Home Improvement - Doing It Right The First Time

Everybody is on a budget which often means that we cut corners just to save a buck or two. More often than not these shortcuts can end up costing us much more than it was worth to begin with and nowhere is this more true than in the home improvement industry.

Builders, plumbers, electricians and other household industries have developed a very bad reputation over the years for delivering less than the best service. However, I don't believe that all of them are entirely to blame and that homeowners often turn on these tradesmen as a result of their own frugality.

My Grandfather always used to say "If you buy cheap, you get cheap." This does not necessarily mean that you need to opt for the most expensive home improvement products and services. Neither does it mean that you will be getting the best when you pay the most.

There is a happy medium where you will find fair quotations for good reliable labor as well as the products you need for your home improvement. There are also ways in which you can take control of your home improvement needs to make sure it is done right the first time.

Word of mouth is still the best way to market a good product so make sure that you choose household products that are well known and have a good reputation in the industry. Be sure to ask any tradesmen for any references they may have and check on those references to ensure that they are fair.

Be sure to check up on those references in person. In other words show up at jobs previously listed by the tradesmen, checkout the quality of their work and ask questions such as whether the project was completed on time and whether the relevant tradesman was professional and courteous in his or her dealings.

If you can't find reliable references take a walk around your neighborhood and find properties that have recently been renovated and look in good shape. Pop a note into the postbox and ask if the homeowner would be willing to contact you with the name and contact information for their contractor. You will be surprised how often people are willing to forward details of a job well done.

Don't just accept the first quote that you are given. Compare at least three quotes and make sure to take into account any guarantees for products and labor as well as value added services that may be included in the quote. For example, if you are buying carpeting find out if the installation is included in the quote.

Last but by no means least, don't attempt any home improvements yourself if you don't know what you are doing. This is especially important for the plumbing and electrical in your home but can have just as many disastrous consequences for a building project.

Take control of your own home improvement and make sure that everything is done right the first time.

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What To Know When Choosing Interior Doors

One thing that many people overlook when remodeling their home is their interior doors. Doors do more than offer privacy; they also offer another way to incorporate design elements into your home's interior. The following article can be used as a guideline to use when choosing new interior doors. Continue reading to learn how to choose interior doors.

Solid Core Or Hollow Doors

When you visit your local home improvement store, you may notice that interior doors come in a variety of style and colors. You may also notice that prices can vary greatly from door to door. One of the main reasons for the differences in price is the type of door it is. Solid core doors are made from solid wood; thus they are more expensive. Hollow doors use thin pieces of wood making them less expensive.

Paint Grade Interior Doors Versus Stain Grade Doors

Door come in two qualities: stain grade interior doors and paint grade doors. Stain grade interior doors are made of wood and can be stained. Paint grade doors are generally made from medium density fiberboard. For this reason, paint grade doors are less expensive than stain grade doors.

Door Slabs Or Pre-hung Doors

While browsing through your home improvement store, you may notice that some doors are extremely cheap. Most doors that are really inexpensive are door slabs. With this type of door you must hang it from your existing door frame. This type of door can be more difficult to hang; however, with a little preparation it can easily be accomplished by the majority of homeowners. Pre-hung doors include the framing and trim. These doors are easily installed by removing your current door and nailing the new pre-hung door in the opening.

Door Styles

There are numerous door styles to choose from. Whether you want a traditional look or a contemporary look, you can find it at your local home improvement store. One of the more common door styles is the panel door. A panel door consists of several square panels, generally either six equally spaced squares.

How Does Your Door Swing?

One thing that most people do not think of when purchasing a door is how the door swings. How a door swings is based on where the door knob and hinges are located. Doors can be either left handed or right handed. To figure out which one you need stand on the inside of your door and look at your doorknob. If the doorknob is on the right as it swings toward you, then you need a right handed door. If on the other hand, it's on the left, you will need a left handed door.

As this article has shown, there are many things to consider when choosing your interior doors. Follow the advice located above to help ensure you choose the best options the next time you purchase new doors for your home. You can give your home a new and improved look by doing nothing more than changing out your existing interior doors.

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Garage Remodeling Home Improvement Ideas

One of the quickest ways to add additional storage and room to the interior of the home is to utilize space that is not currently used. Nearly every home has unused space in the garage that can expand the area that is utilized for storage. Through an effective garage remodeling, every homeowner can provide a place for more organization, while using space that was not being utilized for anything.

Remodeling the Garage

Many homeowners understand the garage provides the ideal environment for creating a home office, a workshop, or studio. Because it already has a roof and the floor, it is very easy to convert into quality space they can be used for a variety of reasons. With the simple addition of heating and cooling, and possibly plumbing, it is easy to quickly transform a portion of the garage into usable interior space.

Just because the homeowner is using a portion of the garage does not mean they will need to sacrifice the area used for storage. Consider using the area higher up, near the ceiling, to add additional shelving or storage in unused space. In addition, a small shed can be positioned outdoors, to contain many of the items that were originally stored inside the garage, such as lawn equipment and items for landscaping.

Expanding the Laundry Room

If you realize that your laundry room is positioned right next to the garage, you may have the opportunity to do something with the unused space. The unused space inside the garage might provide the perfect opportunity to take a portion of the garage and increase the size of the laundry room. By simply building an additional wall or two and adding a door the area can be instantly transformed into an expansive laundry room.

Adding a Mud Room

Most homes do not have mud rooms, where the family can remove their outer clothing and dirty boots without tracking debris and dirt throughout the home. Taking a portion of the garage and transforming it into a mud room is an ideal solution for keeping the interior of the home clean. If possible, consider installing a sink and cabinet to make the process of cleaning up much easier. This is a smart solution for a serious problem.

Creating a Home Office

As more individuals are learning to telecommute, work from home, or beginning their own home business, they need their own home office. Instead of taking up one of the bedrooms, it is easy to create a home office within the existing garage structure. Taking just a small portion of the interior space, two walls, a bit of lighting, and access to the HVAC system is all that is required to transform unused space into an effective and usable home office area.

There are phenomenal garage remodeling home improvement ideas that can transform unused space into something worthwhile to add equity to the home, and increase its functionality. With a little creativity, and thinking outside the box, any homeowner can realize that they already have unused space that can be transformed into a beautiful addition to the interior of the home.

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Choosing The Right Contractor For Your Home Improvement Project

Whether you are simply getting new windows or planning an addition for your expanding family, finding a reliable competent contractor is always the first step to a satisfying and successful home improvement project. Your home is one of your most valuable assets and you want to be cautious when you are choosing someone to be working on it.

You will find many contractors that advertise on the radio, in newspapers, and on TV. However, do not just go by an add to represent the quality of the contractors work. It is always better to first try to get references from neighbors, friends, or co-workers who have had improvement projects done in their home.

Be sure to get written estimates from everyone that you are considering, and ask them for an explanation of any price variations. Do not always go with the lowest bidder.

Depending on the complexity and size of your project, you may choose to have a few different contractors for the job. A general contractor would help to manage all aspects of your project including the hiring of subcontractors and supervising them, scheduling inspections, and getting all the building permits that are required. The general contractor also works with designers and architects.

Specialty contractors will install very specific products such as bathroom fixtures and cabinets. Architects on the other hand are used for major renovations such as designing homes and additions. If your project is going to require structural changes you may also want to hire an architect that specializes in doing home remodeling.

If you are working in a specific area such as a kitchen or bath you want a designer that has expertise with that area. If you hire a build/design contractor, they provide a one-stop service. These contractors will see your project through from beginning to end. Some firms even have architects on the staff while others use specific certified designers.

You need to be careful not to be tricked into hiring a less than reputable contractor. Unfortunately not all contractors are on the up and up. Some signs to watch out for would be a contractor that is soliciting door-to-door, the contractor only accepts cash payments, they say that they have leftover materials from their previous job, and they try to pressure you into an immediate decision.

Also be wary if the contractor does not have a business number listed in the local directory, if they ask you to pay for your entire job up front, they offer you discounts for finding them other customers, and they offer unusually long guarantees.

Be sure that you interview each contractor that you are considering. Know how long they have been in business, make sure that they are registered and licensed with the state, ask them for all their references, and find out the types of insurance that they carry. Also ask if they will be using subcontractors as well.

Choosing the proper contractor to handle your home improvement project will help to save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

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5 Ways To Keep Your Home In Good Condition

When our homes are ignored, problems start to arise and once functional items will begin to fail. While almost every home is likely to have some kind of problem that needs to be fixed, there are things that can be done to solve and sometimes prevent these problems. Take a look at the following home improvement tips, as they will keep your home looking good and save you money in the long run.

Periodically examine your roof for any problems. Make a note of areas where shingles are broken or missing, as well as tiles that flap due to blowing wind. All of these are signs that your roof needs to be repaired immediately in order to protect your home from the weather. Choose replacement tiles that can withstand damage from hail impact and fire. Slate, shake, and polymer roofing tiles are the best options.

Over time, algae and dirt can accumulate on siding, making it look old and unclean. Use detergents and pressure washers to clean any unsightly areas of siding, making sure to carefully go over areas where a lot of buildup is present. Don't use pressure washers on windows or trim, as the high pressure can easily cause damage to these areas. During the cleaning process, look for any changes that may have occurred from the year before, such paint peeling, warping, insect damage, or bucking.

Clean gutters are able to redirect rain away from the base of the home. Check the gutters on a regular basis to see if there are any clogs, cracks, or holes that may be preventing proper drainage. The gutters should be properly sloped and attached to the home as well. Be certain that the water that drains from the gutters isn't damaging any of the surrounding landscape or property.

Air leaks and condensation may be a sign that your windows need replacing. Vinyl framed windows are a good replacement option, as they are durable, look visually appealing, and are more energy efficient than other windows. Since these widnows require little maintenance, there is no need to worry about repainting, scraping, and frame rot. Try choosing a window that is built with multiple chambers and fusion welded corners.

An average homes has many doors, all of which can require maintenance. Check for any light or air that may be leaking through the doors. Warped doors and visible gaps need to be fixed, as they can leave your home using more energy to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Some gaps can be fixed with an application of sealent, but for more drastic cases, the installation of a new door may be required. A high insulation fiber glass door does a good job of keeping air from escaping while looking good.

As you can see, when you fail to take care of your home, things can go awry. Don't wait till it's too late to take care of your home. Remember the tips and your home will never let you down.

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Easy Ways and Tips on kitchen remodeling

Having the kitchen remodeled is an easy solution that can add significant value to the home. A remodeling project can be a simple process that cost nearly a few hundred dollars, or can cost tens of thousands to fully modernize many of the outdated components in the house. Homeowners often select a kitchen remodel as the ideal home improvement solution for maximizing the benefits of the home. There are easy ways of remodeling the kitchen, as detailed below.

Planning the Project

One of the quickest ways to get an idea of exactly how much a kitchen remodel cost is to visit the local home improvement retail store. Many of them will have a variety of kitchen components on display, where the homeowner can compare the quality of appliances, counter tops and cabinets.

Simply write down the available prices on the types of components, cabinets, flooring, and counter tops you desire. Next, you can factor in exactly how much the labor will cost, which usually represents nearly 40% of the cost of the materials.

The Financing

By obtaining the correct numbers above, you can easily determine whether or not you can realistically afford to spend or borrow the money to have the outdated kitchen remodeled. It may require financing, or extending a line of credit on the equity of the home. You might be able to have the job performed in piecemeal, where the cabinets and counter tops are remodeled, but the floor is added at a later date. Check with the bank to determine exactly how much money can be borrowed on a home equity loan to begin the project.

Updating the Cabinetry

The cabinets in the kitchen might not need to be replaced, but simply re-faced. Instead of purchasing new cabinets, new doors can be added and the cabinet boxes can be resurfaced with a laminate or wood material. Many times the cabinets are still in good condition, and it is only the doors that are outdated.

Changing the Flooring

There is a large assortment of flooring options available when remodeling the kitchen. These include hardwood, laminate, linoleum, tile, polished concrete and even outdoor carpet. The linoleum fabricated today is far more appealing than the flooring in your grandmother’s home. There is a huge array of laminates available that look identical to hardwood that hold up significantly better and have nearly no maintenance requirements.

New lighting

The quickest way to beautify any kitchen is to change out the lighting. This might include adding a ceiling fan with lights, recessed lights, sconces and even chandeliers. There is a huge assortment of available lighting to meet any budget.

Counter Top Material

Selecting the best type of counter top material can be challenging. There is a huge assortment of options available including granite, marble, tile, and synthetic materials in a variety of colors, styles and strengths.

Remodeling the kitchen is a phenomenal home remodel project that can transform the interior of the home. Some contractors will require a complete gut of the entire area, while others can simply add new components to the existing kitchen.

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A Wine Cellar In Your Basement

Do you like a good glass of Cabernet or maybe a deep red port is your favorite? Do you prefer white or red? One of the pleasures that many have in their mundane life is a favorite glass of wine? Whether it is for a luncheon with friends or a banquet amongst family... wine is often served at all occasions. There are so many wonderful varieties of wine in the world today. Many countries are famous for their particular types of wine. Whether you are a connoisseur of red wine, white wine, or the new ice wines from Canada, everyone enjoys a good glass of wine.

Have you ever considered building your own wine cellar? Maybe you have some extra room in the basement. The basement would be an excellent place to build a wine cellar because wine likes to be stored in a cool location. Can you imagine having your own wine cellar complete with all of the equipment that is necessary to make your own wine. Of course you would need to free up some time on your social calendar to accommodate all of the extra house guests that you would be having.

But did you realize that there are an endless amount of wine accessories on the market that will make your wine drinking experience more pleasurable? For example there are wine accessories such as diagnostic aging tools that will actually help to age a bottle of wine for every second they are submerged in the wine. There are also wine cellar split air systems, wine aromas and essence kits, special wine cork pullers, and wine dispensing and preservation systems. If you want to keep your wine chilled, there are many different wonderful types of wine coolers that allow you to keep your wine at the perfect temperature.

There are champagne buckets to hold that bottle of special bubbly, special corkscrews that allow you to remove the cork in an effortless manner, and there are canters that are either inexpensive or luxurious. They come in all shapes and sizes and can range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars.

Therefore give some thought to building your own wine cellar? You would have a collection of you favorite wines on hand whenever friends or family dropped by for a visit? You can buy stack-able redwood wine racking units. They come in all sizes and they are easy to assemble. You can store as many bottles of wine as your imagination allows. Just think about the many types of wine you could have if you had a large wine cellar. You could store your favorite bottles of wine for years and watch them age to perfection.

Yes, there are a huge variety of wines on the market today that will satisfy any wine enthusiast. If you are in need of plans to build your wine cellar, it is as easy as going to the Internet and searching for the plan that will best suit your home.

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