DIY Network

"Mess Hall" Kitchen Update, Pt. 4: Value Boosts and Final Tally Nearly every room in the Martz's turn-of-the-century house is updated — except their galley kitchen. Their do-it-yourself remodel includes new cabinets, hardwood flooring and a net equity return-on-investment of more than $13,000. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-203

	Before
	After

They went over their original budget by $1,000, but with a gain of over $13,000 in equity, in the big picture Ted Hagan and Jennifer Martz's hard work in their kitchen remodel really paid off.

Tips for Adding Kitchen Value

• On average, a kitchen remodel usually costs $30,000 but is the room most likely to get the most return in equity, but the highest ticket item is often the cabinets. Ted and Jennifer chose a stock cabinet to save money in their purchase and save even more by installing the cabinets themselves.

• Ted and Jennifer had a combination of old wood flooring that was beyond refinishing and asbestos laden linoleum under their cabinets. Instead of a costly removal of all their flooring they installed their composite snap-together hardwood flooring right on top. This is a cost effective and safe solution to an asbestos problem.
  

  advertisement

  
  
  

  	Before
  	After
  	After

  
  

• Ted and Jennifer had suitable appliances for their new kitchen. New appliances can make any kitchen look better, but a top of the line dishwasher and industrial sized oven don't necessarily return their value in equity, so shop around. By using their old appliances, they saved about $4,000.

• When a room, especially your kitchen is not up to date, it can single-handedly bring the value of your house down. A kitchen was a clear choice for Jennifer and Ted, bringing their home value up $30,000.

  Final Tally:

  cabinets = $6,487
  flooring = $1,630
  counters = $3,200
  appliances = $1,825
  electrician = $1,100
  lighting = $359
  misc. = $1,616

  TOTAL = $16,217

  Realtor's Estimated Value Increase = $30,000

  Total Cost Of Material = $$16,217

  Net Return On Investment = $13,783
  

  
  

  RESOURCES :
  

  Resources for Sweat Equity, episode 203:

  MacDonald Hardwoods
  www.macwoods.com

  Daltile
  www.daltile.com

  Breville USA
  www.brevilleusa.com

  Builders Outlet
  Denver, CO
  Phone: 303-789-0808

  Guests:

  Ken Haverman, contractor
  Haverman Construction

  RELATED PROJECTS: Kitchen Catch-Up: Value Boost and Final Tally Modernized Kitchen: Value Boosts and Final Tally Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 4: Finished Kitchen and Final Tally Garage Transformation Pt. 4: Value Boosts and Final Tally Stepping Up the Basement: Value Boost and Final Tally

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	"Mess Hall" Kitchen Update, Pt. 1: Installing Cabinets
  	"Mess Hall" Kitchen Update, Pt. 2: Installing Hardwood Floors
  	"Mess Hall" Kitchen Update, Pt. 3: Installing Cabinet Door Hardware
  	"Mess Hall" Kitchen Update, Pt. 4: Value Boosts and Final Tally