Tricks to Reduce the Cost of Your Home Remodeling Project
Whether you have a large or small budget, the expense of a home remodeling can easily spiral out of control. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to reduce the costs. These things include: Create and stick to a budget. Budget does not imply cheap, but when you spend money, it’s good to know the amount of money you have to set aside for the purchase. You should start with a budget in mind before making design decisions. By doing this, you can tell the prices of the different fixtures and supplies and get a sense of what will and won’t fit your budget. Home addition companies recommend that you have a spreadsheet and just enter everything you need for the project. As you can tell, this will require you to first research and find the prices of the different materials. You need to find the cost of the flooring, countertops, lighting, faucets, paint, cabinets, outlets and switch plate covers, tile, grout, appliances, and other things. The best way to research is to make phone calls to obtain quotations for goods and labor. When preparing the budget, include tax. From your budget, you can tell the areas that require a lot of money and those that don’t need much. You will also know the areas where you can make adjustments by selecting less expensive materials or opting to eliminate items. As much as you should stick to a budget, you should note that there are always unexpected occurrences. To avoid going beyond your budget, account for unforeseen expenses. A good way to do it is to set aside 10% of your budget. Pay in cash It may seem obvious, but paying for your project in cash will save you a large amount of money in interest than you would otherwise pay if you took out a loan or put things on a credit card that you couldn’t quickly pay off. If you’re remodeling to sell your house, it may make financial sense to take out a loan if you know you’ll get a return on your investment, and you will pay off the loan promptly. However, in general, paying with cash is the best option. If you currently don’t have enough money, start thinking about methods to cut your household budget to save money for your project. Don’t be in a hurry. Waiting for funds to renovate isn’t always a terrible thing, because time is your friend when planning for a renovation. It can be tempting to renovate your home all at once if you have the money, but it can be stressful to make a lot of excellent and cohesive design selections when you’re factoring in so many factors. If you rush through things, you will regret some of your decisions. The best way out is to start with one or two rooms and work through them before going on to other sections. Most people find it difficult to complete an assignment before moving on to the next. Prioritize the most time-consuming project and do it first; else, it could take years. You won’t have to live in a […]
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Home Renovation Tips
With the help of competent home addition companies and contractors, you can remodel your home to one that fits your lifestyle and helps you reach your full potential. Home remodeling beautifies the living spaces and increases comfort and functionality. Whether it’s a much-needed kitchen or bathroom remodel, additional storage space for working from home, or expanding a property to accommodate growing family needs, all of these modifications come with the benefit of creating a better living environment. To get the most from your remodeling project, you need to pay attention to several tips that include: Understand the benefits you stand to gain. Home renovating can be difficult, but it can also give homeowners numerous rewards. It can not only increase the value of your property, but it can also improve its functionality and general visual appeal. A home makeover can update outmoded features, improve energy efficiency, and create a more comfortable environment. It also allows you to customize your home to your preferences and lifestyle needs. Whether it is a simple renovation or a comprehensive overhaul, the benefits of home remodeling are numerous and may significantly improve your and your family’s quality of life. It’s no doubt that plenty of benefits come with remodeling your home. To get the full benefits, you should always stick to the projects that will help you achieve the objective that you are after. For example, if you are after improving the value of your property, you should focus on the kitchen and make the necessary improvements. The kitchen is frequently a selling factor for prospective buyers. Consider replacing worn-out appliances, cabinets, countertops, and lighting. When well done, a modern and practical kitchen can dramatically raise the value of your property so that you sell your house at a much higher price. Bathroom renovations can also increase the value of a home. Consider installing new fixtures, replacing tiling, and increasing storage space when renovating. If you are looking to make your house more comfortable, research the real estate market in your neighborhood to determine which features and upgrades are in high demand. This will allow you to personalize your renovations to what you want. While it’s good to follow the trends, take care that you don’t pay too much emphasis on the trends as they come and go. Research the trends and choose the features you feel won’t go out of style too soon. Choose the right project for your home. With so many remodeling projects, deciding which to tackle first might be overwhelming. The secret to a successful home renovation is selecting a project that fits your lifestyle and budget. Are you looking to make extra room for your growing family or to modernize your outdated kitchen? Perhaps you want to improve the curb appeal of your property with a new front entryway or landscaping. Regardless of the project you want to undertake, you must ensure you do it right. Thankfully, there are many pros you can hire to assist you with your assignment. Whatever your goal is, spending time researching and planning your project will guarantee that you select the best one for […]
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Tricks to Reducing Wastage When Renovating
While remodeling a house can be extremely fulfilling as it makes the house livable and improves its appeal giving you an easy time selling it, there is always the issue of wastage. There is no shortage of waste materials at a renovation site, from shattered drywall and excess boxes to decrepit appliances and leftover materials. The unfortunate thing is that you spend money on these items, so every time you let them lie to waste, you waste them. Can you do a condo remodel or any other renovation project without wasting a lot? Well, the good news is that it’s possible. To help you out, here are tips you should follow: Sell the excess As much as you might try to be as economical as possible, it isn’t easy to accurately anticipate what you will require for a project ahead of time. Thankfully, you can ensure that any extra is not wasted by finding another purpose for it in the community. You can resell or give away unwanted items on Facebook using the Marketplace option, or by posting in specific groups such as Buy Nothing or Take My Shit. The NextDoor app also has a section for free and for sale items where you can post the items left behind after a renovation. You can also try local community groups that might be interested in purchasing your stuff. Consider the organizations near you and what they might require, then call out to inquire before delivering the goods. For example, a club that assists low-income neighbors with house repairs may require extra bathroom tiles, whereas a children’s support group may want excess paint and decals for classroom decorating or crafts. Buy what you want Nobody wants to get home, start a project, and then find they must return to the store for more paint, tiles, or whatever. However, overbuying a product, such as paint, is far more prevalent than underbuying, and only some are used. Though it may be tempting to shop in bulk to take advantage of lower prices and save on future excursions to the store, only buy what you need. A great way to ensure you don’t buy more than you need is to take your time and analyze the items you need. A great way to do it is to get quotes from different companies and buy only what is necessary. Work with an expert Homeowners might need help understanding their alternatives for decreasing remodeling waste on larger projects. A lot of times with construction, I think people feel a little bit like it’s outside of their control in specific ways because there aren’t many obvious resources for where to find that information. But feel free to ask your contractors if they agree with you on decreasing waste and how they intend to do so. Working with a skilled professional with a plan is crucial to achieving zero waste or coming close. Regarding construction materials, work with experienced pros to help you do all kinds of cool things with leftover materials, such as repurposing countertop remnants in a powder room or a home bar. Use secondhand products or […]
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Home Renovation Projects That Turn Buyers Off
If you are looking to sell your house, there are several tricks you can use to boost your home’s value, such as planting trees, adding a bedroom, and so on. However, some projects might diminish their worth. There is a narrow line to tread when renovating, and if any of these three large projects are on your wish list, you should reconsider. These projects, as given by home addition contractors, are: Personalizing bathrooms too much Having an extra bathroom in your home will increase the house’s value and attract more buyers, but you risk putting prospective buyers off when you overdo it. Your bathroom is the most private area of your house, so it is tempting to gut and redesign it to suit your preferences and requirements. But, pause and carefully consider this idea before continuing further since it is rare that most purchasers would share these precise likes and demands. A good rule of thumb is to avoid painting your bathroom with unique colors such as blue, orange, pink, etc. A good way to do it is to use plain colors that attract many people. You also should avoid installing plenty of bathroom accessories with a particular design as they might be a turnoff. If you aren’t sure about your limitations, get the input of a professional. Many opinions exist, but research indicates that many buyers will want to view at least one bathroom with a bathtub before putting in an offer on your house. So it’s always wise to have a bathtub in your bathroom. Although the use of big shower stalls has been on the rise and is enticing to many purchasers, if you want to appeal to the broadest audience possible, you should leave at least one tub in your bathrooms. This is because many people love a soothing soak, and those with children and pets know that bathing them in a tub is simpler and safer. Demolishing walls Open-concept houses have their fair share of positives but aren’t attractive to everyone. If your home has several walls and you are considering demolishing any of them, proceed cautiously. Removing a wall between your kitchen and dining area may be a no-brainer for you and any future purchasers since a bigger eat-in kitchen is quite practical. But, if your renovation plans entail demolishing walls to lower the number of bedrooms, this will likely be less attractive. It is essential to have enough bedrooms to accommodate everyone in the family (and their hobbies, such as working from home in a quiet area). Upgrading your kitchen with high-end equipment and fittings Kitchens are another crucial element of a house, and if you’re an active home chef, you may yearn to replace your 1980s equipment with a high-end convection oven and granite countertops. While this is understandable, you should proceed cautiously as you might put prospective buyers off. Even if a prospective buyer enjoys cooking, a high-end kitchen might be scary ( if you’ve priced your property higher to compensate for your invested money). The right way to do it is to paint your cabinets, match your (non-fancy) appliances, and […]
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5 Home Renovations that Don’t Need Building Permission
If you want to make changes to your home, you might not have to ask your local government for permission. But that’s only true if your project fits what are called “permitted development rights.” With permitted development rights, you can make changes to your home or add to it without getting permission. Which home addition projects can you undertake without requiring approval? Here they are as given by home addition companies: Loft conversion Most loft conversions don’t need planning permission, but you must follow building regulations. Most of the time, you don’t need the approval to convert, but depending on your loft conversion, you might be required to get approval. To meet the approval exemption requirements, the extra space’s total area can be at most 40 cubic meters for terraced houses and 50 cubic meters for detached or semi-detached houses. This allowance includes not only the extra space you add with this loft but also any additions, like an extension, that were made in the past. But you don’t have to do this if you live in a flat, a maisonette, a listed building, or a conservation area. Conservatory Most of the time, you don’t need planning permission or to follow building regulations to build a conservatory. But you probably won’t be able to build without permission if: Your house is in a conservation area, national park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The conservatory doesn’t sit on the ground. Your house is a row house or has been added to it. More than 15%, or 70 cubic meters, will be added to the size of your home (whichever is greater). Garden room In the past few years, garden rooms have become more popular. This is often because they have been proven excellent places to relax, host guests, or do hobbies. Most garden rooms don’t require planning permission. Since they are considered outbuildings, you can build one if you follow some rules. Like loft conversions, if your home is a “listed building,” you won’t have the right to change it. If your home is in a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a conservation area, or a World Heritage Site, or if it’s a flat or a maisonette. Porch A porch adds space to your home but can do much more. When done properly, it makes your home more secure by putting a barrier between your front door and the outside world. It can also be an excellent way to keep the cold out of your home. Most porches are built with “permitted development rights” as long as: From the outside, the ground floor doesn’t have more than three square meters of space. Nothing would be higher than three meters from the ground (you should measure the height the same way you do for a house extension). No part of the porch would be closer than two meters to the house or the road. Doors and windows replacement If your new windows and doors look the same as the ones you already have, you won’t need to get permission from the city to replace them. But if it’s […]
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3 Things To Avoid When Renovating
Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen, bathroom, or entire house? Here are mistakes to avoid making: Being in a hurry Most people will have the urge to renovate their homes when they have a big event coming. This can be a birthday party, family gathering, and so on. As you can tell, they are usually on a time crunch to get things done before the big day. While this is good as they have a time when they should have the project done, it often leads to them being in a hurry, increasing their chances of making plenty of mistakes that end up being too expensive. For example, if the event means some people will sleep over, you might have to have an extra bedroom. This means that you have to hire home addition companies to do this. As you can tell, this isn’t a small project, as you have to knock some walls down or even put others up. You don’t do an excellent job in a hurry on such a project. To have a great experience, you shouldn’t be in a hurry when renovating a house. When you are remodeling due to a coming event, don’t start a week before the event, as chances are that you will be in a hurry and you will mess up. Instead, start a few months before the event. Experts recommend that you start at least three months before the event. This way, you have enough time to find the right contractors and fix issues that might arise, among many other things. Hire the cheapest contractor Many people renovating their houses want to do it at the lowest cost possible. So, they will go with the cheapest options available. This ranges from the contractor they hire to the materials they use. While having a budget is good, you shouldn’t be too cheap as it often backfires. For example, in most cases, the cheap contractor you hire is most likely inexperienced, and they will most likely botch your project. When it comes to cheap building materials, they might be poor quality, and they not only look ugly but also don’t last as long. To stay safe, get quality materials that will give you a great experience. The materials will be a little expensive, but they will be worth it. The same applies to contractors. Don’t hire the cheapest. Take time to find quality ones that know what they are doing. Like the materials, they will be a little expensive, but you have peace of mind that you won’t need to go back to repeat the work they have already done. Don’t work without a plan. It’s tempting to start the renovations as soon as you get the money, but this isn’t a wise move as you tend to make mistakes that can be difficult to reverse. The right thing to do is plan how you will renovate. Before you begin the project, sit down with an experienced professional and ask them to help you develop a plan for the project. Through the planning, you will know when the project will begin, how […]
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What Should You Consider When Renovating A Condo?
Do you have an old condo and wondering what you should consider when renovating it? Well, there are plenty of things to consider, with the common ones being: The rules Every location has rules, and you must play by them to avoid being on the wrong side. Before you embark on your condo remodel project, you should check the policies of your condo board. This is because the board may or may not have policies that might affect the materials you can use when you can do the renovations, the designs you can go with, the elevator you can use, and many other details. Sometimes, the board might require you to have a permit or approval to undertake the renovations. The last thing you want to do is to start your project, then you are halted in the middle. As much as you would want to complete your project fast, you should note that complying with these policies often takes time, so you should give yourself enough time so you aren’t in a hurry to complete the project when you see the deadline fast approaching. Discuss the projected timelines with an experienced board member, contractor, or designer to understand what to expect. The reasons for doing the renovations Why are you renovating the condo in the first place? You need to think about this. This is because the reasons for doing it will determine the materials you use and the designs to go for. For example, if you are redesigning to add value to sell the condominium or increase the rental costs, you shouldn’t use extremely premium products as chances are you won’t recoup your investment. You also should be cautious of your design, as sometimes you can put people off with it. To stay on the safe side, use a neutral design that gives the new owners room for customization. On the other hand, if you are doing it for your enjoyment and to make the condo more comfortable, you can use any materials you want. For the designs, you can go all out and personalize it as much as possible. After all, you are the one who will be living in the house, isn’t it? Your limits When you are coming up with a renovation project, it’s easy to be carried away by your imagination. To ensure that you don’t spend time thinking about impossible things, you should know your limits before you even devise a plan. For example, if your condo has old angled walls or intrusive columns, you should know what you can do with them. To stay on the safe side, work with experienced professionals who will guide you through. Lighting You need your condominium to be properly lit up. Of course, you can have large windows to bring in natural light, but you still need to consider lighting for the night. Most condos have cement ceilings, so you can’t drill into them to install the lighting fixtures. To have an easy time installing the lights, install dropped ceiling panels. Where to stay If you are currently living in the condominium you are looking to […]
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4 Ways You Are Sabotaging Your Home Remodeling Project
Did you know that you could be sabotaging your home remodeling project without even knowing it? Here are some of the ways you could be doing it as given by home remodeling architects: You change your mind too frequently Home remodeling is expensive, so everyone wants to ensure it turns out perfectly. Due to this, many people keep changing their minds. While nothing is wrong with this, changing your mind too frequently can become problematic. For example, when you change your mind every day. Imagine this. In the morning, when the contractors arrive, you inform them that you would love to make a few changes to the original design. Even if the changes are minor, you should note that they often lead to added costs. There are also changes in the schedules, as the contractors have to devise new ways to handle the changes. Instead of changing your mind after the project has started, the best way to go about it is to take your time and ensure that you have a bulletproof plan. This way, you start your project knowing that your plan will be perfect for your project, and you aren’t going to make any changes to it. Of course, you should get your plan from an expert architect that knows what they are doing. You are trying to apply lipstick on a pig. Here you might have an old house, but since you love it or don’t have the funds to bring it down and build a new one from scratch, you decide to renovate it. While renovating is always cheaper than building a new one, sometimes you are better off simply building a new building as the extent of damage is too extensive for any repairs to make sense or to restore it to its original condition. Don’t try to renovate a house with too many defects to save money and have peace of mind with your project. For example, don’t spend money on fancy cabinets if your home has a sagging foundation. Also, don’t install a high-efficiency furnace in a house without any insulation. If you want to buy a house for renovation, don’t buy it without consulting the experts. You should then follow the advice of the professionals—don’t try to be a smart ass and go against their advice, as chances are you will pump your hard-earned money on a project that isn’t worth it. You launch your project without permits. When you have been planning your project for a long time, it’s’ common to get excited and kick off the project as soon as you get some money. While this might work to your advantage, in most cases, it doesn’t as you start off the project without the necessary paperwork, which, as you can guess, leads to plenty of problems with the law enforcement officers. When the law catches up with you, you not only have to pause your project so that you can get the necessary permits, but you are sometimes fined an amount that you had curved out for the project. Instead of doing this, always be patient. If you are […]
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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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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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