A Foolproof Guide to House Renovation Budgeting

Robert Araujo/ December 3, 2019/ Home Improvement

Sticking to a budget is always a challenge. Creating a budget for a large project of home remodel you’ve never done before is an even bigger challenge. When it comes to home renovation costs, building a feasible budget requires a detailed plan and plenty of research.

Fortunately, we’ve done most of the leg work for you. Simply follow the steps below to create a remodelling budget that will keep you from overspending on your next renovation.

How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a House?

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of renovating a home that is less than 1,000 square feet is $18,347. For homes in the 3,000 to 4,000 square foot range, the average cost climbs to $36,121. Renovations made to an older home tend to cost more than a newer one, especially if the wiring, plumbing and other features aren’t up to code.

Typically, you can expect to spend at least $100 to $200 per square foot on any renovation.

When you’re deciding on your home renovation budget, it can be easier, and more affordable, to prioritize projects by room and build a budget around the cost of each individual project.

How Much Should I Spend on a Home Renovation?

To get an approximate idea of what your remodeling budget should be, consider the value of your home as a whole. You don’t want to spend more than 10 to 15 percent of your home’s value on a single room. If you spend more, the value of the renovation will not proportionally add to the value of your home.

For example, if your home is worth $100,000, the maximum you should spend on a kitchen or bathroom renovation is $15,000. If your house is worth more, the spend on a renovation could be higher

Prioritize Remodeling Needs

The easiest way to stay on budget during a renovation is to know exactly what you want. Create a list of everything you would like the project to include and then separate items into wants and needs.

Use resources like HomeAdvisor to estimate labor costs for engineers, architects, plumbers and handymen. Labor usually accounts for 20 to 35 percent of a project’s budget. Choose fixtures and finishes and calculate what you will spend on them. Include paint, knobs, faucets, tile, flooring and anything else you’ll need. Don’t forget to include taxes and shipping costs in the estimates for your materials.

Include the appliances you want and what you expect to spend on them. Include costs for installation, delivery and how you plan to dispose of appliances.

Consider what living expenses you will incur during your project. Consider the costs for living without a functioning kitchen, boarding pets or staying outside the home during your project and include these costs in your spreadsheet.

How to Get a Goodnight Sleep

Robert Araujo/ October 29, 2019/ Home Improvement

Goodnight sleep is essential to one’s being. It helps you recuperate from your day-to-day activities. To know why sleep is vital, consider your body like a factory that works several essential duties. As you drift off to slumber, your body starts its night-shift work to heal damaged cells, book your immune system, recover from the day’s activities, and recharge your heart and cardiovascular system for the next day.

There are several aids in achieving good sleep. A right mattress is essential to have a comfortable sleep.

Make Your Room Your Sleeping Sanctuary
dark ngiht lights
Room design is one a factor to relax your mind. Consider the color of your walls, curtains, lighting and overall aesthetic of your room to make it more relaxing. Make sure window coverings are heavy enough to fully block the light. If you cannot sleep with the lights off, try having a night light to minimize the darkness or much better to get a red bulb to promote sleep.

Create a Bedtime Ritual
scent display accent
It is good to cool down your body after a long day. Same as exercising, you need to cool down after intense exercise. You can enjoy a relaxing hot bath to relax your muscles. If you prefer aromatherapy, you can light a scented candle or use a diffuser. Just be mindful of the oils or scents because some are good for energizing. Choose a scent that promotes sleep, such as lavender, yuzu, bergamot, and ylang-ylang. This helps relax the body hence, to make you sleep. Aside from its benefits, it can also serve as a design to your room.

Exercise Regularly, About Six Hours Before You Want to Sleep

It can lessen stress, increase alertness during the day, and even enhance your sleep quality. There is no one particular exercise that will improve your sleep. As long as you drain your extra energy by exercising, it is sure to make your body crave for rest.

Go to Sleep and Wake at the Same Time Every Day

Having a consistent sleeping pattern will help your body set your self to sleep. It is a muscle memory that sends a signal to your brain that it is your sleeping time. If you notice, sometimes you are earlier than your alarm clock because the brain signals that it is your time to wake up. Same as sleeping. A great example of that is jetlag.

Consult a Doctor

If none of these helps, consult a doctor. They might need to study your sleeping pattern to understand your situation better. You might need medical intervention if you are diagnosed with sleeping disorders.…

Top Qualities of a Good Home Remodeling Company

Robert Araujo/ September 14, 2019/ Home Improvement

It does not matter whether you want to improve the resale value of your home or make it nicer to live or want to give it a brand-new look, a home remodeling company can help turn your vision into a reality. When you hire a team of home remodeling experts from to transform your home, you are making a considerable investment. Moreover, there are many home remodeling companies you can choose from in your area.

To ensure you are getting the best quality services and value for your money, it is a good idea to find a reliable remodeling company. These are some of the important factors to look for when finding a contractor to remodel your home.

Expertise

bathroom remodelExpertise should be the number one factor to consider when choosing a home remodeling company. A reliable team of remodeling contractors should not only be competent in their craft but experts in it. Remember that home remodeler are only experts in whatever they do after completing numerous projects and many years of experience under their belt. For a company to be considered to have expertise in home remodeling, that is a powerful marketing tool they can ever have.

Experience

As noted above, an expert home remodeling company must have completed several projects and have many years of experience. When you want to hire home remodeling contractors, ensure you choose people who have many years of experience. That is because they have seen it all as far as home remodeling is concerned. Ideally, experienced home remodelers can accurately assess the scope of work done as well as the amount of labor, time, and resources you need ahead of time.

Portfolio

A good way of assessing home remodeling company’s quality of work and experience is to have a look at some of the projects you have done in the past. It is vital that experienced home remodelers have an extensive portfolio that showcases their past work, leaving you with confidence in their abilities to deliver a similar quality of work.

Reputation

kitchen remodelingNo matter the industry you are in, a company’s reputation is everything. It does not matter what the company claims on its website, commercials, or ads, what other people are saying regarding their services is more important. Nowadays, it is easy to know what others are saying about their work and business. Ideally, a reputable home remodeling company should have many positive testimonials and reviews from past customers.…

How to Choose The Best Gas Provider

Robert Araujo/ January 31, 2019/ Home Improvement

Most people use natural gas as a source of energy. There are different companies that supply gas. Choosing the right supplier is a bit challenging. Individuals who use natural gas should choose the best providers. There are many prove tips that can make the process easy and straightforward for homeowners using this essential commodity.

You can make the best choice by doing thorough research when looking for a gas provider.  Homeowners can learn more about factors affecting  new gas connection cost by referring to this website. This write-up is going to share the useful tips that can guide you in choosing the right energy supplier for your home or property.

Your Usage

gas stove

Homeowners and property managers should understand their daily and monthly usage. Are you planning to use it for business or home use? Knowing your usage can help you in finding the right provider. You should choose a firm or supplier that is capable of meeting your needs. Individuals who are moving to new residences are advised to consult their neighbors to get a clear hint on what is needed.

Your Priorities

Setting your priorities before selecting an energy provider is highly recommended. This is one of the critical steps that can help you in identifying the right service provider. There are some considerations that you need to remember when setting your priorities. Check whether you have any special needs. Ideally, you should always rank your priorities before setting of your journey of choosing the best service provider.

Reputation

customer's reviews

It is imperative to consider the company’s reputation when looking for gas suppliers. You can consult other people who are using the same services to know more about the potential companies. You should look for a firm that offers high quality and reliable services to its customers. In general, companies that have a good reputation are known for providing the best services.

Best Plan

Always inquire about the company’s plan when looking for an energy supplier.  Does the firm offer variable of fixed pricing plan? You should also ask the potential company about the changes that affect their prices and service delivery. To be precise, homeowners are advised to choose one that offers the best plans. You can get a reliable service provider by asking some questions about what you think is right for you.

Competition

Does the potential company offer cheaper services as compared to your current gas provider? You should compare the prices of different energy suppliers. This will, in turn, help you in saving money in the long run.…

A closer look at damping problems seen in homes

Robert Araujo/ August 16, 2018/ Home Improvement

A damp plaster is not only an eyesore; it is also unpleasant to live with. Unfortunately, most homeowners are forced to live in damp homes not knowing what to do. The good thing is that there is always something that can be done to address this condition. However, you have to diagnose the condition to solve it. This article looks at different types of damp and ways to treat them.

Types of damp

Rising damp

As the name suggests, this type of damp results when the water damp wall rises through the walls. Two structural deficiencies mainly cause this problem. It could be that the walls do not adequate damp proof installed or the existing damp proof is somehow damaged. How do you know whether you have rising damp? Whenever you notice your skirting boards/floorboards are damaged, crumbling plasters, paint peeling from the walls or some tidemarks on the walls.

Condensation

Condensation of moist air can cause dampness on your walls. The primary cause of dampness caused by condensation problems is poor ventilation or heating problems. The best indicators of possible condensation problems include water droplets on windows and walls, the formation of black mold on the walls, or decaying window frames. The moment you notice these signs, you only need to work on your air conditioning, and ventilation and not extensive damp proofing works.

Penetrating Damp

Penetrating damp is a structural problem caused by water leakages in your dampness walls. This damp problem occurs when damp or water moves horizontally from outside in. This damp issue often appears on the walls and the ceilings. Defective or missing flashing causes this damp on the roof, poor gutters, poorly done brickwork, or damaged renders. Discoloured walls, bad musty smell, black mold are some of the visible signs that could be indicative of penetrating dampness.

Dealing with damp

The quickest DIY way of dealing with dampness around your home is to cover it with an anti-damp paint. Anti-damp paints are normally thick, thus, applying them on your walls requires considerable effort. From experience, anti-damp colors serve a short-term solution to your damping problem. As such, if you are looking for a long-term solution, you might be forced to look for a specialist. In this regard, talk to some damp proofing experts and have the problem solved entirely. The good thing about working with experts is that they address the cause of the damping problem.…

Tips on Buying a Gas BBQ grill

Robert Araujo/ June 28, 2018/ Home Improvement

A gas BBQ is the best type of BBQ to buy in the modern day. Today, people are looking for efficiency, and also they want a clean source of energy. A gas bbq is cleaner compared to using firewood.

It will also help you in saving cost because it is not as expensive as electricity. The best thing about using a gas BBQ is the fact that it will still give you the same flavor that you get from a grill that uses firewood. Here are some tips on buying a gas grill:

Design

Buying a gas grill with a modern design is important. With a modern design, the grill will easily fit in your kitchen. With modern kitchens, décor is a big part of the design. As much as you want a functional BBQ grill, it is also important to make sure that your grill will match your kitchen designs.

Today we have a grill that has compact and modern designs. Always buy a grill that will look as good as the rest of the kitchen appliance. You can always choose the color and the exterior material that you want.

Size

Apart from design, it is also important to consider the size of the BBQ. The size of the grill will depend on the size of your kitchen. Modern homes have limited space, and this means that you will need to buy a small grill. The good news is that even the modern grills are still functional. You can still get a small gas BBQ that will still serve your needs.

Portability

Buying a portable gas BBQ grill is important. You need to make sure that you can move the grill to a different area of the home whenever you need to use. Most of the BBQ parties are done outdoors so you need to move the grill to a place where you can use it.

Portability should be an important factor when looking for a grill to use at home. For portability, a good gas BBQ should have wheels for easy movement.

Accessories

A good gas grill should come with additional accessories that will make it easy to use the phone. You do not have to buy extra items before using the accessories. Always make sure that you buy a gas grill with a regulator as well a hose pipe. With this type of grill, you don’t have to incur other expenses to use the BBQ.…

Different Ways in Which Stamped Concrete Adds Value

Robert Araujo/ March 20, 2018/ Home Improvement

Stamped concrete is becoming increasingly popular. People undertaking different construction projects are using stamped concrete. Some of the areas that the stamped concrete is used include the theme park, malls, driveways, and patios.

One of the reasons as to why stamped concrete is preferred is because it is easy to maintain it and the fact that the final products are appealing to the eyes. The other advantages of using stamped concrete just like the other types of concrete are that it is durable, but it is much better because of the decorative touch that it provides. This read highlights some of the benefits of the stamped concrete.

Easy to maintain

maintaining One of the advantages of the stamped concrete is that it is easy to maintain it when compared to the other alternatives. When used in the other materials are used in the pavements, for example, the materials typically become loose.

This may cause individuals who walk on it to trip when stepping on them. This is however not the case when it comes to stamped concrete as it does not need to be replaced or reset. It is, therefore, suitable to be used in parks and other public places because it eliminates the likelihood of tripping.

Less labor intensive

Another advantage of the stamped concrete is that it is less labor intensive when compared to the other surface material. Many builders find it easier and economical to pour concrete then make the desired pattern. This is precisely what the stamped concrete provides. Talk to stamped concrete massachusetts to have the stamped concrete installed to your home professionally.

Durability

We all know that concrete lasts longer than other materials. If you decide to invest in stamped concrete, you are eliminating the need for spending cash on similar materials in future.

Concrete is suitable for all types of environment, what you need to do is finding the right expert to fix it for you. Stamped concrete will also hold up better to wear and traffic.

Less maintenance

The pavements need to be regularly maintained because of the wear and tear that is associated with it. Pavements, especially those on the public parks experience traffic of people on a daily basis who apply stress to them.

If they are not adequately maintained, then they are likely to be damaged thus leaving a bad picture. However, when you use stamped concrete for paving purposes, you will not need to regularly maintain it because it will be able to withstand the stress that is being applied to it.

Resale value

patio concreteIf you want to sell any property, it is recommended that you renovate it first. By doing so that it will become more appealing thereby attracting clients.

One of the ways that you could renovate it is using the stamped concrete which will add aesthetic value to it and therefore, its resale price will increase as well. Watch the video below on ow to utilize a concrete stamp:

Finding The Best Rain Shower Head for Your Bathroom

Robert Araujo/ August 31, 2017/ Home Improvement

Making your bathroom is something that most of us desire. Unfortunately, most people do not know the fact that it is little things that make a huge difference. If you want to be enjoying the little time that you spend in your bathroom, then you need to pay special attention to the little things. For instance, you need to make sure that you have perfect shower heads so that you can be sure that you will have a perfect bathroom.

Finding The Best Rain Shower Head for Your Bathroom

ShowerSo how do you ensure that you have the right shower heads for your bathroom? Well, that is very simple. First, you need to understand that shower heads have become very fashionable nowadays. So if you have other types of showerheads in your shower room, you need to consider undertaking a renovation. The fact that they are now fashionable means that their prices tend to be a bit higher. Here are the things that you should look at whenever you want to buy most current and top rated showerheads.

Shape

One thing that you need to understand is that these types of showers come in many shapes. So you need to determine the shape that you like most. For instance, there are round shapes and square shape. Once you decide on the shape that best suits you, the next thing is to look at the diameter of the shower head. Choose a diameter that you feel will serve you right.

Water pressure

Another thing that you need to look at is the is the pressure that will be produced by the shower head. Here, you need to understand that shower heads that are large tend to have a lower pressure as compared to small ones. This, therefore, tells you that if you need a perfect shower head for your bathroom, then you need to go for the one with small sizes.

Celling

Another important thing that you need to look at is the ceiling of your bathroom. You need to find a shower head that will perfectly fit into the ceiling of your bathroom. If your initial shower fitting is fixed to the wall, then it will be advisable that you maintain the arrangement.

Price

drop of waterFinding the best rain shower for you bathroom demands that you spend a good pie of your money. You need to understand that you will always get what you pay for. This means that if you pay cheap, be sure to get cheap products. However it is good to get note of the fact that this is not always the case.…

Redefining Small Living Room – Expert Ideas

Robert Araujo/ September 2, 2016/ Home Improvement

Undeniably, everyone wants to live in a neatly designed and appealing room. In case you live in a mid-sized home, you might be tempted to think that home decorators in st louis only work on large houses for obvious reasons. A professional interior designer is not limited by the size of the project. To a homeowner with a small room, a good designer can employ some visual tricks to make your living space seem big.

How do they achieve it?

Using of patternscolor combinations

You might have heard or read somewhere that patterns are not good for small rooms. The reason behind this fact is that they make a room look busy. Well, this fact is partly right. However, with the right color combinations, patterns are perfect for small rooms.

When using patterns, you will realize that patterns for smaller homes do not have to be fussy. As such, for those that prefer going solo, you should exercise precaution not to overuse. Any mistake can have an adverse effect of making your home look cluttered.

Using the right color

The color used on the interior can have a profound impact on the aesthetics and feel of the room. As such, it is not always about having the best colors but the right one for your home. To add space to your small room, you should stick to lighter shades.

Going Large and Downgrade Clutter

You might be tempted to think that smaller rooms require “half sized” furniture sets. As such, all this does is accentuating that you do not have room for full sized units. Instead, most interior designers recommend using large pieces but not many of them.

Recommending use dual-purpose furniture

With space constraints, you should consider having double furniture sets to avoid the clutter that would result when having individual sets. For instance, a coffee table that has additional slots for storing DVDs cab be a great addition to the room.

Utilizing cloves and Hidden Areas

Home decorationIn most homes, these areas are usually left unused. However, you can use these areas to hand mirrors and pictures instead. With such attractions, your eyes will be naturally drawn into these spaces. This is one way of getting the best from your room. Of course, the reflective property of mirrors is an excellent way of enhancing the aesthetics of your home.

There you have it. Different interior design concepts can improve the beauty of your home. You only need to master the art or walk with professionals. For a fact, the latter is the better option considering that a slight error or can ruin your objective of improving your small living room.…