Home Improvement Blog

Remodeling Tips to Make Selling Your Home Easier

July 3, 20140

The right home remodeling ideas help your home sell.

Sell your home faster with the help of the right home remodeling ideas.

Selling your home can be exciting, but it can also be extremely stressful. If your home isn’t what someone else is looking for, it can take a long time to sell, causing you to miss out on homes that you want to buy in the process. However, with the help of a few home improvement ideas and some experienced local home improvement contractors, you can increase the chances of a fast sale.

An Updated, Functional Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home, which means prospective home buyers will often look at this room first. While aesthetics plays a minor role in their decision to buy, it is more likely they are looking for functionality in your kitchen. Therefore, if you notice potential issues with your kitchen, talk to local home improvement contractors about your options. Sometimes a few simple upgrades may be all you need.

Bathrooms Are Important Too

Just like the kitchen, many prospective buyers are interested in the bathroom as well. This room also sees frequent use, which means homeowners want a room that serves its purpose and looks great. If you haven’t updated your bathroom recently, many home improvement ideas for the bath can help you enhance its appeal to buyers.

Clean up the Exterior

The exterior of your home is the first impression others get. If they don’t like the way the outside of a home looks, how the inside looks won’t have a powerful impact. You can increase the chances of buyer interest by cleaning up the outside. Power wash walkways, driveways and siding. Add a fresh coat of paint outside. Trim back trees and shrubs and pick up any debris in the yard. All of these tasks will enhance curb appeal.

Consider an Addition

A smaller home can be appealing, but if it doesn’t have a lot of space, it limits the types of buyers who may be interested. If your home is smaller, consider a home addition. Local home improvement contractors can add a family room, an extra bedroom or even a master bathroom to enhance the appeal for buyers who may need the additional space. Talk to your home improvement company about what they suggest for your home. It is important for the style of your addition to match the rest of your home.

If you want to sell your home, home improvement ideas can be one of the best ways to increase interest in your home and help you sell it faster. When you hire local home improvement contractors, they can help you determine the best options for your home to improve curb appeal and generate more interest. Because it is important not to price your home out of your neighborhood, local contractors can be your best option.

If you are looking for help with your home remodeling in Boston, MA, contact us. Colony Home Improvement can help you sell your home faster and bring a higher sales price too.

Skylights and Sky Tunnels Not Only Add Natural Light, They Are Energy Efficient

July 1, 20140

Installing skylights lets the natural light in.

Let the natural light shine in your home by installing skylights.

Are you looking for a way to not only brighten your home, but save money on your electric bill? Skylights and sky tunnels may be the answer you are looking for. They also add an attractive element to your home. Here are a few things you need to know when installing skylights.

Simple Skylights

Skylights open up dark rooms or hallways by bringing in natural light. They are easier to implement than installing a window into enclosed areas of your home. However, it is important to carefully consider where you install your skylight. Adding one to a roof that faces south can overheat a room, while north facing skylights emit a softer light throughout the day.

If you install a skylight in your kitchen or bathroom and are worried about sun bleaching your cabinets, you can opt for tinted glass that can block the sun’s ultraviolet rays. There are also multiple forms of shades for your skylights that can provide insulation from the heat and cold.

Just like regular skylights, sky tunnels bring the natural light into your home through an avenue other than typical windows. With a roof-mounted ultraviolet dome, sunlight is collected, reflected off the tunnel and guided down into your room.

Save Money

When it comes to the cost to install your skylight, the price isn’t as expensive as you may fear. Most of the cost relates to the skylight installation, not the skylight itself, regardless of the size you choose.

Not only does natural lighting affect your mood and well-being in numerous positive ways, skylights can also save money on your electric bill each month. Using natural lighting can reduce your need to use lamps, ceiling lights and other artificial lighting in darker areas of your home during daylight hours.

Installing skylights can also save money on your utility bills during the colder months of the year. A medium-sized skylight can help warm a room due to the exposure to natural sunlight throughout the day. A properly installed skylight will also insulate your home from the outside so there is no excess hot or cold air leaking into your home.

Design Functionality

Not only do skylights and sky tunnels help you save money on your utility bills, they can add a special touch to your home. From the outside, your roof doesn’t look so plain and boring. Your home has a new attractive element that draws attention and can increase the overall value of your home.

Whether you are looking to add a skylight or sky tunnel to your home for a personal touch or to help you save money in energy costs each month, we can help. At Colony Home Improvement in Massachusetts, we have more than 40 years of experience and hundreds of satisfied customers. If you would like a quote on installing a beautiful skylight in your home, contact us.

Important Questions to Ask Contractors before You Hire Them

June 26, 20140

Hiring a licensed general contractor is important.

If you want the job done right the first time, hire a licensed general contractor.

When deciding to remodel your home, one of the more important decisions is hiring the right contractor. You need to ensure the person you hire for the job has the time and skills necessary to complete your project. Here are a few important questions to ask before choosing a licensed general contractor.

Time and Experience

A great first question is how many projects a contractor is currently working. If he has too many projects going on at once, your remodel may take longer than you would like. Everyone wants their job done in a timely manner. When a remodeling contractor has too much on his plate, he may not be able to hold up to his promised timeline. However, a busy general remodeling contractor can indicate a good reputation.

Asking how much experience they have is key as well. While your project may not be complicated, if the candidate you are thinking of hiring is a new contractor, he may not have much experience. Asking for references can help answer this question. If the contractor has done work similar to your project, talking to his past clients lets you know the contractor has valuable experience in that particular area.

Itemized Bids and Changes

Instead of getting a single, set price for your project, ask your general remodeling contractor for an itemized bid. This will show the various costs of all elements of the job, and there won’t be any surprise costs. This will also make it easier to compare various licensed general contractors so you can choose which one to hire.

Keep in mind estimates are always subject to change, especially with remodeling projects. Ask the contractor how they handle any revisions and how it will affect the cost of the overall project. You don’t want to change your mind a few times during the project and end up with thousands of dollars in additional charges.

Finding References

A good licensed general contractor should have plenty of references available. If you ask for references and they won’t give you any, this can be a serious red flag. You can also ask who their suppliers are. Asking this question can give you information on a contractor’s reliability. Talking to the suppliers can help you find out about their reputation, such as whether he’s on time with his bills and whether he is someone you should consider hiring.

These are just a few basic questions you should ask when choosing a licensed general contractor for your remodeling project. You need to make sure the contractor you hire has the right skills, time and professionalism to get your project done in a timely manner without additional costs.

At Colony Home Improvement in MA, we have more than 40 years of professional experience and hundreds of happy customers. If you’re looking to hire a contractor who can make your home remodeling dreams come true, contact us.

The Benefits of Adding a Sunroom Addition to Your Home

June 24, 20140

A sunroom addition can bring the outdoors inside your home.

A sunroom addition offers additional space and a comfortable place to spend time.

Are you thinking of adding a sunroom to your home but aren’t sure whether it’s right for you? Maybe you’re worried the cost may be out of your range at this time? However, there are many benefits to a sunroom addition. Not only do sunrooms provide visual appeal, relaxation and added comfort to your home, they aren’t expensive. These are a few benefits and ideas when thinking about a sunroom addition.

Bring the Outdoors In

With a sunroom addition, you can fill your home with natural sunlight. If you love the outdoors, you can bring it inside. Since so much natural light filters in, a sunroom is the perfect place for plants and flowers that need the outdoors to survive. Your new addition will provide plenty of natural light so your plants get just what they need.

Whether it is snowing, raining or the temperature is too hot, a sunroom addition keeps your piece of the outdoors safe from the elements. You can enjoy all of the beauty and peacefulness of nature from the comfort of your own home.

Comfort and Extra Space

Do you want to drink your morning cup of coffee while watching the sun rise? A sunroom addition is the perfect place for this activity. Without having to step outside, you can relax in peace before getting ready for the hectic day ahead.

Are you tired of always gathering your family in the living room or kitchen? A sunroom addition provides extra space in your home for family time. It also makes the ideal place to sit while enjoying a late-night meteor shower, without having to head outside.

Sunrooms are also a great additional space to entertain your guests. If the living room or kitchen becomes too crowded, your new sunroom addition provides extra room for guests to enjoy without having to step outside your home.

Energy Savings and Cost

A sunroom addition can help save money on your utility costs as well. These rooms are built to reduce your energy bill due to the natural light that enters through the large windows. They also provide insulation for the colder months of the year.

The cost of a sunroom addition is significantly less than any other addition you can make to your home. This addition can also add to your home’s value because it has endless uses for homeowners, making it the perfect investment.

If you are trying to decide if a sunroom addition is right for your home, there are plenty of benefits to consider. From family gatherings to dinner parties, the functional options of a sunroom are endless. If you need help deciding what kind of sunroom you want, contact us. With more than 40 years of experience, our Boston, MA, staff has the know-how and the professionalism to make your dreams come true.

The Top Five Renovations to Increase the Value of Your Home

June 18, 20140

Not everyone is happy with the way their home looks. While most people hire a home remodeling company to complete home renovations for aesthetic reasons, these changes may also increase the value of the home. Learning the top five renovations you should consider to increase your value can help you prioritize your list.

Update the Kitchen and Bath

As two of the most important rooms in the home, home buyers often look at the kitchen and bathroom first. If these rooms are filled with older cabinets and plumbing, as well as other outdated features, individuals are less likely to put in an offer. Those who are willing to make an offer will often ask for a lower price.

Finish the Basement

A finished basement can greatly increase the square footage in a home, thus increasing the value of your home. Adding a bathroom and creating a room for relaxation and entertainment can be great options for your home remodeling projects. Home buyers love additional living space.

Add a Deck

For entertaining outdoors, a deck can be a great addition for any home. Adding this simple feature to your home can have a positive impact on the appeal of your home and its overall value. When paired with beautiful landscaping, a new deck can be difficult to resist.

Change the Exterior

The exterior of your home is one of the first things people see. The curb appeal of your home can have a dramatic effect on the value of your home when you attempt to sell. Painting or replacing the siding, windows and entry doors can be a great way to quickly boost home values and draw attention to your home.

Consider a Sunroom

Even when the weather isn’t cooperating, many individuals love to get close to the outdoors. Adding a sunroom to your home can offer the feeling of being outdoors while remaining protected from the elements. Home renovations that add this type of extra living space can help you get more for your home.

Adding value to your home is one of the most appealing aspects of home remodeling projects. However, not all home renovations provide the same boost in monetary value. Understanding which changes can have the most significant impact can help you prioritize your projects and keep your improvements in line with your budget.

If you are looking for someone to help with your home renovations in Massachusetts, contact us. We can assist you in making a plan and carry it out to improve your home’s value.