Everyone is ramping down their workweek to get ready for the holiday, so it’s a perfect time to discuss remodeling your home.
Remember, holidays make for a great evaluation period of your living and entertaining spaces.
If you are like most people, the majority of your entertaining will take place in and around your kitchen. Lucky for you we have some general remodeling tips from The Frisky.
They recommend considering new or fresh paint colors, adding new appliances or lighting elements, and focusing on coziness.
If you notice over the holiday that your bathrooms could use some improvement, we’ve got an article for you, too. Realtor.com has a list of questions to ask before a bathroom remodel.
First, start with the budget. The average cost is around $20,000, the article says, also citing an expert who gives a range from $10,000 to $30,000.
Next, think of who is using it. A shower/tub combination is good for families and for resale, but if you are empty nesters or have more than one bathroom, a nice open shower is a popular request, the article says.
Also, think about size and location. Keeping the bathroom in the existing location and space is less expensive than expanding or moving a bathroom.
Finally, remember aging in place. Even if you plan on staying in your home forever, universal design is great for resale, as the article says.
If one (or both) of these areas have piqued your remodeling interest, it is natural to wonder about payment. There are two types of contracts, fixed-bid or time and materials, as this article in the Seattle Times says.
A fixed-bid contract means both parties agree to a price and stick to it, barring anything crazy. A time and materials or cost-plus deal means an estimate is provided, but the contractor will bill you for materials, time and labor, and their markup.
Generally speaking, cost-plus deals shift the risk of running over budget to the homeowner. Also, it doesn’t incentivize efficiency because if the project takes longer (and costs run higher) the contractor will benefit. Take a spin through the article and let us know what you think.
Have a great Fourth of July, everybody!
