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We’re still on Cloud 9 after receiving the Angie’s List Super Service Award for 2014, so we’ll take the opportunity to listen to advice from Angie herself.

When it comes to remodeling, communication is key.

Angie recommends setting regular meeting times with your contractor to go over details such as what time in the morning work will start, where workers will use the bathroom, and where materials will be stored.

A good contractor will always make time to clearly outline a plan.

Because things don’t always go as planned, Angie recommends setting aside 10% of your budget as a contingency fund and adding a week to your projected finish date.

If you finish on or ahead of schedule, consider the funds as a personal bonus!

Angie’s tips will come in handy if you are looking to incorporate the early trends of 2015 into your remodel.

The weather is glorious this time of year and with the dog days of summer ahead, many homeowners have begun work on improving their outdoor living spaces.

Whether it’s adding a bar, fire pit, fireplace, or TV and audio system, Valley residents are hoping to upgrade their quality of life and entertain in style.

Elsewhere, because the Valley is also home to lots of baby boomers, lots of people are looking to age in place comfortably and incorporate universal design. For example, the article highlights wider hallways and bathroom grab bars that double as towel holders.

Big or small, MK Remodeling & Design is happy to help reach your remodeling goals.

Have a good week!

Quick! Everyone check behind your cabinets. There might be money!

A Colorado handyman discovered an envelope stuffed with $1,000 behind a bathroom cabinet during a recent remodel.

So, while money might not grow on trees, it sure might be stashed away and forgotten by a previous tenant.

The story has a happy ending, too. The handyman alerted the current owners, who returned the money to the old owners.

What would you do in that situation?

Now, if you come across some extra money, we suggest looking into some towel warmers.

Whether it is wall-mounted, floor-mounted, or freestanding, these amenities can fit all kinds of spaces and conform to all budgets.

If you are looking to incorporate redecorating and design with your remodel, take notes from the experience of this Pennsylvania couple.

The couple enlisted the help of a designer to guide them through a redecorating process that emphasized aging comfortably in place.

Even if a similar remodel is a ways down the road, heed their biggest takeaways: focus on what you like, listen to each other, avoid judgmental statements, and add something new together.

No word yet on whether the couple found any envelopes of cash lying around.

Have a good week!

The old saying goes that you can’t judge a book by its cover, but the same doesn’t hold true for buying a home!

Last week, we discussed the importance of remodeling to improve your lifestyle, and not solely to pad your resale value. In other words, don’t justify a massive remodeling project because you believe what you spend will be recouped at resale!

As this expert points out, smaller outdoor improvements go further in attracting homebuyers. Essentially, no one will see your fancy kitchen with all the bells and whistles if your curb appeal isn’t up to par!

The good news is that all of those improvements aren’t expensive. As one expert puts it, “The simpler and lower cost the project, the bigger its cost-value ratio.”

When it comes to remodeling to sell, smaller projects are the way to go. So, look to things like a replacement steel entry door, vinyl window replacements, or stone veneer exterior accents.

If you are unsure about where to start in your remodel journey, it’s important to consult a designer. Designers are more in tune with the trends and styles of your area. While articles and magazines are good place to start, like this one on general kitchen trends, local designers have the experience to let you know what is efficient, realistic and cost-effective for your situation.

Check out MK Remodeling & Design’s portfolio and give us a call today!

Have a good week!