People buy new cars, new clothes, new smart devices, so why not purchase a home new? The easy answer is that they are in shorter supply than their older counterparts. Because of this, they can also be more expensive. But, that’s the worthy price of getting the opportunity to be the first to leave your mark on a new home. Here are a few reasons you should consider new home construction when looking for a home.

[Read more…]

Before you decide to create your new deck out of wood, why not consider a technological breakthrough for decks. New material is now available for your deck builder projects – composite decking. Created by mixing plastics with wood fibers, the resulting substance is eco-friendly, nearly maintenance free, and easy to use. Here are some facts to help you decide if wood or composite materials are right for your decking project.

[Read more…]

Does your home feel like it’s shrinking? If you’re looking for ways to expand your living space without buying a new home, an addition is a natural choice. However, many homeowners look past the idea of basement remodeling. Remodeling your basement is far more affordable than adding an entire addition. Here are some things to consider as you plan a basement renovation project.

Height of Your Basement

Before you get the ball rolling, check out your basement. Some unfinished basements aren’t tall enough to be considered living space. Ceilings that are only six-foot tall or shorter will be uncomfortable once you add ceiling material.

Insulation

If your basement is ready for remodeling, the first step is insulation and waterproofing. If your basement has a history of leaking or flooding, you need a professional to address these issues before you start covering them up with drywall or other finish materials. Vapor barrier and insulation are essential for keeping your basement dry, warm and protected from the elements.

Windows

Even the most luxurious basement remodeling project will feel a bit dark or cramped without natural light. Most basements have windows or half windows. If your basement doesn’t have any windows, ask a professional contractor if you have any options of adding windows. This will make a big difference when you start to decorate your basement and make it feel like a part of your home.

Finding the Right Contractor

Now that you’ve considered all the base layers of your basement remodeling project, it’s time to choose the right contractor. A professional home improvement company can take all the stress out of remodeling your basement and give you the expert results you need for a beautiful new addition to your living space. Whether you’re adding a few bedrooms, a bathroom or a new living room, your basement can be an affordable way to add space to your home without purchasing new property.

Warm, sunny weather invites you to be outside enjoying the breeze and chirping birds. Installing a deck and patio allows you to get more out of your backyard. The structures provide space for patio furniture to relax on while you spend time with family and friends. Adding a fire pit can enhance the space for use in cooler weather. Before installing a patio deck or fire pit, consider the following tips for best results.

Fire Pit

The first thing to decide is if you plan to have a fire pit installed or not. The place where you place the patio deck may move if you need space for smoke to escape into the air. Since a fire pit doesn’t require a chimney, they make perfect outdoor accessories. A fire pit is cheaper and easier to install than an indoor fireplace yet allows the family to enjoy the ambiance and closeness of gathering around a fire.

Other Structures

When deciding on where to place your deck and patio, consider what other structures are in your yard including how your house sits. Fire is a danger and you wouldn’t want it too close to a garden shed or the house. Smoke and ash can damage nearby structures if they are too close.

Patio Design

Designing the patio deck around the fire pit allows you to make the most of the fire pit year-round. Designs may have the fire pit in the center with benches around the pit. Some designs move the fire pit off to one side especially if surrounding buildings are too close. Consider placing a fence around the deck or fire pit to keep out children and pets.

A deck and patio with a fire pit extend the amount of time you can enjoy the outdoors. Using a contractor can help you get the most out of the space with a design that works best for your family.

Purchasing a home is likely one of the biggest investments most people will make in their lifetime. While it may seem like common sense for a buyer to simply purchase one that fits the needs and preferences of the buyer, that is not always feasible. Due to factors such as location, housing availability, or budget, the perfect living situation may not always be within reach. While your dream home may not be available immediately as is, home additions might be the answer to your dilemma.

Customization

Options may feel very limited when living in a home and making do with a space as is. Perhaps you wish there were an extra bedroom for guests, a functional office to get work done, a sunroom to relax at the end of a long day, or extra bathrooms for a larger family to help alleviate the stress of the morning rush. The odds of finding a home that has all these conveniences may be slim, but home additions can help create the space you need in an existing structure.

Cost Efficiency

Even though you may have the option to move out of your home to find a larger one, it may be more cost-efficient and less stressful to stay put and work with space you already have. When you factor in all the costs of selling a home and purchasing a new one, in addition to expenses for hauling all your belongings safely to a new location, the cost of adding to your existing property, by comparison, is likely much lower.

Adding Value to Your Home

Even though home additions can be more financially practical than relocating, they are still a significant investment which can make some homeowners hesitant to commit. To ease those worries, it may be reassuring to know that home improvement can increase the value of a property and in some cases turn a profit for the homeowner should they sell their home later down the road. Therefore, getting this project professionally done by a qualified contractor can be well worth it not only for your comfort but financially as well.

If you’re planning to remodel your bathroom, there are some essentials you’ll want to consider. While it’s nice to switch out the hardware on your cabinets or give the room a fresh coat of paint, there are some other things that will not just make it more comfortable to live with, but will add long-term value as well. The following are four essentials of bathroom remodeling.

1. A Quality Fan – The ventilation system in your bathroom makes a huge difference, though you might not notice at first. Consider the mold growth that could be the cause of improper ventilation. Not only is it unsightly, it’s harmful to live with. A new, high quality fan can also lessen noise in the bathroom, as newer models are quieter to run. As an added bonus, ask your installer about options that come with humidity sensors.
2. Extra Storage Space – While it can be fun to decorate the bathroom a little bit, too much can be overwhelming. When that happens, you just can’t relax when you need to. Rather than pulling in additional baskets and shelves to sit on countertops and in corners, utilize built-in storage options. Speak with your installer about tall cabinetry, drawers underneath the sink and other creative spaces for storing your items.
3. A Good Soaker – If your bathroom has space that allows for a good soaking tub, it’s always nice to have that option at the end of the day. If you can’t fit a larger bathtub into the room, a traditional size with higher walls would serve the same purpose.
4. Bright Lights – Many people spend their morning getting ready for the day in the bathroom. Without adequate lighting, they may not notice their makeup doesn’t look quite right or their shirt has lint on it. Bright lights enhance the room so you can look your best after spending time in there.

As you can see, a quality fan, extra storage space, a good soaker and bright lights can really make a difference when it comes to your bathroom remodeling project. Speak with a professional today to find out how to get started.

Consider all the possibilities available for your bathroom remodeling project. With so many products, colors and styles to choose from, the sky is the limit, but how is your budget looking? While you might get overly excited about all the possibilities, remember to stay within your budget so you don’t end up with a half-finished bathroom and an empty wallet. The following are some aspects to keep in mind when coming up with the right budget for your remodel.

Plumbing

Depending on the extent of your remodel, there are some things you’ll need to consider when it comes to plumbing. If you’re doing a complete overhaul, you’ll need to disconnect everything related to the plumbing so you can install new fixtures. There might be some piping that needs to be redone and you might have to install new shut off valves. It’s smart to budget $1000 for the plumbing alone.

Tile

Again, every remodel is different and the extent of yours will determine the cost you should budget for tile. You might be tiling the floor, the shower, the backsplash and possibly the countertop. If you opt for in-floor heating, you’ll have additional costs. Tile can range anywhere from $7 to $15 per square foot, and with in-floor heating, you can add another $14 for each square foot.

Electrical

When it comes to the electrical work in your bathroom remodel, you’ll be working with outlets, lights, fans, vanity lights and more. Not only do you need to consider the electrical work itself, but you’ll need to consider the actual lights, outlet covers, etc. Set aside $800 for the electrical work and another $200 for the components.

Of course, there is so much more when it comes to your bathroom remodeling budget. You need to plan for the bathtub, shower, faucet, accessories, mirrors and sinks. You also need to plan for paint, construction materials, a dumpster and other miscellaneous supplies. Speaking with a contractor will help you get a better idea how much this will all cost, and can hopefully get you some good deals to make sure you come in under budget.

Home additions are a cost-effective solution to a family that is growing too big for their current abode. If you are planning a home addition, there are some considerations you should keep in mind before knocking down any walls. While there are all the legalities to learn about, there are some other important factors as well. They include:

1. Boundary Lines – You will need to know where your exact property lines are. There are certain building codes that define how near you are able to build to that line. It’s important you adhere to these codes so you don’t end up having to rip down a perfectly fine addition. You’ll also want to consider the boundary lines so you know how much yard you can expect to have left after the project is complete.
2. Floor Plan – Your current floor plan can help you determine the layout of your home addition. While it’s always fun to dream of different ideas, let a professional help you come up with the perfect layout to connect to your current home. You want the area to flow well, function properly and not look like it was an addition at all.
3. Work Descriptions – Once you have a floor plan in place, have your contractor or architect help you come up with some work descriptions. What steps need to be taken? What materials need to be purchased? What can you, as the homeowner, take care of? What does the contractor need to do?
4. Budget – You don’t want a home addition to make you house poor. While speaking with your contractor, find out how much you can expect to pay for the home addition you are dreaming of. If it comes in above your budget, you might consider scaling it down or using different products.

Clearly, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to home additions, but that doesn’t mean you have to get overwhelmed. Speak with a professional who can walk you through boundary lines, floor plans, work descriptions and budgets so you can relax.

You probably have an idea of what your basement would look like if you had unlimited resources and money. The unfortunate reality is that the picture in your mind may not be realistic or affordable. If you follow some tips for remodeling your basement on a budget though, you should be able to get pretty close.

[Read more…]