Overview
Established in 1963, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a nonprofit trade association that consists of more than 60,000 professional members from all spheres of the kitchen and bathroom remodeling industry. The association’s stated mission is to enhance the success and excellence of its members, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bathroom industry worldwide. Read more

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Most homeowners have heard the advice to budget for 20 percent over what they expect to spend or avoid making additions once the work is underway, but many experts recommend more specific ways to save money on a remodeling project. Consider the following tips:

Time your job right. Contractors often charge more during peak construction times (summer and fall) because labor and material costs are usually higher due to increased demand. Schedule your job during winter or downtime in your contractor’s schedule to knock hundreds of dollars off your remodeling bill. Ask your contractor about off-season discounts or other money-saving scheduling arrangements.

Combine jobs. If you’ve been considering getting new windows, Read more

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have about their tile countertops and shower tiles is that it’s tough to keep the grout clean. How many of us want to scrub between the tiles with a toothbrush? A new type of grout, which is stainless, eliminates all that trouble. It does not absorb water. And it won’t grow mold or mildew.

Stainless grout is installed the same way the old filler was. While it costs a little more, it has a lifetime warranty. Another advantage with this new product is that it reduces the need for caulking. People love it because it can be used just about anywhere in the house. Ask about stainless grout if you’re shopping around and comparing alternatives for surfaces in the kitchen, Read more

In a typical kitchen remodeling budget, almost half the cost is allocated to the cabinets alone—especially if they’re custom made. Custom cabinetry can greatly improve the aesthetics of your kitchen, but just like any home addition, their effectiveness depends on numerous factors. Before you decide to purchase custom cabinets, consider the following tips:

Determine your cooking habits. You’ll be using the cabinets to store ingredients, plates, bakeware and more, so it’s important to understand your specific cooking habits. Take time to decide how much you’ll be using your kitchen, where you cook the most and so on.

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Kitchen cabinets collect more grease, food spills and moisture than most other parts of a house. Grime builds up fastest around door and drawer handles, because they’re constantly being opened. To effectively preserve your cabinets, consider the following tips:

• Painted wood, metal, laminated plastic and wood-grain vinyl surfaces can be cleaned with a solution of detergent and warm water. After cleaning, rinse the cabinet with a cloth or sponge dampened in clean water. When wiping the surface dry, use a dry cloth or paper towel to prevent streaking. Painted, plastic and metal surfaces can occasionally be cleaned with a creamy liquid wax, which leaves a protective coating that repels soil.
• Feel free to use an all-purpose household cleaner,

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Large-scale plumbing issues should always be handled by a professional, but there are plenty of simple techniques and procedures you can use to perform basic preventive maintenance. Consider the following tips for ensuring your plumbing system is functioning to its full capacity:

Bathroom

• Run hot water down the drain once a week to help keep it free-flowing.
• Repair leaky faucets to avoid further damage to the fixtures and faucets.
• Fit tubs and showers with strainers that catch hair and soap chips. Clean the strainers regularly.
• To remove mineral deposits on your shower head, put one cup of vinegar in a plastic bag, place it over the shower head,

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