Change the look of the room with bathroom remodeling.

Need a Bathroom Update But on a Budget? Colony Home Will Create the Perfect Remodel

July 21, 20160

When you embark on any remodeling project, you have options galore in terms of the construction materials you’ll use, the layout of the space, color scheme, accessories and more. If you want to pursue a project in bathroom remodeling in MA but are on a tight budget, you are fortunate most area bathrooms are small spaces. That in itself saves you money. Don’t make the mistake of deciding to do it yourself. More often than not, you will end up hiring a professional to correct your DIY fixes. You can afford to hire a pro when you heed some of these tips for remodeling your bathroom without breaking the bank.

Use Tiles Strategically

Most home addition contractors in MA will encourage you to use tile on your bathroom floors. Not only is it attractive, but it can withstand moisture and the frequent cleanings it will likely be subject to. Any home improvement store will offer a decent selection of affordable floor tiles. Unfortunately, unless you find them on sale or clearance, decorative tiles often used in bathroom showers and on bathroom backsplashes are usually expensive per square foot. Instead of tiling an entire wall in your shower, consider tiling a strip in the center so it will tie the room together, but save you money on materials.

Consider Repurposing Your Tub or Shower

If your bathtub and/or shower are structurally sound, consider having them re-glazed or relined instead of replacing them. You’ll save a significant amount of money and achieve the updated look you want.

Discuss tiles with your home improvement contractors.

Talk to your home improvement contractors about adding tiles.

Splurge on Plumbing Fixtures and Lighting

Even if you decide to go with stock rather than custom cabinets and a tile or Formica countertop rather than granite or marble, you can add elegance with strategically placed luxury finishes. Choose a statement piece, perhaps a small chandelier, as your main lighting source. Splurge on higher-quality sink and tub/shower faucets. Instead of boring contractor-pack cabinet knobs and pulls, look for unique options. You can find stunning, unique cabinet hardware that will transform the feel of your space for less than $10 each.

Paint Is Your New Best Friend

A fresh coat of paint (professionally applied, of course) is the least expensive way to change the look of any room. Ask Newton home improvement contractors for photos of bathroom remodels they have done and look at home improvement magazines and websites to get inspiration. Don’t overlook the ceiling! There is no reason your ceiling has to be painted white! A light color that complements your wall color can create a warm, inviting space. Make sure to splurge on high-quality, mold-resistant paint that is designated as bathroom-friendly.

For Small Bathrooms, Consider Pedestal Sink

Many custom built home plans in Newton include powder rooms or half bathrooms. If you want to remodel such a bathroom or any small bathroom, ask yourself if you really need a full countertop. Installing a compact pedestal sink instead of a traditional sink and countertop combination will make your bathroom feel significantly larger and roomier.

If you are underwhelmed by your current bathroom, dream of having it remodeled, but assume you can’t afford to do so, you may be pleasantly surprised! Contact us at Colony Home Improvement to discuss your project. If you’re on a tight budget, we’ll work with you to get the job done beautifully and affordably.

Confused About Building Permits? Newton Home Improvement Contractors Have the Answers

February 16, 20160

Get the permits you need through home improvement contract.rs

Home improvement contractors can help you get the permits you need.

Building permits can be confusing for a lot of people. After all, building permits aren’t something the average person typically has to deal with, unlike professional contractors. Regulations governing these permits aren’t uniform. They can differ from state to state and, because counties and cities can add to state requirements, rules and regulations can vary from town to town. In some places like Newton even something as seemingly innocuous as putting up kitchen cabinets requires you to fill out a permit application and pay a fee to the city.

When you are working with a reputable eastern MA home improvement contractor, you don’t usually have to deal with obtaining building permits. A good contractor usually handles that sort of thing for you or gives you close guidance on the right way to get it done if, for some reason, you prefer to do it yourself. In fact, it should raise your suspicions when a contractor won’t handle the permits. It can mean there is a license or insurance problem since license information is required on the building permit application and workers’ compensation insurance information must be filed with electrical permit applications.

A Building Permit Offers Confirmation

The regulations governing building permits are based on a locality’s building codes, zoning laws and other restrictions that may be at play, such as land covenants and home owner association rules. This group of regulations governs construction and structural safety standards, land use restrictions, community standards, fire safety code and regulations, restrictions and standards governing sewage, water, sanitation and electrical work. Building permits offer confirmation the plans for the work have been reviewed by local officials and judged to be in compliance with all applicable regulations and standards.

The right permits are needed for custom built home plans.

Custom built home plans require the proper permits.

Types of Permits

Depending on the project, there may be multiple permits required. The specifics of a construction or remodeling project will determine the types of permits required. That’s one of the reasons its often easier for Newton home improvement contractors to handle the permit process. They know what the work entails and what permits they need so there’s less of a chance of delays due to error or missing paperwork. Simple remodeling projects with no electrical or plumbing work often require only the basic building permit.

When building a home using custom built home plans in Newton, expect to need a handful of permits, including one allowing a generator at the site during building, if it’s needed. Local contractors deal with permit officials frequently, building professional relationships over time. They know exactly who is in charge of what and are up-to-date on permit requirements. Contractors working regularly in an area are often extended a little professional courtesy, allowing them to get permit applications through the approval process a bit quicker than the average non-professional person.

Contact us to learn more about what types of home repairs require local building permits. What may be fine to do without a permit in one city may cause trouble in another. Always use reputable contractors to avoid the costly problems that can arise from improper permits.

Should You Build a Second Floor Addition or Build Out?

April 14, 20150

Give your child space with a second floor addition.

A second floor addition is a great way to add more space.

When you buy your first home, you may not be thinking about making sure you have enough space once your family begins to grow. This can leave you needing more space when you have your first child or once you have added a few children to the family. Creating Newton home addition floor plans will help you determine if it’s best to expand your home outward or add a second floor addition.

Building Out

In order to build out with your custom built home plans in Newton, you need to make sure you have enough space on your lot. You may need to work with your municipality to ensure you won’t be building too close to the lot lines. Once you are approved for the project, you will be able to expand the size of your home by extending the foundation and building up new walls.

There are many benefits to building out with your Newton home addition floor plans. For instance, adding onto the existing floor will create less disruption to your existing living space. It is also an option in more situations because you don’t have to make sure the existing foundation can support the addition. The new area will sit on its own foundation. In some cases, small additions won’t need a foundation at all.

Add more space to your home with home addition floor plans.

Home addition floor plans create additional space.

Building Up

If you don’t have the space to build out or you prefer a second floor addition, building up may be your best option. The first step is to make sure your foundation and existing structure is capable of handling the added weight of another floor. In some cases, an inadequate foundation can be altered to provide the necessary support.

One of the greatest values of adding a second story to your home is you won’t lose any yard space and can often add a much larger amount of room to your house than with a first floor addition. In some cases, you may wish to build over a garage or sunroom where living space doesn’t currently exist. Your building contractor will help you determine whether a second story addition is the right choice for your home.

When your family grows, you may find you no longer have the amount of space you need to keep everyone happy. While moving to a larger home is always an option, there are a lot of good reasons to stay where you are. This makes it important to decide whether a home addition is the right choice and if so, which type is ideal. As you create custom built home plans in Newton, you will need to decide whether you should build along the ground floor or create a second floor addition.

If you’re considering Newton home addition floor plans to expand the amount of space in your home, contact us. Our Massachusetts contractors can offer the assistance you need to make the right decision.

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