Universal design

Protip: Trust remodeling pros; they are experts for a reason

By on October 13, 2017   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Remodel, Secret Compartments, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

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Happy Friday the 13th, everyone!

Hopefully, you haven’t seen anything spooky today, or won’t in the lead up to Halloween.

If you want to avoid remodeling scares, our advice is simple: Trust the professionals.

That’s the topic of a recent column in the Seattle Times titled “HomeWork: Nothing can replace the expertise of a remodeling pro.”

Experts are experts for a reason. They have the experience to back up what they are saying.

I’m sure you’ve seen a DIY reality TV show or the simple processes outlined on your favorite Pinterest board and have been inspired to take actions into your own hands. That’s great hustle, kid.

But, like the article says, you need to realize even the most seemingly straightforward projects are filled with sequences and traps that can cost lots of time and money.

The article offers this questionnaire for people thinking of taking on a project:

1) How much do you really know?

2) What if it the project doesn’t work?

3) Are there any unintended consequences?

4) How do you know if it’s right for your home?

If you can’t answer those questions confidently, then it’s time to give us a call. We promise only treats, no tricks.

Master bathroom trends

Our friends at Houzz offer a wealth of information when it comes to home remodeling. They recently completed the 2017 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Survey, and the results were outlined in an article on Forbes.

For starters, the average cost of a major remodel to a small master bathroom (under 100 square feet) was $12,300. The average cost of a major remodel to a large bathroom (over 100 square feet) was $21,000.

As for the things people wanted to change, most chose to address faucets, wall finishes, countertops, and flooring.

When it comes to splurging, most homeowners upped the ante on showers (42 percent on respondents) or on cabinets and vanities (40 percent).

Have a great week!

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Guest Post: The Top 3 Cost-Effective Upgrades to Increase Your Home’s Value

By on October 6, 2017   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

Now is the perfect time to sell your home.  It’s imperative to know what sections of your home to upgrade to get top dollar and increase your home’s value.  Home upgrades don’t have to be extensive or expensive.  There are many cost-effective upgrades that can be done that won’t break the bank.  

However, before you start tearing down walls and removing major appliances, it’s imperative to understand which remodeling projects will give you the most return on investment, yet cost you the least amount of money.

Actually, it’s not that difficult to increase the value of your home.  You just need to know where to start.  With these cost-effective tips, it’s easier than you think.

1. Upgrade the Bathroom

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The bathroom is one of the most used areas in your home, and is often one of the most popular selling points when selling your home. If you’re selling your home, you want to display a bathroom that’s attractive and alluring to potential buyers. You also want to ensure that your bathroom is neat, well-designed, and functional. Homebuyers often visualize what it would be like to live in your home, so you want your bathroom to make a good first impression.  It’s not necessary to do an extensive remodel, such as adding an addition.  You just need to take what you have and maximize its’ functionality. One of the main selling points in any room is storage space. Adding wall cabinets to an empty space, or extending cabinets up to the ceiling can make your bathroom look more neat and organized. Instead of wall cabinets, you can add customized armoires that adds warmth to your bathroom.  Upgrading sinks, fixtures, and countertops gives your bathroom a more striking and beautiful look.  One of the most overlooked elements of your bathroom is the flooring.  Upgrading your floors to tile or even heated flooring can make your bathroom more pleasing to homebuyers.  Heated floors are surprisingly easy to install, affordable, and considered a luxury. Additionally, changing lighting can change the overall look of your bathroom.  Replacing overhead lighting with wall mounts gives your bathroom a warm, welcoming feeling.

2. Upgrade the Kitchen

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It’s no surprise that the kitchen is considered the heart of every home.  “When selling your home, it’s one of the biggest selling points, but it also gives you the biggest return of any room in your home”, says Dennis Haws of All Star Construction, Inc. As with the bathroom, another big selling point in any room is storage space.  Adding a pots and pans rack is an easy upgrade that adds space and functionality to your kitchen. Also adding a kitchen island, whether stationary or on rollers, is an extremely valuable piece of furniture that adds not only storage space, but counterspace as well.  If you’re looking to save money, and let’s face it…why wouldn’t you…try painting your old cabinets with faux-wood finish, instead of investing in new ones.  Cabinets and countertops are two of the most expensive kitchen upgrades. The best part is that faux-wood cabinets look contemporary and make it seem like you spent a fortune! Making minor upgrades such as hardware and lighting fixtures can add an extra personal touch to your kitchen to make it a room of beauty.

3. Paint

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Adding a fresh coat of paint to any room is the not only the easiest, but it’s the most lucrative ways to modify any room.  But, stick to the most popular rooms: kitchen, bathroom, and living room, so you don’ t have to paint your entire home. Just be sure to remain neutral, as using vivid colors can be distasteful.  Neutral colors give the room a clean, modern look, allowing homebuyers to imagine themselves in that room…in your home.

So, remember that small upgrades can increase your home’s value.  You don’t necessarily have to extensively renovate or remodel your home to improve your home.  Knowing what rooms to upgrade will help you save not only time, but money in the long-run.

 

About the author: All Star Construction, Inc. is a home remodeling company in Houston that specializes in kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling. Visit them at https://allstarconstruction.com.

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How to reduce stress during remodeling projects

By on September 22, 2017   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Hiring A Remodeler, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

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It’s the first day of Fall, so hopefully temperatures in the Valley will continue to drop to something a little more comfortable.

If you’ve taken a spin through a grocery store or Target lately, you’ve no doubt seen the festive displays of costumes, candies, and other trinkets. The first day of Fall means one thing: Winter holidays are coming.

Since Phoenix’s mild winter climate allows construction to go on unimpeded, many people may be wondering what it’s like to remodel during the holiday season.

The truth is that holiday season remodels require the same things as any other remodels. But you don’t have to take our word for it. We found an article titled “5 ways to reduce stress during holiday remodels,” and the advice is applicable to any remodeling project.

First, hire an experienced contractor that is familiar with high-quality specialists (*cough, cough*), not one who just promises to beat everyone’s price. Cutting corners doesn’t pay off in the long run.

Next, make sure the lines of communication are open. Discuss all goals, the budget, a timeline, and get a signed contract.

Finally, organize your space. Clear out furniture and storage ahead of time, so that no work is impeded. And if your remodel is going on during the holidays, make sure you grab all of your holiday party decorations for the rest of the house.

More on universal design

Here’s a great story about a young, active couple that uses wheelchairs and their process of building an accessible house in the St. Louis area.

Note that while they opted for a new build and not a remodel, they enlisted the help of a firm with a special passion for universal design. (*cough, cough*)

Have a great week!

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