Tips To Consider When Renovating Your House
If you want to fix your house but are unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Many people start planning a home improvement project without knowing what to expect. When things go wrong during renovations, they only realize they should have had a plan. If you don’t plan, renovating your home can disappoint you. This is because, unlike when you build a new house, you aren’t starting from scratch. There can be costs and problems that come up out of the blue that makes the process harder. So, before you start down the winding road of home improvement, here are several things given by home addition contractors that you need to know to have a great project: Start with the kitchen. People often want to know in what order they should make home improvements. It’s best to start with the kitchen because these renovations add value to your home. If your kitchen is old and worn out, updating it will let you enjoy it more at home. You should also remodel the kitchen first because it will create the most dust and debris you don’t want to get on freshly painted walls or new finishes. Putting plastic over doorways or passageways is a good way to keep demolition mess from spreading. Remember that a big kitchen remodels usually takes several months, so you’ll need to set up a temporary kitchen in your dining room, family room, or a nearby room. Spend time in the space. Even if it seems obvious, you should wait to decide on things like paint colors, carpet, and light fixtures until you’ve spent some time in the space you’re fixing up. For example, if you want to replace an old carpet, there are many options. Dense or loose fibers? Or no pattern at all? What shade of gray should you go for? The answers depend on choosing paint colors and other parts of the renovation. Even if you choose paint colors before remodeling, you still need to see them on the walls. As you spend more time in the house, you might change your mind about the house colors. Also, newly painted walls and new carpet can show that the lights you already have don’t give off as much light as you thought, and you are forced to change them. Before you paint or replace the carpet in the room you’re remodeling, take a few minutes to think about how everything fits together. This will save you from having to go back to the drawing board and spend a lot of money on it. Don’t hire the first contractor. It pays to talk to multiple contractors and look at their bids. Many people make the mistake of hiring the first contractor that they come across, but this isn’t the right way to go about it. Instead, you should talk to three or more contractors and compare their bids. You might be tempted to hire the cheapest but don’t go this route, as chances are the contractor isn’t experienced enough and will most likely botch your project. At the same time, you shouldn’t hire an expensive one […]
Read more
Tips to Having a Great Time Renovating Your House
As much as you are improving the look of your house, house renovation can be one of the most stressful parts of owning a home. Over the years, you’ve probably heard many horror stories about home buyers caught off guard by unexpected costs, lousy work, and delays. In the worst cases, the contractor would disappear with the money, leaving the homeowners high and dry. Choosing the right contractor is a hard job by itself, but once you’ve made your choice, getting the contract right is another way to help avoid problems in the future. Whether doing a condo remodel or any other remodeling project, here are tips to ensure you have a great time handling the project. Avoid upfront payments It goes without saying that if you pay upfront, contractors or designers who aren’t honest could run away with your money. If the work turns out to be bad, getting your money back will be harder. To stay safe, pay as little as possible upfront, and ensure you have a good payment structure that works in your favor. A great way to do it is to make payments in parts, like 10% when the floors are done, 40% when the kitchen is done, and so on. You should only pay for the work once it’s done. You should avoid paying more than 20% to start work. If you have to pay more than that, ask your contractor why they need such a hefty payment upfront. It will be better if you add a schedule to these milestones so that the contractor has to meet both the schedule and the standards. Ensure all defects are fixed beforehand. Even when working with the most experienced contractors, problems might arise. You might assume that the contractor will fix all problems before handing over, but some contracts need to be clarified. Some contracts say a problem can be fixed within a certain amount of time (up to 30 days after the job is done), while others may not even mention the problem. Pay attention to the fact that some contracts put all responsibility on a subcontractor. For example, if there is a problem with the electrical work, the contract might say that you have to talk to the electrician on your own. Always ensure that defects are fully dealt with and spelled out in the contract to your satisfaction. Don’t forget that the last payment should not be due the contractor has fixed until all the problems. Have written proof. Don’t count on verbal promises or confirmations because you can’t prove them later. Whatever your contractor agrees to or changes, it must be in writing. You can do this through email, text messages, or written documents. When things are written down, they are not only binding but also less likely to be misunderstood. Ask about warranties What happens if your cabinets start to bend after only a year? Or if the tiles are already beginning to lose their color? Some materials may come with a warranty that lasts a lifetime, while others may not have any warranty at all. Whether buying materials or working […]
Read more
Tricks To Modernize Your Home
If you have had your house for a long time, it’s most likely outdated. If you love to give your home a modern, refreshed look, you can do several things with your commercial remodeling professional to give it a look you are after. Some of the things you can do include: Update the furniture When was the last time you replaced the furniture in your home? Since the house is old, it has been a long. One excellent way to give the house a modern look is to update the furniture. There are no right or wrong pieces of furniture to install, as different houses look best in different units. Regardless of your choices, you need to avoid trendy pieces as it’s a matter of time before they get out of fashion and you have the urge to replace them. When getting new pieces, pay more attention to their functionality. As a rule of thumb, you need to ensure that the new furniture serves the purpose and meets your needs. You should always get high-quality pieces that not only look good but also will last for a long time. Again, there is no telling which ones are the best—you should work with your interior designer and find the ones that look the best for your home. You can furnish the house by yourself but for the perfect look, and work with an experienced interior designer. Repaint the house Paint gives any house a new breath of life. And the good thing is that it’s not expensive. While painting is an effective way to give your house a modern look, you shouldn’t go haphazardly at it—you need to be strategic in how you go about it. One of the tricks to use is to always go for neutral colors such as white, grey, and beige. These colors are timeless and give any house the clean, crisp look you are after. To make your house visually appealing, use a few bold accent colors. Some of the best places to use these accent colors include walls, furniture, and accessories. When it comes to the finish, go with a glossy finish that has been shown to give a modern touch to most homes. For a subtle look, avoid a matte finish that gives the house a more subdued, sophisticated look. Like when furnishing your house, you can do the work yourself or hire a professional to help you out. Incorporate smart home technology Including technology in your home will significantly make your home appear more modern. And the cool thing is that there are plenty of smart home appliances that you can include in your house. Some of the options you can go with include: Smart thermostats allow you to remotely control the temperature in your home using your phone or voice commands. There are many types of thermostats you can go with, and it’s up to you to research and find the one that is most ideal for your home. Smart lighting: These allow you to control your lights remotely. The lighting systems allow you to schedule the lights on and off. Using the systems, you can […]
Read more
Tricks That Will Make A Small Room Feel Larger
Do you have a room you feel cramped in every time you step in? Any homeowner would want to bring down the walls and build a new one. While you can do this if you have the space for it, home addition companies observe that you don’t always have to go this route, as there are several tricks you can use to make the house look larger and less cramped. Which are these tricks? Here they are: Get rid of clutter Nothing makes a small room look dirty and congested as plenty of trash is lying around. To make the room look clean and more organized, you should get rid of all the trash, properly arrange everything, and place it out of sight. To maximize space, clear the floor as much as possible. It’s even better to get rid of large rugs to make the floor appear larger. For the walls, it’s okay to have a picture here and there, but you shouldn’t cover them with a lot of art. Remember that one large paint or tapestry is much better than a group of smaller paintings as they make the walls look dirty. To make the room appear to have more space, go for low-profile furniture pieces. For example, if you are having a smaller bedroom, go for a low-profile bed and bedside table. Make use of mirrors Mirrors are an age-old trick. The cool thing with mirrors is they not only reflect light but also reflect images of the space, which makes the space look larger than it is. To get the most from mirrors, choose a focal point and angle the mirrors towards it. A great way to go about it is to place the mirror near a window reflecting the world outside. You can also place mirrors on the walls and glass tabletops, making the room more open. You can install mirrors on the floor if your home design allows it. You should note that it can sometimes get out of control, especially when you improperly install the mirrors or install them so that they make the house look cluttered. Make use of lighting. Like mirrors, lights can significantly make a room look larger when properly used. If you have access to natural light, install large windows that will bring in as much natural light as possible. It also doesn’t hurt to install sheer window curtains or even pull back the curtains as much as possible, so you allow as much light in as possible. If you don’t have access to natural light, you can add some creative lighting effects using light fixtures. Paint the room white White paint has a reflective quality that opens up a room, making it feel airy and light. To make the house appear larger, paint it white. For maximum benefits, paint the walls and ceiling the same shade of white. Painting a house isn’t hard, so if you have the time, you can do it yourself, but let an experienced professional help you out for the best output. Make use of vertical elements. Vertical elements such as wood paneling help emphasize […]
Read more
Home Addition Tips and Tricks
Are you looking to add a room to your house? Here are valuable tips you should pay attention to as given by home addition companies: Go with the easy one No, we are not saying that you should go the easy route, which means you will likely botch your project. We say that you should work with what is easy to finish. For example, if you are simply interested in an additional bedroom, don’t build one from scratch, as this will take time and be expensive. The cheapest and right thing to do is finish the basement, garage, or even the attic and turn it into a bedroom. If you have all of these spaces and can’t decide on the one that is easier and cheaper to turn into a usable room, get the input of a professional. Always have a plan Even if you are turning your garage into a livable space, always have a plan of how things will work and how the room will look once complete. If you have handled a similar project before, this will be a piece of cake but if you aren’t confident in your skills, work with an expert that knows what they are doing. If you are building a new house from scratch, take time to take the measurements and ensure that the addition will fit your property lines. It’s also wise to check with the local government and confirm how closely the codes in your city allow you to build next to your neighbor’s property. When installing a new addition from scratch, ensure that the new building won’t interfere with the utility lines or pipes. Also, ensure that the structural changes you are looking to make will fit into the framing and foundation of your building. Permits are necessary if you are building a new house, so always get them before you begin your project. Always think about value. As much as you are looking for extra space, always think about the value that the space brings to the table. This calls for you to be strategic about how you go about it. For example, if you simply want an extra bedroom for your guests, don’t add the extra space. Think about how you can add the extra space and still add value to your property. An excellent way to do it is to add an extra bedroom with an in-built bathroom. This way, you make the bedroom more comfortable as it has its bathroom and significantly increase the property’s valuproperty’sxtra bedroom means more space for the prospective buyer. Work with trusted professionals. Regardless of how minor your project is, always involve the services of professionals. And not just professionals—experts that know what they are doing. Many people looking for contractors for their projects go online and hire the first technician they find. This is wrong as it often leads to homeowners hiring the wrong contractor. The best way to do this is to contact at least five promising technicians and then schedule an interview with them. It’s only after you have determined that the technicians are qualified and will […]
Read more
4 Tricks to Modernizing Your Home
If you have an old house, you might think you have to bring it down and build a modern one, but this isn’t the case. According to home remodeling architects, you don’t have to build a new modern house as you can always make a few touches to your old house and give it a modern look. Which are some of these things that you can do? Here they are: Make your home more open and airy It goes without saying that most modern houses adopt the open floor plan that makes the house appear spacious and airier. How can you make your old house more spacious without knocking down the walls? You can get rid of the bigger, bulkier pieces of furniture in your house and replace them with smaller units. It’s common for some people to be attached to some pieces. For example, you might be attached to your wall cabinet. If this is your current situation, consider painting the piece of furniture a color that matches the house’s color. You can also paint it a warm off-white color that helps it disappear into the room. If you have no bulky piece you can get rid of, use mirrors to create the illusion of space. Strategically place mirrors on opposite windows to reflect light into the room, making it appear more open. Of course, you want to use high-quality mirrors with quality frames. Add new lighting to your home. Sometimes giving your home a modern look is as simple as adding new lighting. If your current house is small and dark, you can give it a new look by simply installing new lights. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to go about it. One of these ways is installing table lamps and floor lamps. You can also strategically place a few tall floor lamps in the house’s dark corners and watch how the house comes to life. Layer the lighting with lamps on the side tables to create a cozy and welcoming vibe. If your budget allows it and you are feeling adventurous, replace all your old ceiling fixtures with new and modern masterpieces. Add an outdoor space. The outdoor space transforms the look of the house and provides you with more space to use. You are lucky to have a large compound to play around with, but if you don’t have one, you will need to work with a designer and find strategic areas you can use to your advantage. After putting up the extra space, make it as comfortable as possible by adding rugs, comfortable outdoor chairs, throw cushions, and other comfort-heightening accessories. If you want to give your outdoor space a fancy appeal, put down brick pavers or flagstones, then layer them with outdoor rugs, chairs, and other items. You can also go all the way out and make the area an excellent outdoor escape by installing a large pergola, draping the sides of the area with privacy curtains, adding some music, or even installing an outdoor heater. For the best outcome, work with an experienced professional who knows what they are doing. Add/replace the […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more
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 […]
Read more