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Renovation Costs

The Cost of Remodeling a Kitchen

If you are interested in having a contractor come in and gut your kitchen and start over, expect to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $20,000 for starters. The costs are going to depend on the size of the kitchen and the materials that are used but be prepared to budget thousands of dollars for the project. In addition to being expensive, it can be a very time consuming process that ideally should be completed before you move into the house or when you are gone on an extended vacation.
A recent survey of remodeling costs done by Remodeling Magazine estimates that a typical 10×20 kitchen low range remodel job will cost about $20,000, midrange jumps to $50,000 and a top of line upscale remodel will run over $100,000. The costs vary by regions of the country with prices on either coasts at the upper end of the spectrum. The good news is that study after study shows that much of the money you spend remodeling the kitchen (if not all) can be recovered when you go to sell the house. Updating the kitchen is one of the most important things any homeowner can do to improve the value of their property.
There are a number of factors that go into the budgeting for a kitchen remodel. Will you keep your current appliances or must all of them be replaced? Can the cabinets be salvaged by painting them or resurfacing them or do you want to rip the old ones out and start over. There are also design issues, do you want to add more space by putting an addition onto the home or by knocking out a wall. These options and many more are all possibilities that should be discussed with your contractor.
The contractor can also tell you if there are other construction concerns. If you have an older house the odds are that the home has settled over the years and the kitchen floor may no longer be level which could throw off the installation of new cabinets. Floor joists may have to be reinforced or the contractor might be required to use concrete floor leveler to even out the sub-floor which is going to add to the cost of the remodeling job. The condition of the walls after removing the cabinets can also be an issue. If the plaster is crumbling or the drywall has cracks or extensive holes, it may have to be replaced.
Plumbing is another critical component to the kitchen which can become a concern when remodeling. If you decide to move the location of the sink, build an island sink or a wet bar then water pipes will have to be run to the location along with a drain pipe. Installation of the dishwasher is another factor to consider because it needs to be hooked into the water line. Electric is another important consideration. A special 220 line needs to be run to the location of your stove and oven plus you will want to add a new circuit for other major appliances like the dishwasher and microwave.…

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Renovation Costs

The Importance of Bathroom Design

Families are spending more and more time in their bathrooms than ever before, thus, they desire their bathrooms to be functional as well as inviting. If you are ready for a new bathroom look, take some time to consider ideas for the bathroom design and investigate remodeling your bathroom to suit your needs and style.
Several questions need to be asked prior to the start of any design process. It is critical before you decide to renovate to make sure that there are no underlying problems with the core of your home. Sound plumbing, heating and electrical service should be inspected before demolition begins. When talking to a designer, consider a few things: Do you need more storage? Are the fixtures out-dated? Do the vanity and faucets need replaced? Are you able to work around the existing fixtures such as the tub and/or sink? Do you want a separate tub and shower compartments? It is an important factor also to determined the style of bathrooms choices, you can choose from modern, traditional, contemporary or transitional type of bathrooms.
Once these questions are answered, sit down and work within a realistic budget. Determine how much you are able to afford. The focus on your bathroom improvements will also depend on the type of bathroom. If your remodel is for a guest bathroom, it should be useful, inviting, and even impressive for your guests. A children’s bathroom should be bright, colorful and even fun. A master bedroom bathroom can have a resort style, relaxing, or perhaps a sexy feel.
Making the correct lighting choices, such as decorative or accent lighting add elegance to a bathroom, or adding softer dimmable lighting can give you more of a cozy feeling. Another focal point in any bathroom is the vanity mirror, giving the area a bigger feel and a chance to show off your individual style with a decorative frame or a uniquely-shaped mirror. Incorporate your family’s own taste and fashion with accessories to complete you bathroom remodel. Tile designs, the color of the walls, and open shelves for display items add character to every bathroom as well.
Bathroom design should be attractive and just as comfortable as any other room in your home. Remodeling is also an ideal time to make your house healthier for you, the community, and the environment through the use of environmentally-friendly products and recycling or reusing existing materials.…

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Renovation Costs

Why Bathroom Remodeling Pays

Bathroom remodeling is one of the most popular home improvement projects undertaken by homeowners throughout the U.S. By working with an experienced bathroom remodeling contractor, you can plan for a bathroom remodel that will increase the value of your home, reduce your energy costs and save water. Using environmentally friendly materials can also help to save the environment. This is why bathroom remodeling pays.
Updating and upgrading your bathroom, especially a master bathroom, increases your comfort as you live in the home. It also increases the value of your home by 61 – 74% of the cost of the remodel. Although you will not get this money back immediately, you can expect to recover this much of your cost when you sell your home. That, by any standards, is a good return on investment.
Careful planning with a qualified bathroom remodeling contractor will give you the opportunity to choose construction materials that are environmentally friendly in terms of how they are made and in terms of saving natural resources by reducing usage. Consider, if you will, that by choosing a low-flow or dual flush toilet you can save as much as four gallons of water with every flush (depending on the fixture you are replacing). Considering that each person flushes an average of nine times per day (minimum), a family of four would save 180 gallons of water every day. And low flow faucets and showerheads also save significant amounts of water.
Now let’s assume that your home is all electric. By upgrading the insulation in your bathroom, changing your window to a triple-paned vinyl framed window with Xenon gas between the panes, you will reduce your energy usage for heating and cooling by one-third in the bathroom. Then install an energy-efficient ventilation fan, an energy-efficient spa tub or shower, and energy-efficient lighting fixtures, and you can reduce your demand for electricity even more. If the bathroom you are remodeling is heavily used, your energy savings increases.
Next think carefully about the materials you will use for your remodel. Your contractor will be able to help you decide which materials are best for your needs and your location. Some of the materials you might want to consider are: environmentally friendly drywall, recycled glass tile, cork floor tiles (for comfort and beauty), natural paints, and engineered wood.
And you can consider other options for your bathroom that will improve energy efficiency, such as: an instant water heater for sinks, a whirlpool tub with an in-line water heater, radiant floor heating, insulate walls behind shower and tub, UV blocking window coating, a skylight or roof window (or tunnel/tube light) to bring in more natural light or motion activated light switches.
These are just a few of the materials, additional features, and considerations for you to discuss with your contractor. This should be enough information to help you understand why bathroom remodeling pays. In fact, by carefully considering your options, the materials you will use in your remodel and special features, you can expect to recover the cost of your remodel within a couple of years by combining the increased value of your home, your energy savings and your reduced water and sewer expenses. There’s no question that bathroom remodeling pays big.
Consider bathroom remodeling in your home. Work closely with your contractor in making choices and planning your remodel. You might be surprised to see just how much difference it will make!
Copyright 2009 by ABCD Publishing…

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Renovation Costs

Ceramic Tile Removal in a Bathroom Remodel

On this step of removing the ceramic tile it’s going to get dusty so what I did first was remove everything that I could so I wouldn’t have to clean it when I was done. Even though I was not going to reuse the tile, I wanted to be careful because I wanted to put the tile on Freecycle or Craigslist so someone else might be able to use them. The only tools I used were an old flat tip screw driver, hammer and a box cutter.
I should say that the tiles that are offset from the wall about 1/2″ with a mortar mix. The way that the mortar stays on the wall is a wire mesh that is attached to the wall with staples and nails. I started by cutting the bead of caulk around the top edge of the tile being careful not to cut to deep and into the drywall. Now the first tile off is the most critical so you have to be real careful. I just started the screwdriver back behind the tile and pried a little bit at a time at tile I could remove without damaging the wall or the tiles next to it. From that point it gets easier. I worked a line straight down to the floor and then made my way around the room.
Being how we are still using the bathroom I had to work around a few things. The first was the toilet. The tank of the toilet was real close to the tile so it made it difficult to get the tiles off around it. The next thing was the vanity. I should tell you that when they built this house they custom built the vanity and everything before they put up the tile so there is allot of things to cut around. I would have to say that when I got to the mirror I had to be real careful because the mirror was resting on top of the tile. Now I am the kind of guy that if something can go wrong it probable will. I got lucky on this part and didn’t break the mirror.
Another nice thing about doing all the work myself, I get to see how thing’s are built. I am a project engineer for a manufacturing company and I am always looking at how things are built. Okay I better get back to the tile work. Now I mentioned that the tile was about 1/2″ off the wall with a mortar mix. When I got to the door way there was the mortar mix on one side and on the other they built it up with a piece of plywood and used liquid nails to hold the tiles up. Needless to say, I couldn’t save any of the tiles that were glued to the wood. Then I found an area that the tile was glued straight to the drywall. I have to replace some drywall now. Luckily that was the end of removing the tile.
I stacked all of the good tile in a box and threw out all bad ones. Swept up all the debris and put everything back in its place. As I mentioned at the beginning I am going to list the tiles on Freecycle since they are in good condition and hopefully someone else can use them instead of them going into the land fill. As I remodel I’m always looking for ways that I can recycle materials instead of throwing them into a land fill that is already overloaded.
In the next article I’ll be removing the mortar mix and the wire that was attached to the wall.…

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Renovation Costs

Bathroom Fixtures: Energy-Efficient Fixtures

Technology has also permeated into the creation of bathroom fixtures with the main intention of making energy efficient appliances and equipment. There are several fixtures, appliances, and equipment that are combined with electronic devices to provide efficient, ‘no-hands’ system. These systems help to enhance water use efficiency and at the same time ensure proper sanitation. Some of the water- and energy-efficient bathroom fixtures are discussed here.
Water Efficient Fixtures
The greatest benefit of water efficient bathroom fixtures is the savings it provides in both water and sewer bills. Further, such fixtures reduce the need for high-cost water supply equipment, waste water treatment systems, and thereby help in the maintenance of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. These fixtures also reduce the need for pumping, heating, or treating water. It also leads to water efficiency in product life cycles thereby preventing pollution.
High-efficiency Toilets and Urinals
These bathroom fixtures have been introduced by the plumbing industry with clear intentions of water conservation and energy efficiency. High-efficiency toilets use 1.3 gallons per flush as compared to the mandatory 1.6 gallons. The high-efficiency urinals that were created in co-operation with the water authority have a flush average of less than the mandatory 1.0 gallons.
High-efficiency washing machines
These bathroom appliances are believed to use technological advances to ensure water and energy efficiency in the process of washing clothes. Most of these high-efficient models use 35% to 50% less water as compared to the traditional models. This transfers to water conservation and savings in energy for heating lesser water.
Pre-Rinse Spray Valves
Pre-rinse spray valves are bathroom fixtures that are used in restaurants to clean the food particles from dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. The dishwashing process accounts for two-thirds of water consumption in such establishments. By installing high-efficient spray valves, you will consume only 1.6 gallons or lesser water per minute as compared to the conventional 3.0 gallons per minute.…

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Renovation Costs

Kitchen Lighting Ideas – the Most Popular Lighting Trends You Can Apply in Your Own Home

In remodeling your kitchen, it is important that you do not forget about implementing some interesting kitchen lighting ideas. Lighting can complement well the interiors of any home and hence it is very crucial that all the lighting fixtures are placed strategically and accordingly. It can really go a long way in making your kitchen look brand new.
The most common error that most people commit in implement their own kitchen lighting ideas is installing just a single fixture right in the center of the kitchen. This could result to shadows which could be inconvenient when you do a few tasks around the house. To give your kitchen a total makeover through lighting, you should combine natural and artificial lighting in a balanced way.
You should also take note that your lighting should be related to the colors of your kitchen. You must also plan out your budget well since lighting fixtures can really cost a lot more than you imagine. In terms of your kitchen cabinets, you can decorate it with lights to enhance its plain look. You can install them on sides of the kitchen so that it can minimize the shadows.
The cove style of lighting is also one of the most important kitchen lighting ideas you can implement. This is utilized for the even distribution of light in correct proportions all throughout your entire kitchen. It can also be used to highlight the overall shape, design and layout of your kitchen area. Recessed lighting can also be applied if you want to enhance the architectural design of your kitchen.…

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Renovation Costs

How To Keep Your Roof In Great Shape

No homeowner is excited at the prospect of a large roof repair project. Because of this, you need to be proactive about your roof maintenance, addressing small issues immediately. Maintaining your roof means you’ll put a little effort in now to prevent a lot more work later on down the road. Look to these tips to help you know how to proceed.

If you need to walk on your roof, it is important that you do it at a time when it is not too cold or hot. Extreme weather tends to make shingles very brittle, so walking on them during this time can cause a lot of damage. Morning is the best time during summer months, and afternoon is best in the winter.

When working on the roof yourself, make sure that the weather conditions are clear for your own safety. Hose off the shingles so you can have a clean workplace without a mess of leaves or other debris. You can also use the hose to find a leak in your roof.

Before entering a contract with a roofer, consult the Better Business Bureau. They’ll be able to tell you if complaints have been entered against this roofer in the past, and may be able to give you insight that the roofer’s own references won’t. The integrity of your roof is important, and you don’t want to get scammed.

When a storm blows through your area, beware of roofers who knock on your door. They often follow a storm and offer their services to everyone on the block, then they put up a cheap, inadequate roof while taking all the money your insurer will offer on your claim, ripping you off.

Since replacing your roof can be one of the most expensive projects besides the cost of the home itself, make sure you know who you’re hiring. Avoid the temptation to hire a friend of a friend, or inexpensive “handymen.” Look for a licensed contractor who guarantees his work and comes with many good reviews and recommendations.

If your home needs a new roof but you are short on funds, consider the relatively inexpensive composite shingle. This type of shingle is rated from 15 to 25 years, and the more you pay the longer the life of the shingle. Consider how long you will own your home before you invest in a new roof.

Home Repair

Remember to be safe when it comes to roofing. Roofing is dangerous work. Do not rush things. When the weather is bad, wait until tomorrow. It isn’t anything that is worth hurting yourself over. It is important that you make sure you know what you’re doing and that you are cautious.

Remodeling

Invest in the highest quality roofing tiles your money can buy. This is especially important if you are living in the house you are remodeling. The best roofing materials for your home depend on the climate of your location, so be sure to research the best roofing tiles for your climate.

You can’t ignore your roof. This could lead to very serious problems down the road. Use what you’ve learned here to take good care of your roof. This can save future headaches.…