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Renovating Green

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Renovating can be a daunting undertaking. But when has there ever been a better time for someone to take a 1970’s energy drain and turn it into a green investment?

The products on the market today are developed to save money and keep the environment healthier.

Start your renovation project on the level of your experience. If you have never done any type of renovating, you probably do not want to start ripping out walls.

A great place to start is to check your windows and seals around your doors. If they allow air in and have leaks, you can quickly fix those with caulking and weather-stripping. And when you finish you will have the satisfaction of completing your first home improvement project. You will also enjoy saving money on your utility cost too.

Another quick green update is painting with low VOC paint. This will give your home a clean fresh look and you will also enjoy better indoor air quality when you choose the low VOC paints.

Now that you’re feeling a little more confident you might want to look at your insulation in the attic, and decide if it might need to be improved. Again this will really saving money later, on the utility costs. There are great products that are eco-friendly and healthier for your home and family on the market.

If you are ready to replace appliances, look for the ones with the energy star logo on them. Right on the logo it will state how much money you will potentially save. Also the government allows for tax credits on individual updates that reduce the impact on our earth, and puts cash back in your pocket. If you need to update your heating and cooling system you will also be eligible for tax credits on these updates too.

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Renovating Floors

January 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This image shows some varnished cork bathroom ...

Image via Wikipedia

There are many factors to consider when deciding on renovating floor coverings.

The first two considerations that need deliberation would be your budget and the environment of the flooring.

Will this be a low traffic or high traffic area? Would you enjoy the comfort of carpeting during cold winters? If you live in a hot climate or by where there is a lot of dirt that could get tracked in, you might want to choose from the many hardwoods available, or stone flooring.

Once you have those decisions made you might want to look into comparing traditional flooring with eco-friendly choices. You might find an eco-friendly choice that is within your budget and that meets your needs.

There are great choices in renewable flooring such as beautiful interlocking bamboo flooring made from renewable and sustainable bamboo.

Carpet companies are joining in on the greener flooring alternatives and provide carpets made from polymer, which surprisingly enough contains products made from corn syrup. These carpets help to reduce our dependence on petroleum.

You can also find wool carpeting and even carpeting made from grass.

Cork is another eco-friendly flooring choice that would be ideal for game rooms and children’s play areas due to the fact that they are comfortable and anti-microbial. Cork flooring is a healthy, sustainable flooring choice.

Another surprising green flooring choice is the long used linoleum flooring. Linoleum flooring is made from renewable products and easily recycled. Linoleum is easy to keep clean and would be a good choice for high traffic areas. Choosing linoleum for kitchen flooring will create a cute retro feel.

Stone ceramic tile flooring offers a durable eco-friendly choice. There are many styles and patterns to choose from that will give your floors a warm classic feel to your rooms.

Choosing flooring that is eco-friendly green will also add value to your home.

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Redecorating Your Office

January 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You spend a lot or time at your office. Eight hours a day, five days a week, 52 weeks a year. And that doesn’t include any overtime! A majority of life is spent working at our jobs. So, with all of that time spent in an office setting, the last thing you want is to spend your days staring at gray cubicle walls and shag carpet! If it’s time to redecorate the office you work in, here are some tips for getting it done.

  1. Come up with a plan. You can’t start any remodeling project – whether for home or the office – without a plan. Come up with a basic layout and a list of things that need to be updated or changed.
  2. Check with the landlord. If you aren’t the business owner, or if you don’t own the building, you’re going to need to check with the landlord. Make sure you get his buy off before you go moving cabinets around and ripping up carpet.
  3. Get quotes. One of the most important steps with any remodeling project is to get quotes – and lots of them. Don’t go with the price the first contractor gives you. Shop around and get the best price.
  4. Consider going Zen. When creating your remodeling project, consider going Zen. Having an order to your space can be very relaxing and calming. Plus, having a Zen atmosphere could make you more productive.
  5. Stay on budget. The most important step to remodeling is to stay on budget. This is especially true if you are using someone else’s money, like your boss’ money. Stick to the budget exactly.

If it’s time to remodel your office, take these tips to heart and start the process. It won’t be long until you are working in a visually appealing environment.

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Managing Expenses During a Home Remodeling Project

January 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Home remodeling projects can be fun, exciting, and expensive! While the end product of a home renovation project can be quite beautiful, the process is very straining on the pocket book. But it doesn’t have to be. If you follow a few simple tips, it’s entirely possible to complete your home remodel on time – and on budget.

  1. If you are going to stay on budget, you need to set a budget. Determine your budget from day one and don’t stray from it. If you budget $5,000 for a kitchen remodel, then don’t go even one penny over that number. No matter how tempting it is to upgrade to a fancier stove top or bigger refrigerator, it’s imperative that you stick strictly to your budget.
  2. To set a realistic budget, do some research. Setting your budget shouldn’t be a matter of pulling a few numbers out of the air and writing them down. Do some research on the actual costs associated with your remodel. You may think that the new flooring will only cost $500, but in actuality it could be closer to $1,000. Be realistic with your budget.
  3. Don’t be afraid to ask for professional help. Part of saving money is doing a lot of the home improvement projects yourself. It’s true that there are many projects you can easily do by yourself, but when it comes to an area where you are clueless, don’t be afraid to talk to a professional. If you are going to re-wire your front room and you know nothing about electricity, don’t mess around. Hire an electrician to get the job done. You’ll stay safe and save money in the long run.

Remodeling can be a really fun project. Stay on time and on budget with these tips. You’ll be thankful you followed this advice when you are sitting in your beautifully remodeled home.

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A Renovation Budget You Can Live With

January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The excitement and feeling of adventure that comes with the decision to start renovating your home is best set aside until after you have done the important work first of planning your budget and what it will cost to start.  Keeping a project within a firmly established budget will be far less painful if you know first how much you are willing to invest. Create a project binder for estimates from contractors, cost of materials, permits, and plans. Organizing in the beginning will save you from a lot of headaches in the end.

If you are adding onto or will be doing any kind of demolition that would require wiring, plumbing or structural changes you would do well to contact the right professional. Have them come out and give estimates on incorporating the changes in your renovations.

Take into consideration whether you will be staying in the home and if this renovation is for your personal enjoyment or to increase the value of your home for a future sell. If the answer is the second one for a future sell, then you will want to consider the market where you live. What are the homes in your area selling for? You don’t want to invest in a renovation project that you will not be able to get a return on. A major renovation and investment in expensive products could result in a financial loss if you price it too high for the area the home for sell in.

Keep the renovation simple and contact professionals for any project you would consider your knowledge would be on the level of an amateur.

A renovation mistake will be money out of your pocket and will crush any budget if not plans are not well established before you begin your project.

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Inexpensive Home Improvements

January 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Adding value to your home does not have to cost thousands of dollars. Consider these inexpensive home improvements and you will increase the interest of prospective buyers.

A can of paint can make a world of difference in any room. Choosing neutral colors will help the buyer to picture it as their future home.

Get rid of clutter, clear every room of it so that your home will appeal to a variety of people. Remove and pack away the many family pictures, knick-knacks, stacks of books, magazines and other personal memorabilia. This will give your home the feeling of an open clean palette from which the future home owner can envision themselves living.

When you have removed all the clutter from the inside, turn your eye to the outside. Removing outdoor clutter can be just as important as the indoor clutter. You do not have to spend a lot of money on expensive landscaping in order for your outdoor area to look inviting. But you do want to get rid of any debris and clean out the garden areas. If you are selling during any months other then winter, you might want to spend a few dollars on bright flowers, and or greenery. This will let the buyers know that the yard and gardens have been well cared for. Put away equipment and get rid of any thing broken that has been lying around.

Clean all the windows and it will be a great way to add value without costing anything other then the price of a bottle or two of window cleaner.

Having the carpets professionally cleaned will cost a little more but will be worth it when showing your home.

If the fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms are dated you might want to consider updating them, this is another inexpensive but impressive update to a prospective buyer.

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The One Home Improvement That Pay’s Big

January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you want to increase the value of your home for a future sale focus on your kitchen.

This is the one room with the highest revenue return for your investment.

Not sure where to begin? Start by visiting new homes during the builder’s open house. Take note of the current popular colors, appliances, and even the flooring.

Be sure not to overlook the hardware styles that are being used for the faucets and cabinets. Paint colors and cabinetry are areas you want to pay special attention to as well. Try to pull your personal tastes and personality out of the picture; especially if your improvement is for the sole purpose of selling the home in the near future.

New construction is a great way to get an up to date idea on the types of improvements to make that will increase the value of your home. These homes are planned around current trends and what the general public is looking for in a new home.

Another great way to get ideas for a kitchen update or a complete renovation project is magazines. Gather your favorite magazines and scan them for pictures that catch your attention, remove the pictures and start a file of the ones you like.

Creating a realistic budget is important before you buy even a gallon of paint. As you look around your kitchen and decide on the areas you would like to change, keep a notebook or printed budget sheet with the amount that you are able to invest and note the cost of each improvement. This will give you a visual and help keep you from going over budget before you actually spend any money.

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Bathroom Remodel Ideas

December 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Even though bathrooms are small in square footage and overall space, you should plan on at least a two-week time frame for a remodel. This allotted time will ensure that project will result in satisfactory results. Make sure your plans will make optimal use of the space. When making plans for your dream bathroom, start by designing your ultimate bathroom like you had no budget constraints at all. Then start to scale back to fit your more realistic budget. Then look at these ideas for remodeling.

- Your floor space needs accurate measurements. You can hand draw these dimensions on graph paper or use a computer software program. Make sure that you include the counter area, along with the shower, tub and toilet. Try different ideas like taking space from an adjoining room or hallway. Your tub area should be as large as possible to create a relaxing and luxurious space.

- Tile and tile work can be used to give your bathroom a sophisticated and modern feel. Use tile to build your shower or shower-tub combinations. You can use many different combinations, as well as glass block. Another idea is to use a combination of hardwood or carpet and tile.

- Use high-end towel racks and fixtures to accentuate that sophisticated elegant feel.
-Update the vanity and counter area. Home design magazine and books are great resources for ideas. If you have the space add a double sink vanity. Larger mirrors and lighting sconces or fixtures can be added to accentuate that elegant feel.

- Use color as a design element. Use wall color combinations that are luxurious and relaxing. You can also consider using a contrasting grout color to your tile colors.

- Use storage items as design elements. Wall cubicles can hold designer color towels that accentuate the wall colors.

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Remodel Your Kitchen In A Day

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A kitchen remodel does not need to take an extended period of time out of your life. It may not even take an entire weekend. A kitchen remodel in a day may not allow you to remodel everything you want to. You may be making choices between new flooring and new paint, but it can be done and you can do it yourself. And here are the easy steps to a new kitchen in a day.

Remove all the appliances from the area. This includes moving the refrigerator. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removal of the stove as removal differs whether you have an electric or a gas stove.

Paint the walls of your kitchen with the new color you have selected. If you can, try choosing an entirely different color from the old paint. This will create a dramatic new look and feel. Consider a new trim color as well. Allow the paint adequate drying time.

Move and install your new appliances. Again use the manufacturers instructions for install your stove and oven. Also make sure the water line to the automatic icemaker and water dispenser is installed properly if your refrigerator has those options.

Install a new pot rack. These are generally installed on the ceiling. Hang your pots and pans. It is a great idea to purchase new pots and pans if yours are looking a little worn and aged.

Change your window treatments if you have windows or doors in your kitchen.

Use new area rugs on your kitchen floor to create a new, updated look. This is a simple solution to actually having to change the whole floor.

Use new shelves as a method to display some decorative items.

Install new lighting according to manufacturer’s instruction.

These simple tasks will give you a new kitchen in a day.

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Remodeling A Bathroom For Wheelchair Access

December 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Do you or a family member require the use of a wheelchair? This may be a new situation or one that you have experienced for a while. Either way, wheelchair accessibility can be difficult or even impossible. And bathrooms are especially hard. These rooms are notorious for their small spaces and narrow doors. If you are going to remodel your bathroom keep these things in mind for easier wheelchair accessibility.

- When replacing the door, use one that meets the ADA standards. These standards include the requirement that the door bee 36-inches wide which gives those in a wheelchair ample room to maneuver. Also make sure the door swings out, rather than inward.

- The space of the bathroom should be large enough so that there is a 60-inch space in the center that provides room for a wheelchair-bound individual to comfortably move around it. This may require structural changes so consult a professional to ensure safety. Reputable builders will be able to help you design this larger space as well, and may provide additional ideas and tips.

- Replace the current tub or shower with a roll-through model. These showers allow a person to use a shower chair or even a special wheelchair designed for wheelchairs.

- Install a new higher toilet that will allow the person in the wheelchair easy transfer capabilities. Also install bars to make the movement from chair to toilet easier and safer. If there is room, consider a handicapped lift.

- Sinks should be mounted so that a person in a wheelchair can have easier access. Lower mirrors and faucets should be installed. Also make sure that there is plenty of draw space that is easily accessible. Consider installing child locks if you have youngsters who may be tempted to get into those drawers.

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