Category: Home Improvement

Construction Software Buyer’s Guide

The step-by-step guide to choosing the best construction software. This is the only software buyer’s guide on the market created specifically for your needs as a home builder We want to make evaluating the right tool a little easier, because you’re working too hard to let pen and paper slow you down.

Own Your Data

Stay connected to the actionable insights you need to make smart management decisions —all while maintaining the highest standards of data security.

Standardize Projects

Align best practices and centralize workflows across each project. Learn from each build by identifying how optimizing consistent quality helps improve asset value.

Mitigate Risk

Our software helps protect yourself against surprise costs, schedule delays, and any potential disputes with real-time updates and unlimited access to historical information.

Whatever your project, there’s a construction software solution built for Groundbreakers like you.

We’ve partnered with the industry’s most innovative owners—Groundbreakers—to understand your needs and bring solutions to the table. The result is a series of products that help owners take control of their projects—no matter the type

 

Home Builder’s Guide to New Construction

Buying New Construction from a Home Builder

Whether you’re buying or renting, many of the homes in the housing market are older. In most cases, that means smaller rooms, chopped up floor plans, very little closet space, and parking hassles. That’s why many shoppers are checking out new construction homes because they come with features like open floor plans, large walk-in closets, and three-car garages.

Best Places to Begin Your New Home Search

One of the first things to do when you’re thinking about buying a home is the location. The area has some of the best places to live. But before you start shopping for new construction

besides setting a budget, you’ll need to decide how close you want to be from:

Your work – How important is a short commute? Is convenient public transportation essential? Would you be willing to have a higher mortgage for a shorter commute?

The beach – Do you love to surf, play volleyball, or relax at the beach? If so, consider how close the best beaches are.

The airport – If you travel a lot for either business or personal, living close to the local airports like LAX could be crucial.

Your family – Even if your family doesn’t live in the area, you can still live near an airport to make visiting easier.

Your friends – If entertaining is on the top of your list, then make sure you live close to where your friends live and hang out.

Riverside has several new home communities to check out.

Cloverdale Estates in Eastvale is centrally located and counties with convenient public transportation. There are designs and floor plans to meet a variety of new homebuyer needs. Buyers find luxury homes built for entertaining to designs perfect for growing families, and even floor plans specifically for multi-generation families.

Reflections at the Lakes is a gated community offering plenty of space with playgrounds, sports fields, and parks as well as trails for jogging and biking. Home designs come in both single and two-story. If you’d love to be part of an active neighborhood community, you should check this out.

New communities in Valley are close and this family-friendly area has top schools nearby and offers both single and two-story floor plans.

 

Residential Design & Construction Guides

Mobilizing Building Adaptation and Resilience (MBAR) is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder knowledge and capacity building project led by BC Housing, with participation and contribution from over 30 organizations, including national, provincial, and local agencies; and industry partners.

Mobilizing Building Adaptation and Resilience (MBAR) helps people protect their homes and buildings in the face of climate change. Pilot projects get access to resources and expertise about renovations and building design to help buildings remain comfortable, safe, and resilient even with heavier rainfall, hotter summers, wildfires, flooding, and windstorms.

MBAR addresses climate change impacts on buildings and neighborhoods. Knowledge created by the MBAR initiative can help building owners address and minimize the impacts of climate change on buildings and people living in them. Our easy-to-read one-page resources are designed to help your design team plan renovations or design a new building, providing guidance on:

Site strategies

Design strategies

Operations strategies

Community benefits

Potential design conflicts

Costs and impacts

Contaminants such as mould, major roads, and building materials, from inside and outside a building can affect indoor air quality. Climate scientists expect an overall increase in wildfire smoke and summer ozone. Exposure has been linked to short and long-term health effects.

Extreme temperatures and storms trigger high energy use to cool, heat, or otherwise maintain safety and comfort, especially in buildings with inadequate thermal resilience. High demand can overwhelm the power grid, while storms and floods can damage powerlines and transfer stations.

 

Home Builder Grant: The Definitive Guide

This is a complete guide to the new $25,000 HomeBuilder Grant in 2020. In this all-new guide you’ll learn:

If you will qualify for the HomeBuilder Grant

The exact criteria you need to meet to receive $25,000.

If permanent residents can qualify for the HomeBuilder grant.

Lots of advanced tips, strategies and common questions.

HomeBuilder Basics

Let’s start off things with a quick review of the basics. Specifically, I’m going to share what the HomeBuilder Grant is, and if you will qualify for the scheme. You’ll learn who will qualify, and who won’t qualify for this scheme in 2020.

What is the HomeBuilder Grant?

HomeBuilder is a government grant of $25,000 payable to eligible homeowners that either build a new home, or substantially renovate an existing home in 2020. Eligible homeowners need to build a new home valued under $750,000 or spend between $150,000 to $750,000 on renovations of a property valued up to $1.50M.

Do I qualify for the scheme?

The HomeBuilder scheme does have several qualifying criteria, including the type of property, your income and who you use as the builder

To be eligible for the HomeBuilder grant you must:

✅  Be earning below an income cap, if you are applying for the grant as an individual your ‘2018-2019 tax return or later’ must be below $125,000 or if you are applying as a couple the combined income on ‘your 2018-2019 tax return or later’ must be below $200,000.

✅  Sign a building contract after 4th June 2020 and before 31st December though a licensed or registered builder, so you cannot be an owner builder or use a contract from earlier in the year even if construction hasn’t started yet.

✅  Be building a new property that you will live in as your home, where the total value of the property (house and land) is not more than $750,000. So you cannot use HomeBuilder on an investment property.

✅  Be buying an off the plan apartment or townhouse that you have signed a contract to buy on or after 4th June 2020 and on or before 31 December 2020 and construction needs to start on or after 4 June 2020 (and no later than 3 months after the contract is signed). So if you are wanting to buy an off the plan property, and the construction started before 4th June 2020 – even if you signed the contract after 4th June you will not be eligible.

✅  Substantially renovate the existing home that you live in, and spend between $150,000 and $750,000 on a renovation contract where the value of your home (house and land) is not more than $1,500,000. The renovations need to “improve the accessibility, livability and safety” of your home and cannot be used to build things outside of your home like a swimming pool, tennis court or sheds.

✅  Begin construction of your new home, or renovations within 3 months of the building contract date. So if the contract is dated 1 October 2020, your builder needs to have started construction on or before 1 January 2021.

✅  Own, or be buying a property in your individual name and not a company or trust.

✅  Be an Citizen, unfortunately the scheme is not available to non residents, permanent resident’s

 

A guide to choosing a builder right for you

There are several important factors to take into account before choosing a builder for a new home.

Choosing a builder for a new home can be time-consuming but it’s time well spent when you consider the amount of money involved.

Price and budget are major considerations. There are specialist builders for first time buyer homes, mid-range project homes, top end custom designs, and for the very high budget there are luxury builders. There is little point approaching a first home builder to build a custom home because their budget, repeat design, business model will most likely prevent them from being able to be competitive in a one-off build. In a similar way a luxury home builder just won’t want to build a small home where there is little or no comparative margin to his more luxurious product.

Reputation and references are also key to getting the best builder for you. Many clients want the perceived security of a household name to build for them based on the company’s built-volume to guide their choice. It is very important to read reviews and speak to past or current clients building with a company before you choose to sign up with them. A good builder will have no issue letting you speak to customers and they should be able to supply good, verifiable references.

Financial stability is crucial in today’s highly competitive market. Builders are cutting prices to keep busy and whilst that looks good on paper, cut prices are not sustainable in the long term because every business needs profit to build stability for the future. You may have got the best price in town but if the builder is not around to build for you it’s a very hollow victory! Credit references can be sourced from any number of online agencies and whilst they are not a guarantee to performance, they are the best source of information about how strong a company is. Pay particular care to check if the company pays its suppliers on time and if it has a good solid rating in the industry

Home style and type preference matter too. If you are very eco-friendly and want a lot of sustainable features look for a specialist builder who has experience in that area. If you are building a complicated under croft thre- storey home don’t go to a small project home builder who builds stunning single storey display homes. They probably won’t have the staff or trades to move on to a complex construction. Likewise, many builders specialise in certain styles. If you want to build a farm house style home on a big acreage, it’s probably best to avoid the cubic modernist styles that some suburban builders are producing solely in line with popular trends. The key is to find the right fit for your home build. Ask how many homes are built of a type or style by the builder. They may have a beautiful portfolio of drawn designs but have never built the one you want!

The Benefit Of Using A Custom Home Builder

Building your dream home can be an exhilarating experience. By working with a custom home builder, you can create a home exactly to your specifications. Plus, you’ll finally have the perfect space for you and your family!

Your comfort isn’t the only benefit of building your own custom home. You will also be able to build the home on your dream location, and with plenty of custom perks, like energy efficient appliances and privacy. You may even save money down the road from having fewer repairs or remodeling projects than an older home.

Here are a few other benefits of using a custom home builder:

Seamless Design/Build Process

Custom Home Group’s design/build process means a seamless transition from concept to structure and a smooth, easy process for you from start to finish. Instead of separating each step into separate processes or dealing with different parties, Custom Home Group handles it all! Design, budgeting, and construction is all one process and is all handled by the Custom Home Group team. This integrated design/build process controls job costs and delivers quality construction, all while ensuring you get the dream home you’ve always wanted.

Finally Have Your Dream Home

A custom home builder works tirelessly to create the home you’ve always wanted. When working with a custom home builder, plan as many details as possible so nothing is forgotten or ignored. You should also make sure you to have a specific timeline. Then, if there are any hiccups you will be prepared – and can continue construction as scheduled.

Live on the Lot You Want

If you have a lot that you love, a custom home builder can do everything possible to make sure your dream home is there. Work with your realtor and builder to make sure your dream lot has everything it needs before you build.

 

Designed To Your Specifications

House hunting in many ways can be akin to the “needle in a haystack” approach to finding the perfect home. You might find what you need and want, but chances are you’ll have to make modifications to make it the home perfect for you. With a custom home builder, you can make all the decisions about your wants and needs even before breaking ground, so the home is built exactly to your specifications. By the time the home is finished, it’s already exactly what you were looking for.

Special Design Options

Do you need a special space designed in your home that others might not want or need? Do you need a music studio, or perhaps want a theater room? These features may or may not be available in an existing home, but your builder can work these options into a new home construction much more easily so the home works for your specific needs.

Energy Efficiency

New homes often mean new appliances. Almost all newer appliances are energy efficient, which can save energy, and money, in the long run. If you’re going to choose new appliances, look for the EnergyStar logo so you know your purchase is a good one.

 

Saves Money

Although a custom home is often a large initial investment, it can save you some serious money in the long run. By investing in a custom home, you will create the exact dream home you want. No messy home installations, fewer basic repairs, and no additions are necessary. From the beginning, you and your builder will design the home together. Your ideal space, realized!

Privacy

You can ensure privacy for you and your family by choosing certain lots. By picking the right piece of land, behind a copse of trees, or set beyond a hill, you’ll feel like you’re in a world all your own. Be sure to visit and discuss each possible lot with the builder to find the best location for you. Your contractor will also be able to show you an array of fences to ensure your privacy.

Less Maintenance

Because custom homes are brand new, there will be less maintenance throughout the first 10 to 20 years! Unlike an older home, there will be less to watch out for – like old water heaters, chipped bathroom tiles, or uneven foundations.

 

High-Quality Materials

When buying an already built home, you can’t be sure about the quality of construction materials used. Custom builders work with trustworthy vendors who provide high-quality materials and work. When building a custom home, you can rest assured that only the best brands, products, and materials are being used.

Budget Control

Many people believe that building a custom home is much more expensive than buying an existing home. This isn’t necessarily true. When building a custom home, you decide how your new home is constructed within the limits of your budget. You can control the price point of every single thing that goes into your new home, from construction materials to special features.

 

Express Yourself

A custom home is a blank canvas waiting to be filled with your unique ideas. By collaborating with an interior designer and an architect, you’ll get a chance to design a home that reflects your taste, personality, and style. For instance, if you have a large collection of art pieces, you can have specialized lighting and big gallery walls. If you like having your morning coffee outside, you can put in a big deck with a covered area and some comfy outdoor seating.

Maximize Functionality

Instead of struggling with a pre-existing floor plan and ending up with a semi-functional home, a custom home builder will help you maximize every inch of usable space. Whether you want a custom library wall, a staircase in the middle of the house, separate rooms or an open floor plan, your home will be adapted to your personal lifestyle and needs.

How to Choose a Home Remodeling Contractor: Your Complete Guide

Are you looking to hire a home remodeling contractor? Who should you choose? Check out this guide to learn how to choose a home remodeling contractor. Did you know that the average homeowner spends $15,000 on home renovation projects? With the massive amount of money that you spend investing in turning your home into your dream home, finding the perfect home remodeling contractor to help turn your dream home into reality can be challenging.

Do Phone Interviews

Once you have a list of contractors that you’re interested in working with, make a quick call to each of the contractors. During the phone interview, you should ask the contractors you’re interested in hiring the following questions.

Have a Face to Face Meeting

Moving forward with the contractors that you feel passed your phone interview, ask to meet in person. The contractors that you’re asking to meet in person should be able to answer all of your questions in full detail, with ease. It’s crucial to hire a contractor that has solid communication skills, as they’re going to be completely responsible with making sure that you get what you’re wanting out of the project.

Get Credentials

Don’t hire a contractor after the face to face meeting! Before hiring, make sure to double-check the credentials of the contractor you want to hire. Make sure that the contractor holds all of the required licenses that the state and city municipalities require for the region you live in. You should invest your money into contractors who have invested in training to earn certifications!

Start Bidding

Now that you’ve narrowed down your potential list to just a few names, it’s now time to start bidding! A contractor that’s worth your investment will want a complete set of blueprints and a list of what you (as the homeowner) want out of the project. After they’re received this information from you, they should give you an estimate of what they’re going to spend on your project.

 

Before You Remodel Your Home

Draw Your Dream

Even before you consult an architect, you can begin sketching out your ideas and imagining your dreams—just get over the reasons not to remodel your home first. If you are adding or expanding a room, think about how the space will be used and how the changes will affect traffic patterns. Also consider how new construction will affect the overall context of your home. An oversized addition may overwhelm your house or crowd a small lot. A simple home design software program can help you visualize your project.

Learn From Others

One of the best ways to get inspiration and to avoid pitfalls is to follow the experiences of other homeowners. A number of Web sites offer online chronicles of home improvement projects, along with reply forms, message boards, and chat rooms that let you ask questions and get feedback.

Think Ahead

Although you may dream of having a spacious new addition, the project may not make sense if you plan to sell your house in a few years. A luxury bathroom can price your house beyond the values in your neighborhood. Some projects, such as vinyl siding on a Queen Anne Victorian, will actually decrease the value of your home. Moreover, your own family’s needs may be very different in a few years.

Count Your Money

Even the best-laid budgets can go bust. Chances are, your remodeling project will cost more than you expect. Before you set your heart on high-end ceramic tile, find out how much you have to spend and make sure you have a cushion against cost overruns. For must-have items that could wipe out your savings account, explore home improvement loans and other financing options. If you own your home, a line of credit is often the best bet. Consider online borrowing from reputable companies that bring together small investors with borrowers. The Better Business Bureau reviews companies, such as the Lending Club. Some people depend on crowdfunding, but you should know your comfort level and understand what you’re getting into.

Choose your team

Unless you plan to take on the entire remodeling project by yourself, you’ll need to hire helpers. Naturally, you’ll want to make sure that the folks who work for you are qualified, licensed, and properly insured. But, finding the best team for your remodeling project goes beyond a simple reference check. The architect who has won top awards may have a design vision very different from your own. If you have an older house, hire someone who knows the time period when your house was built; putting a finger on historical appropriateness is an undervalued skill. Use these resources to find the professionals you feel comfortable with

 

When Is the Best Time To Remodel?

There are plenty of home renovations you could do at any point in the year, but knowing the best time to do these projects can significantly cut down your costs. Spring and summer are popular seasons for remodeling, but they might not be the most economically efficient times to work on your project.

Ideally, you’ll work with a contractor on your remodel before their busy season is in full effect. This will allow your contractor to devote ample time and resources to your project. Depending on where you live and what type of project you’re looking to do, different times of the year may be better than others when it comes to remodeling

Summer

Fix Up the Fireplace: When it’s hot outside, you’re not thinking about coming inside to roast by the fire — and neither is anyone else. That’s why summer can be the prime for hiring fireplace remodeling professionals. Whether you’re repairing cracks, putting on a fresh coat of fire-rated paint or mixing up the materials that make up the mantel, you want the fireplace ready to roast chestnuts as soon as those temperatures drop.

Fall

Paint the House: Summer might be the most popular time of year to repaint a home’s exterior, but depending on the climate where you live, fall may be a suitable and slightly less expensive option. Power washing is often done in the fall — and that is an important preparatory step for any outside painting job. But before you schedule a pressure washing session and new paint job back to back, check with a professional painter in your area on how to best time these services.

Winter

Build a Deck: If you want to enjoy sitting out on your new deck in the spring and summer, you’ll want it built toward the early part of the season. A deck designer will need to map out a plan before any construction can begin, and because winter is their slowest season, it’s probably the best time to reach out about your remodeling job.

 

Common Home Remodeling Questions & Answers

Remodeling your home is a big project to undertake, even if you aren’t doing the remodeling part on your own. As an experienced remodeling company in Delaware, we get a lot of questions regarding remodeling a home. We’ve compiled this list of the most common home remodeling questions and answers to help you with your remodeling journey and be the informed consumer you want to be before diving into a remodeling project in Delaware. If you have questions we didn’t answer, leave us a comment or give us a call, we would be happy to help in any way we can.

How much will my remodel cost?

Of course, your specific remodeling costs will depend on the level of remodeling, the features you choose, and the size of your space. We have a couple of generalized cost guides to help you get a better idea of how much your remodel will cost.

How long will my remodel take?

Again this question depends on the type of remodeling you are interested in for your home. The remodeling timeline will be different depending on which room you’re remodeling, how big the space is, and the decision making between you and your remodeler. Here are a couple of resources on the most popular remodels and how long they take

Where should I start remodeling?

If you’re looking to remodel your whole home, you may be wondering where to start or if you should do it all at once. If you’re living in your home through the remodel, you may want to take the remodel room by room. However, if you won’t be in the house throughout the remodel, you may want to do everything at once

How do I start remodeling my home?

The first step to remodeling your home is research. Take a look around your home – now what is a functional problem and what is a design problem. What would you like your home to look like? Get some inspiration from sites like Houzz or Pinterest and what others have done. Once you have a good idea of what you’d like to do, start researching remodelers who can help you achieve your vision.

 

home renovations that return the most at resale

renovations can make us happier in the places we call home, but some updates can add real value when it’s time to sell or refinance. Because some renovations —  think an updated kitchen, new deck or remodeled bathroom — can get pricey, it’s helpful to know what kind of return you might expect before you decide to take on a remodeling project.

Why to consider a home renovation

Remodeling your home adds to your enjoyment, but it can also boost your home’s value over time, too. When you refinance your home, for instance, renovations will be taken into account when a property appraiser assesses your home’s current market value. A higher home value means you’ll have more equity, a lower loan-to-value ratio. You might even be able to cancel private mortgage insurance payments earlier than anticipated.

How much you should invest in home renovations

Before you shell out big bucks for custom updates in your home, having a solid understanding of what renovations yield the highest return for the money is key. You also have to take into account your budget and your renovation goals.

Best home renovations

Whether you plan to stay in your house for a long time or just a few years, it’s smart to know which home renovations add the most value. Here are the six home remodeling projects that deliver the highest returns, according to the Cost vs. Value report.

Garage door replacement

A good-looking garage door tops the list when it comes to getting cash back on your investment when you decide to sell your house. The estimate for this job is based on the cost of removing and disposing of an existing 16-by-7-foot garage door (or two-car garage door) and replacing it with a new four-section garage door with heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks, assuming the motorized garage door opener is compatible. This curb-appeal enhancer will get you back almost every dollar you spent on it when you sell your house.

Bathroom Remodel Tips and Advice

Bathrooms are the number one place that homeowners love to remodel, even more than kitchens. The space is smaller, making the job a bit easier. Plus, this reduced space means reduced cost: less flooring and paint, fewer cabinets and countertop. Follow these tips to make your bathroom remodel more attractive while keeping the process smooth, efficient, and cost-effective

Recess For Extra Room

When space is extremely tight, built-ins such as recessed soap dishes, medicine cabinets, and even toilet roll holders pry out as much available room as possible from tiny bathrooms. You can even flatten the ceiling light by converting your ceiling light into a recessed light

Address Bathroom Ventilation

All bathrooms need some type of ventilation, by code, either in the form of a properly sized window or a bathroom exhaust fan. For bathroom fans, look at both their exhaust capacity (or how many cubic feet of air per minute they can move) in conjunction with their noise levels

Add Plants for Living Color

Plants in the bathroom should not be an afterthought. Plants bring much-needed color into sterile bathrooms. Consider adding a floating shelf expressly for the purpose of giving your trailing plants a cozy home.

Pick the Right Flooring

Solid wood floors, while they do infuse bathrooms with great character, are not the best type of flooring material for bathrooms, from a practical standpoint. Instead, pick flooring that is hardy enough to stand up against the rigors of daily bathroom use. Bathroom flooring favorites include ceramic and porcelain tile, luxury vinyl plank, vinyl tiles, and sheet vinyl flooring

 

Tips for Hiring a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

A bad contractor could sink your bathroom remodel.

Installing a shower door or replacing a faucet or toilet seat are minor improvements many homeowners can do themselves, but extensive bathroom remodeling requires a higher level of skills and should be left to the professionals

A bad remodeling job can be costly to fix, so the best bet is to hire a remodeling contractor who will do the job right the first time. A professional remodeler has the necessary training and acquired skills to remodel your bathroom to your specifications

Brainstorm bathroom remodeling ideas

You’ve probably looked at pictures in magazines or online for remodeling ideas. If you know how you want your new bathroom to look and have compiled some pictures, save them to show the remodeling contractor. Likewise, if you already know what types of fixtures you want, or you have ideas for wallpaper, keep a list of these items to share with the remodeling contractor.

How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?

Average bathroom remodels fall between $9,600 to $11,000 in costs. A low-end remodels typically cost around $2,500 while high-end remodels cost around $23,000.

Hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor

Referrals and word of mouth are still the best ways to track down a reputable bathroom remodeling contractor. When the renovations are done on a professional level, and the customers are happy, this is how service industry businesses grow and prosper. So, if your neighbor, friend, coworker or family member was satisfied with a recent remodeling job, ask them for the service contractor’s contact information so that you can get in touch to get an estimate

 

Bathroom Design & Remodeling Ideas on a Budget

So you’re ready to redecorate and redesign your bathroom. But dropping $20,000 on a deluxe spa retreat is light years away from what you can afford to spend. Here’s the good news: You don’t need mega-bucks to transform your bathroom into a relaxing, cool space. There are plenty of ways to renovate and redesign on a budget.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report, an average bathroom remodel costs around $10,500 while an upscale remodel is going to run you a hefty $26,000. However, if you do the work yourself and get creative, This Old House estimates that you can do a remodel for $1,000 to $3,000, or even less, depending on how much you want to change

Moreover, updating or adding a bathroom to your home is a home improvement project that adds value. In other words, you’ll recoup a significant portion of costs when you sell your home, as much as 100%

Limit Your Tile

Tile gets expensive, especially when you hire a contractor to lay it all out for you. To save money, limit the amount of tile and focus on high-impact areas like the floor (instead of the floor and inside the shower stall walls). Alternatively, you could tile one horizontal strip along the wall and paint the rest.

Save on Counter Tops

A popular trend is to splurge on granite countertops. Because the bathroom counter is so small, the investment is often fairly low compared to what you’d spend on kitchen counters, for example.

 

The Pros’ Guide to Renovating Your Bathroom

Let there be no confusion: A bathroom redo is going to cost you time, money, and maybe even a few gray hairs. The price can range from “a few thousand dollars to spruce up an existing bathroom to six figures for a gut renovation of a high-end master bath,” says Dan DiClerico of HomeAdvisor. But if you’re smart about spending, the investment will likely prove worth it.

The trick is to choose upgrades that jibe with your lifestyle and routines—maybe you need a tub, because you’ll literally get into it every day; a wall niche if there’s nowhere to store shampoo; two sinks because teeth brushing should not be an elbow war. “We ask lots of questions about daily routine and storage needs, and emphasize function first,” explains Britt Zunino of Studio DB. Happiness is the end goal: According to a 2019 remodeling report from the National Association of Realtors, 70 percent of consumers “have a greater desire to be home” after a bathroom renovation, so read on and soak up the secrets

Ask Questions Before You Start

First things first—before you even start mood-boarding or falling in love with a bathroom design you want to recreate—ask yourself the boring questions. You may not even realize they impact your bathroom needs, but they do! Any designer worth hiring would run these past their clients before getting started. So get your answers ready, talk to your designer, and then start gathering inspo photos

Understand the Shower/Tub Basics

A freestanding tub—if you have room for one—is great for resale value in a kid-friendly neighborhood. But if your space isn’t big enough for both a spacious walk-in shower and a bath (and you don’t have small children to bathe), a shower/tub combo is best. “Back in the McMansion era, Jacuzzi-style bathtubs were all the rage, but the pendulum has swung back towards showers, especially in master bathrooms. At the high-end, there might also be a nice soaking tub in there, but the walk-in shower is the top priority,” says DiClerico.

Know Your Materials

Natural Stone: Easily the most sophisticated and formal, natural stone is a bathroom surface favorite. With the right sealant, any natural stone will do well in a wet environment, so it’ll mostly come down to price and aesthetic

 

Bathroom remodeling guide

good ideas

When you’re investing in a home remodeling project, you want to make sure that the results not only please you but add value to your home and save you money on energy and water as well. These seven steps will help you take advantage of the latest design trends, technologies and products

Budget for the unexpected

Hidden water damage is a common problem in bathrooms, whether from a leaky shower pan or running toilet. “If the floor feels spongy, that’s a sign of serious water damage,” says John Petrie, owner of Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Other issues are truly hidden, for example a vent stack inside a wall that you thought you were going to knock down

hide the toilet

A master bath that’s stylish and functional can also be discreet. That’s why it’s nice to hide this fixture away, either in its own “room-within-the-room” or behind a half wall. A piece of furniture—an armoire or dresser, say—can create the necessary barrier without the expense of a framed wall

Do choose appropriate surfaces

Your master bathroom’s surfaces do more than just contribute to the overall aesthetic. They also take lots of abuse. Porcelain tile is a favorite among designers, for use on the floors and walls alike. “You can find some versions in the $5 per square foot range that look like natural stone,” says Petrie. He recommends larger tile sizes to minimize grout lines, easing the upkeep. That might mean 18-by-18-inch tile on the floors and 12-by-12-inch on some or all of the walls, perhaps transitioning to 6-by-6 tiles on the diagonal with a glass mosaic transition strip.

Splurge on the shower

The empire of the Roman tub is officially over. “People started to realize that they could count on one hand how many times they actually used the tub,” says Petrie. “We’re now using that space to create larger showers, often with his and her showerheads, body sprays, and even steam generators.”

CRITICAL TIPS FOR SELECTING A REMODELING CONTRACTOR

UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS

Yes, you want to remodel your home, but which part are you renovating? According to statistics, more than 35% of remodeling contracts involve the whole house. For this, you may need some architectural design and advice. Your design build contractor should be capable of handling your needs.

CLIENT REVIEWS

estimonials by past clients are the best place to start when looking for a remodeler. You’ll get honest customer feedback on the quality of services to expect, as well as details on how complaints on the job are resolved. Use this to determine whether the contractor is right for you or not. Your ideal design build remodeler should strive to resolve complaints as quickly as possible

SEEK REFERRALS

Yes, you must hire a competent home remodeling contractor. However, you may not have the time or expertise to find such a person. What do you do in this case, settle with any contractor that comes your way? Of course not! Seek referrals from someone you can trust. Let your friends and relatives tell you about their best home remodeling experiences.

CHECK FOR EXPERTISE

Expertise should be among the top qualities of a home remodeling contractor. A team of design build remodelers shouldn’t just be competent at their work, but also experts in it. Home remodeling contractors Montgomery County Pennsylvania homeowners trust are experts because of years of experience. Therefore, check the number of projects that a contractor has completed.

CHECK FOR EXPERIENCE

By now you know a design build remodeler becomes an expert after years of experience. Therefore, hire competent remodelers who have seen and done everything relating to home remodeling. For instance, do you want to remodel your kitchen? Then look for a remodel contractor who can assess the scope of work, time, and labor that’s required ahead of time.

 

How to Find a Good Contractor for Home Improvement Repairs

You’ve likely seen the story on your local news: A fly-by-night contractor swoops into town and scams dozens of homeowners out of thousands of dollars each before disappearing without a trace.

No one wants to go through such an ordeal. And yet it happens all the time, especially during the summer when more homeowners start home improvement projects.

The vast majority of contractors are honest and trustworthy, but there will always be those who are ready and willing to run a scam and run off with your money. So how can you make sure you find a reliable and reputable contractor who keeps their promises? And how do you make sure you’re hiring the right professional for the job? Let’s take a look.

Do You Need a Contractor or Handyman

Take a look at your project to-do list. Perhaps you need to replace the roof, fix the leak under the kitchen sink, re-tile the hallway floor, and install a ceiling fan in your son’s bedroom. You’d also like to build a small deck for summer cookouts.

Some of these projects are relatively easy to complete, while others are far more complex. So the question becomes: Do you need to hire a contractor, or will a handyman suffice?

 

Must-Know Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

Do Your Homework

This rings true for both your project itself and the individual you’re hiring. For the remodel, you’ll want to have a clear idea of what you want the end result to look like and a realistic budget of what you’re prepared to spend. For the contractor, you want to focus on individuals who can show prior experience with your type of project, preferably with testimonials and work samples. You’ll also want to find people who are both accredited and insured.

Interview Multiple Contractors

Once you have found two or three contractors that seem capable of doing the work, you’ll want to interview them. Ask them questions such as whether or not they’ve ever taken on a project of this scale, if they feel confident in their ability to pull the necessary permits for the job, and how long they envision everything will take.

Get Quotes

After completing your interviews, feel free to ask anyone that you’re still considering to provide a quote for the project. The quote should include the cost of materials for the remodel, as well as a price for the estimated number of labor hours.

Put it in Writing

Once you’ve settled on the contractor that you feel is the best fit for your job, make sure to get the terms of their quote into a legally binding contract. This contract should include items like a payment schedule and the process that should be followed for making changes to the original project terms. It should also be signed by both parties.

Be Flexible to a Point

Unfortunately, remodeling will never be an exact science. Even the best contractors will sometimes run into unforeseen problems once they open up walls or inclimate weather may slow down speedy progress. Homeowners should expect a little wiggle room in terms of budget and timeframe

 

tips for finding a contractor

Best time to search for a contractor before a project starts.

Renovations can be fun and we all want to rush and get it done. It’s a wise plan to do as much research as possible and have everything planned out before searching for a contractor. Projects aren’t cheap and they do take some time to finish depending on the size of the job. Write down everything you plan to change from the type of materials to a list of trades men needed. The better the planning the more you’ll get an accurate estimate.

Where to look for a contractor.

Searching for a Home renovation contractor in Victoria bc can be tough because we don’t know who will do the job right. At Realty Contracting we put together an easy source to serve our clients with the right trades. What makes us unique and trusting is we have a big reference of realtors that use our services to serve their clients with our reputable contractors. Realtors rely on their reputation, so to them having the right contractor is a valuable service to their sellers and buyers. All of our contractors in Realty Contracting are used by our listed realtors. What makes it easy is all you have to do is post your project and let a contractor find you. Get started today.

Getting the best price.

Let’s face it we all like the best deal when it comes to a big renovation investment. But it’s true, not all lowest prices are the best deal in the long run. There are a few things to keep in mind when searching for the best deal.

Have everything in writing

At this point in your project you should have everything planned out for a written contract before starting your project. A written contract should include, starting date, detailed cost, materials included, and labour involved. Not documenting your project in full detail will only lead to conflict, it’s your word against theirs. It’s normal during a project for changes to be made in a contract we call this a change in work order for an increase in cost or lowering the cost. You may want to ask a before starting, if there will be any other unexpected change in an estimate.

 

Tips for Choosing a Home Remodeling Contractor

When it comes to home improvement projects, you may find that many of them are not “do it yourself.” If it’s time for a home , it may be in your best interest to leave it to a professional who knows what it takes to deliver high-quality results. Choosing a contractor to lead the project is a big decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. After all, who you hire could have a huge impact on the outcome of the project and your level of satisfaction

Experience

The type of remodeling project you’re considering can play a huge role in which contractor you choose. For example, if you’re making changes to your bathroom, you don’t want to hire a contractor that doesn’t have experience in . Whether you’re changing the look of one room or doing a major overhaul of your home, it’s best to find a contractor who has experience and expertise in many different types of remodeling projects. Ideally, you want someone who can do it all.

Project Details

Be sure you know exactly what you want to accomplish. Be specific about how you want the finished project to look. Think about the materials you want to use and how much money you have in your budget. Are you willing to compromise on certain elements if you need to? Which changes are top priority? Letting the contractors you’re interviewing know these things up front can give you an idea of whether or not they’ll be able to deliver the results you’re envisioning.

Interviews

Choosing a contractor to  your home should be taken very seriously. After all, their expertise directly impacts the quality of the project, and a remodel is a significant financial investment. As a general rule, it’s wise to interview at least three contractors for your job before you make a decision. Use that time to get to know the contractor. Try to get a feel for their work ethics, priorities, and overall dedication. Don’t be shy when it comes to asking questions. It’s better to be thorough now than regretful later. The answers you get could be the deciding factor between one contractor and another.

Insurance

Before you hire a contractor, check with your insurance agent to see what’s covered by your homeowner’s policy regarding home repairs and remodeling. Make sure the contractors you’re interviewing have insurance, as well, and that their policy has adequate coverage for your projects. Checking this out ahead of time could help save you a huge headache later.

MUST-KNOW BATHROOM REMODELING TIPS

PLAN YOUR BATHROOM

Before you even call a remodeling company for your bathroom remodel, you should first talk with everyone who will be using the space. Try to have a discussion about the fixtures and finishes you are supposed to use and how much of a budget you’re willing to shell out. As you plan for your budget, it’s important to have a little extra, because you never know if there will be some unexpected problems that will increase the cost later on.

How to Design Your Bathroom?

A lot of homes usually have at least one bathroom with a sink, toilet, and bathtub. Then, there are optional extras, such as the shower, and in some cases, a bidet. An extra sink is also a popular choice for most people, especially in households where the bathroom is often used by more than one person.

Customize Your Bathroom

Similar to a standard bathroom, a customized bathroom is filled with a number of suite fixtures. The difference is that the final design usually has a matching countertop and built-in cabinets around a certain area of the room.

Wet Rooms

These are the type of bathrooms that comes with a shower, minus the enclosure, and the water runs away through a drain installed in the floor. That’s why it’s important for the whole room to be waterproofed.

En Suite Attached Bathrooms

Due to the proximity of the bedroom to one’s bathroom, noise is usually an issue for most homeowners. If there aren’t any windows attached to the bathroom, an exhaust fan should be installed as it can help in removing moisture. Likewise, if you want to reduce the noise made by your toilet tank while it’s being refilled, then you should install a modern inlet valve.

Most en suite bathrooms are attached to the master bedroom, but there may be exceptions depending on the layout of your home.

 

Design Tips to Know Before Remodeling Your Bathroom

Know What a Bathroom Remodel Costs

Before you begin any project, it’s important to put your expectations into perspective when it comes to how much money you’re willing to invest. The size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you want to include and whether you’re planning to do some of the labor yourself all can affect the cost of a remodel.

Don’t Make the Toilet the First Thing You See When You Open the Door

Ask a bathroom designer what his or her best tried and true tip is, and this is what you’re likely to hear. The reasoning is simple. Oftentimes bathroom doors get left open, meaning that you or any guest in your home walking by will see the toilet — which, come on, isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing thing to look at. If you’re hoping for a spa-like vibe, putting the john front and center in the design can sort of kill the mood as you’re transitioning into the room. So, what should you make the focal point? Anything but the toilet.

Consider Leaving Those Vintage Finishes

The point of your bathroom remodel might be a fresh, new look, but some things are easier to replace than others. For example, in older homes, wall tiles may have several coats of concrete and maybe wire lath. The difficulty in removing these can cause labor costs to skyrocket. Instead, you might want to keep the vintage tiles and spend your time and money elsewhere. Besides, vintage finishes such as tile can be a cool feature.

Plan a Lighting Scheme

The best approach to a well-lit space is to incorporate layers of task, accent, ambient and decorative lighting. Consult with your bathroom designer or lighting specialist about getting your lighting right.

Understand Standard Bathroom Dimension

Knowing a few key measurements, like the size of a typical bathtub and how much space is needed for a toilet, will help you plan your remodel more efficiently.

 

tips from the experts to help you remodel your space

CHECK MATERIALS ARE SUITED TO A BATHROOM ENVIRONMENT

Always choose materials that can withstand the conditions of a bathroom. From appropriate bathroom flooring to waterproof paints and sealed wall tiles, there are products designed to withstand high volumes of water.

REMEMBER TO INCLUDE PLENTY OF STORAGE

Nothing can ruin a nice new room faster than clutter, so don’t forget about bathroom storage – our feature is full of handy solutions. Use storage furniture and baskets to keep everything out of sight (apart from your posh toiletries of course).

A BIGGER SPACE WILL NEED MORE HEAT

If you are extending the bathroom space, don’t forget that this will mean a larger area to heat. Re-assess existing heating and upgrade the heat output if needed with a more powerful towel heater or radiator. You could also take the opportunity to include underfloor heating. At the same time, check that the water pressure isn’t affected by the addition of new sanitary ware.

INVEST IN ONE STATEMENT FEATURE FOR A LUXE LOOK ON A BUDGET

Choose one feature that will give your bathroom a standout, luxe feel. This might be a freestanding bath – take a look at our pick of the best rolltop baths for traditional homes – or splashing out on some really fancy taps. Or, if you’ve found tiles beyond your budget, use them on a statement wall with a more affordable complementary tile elsewhere.

DON’T GO OVERBOARD WITH LIGHTING

Opt for pendant lighting — a single central fitting will prove much cheaper than individual downlights or wall lights. Check out multi-bulb fittings that only require a single power cable, for a flexible scheme.

 

How to Remodel Your Bathroom From Start to Finish

How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?

According to List, the average total cost of a bathroom remodel is between $10,000 – $15,000, with labor costs taking up at least 20% of the budget. By going the do-it-yourself remodeling route, you can expect to save as much as a few thousand dollars.

Establish Your Bathroom Makeover Design

Before you do any bathroom remodeling yourself, you should settle on a new design that fits your vision, as well as your skill set. There are so many different ways to approach a bathroom makeover, ranging from swapping out the vanity to gutting the space and starting over from scratch.

Gather Your Remodeling Tools and Supplies

Of course, you may need a few things outside of your essential homeowner tool collection, but the exact tools required will vary based on your renovation plans. But these are a few essential tools to have on hand for any bathroom renovation.

Install Your New Shower or Tub Basin

After you’ve gutted your bathroom, its time install your new fixtures. For a shower or tub replacement, you’ll want to pick a pan or basin that fits your new decor, as well as the space where your current tub sits.

 

Tips for Remodeling a Bathroom

The best place to start with any remodeling project is the budget. Not only will it have a big impact on the type of materials you select for your bathroom renovation, it will also help you set the boundaries of your design. Knowing what you can really afford to spend will make it a lot easier to decide what items you want to replace and where you need to get creative!

Going “green” is not only good for the environment; it’s also good for you. Green products have great design, tend to function better, which lowers utility bills, and they’re also chemical-free, making them better for your health. Having an eco-friendly approach to remodeling isn’t just about buying new products, doing something “green” can be as simple as painting a cabinet instead of tossing it in a landfill.

Want to save some big bucks remodeling your bathroom? Consider refinishing existing items such as your bathtub, shower, sink or tile. With refinishing, you’ll only pay a small fraction (as little as 10 percent) of the cost of replacement. Your bathroom won’t be torn up for weeks, you’ll avoid the big renovation mess and you’ve put one less big ol’ tub in the landfill

Don’t want your budget to skyrocket? Don’t move your plumbing. On the surface, switching your sink and toilet around may look easy enough, but the problem lies underneath and all the costs involved in moving that plumbing. Besides, if you spend less money on moving fixtures, you’ll have more to spend on that new sleek shower system or vanity you’ve been eyeing.

Be brutally honest about your DIY skill level. Assess which projects to do yourself and which are better left to the pros. You could save yourself a ton of money in the long run if you don’t have to call someone in to fix a project you’ve messed up. The best way to find a good contractor — seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and others who have had remodeling work done.