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Guest Post: What Remodeling Tips Are Hot This Summer

Summer is here, and while you probably took care of most of your cleaning tasks in the Spring, it is now time for you to further enhance your property. Specifically, we are talking about remodeling. While these projects appear intimidating on the surface, when done correctly, they can significantly boost the value of your home.

Consider this: According to HomeLight’s report on the 2020 real estate landscape, upgrading to stainless-steel appliances can yield a 141% return on investment, adding a home office yields an 87% return, and privacy fencing often has an ROI of 78%. Considering those figures, you should not be afraid to take on remodeling projects.

Based on the HomeLight findings, kitchen remodels, painting, and landscaping and gardening are the three most popular home improvement projects that property owners are tackling this summer. Although these projects can seem overwhelming, you can use the information below to make them more manageable.

Choosing the right home renovation professionals

Home remodeling projects should not be attempted by one person. They require a team of experts such as a general contractor (the manger that oversees all the remodeling work), specialty tradesman (painters, plumbers, roofers, etc.), a handyman (generalists that can take on a variety of high-level tasks), and an interior designer (the professional who ensures that the remodel fits into your desired aesthetics).

In addition to those experts, if you have a large remodeling project (e.g. gutting sections of your home, making significant structural changes), you should consider speaking with a professional remodeler. They create an overarching vision for your remodel and ensure that all the moving parts piece together when complete. 

Developing a home remodel strategy

Given the fact that every home is different, when you begin your remodeling projects, it is important to begin your remodeling projects with a plan and consider what buyers are looking for. For example, if you want to make your home feel more spacious and welcoming, an open floor plan is worth exploring. 

Even just removing a non-load-bearing wall (i.e. a wall that does not support the weight of the floor or roof above) can modernize your space.

Homebuyers are also looking for neutral color palates in their home. Faux wood laminate flooring, matte black cabinet fixtures, and neutral linen curtains are all great décor options. If you have a larger budget, we suggest installing hardwood floors as 54% of homebuyers are willing to pay a premium when it is already installed.

In addition to your living room, you should explore upgrading your kitchen. Adding stone or quartz countertops, white subway tiles, stainless steel appliances, and brushed stainless steel or matte black hardware are a few of the most effective ways to improve your space.

You can also complement extensive upgrades by replacing cabinet knobs with handles, installing LED rope lights under your cabinets, and purchasing a sink made of stainless steel or enamel.

Finally, don’t forget to invest in landscaping as it can deliver up to a 10% boost to your home’s value. For example, adding shrubs, trees, and hedges to boost privacy are a worthwhile project if your home is near a busy street or in a planned community where you are not allowed to add a fence.

This post was provided by our friends at HomeLight.

Remodeling looking to bounce back from pandemic

Hello, from my kitchen table!

If you are like me, you have probably converted a part of your home into a temporary workspace. And now that “temporary” has become “possibly indefinite,” chances are you have given thought to what a permanent home workspace could look like.

Welcome to the remodeling thought process in 2020!

Since everyone is spending more time at home, all those little projects you’ve noticed over the years seem to grow in size and stature. It is that line of thought that is supposed to help the remodeling industry get back on track as soon as September, according to a Banker & Tradesman article.

Additionally, some projects that weren’t as popular before the pandemic are getting new life in this post-COVID world, according to this Morgan County Herald article.

For example, fencing in a yard or an addition to include office or gym space are a couple of projects in demand.

There are a couple of mainstays, of course. Bathroom and kitchen remodels are remaining a constant even during the pandemic.

If you are looking for inspiration on the former, check out this slide show from House Beautiful.

No matter what route you decide to go during these unusual times, it’s always a good reminder to shop around for quotes and not marry yourself to the lowest bid, as this homeowner found out from our friends at Markup & Profit.

Have a great week!

Guest Post: The Do’s & Don’ts of Home Renovation that You Need to Read

We all know that transforming your old, bland-looking house into your dream house with full home remodeling is one of the most exciting yet time-consuming times. If you are planning to remodel your house, there is a high chance that you are working ahead of time to get it quickly completed. However, rushing the whole process without carefully planning the home renovation can cost you more money and time.

If you have already planned on remodeling your full house, you need to have a read through our do’s and don’ts of home renovation. These tips will help you a lot before you finally take a sledgehammer and attempt to knock the walls down. 

Let’s first have a look at the Don’ts of home renovation. 

Don’t Go For The Cheapest Remodeling Contractor

Remodeling the whole house can be a quite expensive undertaking. You always want to try and cut down the cost as much as possible. But keep in mind that hiring one of the cheapest contractors is not recommended. You’ll have to go down the line again and hire a reliable remodeling contractor because of the shoddy job that the cheaply priced remodeling contractor provided you with.

When you plan on hiring a remodeling contractor, you should shop around a bit. Always make sure that you properly vet your remodeling services company by asking around or reading online reviews. 

All in all, you might end up paying a little more when you hire a good remodeler. But look at the bright side, you will not be hiring anyone else for getting the work re-done.  

Don’t Neglect Your Vision For The Design

People who remodel houses are experts when it comes to re-building homes. But this does not mean that they know how to work around on non-existing design. If you do not have a proper plan laid out or do not have a vision as to how the final product ought to look, there is a high chance that you will not be satisfied when the home remodelers are done with the project.

You need to make sure that you have a strong vision for the final design so that you can deeply discuss it with your contractor. 

Don’t Renovate Every Room At Once

Let’s suppose that you are planning on renovating your whole house. Try renovating one room at a time. Trying to do everything all at once will not only turn out to be expensive, but it will be upright inconvenient to you and your family as well. This is because all of your rooms will begin to look like a construction site.

Always choose to take one or two rooms at a time, so that you still have a place to live in your house whilst the renovation is taking place. 

Don’t Keep An Unrealistic Date For Completion: 

What most people fail to understand is that there are a lot of factors that can delay the completion of the renovation project. This is why it is important to keep a flexible completion date. Just keep in mind that a good remodeling job takes time, so be patient.

Do Set A Budget 

The key to a successful home remodeling project is knowing how much you can realistically afford to spend to get the results that you desire. One of the first things that you need to do is discuss your home remodeling plan with your builder or remodeler.

Do not try to go over the allocated budget as much as possible. But always keep a contingent budget. In case something unexpected thing creeps up; you should be prepared beforehand. 

Do Know When To Call A Professional Remodeler

A little DIY is great, for example, when it comes to stripping that wallpaper, giving your walls a fresh coat of paint, or putting a varnish on the decking. However, when it comes to remodeling the bigger parts of the house in which you don’t have much experience or the right skill set, hiring a professional is your best bet.

No matter how many online videos you’ve watched related to home remodeling, such projects are best suited for professionals only. This is why you should always hire a professional for bigger jobs.

Do Invest In A Quality Appliance

Things like electrical appliances, washer and dryer, and HVAC systems are investments that make a lot of difference in your day-to-day life. So, always go for quality over the cost.

Do some research and invest in buying the best appliances that best suit your needs and requirements. Read the reviews and ratings, and gain an understanding of their warranties. Keep in mind that buying from renowned brands will last longer.

Do Keep Your Belongings Safe 

When remodeling the house, dust and dirt can be difficult to control. Most home renovation contractors will use plastic sheets to protect your household items. But all in all, these things will get in the way of workers. This is why they need to be moved to a secure location where they will remain safe. If you have some fragile items, you need to carefully pack and store them until the house has been renovated.

About the author: When you talk about remodeling ideas, no one can help you better than Sarah. With ample experience in the field, she has been a pro in increasing the aesthetic value of places. To stay updated with the ins and outs of remodeling, her articles are a must read.