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 […]
Read moreSituations 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.
Read moreHome 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.
Read moreThe 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, […]
Read moreThings 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. […]
Read moreGive Your Outdoor Space A New Spice
So you’ve been seeing a lot of information and tips about backyard and outdoor remodeling ideas, but this time it’s going to be all about upgrading your porch or front entryway area. Your exterior front entry is the first sight that your guests will be seeing every time they come over. It’s your front porch and front door that will be welcoming your visitors and will be greeting you when you come home from work. If you’re having a hard time doing your entryway renovation homework, then here are some tips for you. Porch and Entryway Ideas Whether you have a small or a big porch area, you can always spice it up with different tools and accessories to provide your entryway a new character and improve the appeal of your house. Make Use Of A Covered Overhead As Entrance. Having a covered overhead added or attached to your front door entry does not only serve as an appealing decorative but is also a great shade whenever there is a rain or storm. This looks great on small-spaced porches because it does not only add detail to your main doorway is also a great spot to hang out with your guest or just have a coffee or tea time. You Will Never Go Wrong With Lanterns Lanterns are not just for indoors sitting on your grandmother’s side table rather they can also perfectly accentuate your outdoor area too. Having the right lighting posted or hanging from your front entrance and porch will totally elevate the façade of your entryway. There are a wide variety of lanterns you can choose for your porch area from the traditional to the modern ones. But classics will always present you that nostalgic feeling so going for the old-fashioned lanterns will transport your guests back to the old times. Consider A Door Replacement Door designs are silently presenting a huge impact on the totality of your home. That although you have modernized your windows and reconstructed the architectural tone for your entire house, that sentimental-looking grandfather’s door seems to be representing your home the opposite way. Match your door with how modern or classic your house is styled. The Classic Window Boxes Window boxes are the timeless classics of outdoor home décor. But there are also styles that will perfectly fit the different modern window styles no matter what kind of paint or finish it may be. But, you see, these old-school flower boxes never run out of style and so will your windows once you’ve accessorized them with these seamless boxes. More Exterior Décor Ideas Gate Is Still In Protection or exterior décor it doesn’t matter. Mini gates together with landscaping can go beyond your wildest outdoor ideas. As classic as they look, low masonry gates or wooden gates will just give your front garden entrance a classical ambiance. It’s like you’re experiencing the 70’s or the 80’s this 21st Try experimenting with it and it will place you on the map. Remodel Your Driveway It may be your least priority, but your driveway is part of your entrance area so it should also […]
Read moreHome 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.
Read moreHome Additions Options
When many people are considering making home additions, their main concern is adding more space to their houses. If you are one of these people, you should have peace of mind as there are many ways in which you can add space to your house. Some of these ways include: Making outward additions This is where you add another room out of the existing one. While the project is great and it will give you the look that you are looking for, you should note that it tends to be expensive and takes a lot of time to complete. Also, unless you have great masonry skills, you can’t pull off the project. Despite these setbacks, it comes with a number of benefits. One of the benefits is that it allows you to create an entirely new space that is unhindered by existing structures. Since you don’t tamper much with the already existing house, you don’t have to vacate for the construction to go on. If you are planning of selling the house, later on, you are on the lucky side as this addition has been shown to greatly increase the value of the house thus you sell the house with maximum returns. Building the house upward This is another option that you can use. You should go with this option when the available property is small. All you need to do is work with your home remodeling architects who will guide you on the best plan for your project. In addition to making your additions possible when you have a small property, adding space to your property upwards means that you can add as many rooms as you want—as you aren’t restricted. Home architects also observe that this greatly increases the value of your home thus you sell it at a high price. Just like when building your house outwards, the project is costly, and you can’t do it by yourself especially if you don’t have the masonry skills. Since there is the risk of the house coming down during construction, it’s recommended that you vacate during the renovation period. Conclusion These are some of the ways in which you can make additions to your home. For you to have an easy time making the additions, you should work with reputable architects’ builders who will not only help you in the construction but also guide you in choosing the right plan for your project.
Read moreCheap Home Remodel Ideas
When people think about having a home remodeling project, they picture themselves spending tens of thousands of dollars doing it. While some of the remodeling projects cost a lot of money, it doesn’t have to be always the case as there are some projects that are cheap and affordable. All you need to do is hire a home remodel expert who will guide you through. Affordable home remodeling ideas New flooring: If you have an old house and you don’t like the current look of the floor, you should consider installing a new one. The cool thing is that the project isn’t expensive. All you need to do is get a few colorful tiles from your local store and hire a contractor to help you install them. If you have the skills, you should purchase a do-it-yourself kit and install the units by yourself. Remodel the bathroom: The bathroom is the place where you go and relax after a long day. If you don’t like its current look, you should consider upgrading it. The most affordable way of livening it up is to install new fixtures. For example, you should invest in new towel holders. You should also consider replacing the medicine cabinet or simply paint it a new color. Install new lights: When you install new lights you not only give your home a new look, you also increase the amount of light in the house. Depending on the design of your house you can buy a number of small lights or install one large light. If you aren’t sure of the home remodeling direction you should take, ask your home additions contractor to help you out. Add modern firepits: If you are like most homeowners, you have a wood burning fireplace in your home. For you to improve the look of your house and also give it a modern look, you should consider investing in a modern firepit. One of the best ones to invest in is a gas firepit. When installing it, ensure that it matches the theme of your home. Paint the house: You will agree with me that there is no other method that gives a house a new look as fast as new paint. The beauty of it is that paint is very affordable. You can paint by yourself but if you have a larger budget, hire a contractor to help you out. Conclusion These are some of the ways of remodeling your house without spending much. If you have to hire a home addition design DC, ensure that you hire the most reputable.
Read moreTypes Of Home Additions
Did you know that there are many types of home additions that you can have? Here are some of the most popular: In-law additions You build these onto any side of your home, and they usually include a living room, kitchenette, master bedroom, bathroom, and closet. You should note that with these additions, you don’t just add one room—you double the size of your current home so that you can accommodate additional people. Kitchen extension addition As you might have guessed, you make additions to your kitchen to enlarge its size. According to home remodeling experts, a good kitchen addition can add up to 200 additional square feet to your kitchen or any exterior wall of your existing home to function as a room addition. During the addition, the remodeling expert matches the existing roofing and siding with the current home. The expert builds the kitchen addition on the exterior wall where the existing kitchen resides on the crawl space foundation. Two story extensions These extensions are designed to enlarge a home with enough height but require additional length and width. You can build the extension on any side of the house. The rooms inside the two-story extension depend on the size of the expansion and the desires of your customers. Second story extensions You should make this addition when you have one level, and you would like to add a second story to the house. During the addition, the professional has to remove the entire roof from home and add the second story extension. You should then follow the extension by adding another roof and other appliances such as air, HVAC, electrical and any other that you might need. Bedroom Addition You make this addition by building a bedroom onto an exterior wall of your liking, as long as the wall has a crawl space foundation. You should match the roofing and siding to your existing house. Family room addition Here the home addition design expert matches the roofing and siding to your current home. The expert builds the family room to the existing exterior wall of your choice. Conclusion These are some of the home additions that you can make to your home. Unless you are highly experienced at making the additions, you should avoid doing it by yourself. The best way out is to hire a reputable home addition builder DC to handle the project.
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