Category: Renovation Contractor

Renovation Contractor

Kitchen Renovations – How to Pick Your Contractor

Laura

If your kitchen renovation is going to be a sizable job, unless you are a genius at DIY, and have a lot of time on your hands, your are probably going to have to hire a contractor. With the right contractor, kitchen renovation can be a wonderful experience. With the wrong contractor, you can find yourself in the middle of a nightmare. Do all you can in the beginning to make sure you know how to pick your contractor wisely, rather than live to regret you choice later on.
The first step in answer to the question ‘how to pick your contractor’ is to start by making a list of contractors in your area. Word of mouth is often the best reference, but don’t rely on it. Ask your friends and family, and check out a couple of companies online. Another good option is to enquire at your local building supply store – they will often have good suggestions. Make sure to tell them you want someone who specialises in kitchen renovation. A quick first step is to check the names of the contractors with your local Better Business Bureau – a quick and easy step to take before making your primary choices.
The next step is to contact the contractors on your list, and set up an interview. If you want to know ‘how to pick your contractor’ then pay careful attention to this. A good contractor is willing to discuss his experience in kitchen renovation, more than happy to hand of a list of references from satisfied customers, and answers your questions in a forthright manner. If the contractor is offended by your questions, or evasive, that should be a red flag, to move on to the next interview. Kitchen renovation is an expensive exercise, and you don’t want to find yourself halfway in with a disaster on your hands.
Don’t just rely on written references – the contractor’s girlfriend and brother could have written them. Anyone with experience advising you on how to pick your contractor will tell you to contact the people on the list, and while you should be polite, you should also ask them as many questions as possible. You should look for an answer to these questions in particular ‘did you use him for kitchen renovation?’, ‘did he complete the job on time and on budget?’, and ‘were you happy with the contractor’s workmanship?’ If a contractor did a great job, you should have no trouble finding people who used him and are willing to answer a couple of questions. If the responses are lukewarm – be careful. Often people don’t want to speak outright of a bad experience. Besides references, there are a couple of other things to consider when you pick your contractor for kitchen renovation. Is he qualified/licensed, and does he have insurance which is current – don’t rely on his word here, ask for proof.
When you have chosen your top 3 or 4 contractors, ask them for a …

Renovation Contractor

Polished Concrete Is The Better Answer For Healthy Indoor Living

Laura

This is something that I have been waiting on for a long time; a way to get rid of those carpets that trap and keep buried in their fibers the dirt and filth that gets tracked in with every step and still maintain up to date fashion for my home. I am pleased to see that the love affair with carpets is subsiding.
Now that we see this amazing change in perspective what are we replacing those floor coverings with? Well, it could be epoxy flooring. Brisbane and the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are proud to be part of this fashion trend in flooring.
When it comes to flooring, it is not hard to imagine that concrete flooring is one of the most substantial ways to go for quality as well as long term use. However, it is hard to imagine that anyone would wish to use raw concrete on their floors.
This is where polished concrete comes in. Most everyone knows that there are a number of products that can be used to enhance the appearance of concrete and that includes epoxy flooring which is simply a sealant covering for the surface of a concrete floor.
These coverings are attractive and wear well for a time, but once they lose their luster they should be removed and the whole process must be repeated. So, what other choice do we have? Glad you asked. Polished concrete is the way to go for that long lasting shine and ultimate in indestructibility.…

Renovation Contractor

Kitchen Renovation – A Few Things to Consider

Laura

Kitchens are the center of activity in every home and that is why it is important that it is designed in a way that is more comfortable and inviting to the whole family and guests as well. It’s not just a place of family to gather, it’s the focal point when your friends come to visit so don’t forget to add a touch of your personality in your kitchen to give it an unique flair. The perfect kitchen design should be a combination of your taste, personality, budget, functioning needs and your renovation ideas.
When you’re planning to revamp your kitchen, make sure you go through a lot of ideas to develop your unique design for your new kitchen. Budgeting is also very necessary and you should take your time browsing places to find best prices. Flooring, counter tops, appliances, faucets, tiles, color schemes, utensils and storage space are among many things that are important to plan before starting your kitchen renovation. First you need to decide on a color scheme around which the whole kitchen will be designed. As warm colors are more suitable to be used in a kitchen, make sure that you blend some red or oranges with your color scheme to give your kitchen an inviting look.
Kitchen is amongst the most expensive renovation project in a house and make sure that every purchase you make must have a resale value or be an investment if you ever decide to sell your property. Buy counter tops that are made with long lasting materials such as marble and granite. These materials are expensive but totally worth it when you consider per year maintenance cost. Granite and marble counter tops not only add value to your property but they also look stylish and are easy to maintain. A backsplash is also an important part of the kitchen that you should not ignore. Backsplash doesn’t only give an easier cleaning space between the cabinets and counter tops but also looks beautiful and gives a finished look to the kitchen.
Your kitchen-remodeling project must include a de-cluttering policy. The organized and cleaned space will give your kitchen a spacious and airy look. Get extra storage space by ordering custom-made deeper cabinets and extra drawers. The storage space can also be achieved by getting a kitchen island to save precious space for eating area. The kitchen island is not only a space-saver but also a style statement.
After you have the complete design for your new kitchen, start making calls to hire a general contractor who will understand your needs and ideas to make your dream kitchen a reality. You can also take help from your contractor about your kitchen ideas, places to shop for materials or the kinds of material to use in your kitchen. Hire a contractor that somebody has recommended or who has a good local or market reputation. Don’t be intimidated by all the tech-talk from any contractor; remember, you’re the one paying him. It is smart …

Renovation Contractor

The Many Benefits Of Tile You Can Expect

Laura

If you have chosen to remodel or build a new home you realize the vast amount of choices available for flooring. Tile flooring can be a great option for your home flooring needs. Using stone within your home is a great way to add warmth and a luxury feel. Finding a tile to suit your design needs will be easy with the numerous options available. There are many budget friendly options available in tile. Below we will discuss some of the major benefits of adding tile to your home.
4 Benefits of Using Tile Flooring
1. Designers have made natural stone flooring a popular choice. Tile has many uses within home designs. Tile can be utilized as a backsplash, countertop surface, or flooring. For home buyers it is important that their home choice has designer upgrades such as natural stone. Home buyer’s in today’s market want a luxurious feel to their home. Choosing natural stone is not only a great design choice, but it will make your home more desirable and valuable.
2. A common worry about tile flooring is the cold feel of the floor. This is no longer an issue with current technologies. Tile flooring can now be installed with radiant heating. You can control your flooring temperature with a thermostat. You can rest assured your flooring will always be warm and toasty.
3. Another great benefit of using tile in your home is the durability. Tile is much more durable than other flooring options such as carpet. One stain can ruin an entire room’s carpeting. Pets and children can be problematic for carpet. Dirt, spills, and heavy foot traffic aren’t a problem for tile flooring.
4. The ease of cleaning is a wonderful benefit of tile flooring. Small accidents like the spilling of a drink won’t ruin your flooring with tile. With tile flooring you can absorb spills and clean the area as if nothing ever happened. Tile flooring is a solid investment that will stand up to spills, dirt, and heavy foot traffic in your home. You can rest assured that your initial expense of tile flooring will be well worth it.
Tile flooring is extremely versatile. This type of flooring works well in any room whether it is the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or living room. There are tile designs to suit any room’s needs. To shop for a tile choice you can use the internet or a local store. Shopping online is a popular choice because it is easy and convenient. When you shop online for your flooring needs you can browse right from your home thousands of tile options.
The many benefits of tile make it a no contest for your flooring choice. The benefits of tile dramatically outweigh other options like carpeting. You are well on your way to a beautiful new floor by choosing tile. The many styles available will make it easy to find a suitable tile for your home. Your flooring representative can also be very helpful with your design …

Renovation Contractor

You Can Learn Quite A Bit About Home Improvements

Laura

Your home should be as comfortable and appealing as it can be. The best way to achieve this is to educate yourself on home imporovement. This piece is a great place to begin the process.

New flooring can instantly update any room. You can check out the do-it-yourself options at a hardware store, or you can contract with professionals to get new laminate, carpet, tile, or wood flooring put down quickly and reliably.

If you want some new tile floors, think about getting radiant heat tiles. Those tiles use your electricity and can create a huge change! Thankfully, you can easily install them yourself by following the directions properly. If you don’t have the time to commit to the project, you can also hire someone to install the tiles for you. The first cold morning you stumble into your bathroom barefoot you will understand the appeal.

Remember to take safety precautions when you are working on home improvement projects. Any project you are working on involves some level or risk, so follow instructions for power tools and ask a professional for help if there is something you do not understand. You can find websites that can help.

When selling a house, one of the most important rooms to update in a house is the bathroom. Other rooms are easy for buyers to fix up on their own, but this is not the case with bathrooms. If the tub or sink are not in good condition, replace them right away. Put in tile flooring instead of linoleum.

It is important to talk to everyone in your family about different emergency plans long before a disaster has a chance to strike. If there is an accident, many people have the tendency to panic. Working out safety escape routes before an emergency strikes can save you and your family members’ lives. Discuss not only the routes to be taken, but also all possible scenarios.

Try prints to brighten up a room. Pick bold colors and interesting designs to make the room pop out and shine. Leopard or zebra are good choices, but keep the design small to avoid overwhelming your space. Use it on some throw pillows, a decorative vase, or your wall art for instance.

A high quality and attractive door and doorway can add up to a 10 percent increase to your home value. You can update the look of your door by investing in a relatively inexpensive new doorknob and lock. You might be surprised at the variety of available shapes and finishes.

If your house isn’t big enough or it seems too ordinary, think about renovating it rather than buying a new one. This allows you to personalize your home so that you are fully satisfied with your living space. Also, this process is less stressful, and can cost a lot less money.

You should be sure you put some of the tips you’ve learned into practice. Write out a plan, get your equipment and supplies, and get started. …

Renovation Contractor

Pick The Best Home Improvement Supplies And Other Great Tips

Laura

Home improvement projects may need to be done if the growth of your family warrants a better place. There are many home improvement options out there. This article provides you with tips for improving the appearance of your home.

Regularly changing the air filters in your home is very important. Changing the air filters regularly will make your home environment much more healthy while also making your heating and cooling unit function properly. Many repair calls are due to dirt accumulating in a furnace or air conditioner due to a messy filter.

If you are replacing your baseboards, boards which are stained are more visually appealing than those which are painted. The warmth of stained wood will add value to your home. Stained baseboards will also hide scuffs and dings better than painted wood, and touch-ups to scratches will blend in more easily. The numerous colors of stain available ensure that you will find the right color for your home.

A small room in your house does not always have to be dark. Incorporate light into this room to add a vibrant atmosphere and positive feel. Make sure to keep your windows clean and your blinds open. Natural lighting can add so much to a room; even seeming to increase the size. Keep your room free of clutter and paint the walls a pale color. Follow these steps and your little room will seem much bigger.

You should be paying most attention to visible improvements in your home. Potential buyers base their judgment on things they see, and having unsightly things such as cracked and peeling paint or a yard overgrown with weeds can be a cause for them to walk from a good deal. Not all important repairs are immediately obvious, but when trying to sell a home, you should emphasize those that are readily apparent.

Don’t buy furniture that has busy prints. Bold geometrics, loud florals and colorful patterns will limit your decorating choices. Purchase furniture that is decorated or made in solid colors and tones, then accessorize with patterns. You can use different colored pillows and throws to create a unique effect.

The next time you complete a project around the home, dedicate one specific space for debris and waste. Planning in advance what you are going to do with rubbish can save you time and money during the construction.

Make ample use of your outdoor space. You can turn your backyard into an extension of the house. It is the ideal place to have a cookout or to just relax after a trying day at work.

Add some bling to a boring corner by hanging big costume jewelry pieces on a coat rack. You might want to exclude your valuable pieces from the display. This will allow you to show off your pieces, as well as keep them neat and organized. To make jewelry selection easy in the morning it’s best to put your favorite items in an easily accessible spot.

Now that you are armed …

Renovation Contractor

Home Improvement Tips To Make Your House Your Own

Laura

No matter what you are wanting to do, if you know how it is done, you will be a success. Understanding the task at hand is extremely important to ensure your home improvement project goes smoothly. Even the most seemingly minor problem, such as a cracked window or leaky pipe, can cause major issues. Before you undertake your next home improvement project, read on.

It’s a good idea to clean your air conditioner filter regularly. If it is backed up, the AC unit will need to work that much harder. The equipment will run for long periods of time, too. Change the filter according to the manufacturers directions.

Look at what you want to accomplish, this is a great tip to assist you on your journey towards home improvement. Add your own tastes to any improvement project.

Shop around for the best deals. Placing down new flooring could be costly. That is why you need to compare different prices in order to save money. There are places you can buy construction and remodeling supplies at a discount.

Ceramic tile tends to dull after a while. A safe, but effective method is by mixing vinegar and water together. Just put some of this solution in a bucket to mop your floors easily. You will likely find that the build-up of dirt has been removed and that the floor will appear as new.

For storing materials, try placing them between floor joists or ceiling rafters. It’s easy to keep things like two by fours and pieces of molding out of harm’s way with this method. Simply nail a couple of furring strips across two of your exposed floor joists or rafters and slip in the material to be stored.

When considering home improvement projects, don’t forget to include landscaping. The first thing a person sees upon approaching your home is the lawn, and it can make an impression on potential visitors and neighbors. Keep up your yard work. Add flowers and shrubs. This will greatly enhance your home’s look.

An outdated luggage rack can add an interesting twist to a room if you turn it into a fun, new side table. Take the glass from a large picture frame and secure it to the luggage rack with permanent adhesive. Use this table to keep a lamp or some books.

When choosing paint colors, opt for colors like light blue, light purple or light green to produce a tranquil space. Think about what type of furniture and other things in your house are going to go good with the colors you choose. Add some potpourri or scented candles in order to build an inviting, peaceful atmosphere.

Save money by purchasing a drain snake. It will save you money on expensive and toxic drain cleaners. Snaking your drain is something you should have someone with experience there for when you do it for the first time. Do not buy a drain snake that will not fit the pipe or you could damage it.

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