1.  BEGIN A PROJECT WITHOUT PREPLANNING

• Most people begin their home renovation projects without much pre-planning and believe they’ll just work out the details and figure it out as they move along.
• But for a successful home renovation project you need to follow a plan!
• For bigger projects, you’ll need to invest in a set of detailed construction drawings with plans, elevations and details.
• If you’re simply updating a bathroom and introducing new materials have a list that covers the scope of what your project entails. Without planning – rest assured, you will experience one delay after another and throw good money after bad.
• Do not demolish anything unless you have a documented plan.

2.  OVER-UPGRADING OR SCRIMPING ON THE RENOVATION

• When the scope of the project and the final result is disproportionate with the home’s market value, then there’s a problem.
• Whether you live in a more modest community, renovate and update your home according to what your neighborhood will tolerate.
• Don’t scrimp in the high-end market and don’t overspend on the lower end market.

3.  DIY PROJECTS GONE AWRY

The reality is that DIY projects typically take three to four times longer than it would take for a skilled contractor to do it. Do you have the luxury of time on your side?

• Many DIY projects become even more complicated than expected. Approximately 20% of ambitious home remodelers eventually have to call in a professional to not only complete the work, but fix that damage that the homeowner caused.
• Try to stick to painting, cabinet staining, re-facing and clean up.
• A poor substandard job will show like a flashing beacon and no one will be willing to pay top dollar for that.

This year the more popular home renovations tend to be smaller in scale - where function trumps flash.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2010 cost vs. value report, the smaller tweaks and midrange interior and exterior projects are yielding the biggest bang for the buck. In other words the more moderate home improvement projects prove to be the most cost effective.

So if you’re thinking of selling your home now or in the near future, consider these top 5 home remodeling projects to help turn your current house into someone else’s home.

1. CURB APPEAL

First impressions are everything and you don’t have to be a real estate agent to know that. If your house is unappealing from the outside those potential buyers may never make it through the front door. A great first impression could add a good 10% to the value of your home.

• Define a clear pathway.
• Upgrade your front door.
• Update old windows with energy efficient products.
• Replace your siding, as it tends to be the least costly upgrade.
• Add a porch or deck. (any extension to the outdoors)
• Add Architectural Details such as trims, shutters and moldings.
• Add a new fence, trellis or gate.
• Landscaping.
• Roofing - replace or repair shingles if damaged.
• Exterior Lighting.
• Fresh Paint.

2. MINOR or MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL

Just to give you an idea how important kitchens are to a home’s value - Here in the US we spend almost $200 billion a year on home renovation projects and $15 billion of that are spent on kitchen renovations. If your kitchen’s layout works perfectly well, just making some simple updates will appeal to the perfect buyer.

Either way when you go to sell your house - keep in mind that you’re essentially selling your kitchen and the emotions attached!

• Upgrade the appliances to stainless, as it has become the new standard finish in kitchen appliances.
• Countertops and Sinks. Consider Quartz surfaces, which are available in a multitude of colors, and finishes for its wonderful properties. They are highly durable, non porous and easily maintained.
• Kitchen sinks are available in all shapes and sizes to compliment and fit within your kitchen - from under mount, top mount and integral seamless sinks.
• Cabinets and Hardware: repaint, re-stain or reface all door and drawer fronts if the layout still works - otherwise plan for new and improved cabinetry.
• Replace and update old flooring with vinyl, ceramic, hardwood, concrete or stone.

3. MINOR BATH REMODEL

Just simple upgrading of sinks faucets and fixtures will add value, style and sophistication.

• If your master bath has one sink only and you have a 6′long space, add two new under mount sinks.
• New countertops and cabinetry really set the stage for the space and are critical elements in creating a beautiful spa like environment. Consider certain marbles, soapstone, bluestone or limestone to create a sense of luxury.
• Furniture-like cabinetry in deep warm woods evokes richness.
• Flooring such as ceramic, stone, concrete and woods
• Frameless glass shower enclosures undoubtedly add to a spa-like atmosphere.

4. CONVERTING UNFINISHED ATTICS INTO BEDROOMS

• Increasing the amount of livable space is still very important to homeowners and potential buyers - and repurposing existing space is the most cost effective way to achieve that. It’s much more cost effective than adding on, as well as being the green thing to do.
• If you have the attic space you could develop a 15′ x15′ bedroom c/w a 5×7 bath and shower. Or utilize that finished attic space as a home office/guest suite. Allocate this new square footage to appeal to you as well as the buyer.

5. DEVELOPING BASEMENTS INTO AN ADDED LIVING SPACE

• Developing the basement into a finished and livable entertainment space.
• Create an added bedroom and bath, office, laundry or game room.
• Provide ample built-in storage, playroom and finished bedroom.

If you’re in the process of renovating your home, you might want to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. There are hundreds of paint choices but if you are considering repainting your home why not go with an environmentally friendly paint. Those who choose to use environmentally friendly products for remodeling a home will need to spend a little extra money.

Eco-friendly paints cost a few dollars more per gallon than traditional oil or latex based paints. However, they are safer and last just as long as the oil or latex based paints. Therefore, many believe they are worth the extra cash.

There are many environmentally friendly paints to choose from.

1. Low VOC Paints — Due to environmental regulations and increasing consumer demand, paint companies have developed new house paints that emit little or no VOCs. This is achieved by using water as a base instead of traditional, petroleum-based oil solvents. Low VOC paint is now widely available at most hardware stores with prices comparable to more traditional paint.

2. Natural Paints — A natural paint does not contain heavy metal or any VOCs. Natural paints and wood finishes are often composed of natural plant dyes, oils, and waxes. There are various forms of natural paints on the market, including clay and milk based paints. These natural paints still have a ways to go as they tend to be more expensive and all less durable than traditional paint.

3. Lime Wash — A reasonably inexpensive green alternative to traditional paint is lime wash. Limestone, a calcium-based mineral, is combined with water to form a simple, natural paint that is the basis of all whitewashes. Lime wash can be used indoors or outdoors and forms a unique, glowing finish that comes in a variety of colors.

As your start to tackle your next renovation project consider all your paint options and how they fit into your plan. Eco-friendly paint is just one step in making your renovation green.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air we breathe indoors is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and considered to be a major health hazard. Paints, stains, and other coatings are the second-largest source of VOC emissions, after automobiles. If you consider how much time we spend in our homes, it’s scary to think how unhealthy our indoor air quality is. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are toxic emissions that are released into indoor air through paints and finishes, sometimes for years after they were applied.

Bathroom renovations are one of the most popular renovation projects undertaken by Massachusetts homeowners. Bathrooms are important rooms in any home. Whether you are considering the addition of a bathroom or renovation or enlarging an existing bathroom there are many good reasons to undertake a bathroom renovation. Here are six of the most common reasons for bathroom renovations.

1. It is a good investment in the value of a home. The size and adequacy of the bathrooms is often a major consideration in the decision to purchase a home. Outdated or inadequate bathrooms can have a significant effect on the perceived value of a home. In terms of return on your investment in the bathroom renovation when you sell your home, you can expect, in most regions, to recover the majority of your investment.

2.  The bathroom needs repair. All bathrooms show signs of damage, wear and tear, and aging of materials and fixtures over time. The need to make repairs is often a good reason to completely renovation a bathroom. While the repairs are the main focus of the renovation, other features can also be updated.

3.  The color of bathroom fixtures is not to your liking. Fads in decorating colors come and go. Decorating trends change every three to five years. Some of the colors used for bathroom fixtures and design in the past strike us as “ugly” or “date” the bathroom to some period in the past. Whether you dislike the co lour scheme of your bathroom or you just want a change, a bathroom renovation might provide the fresh appearance you want.

4.  The fixtures need to be updated or upgraded. Styles in fixtures and surrounds change over time. Builders often use less costly fixtures at the time of construction. Someone who owned the home before you might have redecorated the bathroom in a style that doesn’t appeal to you. These are popular reasons to renovate and modernize a bathroom.

5.  More space is needed in the bathroom. Big bathrooms are a definite trend in new home construction today. You might want to enlarge your bathroom to make it more appealing to potential buyers. You might just feel a need for more space. Whether the master bath is too small for two people or the second bathroom is too small for the three teenagers who share it, enlarging a bathroom is a very common reason for renovating.

6.  The bathroom needs to be safer. Thousands of accidents and injuries happen in bathrooms every year. Whether you are thinking of your children, yourself, your parents, or your future needs, a safety upgrade is often the reason for bathroom renovation.

If you are evaluating any of these needs or situations, a Massachusetts bathroom renovation might be the right choice in your home.

Five Tips to Help You Hire the Best Amherst Remodeling Contractor for Your Remodel

Finding and hiring the right Amherst remodeling contractor for a remodel is a matter of doing your research, asking a lot of questions, checking information and taking the time to think carefully about choosing a contractor for a remodeling project. No matter how large or small the project, these are the most important five tips that will help you make the right choice for your home remodel.

1. Choose an Amherst remodeling contractor with a record of success in your community and with both knowledge and experience in the kind of work you want done. One sure sign of a reliable contractor will be a business that is well established in the community. People in the community will know about the contractor, and people will know what kind of work the individual does. Experience with the kind of work you want done is also very important. Some remodeling projects require knowledge of a large range of building materials, current design trends, and a large number of different kinds of work. Experience will tell you a lot about how qualified a contractor is for a particular job.

2. Check out the Amherst remodeling contractor’s background and vital information. Make sure any contractor you consider hiring has the license and certification required by your state. Make sure that license is current. Also check that the contractor has appropriate insurance and check to be sure it is current. Check to see if the individual has a criminal record. Check with the Better Business Bureau and the local courts for complaints and lawsuits against the contractor. You probably won’t want to hire someone with a long record of complaints.

3. Spend time evaluating the Amherst remodeling contractor’s work. Get a list of previous jobs and references. Take the time to contact each reference and, when possible, try to see the end result of some of the contractor’s previous jobs. Always ask previous customers how they felt about the experience of working with the contractor and whether they would enthusiastically recommend him or her.

4. Spend time talking with each Amherst remodeling contractor you consider. Go into the conversation with a clear description of what you want to accomplish and as many details as you can gather about the details of the job and your expectations. Ask all of the questions you want to ask about the contractor’s business, your project, how you might get high quality work at a lower cost and how he or she prepares estimates. Then ask for a written estimate that uses your specifications for the project and clearly states materials costs, labor costs and a total final cost for the project.

5. Then once you have carefully compared and evaluated all of the estimates (at least 5), choose a contractor and get a good contract based on the total final cost of the project – not materials cost plus or an estimated cost.

These tips will help you find and hire the best Amherst remodeling contractor for your remodel. Be sure to hire a contractor with whom you feel comfortable. By doing your homework, you can make a smart hiring decision and work with a contractor who will do a great remodel.

Choosing the right Massachusetts remodeling contractor is the most important aspect of any home improvement or remodeling project. You must take your time and do your research to find a good qualified Massachusetts remodeling contractor if you want excellent quality at a fair price.

Determine exactly what you want done and write it down. This may sound a little basic at first blush, but it is so important. Remember what is not well defined is easily manipulated. If it is not in writing, it can be disputed. You do two things when you define your project in detail, and in writing. You find any missing aspects that you may have overlooked and you have good definition and expectations for your contractor.

Get three (3) bids for each trade that you will hire. Never rely on one bid, and always meet the contractor face to face at the site where the work is to be done. If you are uncomfortable with the contractor when they are bidding the job how is it going to be when the two of you have to work out the details of your project. Remember cheaper is not always better!

Ask each Massachusetts remodeling contractor for references and make sure they are bonded and insured. Check their references and call the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in your area to see if they have any outstanding complaints.

Make sure they don’t sub the work out to a contractor that is not insured or bonded. It is very common for a contract company to sub out work to contractors that are not insured and bonded. Another danger of the Massachusetts remodeling contractor subbing work out is if they don’t pay their sub, the sub can put a mechanics lien on your house and you will have to pay even if you have already paid the contractor.

Set a definite timeframe for the work to begin and for completion and get it in writing. Nothing is worse than to have a project drag on not knowing when they are going to show up and finish.

Never, ever pay for the entire remodeling project in advance. If you do the contractor has no incentive to finish or even start. When you no longer have the money you are no longer in control! It is customary with most contractors that you pay a portion up front. On a large project hold back as much money as you can until the end. The incentive to finish must be motivated by the cash at the end of the project.

The key to a smooth kitchen remodel can be summed up in one word, Planning! If that didn’t sink in, read that last sentence again. I can’t stress strongly enough how important the planning stages are in a kitchen remodel. There are a hundred reasons not to rush into a project like this. If everything goes perfectly while installing a new kitchen, it is still rather trying. Add some speed bumps into the mix and it turns into a pull out you hair experience. You will need to do as much as possible in order to not leave anything out

Planning is absolutely essential in remodeling a kitchen. The homeowner should first identify the main objectives of their future kitchen. They should next research the latest products on the market including: cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. If the kitchen is more than 5 years old, there are a lot of new products to choose from. For example, Silestone is quickly surpassing Granite and Corian, as the premier countertop surface as it is extremely hard, elegant in appearance, and comes in many colors. For cabinets, the trend appears to be towards lighter colors as they help the appearance of lightening and enlarging a room. In regards to appliances, the Stainless Steel look appears to be in. And for flooring, vinyl or wood is the trend. Tile looks nice, however, it can be unforgiving in a room where things tend to get dropped. In addition, if there is no radiant heating planned for the floor, tile has the tendency to feel cold on the feet.

If you are looking for a professional remodeling company please call us today at 413-386-4739 or complete our online service request form.

Every homeowner wants to feel confident about the safety of his/her family. Massachusetts homeowners know the bathroom can be the most dangerous room in the house. In addition to the risk of personal accidents and injuries, electrical receptacles and plumbing could pose a risk of damage to the home itself.

If your bathrooms have not been updated in ten to fifteen years (or more), a safety update in your bathrooms might be a wise and timely investment. Do you have the same electrical outlets beside your bathroom sink that has been there since the house was built thirty years ago? Have your plumbing fixtures, pipes and fittings been upgraded or updated since the house was built? If not, it might be time for a safety upgrade.

Here are some of the basic updates and upgrades you might want to make in your bathrooms:

• Change electrical outlets and switches to moisture-proof models, especially if they are near sources of water (sink, toilet, tub or shower)
• Install GFCI (Ground-fault circuit interrupters) on all electrical outlets in bathrooms, especially if they are near sources of water. These will prevent short circuiting if water is splashed on them.
• Change all faucets to anti-scald models. This will protect you and your children from unexpected harm.
• Install showers and tubs with non-slip tray surfaces or install other non-slip materials to make these fixtures safer.
• Be sure any steps or platforms leading to tubs or showers have non-slip surfaces and that these areas are brightly lit.
• Use safety glass in any windows or doors that are near a tub or shower to prevent further injury if someone slips.
• Either don’t put a separate light in the shower, or be sure to use lighting fixtures designed to be used in high-moisture areas. These are designed to protect the lighting and the electrical connections.
• Install bright lights around the tub and shower so water on the floor will be easier to see and falls can be prevented.
• Check the stability and likelihood of tipping of any stepstool or bench used by children to reach a bathroom sink.
• Install safety latches on any bathroom cabinets used for storing medicine, dietary supplements or any potentially hazardous chemicals or cleaning products (even if it is not the bathroom the children customarily use).
• If you plan to replace faucets as part of your upgrade, choose faucets with lever handles. These are much easier to use, particularly for people with disabilities and the aging.
• Install grab bars beside shower, tub and toilet. Not only are these accessories helpful for the disabled, they can prevent falls for people of all ages.

These tips will help you take the most important steps in making your bathroom safer for your family.

A home remodeling contractor should ideally be someone that you feel comfortable working with. After all, this person will be working in your home amongst your personal possessions and family members for several weeks or longer, depending upon the difficulty and scope of your particular project. For many people, this poses quite a problem. Unless you happen to know a contractor personally, it will probably be challenging for you to find the right person for the job. What you should realize up front is that this process requires time and patience on your part. If you dedicate yourself to finding the right person for the job, however, all of your time and effort will be well worth it in the end.

A reputable remodeling contractor should be able to provide you with sufficient proof of his or her credentials, including licenses and insurance coverage. Insurance coverage is just as important as professional licenses because you want to know that the professional you hire has protection not only for you, but for his or her workers in case something should happen on your property. If a contractor seems reluctant or unwilling to provide you with the appropriate credentials, then simply walk away and move on to someone else. Many people wonder how they should go about finding a reputable home remodeling contractor in the first place. The best answer to this dilemma is to have a friend or relative who can recommend a contractor to you. If you don’t know of anyone who has had remodeling work done fairly recently, then you will be facing a much bigger challenge to find a good remodeling contractor.

If you cannot rely on personal recommendations for finding a contractor, then your next best option is to ask around at your local home improvement stores. Often times, the people working in various departments will be able to provide you with the names of at least a couple of local contractors. If you still need more people to contact, try searching online. Once you have found about five or six potential contractors, start calling them to begin your investigative work. This should have you well on your way to finding the perfect remodeling contractor for your project.

If you are looking for a professional remodeling company please call us today at 413-386-4739 or complete our online service request form.