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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Is Remodeling A Waste Of Money?
Is remodeling a waste of money? Well, while there are many projects you can do and you fail to recoup your investment, there are some that are worth it. So to answer your question, no, house remodeling isn’t a waste of money as there are plenty of remodeling projects that you can do and greatly increase the value of your house, selling it at a much higher price. Which are these remodeling projects? Here they are as given by home remodeling architects: Adding an outdoor structure Outdoor structures such as pools, fire pits, decks and others are great additions to your home as they bring extra enjoyment and add usable space in the house. While this is the case, you should be cautious of the outdoor structure you add as you can spend too much money and fail to get it back. For example, be cautious when installing a swimming pool, as chances are you won’t get your money back. There is also the risk of your house staying in the market for a long time as some homeowners view it as unsuitable for their young family. To sell your house fast and get your money back you need to invest in the right units. Some of the best ones being: Fences: A new fence adds more privacy to your house and keeps your kids safe. It can also have a significant impact on your curb appeal and improve the value of your home. Deck: Installing a new deck isn’t cheap but it pays off if you have installed the right one. A deck adds more usable space, making your home more attractive to a prospective buyer. Depending on the size of the deck, the scope of the project and the materials you use, you can increase the value of your house by up to 80%. Undertaking a Kitchen and bathroom remodel When done right, a kitchen and bathroom remodel can significantly add the value of a house. When undertaking the project, pay close attention to the functionality and accessibility of each. Also, factor in the aging population and those with disability. While a bathroom or kitchen remodel can increase the value of a house, it can sometimes fail to if you use the wrong materials. For example, when you use high-end cabinet and countertop materials. To be on the safe side, stay clear of the high-end materials as you won’t recoup your investment. Replacing an old roof An old roof with buckling, curled or missing shingles isn’t a sight to be proud of, is it? No buyer will be attracted to a house with a buckling roof, is there? To make your house attractive and valuable, you should install a new roof. For the best outcome, get a quality roof that isn’t too expensive and have it professionally installed. Also, ensure that the new roof has a good warranty. To make your house even more attractive, install solar panels that heat the water or provide an alternative power source. Replacing the windows The same way a house with an old roof is a turn off is the same way […]
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What Do I Need To Know Before Remodeling?
A home remodeling project isn’t cheap, so you need to be cautious and ensure that you have all the details before the project commences. What do I need to know before remodeling? If you are asking this question, you should know that there are plenty of things you should know, with the common ones being: Work with an experienced contractor. This is a no-brainer as there is no way you will properly remodel your house if you are doing the work yourself or working with home remodeling architects who don’t know what they are doing. The contractor is the most crucial person in your project as they are the ones to guide you on what to do and the materials to get for the project. Remember, this is the first time you are remodeling the house, and you don’t know what to do, so the last thing you want is someone that doesn’t know what they are also doing. To be on the safe side, take your time when finding a contractor. In short, don’t be in a hurry to work with the first contractor you come across. As a rule of thumb, take time to sit with the contractor and understand them. As you are doing the interview, don’t only pay attention to the licensing, bonding, and insurance. Also, consider how the contractor conducts themselves. If you have a large project, you will spend a lot of time with the contractor, and you don’t want to be stuck with a contractor with an awful personality, do you? So ensure that the contractor is qualified to work on your project and has a beautiful personality that you will be comfortable spending long hours with them. Know what you want As much as you need a knowledgeable contractor by your side, you should remember that you are the dream carrier while the contractor is the executor. So before you even start scouting for a contractor, you need to know what you want. Walk around home improvement stores and design showrooms to see what is available. It also doesn’t hurt flipping through magazines and browsing online to see home renovation ideas available. It’s good to have your taste and preference, but it’s also good that you see what is trending and what other homeowners are doing with their houses. This will give you a sense of what is available, which gives you plenty of options to play around with. Have a budget Any home improvement project costs money, and in most cases, it isn’t small money, so you need to have a budget of the amount of money you are looking to spend on the project. Of course, your budget will be informed by the size of your project, the quality of materials you want to use, your location, among many other things. To come up with a more accurate budget, have a sitting with experienced architect builders Washington DC and draw it up. As you are putting together the budget, don’t just consider the top line renovation needs. Also, factor in the unexpected costs such as a few tiles breaking and […]
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