Investing wisely in your home is important to all homeowners, and is especially top of mind when considering home renovations. You may have heard others say that you should get three estimates before hiring a contractor. While getting three estimates is not a bad idea at all, the concept isn’t as easily applied to residential remodeling as it is to commercial remodeling. The simple reason for the challenge is the mere fact that it would be hard to compare apples to apples without extremely detailed specs. Home improvements that fall into a specialty category, like window replacement or vinyl siding, fall more neatly into this type of bid comparison.

Here at DreamMaker, we think it might make sense to talk to 3 different contractors rather than trying to get 3 bids, to understand more about how they work and what you can expect. In essence, you are interviewing for a great working relationship verses choosing a contractor on price alone.

Some good questions/things to discuss when talking with a potential home improvement contractor might include:

Have they done other projects similar to mine recently? Can I see pictures?
Do they communicate well and answers their phones/keep appointments?
Do they respect me and listen to me?
Is there evidence of an organized process?
Do they provide a detailed contract?
Will they provide a timeframe of when work will start and when it will be completed?
How do they handle unknowns/change orders?
Is there evidence of experience and industry knowledge?
Are there recent client reviews on third-party sites?

We like to tell people that remodeling is a very personal and emotional process, choosing the right contractor is absolutely worth the time and effort.

Ready to take the next step? Set up an appointment with us today to start the conversation and learn more!

When researching kitchen design and kitchen remodeling, there are so, so, many questions. And not unlike other large ticket item purchases and significant investments in your home, the common theme is 1. how much will it cost, and 2. what is my return on investment.

All consumers approach remodeling through their own lens and therefore, it is important to know that there is not a single “right” answer to how much a kitchen remodel should cost or how much of the cost you are likely to recoup at the time of sale. For example, “remodel” to one person might mean painting walls, getting a new countertop and new window treatments, whereas to another, it is not a real remodel project if there aren’t walls coming down and saw dust flying. All this to say, it could cost $25,000 or it could cost upwards of $90,000.

In this video, we take a look at the 2023 Cost vs. Value Report that is published by Zonda Media (www.costvsvalue.com). We discuss true kitchen remodeling cost in 2023, in Springfield, IL, using a design-build remodeler like DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen. Our examples follow closely with the different categories in the report and are simple descriptions/scenarios ranging from a kitchen update/refresh to a major kitchen remodel with upscale finishes. We are hoping to provide the quick answer to everyone’s question, “How to determine kitchen remodel costs”.

What is the most helpful information from the Cost Vs. Value Report?

For the typical homeowner wanting to understand expected costs for different home improvement projects, the report offers this information on a national, regional and local level. It could help you identify local bids that are reasonable and bids that are way too good to be true. Regarding return on investment (ROI), we think this information is best as a very general guide. It is more helpful in identifying the biggest bang for your buck when comparing one specific area of improvement for your home as compared to another. It may indicate trends, but it is important to note that so many other factors collectively play into the return on investment when selling your home, that identifying how one particular design/remodel decision affected the overall resulting gain at time of sale is a tough extrapolation.

We happen to believe that you can’t put a dollar amount on your level of enjoyment experienced in your new kitchen! We say remodel for you and your family. Make changes to make your home work best for you and then enjoy!

Ready to take the next step? Let our team help you get make great decisions. Set up an appointment with us today to start the conversation and learn more!

Where to start…. when it comes to starting a remodeling project, knowing where to start is often the hardest part. You may be sure of your desire for change to your existing kitchen or bathroom, but still have some serious questions.

How much will my new bathroom cost?
What materials are good choices for a kitchen remodel that will last?
How do I choose the right contractor?
How long will it take to complete the remodeling project?

If you find yourself interested in transforming your living space, then attending one of our seminars is a great first step. Our goal is to help you navigate a successful remodeling project by diving in to how to plan your remodel, what materials are a good fit for your family, realistic budgets and timelines, and so much more. We have answered some frequently asked questions about seminars here.

Jump to our Events page to sign up for a kitchen or bath seminar. This is no-cost information in a no-stress environment… we hope to see you soon!

At DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, we are firm believers that all consumers should feel well informed and confident that they understand any remodeling agreement they enter into, whether that be with us or anyone. That is just a moral thread that runs through our DNA. It may sound basic, but we value your trust and work hard to demonstrate that in all conversations and actions.

So what does that have to do with a “fixed price contract”?

As a design-build remodeling company, our team manages every step of your renovation project – kitchen or bathroom designs and renderings, scope and feasibility assessment, estimating, material selection, project planning, full onsite installation and project management, and any after construction warranty needs.

With all phases of your remodeling project managed by one team, you will enjoy:

Fixed Price Contract. With our design team working hand-in-hand with an estimator and production crews, we are able to provide a detailed contract with the full scope of work and with a fixed price. (no surprise expenses and bills)
Time Savings. We manage a tight production calendar resulting in shorter project duration.
One Point of Contact. You will never need to play the middle man or struggle getting someone to answer your call, we are your single source of contact.

Ready to learn more about working with DreamMaker? Set up an appointment with us today to start the conversation and learn more!

We live in a world of nearly infinite choices! And when it comes to designing for your new kitchen or bathroom remodel, there are so many options and choices to be made.

So is there a right or wrong place to start with all of these design choices? Curt Trampe, CMKBD, at DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen says “No”. His simple advice is “Relax and have fun!” (and don’t start your decisions with the paint color).

Enjoy this quick video of how one of our designers works through the decisions with homeowners beginning the design process for a kitchen or bath.

Ready to take the next step? We think visiting the DreamMaker Design Center is just a great place to start, and, leaning into the expertise of a kitchen or bath designer. Seriously, may we help you on this journey and guide you through the remodeling process?

Set up an appointment with us today to start the conversation and learn more!

Getting started on a home renovation project can be overwhelming – it might involve getting estimates, hiring a contractor or contractors, and educating yourself enough to know what questions to ask and who is knowledgeable in the kitchen and bath remodeling field that you can trust.

Working with DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen is a little different in that we are a design/build company, providing design and remodeling services all with one team, all under one roof.

We invite you to watch this video to understand what to expect when you first reach out to DreamMaker.

We touch on the following:

Do you give free estimates?
What will happen when you call DreamMaker?
Who will I work with at DreamMaker?
Visiting the showroom & meeting with a Designer
Site visit at your home
Our carpenters and the production process
Estimated start date and anticipated completion dates for projects

Ready to take the next step? Set up an appointment with us today to start the conversation and learn more!

Truth be known, we all have a little DIY in us. We like to do things on our own, learn new skills, feel the joy of the victory… but designing your kitchen? This might be the place to draw the line. After all, this isn’t a new recipe where the risk of failure amounts to $15-$100, a couple hours of your time, and maybe a slightly less full stomach for an evening. This is a sizeable investment of money, time and energy in a space that likely means a lot to you and your family.

Experience does make a difference. Ask any kitchen designer how they have learned great “secrets” to the most successful kitchen remodels and then ask them how they have learned the painful “mistakes or misses” in an average kitchen remodel. Experience! Hands on, school of hard knocks learning produces the seasoned kitchen designer, full of wisdom. So while this video mentions five benefits of using a professional kitchen designer when remodeling your kitchen, we could probably list a minimum of 50 more!

Along with these “5 Benefits of Using a Kitchen Designer”, here is a bonus benefit. A good kitchen designer won’t leave you out of the design process, meaning your desires, your style choices, your unique way of using your kitchen will be a part of the overall design! And if your designer seems to be more interested in THEIR own designs – they are a salesperson in disguise.

Ready to take the next step? Set up an appointment with us today to start the conversation and learn more!

You are excited to remodel your kitchen, you are doing your research, and you have watched as many kitchen renovation programs on cable tv as you can possibly stand … and you are still wondering How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take? (hint: do not look to those cable tv programs for a clear and honest answer to this!)

In our experience, there are 3 aspects to the kitchen remodel timeline:

Designing the kitchen and selecting desired materials, i.e., cabinet style, backsplash, flooring, appliances, sink, faucet, lighting, etc.
Procuring those materials. Sounds easy, but depending on the dynamics of the home building industry at any given time (specifically effects from Covid pandemic), there could be significant delays or changes to original plan that may need to be made. We suggest getting ALL your materials on hand before beginning your project.
Actual physical remodel of your kitchen. If you have hired a reputable company, who plans to start your kitchen remodel and then work on it daily through to completion, this may take 4 weeks to complete your remodel. (Don’t miss the “if’s” above — not all contractors work at the same pace, take scheduling seriously, and have a reputation for speaking honestly about starting dates and completion dates)

So what do DreamMaker stats look like for the above 3 phases of a kitchen remodel?

Design & Material Selection, 4-6 weeks
Material Acquisition, 4-8 weeks
Physical Remodel of Average size kitchen, 4 weeks

*Fun fact… in 2020, we completed just shy of 90% of our projects within the stated completion date set at time of contract!

If you are planning your kitchen remodel, live in Central Illinois, and love the idea of working with a company focused on efficiency and honesty …. give the DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen Team a call!

217.529.9300

217.529.9300

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217.529.9300

217.529.9300