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Attention Homeowners: Replacing Your Faucets Will Make a World of Difference

by: ARA

(ARA) � A lot of people would love to have a new kitchen or bathroom, but once they learn about the costs involved, they may get discouraged.

Cabinets alone can run you in excess of $10,000, and that�s not including the cost of installation. Add in fixtures, appliances, electrical work, and the like, and before you know it, you�ve almost spent enough money to buy a new condo. According to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost of a major kitchen remodeling job is now $40,000.

The average cost of turning a worn-out bathroom into a new space is about $10,000. That figure includes the cost of replacing the bathtub, toilet, vanity, sink, medicine cabinet, ceramic tile floor and vinyl wallpaper.

�Most people don�t have thousands of dollars lying around to spend on remodeling projects, but that doesn�t mean you can�t make some simple changes that will have a big impact,� says Keith Kometer, Faucet Marketing Manager at Kohler Co., a global leader of products for the kitchen and bath.

Instead of replacing toilets and showers, these days, a lot of people are painting their kitchens and bathrooms or putting up wallpaper, and accessorizing to get a new look. But those are only a few of the simple changes homeowners can make on a tight budget.

�Changing out the faucet can also make a big visual impact,� says Kometer. Kohler has just rolled out two new faucet lines that can be installed in minutes by do-it-yourselfers and won't break the bank in terms of cost.

The Fort� faucet, for both the bath and kitchen, features a high arch spout that allows for a completely customizable look with traditional handles or sleek, sculpted handles. Its top-mount installation system, preassembled valves and handles allow for easy installation with minimal tools, saving time, effort and money. The only tools required to secure it firmly in place are a screwdriver and wrench.

The more traditional Devonshire design also features pre-assembled flexible supply lines, valves and handles. Flexible lines, available on the Forte faucets as well, are a lot easier to work with when installing the faucet than the standard bulky, rigid copper tubing. The Devonshire faucet also requires just two tools to install.

�These faucets are for homeowners who don�t want to spend top dollar on a remodeling project, but still want to create a look that�s dramatic and stylish,� says Kometer. �You don�t have to repaint; simply replacing the faucet is all it takes.�

To add a little more fashion to the bathroom as a finishing touch, accompanying decorative accessories are available -- including towel racks, glass shelves, soap dishes and toilet tissue holders. They come in several finishes that exceed industry durability standards, and boast distinctive color and texture selections, including polished chrome, brushed chrome, brushed nickel and French gold.

For more information about Kohler products, log onto www.kohler.com or call toll-free (800) 4-KOHLER.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Courtesy of ARA Content

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How To Plan For Kitchen Remodeling
by: Johnathan Bakers

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most desirable home improvement projects for many homeowners. A new kitchen increases the value of your home and makes your life easier. The first step to your new kitchen is to set a budget. Decide how much money you are willing to spend. This will help drive your other decisions. Be sure to leave a cushion in your budget for additional, unexpected expenses.

When determining your budget, consider how long you intend to stay in your home. If you are planning to sell in the next year or so, you may want to spend less money. Decide which features you must have in your new kitchen. You can cut corners in other areas by substituting less expensive materials for the counter tops, flooring or cabinet doors.

Research Kitchen Trends

Before you start planning your remodeling project, do some research on the current trends and designs being used in kitchens. Look for information on the internet or in home decorating magazines. Visit your local home improvement center for more ideas. Start a file for pictures of kitchens you love, furniture, appliances, fabric swatches or anything else you find interesting. This will help when you are ready to start purchasing items for your new room.

Options in Kitchen Remodeling

Cabinets are an expensive item in any remodeling project. They often take up half of the overall budget for the room. If you can�t afford the cost of brand new cabinets, there are cheaper alternatives. Consider cabinet refacing rather than replacing the entire cabinet. In refacing, the doors are replaced and exterior wood areas are covered. This is much less expensive since you are using the same cabinets. An even cheaper alternative is to paint your existing cabinets and buy new hardware.

If you must have new cabinets, consider adding some extra features. Features such as tilt out drawers, pull out garbage cans or a lazy Susan inside a corner cabinet are great space savers and make the room more functional. The doors can be either solid wood, clear glass or stained glass. Shop around to find out what is available before making a purchase.

You can save money on flooring and countertops as well. Substitute vinyl flooring in place of more expensive ceramic tile to save money. If you can install ceramic tiles yourself, you can have them for about the price you would pay a contractor to install vinyl flooring.

Countertops vary widely in price depending on the material that is used. Counters that are more durable are also more expensive. You may want this if you want to be able to cut food directly on the counter. For most people, this is an easy way to cut the overall cost of your kitchen. You can find less expensive material that gives the look of marble, butcher�s block or other expensive materials.

Once you have decided what you want, consider how much of the job you can do yourself. Contractors can eat up a large portion of your budget. The more you can do, the more you will save in the overall cost of the room. Use the savings for great new furniture.

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