What will it cost? That’s often the bottom line when remodeling. Here’s a look at typical home improvement cost categories. As you plan a remodeling project or compare bids, make sure these key categories are covered:

• Permits: These are remodeling costs people sometimes overlook. Your municipality dictates these fees and can range from $25 to several thousand dollars for a room addition or other large home improvement project. For example, here’s a list of required permits in Fairfax, Virginia.
• Materials: A remodeling project estimate should spell out the types of materials, as a 48-inch range built for a restaurant chef will add more to your budget than a 30-inch range with simple features. One faucet might cost 30 percent more than another.
• Labor: This often accounts for 30 percent of your budget. When comparing bids, make sure you compare like services. An electrician will charge more than a painter, for example. Also, make sure you pay remodeling costs based on completed work and not simply the contractor’s request for payment.
• Delays: Unless your remodeling project runs like a well-oiled machine, you’ll experience delays that can lead to higher prices. If the tile installer or plumber has to make another trip, it will affect your budget.
• Unexpected surprises: Seasoned rehabbers know remodeling often comes with surprises. You’ll be wise to add a ten to 15 percent contingency amount to your remodeling costs to cover things like fixing sparking electrical wires under the kitchen floor or bad plumbing in the wall. If you don’t use the budgeted amount, consider it mad money!

So, how much will your remodeling project cost? Once you realize all the variables that go into a project, you can create a realistic budget for your next remodeling project.

Hiring a vinyl siding contractor takes a little detective work. Beyond asking around for referrals, you need to dig in with a few good questions when you interview potential contractors. Here’s a good link from Pbs.org to get you started.

Siding Contractor Questions

Next, try these questions for the siding contractor:

• How long have you been installing siding? Not kitchens, but siding. You want someone with experience in that home improvement category.
• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
• How do you resolve issues with your customers? All contractors have issues periodically with mistakes or a difficult installation. You want someone who can work through problems and act professionally.

Once you narrow down the siding contractor’s references, focus on the materials. Each material comes with pros and cons, so you want a siding contractor who can recommend the best for your situation. Here’s an overview of materials the siding contractor should consider.

Siding Contractor: Check the Record

Make sure the contractor has a track record with the type of material you’re using. Wood siding provides a great look, for example, but requires more maintenance. As long as you know that, you can make an informed decision.

Vinyl Siding Costs

Last, but not least, is the cost. Make sure you get a firm bid in writing that spells out all the details of the:

• Brand
• Type of material
• Size, shape and color
• Warranty

If all this talk of budgets has you debating whether to install vinyl siding yourself, take a look at this home improvement article on the costs involved. Consider whether you have the skills, time, tools, and patience to do the work yourself.

As with any home improvement project, a little bit of research goes a long way.

Still trying to get your daffodils, tulips, and lilies planted for next year? You’re not alone. This is a busy time for gardening because it’s the ideal time to clean up your yard, transplant perennials, and prepare your landscaping for winter. Here’s how to get it done and close up your yard until spring.

Top Fall Landscaping Chores

Here are the key chores on which to focus :

• Remove leaves: Instead of bagging them, start a pile that will decompose and turn into leaf mulch. Pick a spot at the back of your yard, and rake the leaves periodically to speed along the process.
• Remove diseased leaves and plants
• Plant bulbs
• Take patio furniture, pots, hoses, and bird baths indoors

Landscaping 101: When to Trim

When it comes to flowers, now’s the time to trim back summer and fall blooming plants. Avoid cutting lilacs, magnolias, and some hydrangea, as they have already set buds for next year. It’s also best to avoid heavy pruning, as it could expose your plants to disease over the winter, says HGTV.

For roses:

• Add a 6-10 inch layer or mulch around the base
• Add compost around the soil, so it breaks down over the winter
• Enclose with a burlap screening, making sure to leave breathing space around the bushes

If you have clematis, check out this handy pruning guide from Homeofclematis.net. Take note: know which pruning group to which your variety belongs.

Lawn is a Key Fall Landscaping Chore

Fall also is a great time to look ahead to next year’s lawn. Here are some fall landscaping steps to help get that lawn in order.

When all your fall landscaping chores are done, sit back and relax…until spring.

Have you ever walked around your house with a critical eye toward home maintenance? Chances are, you’ll find a few home improvement projects that need your attention. Whether it’s fixing broken steps or painting the exterior, you can always find a project that will boost your curb appeal.

Here are three easy steps to add curb appeal to your home:

• Paint, paint, paint: This is the most cost-effective home improvement project around, but it doesn’t have to be labor-intensive. Look for areas where touch-up painting will get you through until the spring. When in doubt regarding color, take a few chips to a paint store and ask someone to color match it.
• Landscaping: A new sidewalk, a patio or deck, or a row of ornamental trees can do wonders. If now’s too late to plant in your climate, make a plan for your spring landscaping. Here are some ideas from HGTV
• Replacement windows: These can add curb appeal and give potential buyers a reason to relax about the purchase. Windows are an investment, so it helps to take care of these types of projects before putting your home on the market. Replacement windows also help with energy-efficiency and make the house a whole lot warmer in the winter! Here are a few factors to consider:
  • The number of window panes: The more the merrier, but the price goes up a little with each pane of glass
  • Argon insulating gas: It’s nice to have, but compare prices to see if it adds value for your situation.
  • Tax credits: Many replacement windows, like these from Pella, qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500.

All it takes is seeing a mouse in the basement to make me run–not just away from the mouse, but outside to look for signs of entry.

In many parts of the country, this is the time of year when mice and other critters start to look for shelter from the cold. This makes it prime time for home owners to tackle a few fall home maintenance projects. Here’s how to start:

Walk Around the Exterior

Look for broken windows, cracks where critters can enter, and anything that seems out of place. Make a list and set priorities. If you have a mouse problem, check out these tips from the Utah State University Cooperative Extension Service. (Tip: Get to them fast before they multiply and create an even bigger problem!)

Think Home Insulation

To improve energy efficiency, check your attic, basement, doors, and windows for signs of air infiltration. You can boost energy efficiency by simply filling a few cracks and adding attic insulation. Here’s more from The Dept. of Energy on home insulation types, cost, and where to look for leaks.

Home Maintenance Means Safety

If your stair railings are loose, your porch steps are broken, or your exterior lighting needs work, take time to do a little home improvement now. These types of home maintenance projects are difficult to complete after the snow and ice arrive. If the projects require a contractor or handyman service, plan ahead and schedule the work.

Check Gutters and Downspouts

Look for clogs or missing sections. If some gutters are missing, ask a contractor to add them, as gutters are important for funneling water away from the foundation. Here’s more on this important home improvement project.

Now…back to those mice!

Selecting wall tile can be overwhelming, as there are so many sizes, textures, and colors to consider. Here’s how to narrow down tile selections, find a theme, and pick the best pattern for your space.

Wall Tile: Buying it Right

The designer’s rule of thumb is to stick with two or three different wall tiles, with one or two dominant players. Your tile selections will vary depending on taste: do you like a French Country look or a sleek modern kitchen or bathroom design?

Consider:

• Mixing glass and metal tiles. Copper with an opaque glass works well.
• Varying the sizes–a 4-inch by 6-inch rectangle next to an 8-inch square. Many tile companies have patterns you can use.
• Buying inexpensive, neutral wall tiles for 85 to 90 percent of the space and splurging on fancy tile for the remainder. You’ll save big and no one will know!

Wall Tile: Outside the Box

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box with wall tile. If your kitchen or bathroom design tastes run contemporary, check out these wall tile selections. Remember to:

• Blend colors between the walls and floor for continuity
• Show your creativity, as they did with the checkerboard on the floor and the wall tile selections above the countertop
• Coordinate with lighting, as shown with the blue pendants

While kitchen or bathroom design is one thing, you also need to think about durability and appropriate tile for the room. Some tile is made specifically for the wall versus the floor or bathrooms with lots of moisture. Here are more tips from HGTV.

Lastly, remember that measuring is important. Here’s a handy tile calculator from Daltile.

Many basements are messy, dirty spaces reserved for storage and laundry. But, you can transform your basement and expand livable square footage by hiring the right contractor and making good decisions.

Basement Remodeling Designs: Build on Possibilities

Ask a few friends or neighbors and check online sites for local basement remodeling contractors. Interview three contractors and ask:

• How can I maximize the usable space with unique basement remodeling designs?
• What can I do with a reasonable budget? Can I get a nice rec room? An extra bedroom or office? Is a basement bathroom remodelingrealistic? You don’t need the Taj Mahal, but you want comfortable, usable space.
• How much time and work is involved? This will help you plan when to start.

Basement Remodeling Designs

As you consider possibilities, tie them into realistic goals for using the space. If you want a game room or a place to entertain teenagers, consider these basement remodeling designs. If a bathroom remodeling and new bedroom would help with in-law visits, that’s another story.

Basement Remodeling Realities

Let’s face it. It can be tricky to do tackle a basement remodeling project, particularly in homes with seepage issues. These types of project require extra planning and advice from a good contractor. You’ll need a plan for diverting water away from the foundation. Common methods include:

• Changes to exterior grading or landscaping
• Sump pumps
• Drain Tiles

Add an extra $500 to $1,000 for landscaping changes and $3,000 to $10,000 for bigger fixes, like sump pumps or drain tiles.

Basement remodeling is a great way to boost your livable space without the expense of a room addition. All it takes is some detailed planning, a good contractor, and a little creativity.

If you’re thinking about replacement windows, you probably know windows often top the list of popular, environmentally friendly projects. Aside from lower heating and cooling bills, what can replacement windows do for you?

Replacement Windows Improve Comfort

One obvious byproduct of all this energy-efficiency is your improved comfort. The minute the contractor finishes adding those windows, you should feel much better. Just make sure the contractor insulates around the windows for a good seal.

Replacement Windows Add Style

Replacement windows can greatly improve the look of your home, from the exterior as well as the interior. If you have an older home, you might want traditional windows with rectangular or square grills. In a contemporary setting, try tall casements that bring in wide open views.

Replacement Windows Are Ideal for Certain Homes

If your windows are old and drafty, adding replacement windows is a no-brainer. Some windows fall into a middle ground, however, where they leak a little and don’t have much style. Here’s how to decide if replacement windows are for you.

When reviewing various windows, understand the energy-efficiency of it all. Ask your contractor or windows retailer which features boost energy-efficiency. Factors such as the solar heat gain coefficient, which measures how much heat penetrates your windows, are important. Also consider:

• U-Factor: The lower the value, the better the insulation
• Visible Transmittance: A measure of the window’s optical qualities, such as how much light comes in
• Air Leakage: Look for windows with a 3.0 or less rating

Last but not least, by taking advantage of the federal tax credit, you can save 30 percent on certain windows. Check out Energy Star for more.

Do you park a car in your garage or is it filled with “stuff?” If you’re like most people, it can be difficult to maneuver around the bicycles, yard tools, and kids toys that end up in the garage. If you want to recapture that space for the car or just organize your garage, start with this advice from Goodhousekeeping.com. Then, consider the details of this important home improvement project:

• Take stock: That’s the first step. Look at what you have in the garage and decide whether it stays, says Gladiator Garage Works. Should some items go into the basement? Do you have a backyard shed for the bikes and toys? And, when in doubt…toss it out!
• Buy storage options: You’ll be amazed how quickly you can organize the garage with the right storage options. Ideas include:
  • Peg boards and hooks for bicycles, sleds, and similar items
  • Stacking shelves for boxes, flower pots, and other medium to large items
  • Wall cabinets to enclose all that stuff–find them at home improvement stores or through a local contractor. You can also find DIY wall cabinets from Familyhandyman.com
  • Overhead storage to take advantage of your ceiling height–consider hiring a contractor to build out a horizontal “floor” in the ceiling area for over-sized boxes and holiday decorations
• Organize the garage: Once you have the home improvement tools and storage options, set aside a few days for the work. Check the weather forecast, and plan a day when you can haul items out of the garage, clean, and add the storage options. If you’re hiring a contractor, build that time in, as well.

Then,take a test drive–and reclaim your garage.