Home Improvement Blog

A 3-D Design Plan Can Help You Remodel or Build Your Dream Home

March 12, 20150

Ask your contractor about 3-D home plans.

3-D home plans help you envision the end results.

Making changes to your home, particularly home additions in MA, can be a major undertaking. Because of the cost and the work required, it’s important to be sure you will be happy with the end result before you get started. With the help of 3-D home plans, you can get an idea of what your home will look like when the work is complete. This method of design build remodeling is one of the most effective options to ensure you are pleased with your home.

Make Changes in Real Time

While your typical 2-D plans are a good way of putting a renovation or building into perspective, you may need to wait for an architect to make changes to the plans before you move forward. However, when you use 3-D home plans to illustrate the changes, you will be able to work with your contractor to make changes immediately right in the computer program. You can then try several options before settling on the final one for your project.

Reduce the Risk of Additional Costs

As your contractor works on home additions in MA, you may find you aren’t happy with the way things are progressing and you wish to make alterations, sometimes more than once. Every time you make changes, you run the risk of increasing the cost of your project. When you make use of design build remodeling tactics, however, you will be able to see the end result before you even start so you can make the changes then, increasing the chances of a more accurate budget.

Find out if your contractor uses design build remodeling.

Design build remodeling is one of the most effective methods.

Improved Quality of the Design

A flat, two-dimensional drawing of your home renovations may leave much to the imagination. What you envision may be something entirely different from what your contractor is considering. When you work with your contractor to develop 3-D home plans, on the other hand, everything is laid out specifically the way you want it. Not only will the contractor be able to see where everything should go, they can also identify colors, patterns and more. This means you won’t be surprised when you see your home after the work is already done.

Home renovations and home additions in MA can be a great way to change the look of your home and provide the additional space you need to accommodate your growing family. Before you make any changes, though, it’s important to find ways to see what it will look like before investing the time and money into the project. With the help of 3-D home plans, you can get a clear view of what you will get and help your contractor envision the same end result you do.

If you’re interested in design build remodeling, contact us. Colony Home Improvement provides general contracting services throughout the Boston area, as well as southeastern and metro west Massachusetts.

When Is the Best Time for Roof Inspection and Replacement?

March 10, 20150

Hire roofing contractors to help with your roofing needs.

Roofing contractors can help you inspect your roof for damage.

Your roof is an important element of your home, ensuring stability and protecting the structure and your belongings from the elements. Because your roof is exposed to a lot of weather, especially during the cold winter months, it’s important to know when you should call roofing contractors in to inspect or possibly replace your roof. This home improvement project isn’t one many people look forward to, but it is a necessity for the sake of your home.

Regular Inspections

Many general contractors in Norwood, MA, recommend homeowners get at least one roof inspection each year to evaluate any damage. However, it can be useful to conduct this inspection twice a year to ensure all problems are identified at their earliest stages. If you choose to hire roofing contractors twice a year, spring and fall are the best times. This allows the contractor to look for seasonal damage and spreads inspections out far enough to capture new problems in their earliest stages to reduce the cost of any necessary repairs.

Reduce Unnecessary Replacement

When your roof is first installed, you will notice the roofing materials are rated to last a specified number of years. This length of time is based on proper care of your new roof. If you take this home improvement step and then fail to properly care for your roof, you will find you need to replace it more frequently than initially recommended. With careful inspection, your roofing contractors can determine when damage has occurred and often repair it without having to fully replace the roof. This will save you plenty of money over frequently replacing your entire roof.

Your next home improvement project may be your roof.

Your roof is an important aspect of home improvement.

Replacing Your Roof

While proper care can assist in extending the life of your roof, you will need to replace it eventually. General contractors in Norwood, MA, can help you determine when your roof would benefit from replacement versus continuing to repair it. They will weigh the pros and cons of continuing to maintain your current roof and purchasing replacement materials. Once your shingles have reached their expected lifespan, typically between 20 and 30 years, it’s best to choose new materials that will last another 20 to 30 years with the proper care.

Experienced roofing contractors have extensive experience helping homeowners make the right choices when it comes to their roofs. Getting regular inspections will ensure roofing materials are able to do their job and will reduce the chances of having to replace the entire roof too early. However, when replacement does become necessary, general contractors in Norwood, MA, can provide the assistance homeowners need to choose the right materials and then install them to enjoy a few more decades of an effective roof.

If you’re looking for experienced contractors to handle your roofing needs,contact us. Colony Home Improvement takes pride in helping homeowners make the right choices for their homes.

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.