Tips to Having a Great Time Renovating Your House
As much as you are improving the look of your house, house renovation can be one of the most stressful parts of owning a home. Over the years, you’ve probably heard many horror stories about home buyers caught off guard by unexpected costs, lousy work, and delays. In the worst cases, the contractor would disappear with the money, leaving the homeowners high and dry. Choosing the right contractor is a hard job by itself, but once you’ve made your choice, getting the contract right is another way to help avoid problems in the future. Whether doing a condo remodel or any other remodeling project, here are tips to ensure you have a great time handling the project. Avoid upfront payments It goes without saying that if you pay upfront, contractors or designers who aren’t honest could run away with your money. If the work turns out to be bad, getting your money back will be harder. To stay safe, pay as little as possible upfront, and ensure you have a good payment structure that works in your favor. A great way to do it is to make payments in parts, like 10% when the floors are done, 40% when the kitchen is done, and so on. You should only pay for the work once it’s done. You should avoid paying more than 20% to start work. If you have to pay more than that, ask your contractor why they need such a hefty payment upfront. It will be better if you add a schedule to these milestones so that the contractor has to meet both the schedule and the standards. Ensure all defects are fixed beforehand. Even when working with the most experienced contractors, problems might arise. You might assume that the contractor will fix all problems before handing over, but some contracts need to be clarified. Some contracts say a problem can be fixed within a certain amount of time (up to 30 days after the job is done), while others may not even mention the problem. Pay attention to the fact that some contracts put all responsibility on a subcontractor. For example, if there is a problem with the electrical work, the contract might say that you have to talk to the electrician on your own. Always ensure that defects are fully dealt with and spelled out in the contract to your satisfaction. Don’t forget that the last payment should not be due the contractor has fixed until all the problems. Have written proof. Don’t count on verbal promises or confirmations because you can’t prove them later. Whatever your contractor agrees to or changes, it must be in writing. You can do this through email, text messages, or written documents. When things are written down, they are not only binding but also less likely to be misunderstood. Ask about warranties What happens if your cabinets start to bend after only a year? Or if the tiles are already beginning to lose their color? Some materials may come with a warranty that lasts a lifetime, while others may not have any warranty at all. Whether buying materials or working […]
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Condo Remodeling Tips
Do you have a condo you are looking to remodel? Here are valuable tips you should follow as given by condo remodel experts to achieve perfect results: Follow the rules Condos should always follow the condo regulations in your area, so before you start the project, always check with your local administration and find out whether there are rules and regulations you should follow. Some associations will limit you on the designs you can build your house, while others will give you free reign on the designs but will limit you on the times you can work on your project. To avoid being on the wrong side, always find out about the rules and adhere to them. Maximize your space Condos are usually smaller than regular houses, so when you remodel them, always think about your space and work on making the most of it. And the good thing is that there are plenty of ways to maximize the space. Some of these ways include: Use built-in storage: You should install shelves and cabinets to help reduce clutter and make your space more organized. Take advantage of vertical space: Here, you need to use the walls by installing hooks, shelves, or hanging racks. Use multi-functional décor: From the name, this is décor that you can use for more than one purpose. For example, you can have a coffee table with some storage space that you can use as a medicine cabinet. When painting the house, always use neutral colors that will make the house feel bigger and more open. Don’t use the colors only on the walls; use them on the ceilings and floors. Finally, be creative with the lighting and use it to give the illusion of more space. Use uplights and downlights to highlight specific features in the house and draw the eye upward. Go for an open floor plan. An open floor plan has been shown to make a small space feel larger than it is, so you should always go that route. Work with your architect and devise a plan that combines your living, dining, and kitchen area into one large space. To achieve this, you might need to remove the non-load-bearing walls. If you can’t remove the walls, consider installing sliding or pocket doors that save space and give your home an open feel. You can also use glass partitions or room dividers to separate the house’s different areas and allow as much light as possible. Invest in storage As mentioned, condos often have limited storage space, so making the most of what you have is important. Consider installing built-in storage, such as shelves and cabinets. You can also invest in furniture with built-in storage, such as a bed with drawers underneath. Use natural light A well-lit house always looks bigger and spacious, so you should work on allowing as much natural light as possible. This calls for you to install large windows that allow maximum light. When it comes to curtains or blinds, install light ones that will allow maximum light in. Get creative with flooring. The floor you install should not only be […]
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What Renovations Increase Condo Value The Most?
If you have a condominium you are looking to sell, you might be wondering which are the best renovations to do to increase the value of the property as much as possible, right? Well, according to condo remodel contractors, there are plenty of options you can go with, which include: Install new appliances You are looking to remodel your condo because it’s old, and this is a disadvantage on your part as your old property is most likely competing with plenty of modern new builds. One way to give your property a new look and increase its value is to install new appliances. When you do this, you make the space look more attractive to potential buyers. The new appliances also give the buyers peace of mind, as they know they won’t need to install new units once in the house. When choosing the appliances, go with stainless steel appliances, as they tend to be durable and look good for a long time. Ensure that the devices you install match the house design and style for a uniform look. Replace your floor A good quality floor isn’t cheap, but when done right, it can increase the value of your condo by 80-100%. Well-installed floors give the space a luxurious, upgraded, new feel that is extremely attractive to buyers. While there are plenty of flooring options, one of the best to go with is the hardwood floor which looks good and gives the house a warm feel. Touch up the bathrooms In most cases, condo bathrooms are smaller than those in a regular house, which can work against you. You need to work on your bathroom to make your home more attractive. Of course, you can do plenty of things to your bathrooms, such as installing new countertops, a new floor, showers, toilets, sinks, light fixtures, cabinets, and others – it all depends on your budget. If you have a small budget, undertake minor touches such as paintwork or tile installation, but if your budget allows it, go full-blown and convert your bathroom into the most attractive one in the area. Increase the storage space Due to their limited footprint, most condos have smaller storage solutions, and like the smaller bathrooms, the restricted storage areas can work against you. To make more buyers interested in your property, you must increase storage space. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to go about it. One of the ways you can do this is to install dividers and organizers. Is the condo short of closets? Build additional elbow room. You should analyze the entire house, and if there are areas that can use more space, go ahead and install it if the house design allows it. Remodel the kitchen Giving the kitchen a new look significantly gives your property a fresh breath of life, and the cool thing is that there are plenty of areas you can work with. Sinks, countertops, faucets, and lighting can change and transform your house. Who should work on your project? Regardless of the areas you feel will improve the look and value of your house, ensure that the […]
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Renovating a Condo Unit? Read This First
Having your own living space is anyone’s dream. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small condo unit or a house and lot. What is more important is they have a place they can call their own home. But designing your own home requires professional help, which is why home remodeling architects are here to help. Why you need to invest in home remodeling Finding an affordable home additions company is important if you are planning for a home remodel. However, it depends on your living space. For example, a standalone house may have a wider area than a condo unit. You can design it any way you want – including the backyard, front porch, and all. Meanwhile, designing a condo unit can be more challenging due to limited space. There may also be some building restrictions imposed by the landlord that you need to follow. On the bright side, it is possible to remodel your small condo unit in a shorter amount of time. Still, it will depend on your budget and the design you want. Nonetheless, home addition design is something worth investing for. After all, you want to come home to a nice-looking house after a hard day’s work. You also want to create an accommodating atmosphere for your house guests. Things to consider when planning for condo remodeling Here are some things you need to remember before proceeding to your condo remodeling project: Creating a plan It depends whether you plan to renovate a part of your condo unit or the entire condo unit itself. In this case, stick to your original plan. If you are only planning to remodel your living room, don’t include the kitchen and the bathroom. This will prevent overspending and additional stress on your part. Check your condo’s rules and policies. Before proceeding, make sure you know your condo building’s policies. This includes the do’s and don’ts on renovations. There may also be specific schedules for unit renovations, materials allowed to be used, logistics, and so on. Knowing the rules will save you the headache of not being allowed to do the project in the first place Considering your budget Again, it depends on your original plan. The last thing you want is to spend beyond your budget. Make sure to plan everything including the fixtures and labor costs. Check at least two home addition design contractors to compare prices. Reading the contract It can be boring to read, but knowing what is written in the contract can be crucial for the condo renovation. Double check the timeline, payment scheme, labor and material costs, and everything else involved in the said project. React once you have read and understood the contract. Make sure the contract complies with the building rules and policies. Proceeding with the condo remodeling Once everything’s okay between you and the contractor, you can now proceed with the project. Here are additional tips for a hassle-free condo remodeling project. Give enough lead time for the project. Never, ever rush especially for home improvement projects. Condo remodeling can be different from renovating a standalone house. Aside from knowing the building’s […]
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Every Bathroom Should Have These
For those who are having their own condo for the first and those who’ve been living in one for many years now condo remodeling is one the main projects, you’ve wanted to achieve. Maybe others have been doing a makeover to their nook whenever necessary or just to add a little spice into their private haven. The Bathroom Does Spark Joy Because the bathroom is the most intimate room in every home, sometimes it is also the least glamorous and stylish. There are homes that use a common bathroom where guests use it too. Moreover, if your new pad has a common bathroom, which you have to share with everyone, make sure that it is stocked with the important bathroom necessities that can be accessible to anyone. The Essentials Your Loo Should Have (It’s A Must) SHOWER CURTAIN AND LINER. If you happen to have an unattractive tub or shower – which you should do something about – use a dark plain or a colorful curtain that is also easy to move during instances where you have to hide or cover that space. But if your shower is something you can be proud of, a sheer curtain is enough to allow some illumination into the shower area. TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER. You can always make use of cute glasses or mugs as your toothbrush holder or better yet, shop for a more chic holder that is attractive enough to add a little glam to your toilet. If you are using an electric toothbrush look for a holder that is big enough to handle its bulkiness. TRASH CAN. This very important toilet item can be simple or trendy. When some bathroom uses an open trash can, it’s better to have the one that flips its cover to conceal all the unpleasant bathroom waste. DURABLE BATH MAT. For safety reasons, choose the non-slip bathroom mats that are sturdy but lavish. This will benefit your unattractive toilet floor, or you can get a bigger mat or small mat size to be able to cover a bigger portion of your bathroom flooring. CLEANING SUPPLIES There are so many effective cleaning tools in the market, you just have to choose the ones that you need, the one that is convenient, and the ones that are easy to keep. INNOVATIVE STORAGE ITEMS. You can find these in bath stores, but you can also use mini bookshelves, bedside tables, baskets, and stock boxes for keeping all your essentials organized. Just make sure they will not occupy too much of your bathroom space. HOOKS. You can use over-the-door hooks or wall hooks depending on your creativity and availability of wall space. BATH TOWELS. You are free to choose the color and designs of your bath towels. But if you wanted a towel that matches everything, the white bath towels are your perfect choice. Just make sure that you choose an absorbing one. LONG-LASTING FRAGRANT SOAP. Your bath soap is different from the hand soap should be placed near your bathroom sink for everybody’s use. ILLUMINATION. Having a great lighting system in your bathroom should be one of the things that […]
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Home Remodeling: The Illusion of The Small Space into a Big One
If you are tired of that small space in your home, you can always remodel. Condominiums are popular because of their small space living. But if you want to have a little bit of enhancement, you can always have a condo remodeling project. Small spaces can now look big if you hire the best architect or even just by yourself if you are the kind of a person who loves to do DIY projects. It doesn’t matter if you are living alone or if you are living with your family, you can always find a way to tweak your small space and for it to look bigger. There are a lot of ideas for you to choose from in making your small space look big. Below are some of the many ways you can do to make your tiny space look spacious. Ceiling Paint To make our rooms look taller, it is best to add a little bit of paint on the ceiling. You can also add some painted designs like flowers, stars, clouds, and others. This can give an illusion to your room to look tall. If you are tired to paint, you can always make use of a wallpaper. And add a bit of art and crafts of your choice to add more design to your small space Mirrors Mirrors have the illusion to make your small space look bigger. It can sometimes fool you and make you think that it is a window. But in fact, it is just a reflection of what is already in the room. Proper arrangement of mirrors will enhance the way your space looks. You can always pick whatever mirror you want to have and hang it appropriately to where you think it will sit best. You can also make use of small mirrors and arrange them and have a little bit of art and let its design to float within the room. Wall and Floor Colors Light colors will make the small space look cozy. It will make the room look inviting and worth living. Even if space is small, you will be sure that you can stay comfortable no matter what time it is. Pick a color scheme that you know that will make you feel comfortable. As long as the scheme will not irritate your eyesight and allow you to sit and relax after a long day in school or work. Multi-purpose Storage We know that multi-purpose items will always save space. You can make use of this in your condominium and have everything in one small space and yet you can still gain access to them easily. There are a lot of multi-purpose storages for you to have. From a bed to a table they have a lot of tricks under their sleeves. This can save up space in your tight room and allow you to do add some necessary pieces of furniture to your room to look good. High Shelves High shelves will make your ceiling look taller. Because you will be forced to look up and check whatever it is on the shelf. And from afar, the […]
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Things You Need to Think When Remodeling Your Condo
Condominiums are different kinds of housing. It is a space that is in a building where you can live in. There are a lot of condominium owners remodel the condo that they bought. It is either the structure is not their taste, or they just want to make it as comfortable as possible. Condo remodeling is not as difficult as remodeling an entire house. You can always hire a professional so that you can get advises from them. They can help you in designing and constructing the condominium for you. It will be quick and easy so that you will be able to enjoy your new found home. Here are some things that you need to think when remodeling your condo: Space The space that you own will always matter. It leads you to the direction of how far you can remodel your condo. If you have a small space, well you will only have to work with that. Maximize the areas where you can make use of. Place a trash bin or build a shelf on a dead corner. This is for it to have a function in your home. You will also be impressed by the end of the day if you maximize all of the dead spaces in your home. How long you will be living in it Considering the time, think about how long will you be able to enjoy that newly remodeled condo of yours. Will it be worth your time and money spending in remodeling it? We will never know how long you will be able to live in a certain space. Most especially if you are just renting. There are a lot of people who remodeled their condos but after a year, they have to move out. Think also about how much you want this space to change. It will really help you in saving time and money. The building owner’s consideration The space that you are renting is not actually yours. You are renting it from someone. And if you decide to remodel that space, think about the owner first. Ask permission or a concent if it is okay for them for you to do a little bit of tweeking for you to be comfortable living in their space. Bathroom Fixes Some parts of the bathroom cannot be moved and removed. Like the sink, toilet, and even a bathtub. Sometimes these items will just stay where they are. Just add a few ornaments or some decorative materials for the bathroom to look presentable. Like changing the color, the tiles, and the curtain. Do extra cleaning for the bathroom to look as if it is new. Lighting Some condominium lighting is not the way we wanted it to be. You can dim down the lights or have a bright room. Some condominium owners have a light controller that can control the brightness and the darkness of the light. If you want to add drama to your space, you can always have a designated area where you can place some candles. Building Up and Paint Instead of tearing down the walls and the ceiling […]
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