Sales of granite and quartz countertops are surging.

Luxury countertop sales are surging, according to kitchen remodeling franchise Kitchen Solvers, which says that sales of solid surface countertops — primarily granite and quartz — were up 215% in 2012 compared to just two years ago.

Kitchen Solvers, which has 48 franchises in the United States and Canada, serves more than 1,000 homeowners each year. The company pioneered high-end cabinet refacing in 1982 and also handles full kitchen redesigns and remodels. As the economy has improved, Kitchen Solvers has seen an uptick in spending. The average customer spent 6% more on refacing and 27% more on new cabinet remodels in 2012 compared to 2010 — but the big story has been in high-end countertops.

“Laminate was the main choice for countertops during the recession, but granite started making a comeback in 2011, and last year granite and quartz eclipsed laminate,” said Kitchen Solvers President Gerry Henley. “Customers love beautiful countertops, and now that the economy is better, they’re investing more money in making their kitchens beautiful.”

High-end countertops are good news for cabinet refacing franchises

The resurgent popularity of granite and quartz countertops portends good things for cabinet refacing franchises like Kitchen Solvers. Granite and quartz countertops, while gorgeous and extremely durable, are also expensive and heavy. During initial installation, that’s not a problem. The difficulty of handling the material is built into the pricing. The issue comes later, when it’s time to remodel the kitchen again.

If you are planning to tear out your old cabinets and replace them with new ones, you will probably have to replace your countertops, too — most remodelers won’t take granite or quartz off and put them back on later — the chance of breakage or a poor fit is too high. There is another way, though. If a homeowner likes their kitchen layout but wants to improve the appearance of their cabinets, refacing is a great option. The countertops stay in place while the surrounding cabinets are transformed.

Kitchen Solvers believes the increasing popularity of granite and quartz countertops will help make cabinet refacing an even more popular remodeling method. Learn more about the technique and franchise opportunities at www.kitchensolversfranchise.com.

The post Luxury Countertop Sales Surging, Kitchen Remodeling Franchise Reports appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

Kitchen cabinet remodeling company helps turn tiny 1948 kitchen into a gathering place for the Janeiro family

Robert Janeiro has lived in his current home, off and on, for more than 60 years. The home that he and his wife Cindy share in La Crosse, Wis., belonged to Robert’s parents and was Robert’s childhood home.

“I think we had new cupboards put in when I was in grade school,” said Robert, 68. “My dad bought it from the bank in 1948, and it was just a shell.”

Like a lot of older homes, it had a few issues — one of which was a tiny kitchen. Ever since Robert and Cindy bought the home and moved in 20 years ago, a new kitchen had been on Cindy’s wish list.

“I’d been holding off, but all my excuses went away when I retired,” Robert said.

Robert tackled much of the remodeling work himself — knocking out a wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room, tearing the rooms down to the studs and plastering walls, then laying down a new floor. When it came time to install the kitchen cabinetry, though, he called in the pros. He hired the local Kitchen Solvers franchise, owned by Suzie and Brian Crowley.

We talked to Robert about the decision to redo his kitchen:

How did you decide on a new kitchen design?
We worked with Kitchen Solvers on four different designs. We had some ideas on our mind, and they sent out a guy who did measurements. We told them what we wanted, and they did a printout of our design, but they also did another design that they thought might be more suitable. We went through four different designs before we settled on one that they suggested. They came up with the idea for a pantry, which I was skeptical about at first, but it grew on me and now I think it’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever had.

How did you start shopping for a new kitchen? What was the process like?
I looked around at a lot of different cabinets, a lot of different setups. I looked at magazines and drew up a few designs. Another thing that Kitchen Solvers did was hang the microwave, which we weren’t going to do, but which we like. We probably have twice as much storage space and cupboard space as we did before, and we have a big island in the middle that is utilized all the time. I’ve got two stools and there is a big bay window where the dining room is, and we can sit four people over there.

How did you find out about Kitchen Solvers?
My daughter had Kitchen Solvers come into her home 9 or 10 years ago and redo her kitchen, and they did a beautiful job. She just praised them up one side and down the other. We went to talk to them, and they were so accommodating, it was unbelievable. Everything they suggested really worked out well. We talked to a few other people who have had them come out. We didn’t price compare so much — what we wanted was what we wanted. They were the best. We went down to their shop and looked at things. My wife picked out all the colors, and she did a good job. It really came out well. They lowered our costs a little bit, too, by changing a few small things, and you can’t tell the difference.

How long were they there?
Brian came in and had it done in a day and a half. They even stained our existing crown molding so that it would match our crown molding in the kitchen. It’s pretty much picture-perfect as far as I’m concerned.

What did you like about Kitchen Solvers?
They just kind of added ideas to our heads that were great, and it was a comfortable process. They showed us four different designs and suggested what would work best based on their experience. Anytime we had a question, they would answer immediately, and if they said they’d be here at 10 a.m., they’d be here. And the crew that put the cabinets in, they didn’t even leave a piece of dust behind when they left. I don’t know who could have done as well.

How much did your kitchen remodel cost?
I think about $18,000 altogether — around $9,000 to $10,000 for the cabinets. We weren’t trying to cut costs — we were only planning to do this once, and we wanted it done right. We got all sliding drawers and soft-closing cabinets and the pantry, as well as self-closing drawers.

Do you get more use out of your kitchen now?
Oh, yeah, about 100 times. We used all the walls up with cabinets. My wife is an accountant, and she does a lot of bookwork out here. We eat at the counter a lot. It keeps the house a little more organized.

How has it changed the way that you use your kitchen? Do you ever show it off?
We show it to friends and relatives. We’ve heard nothing but compliments on it. We always give out Brian and Suzie’s name. They did us good, so we’ll do them back. My wife’s brother just had their kitchen countertops and cabinets redone by Brian and Suzie. We have two daughters — one out in Denver, and one in Mississippi — and there’s plenty of room for everyone when they are here with the grandkids. The 8-year-old and 9-year-old love spinning on the new bar stools. The lighting is perfect in here now, too.

Why does the kitchen matter to you?
It’s where you spend 50% of your life. I do 90% of the cooking now that I’m retired. It’s just such a comfortable place to cook! I’ve got the dishwasher going right now. I like everything about it. It makes your whole home look 10 times better. Now, I wish I had done it 20 years ago.

Learn more

Kitchen Solvers has remodeled more than 45,000 kitchens since the company was founded in 1982. The company pioneered high-end cabinet refacing and also installs new cabinets and redesigns kitchen layouts. To learn more, visit kitchensolversfranchise.com.

The post Kitchen Solvers Customer Review: Robert Janeiro Says Kitchen Solvers Transformed Childhood Home appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

A kitchen remodel can completely transform the way people enjoy their home.

So, you’ve got your interior design degree, and you want to start your own business. What is the best interior design franchise? Good question. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects interior design jobs to increase by 19% between now and 2020 — but specialized design firms are expected to see 27% employment growth over that same time frame. That’s because, to quote the labor statistics department, “by specializing in a unique area of design, interior designers can use their knowledge of products to better fulfill customer requests.”

If you choose to focus on an area of expertise, you’d be hard pressed to find a better area than the kitchen. Kitchen and bath remodeling accounts for about $75 billion a year in consumer spending — it’s at the top of most remodeling to-do lists because kitchen remodels offer exceptional return on investment and can also elevate the ambiance of an entire home. And the remodeling industry itself is growing fast — Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies expects year-over-year industry growth to hit nearly 20% by the third quarter of 2013, driven by an improving economy, a rebounding housing market and pent-up demand.

BEFORE: A kitchen in Roswell, Ga., before it was remodeled by Kitchen Solvers franchisees Art and Tommy Mancino.

Kitchen Solvers has been helping entrepreneurs start their own business for three decades and has developed training programs and systems that allow franchisees to max out their creativity and business skills in order to build thriving businesses. Some of our franchisees have years of experience as woodworkers and installers; others had a penchant for consultation and creative design, but no experience wearing a toolbelt. The beauty of being part of Kitchen Solvers is that you have constant contact with a team of industry professionals who offer marketing support, business systems and vendor relationships — as well as individualized coaching that helps ensure that franchisees play to their strengths as they build their businesses. For instance, if you’re a fantastic people-person, you will soar as a consultative salesperson; if you love the installation process, you may want to hire a salesperson. Whichever way you go, you’ll want to have a solid business plan, with marketing channels in place and a strategy for managing your sales pipeline.

Interested? Read what our franchisees have to say about our support and their own businesses on our blog, and check out our research pages to learn more about the kitchen remodeling industry and how Kitchen Solvers stands out as an interior design franchise. You can also fill out a form to download our free franchise report, or give us a call at 866-604-0002. We look forward to helping you!

AFTER: One glimpse of the new kitchen, which is also pictured at top.

The post Why Kitchens Are Perfect for an Interior Design Franchise appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

Russ Outsen expanded his existing remodeling business by purchasing a Kitchen Solvers franchise.

Russ Outsen was like a lot of contractors — he started his own business, got steady work during some parts of the year, then had to struggle through lean times. He specialized in decks, fences, patios and cement work for homeowners near Salt Lake City, but that worked dried up every winter. So he asked himself a simple question: How do I grow a remodeling business?

His solution was to diversify. Russ looked into several businesses and realized that kitchen remodeling would allow him to work year-round. He bought a Kitchen Solvers franchise to gain access to marketing support, business systems, training and vendor relationships that allowed him to access top cabinet lines without the need for his own showroom.

“They are honest and old-fashioned,” he says. “I found out they had the best product out there. I just talked with them, and I found this one more professional than others.”

Systems can help grow an existing business

Kitchen Solvers has been helping franchisees grow their businesses for three decades. A lot of those franchisees have been new to business ownership, but many others have been like Russ — general contractors who were looking for a new way to grow their revenue. Obviously, adding a new line of expertise, like kitchen remodeling, will expand the pool of customers you can serve, but by partnering with Kitchen Solvers, franchisees gain a whole lot more:

• Sales training: If you already own your own business, you may not think you need sales training. Maybe you’re right. But if you’re like a lot of the remodelers that we have outcompeted for decades, your sales process can be impersonal and even intimidating to customers who wind up making their hiring decisions based mainly on price. Remodelers, in turn, lowball their labor costs and trim their margins to win those customers.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Kitchen Solvers trains franchisees on how to build relationships with customers and how to educate customers so they are in control of the remodeling process and can make decisions that deliver the best value, regardless of price.

There’s a lot more to the sales process than getting a call, going out for an estimate and trying to win the contract. There are many intermediate steps that most of our competitors ignore or are unaware of, and those missing steps can transform the customer experience in ways that can cripple or boost a business.

• Business training: Do you know the key performance indicators for your remodeling business? Do you know what your average job ticket is, how many potential sales leads are flowing through your pipeline, what your profit margin is, what your break-even point is? Do you know what drives your performance and what changes you need to make to boost profits?

Kitchen Solvers trains its franchisees to track their business data and spot the trends driving their cashflow and profits.

Russ says the training has enabled him to better operate both his Kitchen Solvers franchise and his general contracting business. Larry Schaffert, another Kitchen Solvers franchisee in Frederick, Md., echoes that statement. Schaffert started Schaffert Construction in 1989 and added a Kitchen Solvers franchise in 1998. He says the systems and training have been a big boost for both sides of his business.

“It gives you a framework in which to better operate your business,” he says.

• Marketing support: In the rush of doing estimates and completing jobs, marketing sometimes falls by the wayside. That’s unfortunate, because marketing — paired with customer referrals — is what keeps your phone ringing. Kitchen Solvers offers comprehensive marketing support, including a search engine-optimized web page featuring customer testimonials, and helps manage your online presence on Google Places and sites like Houzz.com.

Learn more

If you are looking for a way to grow your business and would like to learn more about what sets Kitchen Solvers apart, check out our research pages and our blog for Kitchen Solvers franchise reviews. There is also a form you can fill out to download a free franchise information report and start a conversation. We look forward to hearing from you!

The post How Kitchen Solvers Can Help an Existing Remodeling Business Grow appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

Jackie Gallantine waited 15 years for a kitchen remodel. “(She) never liked the cabinets from Day One,” says her husband, Ron. “They were oak, and that’s not the style she likes. Every time she saw cream-colored cabinets, she would talk about how much better the kitchen could look. I held her at bay for 15 years. Now, staring at our new cabinets, I know she was right. We should have done it sooner.”

The Gallantine’s new kitchen.

The Gallantines, who are in their early 60s and live in Marietta, Ga., hired Kitchen Solvers remodeling and cabinet franchise owner Art Mancino to transform the look of their kitchen, and while Ron calls the kitchen “new,” that’s not entirely true — some of the cabinets are completely new, but many of them are simply refaced. Take a look at the before-and-after photos of their Marietta, Ga., kitchen, and see if you can tell which is which.

No? That’s the point. Kitchen Solvers franchise owners are so good at what they do that it is hard to tell the difference between a brand new cabinet and a sturdy old cabinet that has been given a facelift.

The Gallantines’ kitchen before the remodel.

The Gallantines were thrilled. Ron, especially, liked that the couple were able to keep the old cabinet boxes, which were still in great shape.

“They were really good cabinets and I didn’t see throwing them away,” he says. “They still are really great cabinets — they just look different on the outside.”

“We did have a few of the old cabinets taken out that were undersized — you couldn’t fit plates in them,” he says. “Art and his son Tommy made some larger cabinets for us, and so she finally has everything in the right place. And to have everything still match was exceptional.”

Ron says the couple saved some money by opting to have a lot of the old cabinets refaced rather than replaced, but he said he was so impressed by the quality of the work that he would have gone with Kitchen Solvers regardless.

He and Jackie had seen the quality of the craftsmanship at the home of a friend who had hired Kitchen Solvers previously.

“When you actually see it, you see the quality of the product, you don’t need to look anymore,” he said.

In addition to the quality of the work, Ron praised the process.

“That was the best part, really. We’ve had a lot of contractors in our house over the years. Some we had to fire, they were so bad,” he said. “We enjoyed Art and Tommy so much. They clean at the end of every day. They didn’t leave any mess, ever — even in the garage, which they used as a staging area. They are just the nicest people to work with, and that was really something that you don’t know you’re going to get. They gave us an estimate of how long it would take, and they were right on the money.”

Ron says the remodel has changed the way he and his wife use their kitchen.

“We still smile when we look at it,” he says. “I kind of feel guilty that we didn’t do this sooner, because it’s been a very worthwhile thing to do. We’d actually had some other refacing outfit come in the past and they showed this little cheesy veneer that they stick on, and I knew I didn’t want that in my kitchen, and discovering that Kitchen Solvers does it a completely different way. They should almost have a completely different name for what they do, because it’s not the same thing.

The post Kitchen Solvers Cabinet Franchise Before and After appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

What makes a good interior design franchise? We submit that it’s a business that allows you to be profitable while expressing your creativity in a way that transforms people’s homes. Kitchen Solvers is always looking for franchise partners who have a passion for transforming lives and spaces through excellent design. Here’s why interior designers shouldn’t shy away from kitchen remodeling:

Design eye, people skills key to success

It’s not the size of your tool belt that matters when it comes to finding success as a Kitchen Solvers franchisee.

In fact, many in the Kitchen Solvers family got into the world of kitchen cabinet refacing and reviving kitchens without backgrounds as carpenters, sub-contractors or contractors.

Sure, there are many franchisees with craftsman resumes who have leaped at the opportunity to build their existing business by joining the Kitchen Solvers family. But there are many others who are not handymen or handywomen. What they offer is passion, creativity, people skills and natural savvy when it comes to marketing themselves and their Kitchen Solvers products.

Sara Baumann

Sara Baumann of Eau Claire, Wisc., is a prime example. Her personal skills didn’t include mastery of a carpenter’s saw. Instead what she packs in her “toolkit” is a passion for kitchen design, a desire to help people update and improve their homes and also a talent for putting customers at ease.

And, she admits, her gender also plays to her strengths. “People are more likely to trust a woman to have good design skills and to understand the best way to redo a kitchen,” she said.

Baumann hires experienced carpenters to handle the remodel itself — she finds customers, creates the design, orders materials, then supervises subcontractors who finish the job.

Suzie Crowley also lacks the craftsman skills. For 15 years, the franchisee in La Crosse, Wisc., has devoted her time to sales consultations while her husband, Brian, handles installations.

Like Baumann, she has a passion for design. She complements that with strong people skills, a drive to succeed, organizational skills and a willingness to network and market.

She says interior designers and real estate agents ought to consider becoming Kitchen Solvers franchisees.

“You don’t have to be a carpenter,” she says, adding that the training given franchisees makes up for lack of tool-belt experience.

What franchisees need, she says, are “a flair for color or good taste in design” and a desire to help people.

The post Looking for an Interior Design Franchise? Look to the Kitchen appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

John Boynton serves the Washington, D.C., area with his Kitchen Solvers franchise.

John Boynton works out of the office space in his mother’s home — the same place where he and his dad, Frank, began J&F Specialties Inc., in 1995. His dad’s been gone for five years now, but “my mother’s 87. She’s in real good health, but this lets me be around her,” he says.

Of course, he’s really not around the office much. He’s on the road, in and around Springfield, Va., where he and his three-person staff keep plenty busy in the remodeling business. The fact that he could become a Kitchen Solvers franchisee without ignoring the company he and his dad got started is one of the big reasons he decided to get involved.

We spent a few minutes talking with the 49-year-old about why, after a life spent in the building and remodeling business — he’s worked at retailers and other remodeling-related companies — he decided to buy a Kitchen Solvers franchise. His Kitchen Solvers debuted in January 2012.

What were you doing before Kitchen Solvers?

I have a full-service remodeling business that has been full-time since 2004. My dad and I started it in 1995. I purchased the Kitchen Solvers franchise to run in conjunction with that. To me, I recognized that the aspects of remodeling and refacing had some potential, and the franchise gave me access to product lines I didn’t have support for and also they help market that portion.

How did you find out about Kitchen Solvers?

I am a member of NARI (the National Association of the Remodeling Industry). Kitchen Solvers sent out advertising to many NARI members, introducing themselves and saying how they could help an existing remodeling business.

What do you like about the job?

One of the challenges for me has been my primary business has been keeping us busy enough that I haven’t been able to concentrate on the refacing aspect. I’m a Class A contractor, which around here means I could build skyscrapers. But we do all kinds of remodeling. No new construction … No skyscrapers. When I looked at this, I said I was pretty sure I could make a living out of this.

What sets Kitchen Solvers apart?

I had a very negative perception of franchises before. So I went in talking to Kitchen Solvers with a negative sense about it. I turned that right around when I talked to them. I liked how they were willing to accommodate my existing business and what I want to do. They are really trying to make my whole business successful.

Who makes a good Kitchen Solvers franchisee?

If I was looking at it as an opportunity to start a business, I think this is an excellent opportunity for someone who has some skills in installations plus running the business. The support structure is outstanding. They can take somebody who knows nothing about the business and help you through every aspect of it. My business was pretty well situated, so we were able to find it enhanced things. I thought it was a good opportunity and it’s the type of work I happen to enjoy.

How large is the opportunity?

I think for the most part, for a small operation, husband and wife, it’s an excellent opportunity to build a business that has value.

Who are your main customers? Who are your best customers?

That’s interesting. My best customers have been in the older demographic — 65-plus and retired — who want to fix their place up a little bit but don’t want to spend a ton of money doing it. I like them. I was raised to respect my elders, so I take good care of them.

What types of work are you getting more of?

We do a good bit of kitchen remodeling, but a lot of that comes through my normal business channels. Our plan is to focus more on Kitchen Solvers this year.

How long do most jobs take?

Four-to-five days to do refacing and countertops, depending on the size. I have a two-man crew that takes care of it. It would take more time for someone doing it themselves.

What would be a big and a small job for Kitchen Solvers, in terms of the bill?

A big job would probably be $9,000 to $10,000; $7,000 to $8,000 is the norm. That’s strictly refacing.

What does your typical day look like?

My typical day is probably four or five hours in office-related things, with the remainder of the time doing the site visits. By and large my day is spent visiting customers, doing sales calls, doing estimates, that sort of thing.

What is a secret to your success?

I smile pretty. For me it’s I take good care of my clients. We’re not the cheapest guy, but we give them a product that has value to it. My customers look out for me, they value me and I value them. The referral network is good. In all of my work, I look at is as if I was doing my mom’s house. My mom’s picky. I ask ‘what would I do if it was my house or my mom’s house?’ That leads us to doing top-quality work for my customers and it follows from there.

How does being part of a franchise help you?

The primary thing is it gives me better purchasing power for some of my products. Kitchen Solvers negotiates national contracts, so that gives me a better price structure than I would get as an individual small contractor.

Would you recommend a Kitchen Solvers franchise to someone else?

I have. Matter of fact, they routinely put prospective franchise purchasers that have an existing business with me, to speak to me. I speak very positively of them. My primary driving force is I can’t afford one unhappy customer. I don’t have any, either. There is a wealth of knowledge (at Kitchen Solvers). The people running the business, the corporate structure, they are willing to share every bit of knowledge they have with me. That’s very valuable. We talk about marketing, running a business, we have a phone conference once a week. There’s that support there and their extreme willingness to work with me in the present business.

The post Kitchen Solvers Franchise Review: Q&A With John Boynton of Springfield, VA appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

For a kitchen remodeling and cabinet refacing franchise like Kitchen Solvers, earning referrals is key to success. With more than three decades in business and a nationwide network of franchisees, we’ve turned tens of thousands of customers into fans who help share the word about the beauty of our kitchen remodels. But tapping into professional networks can bring faster success — especially to new franchise owners. That’s why Kitchen Solvers trains new franchise owners on the best ways to for remodelers to network.

For instance, consider Kitchen Solvers’ value to local real estate agents.

It is common sense: Real estate agents are in the business of selling property.  Therefore, they know if the houses they list need improvements — and a nice kitchen is a key to sales.

So the agents can readily provide referrals for a business focused on giving new life to old kitchens.

Kitchen Solvers helps franchisees learn how to network with real estate agents and put your company onto the agents’ lists of potential problem solvers when listings need facelifts.

Grow your business by helping Realtors

Real estate agents are just one source or referrals for Kitchen Solvers franchise owners. Have any doubts about how much cabinet refacing can help a home? Check out the video above.

For example, many real estate offices hold monthly seminars for their agents.  Their goals in general are to help the agents learn different methods of boosting sales.

Ask those real estate firms to be a “guest speaker,” with the idea being that you will talk about how kitchen remodeling can boost home values and accelerate sales. Then describe how the kitchen cabinet refacing performed by Kitchen Solvers is often quicker and more affordable than remodeling.

Similarly, certification classes for new real estate agents in your community provide other openings for you to educate and build familiarity with how Kitchen Solvers can help.

The payoff for such networking comes when agents sit down with clients to go over checklists of what is needed to make the property ready to sell, and your franchise is the first one that comes to mind when they talk about the kitchen.

It’s an example of how getting to know other business owners who either may be in need of Kitchen Solvers services or who are in regular contact with potential customers can help franchisees build strong foundations for growth.

Targeting the right business relationships

Learning how to network is easier for some personalities than for others, of course, and Kitchen Solvers helps franchisees by providing them lists of people who are likely customers.

In addition to real estate agents, these would include assisted living facilities managers and apartment property managers, people who must regularly update and improve their properties to serve their client bases.

And then there is broader networking among businesses eager to help one another. BNI, of course, is the ultimate example, as that organization has as its goal putting business professionals in contact with each other to share ideas, contacts, information and referrals.

BNI has more than 145,000 members internationally and on its website points out that last year it was responsible for 7.1 million referrals and $3.3 billion of business for members.

But even getting involved in the local business associations and lunch groups helps spread the knowledge of who you are and what you offer.

The post Cabinet Refacing Franchise’s Sales Growth Strategy: Become a Networking Pro appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

Kitchen cabinet refacing and kitchen remodeling franchise Kitchen Solvers saw this coming. For the past year, we’ve been encouraging interior designers, woodworkers, handymen and others interested in starting a business to take a long look at the remodeling industry, because our research indicated that it was poised for a boom.

Now the data is in. The Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University says that the annual growth in remodeling spending, which has been increasing at 2-3% since the end of 2011, rocketed upward at a rate of 8.2% in the 3rd quarter of 2012. The institute’s Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) projects spending growth to hit 10.6% for the first three months of 2013, 16.8% in the second quarter, and 19.7% by September.

“Through the first three quarters of 2012, investment in the residential sector was responsible for one out of every six dollars added to our GDP,” says Eric Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center. “Moving forward, home improvement is expected to make an even larger contribution to GDP growth.”

Why kitchen cabinet refacing is a good business

Kitchen cabinet refacing is a good business for a couple of reasons:

One, kitchens are one of the most popular remodeling projects in a home because they can transform the look of a house and have one of the highest returns on investment.

Second, cabinet refacing can drastically lower the cost of a kitchen remodel. The process transforms the look of a kitchen in just a few days while reducing waste. Cabinet refacing gives well-built old cabinets a major facelift — doors and drawer fronts, hinges and handles are removed, and the exposed cabinet face-frame is refaced with a factory finished and stained furniture-grade plywood. New cabinet doors and drawer fronts, self-closing hinges, and decorative handles are installed to complete the project.

By driving down the cost of some remodels, kitchen cabinet refacing appeals to homeowners who developed thrifty habits in the wake of the recession.

Why remodeling businesses are poised to grow

Kitchen Solvers franchisees have been transforming people’s homes for three decades.

The Joint Center expects the growth of the remodeling industry to continue for a decade or more and cites three main trends:

• The housing recovery: Home prices are rising again in much of the country, and and low interest rates are attracting new buyers and making it easier for existing homeowners to use loans to tackle home improvement projects. To quote the Joint Center’s report on housing stock, “Ready for Renewal”: “Renewal of the nation’s housing stock is getting underway. … the future market potential is immense.” Why is the center do bullish?

• Retiring Baby Boomers: Retiring Baby Boomers are freshening up their homes one last time ahead of retirement — and remodeling spending by people age 55 and over was 20% higher in 2011 than it was a decade ago, the Joint Center says, even after adjusting for inflation. The first Boomers turned 65 in 2011, and the last boomer will hit 65 in 2029.

• The Echo Boom: As the economy improves, the largest generation in America’s history — the children of the Baby Boomers — will begin buying and remodeling more homes. Between 2005 and 2011, the number of households that included at least one adult children increased by 15%, the Joint Center reports, as young adults stayed in the nest because of unemployment or underemployment. The Echo Boom is currently between the age of 9 and 30. By the time the last Baby Boomers have retired, the Echo Boom will be driving a new swell of demand for housing and remodeling.

Interested in starting a business in a growing industry?

To learn more, check www.kitchensolversfranhcise.com to read our research pages and learn how much it costs to start a Kitchen Solvers franchise, and to read Kitchen Solvers franchise reviews on our blog. To start a conversation, fill out this form to download our free franchise information report or give us a call at 866-604-0002.

The post Good News for Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Companies: Harvard Institute Notes Big Uptick in Remodeling Activity appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.

Russ Outsen of Kitchen Solvers of Sandy, Utah

Russ Outsen became a Kitchen Solvers franchisee mainly as a way to supplement his income, especially during the cold months he had to endure as a contractor in the Salt Lake City area. Now the 52-year-old finds himself “dominating the valley” with his refacing and granite countertop work. We caught up with him at his office in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.

What were you doing before Kitchen Solvers?
I was a general contractor, but I did a lot of cement work. I was licensed, with my specialty doing decks, fences and patios. But that’s all outside work. I wanted to make money year-round and do something easier and inside during the winter. The main thing was we kicked butt during eight months of the year, and the other four months we were snowed out, and it was tough to make it.

How did you find out about Kitchen Solvers?
I went to the Better Business Bureau and looked at a variety of different businesses. I decided I would get a franchise. I saw a variety of franchise opportunities and spent about six months looking at them. Kitchen Solvers is the one I picked.

How long have you been a franchisee?
Going on eight years.

What do you like about the job?
It’s very straightforward. There aren’t a lot of surprises in it. I like working inside and working with people. Of all the contracting, this is the least-taxing on the body. And, it’s a good product. You feel like you really leave your customers with a good value when you walk out.

What sets Kitchen Solvers apart?
They are honest and old-fashioned. I found out they had the best product out there. I just talked with them, and I found this one more professional than others.

Who makes a good Kitchen Solvers franchisee? What attracted you to it?
It’s about 50 percent being a good small business person. And about 50 percent being a contractor with construction experience, because about half the issues you run into are business: advertising, bookkeeping and all that. The other 50 percent you run into you rely on your contracting experience.

Kitchen Solvers specializes in cabinet refacing, which can transform a kitchen by updating existing cabinets rather than ripping them out.

How large is the opportunity?
You can get a lot bigger, but it’s not easy to get a lot of growth right now. When we started, every month we’d do a little bit better until the economy hit. It’s been tougher the last three years. People didn’t want to spend money because it wasn’t a necessity, like a roof or an air-conditioner. Ours is something that makes a kitchen look a lot better. It’s more a lot of spruce-up than a total necessity. But it’s getting better.

Who are your main customers? Who are your best customers?
Empty nesters and older people do more than half of the business. Their kids are gone, they have a little bit more money to go around. But we’ve done anyone from 21 to 91. We’ve had real good luck with everyone.

How important is craftsman experience?
It’s probably not necessary. I did large commercial construction. I was general contractor. I was a sub-contractor. I had that experience. I had to learn more of the advertising and the bookkeeping and stuff like that. With Kitchen Solvers, I had to learn how to run a business better.

What types of work are you getting more of?
It’s always been the same. Refacing is the main thing. And we get a lot of granite countertops.

How long do most jobs take?
Ten days to two weeks. It takes a week to do a refacing, a week to do the granite. But it’s not unusual for us to turn a whole job in a week.

What would be a big and a small job for Kitchen Solvers, in terms of the bill?
A small job is $2,000. A big job is $12,000. The average would be $7,000 to $8,000 to do granite and refacing.

What does your typical day look like?
It kind of varies. We work 50 hours a week average. Typically, it’s 30 hours a week actually working and 20 hours doing books, bids, advertising … all that.

What area do you serve?
I have one territory. I have no competition on the Wasatch Front, the side of the Wasatch Mountains where the majority of the people live: The Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo area.

What does franchise ownership allow you to do that you couldn’t before?
Work year-round and have a lot better lifestyle, basically work inside. My other work mostly had me working outside, so it was tough in this climate.

Would you recommend a Kitchen Solvers franchise to someone else? Why?
Oh yes I would. It’s a good overall product. They have good customer service. They are real old-fashioned and honest. They give you a feel of a small company with old-fashioned values.

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