Having New Kitchen Countertops Installed Into Your Ohio Home
New countertops are an affordable way to dramatically improve your kitchen.

Are you looking to make some small, but meaningful improvements in your kitchen?  Improvements that look great, add function and won’t break the bank or inconvenience you with weeks of construction?  Kitchen countertops are an excellent solution for the homeowner who wants to remodel but doesn’t want to go through full-scale construction just yet.

Maybe you’ve got some old laminate counters that are looking pretty worn out?  Or you’d just like to upgrade to a more modern material?  With so many materials, colors and finishes available when it comes to countertops, choosing this central piece of your kitchen can be overwhelming.

Our countertop installation expert at Ohio Home Doctorwill help you pick the perfect countertops for your taste, budget and lifestyle.

What Material Should You Choose For Your Kitchen Countertops?

There are definitely some specific kitchen countertop materials that have become increasingly popular in recent years such as granite, but this doesn’t mean that there is only one perfect countertop for your kitchen. Perhaps you already have a material in mind, now you need to find out if it comes in the color you prefer, and if it is priced within your budget.

The various countertop options will all drastically alter how your renovated kitchen looks, and with so many excellent choices available, we can help you to find the ideal countertop for your home.

Corian Countertops

As one of the easiest countertops to maintain, Corian (also known as Solid Surfacing) countertops are a very popular choice. Primarily made from polyester and acrylic, Corian countertops are nonporous and virtually maintenance-free, with no sealing or special cleaning required to keep them looking great.  Corian’s seamless installation means that there are no cracks or seams
to catch debris either. Finally, Corian is an excellent option if you wish to experiment with vibrant colors or patterns, as you are not limited by the appearance of a natural material such as granite or other stone.

Granite Kitchen Countertops

Currently one of the most popular countertop option for a luxurious kitchen remodel, granite brings the incomparable beauty and durability of natural stone to your kitchen. Each piece of granite is unique, with exquisite colors and patterns to choose from. These countertops stand up very well to heat, splashes, knife nicks, and other wear and tear that a countertop is exposed to.

Two Granite Countertop finishes are available:  a polished, shiny finish; and a soft, matte honing finish.

Granite countertops will need to be resealed periodically to keep them looking their best and to prevent staining.  If you are limited by a strict budget then granite countertops may prove to be a little more expensive than other options but if you find a contractor that maintains good working relationships with some local suppliers there are often good deals on granite countertops to be had.

One downside to a granite countertop that should be mentioned is that they are quite heavy.  If you are switching from a laminate countertop to granite you may need to reinforce the framing that will support it.  Your contractor installing the new countertops will be able to tell you if this is required.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are probably the most familiar kitchen countertop because they are affordable and widely available, but thanks to modern finishes and styles, laminate does not have to be dull!  Laminate is versatile, dependable, and much less expensive than other countertops. Made from paper, resin and particle board, laminate countertops can be made to mimic butcher block, stone, and other pricer countertop options. These countertops are lightweight and easy to maintain.  Don’t expect a long-life out of your laminate counter-tops.  If you love to cook and use the kitchen often, then 5-10 years is a good rule of thumb.

Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops are probably the most versatile option. They can be cast in any shape of counter, and tinted almost any shade you wish. Many homeowners choose to add unique inlays such as stones, glass fragments, or shells to further add flair to the countertops.  Concrete stands up very well to heavy use. Like granite, concrete countertops require periodic resealing to prevent staining. It is also very heavy, and requires a sturdy cabinet base.

How Long Does A New Kitchen Countertop Installation Take?

Your time is valuable and we respect that. After you have decided on your countertop materials and we have taken all the necessary measurements and created the template we can source your materials.  Waiting on materials (especially items like granite or other stone) can often take longer than the actual labor and installation time.

Some homeowners, after seeing the quality of our work opt to replace other countertops in their home as well, this could include a bathroom, or a laundry room, even a downstairs bar for that matter.  These extras if you’ve asked us to do them will add to the installation time as well.

What Does New Countertop Installation Cost?

Certainly price is always a factor when remodeling your kitchen. Our experts will work with you to find the perfect countertop for your needs and budget.  The final cost will ultimately depend on your choice of materials, the size of the countertop we are replacing and any other special considerations that need to be made.

It’s tough to give a ball park cost on new countertops without actually seeing the location of the install.  For materials we can tell you that countertops materials are estimate by the square foot.  This can vary from as low as $10 per square foot for laminates all the way up to $150-$200+ for luxury materials such as granite or marble.

Why Choose The Ohio Home Doctor For Your Kitchen Countertop Project?

When you choose the Ohio Home Doctor team to replace your kitchen countertops you are partnering with a small team of craftsman, all with the common goal of making your home a better place.  Every employee strives to be the best kitchen remodeler he or she can be and will treat your home as if they were working on their own.

We keep a clean, safe work area and we’ll bend over backwards to accommodate you during the remodeling of your home as we know it can be inconvenient at times.  In the end we promise you’ll be happy with the results and how we’ve improved your home.

If you’d like to receive an estimate to replace your kitchen countertops please give us a call 937-605-6882 or fill out our contact form and we’ll get right back to you.

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Why Us?

Our Experience- We have effectively completed numerous projects just like yours. When considering which company to hire for your renovations you must consider not only their attention to detail while working in your home but also their ability to manage all the paper work which accompanies these types of projects. For the inexperienced contractor/homeowner team this can be a daunting and miserable experience. Our knowledge of the process cuts out an immeasurable amount of headache and back and forth emails while preparing for closing. Let’s face it, you have a lot going on right now while planning to move into your new and soon to be improved home. Let us streamline the process and make life easier!

We Are Certified- Ohio Home Doctor is pre-approved by Wells Fargo and Prime Lending. This cuts out the approval process and allows us to get to work in your corner right away. Getting approved the first time is no small task. We have undergone a credit check, background check, and thorough investigation by the banks to ensure that we are a trustworthy option for your project. Don’t be fooled by someone who says they can get approved quickly, it just doesn’t happen that way. Hiring a contractor who isn’t approved will add countless pages of paper work to the project, and delay closing for as much as 3 weeks. Often in that time your offer may expire and your dream home sells to someone else because you embarked on the journey with the wrong company.

We Are Equipped to handle your project no matter how involved its specifications may be. We are a full service home remodeling and home improvement company and have the man power and portfolio to tackle any and all jobs which are being either required or requested for your project. Having an organization equipped to manage all aspects of your project streamlines the process and allows for a single contract to be submitted to the bank, reducing overall turnaround time.

The Process

Step 1- Find your dream home! While planning to purchase keep an open mind and try to concentrate on potential more so than actual conditions. We can fix almost anything wrong with a home so find one with the right amount of size in the right neighborhood and we can re-design it into your dream home.

Step 2- Call Us! Once you have found your potential new home we can schedule a time with your realtor to meet at the home and discuss your plans. Have your must haves and want to haves lists available so we can cover all the bases when we meet. Our experience allows us to quickly and accurately assess the home’s condition and make recommendations regarding the best usage of your budget.

Step 3- We will draft a proposal for your project. This will be the “actual contract” which is the actual agreement for the work to be performed on your home.

Step 4- Once approved we will then draft a contract which meets the banks guidelines to get the loan approved. There needs to be 2 contracts since the bank wants specific language excluded from the contract often times making them vague. It is important for us that we are 100% on the same page as far as what we are going to do for you and for how much, thus the need for two contracts.

Step 5- Closing! We will begin construction within 30 days of your closing as required by most banks. It is important that you have made all your construction related decisions like material selection and design options as soon as possible after closing.

Step 6- Construction. During construction we will follow through on exactly what we planned to do. We will need access to the home during business hours Monday through Friday. It is always best if you can avoid moving into the home until construction is complete but if this is not possible then plan to live around construction until it is complete. Also keep in mind that personal items and or boxes should not be stored in areas of the home under construction. Lastly, make arrangements for any pets you may have since worksites aren’t the safest place for them.

Step 7- Enjoy your new home! After we are done the real fun begins and you can truly move into your new home and enjoy the features which made you decide to buy it in the first place.

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Not only do you get to enjoy your new amenities, but you can also reap its rewards such as improved quality of life, heightened energy efficiency, and the ability to recoup most if not all of your investment through the resale value of your home.

The economy has effected home prices, and the cost of home improvement has declined as well. There has never been a better time to dive into the home remodeling or home improvement project you and your family have been anticipating for years.

The road to a successful project begins with proper prior planning. You must first decide which area of your home is in the most need of repair.  Basement finishing yields the highest resale value, return with kitchens and baths not far behind. New flooring and paint also has a huge impact and often times is more affordable than you would think.

For exterior projects nothing adds to your home’s curb appeal and value like new windows, siding, and roofing.

Once you have decided which area of your home you will be working on, the total scope of the project must be formulated.

Lets take bathroom remodeling as an example. There are many options for updating or repairing your existing bathroom. New tubs, shower base, tile flooring, wall surround, tile walls, vanities, vessel sinks, lighting, comfort height toilets, grab bars, shower doors, towel bars, medicine cabinets, storage closets, the list goes on and on.

Ohio Home Doctor can present all your options for you along with pricing so you can decide how to get the largest home improvement impact for your budget.

For larger projects such as room additions, hiring an architect to formulate an initial drawing or blue print can save both time and money. Providing a blue print to your proposed contractors can assure you are getting apples to apples estimates, and can decrease the time from selecting a contractor to attaining a permit.

The next step is choosing the correct home improvement and remodeling company for your project.  There are lots of options, many good, but a lot of poor ones also. Make sure you select someone who sounds like they know what they are doing, and has the answers to your questions.

Typically when somebody knows what they are talking about, they are able to articulate it verbally. Its true some people may be talented carpenters and poor oral communicators but do not gamble when it comes to your money, family, and home improvement projects.

Get at least three estimates for your proposed project. Getting several estimates will allow you a chance to hear several opinions, and weed out the guys just trying to find there next rent check. It is very important to choose the right remodeling contractor not just the lowest price.

Here at Ohio Home Doctor we strive to be both, the right contractor, and the lowest price, but its not always possible since we always deliver top quality work.

Choosing the wrong contractor will be the most expensive route for you regardless of the initial estimate.

When you have narrowed the selection down to a couple, check out each at the BBB’s website.

Hiring a member of the BBB not only provides you with a qualified contractor but also acts as an insurance policy since hiring members gives you the consumer instant recourse in the event something goes wrong. It is also a good idea to check and make sure the company name on the letterhead matches registered business names with the Secretary of State. Hiring somebody who is not a LLC or INC can only end poorly.

Finally ask to see a copy of there business insurance and make sure the coverage amount covers your home. Upon receiving a copy it is a good idea to call the insurance company and verify the policy is current.

Some contractors pay for the initial few months in order to attain the certificate and then stop paying leaving you exposed to risk. Insurance is one of those things you hope you never need but when you do you really do. Its is worth 5 minutes to verify that you are protected from freak accidents and mishaps.

Upon selecting your contractor it is time to begin work.  Make sure you schedule the work to be done during a time that you will be able to break away from your schedule to make decisions or investigate unforeseen issues.

Some people like to go on vacation while work is being done to decrease the stress level. However, it is generally a better idea to be there and available to ensure you are getting what you pay for.

If you are not available and lets say there is structural rotting which wasn’t seen pre-estimate, your contractor has no choice other then to proceed without your permission charging you an additional sum without your approval.

If you are available you can inspect the additional damage yourself and verify the additional some is fair.  Often times pre-pricing is much lower than post-pricing. Also being present allows you to make minor design changes maximizing the results to your individual tastes. Sometimes small changes make huge differences and it is better if you are around to give yourself that opportunity.

Once your contractor has completed his work make sure you inspect everything thoroughly. Formulate a “punch-out list” addressing any issues you may have and give your contractor time to address them.

Finally, before making the final payment ask for a copy of the warranty pertaining to the specific project unless it exists on the signed contract. Keeping a physical copy of the warranty will make it easier on yourself in the future if you ever need to use it.