A Bathroom Remodel on a Budget
Remodeling a bathroom is anything but inexpensive. If you go all out and replace everything including your bathtub, your sink and vanity, and your toilet, you are going to spend thousands of dollars at a minimum. And don’t forget the walls and the floor and anything extra you might want to add like a steam shower or an oversized bathtub with jets. If you can’t afford that type of bathroom remodel, that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck with the same room year after year. There are many ways to remodel the room while keeping at least some of your money in your pocket.
One of the first and best ways to save money is to not replace the bathtub. If it’s chipped, cracked or otherwise damaged you want to replace it so that it looks good and doesn’t end up leaking or causing problems. You don’t want to have to have it torn out after you’ve redone other parts of the room. But if your tub is in good shape and you don’t hate it, leave it in place and simply change the surround. New ceramic tile or a solid surface bathtub surround will clean up the area and make it look fresh and new.
If your bathtub is in bad shape but you’re in a situation where the expense of getting it out and putting a new one in could rack up tons of charges just in labor alone, consider a bathtub reglazing and resurfacing. Professionals will come in and reface the bathtub to make it look like brand-new. You can also consider a bathtub liner. In this case, professionals will come in and measure the bathtub and create a custom made surround and bathtub liner that will fit right over the old. There are drawbacks to this in some cases, because they can be almost as expensive as replacing the whole thing. Check with the professionals in your area and compare costs to make sure will fit your budget.
Another way to save money is instead of replacing your entire bathroom vanity, just reface the cabinets below. If you’re happy with the way the top looks and you don’t feel the need to replace the sink, then add a sparkling new faucet in a new design to make the space look brand-new. If you’re really on a bathroom remodel budget that’s tight, just change out the drawer pulls and the knobs on the cabinets to something that sparkles and really catches the eye. And don’t forget the difference that a new shower curtain can make. Something as simple as that can make a small bathroom remodel look like you spent much more time and money in a designer showroom.
Bathroom Remodel: Improve Storage and Appeal
Ask any real estate agent and he or she will tell you how important a well-designed and updated bathroom is to the resale value of your home. A bathroom remodel allows homeowners to design and create a room that is both beautiful and functional. By replacing appliances, expanding storage, and improving the overall appearance of the room, you are able to make a wise investment in your home.
Homeowners who want to remodel their bathrooms should take some time to determine what sorts of features they want most. Taking account of what you like and don’t like about your bathroom helps you as you create a plan for your renovation project. Look through magazines for inspiration or make a list of any styles, colors, or designs that you are particularly fond of. Many homeowners lean toward designs that create a relaxing and spa-like atmosphere.
We all know what it is like to walk into a bathroom that is cluttered and crowded. A lack of storage space can make your bathroom appear smaller and diminish the look of your room. Storage space allows you to store your linens, supplies, and cleaning products where they are hidden from view and out of your way. Decluttering your space allows for better use of your room and improves the style and appeal of the whole bathroom.
One of the most effective ways to improve your bathroom is to install custom cabinet solutions to expand storage space. Custom cabinetry allows homeowners to add storage to their bathroom that is specifically designed to compliment the unique space of their room. Custom cabinets can be created to fit small or irregular spaces. This means that even the smallest bathrooms can be fitted with adequate storage. Because the cabinets are made according to your specifications, you can choose materials and colors that best compliment your individual taste and style.
Aside from cabinets, new flooring will make the biggest impact on the overall look of your bathroom. You want to look for flooring material that will withstand high humidity and provide a surface that is not slippery. Tile and stone flooring are among the most popular choices. With so many colors and styles available, homeowners are sure to find a flooring product that will make their bathroom look luxurious and elegant.
Often overlooked, bathroom lighting is crucial to the functionality of the room. Many times, bathrooms are small spaces that may or may not have a window. It is important to have good lighting for shaving, applying make-up, brushing your teeth, and all of the other tasks you may perform while getting ready for the day. Good lighting is also essential for safety. Without proper illumination, you could slip and fall and this could result in a serious injury.
Showers, tubs, and toilets are available in high efficiency models that may help you save money in water and energy costs over time. Specialty fixtures and accessories help homeowners design a bathroom that will impress their guests and add value to their home.
Be sure that you work with a bathroom remodeling professional who is experienced and skilled in bathroom design and renovation. A custom cabinetry specialist will allow you to create the bathroom storage you need to improve the overall look and function of your room.
Need Help Designing Your Remodel? – There’s an App for That
Home remodeling, even when you have a good general contractor on board, can be tough. Trying to get across to the contractor you are considering hiring exactly what you have in mind can be a challenge. “I want a bedroom in my attic” is, after all, a little vague.
If an architect is not in the picture and if your drawing talents stopped developing after third grade, a tool to help you envisage what the home improvement ideas in your head will turn into in real life would be really handy. Especially if you could do it all right from your phone. Well, guess what? There is an app for that – Home 3D for the iPhone and iPad.
Home 3D is rather different to other remodeling software aids you may have seen in the past. Using pre-set room dimensions that can be adjusted if needed, it allows you to alter the layout of any room within seconds. Want to see what your bedroom would look like minus the dividing wall? Done. Want to put it back again but this time with a built in closet? Results in seconds.
Home 3D also differs in that not only does it let you design – and then redesign – the layout of the rooms you are considering remodeling but virtually decorate them as well. It allows furniture to be moved, wall art to be hung, and an overall design scheme to be established-anytime, anywhere.
That means that when you do meet with your remodeling contractor for the first time all you will have to do is take out your Apple gadget of choice and they will instantly have a clear picture of what you want them to aim for. Planning and negotiation, then ultimately the remodeling work itself, can thus begin far more quickly.
Kitchen Remodel 101
If you are remodeling your kitchen, do it by the numbers, don’t freewheel it. Get a design first! Use an Architect on any larger remodel, and on a smaller one at least have some basic drawings done. Most big box stores will have a computer design tool where you can see before you buy. You cannot just start buying components because you find them on sale. No overall plan? You won’t like the results.
The cost of remodeling your kitchen depends on current layout, size and condition of your room, as well as the quality of replacement products you prefer. According to an annual construction cost survey by Remodeling Online, a minor remodel of a 200-square-foot (10×20) kitchen averages $17,037-$19.366 nationwide; a mid-range major remodel including an island and other upgrades runs $50,860-$59,716; and an upscale remodel for the same size kitchen can be $103,529-$115,549. These are averages; actual costs may be higher or lower. The cost for redoing your bathroom can run from $5,000 for a very basic upgrade all the way to $40,000 or more for a complete new look.
If you start buying, before you have a “complete” plan, you will end up spending more, and you won’t like the results as well, it is just that simple. One of THE most important decisions is hiring the right General Contractor. Your decision on what General Contractor to use is critical.
When talking about numbers this size, doesn’t it make sense to spend some time doing research on the Contractor you are hiring to do the job? Isn’t it worth some homework time to completely check the Contractor out BEFORE you hire him?
When deciding on which General Contractor (GC) to use, you need to do your homework up front. Once you are into the deal and the paperwork has been signed and the process has started, it is too late to address whatever comes up WITHOUT a large amount of additional effort and money.
If you are about to embark on a remodel, large or small, you will have quite a few hours deciding what is going into this new remodel. You will go to a large variety of stores, outlets, factories, etc to pick out the various products you want. You will look at appliances, floor covering options, colors, counter top materials, and on and on it goes. This is a normal part of the remodel process. First you must pick out what products and materials you wish to use.
You wouldn’t simply go hire a General Contractor, show them what you want done and leave all the choices up to them. You wouldn’t have the GC pick out your counter tops or cabinets, or anything else for that matter. You do all the homework, shop all the products, make all the choices. Then you hand it off to the GC to fulfill your wishes, using the products you chose. Sounds pretty straight forward, yes?
So if you are going to do all that homework in picking out the products and materials that go into your remodel, shouldn’t you spend enough time in picking the people who are going to do the work? Shouldn’t you do your homework and verify that the person you hire to do the work is qualified to, in fact, do the work? Wouldn’t it be nice to know that his license is up to date, that his subcontractors and suppliers are happy with his work and they got paid on time? Don’t you want to know these things BEFORE you hire your GC?
You could pick out the best materials and products to be used in your remodel, but put the wrong person/company in charge of installing them and you might not like the result. Remember, you have to live with the result for a long time, you better like it.
When interviewing a GC for your project, one of the first things you can quite easily do is get his General Contractors license number. Then go to state regulating board in charge of regulating General Contractors and make sure his license is valid and up to date. Make sure there are no leans or complaints or suspensions related to his business. If he has no license, the solution should be simple; no deal, period.
Additionally, does he have his general liability insurance up to date, ask for proof of insurance. What you do not need is to have a subcontractor get hurt on your job and because the GC doesn’t have the proper insurance or proper amount of insurance, the sub sues you for damages. Again it is simple, not properly insured? NO DEAL.
Once you get past that, you want to ask for references. You want to talk to 3 clients with projects in the local area and with …
Bargain Ways to Remodel Your Small Kitchen
Before you decide to remodel your kitchen there are plenty of points you ought to take into account. This can turn into the biggest and most expensive home remodelling endeavor you might ever do, so you’ll want to be fully ready so that you aren’t struck with any unexpected expenses at a later date. Utilize these guidelines below to plan your restoration effectively making it a pleasurable process that will certainly please your family with no undo stress and anxiety.
Do a lot of the renovation by yourself, at a minimum all that you’re capable of. Building contractors are not free and competent ones can charge you a great deal more. I definitely steer clear of hiring a general contractor and decide on a 50/50 job where you outsource to experts for specialised tasks (plumbing related, installing cabinetry, and so on.). Think DIY for the simpler work like demolition, clean-up, and so on.
Reposition your former fridge into the garage or dining area. Add a hot plate, sink and dining room table and there you will have a provisional kitchen to use while redesigning. Dining out each night isn’t the ideal thing you can do when improving your kitchen area, so intend on making a couple of your meals at your home. It isn’t enjoyable eating inside your basement, however your physiques and bank account is going to say thank you when you’re finished with the reconstruction.
If you happen to be obtaining new home appliances that have to fit within a specific area, make sure you take the measurements when you’re purchasing. Guessing is not going to be sufficient. Once your new kitchen appliances enter your newly renovated kitchen, you want to make sure that they will squeeze into the allotted spot. Don’t order a fridge that features an ice dispenser unless you have the proper water lines. In case your replacement refrigerator and/or oven will be set up adjacent to your counter, be sure the depth of the appliance is correct. If not, your brand-new kitchen appliances might be much deeper compared to the counter top.
Stoves and other big appliances are available in numerous types of tones and sizes. Choose big kitchen appliances in a fairly neutral color. This can save you money if you ever opt to alter the theme of your kitchen. Little appliances, like blenders, coffee makers, toaster ovens, heavy duty mixers and can openers can be found in black, white, stainless and a number of additional colors. Consider that simple colors might be best. You probably would not want red wine kitchen appliances if, in the foreseeable future, you decide to change the color scheme of your kitchen blue.
Redesigning your kitchen is often an extremely fulfilling job – you’re able to take pleasure in and be proud of your hard work and imaginative selections. However the renovation, whether it is done by you or by an experienced builder, will often not proceed entirely efficiently. There will probably be several unpredicted difficulties that could annoy the daylights out of you. Nevertheless, you will inevitably deal with it and progress, to the next part. That is the nature of renovation any room in your house.…
Is a Green Bathroom Remodel in Your Future? It’s Easier Than You Think!
If you’re planning a bathroom remodel in the near future, why not explore the new products and materials designed and produced to save money and save the environment? No longer in the expensive category of only a few years ago, these new products and materials compete very well with everything else out there. And when you compare the cost advantages over time, the allowances offered by manufacturers and the government, its crazy not to at least consider a green bathroom remodel.
Toilets, for instance, have come a long way, baby! Today you can’t even buy one that uses 3-plus gallons of water to flush. And, if you recall the buzz about the inefficiency of the newer “low flow” models of a couple of years ago, you’re operating on a false premise. A green bathroom remodel wouldn’t be complete without looking into a new toilet! New designs, larger discharge and smarter manufacturing provides toilets with operations that match their older counterparts flush by flush. In fact, you probably won’t even notice you’re doing your part for the planet when you flip the lever!
Your bathroom vanity countertop can also now be made to be both beautiful and Earth loving with the use of recycled materials. These include recycled glass, scrap aluminum, concrete and (if you can believe it) old recycled paper. Some very attractive countertops today are made by combining paper, fly ash-a by-product of coal combustion-and an eco-binder, such as epoxy. You may have even had a morning cup of coffee at a favorite bistro on a paper countertop and not know it! Some are made entirely of recycled glass, with a new unique look and are comparable in cost, strength, heat resistance and durability to granite.
The bathroom floor is getting some attention, too. Linoleum, invented in 1863 (think Civil War) now has some real competition. New types are so healthy for us and our environment that they cover the floors of many large Health Care facilities and hospitals. There are even floors made by using a pressed combination of burlap, canvas, linseed oil and flour! Almost makes me hungry. Laminate flooring can be manufactured to look like almost anything and tiles are made in a wild array of planet friendly styles and textures. Even the rugs have gone green!
What about the walls? Your green bathroom remodel could even mean painting the walls… er… green. How about soy based paint? Clay paint, which can look like adobe is a natural choice and one that will give the room a rustic or Tuscan feel. You can have your milk and paint it too… by using all natural organic milk paint. Not only do these paints look beautiful, but they last as long or longer than regular latexes. Also, new paints are coming on the scene all the time to not only make your home brilliant, but many are made to fight germs and reduce mold and mildew!
Low flow, water saving faucets and shower heads are designed now to feel just like the old kind, but use much less water. This is due to atomizers and pulsators that mix air and H2O and reduce the actual amount being delivered. This not only saves water, but the energy to heat the water as well. And, the new designs are very cool, with new materials and finishes to match anything!
So, before you start in on that bathroom remodel, think about making it a green bathroom remodel. Take a look around your bath and see what you can do to bring that room into the twenty first century! Then go spend some time in a big box retailer or plumbing or bath fixture store. See what they have to offer and how you can save some money and the planet while you’re there.…
Kitchen Or Bathroom Remodel – The Truth Not Seen on TV Shows and What to Expect From a Contractor
With all of the do-it-yourself shows on network television, most home owners fail to realize how many extras actually are required to complete a remodel. These shows which run for a 30 minute span of time can actually take well over a month or two depending upon the project undertaken. While edited television holds the viewer’s interest, it does a poor job of educating the home owner with the actual process of having a remodel. Patience and planning are the keys to an effective remodel. There is no general rule of thumb when it comes to how long a particular remodel will take. An example is some kitchen remodels can take as little as one week while others can take one month or more.
There are numerous factors to be considered. It all comes down to how well planned the design is, how the home owner makes themselves available for the contractor, what materials are to be used, where the source for the materials is located, and so on.
The first key ingredient to a successful remodel is patience. The home owner needs to understand and expect that the design stage can take several weeks alone. After sitting down with the builder or contractor to discuss what the home owner’s desires are, both the contractor and the home owner need to address potential challenges of the space to be remodeled. While the home owner will have many questions needing to be answered, the remodeling contractor should be asking a plethora of question of the owner. The more thorough this preliminary consulting is the more enjoyable the remodel will be and with fewer surprises.
Even with the most conscientious builder or remodeling contractor, occasional unforeseen snags can pop up from time to time. There are many reasons that this situation may occur. Older homes often can possess more hidden surprises than newer houses due to new building codes which were not the same as when the house was originally built. That is not to say that newer constructed homes are free of these types of situations. The solution for this scenario is to clarify the contractor’s experience.
Contractors always should have a portfolio of past projects to offer up to new clients. Many times a new design possibility may come to mind of the home owner from viewing examples of past work performed. Most remodeling contractors are more than happy and even excited to display their past accomplishments.
The home owner needs to patient once the planning and design stage has begun. It can take weeks upon weeks to decide on materials and acquire them for the job ahead. The one aspect of remodeling or even having a custom home built, which many clients fail to do, is consistently inspect the progression of work being performed and observe materials being used. The most contractors are competent and know exactly what they are doing, but an extra set of eyes will not hurt. Asking questions throughout the remodel will help to avoid any possible confusion with both parties and will yield result in a happier home owner when the job is completed.…