What Should You Not Do When Remodeling?
Home remodeling is an expensive venture, and the last thing you want, as a homeowner, is to make costly mistakes that require you to redo the project. The cool thing is that you can avoid making these mistakes by avoiding doing the wrong things. What should you not do when remodeling? Well, there are plenty of things you shouldn’t do, with the common ones being: Hire the first contractor you come across Most homeowners will search for architects builders online, visit their site and if they like it, they contact the contractor and start working with them. This is wrong. Remember that how well the contractor ranks on Google or is well designed, doesn’t reflect the contractors ability. What you should do instead is to get in touch with several contractors and vet them. During the vetting, ask them as many questions as possible such as their experience, how many remodeling projects they have done, and any other pressing issue. During the vetting, gauge the contractor’s personality. If you have a large project, chances are you will spend a long time with them, and the last thing you want is to be stuck with a technician with an awful personality for months. Failing to do your research Besides taking time to vet the contractor you want to work with, you should also research what your project entails. You should know the materials you need, the labor that will be involved, and any other necessary details. Doing research helps you understand the project better to know what goes on in every stage of the project and what you should expect. Have a rigid budget As much as you have researched and know what your project entails, you shouldn’t go into the project with a strict budget. This is because a gamut of unforeseen issues arise once you start your project. For example, you will start a project and realize that you have to open up walls due to electrical, plumbing, or structural surprises. As you can tell, this slows the project’s progress, and it costs more. The situation is worse when you are remodeling an older house where you are more likely to have mold, leaking pipes, deteriorating wood, and plenty of other issues. To avoid surprises or even bringing your project to a stop, have some extra money to cater for miscellaneous expenses that might come up later on. Expect the project to take the planned time. Like your budget, you shouldn’t expect your project to take the projected time. Again, this is because many things are bound to come up later on. To avoid frustrations, give your project up to an extra week. If you are planning to have an occasion in your house, don’t have the event on the exact day you expect the project to complete as chances are the contractors won’t complete the project then. Beginning the project without the necessary permits Most local authorities require you to get remodeling permits before you begin your project, and you should get them. Some people try to cut corners and proceed with their project without getting the permits, […]
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How Often Should You Remodel Your Home?
Are you wondering, how often should you remodel your home? While the time you do it depends on the condition of your property, architects builders agree that you should do it at least every 15-20 years. You should note that this recommendation isn’t set in stone, and you can always do it earlier or later than this. You should consider renovating your house if: The tiles are getting detached Detached tiles are an eyesore, a tripping hazard, and significantly reduce a home’s resale value. Even if you had professionally installed the tiles, it comes a time when you have to replace them due to wear off. In most cases, the most affected rooms are usually the bathroom and kitchen, often due to the large amounts of water there. You can replace the loose tiles using similar tiles to those that were originally there or install completely new ones. As you are placing the new tiles, pay attention to the room’s theme and maintain it. The paint has chipped. Who said you have to bring down the entire house to say that you are having a renovation project? Sometimes the renovation project is as simple as repainting your walls. The beauty is that doing the repainting work is simple and cheap. If you don’t want or don’t have the money to hire a technician, you can always paint the house yourself or with the help of your family members. The roof is leaking To keep your house in top shape, you must ensure that the roof is in good condition. Most roofing systems are known to last for decades, but they rot and get old sooner than expected due to harsh weather elements. Depending on the materials used in roofing, you can have leaking problems. If your roof is leaking, it’s time to renovate your house. If your house is old, chances are you can’t find the exact materials you had used in roofing, so you have to use modern materials. While this is the case, like when installing the tiles, be cautious of the house theme and design. The last thing you want is to install a roof that doesn’t agree with the house’s theme. You have outgrown your house. If you have a new family member such as a child or elderly relative living with you, the chances are that the house has become smaller. For everyone to be comfortable, you need to make some renovations. You can knock down a wall to make room for an additional bedroom or build an addition. Your house feels old. Do you enter your house and feel like you are in the 60s? It might be time to invest in a new house. When you are doing the renovation, avoid the trending house designs and plans as it’s a matter of time before the fad fades off and you start feeling that your house needs to catch up. The right thing to do is to work with experienced professionals that will help you choose a design that looks good and will still be good in the coming decades. You have money for […]
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What Do I Need To Know Before Remodeling?
A home remodeling project isn’t cheap, so you need to be cautious and ensure that you have all the details before the project commences. What do I need to know before remodeling? If you are asking this question, you should know that there are plenty of things you should know, with the common ones being: Work with an experienced contractor. This is a no-brainer as there is no way you will properly remodel your house if you are doing the work yourself or working with home remodeling architects who don’t know what they are doing. The contractor is the most crucial person in your project as they are the ones to guide you on what to do and the materials to get for the project. Remember, this is the first time you are remodeling the house, and you don’t know what to do, so the last thing you want is someone that doesn’t know what they are also doing. To be on the safe side, take your time when finding a contractor. In short, don’t be in a hurry to work with the first contractor you come across. As a rule of thumb, take time to sit with the contractor and understand them. As you are doing the interview, don’t only pay attention to the licensing, bonding, and insurance. Also, consider how the contractor conducts themselves. If you have a large project, you will spend a lot of time with the contractor, and you don’t want to be stuck with a contractor with an awful personality, do you? So ensure that the contractor is qualified to work on your project and has a beautiful personality that you will be comfortable spending long hours with them. Know what you want As much as you need a knowledgeable contractor by your side, you should remember that you are the dream carrier while the contractor is the executor. So before you even start scouting for a contractor, you need to know what you want. Walk around home improvement stores and design showrooms to see what is available. It also doesn’t hurt flipping through magazines and browsing online to see home renovation ideas available. It’s good to have your taste and preference, but it’s also good that you see what is trending and what other homeowners are doing with their houses. This will give you a sense of what is available, which gives you plenty of options to play around with. Have a budget Any home improvement project costs money, and in most cases, it isn’t small money, so you need to have a budget of the amount of money you are looking to spend on the project. Of course, your budget will be informed by the size of your project, the quality of materials you want to use, your location, among many other things. To come up with a more accurate budget, have a sitting with experienced architect builders Washington DC and draw it up. As you are putting together the budget, don’t just consider the top line renovation needs. Also, factor in the unexpected costs such as a few tiles breaking and […]
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Do I Need An Architect For An Addition?
Most home addition projects are small that many homeowners ask themselves, do I need an architect for an addition? The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Regardless of the size of your project, you should have home remodeling architects that will help you bring your dream to life. The architects you hire will be responsible for a variety of duties, including: Designing the house Regardless of the type of addition you are having, you should have a design for it. The architect will help you plan how you will execute the project and how the entire project will look once complete. Besides the architect helping you come up with the project design, he/she will also help you come up with pull permits and design changes to the house’s structure. Serve as a contract writer. If your home addition is going to be big, the architect can serve as a contract writer to pull all the pieces of the project together. This includes: The estimate House specs The scope of the job Hiring the subcontractors Hiring a contractor Since the architect always comes before the contractor, if you don’t have a contractor in mind or don’t want to get involved with the hiring process, your architect should help you identify a good contractor for your project and even hire them. The architect should also supervise the contractor and ensure that they are doing a good job. Advice on fixture and finishes The architect should also advise you on the best fixtures and finishes to install in your house. Some of the areas the contractor should advise on include: Painting and color pairing Drawers and cabinets Lighting Kitchen and countertop works Outdoor landscaping Knobs and metal accents Tiling and flooring Hiring the right architect Since we have seen the vital roles served by an architect, you should be cautious of the contractor you hire and ensure that you are hiring the right one. The cool thing is it’s easy to identify an experienced architect as all you need to do is to ask them questions. Some of the questions to ask during the hiring include: What roles and responsibilities do they think they will be handling? What is their role in choosing and handing fixtures? What strategy will they use to see through the project? Are there challenges they expect in the project? How will they go around them? How will they deal with conflicts in the project? What are their references? When it comes to references, many homeowners collect them, but they rarely follow up. You don’t want to be this way. After the architect gives you a list of customers they have worked with, take it as your initiative to get in touch with the mentioned people and ask them about their experience with the architect. Of course, you should work with an architect with a stellar record—the clients should be happy and proud to have worked with the said architect. What other things should you consider when hiring the architect? Besides asking the architect as many questions as possible that will help you nail down their experience […]
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6 Home Renovation Ideas on a Budget
Every homeowner would want to hire the best home remodeling architects and give their home a complete overhaul, but there is the issue of money. You might not have enough. While this is the case, does it mean you should give up on your dream of a better-looking house? Absolutely not! Even if you have limited funds, you can do several renovations and give your house a new look. To help you out, 6 home renovation ideas on a budget: Install full-length curtains Full-length curtains are usually 0.5mm longer than normal curtains, and they are beautiful and more elegant looking. The cool thing is when you use the right color and install them properly, they create a fantastic and positive atmosphere that makes your home feel and look new. For a great look, go for quality, unique curtains with an inviting color. You can also transform the look of your sofa or chair using slipcovers. Toss a few new, cheap throw pillows on the furniture, and you have a completely fresh look. For the dining room and kitchen, place a new tablecloth. If you are crafty, get a few cheap fabric remnants from the craft store and make new pillows and window treatments. Rearrange the furniture Did you know a simple act as rearranging the furniture can completely change your house’s look and feel? Since you don’t have a lot of money, you can’t afford to hire an interior designer, but you can afford a few home design magazines. Go through the magazines and make use of the brilliant ideas you come across. You can also borrow your creative niece or cousin on a lazy Sunday and ask them to help you come up with creative furniture arrangement ideas. Refresh your rooms with paint Sometimes all your washed-out walls want is a burst of new color and the beauty is that paint doesn’t cost much. You also don’t have to hire a professional to do the work. Simply watch a few videos, and you will transform your home. Paint all the dull-looking areas both outside and inside the house. The only trick you have to pay attention to is to ensure that you choose the right color for the different rooms. Restore the old tiles If your house tiles are old, ugly, and losing their functionality, it’s time to restore them. Head to your local stores and buy new, modern tiles and install them. When you are in the stores, bargain and get the best deal possible. This calls for you to avoid stores in the upmarket. You also should avoid rare tiles. When it comes to installation, you can take time and learn installation techniques, but you can hire a professional to help with the installation if you have some money left. Replace your area rug Sometimes your house might be looking old and out of condition simply because the area rug is worn out. To revamp the house, get a new rug. When buying the new rug, pay attention to the textures and finishes and ensure they match the house’s design. You should note that certain rugs such […]
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Common Home Renovating Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Home renovation can be an expensive affair depending on how complicated the project will be. Finding home remodeling architects can also take time especially if you don’t have connections to rely on. More so, a home renovation project can also take some to finish and would need some personal adjustments along the way. But despite all of the hassles and hard work, seeing the end results will all be worth it. Unless you are knowledgeable and experienced in this field, you can hire home additions builders with your home renovation project. For one thing, a home remodel should be handled only by professionals especially if it’s a major home improvement project. However, the entire project won’t start without you. You, the homeowner, and the contractors should collaborate to ensure that everything goes well as smoothly as possible. Home renovation mistakes are also common, but you can choose not to commit them. Common home renovation mistakes Here are some of the most common home renovation mistakes you should avoid: Focusing only on the aesthetic value One major reason for a home improvement project is to give your home or a part of your home a fresher look. This is regardless whether you are planning to change the floor tiles, add a kitchen countertop, or update your living room furniture. However, this should not only be your goal. Instead, you should also check whether there is a need for repair works. Otherwise, you may end up tearing up your newly-renovated area because you did not repair or replace a leaky pipe underneath. It is also a good idea to plan a home improvement project to upgrade into high-quality materials instead of simply adding to a room’s aesthetic appeal. Choosing a cheap contractor Looking for an affordable home additions contractors can help you save money. However, you should be careful in choosing a home addition builder. For one thing, a cheaper contractor does not always mean high-quality workmanship. Some contractors may offer cheaper quotes – at the expense of the materials used and the overall work quality. A reliable and trustworthy contractor should provide a detailed quote containing the materials that will be used. Likewise, it should indicate the estimated lead time, installation costs, waste management plan, and other important aspects of the home improvement project. Underestimating your budget Setting a budget is important when planning for a major home renovation project. In budgeting, you should also consider setting aside for contingencies. Home addition companies and other home improvement experts recommend adding at least 15 percent of your budget for emergency expenses. Doing too much at once Some homeowners want to accomplish tasks all at once. Apparently, they want to utilize the time and resources they have at that time. However, it can cause stress to the homeowner. That is why it is important to focus only on one project at a time, and then move on to the other one when the first one is already done. Should you go DIY or hire a professional? On one hand, you can choose to DIY your home improvement project, albeit with certain conditions. You […]
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The Right Lights For Your Rooms
When installing a lighting system in your home, your home remodeling architects will be deciding the right bulbs and lighting style that is perfect for the different rooms in your house. See, each and every room in your home has different personalities plus, the character of the one using the room and the family that is living in it. There are various bulb styles and fixtures that you can choose from that will really make you feel like you wanted them all, yet just like what they say “you simply can’t have it all”, why? Because a lighting style is specifically designed for a specific room type and area. THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BULBS When it comes to bulbs there are three types that you should be aware of: The Incandescent The known traditional bulb that everyone has used for ages. This bulb, however, is slowly being phased out to give way to the more energy-saver ones. This type of bulb produces a yellowing warm light. The Compact Fluorescent Bulbs This bulb uses less energy than incandescent bulbs and can be used longer. Their lights are cooler though varies in brightness and temperature levels. They do contain mercury, which means you have to dispose of them the safest way possible. The LEDs The most used bulb nowadays because they are as adequate as CFLs, but they last longer. They are commonly used as task lighting before because of their harsh light emission, but now they can look like incandescent and have other bulb styles too. They are more energy efficient and can be touched as well. THE RIGHT FIXTURES Now that you are aware of the different types of bulbs and the level of brightness that you wanted, it’s time for you to choose the kind of room fixture together with where you can and should be using them. The Ceiling Mount A common ambient lighting that is best in hallways, foyers, work areas, bedrooms, and stairways. The Chandeliers Used as ambient or general lighting, this fixture is ideal in bedrooms and dining rooms. Remember that a lighting fixture with an intricate design will automatically appear larger or bigger. Its grandeur will stand out when used in high ceilings. The Wall-Mounted This wall-mounted fixture is like a candlestick design lamp or sconces. They are used in any room as ambient, task, or accent lighting system. This kind of fixture is used in bathrooms in the vanity area. The Pendant You can often see this fixture style in dining room areas, countertops or workstations. It works efficiently as a task or general lighting because since it’s hanging its glare focuses directly on what you are doing. The Recessed This fixture can be installed anywhere and its brightness depends on where you will be installing it. Recessed lightings are used as general, accent or task lighting. The Track Lighting It works like a spotlight and is versatile enough to be rotated in any direction you prefer. It can also be installed anywhere to just illuminate your room or any specific area in the house. It is often used to highlight an artwork […]
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How About A Staircase Makeover
Have you ever looked at your staircase and have thought of giving it a new look? Perhaps it’s about time that you include it in your home addition design plans since having a great looking staircase adds to the character of your home. You should not run out of reasons why your staircase or stairway is the least of your home renovation priority because it also reflects your lifestyle. But before you proceed in renovating your stairs and balustrade check out some of the main reasons why homeowners find it important to give their staircase or stairway an impressive makeover. REASONS WHY STAIRCASES SHOULD BE REMODELED TOO Outdated stairs and railings can dismay possible home buyers if you decide to sell your home in the future. The rattling and cracking sound of your stairs every time you walk on it means you need to fix it. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Looking at your staircase or stairway makes you stress and think about the pathetic excuse interior design. You wanted to give your interior a different kind of vibe by upgrading your balustrade into something new to your interior and refreshing to the eye. You wanted your staircase to be the focal point of your home to attract buyers. You found the time to DIY your home’s stair and balustrade. A grand and elegant looking staircase adds value to the entire home. Your current stairs and balustrades had to meet your cities building codes and requirements. You’ve discovered that your staircase is no longer safe and can potentially cause danger. Do you find your reasons above too? Now, let’s move on the best part – the Designs, Styles, and Décor. GIVE YOUR STAIRWAY A NEW LIFE Let’s get started. FLOORING The floor is what gives your stairway a character which also occupies the largest surface in your home or room. The style and design will depend, of course, on your budget, the kind of maintenance you sustain and the decors that you would want to have. Carpet Carpeting is one of the most common floor décor preferred by many homeowners. It provides a different kind of warmth and inviting feeling in your interior. The comfort that it gives your sole is one of its major qualities why many love it so much. Aside from its ability to reduce noise not just on your stairway, but all over the house too. Carpet is also preferred by homes with growing kids and elderly because it provides an additional safety feature during an unexpected trip or fall. Now, there are two kinds of carpeting style: Full Carpeting If you wanted a full coverage of your floor area, full carpeting is your solution. It’s a good choice to cover your floor’s aging problem as it will completely make it as good as new. Although this can be really pricey, it’s best to discuss your plans with your trusted contractor before you give it a go. Carpet Runners If you don’t want to fully cover your entire flooring, runners can do the job for you. They can leave the edges of your […]
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Home Additions Planning Tips
If you need an additional storage space or office, you don’t need to sell your house so that you can look for a bigger one. All you need to do is to make home additions. For you to ensure that that the process is flawless, you need to prepare adequately. Some of the things you need to do include: Identify the property lines This is the first thing that you should do. You need to know where your property begins and ends. All you need to do is to visit the government offices and find a map of your property. When you know your property lines, you will have an easy time coming up with a home design that won’t violate the building codes in your area. Come up with a floor plan A floor plan is a plan of how you want your property to be. You should start by imagining how you want the addition to look like once it’s complete. Although, you aren’t an expert, you should go ahead and sketch your ideas. When putting your ideas down don’t forget to scale the designs. This is to have an easy time renovating your property and adding more space to it. After putting your ideas on paper, you should now find architects builders or licensed contractors. You should discuss with the builders about the additions that you want to make to your property. Some people rush to hiring construction contractors, but this shouldn’t be you. You should first brainstorm with the architects on how to give the insides and outside of your house a perfect look. Get a renovation contract Once you have settled on the ideal design for your house, you should now get a renovation permit. You should contact the local city government offices and notify them about home addition design plans. You should request a renovation permit so that you aren’t on the wrong side of the law. Have a budget You need money to renovate your house. The amount that you spend doing it depends on a number of factors such as the costs of hiring home remodeling architects DC and the cost of raw materials. You should visit a number of home improvement stores and compare the prices of the various products you need in your work. When it comes to the contractors, you should interview a number of them and work with the most reputable one that charges a reasonable fee.
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Architects’ Builders: Things You Should And Shouldn’t Do When Remodeling Your House For Sale
When you are looking to remodel your house for selling, you want to remodel it in such a way that you increase its value so that you can sell it at a higher price. To help you out, here are the things you should and shouldn’t do when renovating your house as given by architects’ builders: Things you should do The first thing you should do is to look at the profit potential of the remodeling project that you are looking to undertake. As rule of thumb, you should never do anything that you won’t get much from it. Two of the areas that you should pay close attention to are the bathroom and kitchen. When it comes to the bathroom, you should install a new floor. If the fixtures are old, consider replacing them. You also should consider giving the cabinets some attention. If they are still in intact condition, you shouldn’t replace them—simply repair and repaint them. When it comes to the kitchen, the look of the kitchen countertops comes in handy. You can install new countertop surfaces if the current ones are worn out, or you can simply repair them. When it comes to the appliances, consider replacing them if they are old. Things to avoid when renovating your house It’s a no-brainer that you shouldn’t spend more than you are going to get. For you to avoid spending a lot of money on a house that doesn’t have a lot of value, you should hire a professional to help you in valuing the house before you start the project. Once you have the value of the house, you should work with your home remodeling expert who will help you choose the simple projects that won’t cost much but will greatly improve the look of the house. Another thing you should avoid doing is to give attention to areas such as the media room, offices, basements, theaters, back decks, attic remodels, and others that don’t have a good resale value. Lighting is crucial to the look of the house; therefore, you should never remove it. Even if it looks bad, you should leave it in place. Remember that bad lighting is better than no lighting. Conclusion These are some of the things that you should and shouldn’t do when you are renovating your house for resale. For you to get the most from the project, work with reputable home remodeling architects DC.
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