How to Survive a Home Renovation
Whether it’s taking a bathroom out of action or sleeping in the living room, home remodeling can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be disastrous. Surviving a remodeling is possible using the tips given below: Have a solid plan The only way to survive a kitchen makeover or condo remodel is to plan. You should prioritize structural projects (such as replacing your roof, creating new walls, or improving fundamental or electrical systems) before tackling cosmetic jobs like painting. Assume you are staying in your home during the renovation. In that situation, you should communicate with your contractor about the building timetable so that you can design a strategy to eliminate clutter and avoid occupying their construction area. Ask your contractor for recommendations and collaborate to make the process smooth for everyone. Clearly define the scope of the proposed job. Online resources will help you create a clear vision of the appearance you want. You can explore images and add your favorites to ideabooks to share with family members and professionals. Also, consider visiting showrooms and suppliers to see product and finish samples, and take a tour of properties for sale in your region to get ideas about what you can realistically expect. Have a daily routine. Creating and sticking to a daily routine will help you keep organized during your remodel. It also allows you to prepare ahead and predict which days will be the most chaotic. For example, surviving a kitchen or bathroom remodel may require spending the weekend away with the kids if there is rewiring or appliance downtime. The more prepared you are, the less stressful things will be. Of course, disturbance to your and your family’s lives will be part of the process, but there are easy steps you can take to minimize inconveniences, such as sticking to a timetable and requesting one from your contractor. Be ready for dust in the house. To survive a kitchen, bathroom remodel, or any other renovation, you must be mentally prepared for chronic dust. Even after professionals have cleaned the scene, construction dust will most likely be still present. A wise way to do it is to pack up stuff you won’t need and invest in proper storage while renovating. It’s also a good idea to use heavy-duty plastic drop cloths to block the doorways between your temporary living and renovation area and to tape up vents to prevent dust from entering your home’s air system. If there is a potential that the item being worked on contains lead paint, you must follow the EPA Renovation, Repair, and Paint Guidelines. You can also use magnetic vent covers to keep dust out of non-renovated areas of your home. Another method to consider is using plastic drop cloths to seal the entrance between the remodeling area and your living space. You should also ensure your contractor and all personnel understand which areas of your home are off-limits. You need a private location where you don’t have to worry about staff snooping, tampering with your belongings, or invading your space. Make it clear where they may and cannot go. Have a […]
Read more8 Renovations That Increase Condo Value the Most
Whether you’re preparing to sell your condo or simply searching for ways to increase the value of your property, you want to make upgrades that have the most significant impact on your property, right? If you are concerned about the best upgrades to go for, here they are, as given by condo remodel experts: New appliances Most people do not want to have to buy new appliances when they move into their new condo, so finding a home with modern equipment is important to the buyer. If your appliances are old and worn out, replacing them will boost their value and future sale potential. If they’re of a reasonable age but aren’t all matching or need to be spruced up on the outside, talk to the manufacturer about getting new matching panels. When installing new appliances to sell your house fast, you should be cautious of buying extremely high-end brands, as you can easily fail to recoup your investment. The right way to go about it is to buy a cheaper brand that still looks good and will last for a long time. Increasing the storage space Space is often limited in big-city condos, so your ability to creatively and effectively add more storage will be critical. And the good thing is that there are plenty of ways to go about it. Consider installing floating shelves to add value to your apartment while saving valuable floor space. You should also consider installing kitchen racks to hang pots, pans, and utensils. If you have the capacity and funds, you can expand an existing closet or build a new one. Install hardwood floors Replacing your floors is a significant undertaking, but it is well worth it. Studies show that condominium owners who repair their floors often receive an 80-100% return on their investment. Good looking floors are a significant selling element, giving the entire space a rich, improved, and updated vibe. If you want a minor renovation that will benefit you whether you remain or leave, putting classic hardwood throughout your condo is a no-brainer. If you are already planning to replace appliances, as we indicated above, now is the time to replace outdated flooring with hardwood. Install smart home features. Smart homes and the ability to operate appliances or a thermostat from anywhere in the world are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. Making your condo a smart home will enhance its resale value and make it more appealing to potential purchasers. You should consider installing automatic lighting, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide alarms, all powered by smart technology. This will make your home more appealing and give an additional layer of protection and monitoring. You also get to enjoy energy savings on your electricity bill. Sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it? Renovate the bathroom Nothing can turn off a potential buyer or reduce the value of your apartment faster than an out-of-date bathroom that requires considerable TLC. Creating a gorgeous master bathroom and improving the guest bathroom is a great way to boost the value of your home and your enjoyment of your condo if you intend to stay. If […]
Read moreTips to Having a Great Time Remodeling a House
You’re probably extremely excited if a home remodel is on the horizon. Everyone loves a new home design, but first, you must be cautious about how you go about it. Some house renovations can take weeks or months to complete, depending on how extensive they are, and in rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom, this schedule may appear unrealistic. Thankfully, with a little preparation and foresight on your part, you’ll come up with ways to ensure that you have a great time in your remodeling. According to home addition companies, all you need is mental fortitude and put these tips into place to ensure you have a good experience. Place your orders as early as possible. Every remodel will run into unexpected bottlenecks that might cause the project to be delayed. One option for minimizing delays is to order your parts ahead of time. Make sure you’re prepared for the project by having all your parts selected and ordered before starting your project. Either having a lead time as to when they’ll arrive or already having them on site makes a world of difference, as you don’t need to worry about the supplies delaying too much. If you’re rebuilding a kitchen or bathroom and want to upgrade your vanity, hardware, cabinets, and worktops, choosing the fixtures ahead of time will spare you a few hassles during demolition. This way, you won’t be left with a mess in your home or everyday areas that aren’t used for longer than necessary. Cannot decide between different finishes or fixtures? Consult experts who will help with project selection. You only need to ensure that the professionals you hire are experienced and know what they are doing. Consider reconfiguring your space. The flow of a home may not always match your lifestyle; for example, you may require your kitchen to overlook a garden to watch children or pets playing outside, while you may need to relocate the bedroom to the back of a property to reduce outside noise. If you intend to change the property’s layout, now is the time. It is significantly easier to relocate living rooms or bedrooms than kitchens and toilets, which may require extensive plumbing work. If you remove a wall to create an open-plan space, consult a structural engineer to ensure it is not load-bearing. You also should think about your electrical system; you may need to work to bring it up to code, or you could use the chance to install additional sockets or light switches. Aim to keep the air as fresh as possible. During demolition, expect a lot of dust in the air due to sanding and other operations. To avoid ruining your property too much, take precautionary measures to keep dust particles from entering your ducts and returning to the air. If you’re working in a bedroom with a return duct, tape it off—though it’s not ideal for permanent use—when the demo is happening or sheetrock is being sanded, anything that creates a lot of dust should be blocked off. Although your contractor will take precautions to keep the remainder of your home dust-free, this […]
Read moreWhen Not to Renovate
As much as home renovations come with their perks, such as increasing the functionality of the house and increasing its value, there are some situations when you don’t have to, as in most cases, you end up doing the wrong things. To help you out, here are situations when not to renovate: You want to make your house more appealing to sellers Even if you don’t go overboard with your options, you should avoid upgrading your home to make it more enticing to buyers. If you have a creaky staircase or other evident flaws, make sure to fix them before you place the house on the market, because the home inspector will undoubtedly see them. Hiring condo remodel experts or other professionals to renovate the house may not be a good idea if you’re only doing it to sell the house and make some last-minute cosmetic changes. If you renovate your kitchen or bathrooms, no matter the colors and finishes you use, there will be a buyer who will not like it and won’t want to pay for the work you just completed. For example, if you design a white kitchen, some buyers will prefer blond wood. You create a step-in shower in the master bathroom and the buyer likes to bathe. You should note that we aren’t saying you should never renovate, but if you do so soon before putting your property for sale, you are unlikely to recoup your investment, especially since most homeowners will not pay more for certain features. If you are fully renovating the house for sale, don’t do it. Some of the things you can do instead include painting a room, fixing issues in a floor, replacing a cracked window, or cleaning up wear and tear on window sills. These are cosmetic fixes that show that you care for your home, and they aren’t expensive. Your home has structural problems Structural problems, such as eroding foundation walls, underpinning, and cracked rocks, can quickly become prohibitively expensive. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to estimate the full cost until the work begins and you can see what you’re dealing with. And, while it is necessary to address structural concerns that are crucial to your home’s safety, renovations that may be more difficult due to structural issues may be reasons to forego those modifications. If you are having structural issues with your property, before you embark on the renovation journey, have a talk with your contractor and find out whether it’s a wise move. The last thing you want to do is to start a project and find out that it’s too expensive for your budget. Have a discussion about it beforehand with your contractor and only proceed with it after you find out that it’s a good move. You feel the project is a simple DIY Home renovations can be problematic if you get ahead of yourself. There is so much more to home renovation than what TV shows you, it’s no wonder people get in over their heads and think they can do everything by themselves. One common mistake homeowners make is to attempt renovations themselves and […]
Read moreLiving in a House You Are Remodeling? Valuable Tips to Consider
Are you thinking about having a home remodel project? Many people often leave their homes until the home addition contractors are done with the project. But what if you want to continue staying in the house? Which tips should you follow to increase your comfort levels and, at the same time, ensure that the contractors complete the project fast and within the given time frame? Here are these tips: Order your fixtures ahead of time Most remodel projects run into unexpected issues that will cause the project to be delayed. You don’t want this to happen to your project, do you? One way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to order your parts ahead of time. Make sure you’re prepared for the project by having all your parts selected and ordered prior to the start of your project. Either having a lead time as to when they’ll arrive or already having them on site makes a world of difference. If you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom and want to upgrade your vanity, hardware, cabinets, and worktops, choosing the fixtures ahead of time will spare you a few hassles during the demolition process. This way, you won’t be left with a mess in your home or everyday areas that aren’t in use for any longer than necessary. Cannot decide between different finishes or fixtures? Get in touch with an experienced interior designer who will help you make the right selection. Think about where you will be preparing the meals. The most inconvenient aspect of home remodeling is the extended downtime in the kitchen. Aside from the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most often-used rooms in the house. It’s the heartbeat of every home, but during a renovation, those comfortable home-cooked meals are unlikely to be available. However, this does not imply you cannot enjoy home-cooked meals. With a kitchen redesign underway, you can still cook at home; you just need to make a few changes. One trick you can use is to set up a mock kitchen in another room. Prepare a coffee machine, an electric griddle, and a plastic table to set up elsewhere in your home. You will also need to transfer your refrigerator using an extension cord. Of course, eating out is always an option, but you don’t have to, especially if your budget doesn’t allow. To save some money, fire up the grill. Cooking will become more interesting throughout a kitchen redesign. Plan food for barbecues, romantic nights, or family gatherings, or invite yourself to a friend’s place for dinner. Remember to stockpile the paper plates, glasses, and utensils until your kitchen returns to normal. Consider a staycation. It’s no secret that remodeling entails destruction, which means there will be a lot of noise and a disorganized mess. Those who work from home or seek relaxation after a long day at work should approach the project with the assumption that there will be no peace and quiet until the project is completed. Also, you won’t have a clean and tidy residence for the duration of the project. Be prepared for a mess during the project. […]
Read moreHome Remodeling Tips
Is this the first time you are remodeling your house? Here are valuable tips from condo remodel experts that will ensure that you have an easy time: Divide the project into small chunks Strategic planning is the key to effective renovation. When refurbishing the house, consider the large picture and the minute details. You may have heard the saying “whole is greater than the sum of its parts”; you can use the same concept in your home remodeling project by creating a renovation plan for each region of your home. If you employ an architect for renovations, he will evaluate your needs and renovate accordingly. Because you’re in charge, you’ll brainstorm your requirements, establish your end objective for each room in the house, and decide the overall goal, before moving on to the other parts of the project. If you are having a problem coming up with a plan, get the help of a professional. Have a clear budget. Because you want to renovate your home on a budget, you must determine your spending needs/limitations first. It is critical to remember in budgeting that you cannot overestimate your budget; instead, maintain your budget and then proceed to look for items you require. The right way to estimate the amount of money you should look to spend on your project is to get quotes from several contractors. From this, you can tell what you need and don’t. You should note that even if you have a budget, you should have at least 25% of the budget for emergencies that might come about. Research You will be shocked at the many possibilities when you begin your research. The gorgeous lamp you loved in a high-end store can also be acquired at a reduced price elsewhere. So, when renovating your home on a budget, keep in mind that if you do your homework to discover the furniture, paint, and decorations you want, you will most likely be able to find the majority of the goods at a low cost. Make use of online shopping, thrift stores, and secondhand furniture shops to see how far you can get. It also doesn’t hurt to enquire from others who have previously handled similar projects. Pay attention to your doors. Your front door is the first thing people see about your home. If you cannot replace the door and your present door is in decent shape, consider repainting it. Your doors may also impact the lighting in your space, and you can benefit from this wonderful trick utilized by interior designers. When dealing with a dark room, whatever color is used on the walls, paint the ceiling, trim the doors, and make them the same color but 50% lighter. Remember that too much of one color can overwhelm a space. So, when renovating on a budget, if you’re repainting your door, try using different shades based on the concentration of light in your home to maximize the lighting in the way you want. Take advantage of the paint. Painting influences lighting, and if you are renovating your home, you may consider using new paint. If you’re already […]
Read moreThings to Consider When Having a Home Addition Project
If your family has grown and you can’t live without the additional space, you shouldn’t just hire home addition companies and start a project. Instead, you should take your time and consider a number of things before you start the project. Some of the things you should do include: Check what you can do and what you can’t When expanding your home, you have two options: up and out. Before you start construction, you need to know how near you can legally reach the property line and where underground utility lines run. Thankfully, you can obtain this information from your local zoning department. Also, request a copy of your survey. If you live in a gated community, get to know the additions you can make and those that you can’t. Remember that the last thing you want to do is to start a project and later find out that you can’t do it in your area. Having this information makes the next steps much easier. Have solid reasons for the project Let’s face it. The reason why you feel you need more room is because something isn’t working properly in your home. You’ve tried all the inventive small living room ideas and mastered closet organization, but something is still lacking. Now, it’s time to figure out exactly what that is. Many homeowners believe it is a lack of room, but it could be a lack of storage. Before investing thousands of dollars in a house addition, determine if it will fix the problem. What could the problems be? Sometimes, you have poor organizational skills. In other cases, you have stayed in the house for too long that you need to make changes. Before you start your project, take time to understand why you need the project. Can you live with the current room you have? If you can, go ahead and make the relevant changes. You should note that if you are confused but you feel that you can make changes to the room you have, you can always consult a professional. Know your must-haves in the project. Everyone has a wishlist. At the same time, there are some things you simply cannot live without. If your mother is coming to live with you, she may require a private bath or basement apartment. To have an easy time coming up with the design for the project, establish a list of your “must-haves” and “would-be-nice-to-haves.” For example, you desire hard floors as a must-have. While natural hardwood is preferable, laminate flooring can suffice. To ensure that you are on the same page with your partner, always consult them when coming up with the things you must have in your project. Put together your team. Homeowners frequently inquire if they should start with an architect or a contractor. They believe hiring an architect is sensible because you must begin with a design. However, some builders have designers and architects on staff. The correct response is that you want a team. Whether they are different firms that work together or professionals that work for the same company, you require both. Remember that the […]
Read more5 Best Practices When Remodeling Your Home
Are you thinking about undertaking a remodeling project? Here are valuable tips given by condo remodel experts that will ensure that you have fun and, at the same time, do a good job and produce a project that you love: Install enough lighting You don’t want to feel like you’re constantly in the limelight in your house, this means that your house should not be too bright. At the same time, this doesn’t mean that less is more when it comes to lighting. You should have just enough lighting. You should thoroughly check the electrical designs before beginning your job. Sconces, overhead lighting, chandeliers, and even the location of lamp outlets can help set a cheerful tone before your restoration begins. And, if you’re concerned that your lights will be too bright, use dimmers. You should consider layering different types of lights to give your home the perfect look. As a rule of thumb, you should have: Ambient lighting: Ambient lighting provides diffused brightness to the entire room, making your home feel cozier. You achieve this using ceiling lights or chandeliers. Task lighting: Task lighting directs light to a specified region to assist you in doing an activity, such as cooking or dining. In the kitchen, you can achieve task lighting with an island chandelier or pendant lights hung over a table or island. You can occasionally use wall lights like sconces to add task lighting over a specific work area, like a sink. Decorative lighting: Allow your flair to shine by incorporating ornamental lighting into your renovation. This lighting style produces visual focal points and spotlights in any part of your house that you want to highlight, such as wall art, architectural features, plants, and more. For perfect house lighting, you should incorporate all of these lights. Of course, you should work with experts who will give you the perfect outcome. Think about storage Storage is another aspect of house improvements that you should pay attention to. Storage is vital as it adds functionality to a home. When it comes to storage, you should think about the problems and solutions in your existing setup before your project begins. Work with your cabinet maker to create personalized solutions that meet your wants and lifestyle if your budget allows. This will help you maximize every square inch of available space. Items such as a sheet pan cabinet in the kitchen, pull-out dog-bowl drawers in the mudroom, and parking locations for all of your appliances throughout the house will help you establish an ordered area. Consider your long-term needs. When remodeling a room to make it more functional for your requirements, you need to evaluate whether the alterations must be permanent. If you’d prefer a home office to the guest room your third room serves, swap the bed with a desk. Rather than building a permanent built-in desk and bookshelves for the transition, preserve the framework of your room so that you—or someone else—can simply replace it later when family needs change. Whether you use the space for a craft room, a home gym, or an office, a room designed specifically for […]
Read moreHow Do You Remodel a Store to Boost Sales?
Regardless of what you are selling, there is stiff competition in the retail industry. As such, you have to be creative enough and stay ahead of your competitors. So, what can you do to attract more customers and increase your sales? Remodeling is the word. The way your store appears has a lot to do with whether you will have returning customers and whether they will buy from you. Here, then, are some remodeling ideas to elevate your selling game. Have comfortable seating areas. Most business owners underestimate the need for cozy and comfortable waiting areas. Having comfortable seats for your clients sends the message that they are valued and welcome in your space. As you can imagine, they will be encouraged to spend time at your store, thus increasing sales for you. Work with retail store contractors and come up with ways to strategically include the seating areas. Have a strategic store layout. Have you ever walked into a store and felt like a headache was approaching because of how poorly it was arranged? That’s how your customers feel when they walk into your store, and everything is all mixed up. They wouldn’t know which aisle or shelf to find something because you have a poor layout. To counter that, you can set up a well-thought-out store layout that is systematically organized. Think of an open floor plan as it is not only inviting but encourages customers to explore. Ensure that you strategically place popular items along the way as well. This way, customers will be compelled to buy even if it was not in their plan. Have eye-catching visual merchandising Aesthetic appeal is everything in sales. You may want to upgrade your store’s aesthetic appeal with eye-catching displays. If you are selling clothes, for instance, invest in quality mannequins and window displays to attract people outside your store and encourage them to come in. While at it, remember to keep updating your displays, as this keeps things fresh and entices even customers who have bought from you before to keep coming for more. Enhance your lighting Did you know that lighting can set the mood and ambiance for your store? You, therefore, need to ask yourself what mood you want your customers to perceive as soon as they walk into your store. A safe choice would be to go for a combination of accent, ambient, and task lighting to bring attention to key products and areas. Lighting not only creates an inviting atmosphere but also makes your products appear more attractive. Integrate technology Customers in this day and age appreciate an interactive shopping experience. In response to that, you want to embrace technology as it is the tool you need to actualize the same. Consider having things like touchscreens that customers can use to access product information, or virtual try-on mirrors. Your customers will not only enjoy the interaction, this also makes your store pleasantly different from others. Personalized shopping experience One of the biggest mistakes that store owners make is not making their customers feel special. To stand out from your competitors and make more sales, consider […]
Read moreTips to Consider When Renovating Your Home
Is this the first time you are doing a home renovation? Here are tips that you should follow to have an easy time. Start with the kitchen. Homeowners renovating their homes for the first time frequently inquire about the best order in which to renovate their homes. The best way to go about it is to start with the kitchen because a well-done kitchen adds value to your home. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s 2022 remodeling impact report, Realtors believe that homeowners can recoup 75% of the cost of a complete kitchen makeover if they sell their home, Furthermore, if you have an outdated kitchen, renovating the worn-out room will allow you to appreciate the place more. Renovations also tend to make the space more comfortable. Besides improving the kitchen’s aesthetics, you should also consider its size. If it’s too small, talk to your home addition contractors and devise ways of increasing the size. You should start with the kitchen makeover because it generates the most dust and debris, and you don’t want to land on fresh paint or finish projects. Isolating any demolition mess with plastic over entrances or pass-throughs is always a good idea. Because a major kitchen renovation can take several months to complete, consider setting up a temporary substitute kitchen to use in the meantime. You can set it up in your home’s dining room, family room, or adjacent area. This way, you continue with your cooking and, at the same time go on with the remodeling. Interview several contractors You should interview and compare bids from multiple contractors. This is because you find the most qualified and work with them. Assume you want your water heater removed from upstairs and replaced with a new one in the garage. The first plumber you call may quote you thousands of dollars to reroute hot water lines through your living room tray ceiling. It’s also possible that the second plumber will find it too much labor for his timetable, and they won’t turn up. Plumber three may intend to complete the task in a single day and charge a lower fee with no water line rerouting required. When you interview several contractors before deciding, you get to interact with them and make the right decision. The best way is to ask for referrals from friends and relatives. You should then contact these contractors and, after interviewing them, decide on the ones that are a right fit for your project. Have a realistic time flame. Your renovation will take longer than planned, so plan and make allowances to avoid irritation. You might have the impression that replacing a tub will be simple, but this isn’t always the case. While removing the old tub may take a few hours, finding a new tub and vanity you adore may take many weeks. It could be another two weeks before they arrive. As a result, expecting to use your new hall bath within a week can evolve into a six-week delay. You should be realistic about the renovation process and schedule, and choose your new fixtures before removing the old […]
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