From Concept to Construction ™

Getting Ready for a Home Renovation This Coming Holiday Season

November 21, 2019

A lot of homeowners prefer doing their home improvement projects during the summer season. For one, the fair-weather enables homeowners to accomplish the home improvement without delays due to the weather. Also, it is a great time to build a home addition design whether inside or outside of the house. But did you know that the winter season is also a good time to hire a home additions builder for home addition or renovation project? However, it depends on the type of renovation you are planning and the availability of the contractors. There are many other reasons why it is a good idea to plan for a home addition design project this coming winter season. Why plan for a winter home renovation? As mentioned, there are various benefits of planning for a home renovation. Here are some of these said perks. Less competition Winter is more likely to be an off-season time for renovations. So if you hire a home contractor at this time, there is a chance that you will be accommodated because they have fewer clients at that time. Possibility of discounts Since it’s off-season, you might also avail some discounts for home renovation projects. While some contractors may not offer discounts, home improvement stores may do offer instead. Thus, it is a good idea to purchase materials you will need for your home addition project. Good timing Renovations during the holiday season won’t affect your domestic life. For one thing, a lot of homeowners would be traveling out of town. Hence, it would be fine to do renovations at this time since your home can be easily vacated during a renovation project. Home renovation and addition ideas in time for the winter season First of all, you need to determine what kind of renovation or home addition you really need. Do the kitchen or bathroom tiles need some updating already? Do you have an unused shed or garage area that you want to convert as an additional room? The next step is to set a budget for your home improvement project. Doing a home improvement project can be possible regardless of the season. However, it depends on the type of renovation you want. That said, interior home renovation can be done during the winter season. You can plan for affordable home additions if you want to, say, convert your old, dusty attic or basement area into a liveable space. Other home renovations you can do during the winter season include the following. Change your old light fixtures with brighter ones that will make your rooms even brighter and illuminated Consider replacing your carpeting at home, or hire a professional carpet cleaner to get rid of allergy-causing dirt and debris stuck within its fibers Pay attention to your laundry area, too. Make sure to keep your laundry area more organized by adding a storage area or hooks. Replace leaky pipes or defective cabinets and cupboards in your kitchen or bathroom areas, as well as old appliances with energy-efficient ones. The truth about home remodeling The 2019 Remodeling Impact Report revealed that around 35 percent of homeowners in the […]

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Can You Buy a Hoarded House (Without Going Nuts)?

September 6, 2019

A lot of people tend to get sentimental over material things. For one thing, some of these items may mean a lot for that person. On the other hand, there are some people who simply hoard stuff just because. Nevertheless, excessive hoarding is not considered anymore and can be a sign of a mental disorder. Meanwhile, there are home buyers out there who are willing to buy a hoarded house. No matter how crazy it may be, there is something about hoarded houses that some buyers are not able to resist buying. They may consider building a home addition design out of it. Regardless of the buyer’s plan, building a home addition in a hoarded house is still possible. What is hoarding? Going back to hoarding, this is actually considered a mental disorder that refers to the difficulty in disposing of material possessions. A hoarder finds it hard to let go of material things that most people would deem as useless. Such items may be as trivial like broken appliances or furniture or even smelly garbage. Hoarding is different from clutter. The former may be considered a mental disorder and can cause disturbance to others who are also living inside and near the house. On the other hand, clutter may simply need better organizing methods and most of the items are actually usable. Anything done in excess is not considered healthy, and so is hoarding. As mentioned, it can cause disturbance to other people nearby. In many cases, excessive hoarding can even compromise one’s health and affect one’s daily life. Should you buy a hoarded house? If you have watched the TV show “Hoarders”, then you already have an idea of what a hoarder’s life is. You may not simply imagine how a person can live with such trash and dirt, you cannot see the floor anymore. It can be a nightmare for home remodeling architects to convert a hoarder house into a much more liveable space. Still, there are a lot of people who take on the challenge, of which the first step is buying a hoarder house. In real life, hoarder homes can actually be a potential money-maker because of the hidden “treasures” you can find there. Who knows when you are able to find something that is worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of that pile of garbage in the house? Buying a hoarded house can also be cheaper especially if the hoarder is still living there. Since it may not be as desirable as other homes, you can expect to buy it at a cheaper price. If you want to enhance it, you can hire an affordable home additions company to make it more liveable and pleasant to look at. Other challenges you may encounter If you are planning to buy a hoarder house, you can expect to encounter some challenges along the way. Aside from the abovementioned instances, here are some things you can expect if you decide to buy a hoarded house. You may have a hard time getting a house loan. Real estate experts say that getting a mortgage loan for […]

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Money-Saving Tips to Afford a Home Addition

August 12, 2019

Building a home addition may be a necessary thing especially for your growing family. You can hire a professional home addition builder for your home addition needs. There are also various affordable home additions options you can choose from depending on your budget. Whether you opt to build an additional room or convert your attic, home additions require extensive planning and budget to come into fruition. A home addition can add functionality, beauty, and value to your current home. While it can be exciting to plan for your home addition, it literally comes with a price. It depends on what you want to include in the home addition. Nevertheless, you should have a set budget if you are planning for a home addition. Getting started Having a home addition is a good choice for those who want to have an additional living space without moving to another house. As mentioned, it requires creating a timeline, choosing the home remodeling addition option, and hiring a professional home additions builder. A home addition may take a few weeks to several months to complete depending on the size of the construction area. Your daily life may also get affected by the home improvement project, so make sure to plan some adjustments while construction is ongoing. The good news is that there are affordable home additions options available. You can choose one that will suit your budget and your home addition requirements. Also, you must ask yourself these crucial questions before taking on a home addition project: How much budget should I allot on the home addition project? How big should the home addition room be? Can the current property space accommodate a home addition? What should I include in the home addition room (e.g. furniture, décor, cabinets, etc.)? Should you hire a contractor for a home addition project? As mentioned, a home addition project needs some extensive planning. To accomplish that, you would need to hire a professional contractor. Make sure that the contractor has years of experience in the home improvement industry. You should also check out reviews about the contractor so you can decide whether to hire him or not. Hiring a contractor for a home addition project can be expensive. You might also think you won’t need one if you want to DIY the home improvement project. However, it can be a wise decision to hire one anyway. For one thing, you can rely on the contractor’s professional skills so that the project will be completed. Where can you find a reliable and professional contractor? Here are some options you can consider: Find contractors online (make sure to check client feedback) Department of Consumer Protection Better Business Bureau Referrals from friends and family The Department of Consumer Protection and Better Business Bureau (BBB) most likely have a list of contractors per state or city. These resources also have records of each contractor and any complaints it has encountered and whether these are already resolved. Nevertheless, these sources of information can help a lot in choosing the right home additions builder for you. How to save money on a home additions […]

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Common Home Renovating Mistakes You Need to Avoid

June 19, 2019

Home renovation can be an expensive affair depending on how complicated the project will be. Finding home remodeling architects can also take time especially if you don’t have connections to rely on. More so, a home renovation project can also take some to finish and would need some personal adjustments along the way. But despite all of the hassles and hard work, seeing the end results will all be worth it. Unless you are knowledgeable and experienced in this field, you can hire home additions builders with your home renovation project. For one thing, a home remodel should be handled only by professionals especially if it’s a major home improvement project. However, the entire project won’t start without you. You, the homeowner, and the contractors should collaborate to ensure that everything goes well as smoothly as possible. Home renovation mistakes are also common, but you can choose not to commit them. Common home renovation mistakes Here are some of the most common home renovation mistakes you should avoid: Focusing only on the aesthetic value One major reason for a home improvement project is to give your home or a part of your home a fresher look. This is regardless whether you are planning to change the floor tiles, add a kitchen countertop, or update your living room furniture. However, this should not only be your goal. Instead, you should also check whether there is a need for repair works. Otherwise, you may end up tearing up your newly-renovated area because you did not repair or replace a leaky pipe underneath. It is also a good idea to plan a home improvement project to upgrade into high-quality materials instead of simply adding to a room’s aesthetic appeal. Choosing a cheap contractor Looking for an affordable home additions contractors can help you save money. However, you should be careful in choosing a home addition builder. For one thing, a cheaper contractor does not always mean high-quality workmanship. Some contractors may offer cheaper quotes – at the expense of the materials used and the overall work quality. A reliable and trustworthy contractor should provide a detailed quote containing the materials that will be used. Likewise, it should indicate the estimated lead time, installation costs, waste management plan, and other important aspects of the home improvement project. Underestimating your budget Setting a budget is important when planning for a major home renovation project. In budgeting, you should also consider setting aside for contingencies. Home addition companies and other home improvement experts recommend adding at least 15 percent of your budget for emergency expenses. Doing too much at once Some homeowners want to accomplish tasks all at once. Apparently, they want to utilize the time and resources they have at that time. However, it can cause stress to the homeowner. That is why it is important to focus only on one project at a time, and then move on to the other one when the first one is already done. Should you go DIY or hire a professional? On one hand, you can choose to DIY your home improvement project, albeit with certain conditions. You […]

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The Advantages and Disadvantages Of A Full Carpet Flooring

February 28, 2019

Part of any home remodel checklists are the floor and its covering, like whether you would settle with a bare flooring or you’ll go with an area rug or a full carpet. But if you are after a soft floor covering that will make your feet at ease while walking, then what you need is a full carpet flooring. Although, you just don’t choose a carpet without considering a lot of things. Like the patterns and colors are a factor that can affect the way your house looks, as well as your furniture and decorations. Consider the PROS and CONS of CARPETS, based on what YOU NEED. In picking a carpet as your textile floor covering, you have to know which carpet can truly provide you with more advantages than disadvantages. Every carpet characteristic can greatly affect the way you see and need it. Carpeting can be good and bad depending on the various contributing factors in the environment. With the information that this section provides about the benefits and flaws of a carpeted floor covering, you can finally decide which floor covering is best for your home. The PROS Carpets are quite Carpets are great sound absorber. They can reduce any noise by contributing to the sound insulation of your home. This kind of element is perfect for those who are working from home, residents of an apartment, and those with large families. So if you are the noisy type of person, a fully carpeted floor can save you from any neighbor complaints. The softer the floor the softer the fall If you have little humans around expect that falling is what they do best – for now. At their age, toddlers can’t control themselves, but fall and topple most of the time. So with carpets around, especially on your stairwells, you will not worry about your little ones getting hurt. Smart move there. Of course, carpet maintenance should not be the least of your priority. Carpets keep you warm With the stubborn winter season, having a soft, warm carpet around your nook with a nice fireplace, you will definitely tell yourself that the cold will never bother you. Homes with full carpeting as their floor cover get to have a satisfying insulated space every time winter season comes. Carpets are replaceable Of course, carpets wear and tear over a long period of time. And you don’t want to have an old-looking décor sit around your nook, right? With the whole nine yards of shades, designs, and patterns, carpets are an instant game changer when it comes to the overall look of your house. With proper care and maintenance, you can always lengthen the life of your carpets and other floor covering. Carpets keep you on your feet Carpets happen to always be in tempo with friction, which means that you’re able to keep your balance while walking on your soft carpeted floor. Especially if you have toddlers and elders in the house, they are safer with soft undersole floorings whenever they walk. This also minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries. It’s fairly cheap! This is definitely the […]

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Fireplace Remodeling Project

November 27, 2018

Looking at your fireplace area gives you the feeling that you need to call your home remodeling architects. It’s like giving you a message that it needs a refashioning, but you just don’t know where to start. Especially this winter season, fireplaces are the best source of heat within the household. It is also where you mostly spend time with your cup of tea or coffee while relaxing. If you happen to have a big space by your fireplace it is also where you gather around with family or friends and share some good laughs, chats and sometimes fun games. There are also other homeowners who also add an outdoor fireplace either by the patio or at the poolside area. With a lot of fireplace designs coming out its flexibility is can already give you the assurance that there is no “right” place for it for as long as it can serve its purpose. Now, with the need of your fireside to be remodeled, you have to find inspiration from the following ideas that will guide you on how you can give a new look to your common-looking fireplace. SOME FIREPLACE DESIGN IDEAS – Use An Attention Seeking Mantle. Every plain-looking fireplaces need an element that can draw the crowd’s attention. An antique or vintage-looking wooden mantle can set a warm tone within the area and can transform your living room into a focal point. By doing that it will not only be your furnaces that will be a head-turner but the fireplace most especially. – Try A Stylish Hearth Screen. You may not notice it at first, but a fireplace screen can really add a statement to the area where it is standing. It creates a scenario where it is being protective of the people that will be gathering close to the hearth while at the same time shows how attractive it become. – The Contrasting Color Approach. Painting the surrounding area of your fireplace can compliment the fireside and furniture around it. Like if your fireplace is black, you can paint the walls with the shades of gray while everything else in the room is wearing blue and white tones. – Surround It With Artworks And Paintings. If you’re a lover of the arts and everything else about this craft, then placing some abstract paintings over your fireplace can instantly draw attention. Anyone who enters the room can have their attention fixated on the attractive colors and design of the artwork itself. Prices of an artwork vary so you really have to be a wise spender if you wanted to keep your makeover on the less costly side. – Make Use Of Rustic Wood. Using reclaimed wood can transform any place or furniture into a vintage piece that tells so much story. And if you use it to remodel your fireplace it will definitely bring out a different character and drama. Keep the entire room in style and your fireplace can already take care of itself. GIVE IT A DIFFERENT CHARACTER   – Stick To Black And White. Modern homes never set aside the B&W color scheme and […]

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Home Makeover For Thanksgiving

November 7, 2018

IS YOUR HOME READY FOR THANKSGIVING? One of the most awaited festivity is just waving around the corner – THANKSGIVING! Who isn’t excited about it, right? Just imagine the enticing food that will be served and shared with the whole family and friends that would like to share the event with you. But before you get all psyched make sure to check with your home addition design experts about certain home improvement details that you need to deal with before the big day arrives. Remember, Thanksgiving is not just about the food served on the table but is also about the ambiance of your home – both interior and exterior. WHY IS THANKSGIVING SO FESTIVE? Thanksgiving is one of the best days all over America. It’s a holiday that gives tribute and honor to American history and one way of celebrating it is through a festive Thanksgiving feast. WAYS TO IGNITE THE THANKSGIVING SPIRIT You probably have so much in mind on how you can bring the Thanksgiving atmosphere into your home, but in order to avoid being short or way too over about decorations, here are some tips for you. Start With The Senses. When it comes to Thanksgiving decors, start with the variety of colors that are pleasing to your eyes. How about adding some scent or aroma of corn stalks both on your porch and in your backyard area. Then don’t forget to play some music that will boost the sound of the Thanksgiving spirit and let it be heard all throughout your house. Stick To The Shades Of Thanksgiving. The basic colors of Thanksgiving are purple, green or even green, red, brown, orange, and yellow. If you happen to be packing your Halloween decors, you can leave the corn stalks, leave, and pumpkins behind because they also add up to the Thanksgiving spirit. You can also have two different kinds of pumpkins as a centerpiece in your living room or dining area. Do not forget to have those hues visible on your pillows, placemats, tablecloths and fabrics, doormats and a lot more. Of Course, Flowers Are In. Just so you know, flowers are the highlight of the Thanksgiving vibe. They are the symbol of the festivity. Filling your home with blooms of different kinds will totally set the mood as well as dried leaves decorated in your own artistic way is a plus factor. Let There Be Light! Definitely! One way of setting a great Thanksgiving mood is your lighting effects. You can make use of candles and place them where you wanted to highlight the shades of Thanksgiving. You can also put candles on your backyard hangout spot for a more inviting mood. Don’t Forget The Fruit And Vegetable Basket. You can decorate them at the center of your dining table – both indoors and outdoors to complete the entire Thanksgiving set up. Set Up A Memorabilia Area Why not set up a trip down memory lane by placing or adding family photos in your living room area. You can bring out the old pictures of your great-grandparents or your family pics during your celebration […]

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Things You Should Avoid When Doing A Home Renovation

October 7, 2018

Your independence and responsibility to your family had already reached another level and that is having your current abode undergo a renovation. You have sought the expertise of a home addition builder, and so far is going through some details. However, there are some blunders that a homeowner like you make before, during, and after the remodeling process. These personal lapses greatly affect the total outcome and renovation phase and experts would like to condone themselves for not providing enough reminders and pointer during the “pre” renovation negotiation. But the fact of the matter is, home remodeling experts could no longer stress enough how a homeowner can avoid certain “oversight” in renovating their homes. SOME HOME REFASHIONING ABERRATIONS YOU SHOULD NOT DO Because having a home remodeling can really be overwhelming, there are decisions and actions that you may or might do as your “project” progresses. Below you shall encounter tips about the things that you should be avoiding when undergoing a home refurbishing –  which basically applies to both new and old homeowners. IMPULSIVELY GIVING THE RENOVATION A “GO” Renovation experts and real estate gurus advise movers and homeowners to experience a bit more about their homes before finalizing any renovation plans. You may be too stoked to get that living room overhauled, but get a feel of the actual area first as well as the entire house. Because once the renovation starts, there is no more turning back. UNDERESTIMATING THE NEEDED BUDGET You might think that because it’s just your kitchen that is being remodeled, you will just be spending for that particular work alone. Well, sorry to surprise you, but you have to anticipate that there is more job to be done than you can imagine. So experts advise to always add an additional 20% to your actual budget to be prepared for whatever surprises you may encounter. TOO MUCH EXPECTATION Not all reconstructions are smooth sailing. Especially if you are planning to renovate an old house there could be more unforeseen cases that are beyond your workers’ control. Always expect the unexpected, because although your contractors would try their utmost effort to make everything work according to the original plan there is always the chance that nothing will. So always expect less. HIRING A DESIGNER IS NOT A PRIORITY Some people think that it will cost them more if they acquire professional assistance from interior designers and architects. But the truth is, they will be spending more out of their pockets without any experts help. Therefore, avoid making the same mistake as most have because hiring their services will actually help you save more than you can imagine. CHOOSING THE LOWEST OFFER Another mistake by many homeowners is going for the cheapest contractor bid. In fact, you will be getting more out of your money if you vouch for a skilled and experienced professional. So invest in hiring the best services rather than those who offer a much affordable service and can work with you right away. NOT ALL PROFESSIONALS ARE COMPATIBLE TO WORK WITH This is the other side of what is stated in #5. […]

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Home Additions: Office Space Ideas

August 6, 2018

Having an extra space as a working area is a common home addition or renovation every household owners got it listed on their remodeling checklist. But when it comes to home addition design for an office space, you do not need the whole room to be your working area, not unless you’re running a studio or into designing or you’re not a minimalist fan, an ideal workspace should be something that allows you to breathe, is a space that you can call your “own” when you’re working or is an area that can inspire you to work well and should not, in any way, distract you. Additional Space For Your Ideal Office Area Make use of your Laundry Room Laundry room? For real? Yup, and it really works, especially if you are into crafts and needs a station for wrapping and creating small things. A team of designers has spotted an unused space in the laundry area and converted it into a craft and art station. They make use of pull-out storage cabinets and sliding drawers to give room for more storage. While a wall-table was installed to make it look like an office space at the same time. You can also make use of the paper towel holder as well as hooks for all your supplies at least it will not consume much of your space. An awkward Basement Area Many homes have unused spaces or awkward areas that can be converted into an office or study area. You can place an office table perfect for adults or kids to use, but if it will be your personal space for work, then utilize the entire room to make you and your work more manageable and relaxing at the same time. Install hanging shelves and storage compartments to keep your things organized. If the area is big enough, take advantage of it, but if it’s just like an alcove, you can still expand your limited space into something. Try placing an overhead shelf that you can expand from one to the other depending on your space preference. Connect it to a Living Room If your career requires you to have an at-home office extension just to get your work done, it’s best to have your home office addition near your receiving or living room area. Why? Because it’s a great venue for client meetings or staff brainstorming during weekends. You can have a long table set up facing the wall where you can place two desktop computer monitors or it can also be a perfect spot for all of your paperwork. Placing a coffee table for two is also a great idea if you wanted to take a short breather or a short meeting with a business partner over a cup of tea or coffee. Create A Productive Working Zone Within Your Home Make use of a Tiny Space into something Big Office spaces depend on the kind of career and requirement that your job needs. However, not all extra home spaces have that kind of zone that you wanted. But it does not mean that you cannot make use of […]

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Creative Ideas for Basement Renovation

July 8, 2018

Never waste that space in your home by stacking a lot of useless materials. The common abandoned area in our home is the basement. We usually toss anything that is useless in the basement. Which makes it a waste of space. Why not get rid of these items by selling them or donating them? Allow the home remodeling architects transform your basement into a living space and allow it to function the way you want it to be. There are a lot of things that you can do with your basement. There are a lot of creative ideas that you can do with it so that this particular space will not be put to waste. Here are some creative ideas for your basement renovation. Man Cave Everyone deserves a space of their own, most especially men. Whenever they need time to relax after a long day at work, they should have an area of their own. Transforming your basement into a “man cave” will surely make the mood of your husband or any dude in your house enlightened. They can bring their friends over for beer or billiards. Or basically just hide from all the stressors. Girls Night Out Girls deserve a space of their own too. Transform your basement into a girly room. Where you can invite all your girlfriends and do a lot of girly things together. You can have your mini salon and makeup area. And if you are attending an event, you can invite them to your place and do the necessary preparations there. You can even have a minibar and toss a lot of pillows for a fun night out at your very own home. Hide Out A simple additional living room can be a perfect hideout. Instead of stashing all the useless things in your basement, transform your basement into a hideout. Where you can make use of it as a living room and a bar at the same time. Family/Entertainment/Game Room A family room is the best idea when it comes to making use of the space in your basement. It also serves as an entertainment area because it is where you get to install that projector and LCD screen or a huge television. Watch movies with your family and friends in the comfort of your home. You can also place all of the board games that you have. If you are a video gamer, you can install all of your console games in this room so that you can invite your friends and just hang out while playing the different kinds of games that you have. Which gives you a lot of options on what to do. Kids’ Playroom Kids tend to clutter all around your house. Most especially if they are still at the age of one to five years old. If you want to have a designated area where they can mess around, you can always have a playroom. It will be then easier for you to clean up the toys that are lying around. And you will no longer have to worry if you accidentally step on one of […]

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