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The 4 levels of master suite remodels, and a crazy find at a worksite lead the hot links

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For most people, the master bedroom is the most important room in the house, and as such, it is also the subject of many remodels.

Homeowners can avoid any unnecessary challenges by identifying the scope of the remodel before any construction begins. This article lays out the 4 levels of master suite remodels, ranging from least to most intrusive.

Level 1 projects are upgrades to the bedding and furniture, and do not include construction; Level 2 remodels do not impact the floor plan, but include things like new flooring or new windows; Level 3 projects include taking down walls to open up space; and Level 4 projects are additions to the existing floor plan.

If you are thinking big, small, or somewhere between, MK Remodeling & Design is happy to help!

Messy construction sites are often described as if a “bomb went off.” For a few contractors in Scottsdale, that old saying hit a little too close to home.

Workers laying down sewage pipe were stunned when they discovered a World War II-era hand grenade, according to azcentral.com. Luckily, testing showed the grenade was inert and just a shell.

Speaking of mess, many homeowners are so eager to move on with their remodel that they don’t realize usable appliances and bathroom fixtures can be recycled instead of taken to the landfill.

As this article points out, Habitat for Humanity’s deconstruction service will come to your remodel site and carefully package usable equipment to benefit their projects. Best of all, the donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, check out https://www.habitatcaz.org/restore/restore-donations.php.

Have a good week!

Using the holidays to help you plan a remodel, and other hot links

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It’s finally cooling down in the Valley, which means we are knee-deep in the holiday season. And if you’re like us, the holidays mean planning to host more company than usual.

As this column points out, the holidays are a good time to take inventory of your kitchen’s shortcomings.

So, as you prepare to feign interest in your uncle’s latest business venture while passing the sweet potatoes, also make mental notes of any remodeling ideas that arise. Then use those ideas to jump-start your plan to remodel in the New Year.

However, don’t limit those ideas to just the kitchen. Take time to honestly assess your living room as both an entertaining space and lounging area.

If you are struggling to find inspiration, here are five living room remodeling ideas from the Huffington Post.

Incorporating a home office area, extending the space outdoors, or bringing your windows up to date are a few great ways to update your living area for the next round of holidays or the next NFL Sunday.

Regardless of what part of your home you choose to remodel, avoiding buzzkills and budget woes is essential.

AOL.com offers great advice about doing just that. Preparing to compromise, reusing things creatively, and having a planning meeting with your designer and or potential contractor are a few tips to help you avoid many of the pitfalls that can come with remodeling.

Have a good week!

How TV shows mislead viewers about remodeling costs, and other hot links

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We’ve all seen the home-improvement TV shows where a home or room is totally transformed from bare bones to luxury beyond belief in a convenient 30-minute or hour-long episode.

Maybe a show like that has inspired you to pursue your own remodel. That’s good!

What’s not good is how those shows mislead consumers about remodeling costs.

As real-estate columnist David W. Myers details, a reader saw that her dream master bedroom and bath remodel on TV cost $22,000, so she showed a recording of the episode to a few contractors to see if they could do it. Imagine her shock when the bids came back between $45,000 and $63,000.

Myers points out that’s because most products are provided at little or no cost in exchange for the TV exposure. Similarly, contractors cut or completely eliminate their work costs for the exposure to help showcase their talents and hopefully generate new business.

So, keep that in mind the next time you are watching TV.

If you’re thinking of a bathroom remodel, Huffington Post has a few tips for you. Be sure to keep plumbing and ventilation where they are, maximize storage, and be thorough in your design plans, so that project is as good as possible.

Lastly, if you are looking for some inspiration, here’s a gallery of some cool garage doors. They run the gamut from traditional to super modern.

Have a great weekend!