Have you ever looked for bathroom tile? This seems like a quick home improvement project, but it can get trickier than you’d realize. For starters, you have to tear out the old tile (more on that later), and then you have to weed through the beautiful tiles on the market and the options are almost endless. Check out this glass tile site!

Aside from glass, the natural stone tiles are a hot item. I’ve seen a lot of the larger tiles and they really do look cool. An 8 to 12-inch square can really add some drama, particularly if you haven’t remodeled in awhile and are living with tiny four by fours.

Tile Replacement: Do It Yourself or Hire a Contractor?
This is one remodeling project that a contractor can do or you can do yourself. If you’re not very handy, however, ask a friend to help or hire a contractor. You don’t want to be living with a bathroom that is 20 percent done—for months on end.

f you’re not hiring a contractor and need to worry about the “how to’s” yourself, here’s a primer on replacing ceramic tile. The big thing is to get the right remodeling tools so you can cut the tile easily….well, sort of easily…and be on your way. Most home improvement stores sell the supplies you’ll need and also offer free classes on how to do this type of remodeling.

As I said, it’s a bigger home improvement process than you’d think to select tile, pull out the old and install new. But, the alternative is to live with the old, yucky tile for another minute and many people just can’t do that!

If you’re looking to add some drama to your landscaping, consider climbing vines. Whether it is wisteria or clematis or even climbing roses, the look can transform your landscaping.

I was looking at vines recently and found a cool site for clematis information. You might be surprised to find out how many vines there are for your landscaping. This site lets you search by the name, then it gives pictures and information on the bloom time, zone, etc.

If you’re working with a landscaping contractor, ask which clematis (or other vines) do well in your area. Unfortunately you can’t go by the hardiness zone only. If your area has lots of clay soil, for example, the contractor may recommend certain soil amendments to help a vine prosper.

Planting Vines
It’s fairly easy to plant vines, whether you are doing it yourself or through a contractor. Most require full sun, but examine the details carefully to make sure you get the right location. Also look for a place that is highly visible, whether it is from your patio table or your kitchen window. Why do to all the trouble changing your landscaping if you can’t enjoy the results?

We often think of home improvement as indoor projects, say a kitchen or bathroom. You’ll be amazed at how much improvement you’ll do with some simple changes to your landscaping. (Check out these landscaping photos for more!) With a good landscaping plan, you can have vines combined with a wide assortment of perennials to provide a texture and contrast.

Most landscaping contractors will provide a plan for changing your yard. If you are revamping, consider how vines can add height and lots of color. Even if you have to buy one vine and plant it yourself, the results can be dramatic!

Want to update your kitchen in a hurry? Here’s a look at some quick home improvement projects that can make a big bang. Some of these projects might require a few hours of a contractor’s time, but most can be done by a homeowner with some remodeling experience.

The kitchen backsplash is a great place to start, as it is highly visible and can make a big impact. One popular remodeling project is to remove old tile and add 12-inch squares that look like natural stone, as this gives a kitchen an Old World look. For those with contemporary kitchens, try putting stainless steel or copper squares along the backsplash. Click here for backsplash ideas!

Adding tile requires some remodeling experience, as you have to plan out the space, measure carefully and probably cut some tiles. A local tile contractor or handyman could do the job for you in three to four days.

Kitchen Remodel: Don’t Forget the Cabinets
If your kitchen cabinets need a facelift, try cabinet refacing or painting. If your cabinets are in good shape, you can change the color, style, and finish, transforming your room in short period. Refacing is more complicated for a homeowner, so check out local contractors for estimates. Painting is something you can do yourself, although it requires lots of time and patience.

Window treatments also can make a big impact in a kitchen and are a moderately priced home improvement addition. Here’s a look at how window shades can transform a room, along with the many popular styles. Consider your sun conditions and whether you want extra light blocking shades or window treatments that are m.

After picking some or all of these changes, look for cabinet hardware to provide the finishing touch. The options range from simple knobs to funky fork and knife designs. You can do this home improvement project yourself or have the cabinet refacing contractor add the hardware as part of that project.

What a different a week can make!

Home improvement can be tricky enough without having to figure out which type of worker you need to help you. Some jobs are well suited for a full scale contractor, while others are more appropriate for a handyman. How can you tell which remodeling person to hire?

A handyman typically works on smaller projects that require anywhere from a few hours of work to perhaps a week. This might involve home improvement projects such as repairing tile, adding a new porch railing or other general carpentry jobs. Some has lots of experience, but they prefer not to get into the bigger projects. They are fine to clean out basements, do yard work and call it a day. Here’s more on hiring a handyman!

Contractor or Handyman?
A contractor typically works on more involved projects than could get into supervising other workers, working with city inspectors, etc. (More on when inspections are needed.) Some contractors have a steady supply of workers while others do all their own work, but may have a wider range of remodeling knowledge than most handymen.

There are some gray areas in between, however, so check with a few people first to get an idea. If you are doing a room addition, you’ll probably need the experience of a contractor who can do some of the work and also manage other workers and oversee the city inspections. If you are remodeling a bathroom, a handyman who has experience in general carpentry, along with tile, plumbing and electrical might work out fine.

You can see by this tile article, however, that there is a lot involved with working with tile. Make sure whoever you hire has the right experience.

In the end, you just have to ask a lot of question. You’ll quickly figure out which projects are better suited for a handyman or contractor.

It’s never too late or too early to evaluate your selection of contractors. Do you know several who will return your call quickly and stop over for a bid or is it a strain to find a good contractor?

Sometimes the best time to find a remodeling contractor is when you’re NOT looking. That way you are not so eager to get started and you can avoid some classic mistakes. Among them are rushing into a home improvement project without planning and letting a contractor start work without a contract.

Either approach can doom your home improvement dreams, as they can lead to communication issues as well as the potential for a dishonest contractor to take advantage of you. (Check out these tips for avoiding contractor scams!)

Building a Contracting Contact List
Even if you’re not about to start a remodeling project, be sure to ask around for names of good contractors. Now, in all fairness to the contractors, you don’t want to be just kicking tires if you don’t plan to do a project soon. But, then again, most people have some remodeling ideas percolating around their heads all the time.

Be honest with the contractor and say you are getting ideas and want to spend a few minutes talking when you’re not needing a contractor. The “good” contractors should appreciate that and may even like the fact that you won’t be a harried home owners looking for immediate results.

Think about which remodeling projects you might do during the next six months and ask a contractor to show you samples of similar work. Ask about how they designed the addition or solves a tricky space issue in the kitchen–or anything else that fits your needs. Also, figure out whether you need to hire a general contractor or not.

By taking this creative approach to home improvement, you’ll gain valuable insights into how contractors react when you’re just “shopping.” You’ll quickly see which ones are after the long term relationships and which ones want the quick deal.

For more information, check out this handy guide to finding a contractor.

Color is a tricky thing, particularly in the garden. As you remodel your landscaping–a common thing around our house–plan out how color will flow through the yard.

The tricky part about this type of landscaping is that it involves looking at the various stages of bloom. It helps to draw it out on paper and perhaps have tracing paper layered on top to show the various seasons of bloom. Consult with a landscaping contractor who has an eye for color combinations, not just plant materials.

Choosing Flowers for Your Garden
During the spring you may have a wave of daffodils and tulips, followed by green hostas coming up and then lilies, followed by a late summer purple flower. In between, you can sprinkle annuals, but what colors should you use? What will be blooming next to them and will the colors clash?

Ideally, all these colors should help your eyes flow through the garden. You might have a wave of blue, then orange, then white before getting to an antique bench or bubbling fountain.

Color Grouping
One landscaping “rule” is to plant in masses, which can be difficult for those trying to do landscaping on a budget. When it comes to color, the tones should be complimentary and you’ll need to decide on a general theme–vibrant or subtle?

One nice resource, which also has nice stock to purchase, is White Flower Farm. In their Help section you can peruse predesigned gardens to get ideas–or, even steal their combinations! If you are looking for more insight into glower color groupings, check out the Chicago Botanic Garden. They have a wide array of examples that can guide you during your landscaping.

Container Gardening
And, let’s not forget container gardening, which also has its share of color issues. I recently learned not to put too many colors in one pot. Try to do one color for impact and a few other less dominant flowers in different colors for accents.

Color makes a great addition to any landscaping plan. It’s figuring out how to blend it all together that is the tricky part of any outdoor remodeling!

If you’re leaning toward adding a patio, you’ll need to think about which material to use. Among the most popular for contractors to install are bricks, concrete and stone. Being an old house lover, I’m a big fan of “real” bricks, the clay ones that have been around for a long time. There also are concrete pavers shaped like bricks that can do the trick with any home improvement project.

Patios: Color is Important
If you’ve never shopped for bricks before, look out. The contractors may try to warn you, but the color selection is almost too much. From red to orange, blue to gray, the choice of colors is almost unlimited.

Take a few samples home and live with them for awhile. Also, realize the boxes often come with mixed color ranges, so if you want mostly red or orange, ask the contractor to focus on those bricks. You may have extras left over or have to buy another section of bricks, but if color is important, it’s worth it.

Selecting Materials for Your Patio
With any patio material, look for a color that will blend in with your exterior housing material or create a contrast. Also coordinate the color with your driveway and walkways so it all blends together.

If you prefer concrete, there is the poured slab type, which definitely should be done by a contractor, and the concrete squares you can find at a home improvement store. Either should do the trick–it just depends on your remodeling budget and tastes.

Natural stone is another great product and one that many high end contractors use. Stone can be pricey, however, so talk with your contractor about ways to contain the cost. Perhaps you do a concrete patio with a raised stone flower bed along one side?

Shop around, look at pictures, and talk to a few contractors. This is a big home improvement investment, so take your time and get the look you want.

One great way to shape your outdoor entertaining is with a patio or deck. Both home improvement projects can do wonders for extending your reach into the outdoors while providing a good place for lounging and entertaining.

Installing a Patio: Some Thoughts
We once installed a slate patio ourselves, with several friends helping, and it was worth it in the end. We picked a patio because it fit in with our landscaping and allowed us to walk from the patio to the yard. If you nestle shrubs and flowerbeds around a patio, they can become a natural part of the landscaping, surrounding your patio with life and bright colors.

However, if you are thinking of installing your own patio, remember that both the preparation and building of the deck take time and preparation. You may want to enlist the assistance of a contractor, as patio installation typically requires design work, the right tools and labor, as well as significant amounts of heavy lifting.

Should You Install a Deck?
Decks can also be a great addition, but may fit better in a setting where the terrain is not so even and you want to come out from a kitchen that is raised up from the ground. Deck contractors do not always build patios, so you may need to interview different contractors depending on which route you take. For the do-it-yourselfers, I always recommend caution when it comes to building a deck. Do you have the time, materials, and carpentry skills to make it work?

Get Creative When Installing a Patio or Deck
Regardless which home improvement project you choose, look for quality materials and get a little fancy with the shapes. Many people do rectangular patios, which can seem stark. Try adding a few curves where you can add a fire pit or small seating area.

If you are looking for ideas, pictures of decks and patios can be a good place to start. Using the ideas of others can help you refine what you want in your deck or patio–from size and shape, to style and color.