Holidays

Choosing your own remodeling adventure

By on December 6, 2018   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

Winter is here, which means the holidays are upon us.

“Winter” in the Southwest is comfortable for having guests over, so remember to make a mental list of ways your home could improve for entertaining or for comfort.

Some people struggle to commit to remodeling because they can’t settle on the reason to do it. Should you remodel for yourself? Should you remodel for resale? The answer depends on your timeline, as this helpful article explains.

If you see yourself moving in five or so years, think about remodeling for resale. That means going over a list of things buyers like with an expert, such as a designer or real estate agent, and coming up with a cost-efficient plan.

If you don’t see yourself moving for 10 years or so, if ever, then personalize away! Make that home the living space of your dreams. Remember, the best return on investment is happiness!

Speaking of winter remodeling, here is an article on the best projects to do over the winter.

Obviously, Arizona doesn’t see nearly as much of a slow down in remodeling during the winter as other regions, so keep that in mind while reading the article. It lists installing hardwood floors, and kitchen or bathroom remodels as a few options.

Finally, if you are more concerned with trends, we have you covered!

Here’s an article from the Midwest, my neck of the woods, about a study from our friends at Houzz. Houzz says baby boomers, those age 55 and older, are remodeling to comfortably age in place. They also account for the biggest remodeling spenders, the article says.

Have a great week!

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Guest Post: What You Should Know Before Remodeling Your Home

By on September 27, 2018   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Homemade, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

Home remodeling season is in full swing as we head into the later months of the year and
prepare for winter. However, a new kitchen or bathroom does not appear overnight, and there is
a serious amount of planning that should go into your renovation blueprints. With shows like
Property Brothers making renovation look like a cakewalk, there are necessary precautions that
should be taken prior to the start of your project that they don’t always show on television.
Check out these four tips you should keep in mind before you begin your remodeling work.

1. Have A Set Plan

It is important to figure out what you would like your remodeled space to look like before
you begin. Whether it is paint color, carpeting, or appliances, having a solidified vision in
mind is vital. Do not try to take on too much work at once, as remodeling projects
typically take longer than expected and a rushed project will end up being botched.
Celebrate small victories and make sure to always take a step back and look at the big
picture. By taking the time to plan your remodel and focus on one task at a time, the
completed project should be everything you expected it to be.

2. Understand The Risks

Home remodeling is a rewarding learning experience when done by yourself, but what
you may not realize is the potential threat remodeling can have on your health. Prior to
1980, a large majority of homes were built with Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM).
These materials were used during construction in in products including insulation, roof
shingles, and flooring. If you live in an older home and your remodeling project involves
going through walls or replacing insulation, having a home inspection done is a top
priority. When asbestos becomes disturbed, the fibers can become airborne and enter
the body through inhalation or ingestion, then becoming lodged in the lining of internal
organs. Exposure to the toxin could potentially lead to tumors and a variety of cancers,
ranging from mesothelioma to lung cancer, over the course of 10 to 50 years. Avoiding
exposure to the toxin is vital, as the average life expectancy for a mesothelioma patient
is 6-12 months.

Along with asbestos, another health threat associated with remodeling is the presence of
lead. Although the use of lead in household paint products was banned in 1978, it was
used in many older homes. If you are going to be sanding or repainting walls, be weary
of the paint that is already covering them. If this paint begins to deteriorate, toxic lead
dust can enter the air and be inhaled. Lead has been linked to both short- and long-term
health problems, ranging from throat irritation to memory loss. It is especially important
to keep children out of remodeling areas, as lead dust has more serious effects on their
developmental growth.

3. Determine A Budget

Understanding how much you can afford to put into a remodeling project is arguably
more important than the physical labor. So many projects go uncompleted due to lack of
funds, and once the money runs out, motivation is lost, which could put the project on
the backburner for a long time. While having everything you desire in your completed
project would be ideal, it is oftentimes not possible. Prior to construction, figure out what
is most important to you and, if your funds allow, splurge on a couple of things on your
wishlist. For other minor aspects of your remodeling efforts, finding cheaper alternatives
is a great way to cut costs. Whether it be laminate flooring or faux granite countertops,
the alternatives that cost less sometimes look better than the real deal.

4. Consult With A Professional

If at any point you feel like the project is too big of a commitment, consult with a trained
professional. Someone who knows the ins and outs of the home renovation business will
be able to help you with your plan, and most likely improve upon it. In many situations,
hiring a professional may even cost the same amount as it would for you to do the work
yourself if you set a reasonable budget. Not to mention, hiring a professional will save a
substantial amount of time, ensure less mistakes are made and guarantee the finished product is something you’ll be eager to show off to
your friends.

Get Started

You have devised a plan, had your home tested, and figured out a suitable budget. All that is left
now is for the work to begin! Follow your plan and budget closely, and if changes need to be
made, adjust accordingly.

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Guest post: The biggest problems you’ll run into when renovating an old house

By on April 6, 2018   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

It’s spring! So, all of you who have been planning and waiting for nice weather to start their home
renovation work, the wait is over. Regardless of whether you are planning to repaint the house, update
the plumbing, add more space, or do some roof repairs, spring is the perfect time for it. However, even
with these ideal conditions, you can still run into some problems while renovating your house, especially
if it’s an old one.

While you cannot completely avoid some of these problems, you can prepare and learn how to deal
with them, and that is precisely what we will talk about today. So, let’s take a look at some of the most
damaging issues you can come across while renovating your old house.

Worn-out or damaged wires

Worn-out and damaged wires are not that uncommon even in newer homes. However, if your house
dates back to the 1950s-60s, the chances are that you will have to upgrade the wiring around your
entire home. Back then, people didn’t have appliances like microwaves, hair dryers, and other devices
that require a high energy output. So, when you plug a couple of these devices into your outdated
electrical grid, you can experience power outages. That is why you should hire a licensed electrician to
bring your house wiring up to today’s codes and standards.

Outdated and blocked pipes

Next, you can stumble upon outdated and blocked pipes. If your house is 50 or more years old, then it
probably has galvanized pipes. This type of pipe was commonly used in the 1960s and they are prone to
rust and clogging up. However, even if you have replaced your outdated pipes with ones that fit today’s
standards, you can still experience blockage, especially with your sewer line.

Tree roots, sediment, and other debris can pile up in the sewer pipes over the years, causing all sorts of
problems. While just a decade or two ago you had to tear down your pipes to clean them, thanks to
Australian ingenuity now there is a less intrusive method. You see, blocked drains in Sydney are cleared
using high-pressure water jetting systems. This is an incredibly effective solution, which can clean almost
any type of debris from your pipes and drains. So, make sure to check if somebody is offering these
services in your area.

Structural damage

Structural damage is common with old houses that have wooden frames. Pests like rats and termites are
one of the biggest causes of structural damage in houses, and if left untreated, they can make your
house unfit for living. Cracks in the walls and ceilings, blisters in floors, etc. are just some of the many
telltale signs of pest infestation. Luckily, they are relatively easy to deal with. There are numerous ways
to get rid of them, but you should start by calling a professional and licensed exterminator.

Hidden mold spots

Finally, old houses generally have mold problems. In most cases, this is due to bad insulation or even a
lack thereof. While some mold spots are easy to spot, you can uncover additional ones while doing
renovation work around your house. One of the most common places where people find mold is the
attic. If you don’t have a proper ventilation system for your attic, it can quickly become a mold hotspot.
So, if you come across any signs of it, make sure to contact professional mold removal companies, as
they are the only ones that can fully clear your house.

Now that you know what problems you can run into while renovating your old house, you can approach
this task without stressing too much. Just ensure that you have a backup solution for any of these four
problems, and you won’t be surprised by any of them.

About the author:Will Sandford is a Sydney based wood architect, blogger and contributor on interior design and ecology blogs. Besides that, he is also interested in home improvement combined with green
technology. In his spare time, Will enjoys surfing and rock climbing. He is also a regular
contributor to SmoothDecorator. Connect with him on Twitter.

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