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General Article

Budget Home Remodeling for the Discerning Home Owner

December 26, 2020 Comments Off on Budget Home Remodeling for the Discerning Home Owner

Budget Home Remodeling for the Discerning Home Owner

With the housing market becoming increasingly shaky, more and more people are abandoning the idea of selling their existing homes and buying new ones altogether. This in essence means that more and more people are remodeling their homes so that they can increase their home’s comfort and value as well. This increases the homes livability in due course. The recent recession and general ill health of the economy are behind the increase in the number of home owners who have opted for home remodeling. However, it is important to note that investing money in home remodeling doesn’t necessarily mean that you will realize the same when you get to eventually sell the house. Each and every home has a cap to its value. This is a very important point to note before you embark on home remodeling. It is important to have a clear cut map of the entire process before you actually begin. The very first thing that you should consider is the goals of your remodeling process.

You might only be after carrying out some repairs on some sections of the house or have the porch spruced up with some brand new bath tub. These are some of the goals that are typical to most home remodeling projects. In order to have a successful remodeling project, it is recommended that you write these goals down for quick reference as the work gets underway. The plan for your home remodeling should also have a realistic budget that you can work with. A budget for your home remodeling project is very important since these projects can be quite expensive. This ensures that you do not suffer from financial strains which can be quite traumatic. As you come up with a budget for the home remodeling, it is important to always have allowances for unexpected costs. Once you have the budget in place, it is important to have someone carry out the work professionally.

If the work will involve some electrical and plumbing work, then you might really need an expert to carry out the remodeling. In some cases, you might also require a permit for the same. The best thing with experts is that they are likely to have the latest home remodeling tips and designs which will translate to a more appealing home in the end. It is very important that you determine whether you will need an expert for your home remodeling project or not. Starting on the project and then having to go for an expert later on will have your costs spiraling out of control.

Contact trusted friends and family members on the best contractors for remodeling. Remodeling experts for homes come with contracts that you are required to sign. The contracts are important since they enable one to be aware of their responsibilities and rights. This ensures that you have a smooth process free of unnecessary problems. Alert your neighbors just in case your remodeling project turns out to be extremely noisy. Being courteous to your neighbors will sure be worth it in the long run.…

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Remodeling Contractors

Home Remodeling Tips You Need to Know About

December 23, 2020 Comments Off on Home Remodeling Tips You Need to Know About

Almost everybody is working on a budget. If you aren’t working on a budget you can hire a decorator to give you home remodeling tips. Otherwise, doing a little research and getting creative with your remodel can produce awesome results. There are so many excellent projects you can do by yourself to freshen up rooms, give them attitude and make them feel comfortable. There is no room in your house that is untouchable, and no project that you cannot tackle if you have the time and devotion to do it.
Whenever interior decorators are interviewed about their work, their responses are simple. They say that making the project fun is the key. That should catch your attention. Don’t start tearing a room apart grudgingly just because you feel it is time for a change. Instead, let yourself dream. And as you dream realize that whatever you can see in your head, you can bring to fruition in your home. The best home remodels are often the most inexpensive.
For example, one of the leading trends in the industry right now is called acid treatment. It’s a project you would do on a cement floor and if applied correctly can make plain old, foundational concrete floors look like beautiful tile of any style. Plenty of How To articles can get you started working with your own concrete floors. An entire basement could be treated, and sealed for less than five hundred dollars-assuming you are performing labor yourself. It lasts longer than carpet and adds an element of unique style to a room that can otherwise be hard to design.
Often times, the simple things, like acid treating a floor, are the very things people think of last. It’s as if they feel boxed in by a set of invisible rules. Most people think that it is against the rules to flip flop the painting scheme. Somewhere back in the cloudy past, somebody stated a rule that lighter colored paint had to be applied at the top of walls and darker colors had to be applied at the bottom. If you want to give a room a more bold feeling, break this rule. Who needs it anyway? Apply a simple wooden trim around the center of the room, paint the bottom half cream or tan and let the top of the wall shine in deep rich color: reds, greens, blues, you decide.
The worst thing you can do is get boxed in. With so many elements of style, let your imagination run wild. Painting is a cheap way to give your house a brand new feel. Floors are a bit more challenging. Plumbing and electricity will require you to study, but even that should not limit your options. A brave dream will lead to a beautiful home.…

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Kitchen Renovation

Tips for a Successful Kitchen Renovation

December 21, 2020 Comments Off on Tips for a Successful Kitchen Renovation

It is a well-known fact that the kitchen and the bathroom are the most expensive rooms in the house, so a bit of research and planning ahead of your renovation will help to keep costs and stresses down, and have the project go as smoothly as possible.

Budget. As with any project to be undertaken, the first thing you need to do is fix your budget, and please, please, please remember to allow for overruns – you do not known what will be found in the walls or the floor that will result in additional costs to the project.

Layout. Does the existing layout work for you? Are you taking out any walls to make a bigger space, or adding windows or doors? These kinds of changes need to be taken into account when considering the layout of the kitchen. Remember the triangle between sink, stove and fridge!

Electrical Outlets. A very common problem in a kitchen is an insufficient number of electrical outlets, particularly at countertop level. If your large appliances are all to be built-in, each will need a dedicated outlet. How much countertop space will you have? Do you have small appliances that live on the counter like a coffee machine, toaster or toaster oven? Do you have other appliances that live in a cupboard and are used only occasionally? Additional outlets should be provided to accommodate these appliances.

Countertop. There are numerous choices for the countertop, from tiles to granite or polished stone, to concrete, stainless steel and various molded surfaces. And the price range is equally huge, with unique custom-made surfaces costing thousands of dollars. Be careful that you don’t overspend on the finishes as you might not get it back on reselling your property. Also think about wear and tear on the counter – do you have kids? Might there be frequent spillages that might cause staining?

Cabinets. The choice of finishes for your cabinets is limitless, from natural wood to laminates, stainless steel, glass, synthetic finishes and various combinations of them all. Do you wish your upper level cabinets to go right up to the ceiling – the advantages of this include more storage space though high up, no dust can collect on the top of the cupboards, plus it gives the illusion of a higher ceiling, which is particularly good if your ceiling is a little low.

Floor. Are you installing a new floor covering? If yes, it needs to be something that is very durable to withstand the wear and tear of traffic in the busiest room in your house! Hardwood, tile, stone or even polished concrete fill this role effectively and efficiently.

Appliances. The kitchen is often described as the “heart of the home”, so you don’t want to skimp on appliances. Stainless steel is more expensive but it will last longer. Having appliances that match is also very important to the overall look of the finished kitchen. Do you want a dishwasher and where do you want it to be located? Do you want a built-in microwave or wine cooler, and where should they be located. Now is the time to think about these things.

There you have it. Lots to think about before your project gets started, but planning ahead will more than pay for itself in the successful completion of the project.…

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Home Improvement

5 Tips to Find Local House Painters in Your Area

December 17, 2020 Comments Off on 5 Tips to Find Local House Painters in Your Area

How long it has been since you last repainted the walls in your home? Is it 2 years? Maybe 5? Do you know that experts recommend repainting the entire place at least once or twice every two years? Click here for more details.

They say this because of safety reasons. Your walls are absorbing dirt and dust every day no matter if you see that or not. It stays inside your walls at all times and unless you cover it with fresh paint, it is going to be on and off all the time. You breathe this, so it’s wise to do a repainting.

When it comes to the outside of your home, it’s crucial to repaint because as paint falls off due to weather conditions, the material underneath it will be affected too. After a while, the entire house might be in danger. All you needed to do is repaint it, and the problem would’ve been gone.

In this article, we are going to show you 5 tips about how to find the best professional in the field near you. There are lots of them so you must know what to mind when searching. Read on if you want to know what is crucial.

1. Look for nearby contractors on the maps

Every search engine map will give you a detailed insight into where the painting contractors are located. You just need to type in what you’re looking for, and they will give you the exact location. After this, you can click on every one and see through their pages to see if they are fit for the job or not.

For example, you can see their portfolio, working area, working hours, and so on. If you like what you see, you can give them a call.  See here how the search is done: https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-use-google-maps/.

2. Search through specialized pages

On the internet, you can find pages that act as mediators between you and the contractors. They are excellent for those who don’t like spending too much time searching for the best candidate. If you feel like this, then you can give them a try.

What they do is give you a couple of options to choose from. This will explain to them what you’re looking for, and the system will immediately connect you with a contractor in the area. So, if you’re looking for a painting contractor, you should just provide details about what kind you need, and what are the details about your place.

3. Check out the reputation of contractors

The reputation is crucial to know if someone will do a good job or not. Even if you go through the pages we mentioned above, you must check their name through some of the many review sites.

See what people talk about them and how good they think they are. If their reputation is poor, don’t hire them. If the contractors didn’t manage to do a good job for clients before you, chances are big they won’t do it for you either.

4. Opt for experience

The experience is crucial to know if someone’s going to do a good job or not. You may go through the reviews and find several contractors whose reputation is flawless, but if they received only a handful of reviews from previous clients, it means that they didn’t receive enough reviews.

On the other hand, experienced professional house painters might not have a flawless reputation, but if they did a ton of gigs before you, it means they know every tiniest bit of the job. They’ll do it fast, accurately, and with as few problems as possible. Even if something does happen, they’ll know how to fix it in no time.

5. Make a price comparison

The last thing you shouldn’t miss is the price comparison. Put on a list a few of the best candidates and see how they are charging. There are different ways to charge, so make sure you do a good calculation.

Those who are going to offer the best value for money are the best choice. Keep in mind that if someone’s asking for a significantly lower price than the market’s average, then you’re facing someone who’s going to charge additionally, so don’t fall on this scam.…

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General Article

Home Improvements That Are Reliable and Affordable

December 17, 2020 Comments Off on Home Improvements That Are Reliable and Affordable

Home Improvements That Are Reliable and Affordable

Many people do not know that there are many home improvements they can have done onto their home that are very affordable, but will also significantly change not only the appearance of the house, but also the usability. Many of these home improvements and remodeling done to the house are also very reliable, and are built to last a very long time, so the person in the home does not have to be constantly remodeling their house. Adding on a deck, or having a patio installed at a home are just a few examples of remodeling options people can choose to have done at their home.

A very popular option for home improvement is adding a back deck, or even a sunroom, of the rear of the house. This can present added space to the home to relax in, or when it comes to back porches, this can be an ideal way to enjoy the outside of your home. Deck systems are built with longevity in mind, and all of the materials used in this process are designed to last even when exposed to weather constantly. Specific nails and wood are used during the building process, and there are special stains that can be applied to a deck to keep it looking in great shape for years to come. The addition of a deck to a home is usually very affordable, depending on how elaborate the deck actually is, which the sky is the limit when it comes to how custom you would like to make the outside of your home.

Other types of home improvements that can be very affordable, and reliable, is to remodel a bathroom, or bathrooms, inside your home. Remodeling a bathroom presents the best bang for your buck when you consider the value increase of your home compared to how much you spend on the improvements. You can have faucets and fixtures installed that are built to last, and reliable enough to where you do not have to worry about anything leaking. Any type of leaking water, no matter how slow, can result in a very large water bill. This is a reason why many people decide to remodel their bathrooms.

People like improving and remodeling their home at their own pace because of the customizability of it, and because they can work within their own budget, making it very affordable. And because everything they install into their home, or have built, is new, it makes everything very reliable day in and day out.…

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Renovation House

Top 7 Decorating Mistakes

December 14, 2020 Comments Off on Top 7 Decorating Mistakes

Being an interior designer for over 25 years I’m quite familiar with the most common mistakes most people make (even some professionals) when decorating a home. Decorating should reflect our taste and style, and it is a very personal thing. However there are a few decorating blunders that should be avoided. Below is a list of mistakes and fixes.
MISTAKE 1: The Line Up…lining up the furniture on one wall. I see this done a lot especially in bedrooms, where several different size dressers are all shoved against one wall. This creates a “cluttered” look and feel. It’s also unbalanced.
THE FIX: Be sure to measure the space and the dimensions of the furniture you’ll be placing on each wall. Place one main piece of furniture on a wall. You want to make sure the room looks and feels balanced. Also, be sure to leave enough “walk room” between the bed and the furniture. You don’t want to be bumping into things if you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Scale is very important here.
MISTAKE 2: Furniture people think pushing the living room sofa against the wall and by having the open space in the center of the room will make the room appear larger…False. This type of arrangement makes it difficult to carry on a conversation.
THE FIX: Since the sofa is the largest piece in the room it should be placed in the center and across from either the entertainment wall or fireplace (the focal point). Rearrange the other pieces around the sofa to create an intimate setting that is more conversational. (group all piece in the center of the room) Make sure you’re TV is hung/placed at eye level and the sofa is placed at the correct distance from the TV. The distance depends on the size of the TV and your preference. A good rule of thumb is to take the size of the TV and multiply it by 1.5. For example, if you have a 42″ Flat Screen TV, you would multiply 42 x 1.5 = 63″ or 5’1/4″. If you feel that it’s still too close you can move your sofa back to about 6′. The larger the TV the further back the sofa should go. So it’s important to know your room size before purchasing a TV. (measure to the back seat of the sofa)
Some rooms are too small for this configuration, if you have to place the sofa against a wall be sure to group the other pieces around the ‘t push the chair against another wall, etc.
Upon entry you see the back of the ‘s a great place for a console table to be placed with a few accessories displayed.
MISTAKE 3: Fear of I first moved to the dessert I was shocked at how many beige / cream colored houses I went to. Floors, walls, ceilings and furniture were all beige, which tends to look boring and lacks creativity. Many of the clients told me that they love color but were afraid to use it. Many think using a paint color, other than off white; will make the room look smaller and be difficult to match with furniture.
THE FIX: Use your favorite colors! I recommend selecting the upholstery and window treatments first. You can start with a palette of three colors in different shades and contrast – you can have one dark deep color, complimented by lighter colors. Select the main color followed by accent colors. Darker colors tend to ground while lighter colors tend to float. Don’t use all jewel tones or pastels – mix it up. After those selections are made then the paint color can be selected. It is best to select a few colors and paint them on the wall in the room. Stay with it for a day or so and see how the color looks in the natural light and nighttime light, then select. The goal of paint color is to enhance the other colors being used and to create a mood. You can use paint color to make something pop or to create a soft glow. But always surround yourself in the colors you love.
MISTAKE 4: Too Many Patterns… using too many patterns can become distracting to the eye, busy and overbearing. However, you don’t want to be “matchy-matchy” either. There are many ways to introduce patterns to the d?�cor of a room but there is also a fine line with how many to use and where.
THE FIX: I love to decorate a room with different patterns, it creates interest. However, you must stay true to your color palette and plan. Use patterns and prints very specifically to support the main color and draw attention to the accent colors. Mix it …

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Room Additions

Bathroom Remodeling – Choosing the Right Flooring For Your Bathroom

December 10, 2020 Comments Off on Bathroom Remodeling – Choosing the Right Flooring For Your Bathroom

While many homeowners believe that flooring is more for aesthetics than anything else, your flooring services multiple purposes in the bathroom. When you’re getting ready to do bathroom remodeling you need to put careful consideration in the type of flooring that you’ll install. Very specific factors come in to play with the bathroom, from water retention and absorbency, stain resistance, safety when wet, overall durability, cost, how it fits with the design. Here’s a look into the different flooring options to consider while you prep for bathroom remodeling in your home.
Carpeting: While it might not seem like the best idea in an environment that is perpetually exposed to moisture, carpet is actually a great option for the bathroom – you just have to make the right purchase decision and do your homework on the carpet you want. You need to install carpet that is stain-resistant as well as milder-resistance. The backing of the carpet also needs to hold the water back so it won’t be absorbed by the padding. If this is in line then you have no worries about carpet installation in the bathroom.
Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile for bathroom flooring is designed a little differently than the ceramic tile you would use on a countertop or backsplash. While those surfaces are smooth, ceramic flooring tiles are made with a textured surface to prevent slipping. It’s a favored option for floors because of the custom designs, shapes and more that are available – lending an opportunity to create a truly unique floor in your bathroom.
Laminate: Laminate is made of layers of material that have been bonded together for strength and durability, including resin and wood fibers. The final pieces are formed together into compressed planks with an image that’s imprinted on the surface. This allows a custom design in various material styles and colors, most commonly wood. It’s durable and easy to clean, making it an affordable and great option for many bathroom remodeling projects.
Hardwood: It’s an added expense, but it’s difficult to replicate the beauty and character that comes from a hardwood floor. It lends a great deal of warmth and comfort to the bathroom environment, which is beneficial if you’re the type to rely on your bathroom for relaxation after a long day. Even older wood floors can be easily refreshed and to ensure safety you can apply a no-slip finish in the bathroom.
Natural Stone: Natural stone is often cut into large tiles that are placed in various patterns across the floor in the bathroom. It’s common for tiles to be cut in 12″ squares but they can also come larger. Being natural stone it’s highly durable and easy to care for. When properly sealed the floor won’t absorb water and the surface is naturally slip-resistant making it a safe option for your bathroom flooring. The only downside here is that natural stone tends to get a little cold on the feet.
Vinyl: This has long been one of the most popular options for bathroom flooring, coming in sheets or tiles that can be easily placed and bonded to the subfloor. It comes in a variety of shapes and patterns to fit most designs and personal styles. While easy to clean, vinyl tiles have a lot of seams which creates potential for mold. The bonding glue can also give after time, causing your vinyl to release from the flooring.
Ultimately you’ll need to choose the flooring that best suits your personal preferences, your budget and the overall look of your room. If you’re not certain which type of flooring suits your bathroom, take the time to consult with a general contractor. They can help you make an informed decision on what material is best for your bathroom remodeling project.…