Is your home dated? Time to look into doing some remodeling

Time flies and if you’ve lived in the same home for 6 - 10 years, chances are you could use some cosmetic changes to your home that would update it. Updating comes in two forms: basic, and then elaborate. One thing is certain: updates will improve the value of your home.

Not all of us have Martha Stewart design sensibility or the “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” mentality. Most of us know what we like and what makes us feel good. Most importantly keeping your home in good shape and working condition is important. For instance, if your ventilation is not working properly in your bathroom, a mold problem could develop. That can turn out to be far more serious than replacing a vent that is old and looks ugly.

Being cheap is not always a saving personality trait. Besides, you never know how fun you can be until you bring your home up to date. Keep in mind: if you put in high-end designer tile, fixtures or appliances, you buy yourself an extra several years of being stylish.

Here’s a quick test to see if your home is outdated:

1. Are there any light or plumbing fixtures of shiny brass?
2. Are any of your floors parquet?
3. Is your carpet older than 7 years? While shag is back in, it has to be new shag.
4. Do you have wood banisters with a glossy varnish?
5. Popcorn ceiling?
6. Wallpaper older than 7 years? That too has to be new.
7. Cabinet pulls and doorknobs older than 6 – 7 years?
8. Children’s bedrooms that have not bee updated and the kid have been grown and gone for years?
9. Do you have mirrored sliding closet doors?
10. Formica?
11. Appliances that are 7 – 10 years old?
12. Windows that are 10-years old (wood windows are the exception)?
13. Finally, is anything about your home broken, dirty or worn-out looking?

Also, consider your landscaping. An old evergreen bush that used to look healthy looks dark and dingy once it has outgrown its usefulness. Remove it and gain more open space.

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you’ve answered yes to more than a few. It’s time to do some remodeling.

Post Independence Day planning

The 4th of July is an effective planning point for fall projects. It’s not too soon to get on the list for an appointment with your contractor. Fresh attitudes and motivation come with being busy and prosperous. Most contractors are positive and full of energy, an energy that can be stifled by the snowstorms of winter ahead.

So if you’ve been considering a project while you’re sipping a nice, cool beverage outside, start perusing your favorite architectural magazines to get the ideas flowing. Take the time to assemble your project list and then get estimates from your contractors. The most popular project in fall are generally ones that involve indoor living and entertaining.

Painting—indoors and outdoors—is a project people think they’ll handle themselves during summer when the doors can be flung wide open and fresh air helping to dry the paint without the overload of fumes. Problem is, most people don’t get around to their entire project list because there’s too much else to consume their time. Hiring a professional painter means that you’re room will be finished before you have time to change your mind about the color. And that’s a good thing.

The kitchen is the center of the home in the colder months. If entertaining is your style, start now to get ready. If you want your kitchen remodel finished by Thanksgiving NOW is not too early to start. New countertops, sinks, fixtures, flooring and appliances are the most common updates and are a great way to create the cozy kitchen you dream of.

The extra bathrooms and basement remodel and repairs are popular projects for fall and winter. Because you’ll have more indoor time than outdoor time in the fall and winter, it makes sense to start now to be ready to use the rooms and not sit through another year wishing you’d been more on the ball. Focus on a realistic timeframe and get bids now. Plus tile and bathroom fixtures are easy to replace and make a huge difference in your home’s value and convenience.

Choosing the right contractor

Dear Betsy,

I have a project I want to do in my home and I’m not sure where to begin to find a qualified contractor. I want to excavate my walkout basement to make it big enough for my husband to move his office to our home. We’ve talked to one contractor who is a friend of a friend of a neighbor, but he did not say he was a General Contractor. What is the difference? Can you help?

Signed,
Walkout Basement Homeowner

Dear Walkout basement,

Your friend of a friend contractor may not be specifically qualified for your particular job. A walkout basement is a unique project and may end up costing more than you’ve planned if you’re not careful. Depending upon the way your home is currently designed, you may be able to make a walkout work. But you could also spend a lot on architects and General Contractors if you aren’t savvy about remodeling. You will need a licensed GC, one who is licensed in your county or city, and you will need to pull a permit or have the contractor pull the permit. As well for this type of job you will need a good structural engineer and an experienced excavation team. I recommend checking licenses, insurance, identification, references and check too with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints that may show up naming the vendor of your choice before you hire them. A Contractor Connection refers clients like you to a few different contractors that we’ve already checked out. That way, our clients have opportunity to find a contractor with the right qualifications and the right personality to work in your home. After all, they will be in your home for days and weeks in a major project like you’ve proposed.

Signed
Betsy Kelly,
A Contractor Connection
www.acontractorconnection.com
acontractorconnection@hotmail.com

Save money by doing home improvements

Some relatively simple improvements to your home can save your money. Using less water is one way to start saving today. Not only are local governments offering financial compensation for water conserving installations of fixtures and lines, but some appliance vendors too are marketing fixtures that can affordably wash dishes, do laundry, flush (one toilet with several flush options to suit the usage), and most importantly in the heat of the summer, green ways to cool your home. Another way to save is to adapt your sprinkler system to meet current savings features. Always remember to consider the exterior of your home as well as the interior when considering ways to improve your residence and increase its value.