Wondering What Order to Do Home Renovations? Follow This Guide
To avoid wasting money, time, and resources, you need to have a detailed order on how to accomplish your home remodeling project. The safest and most sensible way to go about it is to hire home remodeling architects to help with the planning, design, and budgeting, but what if you don’t have money? You should do it yourself. Wondering what order to do home renovations? Here is a guideline to follow: Make a plan The usual cliché, if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail, holds even in a home remodeling project. Before you begin the remodeling, carefully assess the areas you would like to renovate and set your priorities. You will need money to accomplish the project, regardless of whether it’s big or small, so you need to come up with a budget. When creating the budget, factor in all the costs that you will incur. Think about the cost of the materials, transport, tapes, and others. The most difficult cost to budget for is the labor costs, but you will be on the safe side if you put it at 20-40% of your total budget. As you are coming up with a budget, remember to have a 10-20% contingency for emergencies. This amount might seem like a lot, especially when you are looking to make every dollar count but remember that you are better off being left with money once the project is done than to halt the project in the middle after your pockets run dry. Hire a contractor Unless you are a skilled handyman, you shouldn’t try to handle a remodeling project yourself, as you will waste a lot of time and money. Regardless of the size of your project, hire a contractor to handle it. The key to finding the right contractor is taking your time and not hiring the first contractor you come across. You should interview several contractors and settle on the most qualified. Avoid an extremely cheap contractor as they are most likely inexperienced, and chances are high they will botch your project. At the same time, avoid an extremely expensive contractor, as they might be ripping you off. Take your time and find a contractor that gives you value without having to part with astronomical amounts of money. Talk to your insurance company. Do you have home insurance? You should talk to your insurance company and ensure you have the amount of coverage that fits your needs. Most likely, the home renovation will raise your home’s value, so the insurance company should increase your coverage limits, so your investment has better protection. Secure the necessary permits and order the materials Most municipalities will require you to have construction permits, and not having them will have a significant impact on your project, so ensure you have them. You also should check the municipality’s regulations and ensure you adhere to them to avoid being on the wrong side of the law. While at it, order the materials you need for the project. These include: lumber, windows, doors, and drywall. Start the demolitions If there are areas of the house that you […]
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4 Types of House Renovations
Different people renovate their homes for different reasons. Some do it to improve the functionality and appeal of the house while others do it to improve the house’s value. Are you looking to renovate your home but not sure the type of renovation you should go for? Here are four types of renovations you should consider as given by home remodeling architects: Basic renovations This is where you renovate the basic features of the house that everybody and anybody can see. The cool thing with basic renovations is you can do them without hiring a highly experienced contractor. You also don’t need to spend an astronomical amount of money on them. At the end of the basic renovation project, you should have functioning gutters, a roof that doesn’t leak, a dry basement, a solid floor, a reliable furnace, working retaining walls, and walls in top condition. You should note that you don’t have to replace the amenities. Simply focus on regular maintenance and if you have to upgrade the units, don’t spend a lot of money on them. If you are making the renovations to flip the house, make them in such a way that your house stands out from the competition but don’t make any unwarranted upgrades that will excessively exceed the other properties in the area. This is because this will scare off potential buyers and at the same time lead to you losing money. Curb appeal renovations These are renovations that people don’t focus too much on, but can significantly improve the selling of your house. We can say these renovations improve the appeal of the house and help the prospective buyer make the buying decision quicker. Some of the renovations of this nature that you can make include: applying a fresh layer of paint, cleaning the carpets, mowing the lawn, and replacing worn-out appliances. While you might be looking to significantly improve the appeal of your curb, be cautious of the additions you make. For example, this is not the time to incorporate bold designs into the décor. You also should be cautious of the lights you install. As a rule of thumb, don’t overdo the lights as you can break the bank or overrun your home circuitry. For an affordable and modern-looking house, install LED or recessed lights. If you are having a problem with this, consult an interior decorating professional. Value-added renovations From their name, these are renovations that add the most value to the house and at the same time give you maximum returns. These renovations as given by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) include new siding, new windows, and kitchen renovations. When done right, these renovations will help you recoup up to 80% or more of the costs. Other high-return renovations include: refurbished decks, upgraded bathrooms, and energy-saving improvements. Personal preference renovations From the name, these are renovations you make because you love or need them. If you are looking to sell the house, some of your potential buyers might not like the renovations, but you love having them. The most popular of these are: tennis courts, wine cellars, swimming pools, […]
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Can I Build My Own Addition?
If you are asking, can I build my own addition? You must be thinking about adding another room in your house, but you don’t have money to hire a home addition builder, right? Well, the good news is that you can build an additional house if you have the necessary skills. You only need to follow the right procedure. Step 1: Draft the house plan. This is the first thing to do. Come up with a plan for the house you are looking to build. Of course, you should have the plan done by an expert. An ideal plan should include the shape, size, architectural points, floor layout, and other room aspects. When getting the plan, be specific about what you are looking for. How many square feet do you want the house addition to be? Do you want the room addition to have a bathtub or walk-in shower? Be specific about it to help the architect come up with a perfect plan. Being specific will also help you come up with a more accurate estimate. Step 2: Get the necessary building permits. Most states require you have building permits for every house you are putting up. To avoid being on the wrong side of the law, check with your local zoning board on the requirements you need to meet. Depending on your state, a building inspector may visit your property to check on the progress, so follow the plans closely and stay within the local authorities’ parameters. Step 3: Sink the foundation. Once you have the plan and the necessary permits, now it’s time to begin the construction work. Mark the areas that you need to dig and proceed with the work. When digging the foundation, ensure the new foundation is as close to your existing house as much as possible. The size and depth of the foundation vary depending on the size and height of your home addition. Step 4: Put up the walls. With the foundation in place, now it’s time to put up the walls. Since you are simply building a home addition and not a full-scale house, it won’t take you a long time to construct the house’s frame. After you have constructed the frame, begin erecting the walls. If you are constructing a small house, you can save money and time by getting prefabricated walls from your local store. Step 5: Install the roof. As soon as the walls are in place, install the roof to protect the walls from the harsh weather elements. For a uniform look, ensure that your room’s roofing style is similar to that of the main house. If you have roofing skills, you can install the roof by yourself but if you have never done it before, let a roofing professional do it so that the new roofing lines up with the existing roof. Step 6: Complete the electrical work. Are the walls and roof in place, and you are satisfied with them? Now it’s time to do some electrical wiring and HVAC system work. Since you will be dealing with electricity and ductwork, it’s wise you have an […]
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Refreshing Makeover: What to Consider Before Painting Your House
Painting your home may be easier said than done. You need to plan for it carefully. You also have to choose the right paint color that you won’t regret later on. Or whether you need to paint your house walls in the first place. You might have to hire a professional for a home remodel. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to refresh your home every now and then. It doesn’t matter whether you decide to repaint your room, replace your bathroom tiles, or renovate your kitchen. What’s important that whatever these home improvements will benefit your entire household in terms of aesthetic appeal and safety. Painting: A cheap but effective home improvement White walls sure can look boring. So, the easiest and most inexpensive solution to brighten up your walls is by repainting it. Its difficulty level depends on how big the wall area you are going to paint. It can be only one side of the room or all of the walls of the house. This is one reason why a lot of homeowners dread house painting but should be done nonetheless. Aside from time, you also have to take into consideration what specific color to choose. There are several factors that you should consider when choosing a paint color. Home remodeling architects might help you choose the right paint shade for your home. It can be a tedious chore, but you will love the end result. If you are hiring a home additions builder, make sure you let them know what you want if they will also paint your walls. Otherwise, you can do your own thing – or even let your family decide on the colors! What to do before painting your house walls As mentioned, there are several things you need to consider before painting your house’s walls. It is important that you know these to prevent regrets later on unless you are willing to repaint over again. Getting the area to be painted ready Painting the walls with the furniture and desks around can be quite a hassle. That is why you should clear the area first before doing the paint job. If it’s a home remodeling addition, you have to take them out first so you can finish the paint job faster. If it’s a simple paint job, you can just move them to the center of the room and cover the items using old bedsheets or blankets. Wiping off any debris It may seem unnecessary, but cleaning the walls of any dirt and debris is important. Doing so will make the paint stick to the walls a lot better. Also, make sure to fill in any cracks or holes present on the walls. Add tape on window trims, outlet covers, and light switches before painting. Don’t forget to put old newspapers so that the paint won’t drip off on the floor. Checking the paint color If you have a specific color that you want, make sure to get a sample first. Sometimes, the actual color when applied on the wall may look different from what you imagine it to be. You can […]
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Can You Buy a Hoarded House (Without Going Nuts)?
A lot of people tend to get sentimental over material things. For one thing, some of these items may mean a lot for that person. On the other hand, there are some people who simply hoard stuff just because. Nevertheless, excessive hoarding is not considered anymore and can be a sign of a mental disorder. Meanwhile, there are home buyers out there who are willing to buy a hoarded house. No matter how crazy it may be, there is something about hoarded houses that some buyers are not able to resist buying. They may consider building a home addition design out of it. Regardless of the buyer’s plan, building a home addition in a hoarded house is still possible. What is hoarding? Going back to hoarding, this is actually considered a mental disorder that refers to the difficulty in disposing of material possessions. A hoarder finds it hard to let go of material things that most people would deem as useless. Such items may be as trivial like broken appliances or furniture or even smelly garbage. Hoarding is different from clutter. The former may be considered a mental disorder and can cause disturbance to others who are also living inside and near the house. On the other hand, clutter may simply need better organizing methods and most of the items are actually usable. Anything done in excess is not considered healthy, and so is hoarding. As mentioned, it can cause disturbance to other people nearby. In many cases, excessive hoarding can even compromise one’s health and affect one’s daily life. Should you buy a hoarded house? If you have watched the TV show “Hoarders”, then you already have an idea of what a hoarder’s life is. You may not simply imagine how a person can live with such trash and dirt, you cannot see the floor anymore. It can be a nightmare for home remodeling architects to convert a hoarder house into a much more liveable space. Still, there are a lot of people who take on the challenge, of which the first step is buying a hoarder house. In real life, hoarder homes can actually be a potential money-maker because of the hidden “treasures” you can find there. Who knows when you are able to find something that is worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of that pile of garbage in the house? Buying a hoarded house can also be cheaper especially if the hoarder is still living there. Since it may not be as desirable as other homes, you can expect to buy it at a cheaper price. If you want to enhance it, you can hire an affordable home additions company to make it more liveable and pleasant to look at. Other challenges you may encounter If you are planning to buy a hoarder house, you can expect to encounter some challenges along the way. Aside from the abovementioned instances, here are some things you can expect if you decide to buy a hoarded house. You may have a hard time getting a house loan. Real estate experts say that getting a mortgage loan for […]
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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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Situations When You Should Hire A Home Remodel Professional
When you are considering remodeling your house, you can do the work by yourself or hire a home remodel professional. While you save money when you do the job by yourself, it’s always wise that you hire a professional to help you out: When to hire a remodeling expert There are many situations when you should hire the expert. Some of these situations include: When you don’t have the motivation: Let no one lie to you that the home remodeling project is easy—it’s usually cumbersome, and you need a lot of motivation to pick up the sledgehammer or any other working tool. If you feel that you don’t have the motivation to do the hard work, it’s time to hire an expert to help you out. You don’t mind strangers in your house: Many homeowners opt to remodel their houses as they don’t want to lose control of their homes. If you don’t mind having handymen in your home for a few days, you should go ahead and hire the professionals. You don’t have the necessary skills: A home remodeling project doesn’t only require you to buy a sledgehammer and knock down a wall—you need the skills needed to bring down a wall and erect a new one. When you don’t have the time: In addition to the project requiring you to have the necessary skills, you also need to have enough time to do it. If you are a career person and busy, you should hire a professional who will handle the project while you go on with your work. Tip to consider when remodeling your house The first tip is to ensure that you hire a professional to help you with the work. Before you enter into a contract with the home addition builder ensure that he/she is certified and experienced enough to handle the project at hand. If you are reconstructing the house for resale, you should avoid spending more than you can recoup. For you to tell whether the project is worth it, you should hire an expert home evaluator who will help you with the evaluation. When you are doing the remodeling, you should avoid replacing all of the appliances. The best way out is to repair them. Conclusion This is what you need to know about home remodeling and when you should hire home addition companies DC. For you to get the most from the additions companies, ensure that you work with the most experienced ones.
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Home Additions: Ways To Add Space To Your Home
If you don’t like the current size of your house, did you know that there are many ways in which you can add space to it? Here are some of these ways as given by home additions contractors: Add an outward space This applies when you have a large compound where you can add the extra space. The cool thing with adding space this way is that you create an entirely new space that is unhindered by existing structures. Also, unlike in other projects that require you to vacate your house to pave way for the contractor, you don’t need to do it when handling this project. This saves you a lot of money that you would have spent in a hotel. While the project is great, its main flaw is that it’s usually expensive. The project is also cumbersome and you can’t comfortably handle it by yourself—you have to hire a contractor to help you out. Add space upwards If your property is small, adding more space upwards makes the most sense. Depending on the foundation, most homes will allow you to add more space on top of the house. The cool thing with adding space using this method is that you can add as many floors as you want upwards—you only need to ensure that the foundation and the materials that you use allow it. If you are looking to sell the house later on, this option is usually great as it has been shown to greatly increase the value of the house. Just like when adding space outwards, this option is usually expensive; therefore, you should always be ready to part with a substantial amount of money. You also have to vacate the house to give room for the home additions contractors to do their work. Converting the basement If you don’t want to go through the trouble of adding an entirely new room, you can use space that is already there. One of the ways of using the space is by converting the basement. The cool thing about converting the basement is that it’s usually better built. The only challenge with this space is the moisture; however, you can work with your remodeling contractor and fix it. Conclusion These are some of the ways in which you can add space to your home. For you to have an easy time doing it, work with a reputable home addition design DC company.
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The Living Room Decoration Essentials
Every living room is a focal point. In fact, even affordable home additions can make a room classy and elegant. If you are just about to start decorating your home, the first area that you should pay attention to is the living room. Putting all the pieces you’ve shopped for your living room can be overwhelming and instead of giving the room a harmonious and inviting appeal, it might turn out the other way around. TIME TO STYLE YOUR LIVING ROOM When decorating your living room, you have to consider the shades of paint you will be having in on your walls, the kind of furniture that already have and what other furnishings you need, and how to style and decorate the entire room. However, you cannot start with your project without finding out what your accessorizing taste is. If you’re having a hard time, you can scout and look into living room photos to help and give you an idea. Knowing this will initially give you the drive to properly and decisively choose the paint colors, furniture, floor covering, window coverings, accessories, and other stuff that you wanted to place in your living room area. THE TIPS ON HOW TO NAIL A LIVING ROOM DECORATING PROJECT The Furniture One common dilemma of most homeowners is how to arrange and style their living room furnishings. The most typical style is by pushing the sofa against the wall followed by the chairs against the other wall and that just basically it. Easy-peasy. Yet, the best way to achieve a living room that will really stand out is by planning on how to arrange your furniture. One important thing to consider is which part of the room should be the focal point, which area seems inviting as a conversation area, and the traffic flow in the living room. The Area Rugs and Floor Coverings Area rugs and other floor coverings are considered to be one of the ornamental items that are so overwhelming to place in any room, particularly in the living room. The benefits of using one can really be overflowing, but before you purchase it simply because you find it perfect for your living room, make sure that you know by heart how to pick an area rug. Knowing the size of an area rug is the most important rule. Placing a small-sized floor covering in your living room can make the entire space a bit jumbled so knowing first the size of the room and how your furniture is arranged should always be considered. All your furnishings should be on top of the area rug with at least a 10-to-20 inches of bare floor separating the wall of the room and the area rug. Wall Art Don’t you find an empty wall somewhat incomplete? It is! You don’t have to crowd your wall with décors and frames, but placing some art pieces on it is very important. It doesn’t have to be all expensive masterpieces or paintings just to present an inviting and close-knit look. The perception of one about art can differ from how the other sees it, therefore, […]
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Things You Should Avoid When Doing A Home Renovation
Your independence and responsibility to your family had already reached another level and that is having your current abode undergo a renovation. You have sought the expertise of a home addition builder, and so far is going through some details. However, there are some blunders that a homeowner like you make before, during, and after the remodeling process. These personal lapses greatly affect the total outcome and renovation phase and experts would like to condone themselves for not providing enough reminders and pointer during the “pre” renovation negotiation. But the fact of the matter is, home remodeling experts could no longer stress enough how a homeowner can avoid certain “oversight” in renovating their homes. SOME HOME REFASHIONING ABERRATIONS YOU SHOULD NOT DO Because having a home remodeling can really be overwhelming, there are decisions and actions that you may or might do as your “project” progresses. Below you shall encounter tips about the things that you should be avoiding when undergoing a home refurbishing – which basically applies to both new and old homeowners. IMPULSIVELY GIVING THE RENOVATION A “GO” Renovation experts and real estate gurus advise movers and homeowners to experience a bit more about their homes before finalizing any renovation plans. You may be too stoked to get that living room overhauled, but get a feel of the actual area first as well as the entire house. Because once the renovation starts, there is no more turning back. UNDERESTIMATING THE NEEDED BUDGET You might think that because it’s just your kitchen that is being remodeled, you will just be spending for that particular work alone. Well, sorry to surprise you, but you have to anticipate that there is more job to be done than you can imagine. So experts advise to always add an additional 20% to your actual budget to be prepared for whatever surprises you may encounter. TOO MUCH EXPECTATION Not all reconstructions are smooth sailing. Especially if you are planning to renovate an old house there could be more unforeseen cases that are beyond your workers’ control. Always expect the unexpected, because although your contractors would try their utmost effort to make everything work according to the original plan there is always the chance that nothing will. So always expect less. HIRING A DESIGNER IS NOT A PRIORITY Some people think that it will cost them more if they acquire professional assistance from interior designers and architects. But the truth is, they will be spending more out of their pockets without any experts help. Therefore, avoid making the same mistake as most have because hiring their services will actually help you save more than you can imagine. CHOOSING THE LOWEST OFFER Another mistake by many homeowners is going for the cheapest contractor bid. In fact, you will be getting more out of your money if you vouch for a skilled and experienced professional. So invest in hiring the best services rather than those who offer a much affordable service and can work with you right away. NOT ALL PROFESSIONALS ARE COMPATIBLE TO WORK WITH This is the other side of what is stated in #5. […]
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