From House to Home » 2009

Home Office Remodeling

Posted by Aaron
on January 31st, 2009
Category: Tips for Homeowners

If you’re tired of working out of a cramped space during the day, it’s time to plan a nice home office. This is one remodeling project that can pay big dividends in terms of your sanity as you work from home.

Remodeling Tips

Many people overlook remodeling and just go straight to using one small portion of a room for a home office. This can be a mistake, as all you files slowly take over the room. Then you have a home improvement mess!

A better approach is to scope out a full room that you can use and then remodel it the way that makes sense for you. It could be a spare bedroom, a den or a space in the basement. Ideally, you’ll want at least an 8 by 10-foot room to remodel into a home office.

Home Improvement Options in the Basement

Posted by Aaron
on January 31st, 2009
Category: Tips for Homeowners

If you’re looking for a new home office or family rec room, take a look at your basement to see what the home improvement options are. Basements are often overlooked when remodeling because people get turned off by the potential water problems or the sheer mess that often fills a basement!

Inexpensive Home Improvement

Once cleaned out, however, a basement can really add to your usable space. When done carefully, it also can be a reasonably priced home improvement project. The trick is to do much of the cleaning, sorting and demolition work yourself. Think of it as building character and space for your future remodeling dream! read more »

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A Primer on Buying Kitchen Cabinets

Posted by Aaron
on January 30th, 2009
Category: Uncategorized

If you’re shopping for kitchen cabinets, you’ll eventually get into the debate over customization. People will toss out terms like “stock cabinets, semi-custom cabinets, custom cabinets.” What does all that mean, anyway?

Understanding Kitchen Cabinets

Stock cabinets are the least expensive way to go and they have come a long way in the past decade. Check around at a home improvement store and you’ll find 6 to 8 door styles, finishes and wood species, along with three or four molding choices. Enough to get you started in an economical remodeling project. And, you typically can take them home that day–no waiting for weeks for someone to build your cabinets.

Semi-custom cabinets are the next step up financially, as they have more frills, such as the vertical rope molding that can dress up the area around your doors or the cabinet bun feet. You also get into the chocolate mocha glazes and the fancy stains.

For the Picky Kitchen Remodelers

If you’ve done a few kitchen remodeling projects, you tend to get pickier as you go. If you want sturdier drawer glides, stronger cabinet boxes, more crown molding choices, different stains and glazes, you tend to lean toward those semi-custom cabinets. If you don’t plan to stay in the house long, think long and hard about putting too much money into your kitchen cabinets.

Custom Kitchen Cabinets

On the upper end of the spectrum are custom cabinets that are made to your kitchen’s exact dimensions. No shims or tapered cut wood inserts allowed, here. Custom cabinets are a one of a kind deal. These can be great if you’ve got specific design tastes-or an old house that needs a lot of customization.

Whichever route you choose, shop around, compare prices and always check references. You want to make sure you’re getting a good quality kitchen cabinet, regardless your budget.

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Avoiding Remodeling Surprises

Posted by Allison
on January 30th, 2009
Category: Kitchen Remodeling, Tips for Homeowners, Windows & Doors

If you think life is full of surprises, you should spend a little time remodeling. There are many remodeling surprises that can affect your timeline, budget and sanity. Here’s how to prepare for all those little surprises.

The first step is to assume that something will go wrong. It’s inevitable when you are dealing with several personalities (contractor, plumber, electrician, etc.), varies tasks, and an emotional sense of “When will this EVER be finished?” Think about how you would work through a solution, as this will help you stay calm and focused.

Some of the main remodeling surprises center around planning issues – did you look in the attic or basement to see how well insulated the house is? Did you try the water pressure on your showerhead before moving in? Did you test the paint color before buying a full gallon? read more »

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Bathroom Remodeling Made Easy

Posted by Aaron
on January 29th, 2009
Category: Tips for Homeowners

If you can change one thing about your bathroom–and only one thing–focus on the vanity area. That’s where you spend your time getting ready in the morning and it’s also an area that is easy to fix, with or without a contractor.

Bathroom Remodeling Starters

All you need is a new cabinet, sink and faucet. Maybe new lighting, but that’s a bonus. As you plan this small remodeling project, focus on the main three parts.

If you have the space, it’s always nice to buy a larger vanity cabinet. If you’re remodeling the master bathroom, there might be room to maneuver a 36 to 48 inch cabinet instead of a small 24 inch model. This often means going to a double bowl sink, so ask your contractor what’s involved from the functional side.

Bathroom Cabinets: Small is Large

If you’re stuck with a small space, don’t give up. Here’s one example of high bathroom cabinet design for a small bathroom. One way to make a small area stand out is by picking one element that draws your eye. One popular option is a vessel sink, a trendy style where the sink sits on the countertop. These have been a big hit in the remodeling world in recent years. You do have to be careful about getting the right faucet so it flows into the center of the bowl and avoids splashing. Just make sure your contractor has installed them and knows the ropes.

Bathroom remodeling is such fun, particularly when you focus on the decorative areas. Forget adding new copper water lines and a thermostatic value. Pick some fun fixtures and call it a day!

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Making Remodeling Easier!

Posted by Allison
on January 29th, 2009
Category: Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Tips for Homeowners

Remodeling a house can be an all consuming process. There’s always a “to do” list and lots to plan and save for. One way to avoid getting overwhelmed is to set priorities.

What to Remodel?

Setting remodeling priorities allows you to focus on what home improvement projects are the most important – and give yourself breathing room for those project you probably won’t get to soon anyway.

This might mean that the major bathroom remodeling is off the list for now, so you can relax and overlook the old vanity and dripping faucet. Or, maybe you decide to just replace the vanity and faucet – a much less expensive home improvement commitment than a full scale remodeling.

Start with the safety and structural projects that you just must do. read more »

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Finding the Right Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Posted by Aaron
on January 28th, 2009
Category: Tips for Homeowners

Wondering how to find a good bathroom remodeling contractor? Here’s what to consider.

You’ll want to find someone with home improvement experience in general, but also a specialty in bathroom remodeling. The contractor should know the ins and outs of several trades, including plumbing, electrical, drywall, and tile installation.

Some bathroom remodeling contractors do much of the work themselves, while others work as general contractors and hire out the various specialties. They then manage the overall remodeling process and pull all the pieces together.

Interviewing Contractors

As you interview contractors, ask what role they play in the day to day remodeling. Each approach can work well, but it helps to know whether the contractor has to schedule three other workers or will be one of a small handful working on the project. read more »

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Remodeling Plans: Adding a Room

Posted by Aaron
on January 28th, 2009
Category: Tips for Homeowners

If you’re debating whether to do a room addition, start by looking at the pros and cons. This will help you narrow down whether this home improvement project is the best thing for you.

One of the biggest pros to a room addition is the extra space and functionality. Depending on the size, you can add a nice t.v. room, a home office or even expand your kitchen with a breakfast room. As you talk with contractors, ask about how much space would be allowed on your lot. Then compare it with your budget.

Remodeling Costs

One of the biggest reasons to not do a room addition is the cost. While this type of home improvement project can greatly enhance your living space, there is a price tag. A contractor will have to dig a foundation, frame the space, as well as add all the electrical, plumbing and other components. read more »

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A Discussion of Kitchen Cabinets

Posted by Aaron
on January 28th, 2009
Category: Cabinet Refacing

If you’re shopping for kitchen cabinets, you’ll eventually get into the debate over customization. People may toss out terms like “stock cabinets, semi-custom cabinets, custom cabinets.” What does all that mean, anyway?

Stock Cabinets

Stock cabinets are the least expensive way to go and they have come a long way in the past decade. Check around at a home improvement store and yo may find 6 to 8 door styles, finishes and wood species, along with three or four molding choices. Enough to get you started in an economical remodeling project. And, you typically can take them home that day–no waiting for weeks for someone to build your cabinets.

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets are the next step up financially, as they have more frills, such as the vertical rope molding that can dress up the area around your doors or the cabinet bun feet. You also get into the chocolate mocha glazes and the fancy stains.

If you’ve done a few kitchen remodeling projects, you tend to get pickier as you go. If you want sturdier drawer glides, stronger cabinet boxes, more crown molding choices, different stains and glazes, you tend to lean toward those semi-custom cabinets. If you don’t plan to stay in the house long, think long and hard about putting too much money into your kitchen cabinets.

Custom Cabinets

On the upper end of the spectrum are custom cabinets that are made to your kitchen’s exact dimensions. No shims or tapered cut wood inserts allowed, here. Custom cabinets are a one of a kind deal. These can be great if you’ve got specific design tastes–or an old house that needs a lot of customization.

Whichever route you choose, shop around, compare prices and always check references. You want to make sure you’re getting a good quality kitchen cabinet, regardless your budget.

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Garage Organization and Remodeling

Posted by Aaron
on January 27th, 2009
Category: Uncategorized

Is our garage a mess? If you’re like many people, the garage becomes a dumping ground for everything from tools to kid’s toys and gardening supplies. One way to improve your sanity is to organize!

This is one home improvement project that is fairly easy to do – depending on how much of a mess you have. It’s also easy to do without a contractor, which will save you some money. (You may want a contractor if you’re getting very serious about remodeling and adding shelving and space dividers, however).

Home Improvement Success

The key to home improvement success here is to carve out a three to four hour period – just to start with. If it helps to draw it out on paper, do that. You’ll want to plan out where to put various items and group them accordingly. read more »

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Credits

Home Office Remodeling

Home Improvement Options in the Basement

A Primer on Buying Kitchen Cabinets

Avoiding Remodeling Surprises

Bathroom Remodeling Made Easy

Making Remodeling Easier!

Finding the Right Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Remodeling Plans: Adding a Room

A Discussion of Kitchen Cabinets

Garage Organization and Remodeling