While these trends aren’t necessarily new, us designers need to communicate the many options that are available as well as their ability to deliver on these requests. Here are a few tips for you the client to see and understand the wide array of choices including:

1. Display – Our displays show functional storage like a recycling center or food pantry.  Mid Continent offers a complete line of interior accessories arranged in functional groups such as sink/clean up area, prep area and hearth/cooking area. 
2. Merchandising – We “dress” the inside of our displays to illustrate how it is used. Our showroom displays gives you the consumer a visual which can be helpful to see utensils organized in a drawer or spices in a spice rack.   
3. Portfolio – Do you have a portfolio of the projects you have completed that illustrate how you have incorporated these trends for former clients? Photos are priceless when it comes to establishing credibility. – Check out our website at www.accentcontracting.com to see our portfolio.

The key to meeting client needs is letting them know you understand what they want and then making that wish list a reality.

• Feb. 25 – 27, 2011, Fargodome
• Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Accent Kitchen & Bath is proud to be the Platinum sponsor again this year! 

Main Stage Programs  

Friday, February 25      Show Hours: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

4 – 5 p.m.  “Grilling TLC: Treat Your Meat Right,” Mad Dog & Merrill, Grilling Buddies   

 6 – 7 p.m.  “Becoming King or Queen of the Grill,” Mad Dog & Merrill, Grilling Buddies

 Saturday, February 26      Show Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 10 – 11 a.m.  “Grilling Gone Wild,” Mad Dog & Merrill, Grilling Buddies

 Noon – 1 p.m. “Crafting Cool and Creative Containers,” Don Engebretson, Renegade Gardener

 2 – 3 p.m.  “Grilling TLC: Treat Your Meat Right,” Mad Dog & Merrill, Grilling Buddies

 4 – 5 p.m.  “Top 10 Gardening Blunders – and How to Avoid Them,” Don Engebretson, Renegade Gardener  

Sunday, February 27      Show Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. “Becoming King or Queen of the Grill,” Mad Dog & Merrill, Grilling Buddies

 2 – 3 p.m. “Yes, You Can! Landscape Design for Homeowners,” Don Engebretson, Renegade Gardener  

Mezzanine Level Programs  

Saturday, February 26      Show Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kids Workshop – sponsored by The Home Depot

Realistic Budget

Before beginning any remodeling project it’s extremely important to identify a realistic budget. There’s no sense starting a major remodeling project if you can’t afford it. Be honest with yourself about how much you can afford and write down an actual budget. After you’ve done that then only allocate 90% of that money for the remodeling tasks and save 10% for a contingency.

Appraisal / Value

So you’ve decided that you can afford to install an Olympic size pool in your new addition but is that the best decision? Or you decide to install a slate roof on your home because you love re-creating historically accurate homes. The real question is are you remodeling to an extent that the real estate market will not bear based on location. If none of your neighbors have a slate roof or indoor pool it may be less likely that an appraisal will compensate you for those costs.

Design

Now that you’ve come up with a budget and you’ve presumably come up with an idea of your remodeling needs it’s time to develop a design. This is a step that requires some time and planning. You SHOULD NOT RUSH the design. Take your time and make a list of needs and goals for your remodeling project. Once you’ve got a list of needs then you can do some research and come up with a design. Obviously if you’re going to undertake a substantial remodeling project then you may want to consider an architect or interior designer. Taking the time to at least start the design will likely save you time & money even if you hire a professional to finish the design.

Scope of Work

Once the work is finished create a detailed scope of work. You won’t be able to effectively sign a contract with a contractor without identifying the scope of work to be completed. The more detailed the scope of work the better your experience will be and fewer chances for conflict will arise.

Schedule

Start with some realistic expectations about the remodeling projects schedule. Most projects are not accomplished in a weeks time like Extreme Make Over’s! Even simple kitchen remodeling projects are likely to take a month or more so be sure to plan for the disruptions. Be sure to plan for holidays, bad weather, and product lead times. The bottom line is don’t wait until two weeks before Christmas Dinner to remodel your kitchen and expect it to be complete.

Multiple Contractor Bids

Unless you’re going to do all the work yourself I highly recommend getting at least three bids from qualified and recommended contractors. This is very important if for no other reason than to flesh out details that may not be specified or clear to all the parties.  It’s also likely to save you a significant amount of money and flexibility in choosing someone that is available to meet your schedule. Be sure that each contractor is bidding the same scope of work so you can compare apples to apples.

Qualified Contractors

There are lots of great contractors doing wonderful work and there are also a handful of crooked, dishonest, un-qualified contractors out there. I also recommend you call your local Better Business Bureau and check that no complaints have been filled against the contractor.

Contracts

NEVER hire a contractor without signing a contract. Most reputable contractors will insist on it and if they don’t then this should be a clue to a shady operation. Contracts can be quite simple but it’s important to detail the scope of work, the cost and how delays and changes in scope will be paid for. Trust me this is very important and something that needs to be a high priority.

DIY and Save Money

Save some money on your next remodeling project by doing-in-yourself (DIY). Even if you don’t have many DIY skills it’s not that hard to save some money doing basic demolition, painting or other simple tasks. Maybe you’re creating an open floor plan, you could remove a wall before hiring someone to finish the project and save some money that way.

Financing

The last remodeling tip is about financing. Depending on the size of your remodeling project you may want to consider several different financing options. If you’re project is fairly large one option would be to take out a home owner’s equity loan instead of using savings or a credit card. The benefit of that would be obvious tax deductions for interest paid. However you decide to finance the project be sure it’s in place before you begin and find yourself un-able to pay.

http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/top-ten-remodeling-tips/

Accent Kitchen & Bath knows how important it is to include every detail as specified by you as the home owner. Whether you’re ready to remodel your kitchen or bathroom, add a room to your home or update your flooring, Accent Kitchen & Bath is ready to serve you.

We do everything necessary to make your dreams come true. We meet with you and listen to your needs and wants, provide you with an in-house designer who can transfer your thoughts to computer images, assist you in choosing products, then schedule and complete your project in a timely manner.

So if you have out dated kitchen, a bathroom that needs a face lift, or some extra space that you are not sure what to do with, Accent Kitchen & Bath has the knowledge, the experience and the talents to help you improve your home. Accent will do as much or as little as you would like them to do during your next product.

Cabinet Display – $1,850
-Boot Bench
-Laminate Tops
Original $3,700

Vanity Too Display – $300
-31″ Laminate Top
-Kohler Sink
-Kohler Faucet
Original $456

Steam Shower – $1,800
Original – $5,995