Renovating your kitchen isn’t as simple as you might think; there are a number of things you should consider before hitting the stores. To help make your appliance shopping experience easier, we interviewed Ross McGrath from our Houston Galleria Store – an appliance sales veteran of 17 years. He explained to us there are seven key things you should consider when shopping for your kitchen and we have detailed them for you below.
1. Start Your Search Online.
Technology has changed the appliance world significantly over the last few years and you might be surprised to learn what is available now. Use the Internet to find out if the newest technologies, like an induction range, will work for your lifestyle and kitchen design. Will you be switching from electric to gas cooking appliances? What will you actually use vs. what looks good? These are all important questions you need to answer.
2. Imagine Your Kitchen Layout.
One of the most important considerations is how you want your kitchen to look when finished. What will be the layout? Do you have any primary focal points in mind? Are you looking for a simple face-lift or do you plan to do a complete kitchen remodel? At Factory Builder Stores we can help you with either. You don’t have to get fancy with your ideas, the simplest pencil drawing can go a long way as you start your appliance shopping endeavor.
3. Determine Your Budget.
You need to know what your budget is before you begin shopping. Create a wish list with backup options. If you are on a tight budget you will need to temper your expectations, you can’t go in expecting a $30,000 kitchen on a $5,000 budget. While a $5-7,000 budget can get you very nice modern appliances from manufactures like Whirlpool or KitchenAid, it will not get you a comprehensive kitchen remodel.
4. Consider Your Dimensions.
Having your dimensions can be very helpful if you’re replacing an appliance but not replacing your countertops or cabinetry. You will want to make sure you are looking at replacement appliances that will fit into your current cutouts. If your planning to replace your countertops and cabinets, dimensions are not as important as the team at Factory Builder Stores has a team of cabinet designers who can help you plan your space.
5. Keep Rebates In Mind.
Rebates are generally based on adding more products from the same manufacturer to your over-all purchase. The more you are willing to spend, the more you can save. By staying brand specific in your purchase, you’re likely to benefit from a rebate. However, you shouldn’t tailor your kitchen solely around a rebate as brands of the same caliber are very competitive in pricing. Your primary goal should be finding appliances you will be happy to own for the next 10 to 15 years.
6. Find People You Can Trust.
Americans love to shop and we tend to be singularly focused on price. While it’s a good idea to know what is out there, lower pricing can indicate compromised quality of both the product and the service. Make sure you’re purchasing from the most experienced, knowledgeable sales people in your area. When shopping with Factory Builder Stores, you’ll have access to decades worth of experience and advice when it comes to designing kitchens and making the most of your budget.
7. Ask About Scratch & Dent Appliances.
The scratch and dent department at Factory Builder Stores is great if you don’t mind a small blemish and need to replace an appliance pronto. These items are still protected by the manufacturers warranty – with the exception of cosmetic coverage – and often include floor display items. If you’re doing a full remodel, it doesn’t hurt to ask if an item you’re interested in has found it’s way into the scratch and dent appliances section. However, if you won’t need that appliance for a few months and can’t accept immediate delivery of the item, skip shopping scratch and dent appliances.
You can watch our interview with Ross now.
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