It’s a pretty well-known fact that a kitchen and/or bathroom remodel can substantially increase home value. People love to dream of their perfect kitchen — beautiful finishes, a massive gas range, dual ovens, and wifi-enabled “smart” appliances. But beneath the granite countertops and exquisite backsplashes, behind the elegantly textured walls and below the stone tile floors, lies the often forgotten, yet vitally important infrastructure commonly known as “plumbing” that makes it all possible.
So, when you start planning for that upscale kitchen or bath remodel, don’t forget about the guy behind the scenes. A massive range might be just the ticket for cooking Sunday brunch for your family, but only if it has adequate gas supply. A beautiful farmhouse sink will handle the biggest pots and pans with ease, but only if you have adequate water pressure and volume to do that gooseneck spout justice. Your master bath might be much more enjoyable with a jacuzzi tub, but only if the hot water supply can keep up with the increased demand.
To better understand how to start planning a kitchen or bath remodel, we caught up with Bill Kerwin, owner of Kerwin Plumbing and Heating for his thoughts on executing a smooth project that exceeds your expectations.
His company has been in business for 44 years. They are a full service plumbing contractor specializing in residential and commercial service, repair, remodel, and commercial/industrial design and build. They handle boiler systems, water heaters, gas work, cast iron pipe repair, fixture installs and appliance hook-ups.
Bill, thanks for taking the time to lend us your expert advice! From a plumbing perspective, talk about the process. When do you get involved? We are called in when a customer, general contractor or interior designer needs to walk the job and help with creating the plan. The customer and designer work together to decide colors and fixtures that will fit into their budget and style they are looking for. Although a remodel may seem easy, it can be challenging to actually build what the customer wants.
What guidance would you give people regarding fixture choices and finishes? Seek options that are appealing to you, within budget, but consider your future plans. Try to strike a balance between your preferences and styles that will stand the test of time. Set realistic expectations and budget requirements.
What are some things to keep in mind during the design/planning process? Consider location and proximity of appliances and fixtures. Should your master bath have dual sinks, or a single large sink? Consider function vs. form. How might your needs change in the future?
Technology-wise, what are the most common or popular plumbing upgrades? Tankless water heaters deliver an endless supply of hot water. This one benefit can be a game-changer, especially for larger families with high demand. These units are also environmentally friendly with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. They save space, and they can last longer than a conventional water heater. Since there is no water tank, there is less risk for severe water damage. Some models have wifi technology built in for remote control.
Kitchen and bath remodels can be time-consuming, but what can people do to make sure things stay on-schedule?
Communication and coordination is key here. Stay in touch with your GC, and check in at key intervals throughout the project. The process always takes longer than expected and with today’s current supply chain issues, getting parts can take longer than normal.
You talk a lot about researching, communication and planning. Do you work directly with the homeowner to help guide this process? Yes, we’ve been helping homeowners in the Broomfield and surrounding areas for many years when it comes to planning a remodel or addition. We do pre-inspection to help determine what, if any, plumbing upgrades will be needed, and determine remodel functionality.
It’s great to know that you’ve been helping local residents for many years! Talk about how Kerwin Plumbing got started.
Kerwin Plumbing was established in 1978, by my parents, originally operating out of their home. They specialized in service and light commercial work. After several years of working for major mechanical companies I joined the family business in 1985 and took over operations in 1997. For the past 25 years I have grown the business to include heavy commercial and industrial plumbing, as well as design/build.
Thanks for that additional background! Any final bits of advice for our readers? Hire a good general contractor, check their experience and ask for references. Be an active participant on-site, ask for a job walk with all contractors involved in the project and stay involved during the entire process. Understand that unexpected challenges and obstacles are bound to come up. Be realistic with timing and budget.