Are we there yet? Anyone who has kids has heard that one, but it also applies to remodeling. Is the room addition done yet? Is the painter done yet?

Many people know that remodeling projects often take longer than expected. But, how long is that? Here’s a look at some common examples. According to Remodeling California, you should allow 2 to 3 months for a kitchen remodeling, for example.

Are We There Yet? The Contractor’s Response

A project timeline can vary based on the complexity of the work and the number of workers involved. When you add in electrical, plumbing and carpentry, the weeks stretch out.

Kitchen remodeling–If you’re doing a kitchen remodeling, plan for at least three months of fun! If the remodeling project involves breaking down an adjacent wall or drastically enlarging the space, add a few weeks or a month. This will cover the contractor’s demolition time and the time to put it back together.

Bathroom remodeling–Remodeling a powder room or hall bathroom can take one to two weeks. If you’re gutting the room, add 3 to 4 days. When remodeling a master bathroom and perhaps adding a steam shower and a large spa-like relaxation area, add a few weeks. This thread by DIY Chatroom has more details.

Painting a room–Most painting contractors can paint a room in a few days. What slows the contractor down is wall repair and drying time for paint and primer. (And, the home owner switching colors midstream….)

Refinishing floors–A good flooring contractor can sand 3 or 4 rooms in a day. Adding the stain and polyurethane can take a few more days for application and drying time. Check out this National Wood Flooring Association link for more.

Remodeling involves many different steps, often by different people. Before you scream “Are we there yet?” try to understand what’s involved and how long it should take.

Yes, that’s right. It’s spring…well, almost. It may not look like spring in many parts of the country, but it’s spring in home improvement land. This is the ideal time to plan your remodeling projects–before the daffodils start to break through and the contractors get busy.

Plan, Plan, Plan for Home Improvement.

There are many benefits to planning your home improvement projects now. You’ll have time to talk with contractors, review their sketches, apply for permits, and shop for replacement windows without feeling rushed.

Home improvement planning also allows you to sit and mull the drawings, cut out pictures, and really think about how you’ll use the space. Here are key questions to ask yourself:

• How big should the room addition, deck, patio be?
• How do you plan to use the space?
• What size furniture do you need?
• If you’re buying replacement windows, which style really fits your architecture? Drive around the neighborhood and make note of what you like and don’t like in replacement windows.

A Bonanza of Remodeling Projects

According to information from Owens Corning, here are other practical (yet necessary) spring home improvement projects.

• Adding attic insulation
• Buying replacement windows
• Checking roofs and gutters for damage and doing those home repairs as needed!

Some of these remodeling projects can be handled on a DIY basis, while others are better left for a contractor.

Spring into Outdoor Home Improvement

This is also a great time to talk with a landscaping contractor about any outdoor projects, such as a patio or deck. Then get the planning going before the main season starts. Think about adding a shade tree near the patio or fragrant roses to enhance the experience.

As the Times Observer notes, many of these outdoor home improvement projects require little maintenance once installed. New decking, fencing, and patio materials make it easy to create an outdoor escape without a lot of upkeep.

Painting is a popular home improvement project because it adds such a big bang for the buck. While some people can paint a room or so, many prefer to turn to a painting contractor for help. The beauty is that you get the job done faster (and, in many cases, better) and avoid all that messy prep work!

Finding a Painting Contractor

If you’re looking for a painting contractor, start with the usual circuit of friends and neighbors. Also, look beyond that circle to paint stores, fabric stores and home improvement stores. Often, businesses that are related to painting are a good resources because their customers spread the word.

Checking Contractor References

Everyone know that checking references is important, but what should you ask? When talking to a contractor’s previous customer, ask about dependability, skill level, and the end result. Which contractor went above and beyond to get the job done? Check out this Do It Yourself article for more ideas on what to ask.

Painting Contractors: The Differences

There also are nuances to each painting contractor. Some focus on drywall installation or faux finishing or staining wood. Other contractors tackle the heavy lifting and do plaster repair, including rebuilding entire ceilings. (Don’t try that home improvement project at home!)

According to Consumer Reports, it helps to understand what your project involves and to clearly state your goals and expectations. This video from Lowe’s shows you what the contractor should do. Its helpful to be clear about your expectations up front.

The key to finding a good painting contractor is to do some screening online or over the phone. Then go see a sample of their work. Look for the straight lines where the wall meets the ceiling, the flat surface where plaster cracks once were and the crisp trim detail work.

Finding the right contractor can help turn those drab walls into bursts of color or texture that change the whole look of your home.

If your front entryway lacks pizzazz, take a few steps back and check out the view from across the street. What do you notice or not notice? If it all blends together, your home may lack a focal point.

Curb Appeal and Your Real Estate Value

Curb appeal is an important concept, whether you are selling a home or just looking to boost your real estate value. It also doesn’t hurt to have the neighbor’s saying “Wow!” When assessing your curb appeal, look at the overall front and then narrow your focus to the door, windows, paint and lighting. You might needs a contractor or designer’s eye for this as well.

Remodeling for Curb Appeal

When focusing on curb appeal, realize that a little remodeling can go a long way when it’s focused. Take the front door, for example. A new fiberglass or wood door with six panels and some decorative glass can make quite a statement. See these examples from Jeld-Wen. Ask a local contractor for advice on which style works with your home’s style.

As this article from Better Homes and Gardens notes, one key element of curb appeal is symmetry. This means adding a door and replacement windows with the same grill pattern or coordinating lighting fixtures styles with the door handle and hinges. Just make sure any replacement windows match the windows you’re keeping.

And, last but not least is the painting and other finishing touches. Make sure all your door and window trim is clean and painted. Check out this Sherwin Williams article for tips.

When remodeling, it’s the little things that all work together to add the pizazz. These types of fixes also can boost your real estate value, as they make the house more appealing. In the end, you’ll love the view as you walk to the door, cross the street, and admire your home.

New vinyl or wood siding can quickly transform a house, bringing a crisp, clean color or a unique texture to the forefront.

All the Siding Options

If new siding is in your near future, you’ll want to understand all the options. Aside from the type of materials, you’ll need to select the right color for your home. Siding tends to be light in color, but there are shades of gray, cream, and light blue.

Most siding contractors recommend coordinating the color with your other exterior materials, such as any brick on the house or your window shutters.

Why Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding is perhaps the most widely recognized type of siding. Vinyl siding is a popular choice because it is durable and virtually maintenance free. It also is reasonably priced, making it ideal for first time buyers. Here’s more from the Vinyl Siding Institute.

Wood Siding Ideas

Wood siding appeals to those with classic architecture who want to maintain the integrity of an old house. Wood siding does require painting every four or five years, however, depending on your climate. Compare your vinyl and wood siding options before deciding.

Another Siding Option

Fiber cement is another siding option that is fairly new to the scene. It is made from a composite material and priced in between vinyl and wood siding. When in doubt, find a qualified siding contractor to show you samples and explain all the pros and cons.

Sometimes it’s confusing to look at the materials and try to visualize them on your house. Should you go with gray or cream? Textured or smooth? This site by Certainteed takes away some of that guess work, showing you how different styles will look.

There are many different types of siding. Your next step is to find a good siding contractor who can explain the ins and outs and help you make the right choice.

If you’re wondering how to brighten your bathroom or kitchen design, think about the many uses for glass. Whether it’s glass doors in your kitchen cabinets or translucent blue bathroom wall tile, glass can add a whole new dimension to your home design.

Glass for the Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets often are the most important element in the room, but they can get a little heavy visually. By adding glass to a few cabinet doors, you’ll bring in a touch of light and create a new way for light to move through the space. Take it a step further and add stained or etched glass and the whole kitchen design changes. Check out a few of these specialty glasses from Bendheim Cabinet Glass.

Bathroom Wall Tile

Glass wall tile has become a hot item in the bathroom, as it can add a touch of the sky or water. Look for wall tile in square, rectangular, and even circular shapes. A little bit of geometry never hurt anyone, as shown by these examples of glass tile design.

There also are many glass wall tiles with texture and unique edges that can make the area behind the sink come to life. Coordinate it with natural stone with similar colors or use it along the whole wall for a big show.

Contractor of DIY?

Glass is easy enough for some DIYers to install, but if you’re not experienced, look for a good contractor. A tile contractor will know how to blend tiles together to create a fun look (like these from Daltile). In the kitchen, a contractor could add glass to a few cabinets and coordinate it with glass wall tile.

When redoing your bathroom or kitchen design, don’t overlook the beauty of glass. You’ll find that it adds just the right dimension and depth to keep your home design interesting.

When hiring a contractor, you might think it’s all about someone’s credentials or experience, but don’t forget the crucial personality factor. Your relationship with your contractor may be the key to the success of your home improvement project.

The Contractor’s Personality

Why is the contractor’s personality important? Because you’ll be spending lots of time with him or her during the remodeling. It might be a few hours here and there or weeks on end if it’s a big home improvement project. So it pays to make sure your personalities mesh.

You can do this by spending time with the contractor, asking questions about their remodeling experience, and listening. Do they sound upbeat? Do they smile a lot? Do they understand what you are looking for and seem eager to help you create your vision?

Contractors: What to Look For

Most people focus on hiring a contractor who has good credentials, whether it’s in kitchen remodeling or roofing installation. But your roofing contractor should also have a disposition you can deal with. After all, he or she may be in your home as much as you are during your remodeling project.

When interviewing contractors, keep in mind this list of things to look for–and things to avoid–from DoItYourself.com. Good communication up front can save you from potential misunderstandings later. The Baltimore Sun offers a number of resources you can use to check a contractor’s redentials.

The key to success with any contractor situation is doing your research and planning it out, as noted in this article from My Universe. With a little effort, you can find the right professional to make your dream home a reality.

If your master bedroom lacks pizzazz, think back to the last hotel you visited. Chances are the bedroom was a suite, complete with a few soft chairs, a large television, and perhaps a crackling direct vent fireplace.

Remodeling: Start with Space

When remodeling a master bedroom, there are lots of ways to add that resort feeling. Glance around the room and think of ways to open space, regroup furniture, and add in a few wow factors.

The first step is to examine the furniture arrangement. Are pieces grouped efficiently so that you don’t waste space? Do you have enough storage or do you need to remodel to get it? In some cases you might want layout help from an interior designer or contractor.

Remodeling Tip: Add Storage

Adding storage is a common remodeling project, as noted in this article from HGTV. The trick is to go vertical. By adding storage to your existing closet or creating a built-in armoire, you can eliminate piles of clothes on the floor and packed closets.

Remodeling with Fireplaces

Fireplaces are a big hit in master bedrooms, as they exude ambience. With today’s technology, fireplaces can be added almost anywhere. There are many electric models that only require an outlet. Direct vent fireplaces vent right out the wall and do not require a chimney. Toss in a few comfy chairs and you’ll have the resort feeling.

Remodeling a master bedroom is a rewarding job because you’ll get to see the results every night before falling asleep. If you’re having to demo the space, like the folks at Remodeling This Life, the project can take on even more life.

Whether it’s a direct vent fireplace, as explained on the Ask the Builder site, or new windows, the change can be dramatic. Just make sure your contractor has a good creative streak, particularly if the space is odd shaped or small.

The cold that has gripped many parts of the country is a bitter reminder of your forgotten (or intentially avoided) remodeling projects. Those replacement windows you deferred until the spring, for example, or the heating contractor’s call that was unreturned.

Yes, deferring remodeling projects has its benefits. No contractors walking around your house and more money in your pocket. But, deferred remodeling leaves its shadows around your house. Here’s how to make the best of it.

Instead of Replacement Windows

If your winter remodeling budget didn’t include replacement windows, take these steps to shore up older, leaking windows:

• Add insulating foam strips in the window opening.
• Add thick drapes with an insulated backing to block the air.
• Use natural sunlight to warm your space when you can–open and close drapes accordingly.
• Consider door stoppers for door thresholds and the base of the windows.

Then, start planning for the spring to see if you can swing replacement windows. There still is a government tax credit for certain replacement windows and other products. Here are the details from Energy Star.

Bring in the Heating Contractor

Does your heating seem uneven, particularly in certain rooms? First, check to make sure any duct dampers are open. Then, ask a heating contractor to stop by. While you may not be able to redo your heating duct work now–when it’s in full use–the contractor can get a real sense for what is going on. Then you can plan for the spring.

When the Heating Contractor Isn’t Enough

If you can’t overhaul your heating until the spring, invest $75 to $100 in a good, safe space heater. While you may boost the electric bill a little, you won’t have to crank the heat throughout the house. Don’t leave them unattended, particularly at night. Here are some other tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Sprucing up your interior design is fun, but it does take some finesse. Here’s how to avoid common interior design mistakes such as those identified by Bella Faux Finishes that can doom your remodeling project.

Planning is Key to Interior Design

Proper planning is an important step for any remodeling project and should not be overlooked when it comes to interior design. Lay out the project on paper, write out the details, and make sure anyone working on the project understanding your goals. Ask the Builder provides a handy checklist for planning any design project.

Once you’ve established what you want to do, you have to follow it through. Think about your interior design goals and what you’re trying to accomplish. Do you want:

• A bold “wow” factor at the front door?
• A cozy reading nook?
• An abundance of light in a family room?

Interior Design and Focal Points

Focal points are tricky business, as you want to create “wow” factors without overloading someone’s senses. As a rule, try for one main focal point per room, as this makes a bigger impact from an interior design perspective. Depending on the space, you can add a secondary wow factor that coordinates with the main one. When revamping your kitchen design, for example, a dramatic wooden range hood could be the focal point. Warm Italian marble on the wall behind it would be the secondary wow factor.

Interior Design Colors

The use of color also is tricky and can lead to interior design mistakes. Bold is fine, but temper it with softer colors to add balance. One rule of thumb from the paint manufacturer Behr is to use no more than three colors in a house. You can use light and dark ranges of those colors as long as it all blends.

Interior design can be tricky, but if you plan it out and pay attention to some common guidelines you’re remodeling will come off without a hitch.