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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018
Whether you’re doing a guest bedroom, bathroom or a kitchen remodel, it pays to be a good neighbor throughout. Featured in this photo is the upcoming Hooker Furniture Bedroom Beaumont King Upholstered Bed.
The remodel or renovation of a home can have a huge impact on any homeowner’s life. The stress could come from the anticipation of the project or it could be because your neighbors aren’t as cooperative as you wanted them to be. These are your neighbors and so it is, of course, crucial that you build a positive relationship with them. So what could you do to still be the perfect neighbor when you’re about to remodel?
Okay, remodeling a home entails loud noises, debris, and lots of mess. There could also be a time when the street becomes less spacious because the parking could be eaten up by the goings-on during the renovation.
Whether you’re planning to remodel the bathroom or the roof, this type of extensive project could literally change your lifestyle as well as your neighbors’. You might just think of the immediate impact to your family but there are, inevitably, effects to your neighbors, too.
Be kind and here are some ways that you can be nice to them during the construction phase –
Get Necessary Permits
It is a courtesy to your neighbors to get all the necessary papers for the remodel. This will ensure everyone in your neighborhood that you are abiding by the local building codes. This becomes doubly important when you have plans of selling your house someday.
Your neighbors will also be ascertained that your safety and theirs have been considered. Just make sure that you display the permit on the window where your neighbors can best see it. This is to deter any possible questions that they may have if this piece of paper is absent.
Inform the Neighbors
As a part of the neighborhood, it is your responsibility to inform the nearby homes of the upcoming remodeling project. You don’t have to knock from one door to the next, though. You can just write a letter detailing the part that’s going to be remodeled in your home, why you’re remodeling, and the timeline for this project.
You should also include your contact information. You could also thank them by sending some baked goods (yes, these are very effective in mitigating concerns). There are also communities that have their own regulations on whom to notify when you will remodel.
Notify two to three houses down.
Emphasize the Work Hours
One of the most important parts of your letter is that section where you write the work hours as well as the project timeline.
Will the workers do the construction tasks during the morning? Normally, the construction hours take about 12 hours each day so, ideally, it should be between 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The contractor must be informed of your preferred work hours so that they do not end up annoying your neighbors who are expecting that the noise would stop at a certain time.
Contain the Mess
Deck or roofing installations could create a huge mess. These projects involve demolishing parts of your home and some scraps building up in your yard. Some of this debris could get to your neighbor’s lawn – this is what you would not want to happen.
Tell your contractors to be respectful of the nearby properties. Check on your shortlisted contractors’ cleanup processes so that you get to choose the one that creates the least impact on other people’s homes.
Be Gentle and Considerate
Even when you prepared amply, there could be complaints from neighbors who will not be happy with the ongoing remodeling project. Instead of reacting straightaway, you could sit down with your neighbor and come up with a solution. Have your neighbor speak to the contractor who would be able to explain to them what’s going on and for how long.
Be sure to thank your neighbor for bearing with the inconveniences.
Tags: home remodeling, home renovation, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, reconstruction, remodeling, renovation
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Remodeling Around Not-So-Sweet Neighbors? 5 To-Do’s During Renovation
Thursday, August 24th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Auberose 52in Round Pedestal Table: Do you need help achieving this look? Find the best team members to help you achieve this.
Does your home now have a tired look to it? Or are you simply tired of the old furnishings that you see day in and day out? Wanting a new look should always begin with a dream.
Plot Your Dream
Way before you even sit down and consult an architect, you must start by sketching your design ideas. Imagine the layout, the new furnishings, and the reasons behind your remodeling project. If this project is for room expansion, just think about how space can be used and how the traffic patterns will be altered.
Consider also whether you would build something from scratch and how that can affect the overall construction of your home. Think about how an oversized addition can overwhelm small square footage.
Make use of a home design software so that you can visualize your project.
Ask Around
Why go through the same mistakes that your friends or neighbors have gone through? It is best to learn from others who have renovated their homes before you did. There are many websites that show the developments of home improvement projects.
Plan Ahead
You may be dreaming of a more spacious home this time but hold your horses first. This renovation project may not be sensible if you decide to sell your property in a year or two. That luxury bathroom may even make your home valued above most of the properties in your neighborhood, thus, making it more difficult to sell.
There are even some home improvement projects that can lower the value of your home. Learn about Queen Anne, Victorian, and vinyl siding.
See also how your family’s plans might vary in the coming years. Every remodeling project has its corresponding budget requirement. Calculate yours before the first nail is even driven. Before you nod to that bronzite countertop, why not settle for the equally durable but less pricey one?
Pick Your Team Members
It is impossible to take on a whole renovation project by yourself. Of course, you will need some professionals to help you on this task. Naturally, you should look for the ones who are properly insured and licensed. Home remodeling jobs are risky so you have to do your part to protect yourself from any shocking expenses.
Looking for the best team is not all about doing a basic reference check. Consider the fact that the top architect may not share your vision for your home. An older house requires a professional who knows how to deal with period homes.
Discuss the Contract
Whether you are renovating full-scale or are just going to do some carpentry basics, this project will require the services of both an architect and one general contractor. Any misunderstanding with either of these guys can spiral into a disaster.
To avoid such scenarios, you need to have a written contract that will cover both parties. Make sure that every team member signs and agrees to the said contract. Above anything else, you have to be certain about the types of materials that will be used, the duration of the project, etc.
Don’t agree to any verbal agreement. It is always safe to have everything written even if you trust the architect, general contractor, and the interior designer.
Do the Paperwork
Interior design reboots also require a lot of paperwork. You’ll need a permit so your renovation project can legally push through. A building permit may just be a piece of paper but it’s a piece of paper that assures you that the structure to be built will meet codes as well as all safety regulations.
Always Have a Plan B
Small or big, your remodeling project must come with a backup plan. Make room for delays, miscommunications, shortage of supplies, and equipment breakdown. Set some rules for your team members so that the project can run more smoothly.
Tags: home remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, remodeling, remodeling project, remodeling requirements, remodeling your home, remodeling your house
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Interior Design Reboot
Friday, January 27th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Blanco 46in Foyer Dining Table
Marrying your remodeling dreams with your pocketful of dollars can be a challenge. At least this is the case with most homeowners. But there are a lot of things that you can do in your home if you know how to manage your expenditure. What you need are a few tips that will help you get the hands that you need at the initial budget that you have set.
Today, you will focus on working with professionals that will help you realize your remodeling vision and understand the realistic cost behind it. You will also refine your plans so that your budget for the remodeling project will be commensurate to your visualization. You will, in essence, be acting like your own general contractor though you are expected to hire a team of professionals in the end.
Concocting the Dream Plan
Once you have chosen which experts to hire, it is time to sit down and discuss your renovation plan and budget with them. They are the professionals so expect to hear suggestions.
Make a list of all the things that drive you crazy in your home (excluding your mother-in-law). Show also a collection of home images which inspire you; this way, the pros will have an idea on what to begin with. Also, they will have an idea on what materials as well as styles you prefer.
Are you the eclectic type? Or do you prefer the stark yet elegant look that Scandinavian style offers? This will soon be clearly defined.
Have a measured drawing of your current home often referred to by architects as the as-built. This will come as a useful tool on the duration of the project.
Check the Budget
As the initial dimensions are set, it’s time for the rough order of magnitude. This is the cost comparison when you send the first plans to contractors for a quote. This is not similar to bidding so reasonable ballpark figures would do.
Your final number depends hugely on the kinds of materials and finishes that you choose. Majority of contractors do the price comparison for free though there are some who already charge for a minimal fee so be sure to ask.
Redefine Your Vision
As you receive the cost estimates, your architect will be your best friend since he will help you scale back especially when the ideal budget does not suit the project. He will also suggest alternatives so that you will remain on budget. This is referred to as value engineering.
Even if you have cash to burn, it pays to create features that are only worth their price. Ask yourself this important question – does this really matter?
Reward Due Diligence
As you near the completion of your design plan, ask your contractor to find some trivial things such as rotting walls, which walls are load-bearing, which rooms have water damage, etc.
It is not good to set foot to a project with a handful of unanticipated issues. Remember that a single mistake could cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
A few contractors offer pre-construction due diligence as a part of the project. When you contractor does not go through this step prior to work commencement, you could always ask how much he would charge for it.
Minor research on which parts of the home will affect the overall remodeling budget could be as cheap as $200 or a bigger researc could cost as much as $12,000. The latter is for a full set of the architectural plans.
This is an effective step to take prior to signing off on your final plan with the general contractor. Remember that this research is all too important and could definitely affect the scope of the eventual work (as well as the price).
Tags: home remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, remodeling, remodeling budget, renovation, renovation budget
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Match the Renovation Project With Your Budget
Monday, August 22nd, 2016
FFDM Circa 12602
In our kind of economy, you might be tempted to skip small home repairs. This is also the case with professional cleanups and inspection jobs. Minor repairs may appear, well, minor but if you keep putting off such projects, you could end up with thousands to tens of thousands. The $200 that you save today could easily turn to an expense of $3,000 the following month.
Invest a Little Dough
Consider allotting some money for small home repairs. Again, these seemingly small tasks could easily morph to huge, expensive jobs later. If you want to be ahead of many homeowners and save some money in the process, then you should be ready to take on even the smallest repair jobs. An ugly duckling house could be the next swan if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do a little maintenance work (or at least be willing to pay for the repairs).
It is a known fact that most homeowners have no idea what to look for when it comes to crucial repairs. Majority cannot see past an unpainted door, thick shrubbery and the like. In their eyes, the best homes are those that are beaming with activity, were pricey when it was offered in the market, and is pleasing to the eye (to begin with).
Necessary Cosmetic Work
When talking about cosmetic repairs or improvement, these are projects that do not require major construction tasks. For instance, installing new carpeting may be categorized as a cosmetic improvement in a home. On the other hand, the repair of a rotten bandboard is a repair project that cannot be handled by a non-professional.
Here are examples of cosmetic improvements that every home needs –
If you are able to do all these kinds of work by yourself, you’ll soon find out that your savings will compound annually. Obviously, you should leave some kinds of repairs to the professionals.
An example is electrical repair. Even if you think that replacing fuse is fairly easy, it is best to leave it to a licensed electrician.
House Repairs for Staged Homes
There are two kinds of pre-loved homes that are being sold in the market – one is the kind that is already painted, with grounds well-kempt, new carpets and such; while the other one is the kind of property that has deferred maintenance.
The second type is a home that is often in need of painting, carpeting, lawn repairs, etc. Examples are homes during the ‘70s with badly-damaged paint, kitchens with rotten cabinets, and rooms that are out of date. It could also be a home that still houses stove, refrigerators, and dishwasher.
The real estate market is a competitive one. If you are actively looking for a property at the moment but don’t have ample budget for a brand new home, then you have to know which repairs you need to address later on.
Caution
When buying a whole house that needs repairs, make sure that you hold an inspection. Allow a competent professional to do the assessments for you. For example, you may ask different experts such as a plumber, electrician and an engineer to look at specific areas in the house.
There are a couple of reasons why thorough inspections must be done before you begin further construction or interior design projects. First, cosmetic repairs may just be indications of more serious problems deep within the house. A wall that needs painting, for instance, could be the façade of a water-damaged inner wall.
The next time you encounter a minor house repair, you already know why you shouldn’t delay.
Tags: crucial home repairs, home remodeling, home repair, home repairs, important home repairs, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, remodel, remodeling a home, renovation, renovation and remodeling, renovation budget, renovation guidelines, renovation project, renovation tips, tips
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Remodeling | No Comments »
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