Home Improvement Blog

Home Remodeling Questions to Ask Beforehand

February 26, 20150

Know what you should ask prior to your home remodeling plan.

Ask these questions before starting a home remodeling project.

Many families eventually reach a point where their home no longer meets their needs. Home remodeling is often a better choice than moving to a new home. The costs of buying a new home and moving can be extremely high. By remodeling, not only do you save on all the expenses related to moving, but you may also increase the value of your current home, thus potentially offsetting the cost of your renovations. Before you begin your addition plans, you should consider and answer the following five questions.

What Do My Addition Plans Include?

When planning home additions, you need to determine the scope of your project. If you are not sure of what exactly your addition should include, it will be difficult to tell your contractor about how you envision the finished project. Without a pre-established scope, it is likely you will go over budget and your project will take longer as you are making plans and adding to the remodel on the fly. This is where a good home remodeling company comes in handy because they can help you determine what to include in your project.

How Much Can I Afford to Spend?

Whether you have saved for many years or are financing your remodel, you need to set some guidelines for spending. Prior to your remodel, you should get estimates and prices on materials to help give you a baseline for your budget. If you have champagne tastes, but only a beer budget, you may have to scale back your plans.

Go over your additional home remodeling plans with your contractor.

Work with your contractor to go over addition plans.

What Are My Contingency Plans?

Unfortunately, no plan is fool-proof. You may come across a budget-busting expense, such as an unexpected repair, or you could simply fall in love with higher-end materials than you initially planned. If any such situations arise, you need to have a plan B. Are you going to cut back on other aspects of your remodel in order to fund the new expense? Or are you going to simply spend more than you initially budgeted? Planning for contingencies in advance can help save you from additional stress during home remodeling.

Who Is Working on My Home and What Is the Schedule?

Many remodeling companies will assign a foreman to your project who will bring in a team to complete the work. You should be sure the company has the skills and expertise to complete the remodel. In addition, verify the schedule of when workers will be at your home. If you’re a family of late-risers, you may not want workmen at your doorstep early in the morning.

How Long Will My Remodel Take?

You will need to set realistic expectations as to how long each part of your project will take. Many times the homeowner’s expectations and the reality don’t meet. Your contractor will give you an estimated completion date, but it is important to understand the date could change, especially if you need to special order materials or if unplanned repairs pop up during the course of your remodel.

If you are interested in home remodeling in Massachusetts, contact us. We can help you explore the possibilities and determine your addition plans.

How to Stay Sane During Home Renovations

February 24, 20150

Your home construction project doesn't have to be stressful.

Learn how to relax during your home construction project.

Home improvement projects can be stressful. Eventually, cooler heads will prevail, but it’s easy to lose sight of that when you’re in the middle of a major remodel. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and it can be easy to lose your cool, especially if your project takes longer than expected or if you have to spend more than you planned. Here are some tips to help you stay sane during your home construction project.

Hire the Best You Can Afford

While price is a major factor for renovation, don’t make it the only factor. The company with the lowest price may turn out to be the one with the unreliable crew that doesn’t show up on time, leaves early or leaves garbage on your property. You should check the references for any contractor you’re considering for home additions in MA. The budget electrician your low-priced contractor brings in may cut corners, which could be a nightmare if things go wrong.

Establish a Temporary Replacement Space

Taking your family out to eat for every meal, every day during your kitchen renovation will get old—and expensive—fast. If you’re going to be remodeling a heavily used room, such as the kitchen, you should set up an alternative to use while the room is out of commission. There are lots of small appliances you can easily put in another room like a microwave, hotplate, crock pot or toaster oven. You won’t have gourmet meals, but your budget, and likely your waistline, will thank you. Unfortunately, if you’re without a kitchen sink, you may need to wash dishes in the bathroom.

Plan your home improvement project to reduce stress.

Are you undertaking a home improvement project?

Accept the Mess

Even the most careful and considerate workmen can’t always help the dust and debris from home construction. Of course, they can prevent some debris from entering areas of your home that aren’t being worked on by using plastic sheets to cordon off the areas under construction. However, you will likely have to deal with your belongings being in disarray for a short time period. If you’re renovating the kitchen, you may have to remove everything from your kitchen cabinets and put the dishes in the dining room or bedroom. You may have to move all of your living room furniture into the garage while you install new floors. It’s best to be realistic about the mess and prepare yourself in advance to deal with some disorganization in your home.

Take a Vacation

You don’t need to run off to some exotic locale, though it’s a nice option if you have the time and the money. Moving out temporarily and staying in a local hotel can help preserve your sanity. The kids will most likely love the temporary digs, especially if it has amenities you don’t have at home like a swimming pool. If you can afford it or can get the hotel to upgrade you, try to stay in a suite. This way, the kids can have a separate bedroom and you can all avoid too much togetherness in a cramped hotel room.

If you are interested in home additions in MA, contact us. We can make your home improvement vision come to life and help keep you sane during the process.

A Hallway Should Not Be Just a Thoroughfare from Room to Room: Ways to Bring It to Life

February 19, 20150

Many home plans include a hallway.

Have you ever given any thought to the purpose of your hallway? For most people, the hallway is simply a way to get from one area of the home to another. However, if you talk to a design build contractor about this aspect of home plans, you will see it can be much more. With the right décor and other home improvement elements, you can bring this area of your home to life, giving your home more character.

Consider Hardwood Flooring

Even if you use carpeting throughout the rest of your home, the hallway is a great place to showcase your beautiful hardwood floors, especially if you live in an older home. Check under your existing carpets to see if you already have a hidden gem, but if not, a home improvement contractor can help you install new hardwood flooring to brighten up this area of your home.

Add Cabinets

Your hallway doesn’t have to be wasted space; your design build contractor can help you choose beautiful cabinets that can line your hallways and give you plenty of extra storage space. Painting these cabinets in cheerful colors can add a bright touch to any hallway, especially one that doesn’t have access to natural lighting. Shelving units can also be used for a similar effect.

Paint the Woodwork

Another way to add a touch of color to the hallway is to paint the woodwork. Many people don’t even think about touching the natural look of woodwork. When you decide to paint it the same color as the walls or in a lighter shade, it will create a new, attractive look for your hallway.

Get hallway decorating advice from your home improvement contractor.

Ask your home improvement contractor what you can do for your hallway.

Create a Picture Gallery

If you have a narrow hallway that doesn’t leave room for cabinets or shelving that extends out from the wall, you need to find other ways to decorate your hallway and make it a more interesting space in your home. This is an ideal place to hang a collection of family photographs for everyone to enjoy. Another option is to hang pictures from your favorite vacations or pick up some prints that speak of your personality or unique tastes.

Install a Niche

Another alternative to cabinets and shelving is to create a niche or other recessed storage area. Your home improvement contractor can decide the best location without harming the integrity of the wall itself. Once installed, you can display knick-knacks, books or anything else you can think of to liven up your hallway and make your trips to the bedroom more interesting.

Your hallway may seem dark and boring, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Your home improvement contractor can help you make changes to your home that will brighten up the hall and make it an integral part of your home. Don’t let your hall become just a way to get around; liven it up a little.

If you’re looking for a design build contractor to help you transform your hallway, contact us. Our Massachusetts contractors can provide the services you need to create the home of your dreams.

Your Family Is Growing and You Need More Space: Should You Build Up, Out or Down?

February 17, 20150

Increase living space with a second story addition.

A second story addition can provide lots of new space.

Not everyone can afford to buy a large enough home to allow them to grow as a family. This leaves families with two options: buy a new home and move or remodel their existing home to better meet their needs. If you find you need more space to accommodate your growing family, an experienced home remodeling company can help you decide if a second story addition, dormer addition or basement remodeling project is the right choice.

Second Story Addition

For families who live in a one-story home, a second story addition can be an option to double the living space in the home. First, the contractor must evaluate your existing foundation to determine if it can accommodate the extra weight. Once the foundation is prepped, they will remove the roof and begin constructing the second floor. However, you may lose the use of your home during the project and it can affect the overall layout of your home. Not all homes can accept a second story.

Choose the home addition that fits your budget.

Compare the costs before deciding on a home additions option.

Dormer Addition

If your home already has an existing second floor, you can still make more room in your home by building out. While some individuals choose to build a new room onto their ground floor, you need plenty of extra space without getting too close to the lot line. A dormer addition can create extra space in an area where a sloping roof made it difficult. Dormers can be added in just about any home without negatively impacting the structure of the home.

Basement Remodeling

Another option your home improvement company can discuss with you is basement remodeling. There are strict laws in place regarding sleeping spaces in the basement. However, experienced contractors are aware of these restrictions and can perform the necessary changes to provide a safe, livable space beneath the ground. In addition to creating a new sleeping space or even a bathroom in your basement, the contractors can create any other area beneath your main floor, including a home office, a playroom or a rec room. The options are endless.

When your family is growing and you feel like there is no more room in your existing home, you may think buying a new, larger home is your only solution. However, you can hire experienced home improvement contractors to help you find the best way to increase the amount of space in your existing home so you don’t have to move. Whether you choose to build up with a second story addition, out with a dormer addition or down with basement remodeling, they will provide a reliable estimate and work hard to make sure your needs are met.

If you are interested in adding on to your existing home in Massachusetts, contact us. We can help you decide which option will best suit your needs.

How Can You Make Your Remodel More Energy Efficient?

February 12, 20150

If you want to save energy, consider local home improvements.

Local home improvements can help you save energy.

One of the biggest goals of home improvements is to increase the energy efficiency of the home. When you work with local home improvements contractors in MA, they will be able to guide you through making the best decisions to help you reduce your energy bills and your impact on the environment. However, before you hire anyone to perform the work, it’s important to know what options you may encounter so you are fully prepared to make the best decision.

Dual Pane Windows

Replacement windows can go a long way toward improving the energy efficiency of a home, even when no other changes are made. A design build contractor can help you determine which types of windows will work best to enhance the look of your home. When you choose dual pane windows in any size or shape, the heat and cool air will remain in your home the way it was intended.

Insulation

Regardless of the home improvements you decide to make, proper insulation should always be a top priority. For instance, if your local home improvements contractors in MA are installing recessed lighting, it’s important to make sure they are also installing appropriate insulation around the new installation to protect your home from losing heated or cooled air. The same is true for any project they may undertake in your home.

Improve the energy efficiency of your home with home improvements.

The right home improvements improve energy efficiency.

Low Water Consumption

If you are completing a kitchen or bathroom remodeling job, the fixtures are likely one of most important choices you have to make. Work with your design build contractor to discuss what types of fixtures are available and which ones will reduce your water consumption. For instance, a common bathroom trend is to install multiple or large showerheads. Instead, it’s best to consider a low-flow option that will provide the water pressure you need without increasing your water bill.

Framing

Another area where your local home improvements contractors in MA can help you save money and energy is in the framing of new walls. While it may seem like more studs is important to keep a wall stable, it is best to use as few as possible. This allows your contractor to use more insulation between the walls to keep your heat or cool air inside your home, instead of wasting energy.

Completing home improvements projects are about more than making your home look great and improving functionality; they should also improve the energy efficiency of your home. Today’s society focuses on decreasing your impact on the environment and finding ways to save money. With the help of your design build contractor, you can create the home of your dreams while saving energy.

If you’re looking for an experienced home improvements contractor in Massachusetts to help you improve the efficiency of your home, contact us. We can provide the services you need to save money and energy.