Make Your Home Kid-Friendly With These Essential Home Addition Tips
Having kids at home can be chaotic and fun at the same time. Little children tend to be more adventurous and curious to check out things that catch their eyes. Sometimes, their curiosity can be their parents’ worst nightmare. A nightmare – in a way that they have to constantly keep their children in check and not doing something that can endanger their lives. But just because you have kids at home doesn’t mean your house has to be messy and chaotic. You can still keep your coffee table, upholstered sofa, and other home décor to make your house look more inviting. It’s a matter of making your home kid-proof without sacrificing your personal taste in home improvement. Keeping your home kid-safe Safety is of utmost importance especially for households with small children. This is essentially important if you are planning to hire a home addition builder for a home remodeling project or building a home addition for your growing family. Fortunately, you can make your home a safe haven for your little children without compromising your home’s aesthetic value. If you have children at home, you can expect your house to be messy most of the time. It can be exasperating to clean up after them. Kids will be kids after all, and remember, you were also a kid once in your life. Cleaning up the mess is easier rather than getting into accidents that should have been avoided in the first place. Kid-safe home addition and renovation ideas Some parents assign a play area for their small children to avoid messing up the other rooms. Meanwhile, there are some parents who seem to be cool with the kiddie chaos inside the house. But as mentioned, your kids’ safety should be on top of everything else. This is particularly important if you are planning for a home remodel project. Aside from that, here are some kid-proof home improvement tips you should consider to ensure safety within the house. Choosing the right floor system Hardwood floors can be prone to scratches due to heavy foot traffic and other activities. If you have one at home, you can consider adding an area rug or carpet to protect your wood floors. Make sure that the rug or carpet is non-slip and made from kid-friendly material. For a home addition, you should consider using vinyl flooring as part of your home addition design. Choosing the right furniture If you have had enough of fortress-building in your living room, you should opt for fixed-cushion sofas instead. Avoid any furniture with sharp corners and instead opt for rounded sofas and other furniture instead. These will lessen the occurrence of injuries due to bumps and rough play. Encouraging cleanliness at home The best time to train a child to be independent is as early as now. Of course, these tasks should be age-appropriate. You can add a storage cabinet that they can easily reach and where they can store their toys. As part of a home addition plan, you can build a bathroom or kitchen countertop made from quartz or any durable material. Make sure that […]
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What to Consider in Building an Elderly-Friendly Home Addition
No matter how much we are dedicated to our beauty regimen, our skin will eventually wrinkle. Our brains will fail us at times. Our hair will turn gray, and we will not be as agile as we were in our younger days. Whether we like it or not, we will all reach the inevitable road of aging. At this point, seniors will have special needs in all aspects of their lives. This may include making necessary changes in their domestic life. For example, a home addition design that is suitable for the elderly may be necessary to ensure convenience and safety in their daily lives. If you have an elderly person living with you, you may want to consider a home remodel. As mentioned, the elderly will have special needs supposedly to make their daily life easier and safer. Aside from convenience and safety, building a home addition for the elderly should encourage self-reliance and mobility despite their physical limitations. Getting started First of all, you should hire a home additions builder with experience in building a senior-friendly home addition or renovations. For one thing, home additions or renovations should focus on making the house as safe and comfortable for your elderly folks as possible. However, home additions or renovations should still encourage them to be independent despite their limitations. Meanwhile, the elderly should also be aware of these changes and adjustments. Some may not accept these changes at first as they might think it will limit them in doing things unlike before. However, they should understand that such adjustments will be for their own benefit. These changes are necessary as these are also more practical and safe according to their capabilities. As for planning for a senior-friendly home renovation or addition, the best time to do that is as early as now. It is a good idea to plan ahead and to make the house more elderly-friendly while you are still able. Start from the entryways The entryway is the first thing your guests will see, and the last thing you will walk through before you enter the house. Entryways should also be safe for the elderly no matter the time of the day and the weather outside. Here are some tips for a senior-friendly walkway/entryway. Consider a no-step walkway, which can benefit especially for those who use a wheelchair or cane to walk. A ramp will also help seniors to easily get in and out of the house. A no-threshold entryway is also important to avoid tripping and causing unnecessary injuries. You can also add a non-slip flooring or mat. Make sure to repave pathways with visible cracks and potholes for added safety. Railings are also important especially if your house has stairs. Take note of the rail diameter for easier grip and support. Add stair lighting if necessary. Making your home safer for the elderly The next thing to be considered is making the house interiors safe including the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, and the living room. You can hire home remodeling architects to make your home elderly-friendly. We use the bathroom every day, so it is just […]
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Should You Hire an Architect for a Home Addition?
Perhaps you have been dreaming about a renovation to your existing home for quite some time now. This is not only about changing the tiles or adding a tub in your bathroom. It is more about planning for a home remodeling addition project. Planning for one can be an exciting time for your household, much more if it is already taking place and slowly transforming your home into your dream home. Whether you want to add an additional room, expand your kitchen, or build a second floor in your existing home, careful planning is needed. All of these are considered major home renovations that will most likely need the help of professional home remodeling architects. Speaking of architects, a lot of homeowners usually have second thoughts about whether to hire one. For one thing, hiring architects builders can be expensive and a lot of people think hiring one is only for the wealthy. In reality, planning and building a home addition may need professional help. Having said that, hiring a professional architects builder can be well worth the cost. What does an architect really do? Being an architect involves more than drawing house interiors and landscapes. Rather, it requires professional skills in meeting the expectations of their respective clients. Here are some things you can expect that an architect can do for you. Comes up with visual layouts. Among major skills architects should possess are drawing skills. A professional architect should be able to provide a visual representation of what you would like to happen for your home addition project. Provides advice on visual elements An architect can add a creative touch to your expected home addition project. Perhaps a secret room or a walk-in closet can be possible depending on the give floor area size. He or she can also give advice for the right finishes and fixtures that will suit the home addition needs. Hires a contractor An experienced architect most likely has contacts with various contractors who have proven to be reliable in the construction industry. Your architect may be able to recommend the best ones to work with you on the home addition project. Manages the entire building project The architect is mainly responsible for managing the entire home addition design project. He or she will also ensure that the time frame is on the right track. The architect is also responsible for managing the contractors and other people involved in the said project. Why you should hire an architect for your home addition project Given the above list, you already have an idea of what an architect does in a building project. In case you are not convinced yet, here are the reasons why it is a good idea to hire an architect for your upcoming home addition project. Architects are able to see the bigger picture. Architects underwent years of training to acquire the skills needed to plan for a house’s layout and the required fixtures and finishing. He or she is able to see what should be included to maximize the floor area space of a structure. They are responsible for handling needed […]
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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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When Is the Best Time for a Home Addition?
There is something about having your own house that makes you feel proud and accomplished. It is as if you are doing what the younger millennials call “adulting” the right way. Buying a house is not cheap either – you either have to get a housing loan or pay for it in full cash. Owning a house is one thing, planning for a home remodel is another thing. A home addition design may be necessary depending on your home living needs. You would also have to contact a professional home addition builder to achieve your home improvement objectives. Likewise, it requires careful planning and you need to invest time and money in a home addition project. When to start a home addition project As the popular adage goes, “there is always the best time for everything”. The same applies in a home addition. It can be exciting to plan for a home addition project. But the question is, do you really need one right now? There are some important factors you can consider whether it is the right time to have a home addition. Here are some things you need to think about first before giving a professional home additions builder a call. Season In many countries, summer is the best season to do outdoor remodeling. For one thing, it is better to do any home improvement if the sun is up with no threats of project delays due to rain or any bad weather. Material costs On the downside, prices of raw materials may shoot up in peak seasons especially during summer. Having said that, it may be a good idea to plan your home addition project ahead of time. In other words, you may consider purchasing building materials in advance before summer arrives. Contractor’s availability You should also include your contractor’s availability in your home addition plans. Like building materials, the contractor’s availability may also be compromised if they are busy juggling other building projects. That said, it is important to determine which times of the year are their busiest seasons. Planning for a home addition You may get inspired by home addition ideas you see on the internet or glossy magazines. But there are times that it may not be applicable to your own home for some reason. However, you can consider these questions if you are planning for a home addition. What kind of home addition do you need? There are different kinds of home addition that will suit every homeowner’s needs. It is like creating an entirely new home for your growing family. How much will it cost? For one thing, a home addition can be expensive depending on how big the additional room will be. It will also depend on the materials that will be used and labor costs, among a few. Are there building and zoning restrictions to consider? In most places, you may have to find out any restrictions when it comes to building another structure in your property. This includes restriction in a structure’s height and materials to be used, among a few. Do you even need a home addition? As […]
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Money-Saving Tips to Afford a Home Addition
Building a home addition may be a necessary thing especially for your growing family. You can hire a professional home addition builder for your home addition needs. There are also various affordable home additions options you can choose from depending on your budget. Whether you opt to build an additional room or convert your attic, home additions require extensive planning and budget to come into fruition. A home addition can add functionality, beauty, and value to your current home. While it can be exciting to plan for your home addition, it literally comes with a price. It depends on what you want to include in the home addition. Nevertheless, you should have a set budget if you are planning for a home addition. Getting started Having a home addition is a good choice for those who want to have an additional living space without moving to another house. As mentioned, it requires creating a timeline, choosing the home remodeling addition option, and hiring a professional home additions builder. A home addition may take a few weeks to several months to complete depending on the size of the construction area. Your daily life may also get affected by the home improvement project, so make sure to plan some adjustments while construction is ongoing. The good news is that there are affordable home additions options available. You can choose one that will suit your budget and your home addition requirements. Also, you must ask yourself these crucial questions before taking on a home addition project: How much budget should I allot on the home addition project? How big should the home addition room be? Can the current property space accommodate a home addition? What should I include in the home addition room (e.g. furniture, décor, cabinets, etc.)? Should you hire a contractor for a home addition project? As mentioned, a home addition project needs some extensive planning. To accomplish that, you would need to hire a professional contractor. Make sure that the contractor has years of experience in the home improvement industry. You should also check out reviews about the contractor so you can decide whether to hire him or not. Hiring a contractor for a home addition project can be expensive. You might also think you won’t need one if you want to DIY the home improvement project. However, it can be a wise decision to hire one anyway. For one thing, you can rely on the contractor’s professional skills so that the project will be completed. Where can you find a reliable and professional contractor? Here are some options you can consider: Find contractors online (make sure to check client feedback) Department of Consumer Protection Better Business Bureau Referrals from friends and family The Department of Consumer Protection and Better Business Bureau (BBB) most likely have a list of contractors per state or city. These resources also have records of each contractor and any complaints it has encountered and whether these are already resolved. Nevertheless, these sources of information can help a lot in choosing the right home additions builder for you. How to save money on a home additions […]
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What You Need to Know Before Renovating Your Attic
There may come a time that you will need additional living space for your growing family. Your child may already be growing up and want to have their own bedroom. Or perhaps you want to have a small office area where you can work at peace. You might consider a home addition design to accommodate an extra living space in your home. Some may opt to call home addition companies to build a separate building that will serve as a small bedroom, playroom, or office area. But you may not realize that the space you are looking for may be literally right above you all this time – the attic. Your attic may have been a dusty storage area ever since, but it can be the additional space you are looking for. Getting started Instead of hiring home additions builder companies and spending additional money to build a new living space outside your house, you can consider remodeling your attic instead. Not only it can save space within your property, but you can also customize your attic according to your needs. Taking on an attic renovation project can be fun. You can even involve your whole family for this home improvement project. Better yet, you can hire home remodeling architects and make the most out of your attic space. Before you know it, you already have a fresh-looking attic area that you, your family, and even your guests will love. What to consider before renovating your attic Before proceeding to your attic renovation project, there are many things you have to consider first. Whether you will use the attic as an office, playroom, or bedroom area, there may be some certain restrictions you need to know. Among these include the following. Check the local building code. Before doing any renovation in your property, it is important that it complies with your local building code. Also, check whether you will need a permit to renovate your attic. Usually, permits may be necessary if you will add ventilation or wiring in your attic area, or if the entire attic area will be changed. Among common building code qualifications in most states may include: There should be at least 7 feet height between the floor and the attic ceiling. If your attic has less than 7 feet in height, you can hire a home addition builder to adjust the ceiling height. The attic room should have at least 70 square feet of available space. The attic should also be at least 7 feet wide and can be accessed via permanent stairs. If the attic is accessible via a ladder or pull-down stairs, you may have to build a full staircase. It should also have a window that can be opened for exit in case of emergencies. Check for ventilation and heating requirements. Your attic may not have ample ventilation and heating, for now, so you should add one during the renovation project. Architects builders can help you and check whether the attic can accommodate a cooling and heating system. This is also to ensure that the attic will be conducive enough to be […]
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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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Bathtub or Shower: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between a shower and a bathtub can be hard especially if you are planning to have a bathroom renovation. Both options also have different styles and designs you can choose from. Regardless of your final choice, you should hire professional home remodeling addition services to do the bathroom installation job. A bathroom makeover is an exciting yet challenging task for a homeowner. Exciting, because you can finally give your current bathroom a fresher and updated look. Challenging, because of the cost implications and some steps you need to take while the renovation is ongoing. You can find affordable home additions companies for your home improvement needs. The question still remains: Should you choose a bathtub or a shower? It will be a matter of personal preference and needs. You may opt for home addition design services so you can have a better idea of which option can suit your bathroom needs. Bathtub: Pros and Cons On one hand, having a bathtub in your bathroom seems like a luxury. However, bathtubs are also a staple among many households around the world. Among its noted benefits include the following: It is a great way to relax after a busy day. Dipping your tired body in a tub filled with hot water can make you feel relaxed and calm after a day’s work. You can add essential oils to soothe your mind and body while inside the tub. It can be a fun way to bathe small children. Bathtubs can be ideal for families with small kids. They will surely love having a mini “pool” inside the bathroom where they can splash, play, and enjoy their bath time. It is available in different designs. There are freestanding bathtubs and also ones that are attached to the wall and floors. The former has different designs you can choose from and can be placed anywhere within the bathroom area. On the other hand, there are some instances wherein bathtubs may not be a good addition for a home remodel. It may not be suitable for the elderly and those with injuries. Unless there will be someone to assist them, then having a bathtub can still be a good idea. Otherwise, it can lead to further injuries such as accidental slipping. It needs a lot of space and water. If you have a small bathroom, then having a bathtub may be out of your option. It also needs a lot of water to fill it in, which may not be practical if you bathe in the bathtub every day. Shower: Pros and Cons And then there’s the shower. Depending on the design, it can make your bathroom look luxurious as well. It also has its pros and cons. First, are the benefits. It is water-efficient. You can instantly use the shower unlike when you use a bathtub where you need to wait to be filled so you can get in. There is no basically water wastage when you use the shower. Once you’re done bathing, simply turn the shower knob off. It is ideal for people on-the-go. People tend to get busy all the time, […]
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Renovate or Remodel: What’s The Difference?
A home remodel needs some tedious planning. For one, you need to consider your budget for the project. In addition, you need to plan for other things that will be affected by the renovation. This includes: Relocating your furniture and appliances Waste disposal and safety plan Checking the water lines and electrical lines that can possibly be affected Temporary shelter for your family in case the entire house will be renovated Before implementing the remodeling project, you should consult a reliable home addition builder first. Home addition companies should offer affordable home additions and other services for their clients. The company should also have good feedback from previous customers. That way, you can ensure that the remodeling project will be in good hands. Home renovation vs. home remodeling Home renovation and home remodeling are often interchanged. After all, they sound as if they are pertaining to the same thing. For one thing, they both refer to making improvements in an existing home, apartment, or any property. However, they slightly vary on some factors. On one hand, renovation refers to the repair of a damaged property into a better state. However, it depends on the extent of the repair needed. If it only needs a minor repair, it’s considered a renovation. But if it needs a major overhaul which can totally change its original look, it’s already considered remodeling. Speaking of remodeling, it refers to changing or transforming the form of a certain thing. When you are planning to remodel – say, your kitchen – it means the look will totally change and will look different once the project is done. Distinguishing the difference between the two is crucial. You need to communicate with the builder about what you want to do to your property. When you say you want to renovate your home, it means making repairs but not necessarily changing it into a different and unrecognizable one. For your home remodeling requirements, you should find the best home remodeling architects near your area. Preparing your home for remodeling One of the things you need to consider when planning remodeling or renovation is the timing. Experts suggest implementing the home makeover during the summer season. Here are some things you need to do in preparation for the home renovation or remodel project: Ensure clear and constant communication with the contractor or home additions builder especially before and during the project. Create a detailed timeline. It should include the estimated date and time of the renovation project. Instruct children and other family members to keep away from the construction area. Relocate your furniture, appliances, and other home décor elsewhere away from the construction area. Plan on keeping dust and debris from flying throughout your home. Things to consider before remodeling your home The thought of renovating or remodeling your home can make you feel giddy. It can be an exciting milestone as a homeowner. However, make sure to follow these reminders before deciding to overhaul your home. Ask yourself what you really want. It’s easy to say that you want to renovate your bathroom. But what part of the bathroom? Do […]
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