Things to Consider When Having a Home Addition Project
If your family has grown and you can’t live without the additional space, you shouldn’t just hire home addition companies and start a project. Instead, you should take your time and consider a number of things before you start the project. Some of the things you should do include: Check what you can do and what you can’t When expanding your home, you have two options: up and out. Before you start construction, you need to know how near you can legally reach the property line and where underground utility lines run. Thankfully, you can obtain this information from your local zoning department. Also, request a copy of your survey. If you live in a gated community, get to know the additions you can make and those that you can’t. Remember that the last thing you want to do is to start a project and later find out that you can’t do it in your area. Having this information makes the next steps much easier. Have solid reasons for the project Let’s face it. The reason why you feel you need more room is because something isn’t working properly in your home. You’ve tried all the inventive small living room ideas and mastered closet organization, but something is still lacking. Now, it’s time to figure out exactly what that is. Many homeowners believe it is a lack of room, but it could be a lack of storage. Before investing thousands of dollars in a house addition, determine if it will fix the problem. What could the problems be? Sometimes, you have poor organizational skills. In other cases, you have stayed in the house for too long that you need to make changes. Before you start your project, take time to understand why you need the project. Can you live with the current room you have? If you can, go ahead and make the relevant changes. You should note that if you are confused but you feel that you can make changes to the room you have, you can always consult a professional. Know your must-haves in the project. Everyone has a wishlist. At the same time, there are some things you simply cannot live without. If your mother is coming to live with you, she may require a private bath or basement apartment. To have an easy time coming up with the design for the project, establish a list of your “must-haves” and “would-be-nice-to-haves.” For example, you desire hard floors as a must-have. While natural hardwood is preferable, laminate flooring can suffice. To ensure that you are on the same page with your partner, always consult them when coming up with the things you must have in your project. Put together your team. Homeowners frequently inquire if they should start with an architect or a contractor. They believe hiring an architect is sensible because you must begin with a design. However, some builders have designers and architects on staff. The correct response is that you want a team. Whether they are different firms that work together or professionals that work for the same company, you require both. Remember that the […]
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5 Best Practices When Remodeling Your Home
Are you thinking about undertaking a remodeling project? Here are valuable tips given by condo remodel experts that will ensure that you have fun and, at the same time, do a good job and produce a project that you love: Install enough lighting You don’t want to feel like you’re constantly in the limelight in your house, this means that your house should not be too bright. At the same time, this doesn’t mean that less is more when it comes to lighting. You should have just enough lighting. You should thoroughly check the electrical designs before beginning your job. Sconces, overhead lighting, chandeliers, and even the location of lamp outlets can help set a cheerful tone before your restoration begins. And, if you’re concerned that your lights will be too bright, use dimmers. You should consider layering different types of lights to give your home the perfect look. As a rule of thumb, you should have: Ambient lighting: Ambient lighting provides diffused brightness to the entire room, making your home feel cozier. You achieve this using ceiling lights or chandeliers. Task lighting: Task lighting directs light to a specified region to assist you in doing an activity, such as cooking or dining. In the kitchen, you can achieve task lighting with an island chandelier or pendant lights hung over a table or island. You can occasionally use wall lights like sconces to add task lighting over a specific work area, like a sink. Decorative lighting: Allow your flair to shine by incorporating ornamental lighting into your renovation. This lighting style produces visual focal points and spotlights in any part of your house that you want to highlight, such as wall art, architectural features, plants, and more. For perfect house lighting, you should incorporate all of these lights. Of course, you should work with experts who will give you the perfect outcome. Think about storage Storage is another aspect of house improvements that you should pay attention to. Storage is vital as it adds functionality to a home. When it comes to storage, you should think about the problems and solutions in your existing setup before your project begins. Work with your cabinet maker to create personalized solutions that meet your wants and lifestyle if your budget allows. This will help you maximize every square inch of available space. Items such as a sheet pan cabinet in the kitchen, pull-out dog-bowl drawers in the mudroom, and parking locations for all of your appliances throughout the house will help you establish an ordered area. Consider your long-term needs. When remodeling a room to make it more functional for your requirements, you need to evaluate whether the alterations must be permanent. If you’d prefer a home office to the guest room your third room serves, swap the bed with a desk. Rather than building a permanent built-in desk and bookshelves for the transition, preserve the framework of your room so that you—or someone else—can simply replace it later when family needs change. Whether you use the space for a craft room, a home gym, or an office, a room designed specifically for […]
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How Do You Remodel a Store to Boost Sales?
Regardless of what you are selling, there is stiff competition in the retail industry. As such, you have to be creative enough and stay ahead of your competitors. So, what can you do to attract more customers and increase your sales? Remodeling is the word. The way your store appears has a lot to do with whether you will have returning customers and whether they will buy from you. Here, then, are some remodeling ideas to elevate your selling game. Have comfortable seating areas. Most business owners underestimate the need for cozy and comfortable waiting areas. Having comfortable seats for your clients sends the message that they are valued and welcome in your space. As you can imagine, they will be encouraged to spend time at your store, thus increasing sales for you. Work with retail store contractors and come up with ways to strategically include the seating areas. Have a strategic store layout. Have you ever walked into a store and felt like a headache was approaching because of how poorly it was arranged? That’s how your customers feel when they walk into your store, and everything is all mixed up. They wouldn’t know which aisle or shelf to find something because you have a poor layout. To counter that, you can set up a well-thought-out store layout that is systematically organized. Think of an open floor plan as it is not only inviting but encourages customers to explore. Ensure that you strategically place popular items along the way as well. This way, customers will be compelled to buy even if it was not in their plan. Have eye-catching visual merchandising Aesthetic appeal is everything in sales. You may want to upgrade your store’s aesthetic appeal with eye-catching displays. If you are selling clothes, for instance, invest in quality mannequins and window displays to attract people outside your store and encourage them to come in. While at it, remember to keep updating your displays, as this keeps things fresh and entices even customers who have bought from you before to keep coming for more. Enhance your lighting Did you know that lighting can set the mood and ambiance for your store? You, therefore, need to ask yourself what mood you want your customers to perceive as soon as they walk into your store. A safe choice would be to go for a combination of accent, ambient, and task lighting to bring attention to key products and areas. Lighting not only creates an inviting atmosphere but also makes your products appear more attractive. Integrate technology Customers in this day and age appreciate an interactive shopping experience. In response to that, you want to embrace technology as it is the tool you need to actualize the same. Consider having things like touchscreens that customers can use to access product information, or virtual try-on mirrors. Your customers will not only enjoy the interaction, this also makes your store pleasantly different from others. Personalized shopping experience One of the biggest mistakes that store owners make is not making their customers feel special. To stand out from your competitors and make more sales, consider […]
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Tips to Consider When Renovating Your Home
Is this the first time you are doing a home renovation? Here are tips that you should follow to have an easy time. Start with the kitchen. Homeowners renovating their homes for the first time frequently inquire about the best order in which to renovate their homes. The best way to go about it is to start with the kitchen because a well-done kitchen adds value to your home. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s 2022 remodeling impact report, Realtors believe that homeowners can recoup 75% of the cost of a complete kitchen makeover if they sell their home, Furthermore, if you have an outdated kitchen, renovating the worn-out room will allow you to appreciate the place more. Renovations also tend to make the space more comfortable. Besides improving the kitchen’s aesthetics, you should also consider its size. If it’s too small, talk to your home addition contractors and devise ways of increasing the size. You should start with the kitchen makeover because it generates the most dust and debris, and you don’t want to land on fresh paint or finish projects. Isolating any demolition mess with plastic over entrances or pass-throughs is always a good idea. Because a major kitchen renovation can take several months to complete, consider setting up a temporary substitute kitchen to use in the meantime. You can set it up in your home’s dining room, family room, or adjacent area. This way, you continue with your cooking and, at the same time go on with the remodeling. Interview several contractors You should interview and compare bids from multiple contractors. This is because you find the most qualified and work with them. Assume you want your water heater removed from upstairs and replaced with a new one in the garage. The first plumber you call may quote you thousands of dollars to reroute hot water lines through your living room tray ceiling. It’s also possible that the second plumber will find it too much labor for his timetable, and they won’t turn up. Plumber three may intend to complete the task in a single day and charge a lower fee with no water line rerouting required. When you interview several contractors before deciding, you get to interact with them and make the right decision. The best way is to ask for referrals from friends and relatives. You should then contact these contractors and, after interviewing them, decide on the ones that are a right fit for your project. Have a realistic time flame. Your renovation will take longer than planned, so plan and make allowances to avoid irritation. You might have the impression that replacing a tub will be simple, but this isn’t always the case. While removing the old tub may take a few hours, finding a new tub and vanity you adore may take many weeks. It could be another two weeks before they arrive. As a result, expecting to use your new hall bath within a week can evolve into a six-week delay. You should be realistic about the renovation process and schedule, and choose your new fixtures before removing the old […]
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Bathroom Remodeling Tricks
If you don’t like the current look of your bathroom, there are several things you can do to spruce it up. Some of these things include: Spruce up the tub and shower According to Deborah Rozell, president of Innovative Inclusive Design and a certified aging-in-place specialist (CAPS), your bathroom should create a sense of well-being—but it can’t do so if you don’t feel safe accessing it. And, while it’s easy to prioritize aesthetics in your shower and tub, water and tile can be a dangerous combination. To avoid this, you should make a few changes in and around bathing places. Falls are a major issue in the bathroom, but there is a lot you can do to reduce the danger. According to Russell Kendzior, president of the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), you can use items that grip your tiles if your shower or tub floor is slick. These solutions, made with a mild acid, aren’t a coating but a scrub that you put on the surface to break away the buildup of soil and soap and micro-etch it, boosting slip resistance. To stay safe, work with your home addition contractors and get anti-slip floor treatment, suitable for porcelain, ceramic, and stone floors. You also should choose a bath mat with a nonskid bottom to place outside the shower or tub. A shower bench is a great addition as it assists you while bathing or simply as a place to rest and relax. You should find one and install it. You can have one made from concrete or buy one from your local store. When making the purchase, get one that is foldable that you can easily fold once you are done showering, as it saves you space. Consider installing single-lever controls on your tub and shower fixtures. These controls have a lever that is simpler to grasp than a knob, and having only one handle for temperature control allows for finer changes than separate ones for hot and cold. If you’ve always had a fixed showerhead, you might appreciate the versatility of a handheld showerhead with a long hose (59 inches) and a sprayer head. When the sprayer head rests in a holder at standard showerhead height, you can use it hands-free or as a hand shower whether you’re standing or seated in the shower or tub. Also useful for rinsing the walls or shower door after cleaning.) Choose a model that slides up and down on a vertical sidebar for further adaptability, allowing you to raise or lower it to your desired height without holding it while bathing. Add more lighting Ceiling fixtures give general lighting, but don’t forget to include task lighting in spots where enhanced visibility could prevent injuries. You should add lights near the sink, the toilet, and the tub or shower. You will even be better off if you go with dimmable or multicolored bulbs. Go with lights that allow you to change the strength and color of the light from dazzling white in the morning to a warm glow in the evening. Rather than going for motion-sensor lights, choose ones that stay on […]
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What is a Bump-out Home Addition?
Do you wish your kitchen was a little bigger to fit a breakfast table? Perhaps you want a soaking tub in your master bath, but none of the types you’ve seen will fit. You should go for a bump-out addition. A bump-out addition allows you to add a few feet to your home without the hassles and costs of a full-fledged room expansion. If you believe a bump-out, also known as a micro-addition, might meet your design needs, this post will address your queries. A bump-out addition is cantilevered off the existing foundation, similar to a balcony, eliminating the need for foundation construction. A micro-addition does not have to be connected to the existing roofline. Due to this, you save time and money while providing additional room. The primary distinction between a bump-out and a room extension is size. Bump-outs are minor. They are often only a few feet long, which saves money on materials. While they are good, home addition contractors observe that bump-out expansions are limited due to the need for a separate foundation. This means that if you are looking for a large room, they might not be the right one for you. Reasons to consider a bump out in your home Aside from financial savings, there are other reasons why you can consider a bump-out over a full-fledged room expansion. The most obvious argument is that they require a few more feet of space within the house. This means that you don’t need additional land or make a new foundation. Another reason to consider this type of addition is if you are looking to protect your trees. When you install this addition, you safeguard mature trees and their roots. You can add space to your home without disturbing the soil by cantilevering the addition off the existing foundation. And tree roots aren’t the only item that can be found underground. The foundation work required for a full-size home addition may entail relocating below-grade plumbing or utility lines. The labor associated with relocating those lines adds to the overall expense of the remodel. When you go with a bump-out addition, you avoid all of this. Before building the addition, check with local officials for permit requirements and zoning setbacks. This way you have peace of mind you are on the right path. How big can the bump-out addition be? The weight of a cantilevered bump-out is supported by the existing floor joists in the house. The bigger the joists, the bigger the bump-out that you can add. Most people add bump-out expansions to the first level of their home, but you can also add one to the second story. You can also install a bump-out if your house is constructed on a concrete slab. According to experts, a slab can sustain a 3-5-foot cantilever. Bump-out additions you can consider There are plenty of additions you can add to your home. The best ones are: Sunroom Do you like sitting outside but hate the bugs and the heat? Because it is attached to the house, you can consider a sunroom as a bump-out and an all-season room. The beauty is […]
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Tricks to Reduce the Cost of Your Home Remodeling Project
Whether you have a large or small budget, the expense of a home remodeling can easily spiral out of control. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to reduce the costs. These things include: Create and stick to a budget. Budget does not imply cheap, but when you spend money, it’s good to know the amount of money you have to set aside for the purchase. You should start with a budget in mind before making design decisions. By doing this, you can tell the prices of the different fixtures and supplies and get a sense of what will and won’t fit your budget. Home addition companies recommend that you have a spreadsheet and just enter everything you need for the project. As you can tell, this will require you to first research and find the prices of the different materials. You need to find the cost of the flooring, countertops, lighting, faucets, paint, cabinets, outlets and switch plate covers, tile, grout, appliances, and other things. The best way to research is to make phone calls to obtain quotations for goods and labor. When preparing the budget, include tax. From your budget, you can tell the areas that require a lot of money and those that don’t need much. You will also know the areas where you can make adjustments by selecting less expensive materials or opting to eliminate items. As much as you should stick to a budget, you should note that there are always unexpected occurrences. To avoid going beyond your budget, account for unforeseen expenses. A good way to do it is to set aside 10% of your budget. Pay in cash It may seem obvious, but paying for your project in cash will save you a large amount of money in interest than you would otherwise pay if you took out a loan or put things on a credit card that you couldn’t quickly pay off. If you’re remodeling to sell your house, it may make financial sense to take out a loan if you know you’ll get a return on your investment, and you will pay off the loan promptly. However, in general, paying with cash is the best option. If you currently don’t have enough money, start thinking about methods to cut your household budget to save money for your project. Don’t be in a hurry. Waiting for funds to renovate isn’t always a terrible thing, because time is your friend when planning for a renovation. It can be tempting to renovate your home all at once if you have the money, but it can be stressful to make a lot of excellent and cohesive design selections when you’re factoring in so many factors. If you rush through things, you will regret some of your decisions. The best way out is to start with one or two rooms and work through them before going on to other sections. Most people find it difficult to complete an assignment before moving on to the next. Prioritize the most time-consuming project and do it first; else, it could take years. You won’t have to live in a […]
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Tips to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen
One of the most exciting home improvements home addition contractors or homeowners can undertake is to plan and design a kitchen makeover. For your project to be a success, you need to consider several tips. These tips include: Functionality Once you’ve decided on a design, the next thing to consider is how you’ll use your kitchen. Do you enjoy cooking fancy meals, or is this mostly a place for quick, casual dining? It is critical to understand your lifestyle and culinary habits. Consider the kitchen workflow, ensuring the stove, sink, and refrigerator form a suitable triangle for quick meal prep. Your kitchen layout should be determined by how you use it, as well as the type of appliances and accessories you want to include, such as lighting, storage, workstation, and seating. This will assist you in determining which dream kitchen changes are required for your and your family’s routines. Choose appliances that complement your culinary habits and lifestyle. You should go for energy-efficient units to save on energy and cut your utility bills. Energy-efficient units are not only good for the environment, but they can also save money in the long run. When choosing the appliance, consider upgrading or replacing any current appliances, such as the refrigerator, oven, stove, dishwasher, microwave, or range hood. You should also consider the price of installation and maintenance for your equipment. Layout and flow Kitchen arrangement is critical because it defines how easy or difficult it will be to move and work there. When designing a remodel, consider and optimize the existing layout to produce a useful and efficient kitchen. This includes looking at the work triangle and the location of other important features like cabinets, counters, and appliances. You also should consider the kitchen’s natural traffic flow and ensure there is enough room for mobility. Evaluate how you now use the space and find any pain points or areas of inefficiency. A well-planned kitchen should have a logical flow that reduces the distances between major work zones. A great way to choose the layout is to picture yourself in the kitchen and think about how you use it throughout the day, creating a flow chart to evaluate how the space is used at different times. You should keep pots and pans within arm’s reach, organize your utensils for convenient access, and keep your spice rack a simple turn away. You can go with various layout options, including L-shaped, U-shaped, galley, island, and peninsula. You should also consider whether walls, doors, or windows should be relocated or removed to provide additional room or light. Pay attention to the kitchen layout and how it connects to adjacent spaces. An open-plan kitchen design, for example, might encourage a fluid flow between the kitchen and dining or living areas, encouraging a sense of togetherness. Style and aesthetics Next, examine your kitchen’s aesthetics and design. It should reflect your unique style while remaining visually consistent with the rest of your home. Consider the color schemes, materials, and design components of your kitchen. Your kitchen’s style shows your personality and taste, so you must choose an overall design and […]
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Guide to Renovating Your Office Space.
Renovating an office is a major task, whether it’s a sprawling floor in a skyscraper or a small room for you and a few employees. Thankfully, with the right commercial remodeling contractors and careful planning, you can improve the beauty and effectiveness of your office without breaking the bank. To help you out, here are some ideas that you should incorporate into your office remodeling project: Get rid of clutter. Clearing the clutter is a good place to start if you want to make the most of the space in your workplace while thinking about remodeling ideas. Decluttering allows you to eliminate superfluous items while making additional storage space available. When decluttering, begin with large objects, such as unused couches and workboards. To assist you with larger items, use decluttering service providers. You also should encourage your employees to clean their workspaces. Keep only the essentials on your desk, such as your computer, phone, and other basic office equipment. Use digital storage options such as cloud storage or digital file-organizing software to organize your archive. You can reduce the amount of paper in your workplace by doing so. Take your time as much as you should, and eliminate unnecessary items. Before throwing anything during your decluttering exercise, give it a thorough once-over. Open up the office. The era of suffocating, windowless cubicles is over. When cubicles were the norm, most workers reported being forced to wear blinders. As much as the traditional enclosed cubicles provided some solitude, it came at a cost. When opposed to today’s modern, team-based, collaborative workplace, a fundamental disadvantage was a need for more communication among employees. Making the workplace more open and transparent can enhance employee happiness, teamwork, and a sense of community. Installing glass walls and dividers is a great way to open up the office. Update the interior and finishes. Even if you only consider small office renovation ideas, updating a business’s interior design and finishes can significantly impact its ambiance. Renovations may involve selecting new wall colors, flooring, and lighting to better portray the company’s brand. Consider how you add visual appeal to the room by including diverse textures, patterns, and other design elements. If you need help with how to go about it, get the input of a professional. Include some greenery Aesthetics are more crucial than ever before in attracting top-tier customers and staff. Adding some greenery to the workplace is a terrific and low-cost way to accomplish this. Humans have an inbuilt desire to connect with the natural environment and other living creatures. It’s no wonder employees with access to green places, such as those with abundant plants, are more productive and take fewer sick days. It’s unclear whether this is due to higher quantities of oxygen in the air or simply the fact that workers who plants surround report feeling happier at work, but it doesn’t matter. You can enhance your working environment without resorting to drastic methods like building an indoor rainforest. Adding some plants, even small ones, will instantly improve the appearance of your workplace. Think about bicycles Bicycling is becoming increasingly popular. As a result, if your […]
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Types of Home Additions You Can Take Advantage Of
For most people, home is where they unwind and bond with family. That means it should be comfortable and relaxed. That said, sometimes the home needs to be more spacious and have all the amenities you need to feel relaxed and comfortable. To remedy that, you can incorporate some home additions that will be aesthetically appealing and functional. What are some of these home additions? Check these out given by home addition contractors: Sunroom There’s just something magical about natural lighting. It can uplift your mood and make your space airy and more spacious. However, sometimes your windows do not allow as much of this lighting as you would want. Fortunately, you can add a sunroom to your home to help bring in more natural light to your space and provide an ideal space for outdoor viewing, indoor gardening, and general relaxation. A typical sunroom will feature a lot of glass, large windows, and sliding doors that will maximize the entry of sunlight into a space. Family room As the name implies, this is a space added to your home to cater to family activities depending on your circumstances and needs. Adding a family room to your home gives you extra living space. This can be particularly beneficial if you have a growing family or need more room for relaxation and other activities like gaming, watching movies, or hosting family gatherings. Master suite Who wouldn’t love a little more space and luxury in their bedroom? You can achieve that by adding a master suite to your space. Typically designed to provide a retreat for homeowners, this kind of addition will often include a private bathroom with supplementary amenities to create a functional and comfortable living space. The highlight of a master suite is the bedroom, which is often larger than the other bedrooms in the house. It can hold a queen or king-sized bed and furniture like nightstands and dressers. Another common feature would be a walk-in closet that offers ample space for shoes, clothing, and accessories. Garage conversion With a garage conversion, you transform an existing garage space into a different functional area within your home. This can be a cost-effective way to gain additional living space without needing a major home addition. By converting your garage to a recreation area, office, or bedroom, you get to repurpose underutilized space and add functionality to your home. That said, it takes careful planning, attention to detail, and compliance with local building codes to ensure a successful and legally compliant conversion. In-law suite Also known as a granny flat, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or mother-in-law apartment, an in-law suite is a separate living space within a home or on the same property designed to accommodate aging parents, extended family members, or guests. This home addition provides a private and self-contained living area while allowing for proximity to the main residence. Typically, this home addition will include a bathroom, a bedroom, a living area, and a kitchenette equipped with basic appliances like a microwave and fridge, providing a decent space for the occupants. So, if you want to be close to your […]
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