House Remodelng DIY Tips
Being a DIY enthusiast saves you money and you get to improve your skill level. While this is the case, you have to be cautious and avoid making costly mistakes. To help you out, here are valuable DIY tips you should consider: Think through everything Since they are experts and have handled the project a couple of times, home remodeling architects think through every project before they start it. In fact, they always first make drawings of the projects so that they can see how it will look once complete. Unfortunately, DIY enthusiasts often don’t think through their projects. A classic example is when you add a peninsula in your kitchen. While the kitchen will look better and you have additional space, it narrows the kitchen space to the extent that you can’t remove the fridge. To do it you have to lift the fridge entirely up and over the extension. To avoid making such a mistake, always take your time and always think ahead of the project. It’s always recommended you measure once, measure twice, and one final time before you start your project. Always think through every possible scenario before you change the layout of every room. It will even be better if you can hire a professional and have them help you with the measuring and determining the final look of your space. Don’t go with the cheapest option Since you are looking to save money, it’s easy to get caught wanting to only use cheap materials or install cheap appliances. As much as this will save you some money, it often ends up being too expensive and you should avoid doing it. For example, if your kitchen is in a dilapidated state and you would want to replace the parts, go with the highest quality ones. They might be expensive but they will be worth it. While this is the case, it doesn’t mean you should spend all your money on appliances and materials. The right way to go about it is to take your time and research. Visit a couple of stores and see what is available. Of course, you should buy from a reputable store selling high quality materials at a small price. Use the right tools The tools you use significantly influence the results you get and how well you complete your project. So, as a rule of thumb, use high quality tools that you will have an easier time using and will give you the results you are after. Seek specialty advice from experts Even if you are a DIY expert, you will have areas where you will need the services of experts. For example, if you need to make electrical connections, you will need the services of electricians. To get the most from your project you should only work with experienced contractors that know what they are doing. The same way you shouldn’t blindly buy the remodeling materials you shouldn’t hire any contractor you come across. The right way to go about it is to take your time and hire an experienced contractor. Many people go online and hire the first […]
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How To Renovate A House With No Money
Are you thinking about renovating a house but you don’t have money? Of course, it’s impossible to do any renovations with zero cash, but according to architects builders, there are a number of low-cost projects you can undertake that can improve the look of the house. Which are these projects? Here they are: Repaint the cabinets If you don’t like the current look of your kitchen, one of the ways you can improve its look is by updating the cabinets. And the cool thing is that you don’t need to install new cabinets—repainting them is enough. To get the most from the repainting work, ensure that you properly prepare the surfaces. You also should use high-quality paint that will look good and stay in place for a long time. You can do the painting yourself, but for the best outcome, let a professional help you. Give your house a thorough cleaning. Did you know that sometimes all you need to do is to clean your house? You might have the impression that your house is dirty and worn out, but this might not be the case—it might simply be dirty, and all you need to do is to clean it. As you can guess, cleaning the house can’t be expensive, can it? You can clean the house yourself, but let a professional cleaning company do it for the best outcome. Paint the house Painting the bathroom and kitchen countertops works when only these areas are off-putting, but what if the entire house is worn out? You should consider painting the house if you don’t have money to do thorough remodeling. Like when painting your cabinets, ensure that you properly prepare the surfaces. You also should use high-quality paint that accentuates the look of the house. Painting the house is a large and labor-intensive undertaking, so hire a professional to do the work. Use recycled materials New remodeling materials are expensive, so you might be unable to afford them when operating on a tight budget. Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality recycled products you can use. The cool thing with recycled materials is that besides being affordable, they are durable, so when you install them, you won’t have to worry about replacing them after a few days. The materials are also readily available as all you need to do to step into your nearest recycling plant and place your order. While the recycled materials are cheap, you should ensure that they are properly installed so that they give your house a new look you are after. Work on the front door The front door speaks volumes, and you give your house a new look when you work on it. A cheap way to go about it is to paint it. Of course, use paint that you are comfortable with and significantly improves the house’s look. As a rule of thumb, stay away from cheap paints. While you can paint the door by yourself, it’s wise to stay away from it, especially if you have never done it before, as you most likely will worsen the situation and don’t want this, do […]
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4 Things to Think About When Remodeling the House
When you are remodeling your house, you need to think about plenty of things. Which are these things? Here they are as given by home remodeling architects: Your style We all have different styles, and for you to feel comfortable in your house, you should renovate it in a style you love. If you aren’t sure how to go about it, there are plenty of styles to choose from, such as modern, transitional, coastal minimalism, contemporary, and rustic farmhouse. Not sure about the right style to go with, it’s always wise to get some inspiration. This calls for you to visit home improvement stores and design showrooms and see what is available. It also doesn’t hurt flipping home improvement magazines or browsing the internet. When you visit these places, you get to know what is trending and get a sense of what you can incorporate into your home and what you can’t. As you are perusing the magazines, pay attention to the latest fashions and imagine how they will look in your home and whether you will be comfortable with them in your house for five or even ten years. It’s always wise to incorporate technology into your home. You should decide on the type of smart technology you want in your home and one that would benefit you and your family. Of course, you should incorporate the technology that will be of value to your home. When you define the style you want for your current home, you stay focused and choose materials, labor, and everything else geared towards the style you want to achieve. Your budget The other vital thing you need to think about is your budget. How much money are you looking to spend on your remodeling project? You need to think about this before everything, as your budget will determine the size of your project, and the materials you will buy, among many other things. As you set your budget, remember that things can quickly balloon out of place, so always set aside some extra amount. Set aside at least 20% of your budget to be on the safe side. Reason for renovating Why are you renovating the house? Are you looking to sell the house, or do you want the house to look good? Your reason for doing the renovations will influence the type of renovations and materials you will use. For example, if you are renovating to sell the house later, you should stay away from high-end additions such as swimming pools. You also should avoid premium materials such as granite as you won’t recoup your investment. If you want your house to look good, you can use any material you wish to and add any addition. After all, it’s yours, and you want to get the most from it. Timing This is when you are doing your project. As a rule of thumb, you should do your project when you are less likely to have weather delays. To save money, have your project at a time when the local architects builders Washington DC and other professionals aren’t too busy. This way, you […]
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5 House Remodeling Traps to Avoid
Are you looking to remodel your house? Home remodeling architects report that many homeowners make plenty of mistakes that turn their projects into money pits. Do you want to be one of these homeowners? To dodge the magazine of bullets, here are some of the common home renovating traps you should avoid: Failing to do enough research When you are excited about giving your house a new look, it’s easy to go straight to the renovation stages, but you should try as much as possible to fight this. The right thing to do is to take your time and thoroughly inspect the house. During the inspection, you will identify hidden dangers, structural botches, and other house defects that might be a surprise when you start the renovation work. If you are buying a new house, be ultra-cautious and work with a certified professional who will help you identify even the most minute issues that might be there. As a rule of thumb, stay away from a house requiring expensive structural work, as you will spend more money than you should. When buying a house for renovation, take your time and find a house that simply needs a decorative makeover and a little updating of the kitchen and bathrooms. Not a complete overhaul. Underestimating the cost of renovations Most homeowners underestimate the cost of renovating their homes, which results in their projects stalling and leads to unnecessary stress. The right thing to do is always to take time to understand your project and all the costs involved fully. Consult an experienced builder who will visit your home and help you approximate a ballpark price for the project. You should note that the budget isn’t set in stone, so always have an extra amount set aside for emergencies. Experts recommend you set aside at least 20% of your budget. Replacing instead of repairing When your property is old, it’s easy to want to replace everything. As much as this will give the property a new, exciting look, it will be expensive. To save money, consider repairing instead of replacing. For example, overhaul the doors and windows instead of installing new doors. Using extremely cheap materials As much as you want to save as much money as possible, you shouldn’t be too cheap. Cheap is always nasty expensive in the long run, so it’s wise to avoid materials that are too cheap. While you should avoid cheap materials, it doesn’t mean you should buy only expensive items, as expensive doesn’t always translate to quality. There are plenty of moderately priced, but quality items in the market, and these are the ones you should go for. To avoid buying the wrong materials, don’t buy online. Remember that it’s hard to tell the quality of the product (even if it has plenty of raving reviews) from online pictures—you need to see the materials in person. You should be cautious of where you buy your materials from. As a rule of thumb, avoid buying from high-end stores as they are often too expensive. Overcapitalizing your renovation Overcapitalizing your renovation involves adding high-end finishes to your low-value […]
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What Should You Consider When Renovating A House?
Many people rush to hiring home remodeling architects when they are thinking about remodeling their houses, which isn’t a wise thing to do. Before you remodel your house, you need to consider plenty of factors so that you put up a great remodel. Which are these factors to consider? Here they are: The age of the property Most people remodel older homes and while this might be a good move as you will be making your house look better not to mention increasing its value, you should be ultra cautious as you can easily blow your budget out of place when you try remodeling a house that is too old. The reason for this is that older houses tend to have plenty of tricks up their sleeves that can be frustrating and expensive to fix. For example, you might try remodeling a wall only to realize that it’s damaged by termites meaning that you have to bring down the entire wall and build it afresh. As you can tell, this might be too expensive and against your plans. To avoid such surprises, before you begin your project, first consult a professional and find out whether it’s wise to proceed with the project. Of course, you should avoid remodeling your house if your house is too old. Pay attention to the original features Would you like to preserve the house’s original features? You need to think about this before you begin the remodeling. If you are looking to sell the house later down the line, it’s wise you consider keeping the original features as they add value to the property. When handling a large-scale renovation project, it’s easy to fall into the trap of stripping the house back to its bare bones so that you can give it an entirely new look. As mentioned, if planning of selling the house later, it’s unwise to do this, but if you want to keep the house, you can go ahead and turn the house into a shell then give it your preferred look. Structural problems It’s common for older houses to have structural problems and if yours is no exemption, don’t begin the remodeling work without first fixing the structural issues. A common structural problem is the house having visible cracks on the outside. Before you proceed with the renovation, assess the damage or even have an engineer or any other expert inspect the house. When you fix the problems early on, you have peace of mind when working, as you know that the house is safe. The order of work You will hear most people doing remodeling for the first time asking, what order should I renovate? To avoid making mistakes and forgetting certain things, you need to have a plan for your remodeling work. If this is the first time you are remodeling the house, it’s wise you consult a professional who will help you come up with a plan. In most cases, renovation projects will follow this order of work: Stripping out and removal Structural work: These include walls, floors, and ceilings Fixing work: These are heating, wiring and plumbing […]
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3 Home Additions That Aren’t Worth It
Many homeowners remodel their homes so that they can improve their value. While it’s a great move, did you know not all remodels are worth it? To help you out, here are some home remodeling projects that aren’t worth it as given by home remodeling architects: Major kitchen remodeling If you go through major home remodeling publications, you will find them saying that you should pay close attention to the kitchen, as it’s a major house seller. While this is true, you should be cautious of how you go about the remodeling as you might fail to recoup your investment, rendering your project useless. According to Zillow Talk, a kitchen remodel will bring you back half a dollar for every dollar you spend, which is one of the lowest returns in the market. To avoid spending too much money while you get little back, be cautious about the materials you use in your project. As a rule of thumb, avoid high-end materials and rather stick to the most popular ones. The cabinets and faucets are the first to be outdated so replace these. When you install cabinets, you may have to also replace the countertops. When it comes to the countertop material, go with quartz as it has been shown to give the highest ROI as it doesn’t wear out fast. For the backsplashes, go with porcelain tile and ceramic instead of stone, glass, or quartz. If you are planning on working on the floor, choose hardwood as it’s more popular and will last for a long time. Is your faucet old and needs replacement? Instead of going for a customized one, choose a unique one that gives the house a unique vibe. The cool thing about doing this is that your house stands out and you don’t break a bank. Installing a swimming pool When you install a swimming pool, you give your house an elegant appeal and everyone will be fighting to buy the house, right? Well, no, that’s not the case. As much as pools are associated with luxury, many homeowners (especially those will small children) stay away from them, as they are a danger to the children. The pools also require high maintenance so most homeowners view them as an additional maintenance expense. Pools aren’t cheap to install and they often don’t fetch the amount you invest back. This is not to say that you shouldn’t install a pool in your home. If you are simply installing it to relax, you can go ahead and install it, but if you are doing it so that you can sell the house at a higher price, don’t do it as you won’t. Elaborate finishes If your house is old, you might have the impression that it’s too basic and you won’t get a good amount of money from selling it. While there are plenty of things you can do to make your house more attractive to a potential buyer such as repainting and cleaning it, some homeowners opt to refinish their houses. They will install new wardrobes, floor, ceiling, lights, and so on. While this is a great […]
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Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
As much as remodeling a house improves its functionality and space, many homeowners have been making plenty of costly home renovation mistakes. Which are these mistakes? Here they are as given by home remodeling architects: Setting unrealistic budgets We are sure that you have come across an unfinished remodel. Often this happens when the homeowners are under budget for the project, resulting in the project stalling once the money is exhausted. To avoid this, you should work with an experienced professional to help you come up with a more accurate budget. Regardless of how experienced the professional is, remember that it’s common for the cost of materials to go up. There is also the risk of the project not getting finished on time. To ensure that your project never stalls, set aside an extra 20% of your budget for any surprises that might come up later down the line. Sacrificing function for form As much as you want a beautiful remodel, you shouldn’t sacrifice function for form. This means that the new remodel should be functional, then beautiful to look at. To ensure this is the case, work with an experienced contractor to help you come up with the perfect design for your house. Being too trendy There is no one that doesn’t want a modern house, and there is nothing wrong with this. Some homeowners make a major mistake of significantly updating their new remodels that they look out of place. For example, they will install all the latest and trending materials. While the house will look trendy and new, you should note that trends are often short-lived, and it’s a matter of time before the house begins looking out of place. To be on the safe side, balance the look of the house design. The house should have a properly thought out design that looks good and has the potential to last for a long time. To have an easy time coming up with the right design, work with an experienced designer. Saving on materials As much as you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on your remodel, it doesn’t mean you should buy cheap, low-quality materials that you will need to replace after a couple of years. The best way to go about it is to buy high-quality building materials that will last for years. While they might be expensive, you won’t have to replace them soon. Some good quality materials even last for decades. If you don’t have money for top-quality materials, it’s wise that you postpone your project and only start it when you have enough funds for quality materials. Having unrealistic expectations When many people think about remodeling their houses, they imagine that they will look perfect and flawless. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case as remodeling is often messy, noisy, and inconvenient as you may have to change your living conditions. To avoid surprises, do some research and know what to expect. You can also check with your builder and understand the process involved and what will be expected from your end. Working with any contractor Unless you have a simple […]
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Home addition dos and don’ts
Is your family expanding, and the house is starting to feel cramped? You need additional space. When you add the right space, you increase the living space and increase your home value. If this is the first home addition project you are handling, here are a few dos and don’ts that you should observe as given by home addition companies: Do add additional bathrooms Bathrooms often give the best return on investment, so you will never go wrong with them. And the beauty is that you can add any bathroom and increase the house’s value. Whether it’s a master bathroom, guest bathroom, or even an additional bathroom for your bedrooms, you can add it. While bathrooms are great, you should be cautious of the materials you use as you might fail to recoup your investment when selling time comes. Avoid installing costly materials such as granite or marble countertops to be on the safe side. If planning to sell the house later down the line, stick with traditional materials. You only need to ensure they are correctly installed. Do Increase the size of your kitchen. The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, so when your family is ballooning, this will be the first room to shrink. You can increase the size of your kitchen from the interior by knocking down a wall or do so from the exterior by building an additional wall. Regardless of how you go about it, ensure that you create a functional space that increases the functionality of your kitchen. When adding a bathroom, don’t use premium materials, especially when planning to sell the house, as chances are high you won’t get your money back. Do have a plan The worst mistake you can make is to start your project without a plan. Before you begin building, have a clear idea of how you want your addition to look once complete. This calls for you to consult an architect, designer, or other professional to help design the project. By doing this, you not only have a clear idea about the results of your project but also help you understand other options available, establish a clear plan on how you will achieve it, and even account for some of the issues that might arise during the execution and how you will avoid them. Don’t overbuild it As much as additional space will increase the value of your home, you should avoid building a big addition where you don’t have outdoor space. You need to balance things out to have enough room for your activities and a large enough outdoor space to relax and entertain. Don’t over-customize the addition. We all have different tastes, and we want to design our houses in a way that pleases our ideals. Some argue that they customize their houses as they aren’t planning to sell them later, but things constantly change. Regardless of whether you are planning to sell your house or not, you should avoid going overboard with customizations. Remember that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. This calls for you to avoid […]
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What Are Some Good Tips To Consider When Remodeling A House?
Are you thinking about remodeling your house? There are plenty of tips to consider to get it right. What are some tips to consider when remodeling a house? Here they are as given by home remodeling architects: Know your why Why are you remodeling the house in the first place? This is important as it determines how you will go about the remodeling and the materials you will use. Most homeowners remodel their houses for two primary reasons: to improve the home’s look and to sell it. If you are remodeling for selling, you should pay attention to the parts of the house that add the most value. These are often the bathroom and kitchen area. You also should focus on turning the basement, attic, and other unusable areas into usable spaces. As a rule of thumb, when you are remodeling the house to sell, avoid high-end materials such as granite and marble as chances are you won’t recoup your investments. To be on the safe side, go with beautiful but cheaper materials. On the other hand, if you are remodeling the house to improve its looks to be comfortable and proud of your living situation, there is no limit to what you can do with it. As long as you are happy with the remodel, go with it. Have a budget The last thing you should do is start your remodeling project without a budget and say that you want to see the amount of money that the project will consume. This is wrong. Before you even begin your project, you should know the amount of money you should expect to spend on the various renovation costs such as labor, building materials, decorative finishes, building permits, and so on. If this is the first time you are doing it, get help from an experienced professional and come up with a budget. To avoid surprises later, have a 10% reserve of your budget for unexpected expenses that might arise later. Do your research Once you know about the materials you want and the amount of money to spend on each, begin your research. Right off the bat, get in touch with several experienced renovation contractors in your area and request estimates. This way, you get to compare the prices charged by the contractors. Of course, you should settle with the contractor providing the best service at the least cost. The other thing you should do is visit your local material stores and see what is available. Compare the prices from the different stores and settle on the one that makes the most sense to you. Work with experienced contractors. Your remodeling project will look as good as the contractors you hire, so ensure that you hire good contractors. As a rule of thumb, ensure that the contractors have at least three years of house remodeling experience. They also should be members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and be in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. There are plenty of ways to find the ideal contractor to work with. One way is doing a Google search […]
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4 Common Home Improvements That Do Nothing For Your Home’s Value
When looking to sell a house, most people try to renovate them to increase the house’s value as much as possible. While many renovation tricks deliver the results, home remodeling architects observe that some don’t add value. To help you out, here are home improvements that don’t add value: Extensive professional landscaping As much as a professionally done landscape will be pleasing to look at, it won’t bring back the huge bucks you are expecting. If you have to remodel your landscape, do it because you love the look, not because you are expecting to recoup your investment, as you won’t. So, don’t break your bank installing ponds, pools, or other landscaping features. Unless you love a landscaping feature, stick to the basics. Clear the debris from your yard and trim the lawn. Keep the passageways clear, then invite potential buyers in. Upgrading your appliances If your house is old, chances are the appliances are also old, and when you are looking to sell the house, it might seem logical to upgrade the appliances to make the house more appealing. While this is great, you should be cautious about how you go about it, as you might spend too much money making the upgrades such that you fail to recoup your investment. You can go ahead and replace the old, damaged, or malfunctioning appliances such as old refrigerators, but if the units are still in top working condition, there is no point in replacing them. If you have an issue with the appliances not matching your home, consider ordering new door and face panels instead of replacing the units, as this is much cheaper. Undertaking high-end bathroom remodels Bathroom remodels bring back 87-93% of the investment, so they are a wise way of adding value to your house, but you should be cautious about how you go about it. As a rule of thumb, never install high-end units such as high-end countertops or appliances as you won’t get back your money. Excellent ways to upgrade your bathroom include: adding new paint to brighten the room and re-grouting the bathtub. A new mirror and a few light fixtures will also go a long way towards improving the bathroom look. To reiterate, it’s okay to remodel your bathroom, but don’t go overboard as you won’t recoup the investment. Adding a new room It’s not a doubt that larger houses sell at higher prices than small ones. For example, a four-bedroom house will sell higher than a three-bedroom house. While this is the case, it makes sense to add another room to your home, so you sell it at a higher price, right? Wrong! While adding a new room will make your house more attractive, in most cases you spend more money in the addition than you get back. To be on the safe side, avoid adding another room, and instead, renovate what you have. For example, convert the attic or basement to a bedroom instead of putting up another bedroom. You won’t spend much on the conversion, and you will make the house more attractive to potential buyers, hence your home will […]
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