Archive for the ‘Remodeling’ Category

Want to create a more open space for your living room? How about tearing down a wall to make a connecting walk-in closet to your master’s bedroom? Would you like to change the guest room into a play room for the kids? Or maybe add a second floor since you’re adding numbers to the family? Ho! Before you make any remodeling plans, consider the following 5 steps to ensure satisfaction at the results.

The first step is to analyze the numbers. The question to ask before considering pushing through with remodeling plans is if the cost to renovate gets you a good return on your remodeling investment. A positive return on your remodeling investment depends on 3 factors – type and cost of renovation, market value and home comparison.

The second step is to get ideas and trends. An important thing to know when making remodeling plans is to know what you want to do and want you want to see in your house. Getting some ideas from home renovation trends and other home remodeling projects is always a good place to start. From the architecture to the types of doors and windows to the appliances to the furnishing to the plumbing to the landscape – all these can affect how you view your home.

The third step is to pick a remodeling design. This step in remodeling plans defines the specifications to be done on the project. This would list the room size and room type, layout, plumbing, flooring, types of doors and windows, landscaping, etc.

The fourth step is about financing. This is important to remodeling plans. Home equity lending for home loans and equity credit lines need to be approved should you not have enough to finance it for yourself. These loans are only approved depending on 4 factors – home appraisal, your credit rating, qualifying debt-to-income ratio and your current employment.

The fifth and final step is managing the construction. At the start of implementing the remodeling plans, the homeowner should hire a builder to oversee the project. Most people that want to renovate their homes put a great amount of trust in the builder’s judgment and experience in carrying out the plans. A high level of communication and participation is needed between builder and homeowner to make sure that everything being done is up to par.

These 5 steps are pretty much the guideline for people who want to renovate their homes. Doing these 5 steps and following through them all can pretty much guarantee the homeowner satisfaction with the implementation of the remodeling plans and their end results.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Remodeling and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Home Remodeling web site. For more articles and resources on Home Remodeling related topics, Remodeling Contractors, Home Remodeling Loans, Remodeling Ideas and much more visit his site at:

=>http://remodeling.need-to-know.net/

Author: Milos Pesic
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Want to redo your bathroom design? Are your bathroom fixtures still taken from the medieval era? Would you want a hip yet cozy look, or a modern yet classical view of your bathroom? You can definitely have it. If you feel that you only have limited bathroom remodeling ideas in mind and you want to work on your creativity to make your bathroom a relaxing luxury, then get some tips and help from bathroom design magazines, bathroom specialty shops, bathroom-dedicated websites, bathroom contractors and designers, and bathroom remodeling services.

If you’re getting tired of the many big expensive renovation plans and models yet you still want to give your bathroom a new look, then you can just start visualizing your bathroom remodeling ideas by taking one fixture or item at a time. With a limited budget, space, and time, you can sort your bathroom remodeling ideas into different projects; this way, you won’t have to worry so much on the cost spent and work time because you really don’t have to redo everything in your bathroom in one reconstruction.

When you sort your bathroom remodeling ideas into small projects, think of what’s the most important part or thing in your bathroom that needs to be improved, remodeled, or refaced. Once this is accomplished, then move on to the next small project when you have the funds and time to do it. Slowly, you realize and see the improvements done in your bathroom, and in no time, it will look fresh, new, and remodeled.

For example, by dividing the sections and areas of your bathroom, you come up with these project sets — bathroom sinks, bathroom showers and tubs, bathroom cabinets and closets, bathroom lighting and ceiling, bathroom walling and flooring, bathroom toilets, bathroom vanity kits and mirrors. After setting up these small projects, check and weigh which one needs to be remodeled first — based on its design, functionality, longevity, etc., once you’re done prioritizing these projects, you can now start focusing on the first project.

With this, your different bathroom remodeling ideas will fall into place, because you’ve organized it into mini-bathroom projects that would suit your finances and schedule as of that moment. Let your organization, creative, and resourceful skills work for you and your bathroom. You’ll definitely enjoy the planning, and feel accomplished after the remodeling.

Why make your life complicated when you can make it simple? Instead of getting and creating generalized bathroom remodeling ideas, try using the specialized mini-projects to make your bathroom remodeling ideas really work for you.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Remodeling and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Home Remodeling web site. For more articles and resources on Home Remodeling related topics, Remodeling Contractors, Home Remodeling Loans, Remodeling Ideas and much more visit his site at:

=>http://remodeling.need-to-know.net/

Author: Milos Pesic
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Mobile homes are actually cost effective, and yet still comfortable and livable. Though, it may be different from the traditional or conventional homes, it still has the same basics that those homes have. It’s inexpensive but homeowners still enjoy comfort and beauty. It also goes without saying that if house remodeling is a trend in the conventional homes, the same goes with mobile home remodeling as well.

There may be similarities and differences in remodeling a conventional and mobile home. It is simply because, the materials and structures are different. There are materials that may be of good quality and very good for the conventional homes but it’s a no-no in mobile homes. There are also differences in the repairs, maintenance, cleaning, and renovating of mobile homes. This is why mobile home remodeling is quite a challenging task for the homeowners. However, if they are creative, resourceful, and practical, then it’s not really that difficult or tiring after all.

In mobile home remodeling, one has to consider some important steps and factors that are critical in these types of homes compared to the typical ones. Consider the structure and level of the home, its balance and stand on the ground. Another one is the cleaning and maintenance of the exteriors, make sure you ask first from a mobile home professional or specialist store if the cleaning materials and products you’re using are apt for your mobile home. For the renovation of the interior parts, try to look for the best and most suitable walling, ceiling, and flooring materials, it doesn’t mean that, if the tiles are good for conventional homes, then it’s also good for the mobile homes, remember that the structure and composition of these two homes are different. Plumbing, painting, and wiring also must be accounted for, refer to a professional or expert when dealing with this, because if you’re not really familiar with these things, you may get disappointed at the result afterwards. Some small fixture which you may not bother to consider when remodeling a conventional house, oftentimes matter in these mobile homes, like the door knobs, faucets, showers, etc.

Mobile home remodeling vary in its steps, ways, and reconstruction, compared to conventional home remodeling, but what’s important is that homeowners must learn the ins-and-outs of their homes first, before they embark on this remodeling journey. Studying the house, planning the renovation, and creating the remodeling design are the first basic steps one must take, whether he’s redesigning his mobile home, remodeling his conventional house, or reconstructing his place.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Remodeling and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Home Remodeling web site. For more articles and resources on Home Remodeling related topics, Remodeling Contractors, Home Remodeling Loans, Remodeling Ideas and much more visit his site at:

=>http://remodeling.need-to-know.net/

Author: Milos Pesic
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Are you looking for some tips on how you can start remodeling your home? Perhaps you are just getting started with a home remodel? Either way, a good place to get great tips is from the National Association of Home Builders.

For instance, did you know that adding a room or two to your home can easily take months to complete? Granted, a “simple” bathroom or a kitchen remodel should only take a few weeks, but I’ve heard of instances where it has taken close to a year to complete a simple kitchen remodel. Now, I’m not trying to scare you, but a proper emphasis on the preparation before you embark on a home remodeling project is a good idea. This topic is discussed quite a bit on the National Association of Home Builders’ website.

So, it is important that you allot enough time for a remodeling project, and be sure you meet with your contractor and complete a schedule of when you can expect your house remodel to be done. Also, you need to secure the proper building permits before construction is under way. Once these initial steps are completed, have another meeting with your contractor and set aside time for regular meeting, whether by phone or in person. This will allow you to keep on top of any issues and track your progress to make sure everything is moving along according to the predetermined schedule.

During these meetings, you may also want to talk about any items that may need to be custom ordered, as you may want to handle any custom orders for your home remodel yourself. Be sure to give enough time for the items to be ordered and delivered, because there are instances where an item is back-ordered, or if it is a custom item it may require some production time (for it to be built).

Set some parameters for the workers! This is something that most rarely think of until it’s too late.

For instance, you may want to let them know whether it’s ok to play the radio during work hours. What kind of music do you tolerate? How loud can they play the music?

How about parking? Are there specific areas you need the workers to park their vehicles? Are some areas off limits?

What about the use of your facilities? Are they allowed to use your bathroom, if so which one? Perhaps you would rather have the construction company provide a portable toilet (this is not recommended, but it is an option).

How about the use of your phone? Do you allow smoking anywhere on your property?

As you can probably see, it is definitely a good idea to discuss these things before workers set foot on your property. This will minimize any misunderstanding and reduce potential conflict and arguments between the workers and yourself…

Ok, so once you have this out of the way you may also want to let your neighbors know that you will be remodeling your home. It’s a good idea that you let them know what type of remodeling you are doing (exterior, additions, interior etc.); how long the remodel will last and the hours that the workers will keep. You want to make sure you’re not being a nuisance to your neighbors with workers hammering away on the exterior of your home at 8am in the morning. So be sure to set some hours and that they all stick to it!

Having all of these little things in place, and communicating with all parties (including your neighbor, the contractor and/or the workers) will expedite your project and allow for better overall results.

Steven Resell is a successful webmaster and publisher of ImAllThumbs.com. He provides more Home Remodeling information and specific tips on Bathroom and kitchen remodeling that you can research on his website at http://www.ImAllThumbs.com

Author: Steven Resell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Finding and hiring the right home remodeling contractor for your home remodeling project can be daunting and confusing. You can easily search the web or look in the yellow pages and find many home remodeling contractors listed in your area but the question remains – which one do you hire for your home remodeling project. Which one will perform quality work, charge a fair price and get the job done on time.

To reduce the risk of hiring the wrong home remodeling contractor you should first do a little preparation yourself for the home remodeling project. Sketch out and write down what you want remodeled. Provide a copy of this information to each prospective home remodeling contractor as this will help to minimize misunderstandings of requirements.

If you are adding a home addition, use stakes and string or even spray paint and mark the area on the existing lawn/ground.

Next talk to your local building inspector to understand what permits and building requirements are necessary for your home remodeling project.

Visit home improvement centers such as Lowes and Home Depot, and look at materials expected to be used on your project (e.g. lumber, doors, windows, appliances, countertops, roofing material, etc.). Make note of their costs so you will be able to compare material costs proposed by prospective contractors. While visting home improvement centers also talk with some of the employees about costs and lead times for particular products of interest. For example, there are many types of doors and windows and frequently there can be significant lead times for deliveries.

When you start calling prospective contracts ask for references and previous work that you can visit.

Finally, make sure you get multiple quotes and make sure that they are in writing. Also ask how long the quotaion is vaild.

For further help in hiring a home remodeling contractor for your next home remodeling project visit HomeAdditionPlus’ Home Addition Bid Sheets. Home Addition Bid Sheets include the tools and information you need to ensure you hire the right home remodeling contractor for you home remodeling project. Each bid sheet contains a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask prospective contractors, as well as cost and timeframe estimates. Home Addition Bid Sheets help ensure that your home remodeling project will be accomplished on time and on budget.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.

Author: Mark Donovan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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There are four key remodeling cost drivers that impact how much you need to spend when undertaking any remodeling project: The design of the remodel, the materials you use, who manages the project, and how you pay for it. This article focuses on where you can save on project management, and three different options you should consider.

When it comes to project management of your remodel, you can:

o Hire a general contractor

o Manage the project yourself

o Hire a fee-based project manager

General Contractors.

General contractors will do the project management for you and usually do some of the work themselves. Often, the general contractor will do the framing, install the doors and windows, do the finish work, install fixtures and then subcontract with others to do the rest of the work.

General contractors typically will provide a fixed bid for your project based on their management of the job and subcontractors, and may charge you additionally for time and materials for the actual work they perform. They will include in their fixed bid a fee for their management time, and possibly will mark up the subcontractors’ fees to cover their own time to manage the variety of subcontractors’ activities. They will also take care of paying all the subcontractors, so instead of writing twenty checks, you only have to write one, to the general contractor. To better understand the costs of employing a general contractor, try the “Manage it Myself” option in the Remodel-or-Move Calculator at http://www.remodelormove.com. You can also gather information on your remodel at http://www.remodelestimates.com.

Manage the project yourself.

Just like a general contractor, whose primary duties are to coordinate the activities of the remodel and make decisions on your behalf, you can manage the project yourself. Even if you hire a general contractor, you will be required to make most of the decisions, so doing the task coordination is a natural offshoot of decision making. Even if you don’t have construction experience, there are resources available to help along the way.

The more important question to ask yourself is do you have the time and interest to take on and complete this project? It can take an hour or two each day to keep on top of things, make timely decisions, and follow up on the phone. If you have other things you would rather do, then you should probably hire a general contractor. If you don’t enjoy learning new things or the stress that comes along with hiring and working with subcontractors, then you should definitely hire general contractor. However, if you have good people skills, strong organizational abilities, and most importantly, the time — then being your own project manager can be a fun and rewarding adventure.

A critical component of managing any remodeling project yourself is finding and hiring good, reliable subcontractors. With a big project, this may take more time than you can budget. If you consider that you may need six or more different skilled subcontractors (electrical, plumbing, drywall and texture, etc.), you will have to interview quite a few people before picking the right person or company for each task, and evaluate at least two estimates from each one. This is where networking helps.

One good subcontractor will often know others. Ask your neighbors and friends; look in the newspapers. Good subcontractors are out there! Also try the contractor referral service at http://www.remodelormove.com. The benefits of being the project manager yourself include the pride of knowing you had a hand in the creation, the empowerment that comes with knowing that you made the decisions along the way that produced fine results, and the money you will save.

As described above, without a general contractor a project can be 20 to 50 percent less expensive. This savings can allow you to make more improvements or keep more of your money in savings. A great tool for helping you organize your remodeling project is The Complete Remodeling Workbook and Organizer available at http://www.remodelingorganizer.com.

Hire a fee-based project manager.

A third option is a compromise between the previous two. Most homeowners choose to use a full-service general contractor, many manage remodel projects themselves, and only a few choose a fee-based project manager. Fee-based project managers will do all the project coordination and subcontractor hiring tasks at an hourly rate, usually between $50 and $100 per hour. They do not mark up the subcontractor charges; you typically will pay them directly.

This can be a very attractive option because it can save you money over using the full services of a general contract, yet take away a lot of the burden of managing the project yourself. Unfortunately, these fee-based contractors are not nearly as common as general contractors, and it may be hard to find one in your area who can do everything that may be required.

No matter which option you choose, you will need the tools to organize the information you will be receiving from many sources. Business cards, quotes, invoices, receipts, contractors, notices, warranties and contracts will all begin to pile up before you know it. Scheduling tasks using check sheets and tables to compare quotes, product specifications and costs can all be organized in one place with The Complete Remodeling Workbook and Organizer. You can learn more about it at http://www.remodelingorganizer.com.

Copyright 2005 ABCD Publishing LLC

About the Author Dan Fritschen, founder of http://www.remodelormove.com, a homeowner advocacy organization, speaker at Home and Garden shows Nationwide, author of the best selling book Remodel or Move? Make the Right Decision and The Complete Remodeling Workbook and Organizer (available at http://www.remodelingorganizer.com) has recently been interviewed on CNN, in Better Homes and Garden Magazine and in Newsweek.

Do you have remodeling or moving questions? Email Dan directly at dan@remodelormove.com.

Author: Dan Fritschen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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When you begin to think about remodeling your home, it’s easy to go overboard, tackle too much, or overspend. However, if you follow a few basic home remodeling rules, you can avoid those difficulties. Here are some things to think about–even before you begin your remodeling project.

First, allow for the project to cost more than you originally thought it would. Regardless of which room you decide to remodel, you will typically find your ultimate cost to be about 25 percent higher than your original estimate. The same 25 percent figure also applies to the amount of time it will take to complete the project.

For example, if you have decided to spend $10,000 to remodel your kitchen and give yourself five weeks to finish the job, you can generally expect to end up spending about $12,500 and seven weeks on the project. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but one thing experienced remodeling professionals have learned–always expect the unexpected.

Next, take your measurements carefully, and do lots of research concerning the types of things that are available on the market to help you accomplish your remodeling goal. Go to your home improvement store and get test paint color samples. You can generally also obtain test samples of flooring materials such as carpet or hardwood flooring. Don’t be afraid to ask your retailer for samples. They expect it, and are generally happy to supply them. They want you to be happy–and you don’t want to make an expensive mistake by choosing the wrong materials. Ask your home improvement professionals for their input, as well. They will normally be aware of the latest developments in whatever field of remodeling you’re going to tackle. Again, that’s their job, and they will be happy to help.

Third, once you’ve decided on your main components, don’t forget to spend time on the small things, as well. It’s easy to get caught up in deciding upon big ticket items, but it’s often the interior design details, like trim, accent colors, and hardware that really make a remodeling project come to life.

Fourth, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember, remodeling is a sort of organic process, in which you’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to change your mind and do things somewhat differently than you had originally planned, and you’re going to run into things that you hadn’t anticipated. That’s all part of the remodeling game, so just roll with it.

Finally, try to use the best quality of materials you can afford. If you’re planning to be in your home for awhile, you’re going to be living with the materials and hardware you use in your remodel, so you want them to be as nice as you can. It’s not worth it to sacrifice your future enjoyment of the materials by skimping on quality during the remodeling job. Cheaper products also generally have a shorter lifespan, so they may actually end up costing more in the long run, once you have to replace them again.

Overall, remodeling can be a rewarding experience, if you just follow a few simple rules and use common sense along the way.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Want the designer’s touch in your home? Have you ever wondered how to achieve that interior designer’s high-end look without charging up your credit cards? Bathroom Remodeling Design Jeanette Fisher teaches five ways to makeover your home for happiness. Author of interior design and real estate books, Jeanette Fisher has researched the effects of environment on emotions for over 15 years. She teaches interior design college courses and seminars. Free interior design reports: http://interiordesignpsychology.com

Author: Jeanette Joy Fisher
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You enter a narrow corridor. Flanking the walls are two glass-paneled cabinets. The air is still. The path is stark. You perceive a wider space at the end of the hall. The effect is almost ethereal. But something must be changed, according to the request of the owner of the house.

The architect found it amusing that he was essentially remodeling his own work. Just as well, he contended, because this was a project he had done years before, and he candidly admits that as the years go by, aside from the fading of colors, tastes change, and trends evolve, too. He said that it is natural to find what we once thought as cutting edge to be outdated years later.

That is what remodeling is all about. People do not just merely want to remodel their house just because they have to. There are instances wherein remodeling is deemed necessary because some people thought that they wanted something new, something that would create a new aura around the house.

Surveys show that the average American households are inclined to remodel their houses after 10 to 20 years has elapsed. There are times that the house still looks good as new but because the house owners wanted remodeling, everything was changed.

So when people want to modify. Rectify, enhance, or simply replace, or correct anything that is wrong with the house, they could always seek the help of a person who knows what remodeling is all about.

The Impression it Creates

In remodeling, there are times that people wanted to make use of neglected space on the ground floor. With this process, you can even extend the living area up to the outside garden.

Remodeling can also add cleaner lines and illusion of space. And if you want to structurally place the house in a complete change, the walls has to be knocked down, alter the layout, and modify the roof and façade. Even the location of the stairs can be changed.

Here is a list of the things that you can change while on the process of remodeling:

1. Windows

Opting for bigger windows is a good idea. If you think that your house needs remodeling, try to consider changing your windows into bigger outlines that would enable the entry of more light and establish picturesque sights.

2. Roof

Create an illusion of a bigger space by lifting the roof.

3. Add-ons

Remodel the whole house by adding some embellishments at the front. You can even add an obscured entrance for a more dramatic effect.

4. Landscaping

Through this process, you can inevitably create a more panoramic view by adding some trees on the pathway. Landscaping is usually taken into account if you want to create an illusion of nature’s touch or simply to alter the “focal point” of the house.

5. Façade

You can change the look of your house’s façade by changing the height of your deck, porch, or veranda. If your house lacks some of it at the front, try to build one. The look will be very enticing to look at.

All of these things are boiled down to the fact that the designer or the architect’s attention to the details should not be lost all throughout the house. With remodeling, the theme of the house should go with the furnitures to be used and the colors to be embedded at every wall, adding richness and opulence to an otherwise subdued modern home.

The point here is that remodeling should bring back the pieces of the house in such a way that it creates new dimensions and disciplined illusions of artistic and creative construction. That is simply the beauty of remodeling.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides remodeling resources on [http://www.just-remodeling.info]

Author: Robert Thatcher
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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