want us to address the situation or not. It is important to have additional funds above the budget when starting any construction remodeling or renovating.
COI (Certificate Of Liability)
NEVER hire a contractor that does not provide a COI. A contractor without the proper insurance and licenses is a liability for the property owner. The property owner is fully liable when they choose to hire an uninsured contractors to conducts any services at their location. Property insurance companies do not allow property owners to higher uninsured contractors since they may have to cover the cost of repairs in occasions where the contractor damages the property. In this situation property owners may end up paying higher insurance premiums to cover the cost. In other cases they will dismiss the property owners and make the owner fix the damages before reinsuring them again.
Permits
The majority of construction requires a Department of Buildings permit. Most often, a New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) must file plans and pull permits before work begins.
There are many permit types, such as construction, boiler, elevator and plumbing. The primary permit applications are: New Building (NB) and Alterations Type-1, 2, and 3:
- NB: Construction of new structures
- ALT1: Major alterations that will change use, egress or occupancy
- ALT2: Multiple types of work, not affecting use, egress or occupancy
- ALT3: One type of minor work, not affecting use, egress or occupancy
A New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) must submit construction plans to obtain a permit. A Department plan examiner will review the plans for any legal/zoning objections. When objections are satisfied, the Department will approve the application. A licensed PE or RA may also certify that plans conform to all applicable laws.