Live a Little: When Extra Cost is Worth It
Home remodeling costs don’t have to be a burden. These days, more and more homeowners are choosing to renovate their homes. In part, they’re doing it as an investment, to add value to their property, but they’re also doing it to add comfort and convenience for themselves and their families.
If you are thinking about remodeling for the same reason, you may be wondering what renovations will add the most to your home in value and sheer pleasure. And of course, for most homeowners, cost is a concern, so you may have to pick and choose. What is going to give you the most bang for your buck? What is going to attract potential home buyers when the time comes to sell your home?
Let’s look at a few of the top renovations people are adding that won’t necessarily break the bank but will add value to your home and your everyday living:
1. Radiant Floor Heating
For bedrooms and living areas, carpets are out and hardwood floors are in. In bathrooms, old tiles from decades past are being ripped out and replaced with beautiful materials like slate and laminates made to look like expensive stones or hardwoods. Those kinds of surfaces tend to be cold, though, so more and more homeowners are installing radiant floor heating along with their new floors. Not only does it make the floor a pleasure to walk on with bare feet, radiant heating is more efficient than forced air heat, so it can save you money in the long run.
2. Luxury Showers
Big, jetted bathtubs are out; luxury showers are in. This is because homeowners are realizing they don’t take baths nearly as often as they take showers. Why not have a bit of luxury every day? People are expanding their shower cubicles and turning them into steam rooms as well as adding multiple massaging showerheads to work out their aches and pains.
3. Central Vacuum Systems
Guys, if you’re trying to sell your wives on a home remodel, this may be the addition that does it (and I’m sure there are men out there who can appreciate a system that makes cleaning easier too). Central vacuums replace portable vacuum cleaners. You install inlets around the house at convenient locations and just move the central vacuum hose from inlet to inlet. In the kitchen, you can add an automatic dustpan and simply sweep debris into a wall vent. All the dirt is sucked into the innards of the house and collected in a bin in the garage (or wherever you choose). The convenience of these systems has appeal; central vacuums can add $2,000 or more to the value of your home.
4. Home Theater
If your family enjoys watching television and movies, a projection system with comfy home theater seating replete with cup holders can give you a fun place to relax. Buyers are starting to look for home theaters when they shop for homes too. Basements are popular places to add these rooms, but if you don’t have one, you can get a projector for the living room that disappears into the ceiling when not in use.
5. Gas Fireplace
While most people like the idea of a crackling wood fire in the hearth, few of us actually bother to light one on a regular basis. Who enjoys going through the hassle of buying and dragging in wood, then starting a fire that has to be monitored until the last embers burn out? Any gas fireplace owner will tell you what a convenient luxury it is. Simply flip the switch and you get instant heat as well as the ambiance of a fire. If you live in a warm climate, where the weather is nice most of the year, try an outdoor gas fire pit–it will give your guests a cozy place to gather when you entertain outdoors.
Any one of these things will turn your home into a palace. Sometimes you just have to ignore the home remodeling costs in favor of treating yourself.
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Increase the Resale Value of Your House
Increase the curb appeal of your home for a faster sale. The home remodeling costs are more than worth it. Many buyers will stay in your home longer if it’s staged appropriately tips to increase the curb appeal of your home. The exterior of your home, in conjunction with the landscaping, has the ability to make or break the first appearance. In other words, the exterior of your home is the first impression that buyers have in many cases and they will drive on to the next house on the list if the exterior is not appealing. In real estate, first impressions sell houses. The good news is that there are many things you can do to increase curb appeal without breaking the budget. Depending on the season, there are also many touches outside which will increase the curb appeal of your home and make more potential buyers want to see the inside.
Here are a few tips to increase the curb appeal of your home. You can address your home’s curb appeal by paying attention to the windows and doors so that they appear to compliment one another and work with the other textures and colors of the house exterior and the landscaping. Attractive landscaping elements, such as shrubs, trees, and flowers, can do a great deal to increase the curb appeal of your home. Properly choosing plants and trees can increase the curb appeal of your home while adding protection and efficiency. Flowers instantly increase the curb appeal of your home. Flowers are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make the front of your house look inviting and instantly increase the curb appeal of your home. mow the lawn and edge the grassy areas adjoining walkways keep the yard free of all debris, litter and toys make sure that all exterior doors and openings have been properly cleaned and painted paint and trim exterior wood surfaces, particularly on the front elevations make sure that all automobiles and recreational vehicles are kept out of sight make certain that all garage doors are closed . Remove dead branches from trees, move lawn tools and outdoor furniture in poor condition to the garage, and neatly store kids’ toys. As for more expensive home staging techniques, consider painting your house indoors in more neutral colors and remove any busy wallpaper.
But another option that’s often overlooked is the garage door. Take a look at the message your garage door is sending. Studies show that replacing your garage door can increase the value of your home your home by as much as 4%. And, even lower end doors that enhance the overall appearance will increase the value of the home by more than the cost of the door.
Increase the curb appeal of your home by ensuring the paint condition is good, paying extra attention to the front door and trim. Whether you paint, refinish, or replace the door, freshening up the entrance is sure to enhance your home’s curb appeal. The style and additions you choose for your front door can affect your family’s safety, as well as the amount you pay in heating and cooling bills. New stock doors give you dozens of options, while a custom door is often the focal point of the property. New doors range in price from about $100 for a steel door off the rack at the home improvement store to a custom designed wood door, which can cost thousands. And, even lower end doors that enhance the overall appearance will increase the value of the home by more than the cost of the door. The most popular materials for front door remodeling are wood, fiberglass, and steel. Wood Doors A classic choice, wood doors are sturdy and beautiful. Fiberglass Doors These doors are a popular option because they combine the durability of wood with the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, all at a lower price than wood doors. Depending on your home’s exterior finishing, you might consider painting the door a color that complements the color of the trim, rather than matching it. You can also freshen up the entrance by polishing or replacing the hardware on the door. Door handle sets alone can run into the hundreds of dollars, but offer a high-quality finishing touch to your renovation project. If the doorknob, lock, and kick plate are shabby, buy new ones. Your front door should enhance the existing elements, not compete with them. The same rule applies for light fixtures, house numbers, and doorbells.
If you would like to increase the curb appeal of your home, you should consider replacing an existing window in your home with a bay or bow window. A bay or bow window helps you bring light into a room and expand a view. When considering whether to use either a Bay or Bow window, a “Bay” with it’s three sides is more traditional. Make sure to prune plants that are blocking the house from sight and blocking light from entering windows. And never underestimate the appeal of sparkling clean windows. Best to open windows when possible for that fresh, outdoorsy smell.
As the hot real estate boom is starting to slow down you can still make your home stand out among the others for a faster sale. Home remodeling costs are offset by the increase in property value. Curb appeal is key and could make a difference in whether people stop and take a flyer, or drive right by. Curb appeal projects are always a good choice and the least expensive.
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The Right Insulation Material For Your Home
In recent years, all the world has started to focus on energy conservation, and getting the most out of reusable products. While the home remodeling costs can be higher, the payoff in the long run makes it worth it. In addition to the various hybrid cars, energy efficient appliances, light bulbs, and such, you can include spray foam insulation.
This kind of insulation offers multiple features for the environmentally (and economically) aware. Spray foam is a green, cost effective and safe material to install in your home or business.
Spray foam is made from agriculturally based materials that are naturally occurring. It also contains one of the highest levels of reusable materials, making it environmentally friendly even when you’re ready to dispose of it.
Energy efficiency is another attractive feature. Because of the nature of the materials and the means of application, the spray foam creates an air tight seal between the walls. This translates to heating and cooling savings for your home or business. When applied, the insulator fills every nook and cranny, keeping the elements where they belong �” outside.
Not only does it save you money on the monthly bills, it can save you up to $500 dollars at tax time. Of course, there are certain requirements, including the quality of the foam, warranties and documentation by the manufacturer, but when you consider to those tax savings, getting the paperwork isn’t such a big deal.
Yet another way you can save with this type of insulator is on installation itself. It’s so simple to apply, that you can rent equipment and do it yourself. Even if you hire out, the application is relatively quick and easy, saving the contractor time on the job.
One of the most important features about the spray foam insulation is how household safe it is. Because of the composition of the materials, it provides no nutritional value to rodents or vermin, nor does it allow or support mold growth. Beyond that, your insulation can function as an effective part of a fire prevention system.
The foam is fire resistant. When combined with proper alarm devices and safety plans, it can contribute to the safety of your building and whoever’s inside. The material’s been tested in industry standard fire trials, and stands up better than most to sustained fires. It just doesn’t catch fire like some materials can. That definitely brings peace of mind.
Whether you’re remodeling or starting fresh, spray foam insulation is a wise choice for your insulating needs. It’s environmentally friendly, and lends itself easily to the big job of making existing structures green. It’s a money saver on both monthly bills and tax time. And finally, it protects your structure from nasty things like mold and vermin, while offering a moderate level of fire safety (when combined with an appropriate monitoring and safety system).
Going green in the 21st century shouldn’t be a hassle. The home remodling costs should not be an obstacle. With spray foam insulation, you can turn your home or business into an eco-friendly site. The savings you get from the energy efficiency and quick application makes this a wise choice to suit your building needs.
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Drywall: A Cheap but Poor Option
Old habits die hard. The same goes for building practices. Often home remodeling costs are to blame. When it comes to finishing a basement, builders tend to do the same thing they’ve always done- especially if it’s a cheap solution for them. Why would they change what’s making them money? I mean, it’s not like they have to live with the job, right?
The bottom line is this: a basement environment is different than any other place in the home, and drywall is simply not made for this environment. If you install drywall into a basement, it’s probably not going to work, and even if it does, it won’t be the best building material for the job. Below are four good reasons to drop drywall from your basement finishing plan.
Holding its Own
When it comes to shelves, cabinets, or anything else that weighs over 10 pounds, drywall is in for a real challenge. Generally, this means that you’ll have to find wall studs to use to mount the weight, which can be a difficult and imperfect process. You’ll be limited to places where studs are located and will find yourself at the mercy of sometimes unevenly spaced studs.
Unfortunately, it’s very popular to want to mount things such as shelves, cabinets, pictures, or perhaps a plasma TV on finished basement walls. And just as easily as it crumbles under too much weight, it’s very easy for you, your children, or a well-placed doorknob to leave an unsightly hole in it.
There are hardboard wall panels such as Total Basement Finishing’s Wall Panels with dense foam insulation available that can have things mounted at any point on the wall with no need to find a stud. Because these panels are free-standing, they’re also ideal for adding wall partitions for a bedroom or extra closet.
Drywall Dust
Dealing with drywall dust woes is probably the most painful part of a basement remodeling. Drywall installation is dirty work! As the heavy panels are cut to fit your basement, a thick and extremely fine dust will coat everything in the area. The dust is invasive and can kill ordinary vacuum motors as it quickly clogs their filters and causes the motor to work too hard and overheat. Professional drywall vacuums cost about $650, which is impractical for a homeowner and not often used by professionals. On top of that, the gypsum in drywall is irritating to eyes, lungs, and sinuses. Drywall should be installed carefully- with masks, goggles and gloves. Whenever possible, drywall dust should be cleaned up immediately after installation.
Service and Renovation Woes
Drywall ceilings in a finished basement are a nightmare when it comes time to service or renovate a basement. Drywall ceilings provide poor access to pipes and wiring when they need to be serviced or new ones need to be installed. Occasionally, the drywall may even need to be removed or damaged for the sake of the job. While a service panel will make this access easier, it can’t replace a drop ceiling, where every ceiling tile doubles as a service point. To make matters worse, installing heavy sheet rock on the ceiling can be a work-intensive and expensive process, and if you later decide to renovate the basement or the first floor of your house, you’ll spend hours and hours running wires and pipes under the floor and learning where already existing ones lead as you’re remodeling. And there’s a reason that drywall is filling up landfills all over the country! It’s constantly being replaced and reinstalled as water from a leaking basement, plumbing leaks, and moisture from concrete basement walls, mold, and impact damage ruin it.
Black Mold Blues
Even mold and moisture-resistant drywall does not stand by their claim with a warranty. Why? Because drywall is made of a core of gypsum laid between layers of heavy processed paper. This paper provides food for mold. As mold grows on your drywall, it becomes increasingly aesthetically unattractive. Signs of mold include peeling and cracking paint, bulging behind the paint, musty smells, and discolored walls. Drywall can support the growth of toxic black mold as well, which is particularly dangerous. But even when toxic molds are not present, mold spores in the air can agitate asthma, and cause breathing problems as well as other health issues. Very often, the entire drywall installation may need to be removed and replaced by a trained professional.
A Better Solution
Total Basement Finishing has products that are guaranteed to be mold-resistant that are made specifically for the basement environment. Their wall panels and TBF Ceiling Tiles are perfect for a basement finishing project. Our products install cleanly without the mess of drywall, make service easy, and our wall panels can hold 300 pounds per panel without a problem! We offer free estimates, and we’d love to help you! Once you see the home remodeling costs, it will seem worth it.
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Bedroom Basics
Home remodeling costs don’t have to be an obstacle. Of little importance is the size of your bedroom, it has to serve just one purpose. It has to grant you a comfortable room in which to sleep – everything else is just icing on the cake. And laying down comfortably, of course, depends upon the bed. Simply put, a bedroom is a room where you can hide away from the rat race, rest and regenerate your body and mind. It can be a small and utilitarian space, an elaborate group of rooms, or anything in between. It depends upon the size of two things: your house and your savings account.
Larger rooms can utilize a Queen or a King sized bed; smaller rooms a single or a full sized bed. Beds can be frilly and flamboyant, or plain and utilitarian. Beds are made to match any decorating scheme you can imagine, so let your creative side emerge when designing your bedroom.
The Importance of the Mattress
Identifying a mattress is a hard decision, since there are so many brands to pick from, and a bewildering array of styles and characteristics. You must pick the right firmness; you must take durability into account; and, of course, you must be aware of the costs involved. The bottom line is, however, that you should be highly studious about choosing the right mattress – if you cannot get a satisfying night’s rest, even the most expensive bedroom is not achieving its true function.
Closets
If you are fortunate enough to live in a house that is big enough, you might have a walk-in closet with tons of area for storage. Even the smallest closets can be manipulated to virtually double your storage space by using one of the various “closet systems” you can buy.
The Proper Bedroom Décor
The master bedroom does its job best when it is relaxing and well-planned, and that involves choosing the right hues and/or textures for the walls and the window treatments. The furniture and lighting should be conducive to a satisfying night’s rest. You can pick any period from French to art deco, but make certain that your selections are not loud and jarring.
Consider a Master Bath
If it’s time to be doing a complete remodeling job and adding to the size of your house, consider including a master bath. A personal bathroom right in the master bedroom suite might add a lot of value to your house while it can also grant you many years of personal satisfaction and convenience.
Renovating Your Bedroom: Money Well Spent
Home remodeling costs are not your only consideration. Taking into account that it is so important to both the body and brain’s health to get a satisfying night’s sleep, one of the wisest ways to spend your dollars is renovating your bedroom. Renovating your bedroom is the sort of project in which you might not have to part with a ton of money to be prepared for a huge upgrade.
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