Author Archives: bo@expresskitchen.net

8 Things To Remember When Remodeling Your Kitchen

kitchen_header

  1. Set Your Budget

Before you start planning, decide whether a low, medium or high end kitchen remodel makes the most sense. Costs can range from $2000 for a simple upgrade to $50,000 if you’re installing expensive countertops and luxury appliances. Knowing your neighborhood will help keep you from overspending and help determine if you may get your investment back.

  1. Avoid An Identity Crisis

Don’t try to remodel a 50’s ranch-style kitchen into a contemporary cook space. Work with your architectural style, not against it. You will be spending too much time and money on a  complete overhaul, and you’ll end up with a kitchen that looks like it belongs in someone else’s home.

  1. Keep Up With Trends

By staying on top of the latest technological trends and improvements, you may be able to find less expensive, more eco-friendly versions of the hottest looks.

  1. Don’t Move The Plumbing!

Moving water and gas lines to accommodate your remodeling is extremely costly, especially in older homes.

  1. Consider Your Floor Plan

If you are rearranging your appliances, make sure to keep your floor plan in mind. Does it follow the natural traffic pattern between the refrigerator, stove and oven? Is the dishwasher next to the sink?

  1. Don’t Mismatch Appliance

When buying new fridges, ranges and dishwashers, stick with the same brand if possible. Fortunately many appliance manufacturers offer good looking, low priced matching sets. You can find affordable appliances that look very high end and when they all match, you get a designer look for much less.

  1. Don’t Forget To Budget For Sinks And Fixtures

Get the best possible faucet, one with a pull out spray attachment or a gooseneck with detachable head. It’s a necessity and the difference between good and great is only $50 – $75. Stick to one consistent fixture finish since mixed finishes can look like patch work.

  1. Take Advantage Of Free Advice

Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/ExpressKitchenCabinets)  and Twitter (twitter.com/ExpKitchens) where we share our favorite articles, tips and trends!

Express Kitchens awarded 2014 SBA’s Connecticut Small Business Persons of the Year!

Max Kothari & Express Kitchens awarded 2014 SBA's Connecticut

It is with great pleasure we announce that Express Kitchens co-owners Max Kothari and Roger Mehta were named the 2014 U.S. Small Business Administration’s Connecticut Small Business Persons of the Year!

At a recent ceremony, Max explained how he built his growing kitchen remodeling business from a dream while attending Harvard School of Business. Having purchased Star Hardware in 1989 with 4 employees, Max and Roger with the help of the SBA, have grown Express Kitchens to almost 100 employees and 7 store locations as well as a growing commercial kitchen installation business based in an inner city neighborhood.

Max says Express Kitchens grew because of their customers. “Our customer loyalty has everything to do with our success. We gave them the choices and quality they wanted. We help them through every step, from design to installation. Renovation is at a minimum and we deliver outstanding value. That’s what’s really been an unbeatable combination.” Max also stated that “most people didn’t think that an ‘inner city’ company could compete. Express Kitchens is a great source of pride for Roger and myself, this award is humbling and deeply appreciated. “

Tips For Reducing Waste In Your Kitchen

EKBlog
Have you ever thought about how much food ends up being wasted? Expired yogurt cups, slimy salads, moldy leftovers – it all adds up. Some experts estimate that more than 40% of the food produced in the U.S. is wasted.

So what can you do to waste less food and packaging? Consider these tips:

  1. Use Plastic Bags & Storage Containers

When you have leftover food after a meal,  plastic storage containers, wraps and zipper bags help seal out air so food last longer in the fridge and prevent freezer burn in the freezer. Many of these bags can be washed out and reused.

  1. Buy Wrapped Food

Buying foods in a little bit of packaging can prevent a lot of food waste. For example, cucumbers wrapped in thin plastic film can last two weeks or more, while an unwrapped cucumber lasts about three days. Poultry, fish and produce that are wrapped increase their shelf life and help waste less food with minimal packaging.

  1. Recycle!

A great way to reduce packaging waste is to recycle everything you can. Plastic beverage bottles, milk and juice jugs and condiment containers just to name a few, can be recycled in most curbside recycling programs.

  1. Close The Recycling Loop!

Using cutting boards, bowls, storage containers and more made with recycled plastics not only help reduce the food waste in your kitchen but also can be recycled again at the end of their useful life.