Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it typically take for you to remodel a kitchen?
• What area do you cover for kitchen remodeling?
• Do I need to have design ideas before I start the kitchen renovation process?
• Will Blank & Baker help me with selections of my materials?
• What type of return on investment can I expect from remodeling my kitchen if I sell my home?
• What can I expect during my kitchen remodeling project?
• How do I select a remodeler for my kitchen renovations?
• Why should I choose Blank & Baker for my remodeling project?
• How do I begin my kitchen remodeling project with Blank & Baker?
• How does Blank & Baker make sure the construction process runs smoothly?
• What can I do to make the home building experience go smoothly?
• What type of warranty do you offer?

This really depends on the client and the scope of the remodeling project. A simple project like cabinet refacing, replacing the fixtures, and repainting the room may take a couple of weeks but a complete gut remodel will likely take a month or more. Here's a sample schedule leading you through the typical kitchen remodeling project from conception to completion.

1) Intial Free Consultation between Blank & Baker and client and follow-up meeting to discuss estimate - 1 Week
2) Finalize the scope of work for your remodeling project and issue contract - 2 weeks
3) Material selections with the client - 2 to 4 weeks
4) Order materials and anticipated delivery schedule set in place - 3 to 6 weeks
5) Demolition of old kitchen, installation of new products, final punch-list, and cleaning - 2 to 4 weeks

We primarily cover Chicago's North Shore. In particular, our service areas include Arlington Heights, Bannockburn, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Long Grove, Mettawa, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Riverwoods, Skokie, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, Wilmette, Winnetka. Check Out Our Service Area Map

It's not necessary but if you do it helps. Pictures from magazines or the internet of kitchen features you like provide a good starting point for our initial meeting. Our goal is to build the kitchen you vision so pictures are a great tool to use to communicate your likes and dislikes. We will be able to work with you to narrow down what will work best for you. If you are still having trouble getting started with this, we will show you pictures of kitchen projects that we have worked on in the past so that we can get a better feel of your needs, tastes, and budget.

Yes. We pride on making ourselves available to our clients every step of the way. We want to do this in a fashion that is comfortable for you. If you'd like us to accompany you to our recommended suppliers showrooms, we will schedule an appointment to do that. If you are a little more self sufficient and would like to go by yourself we are happy to point you in the right direction and even introduce you to professionals that we have long standing relationships with at our various kitchen material showrooms who can assist you as you see fit.

Kitchen remodels have been generally recognized by experts in the remodeling and real estate industry, as one of the top rated home improvement project in terms of your overall return on investment. It's typically said that kitchen remodels add between 90 to 100 percent of their cost to the value of the home and in certain markets more.

Again, this really depends on the scope of the project but a typical kitchen remodel breaks down like this:

1) Selective demolition of the old kitchen
2) New mechanicals, such as plumbing and electrical, are installed as necessary
3) Drywall installed as necessary
4) New kitchen flooring is installed
5) New kitchen cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes are installed
6) Trim and doors are installed
7) Kitchen walls are painted
8) Kitchen fixtures and appliances are installed
9) Kitchen hardware is installed
10) Cleaning and final touchups are completed

Selecting your renovation contractor is the most important factor in experienceing a successful kitchen remodeling project. A good remodeling contractor will provide you with excellent customer service, have a commitment to quality, and provide you with the value that a major investment, like a kitchen renovation, deserves. Look for a contractor who you feel is honest, trustworthy, and a good personality fit with you. Remodeling can be an emotional endevor for any homeowner and hiring a contractor who you can't trust or don't get along with will likely lead to a long and stressful experience.

We take great pride in every project we commission and every relationship we make. Since each project must reflect the individual lifestyles and personalities of its owners, it is imperative for us to know and understand our clients and keep them involved through the entire process from the design to completion. Our president, Chad Blankenbaker, is highly regarded as a people person, and our clients are instantly reassured by his accessibility throughout the duration of the project. Clients clearly understand that Blank & Baker Construction Management is dedicated to helping them fulfill their dream. Our job is simply not finished until our clients are satisfied.

You have already begun the process by visiting our Website and getting to know us just a little bit better. Remodeling projects typically starting life as a few magazine clippings, brochures, or several random design ideas from other houses you have seen. We encourage you to take the time to organize your thoughts and ideas in a binder and/or notebook. This will really help you communicate your vision of your new kitchen to us and/or our architects. You may even find ideas on Our Kitchen Photo Portfolio page. You can contact us at 847.574.7415 or email us at info@blankandbaker.com anytime and we will help you get started.

• Experience ? Our team of professionals has extensive experience in the construction industry and has already encountered most any situations which can arise during the construction of a home. We know how to anticipate and prevent problems before they become an issue. If an issue should arise, our experience allows us to quickly and painlessly resolve the issue while continuing to move forward with the progress of the project. We also work diligently to hire only the most qualified subcontractors, which are very specialized in their field, and typically have a long standing relationship and understanding of how they operate.
• Communication ? We feel communication is very important for all facets of the remodeling project. We pride ourselves on being readily available to our clients, design professionals, and subcontractors and constantly communicating with all parties involved so there are no surprises during the construction of our remodeling projects.
• Systems ? We have spent years developing systems for every aspect of the home remodeling business. From the initial meeting, to the design phase, to the construction quality check-lists, to our final work quality inspection process, we are constantly checking and rechecking everything along the way to ensure quality and customer satisfaction. We feel our systems are the backbone to our success and view them as a living and breathing entity that is constantly evolving and improving, to better serve our clients.

In our experience, the clients who enjoy the remodeling of their home the most are those who are clear about what they want and what they can afford. This means researching and keeping track of what you like and don?t like about other homes you have seen. Going to home tours, clipping magazine pictures, noting what color combinations you like, and hiring a interior decorator to assist you in making decisions all go a long way toward ensuring you get the home of your dreams.

Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open between you and us, your remodeling contractor. Let us know what your family schedule is and whether you have pets confined somewhere. It is important to keep work areas off limits to children and pets for their safety. We do our best to protect your home during the construction process but you may experience a little extra dust and dirt in your household. Keeping the work area off limits will avoid tracking of the dust to other parts of the house.

We proudly stand behind our One-year full warranty and Ten-year structural warranty on all projects we do. Your satisfaction beyond that final payment is as important to us as it is during construction so we strive to resolve any issues that may arise as quickly as possible. That is why we say the relationships we are building are as important as the homes that we build.