Tired of Living in Cramped Quarters? Choose Home Improvement Remodeling Instead of Moving

Going through the hassle and expense of buying a new place isn't always the best route to landing the home of your dreams. Whether you have recently welcomed a new member to your family, taken on the responsibility of caring for an aging parent, or simply outgrown the style and look of your existing residence, you're much more likely to fulfill your particular requirements by working with a licensed home improvement contractor than by poring over the real estate pages.

For one thing, even if you are lucky enough to find a place in the real estate listings that more or less meets your needs, you'll probably still have to hire a home improvement contractor to bring about the finishing touches. Every residential property varies in terms of size, space, and interior layout. The only sure way to get what you want is to be the one calling the shots.

And that's not even taking into account any pressing time requirements. By using a home improvement remodeling company to expand or upgrade the property you already own, you can skip all the time-consuming trouble of dealing with real estate agents, packing up belongings, and filling out reams of paperwork. No movers or mortgage closings are necessary when all you're really doing is adding on an extra bedroom or expanding an outdated kitchen.

Home additions are especially convenient for property owners who are happy with the schools and other nearby attractions in their local communities. Why pack up and leave when you can stay in the area you love and still enjoy larger, more spacious accommodations with a timely and affordable property renovation? Not only will a custom home addition allow you to keep your current location, but you also won't have to worry about uprooting your kids or missing out on services and facilities you've come to appreciate.

As for property value, putting an extension on your home can be a great way to build equity and secure the monetary worth of your real estate investment. As families grow and lifestyle changes arise, many homeowners find it necessary to add on another bedroom or expand their available space through kitchen or bath remodeling. In fact, whatever type of home remodeling project you have in mind, it can be achieved faster, easier, and for a lot less money than you may think by turning to a home improvement contractor instead of a real estate agent.

Why not compare the actual numbers for yourself? Simply contact local home improvement contractors in your area to discuss the details of your desired bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen remodeling project and obtain price estimates in person. Dollar for dollar, you're probably far better off adding on than you would be moving out.

Home Improvement Remodels - Who's Out to Help You & Who's Out to Get You?

Not long ago, I ran into an old friend from out of state. She seemed to be bursting with desire to ask me a burning question (she must have seen me coming!) Luckily, I did get a "hello" first, but then she launched into what was obviously a deep-seeded emotional trauma.
 
A MAJOR HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
 
She and her husband were planning a major house remodel. Uh oh.
 
Like so many people, she was scared to death of stories she'd heard about disastrous home building and remodeling projects. She wanted to know whom she could trust. She wanted to know where to start. She was at a loss about picking architects, contractors, General Contractors. She had so much excitement about what they wanted to accomplish to turn their home into their dream but was in danger of letting these fears stop them.
 
This Builder is Scrupulous, This One is Not. This Architect is ...
 
Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo ... Ahh, if it were only that easy! There's no agency that stamps grade AAA or AA on any of your building industry professionals. It takes a little more effort to know who's their to support your interests and who's out to line their pockets at your expense.
 
Take heart. It's been my experience that most professionals are sincere about serving you. They take their jobs seriously and have a reputation to uphold. And, thankfully, it's not all that difficult to find the right ones for you.
 
PICK ONE BUILDING PRO AT A TIME
 
Here's the best tip to calm your nerves. You don't need that many key contacts. It's not as daunting as it seems. Sure, eventually you're going to need suppliers, subcontractors, lenders, engineers, drafters, architects, inspectors, and well, the list goes on ... but if you try to pick them all at once you'll go crazy with confusion and eventually the fear will overwhelm you.
 
Start with one key choice and follow a procedure for picking that key person. Then as the remodeling process develops you can use the same procedure for subsequent choices. Each choice will be easier and easier as you go.
 
The Coach, General Contractor, or Architect
 
One of these will likely be your first or "key choice" to get your remodeling project rolling. Are you going to be an owner builder? Will you turn the project over to a General Contractor? Are you planning on a major design change for the house?
 
You will decide your approach. If you are going to be involved in your own management, which I recommend, you should probably hire a professional home building coach first. But, whatever you decide and whichever of these three professionals you pick as your "key contact", here's a simple procedure to follow.

• Research: You cannot and should not avoid this step. Ask friends and acquaintances, check with your local lumber yards and Home Centers, look online and in the yellow pages. Make a list of your top choices.
• Interviews: From the list you can now choose three of four to interview. Be clear about what you want, be consistent with your questions with each interview, don't look for false promises and agreement with everything you say, and assess their interest in you.
• References & Licenses: Always get references. Always check for their needed licenses. Always follow up and check their references. Ask the references pertinent questions and determine if the professional was responsive, timely, and honest.
• Get it in Writing: Be sure to be clear about your agreements. Know what you want and understand exactly what the professional can provide. Do not push them to provide things that they normal don't and probably can't. Then, get it in writing.

Once you have your first professional in place, you're on your way! If you follow this procedure, you'll very likely make an excellent choice and your fears and anxieties will diminish or vanish.
 
A major remodel is a big project. Keep your eyes on the beautiful result, communicate closely with your key professional and stay the course. There will be ups and downs but with good help, you'll reach your goal. Happy remodeling! 

Safety in Home Improvement Remodeling Projects

If you do not think safety is an issue with self improvement home improvement remodeling products, you might want to research the statistics. In the decade from 2000 to 2010, accidents for people who have done home improvement in a do it yourself style have risen radically. Unless you can guarantee that you will avoid the following dangers, it is best to let a home improvement company, which has more experience and safety equipment, do the job for you.

Power Tool Mishaps

The majority of home improvement remodeling projects require the use of power tools to get them done right. Yet power tools can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Even if you have used a router, table saw, reciprocating saw, screw or nail gun, drill, acetylene torch or welder, you might not be as smooth s a professional if you do not use them every day. The tool could slip and cut you, burn you, or even nail your foot to the floor. Workers for a remodeling company rarely have this problem because of the depth of their experience.

Electrical Hazards

If your home improvement remodeling project requires you to rewire parts of your house, safety can be a big problem if you are unskilled. Understanding of the history of modern wiring standards is helpful if your home was built in prior decades. For example, you would probably need to know how to work with aluminum wiring if your home was built in the 1960s or 1970s. It helps to know what to expect and how to identify different types of wiring systems.

People who are knowledgeable about wiring take certain precautions every time they work. They do not forget to shut off the power, and know how to check to make sure that they have shut off the power to the right part of the house. If you are doing it yourself, be careful to take the same safety measures. It is also important to be careful around damp areas when doing rewiring for your home improvement remodeling job.

Exposure to Building Materials and Substances

Building materials are likely to cause hazards of their own. You will likely have to deal with a large amount of sawdust in the air. The inexperienced do-it-yourselfer will not think to wear a face mask to protect his respiratory system from inhalation of these particles of wood. Yet, sawdust can pose a definite threat to your lungs. If you are sanding wood with old varnish, the dust can even be a chemical hazard.

The experienced home improvement remodeling expert will wear all his protective equipment, in fact. Goggles are necessary because splinters, nails from a nail gun, or splashes of paint and other chemicals can get into the eyes without them. If your eyes are injured, the damage can be permanent. An experienced home remodeler knows the risks and prepares for them.

Whether you work on a do it yourself remodeling project or you hire a remodeling company to do the work for you, there should always be attention paid to safety. When you are deciding who will do the work, remember that experience teaches caution and proper procedures. You can try to be safe with your home improvement remodeling projects as a novice, but there is no substitute for good old-fashioned know-how.

Home Improvement Remodeling - Start in the Kitchen Or Bathroom

Modifying a room in your home can be a huge task. Your home improvement remodeling may need lot of planning and your time. You will see that many home improvement remodeling projects may require a considerable amount of monetary resources as well yet hiring a local remodeling contractor can make the planning process hassle free.

Lots of times, just a bit of home improvement remodeling can perk a space up by giving it added color. Even the littlest alterations in an area can provide a big lift both visually and emotionally. Numerous projects can be accomplished on your own with store-bought kits. On the other hand, an area builder has equipment, experience, and relevant suggestions that are highly likely to be much better.

If you want to remodel your home, you should first consider remodeling your bathroom . You can find some photos about bathroom remodeling online for reference. Then you can simply install new faucets and shower accessories to give your bathroom a whole new look. However, if you want to remodel your bathroom effectively, you may want to ask a contractor for advice .

You may possibly change the fashion of a space to any point in history. To mend the temperament of a room is to take a predictable looking one and change it to a contemporary one in some way. Modern style uses a blend of conventional and intermediary objects, which show fine in any room. We are coming to know local contractors that are incredibly well versed in these remodeling techniques.

When you are looking to soften the appearance of a room or an area, consider the large selection of decorations and accessories possessing an antique, warm brushed, or satin tone finish. The hard luster of chrome can be replaced with the soft sheen of brushed nickel. Antique copper is another exquisite, silky metal often available through remodeling contractors for a reasonable price.

Simply painting a room can drastically modify the feel of the room. Remodeling contractors around the country boast of new painting methods still not available to the general public. In order to choose the best color scheme for your room, consider the direction the windows are facing. If the windows face to the south or the west, then cooler colors provide a better lighting effect. If the windows face to the north or the east, then hot colors like orange, yellow and red are the best choices.

When deciding that more than one color should be used for your project, it is recommended that you lean towards the strong color as your main look. You will want the bolder color to be the main theme and then select a more subtle color that will give it added style. You might want to get the advice of a local contractor for advice for your home improvement remodeling job. It can be rewarding.

How to Get the Best Return on Investment for Your Home Improvement Remodeling Projects

A home improvement remodeling project can actually make you money in the long run. Also, there are returns on your investment that have nothing to do with financial gains. The most important thing about remodeling your home is that you should have something in the end that is more valuable to you than it was in the beginning. There are several ways to improve your ROI.

1. Choose the right home improvement remodeling project.

Select a plan that will make a big difference in the value of your home. The two most profitable changes are updating your kitchen and remodeling you bathroom. These are the rooms with the most cabinetry, fixtures, and appliances.

When someone wants to buy your home, they will be impressed by a modern, beautiful kitchen. They will also pay strong attention to a well-designed and nicely-appointed bathroom. Not only will these two home improvement remodeling projects add to your home's money value, but they will increase its intrinsic value to you as well.

2. Do not make mistakes.

If you spend extra time and money doing the job, you may end up with a huge investment in the project. Your home improvement remodeling job will only improve your situation financially if you spend less doing the project than the value you gain from the results. Sometimes extra costs can run up when you make mistakes in doing the job. You might buy the wrong supplies, break the supplies you get, or install them incorrectly.

However, hiring a home improvement remodeling company will assure that the job gets done right the first time. It may appear that you are getting the job done for less when you plan it out to do it yourself. Yet, if you have many false starts and wasted materials, you will probably profit more from using skilled remodelers in the first place.

3. Make sure you finish.

Many people start home improvement remodeling jobs only to leave them half-completed. Perhaps they do not have the spare time to do the work required. They might not make the financial commitment to getting the job finished. Maybe they just lose interest in the project.

For whatever reasons, there are large numbers of homeowners who have partially done projects making parts of their homes nearly unlivable. If you have started a project and do not see an end in sight, it is probably time to hire a home improvement remodeling company to finish it for you. They can put their full concentration on the job rather than having to think about it after work like you do. There is no shame in seeking help; the only shame is in leaving your home in chaos indefinitely.

Your home will bring more money on the market if your home improvement remodeling projects are completed, and completed meticulously. If you have the skills, ability, time and desire to plan a project, start it and keep it going through to the end, you may be able to make that return on investment a reality. If so, you can make it better, both in the increased price your home is worth and in the value you get from you home while you live there. If not, it is a good idea to think about hiring a home improvement remodeling company to help you out.

Deciding When to Do Home Improvement Remodeling

If you want to do a home improvement remodeling project, timing is crucial. There is much to consider, and you will need to know a few basics if you are going to do it yourself. Certain parts of the project will take longer than others, and it may be important to time a particular task with precision.

For instance, if you are doing a project which requires the water to be shut off, you will need to time the home improvement modeling work carefully. You will want all your plumbing work to be done in a short time so that you will not have to be without water for weeks.

Alternatively, you can choose a home improvement remodeling method where parts of the plumbing can be done each day, as long as you can turn on the pipes you need most at the end of the day. Either way, it is easier to work with an expert home remodeler who is accustomed to working around people's water consumption needs while doing a project. Otherwise, you might be left scratching your head about how to get done without leaving your household waterless.

Depending on the scope of the project, you might want to choose a time for your home improvement remodeling project when you expect the weather to be warm. This would be the case if there will be any windows or doors being replaced, or if an outer wall is being moved. However, bad weather can make an appearance even in times of the year which are usually mild.

A home improvement remodeling company will schedule your work so that it is done quickly, between weather events. With expert workers, you will not have to worry about delays and false starts which might increase the chances of bad weather days. You can stay comfortable in your home, and the interior of your house will not be in jeopardy.

Finances are one reason people tend to choose the timing for their home improvement remodeling projects. It may seem like a good idea to start working and build a little at a time as you have the money. There are two major problems with this idea. One is that you will keep your household in chaos for a long period of time. The other is that you may never really finish. It is much better to save up or arrange your finances so that you can get the work done all at once.

Timing is also a consideration when it comes to the holidays. You would not want your kitchen or bathroom torn up during Christmas or New Year's parties. You might start in what you think is plenty of time to finish before the holidays roll around, but you might run into problems and delays. If you work with a professional home improvement remodeling company, you can schedule your work to be done when you need it to be done. All in all, the end result of choosing your timing should be the ultimate in comfort, practicality, convenience, and superior construction. With a professional home improvement remodeling company, you get all four.

14 Unique Ideas for Window Treatments

I love thinking of unique ways to upgrade something basic and turn it into something custom and special. When it comes to window treatments a small customization can go a long way. I've rounded up some of my favorite ideas to take your window treatments to a whole new level! 

photo

1. Another take on the striped curtain is to do it with smaller stripes. I really like how these stripes are spaced far apart and kept really thin. It seems like you could create this look with some Ikea curtains and ribbon. 

photo via Cynthia Brooks Design 

2. I love the way this roman shade is trimmed. It's a fun idea to keep the valance and the trim the same. 

Miles Redd for House Beautiful 

3. I think adding a color block to plain white curtains makes them extra dramatic! 

image via Samantha Pynn

4. This idea takes the bottom banded color look to a new level! By adding a thinner separate band it breaks up the bottom color and the white curtains. 

Life & Home via Little Green Notebook

5. I am so blow away by this scalloped detail in a contrasting color on these window treatments. If you look closer you can see the scallop was even trimmed out in another color. I love attention to detail like that. 

Photo by Laurey W. Glenn for Southern Living magazine

6. Who doesn't love a good grey key trim! You could add it in any color to a pair of white curtains and get a luxe look! 

Traditional Dining Room by Los Angeles Architects & Designers Studio William Hefner

7. This curtain concept is really interesting. It looks like they did a sheer up top and maybe a silk for the rest. 

Modern Living Room by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Lisa Ferguson Interior Design

8. I think we've seen that you can add color stripes any which way on curtains and it always looks fabulous! I like this idea of adding the bands of color to the top and bottom. 

image via signed by Tina

9. I think the unique shape of these roman shades makes them so beautiful and I love how they are trimmed out in red to add even more drama! 

image via SF Gate

10. Although you don't often see the lining I think it's a fun idea to add a bright color for a little wow factor. 

Traditional Bedroom by Los Angeles Photographers Erika Bierman Photography

11. We've seen stripes all the way up a panel but this take on the striped curtain is really unique! What a good idea to just do stripes on the lower half of the panels. 

image via Lonny

12. A great pattern can really be enhanced by a dramatic color. The red on these shades totally pops off of that floral fabric. 

photo via Bijou and Boheme

13. I thought the idea of adding a ruffle hem to the bottom of a curtain panel was genius! How sweet would this be in a nursery.  

image via Kate Coughlin Interiors

14. It looks like these sophisticated roman shades got a little dose of fun with a pink ribbon fringe. 

Fore more great window treatment ideas visit my Pinterest page.

Last Week's Links

1 || Amy Meier is one of my design heros. I love this room reveal.
2 || Way to go Kim! This video is beautiful.
3 || I had no idea you could make your own birthday candles.
4 || Any little girl would love this DIY crown.
5 || Teeny tiny adorable shoes.
6 || If you've ever wanted to reupholster a chair on your own this tutorial is perfect for you!

7 || My kids will love this snow ice cream! 

8 || Pretty sure I could wear these earrings every single day. 

9 || This is a hairstyle even I could handle. 

10 || This trench looks far more expensive then it is. 

top photo: Amy Meier Design // bottom photo: Gimme Some Oven

DISCLOSURE: COMPENSATED AFFILIATE LINKS USED

Feature Friday: Houston House

Today I am featuring the home of blogger Ashley from the blog Houston House. Here is what she says she loves most about here home:

My favorite part about our house is that it's comfortable. I love spaces that are not only pretty to look at but are easily lived in as well. Spaces that invite you to kick off your shoes and stay a while. Our home makes me want to do just that. 

Enjoy! 

Read more about this room here. 

Read more about this room here. 

You can read more about this room here. 

Read more about this room here. 

Read more about this room here. 

Thanks to Ashley for letting me feature her home. Make sure you check out her blog here! 

My Favorite Affordable Neutral Chairs

Recently I've been on the hunt for affordable neutral chairs for a few of my clients. I've found that there are a lot of great options out there! I tend to love colorful or patterned chairs myself and I usually stick with neutral sofas. But if you have a lot of color going on in a room you can never go wrong with a good neutral chair. Here are a few of my favorites:

one. Safavieh Nottingham Sand Beige Club Chair $44.8.82 // two. Collins Wingback Chair $499 // three. Sand Kendall Chair $365.49 // four. Tribeca Beige Linen Chair $509.99 // five. Baxton Studio Norwich Beige Chair $350.09 //  six. Clarise Sculptured Snow Chair  $269 // seven. Vaughn Tufted Slipper Chair $189.99 //  eight. Catalina Chair $645 // nine. Sweep Armchair $649