Home Remodelers Group asked:


A backyard isn’t the same as it used to be – a place to grill, where kids play ball, or just an extra spot to mow. Now the trend is to make the backyard an outdoor retreat or an extension to the house. The Home Remodelers Group® can help transform your outdoors into a beautiful year round sunroom, a deck for entertaining or even an outdoor kitchen.

As reported in the May 2006 Consumer Reports, designing and furnishing an outdoor room is the second most likely home-remodeling project to do. Specifically, approximately 1.2 million U.S. households will install a fully functional outdoor kitchen, according to a study by the industry research company inquiry.

In 2004, Better Homes and Gardens magazine received survey responses from nearly 60,000 Americans describing home improvement projects and future home-building aspirations. Better Homes and Gardens found that people want indoor/outdoor livability, technological innovations, flexibility for family needs and a kitchen-centric focus. (REMODELING Magazine, September 1, 2005)

Homeowners are seeking ways to make the outdoors a functional part of the living area. To accomplish that, the barriers between outdoors and indoors, such as walls and solid doors, are going away. As cited in “A Simple Way to Increase Outdoor Living Space” at HGPgal.com, for homeowners looking to add to their living space, improve their lifestyle and increase the resale value of their home, the perfect solution is to extend living areas outdoors through the addition of decks, patios, outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas.

“The line between the house and the outdoor space continues to disintegrate,” says Julie D. Taylor, author of Outdoor Rooms. “Many designers are using the same, or similar, materials both on the interior and exterior to extend the house to the outdoors. It breaks down the barrier and gives a feeling of a larger house.”

Alternatively, instead of thinking of the barriers disintegrating, another solution is effective indoor-outdoor connections. These connections can include French doors opening up onto a porch, or the addition of a window to expose a lovely view. Indoor-outdoor connections can be as simple as adding a mudroom between the garage and the home, or more complex, such as an outdoor entertainment area placed just outside the doors of a home’s main gathering space. Adding visual connections to the outdoors, such as through the addition of glass doors or enlarging a window, adds value to your home by making its interior space appear larger than it actually is. (“Connect Inside of Your House with the Beauty Outdoors,” Ann Robinson, Deseret News, April 2005)

To create the outdoor living space that you want, start by determining your budget and your desires.

Consumer Reports provides some tips about what to consider for building room extensions or outdoor entertainment areas:

* Determine how you will use your space

* Consider location

* Be sure to weatherproof

* Incorporate lighting and heat

* Consider safety

No matter what extension you decide to make, it will undoubtedly add value to your home. As cited by Ann Robinson in Deseret News, “Exterior living space adds usable square footage to your home without costing you the $120-plus per square foot you’d spend for the construction of an addition.”

The Home Remodelers Group® can work with you to determine your indoor-outdoor remodeling desires. We have many gorgous sunroom plans and other renovating features available on our website at www.homeremodelersgroup.com. So, if you need a new area to relax and enjoy reading your favorite book, a place to create a new home gym, a place to add a spa to create your own special oasis, or an area for entertaining family and friends, a new sunroom, deck, or outdoor kitchen may be the perfect solution. We can help bring the outdoors in or take your family out in a comfortable and relaxing setting.

For more information visit: http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/?source=articles



Charlie

The Angry Stick Man asked:


Its a pretty big job, would involve basically building a guest house w/bathroom/shower. Also carpeting, flooring, and painting. Just trying to see if there is a listing of contactors possible with customer feedback about the work.

Benjamin

Claire Schaper asked:


In this day where every homeowner in the country have saddened about some big loss on the equity of their abode, it just seemed wise to either keep it or rent it until the housing market goes back to normal. When? No one can say. But the situation is not all that bad if you where to stay in it, of course, as long as you can keep up with paying the higher mortgage interest, and just make it a future investment. Price may not be as it used to be when you first bought it, but 5 to 10 years from now, price should pick-up and you gain substantial amount of equity out of it. 

Weather you decide to keep it to live on or get it rented, one thing is sure. You want to keep your place as nice looking as it should. If you are staying, this of course if you have some money to spare, you might want to consider home remodeling, re-decorating or re-arranging for a different look and feel. You can do this on your own or with the help of your family member and friends. Maybe repainting the living room and re-arranging the furniture. Taking the clutter out and make it homier organized kind of house. Re-decorating your house not only will give you this “oh I like it” feeling, but it also gives you the sense of pride and relief that you might say to yourself, yeah, I’m glad I did not sell it. You maybe even say, well, it’s not all that bad after all. Your friends might even like it and have you do the re-decorating of their house for a fee! That’s just a thought.

However, if you really do need some cash to help you pay the increased payment in mortgage, in lieu of selling (first of all you cannot sell as the housing inventory is too high up), consider get it rented. But how can you compete with what’s available in the rental market in your neighborhood with the same layout, square footage, number of bedrooms and bath, etc? Mind you, a lot of them if they look old, rundown or even just the ordinary bare looking with no accent whatsoever take a lot longer to get a rented. Ones again, think about home remodeling or home improvement. Home remodeling does not need to be very pricey. You just need to have a clear picture of what you want done, check out the prices of materials you need, how many days will take and so on. If you are thinking of doing it yourself and you’re crunching with the time, then take a few days leave if you have some. But for those who doesn’t and cannot for whatever reason, you might want to consider hiring a home remodeling or home improvement contractor.

Hiring a home improvement contractor does not necessarily mean getting someone just down the street because “maybe” you will save some money. The average carpenter Jose down the street can probably do the job and he’s cheaper. I don’t necessarily agree. Regardless if you’re hiring Jose down the street, or hiring a licensed contractor, there should be a few things you need to consider before deciding who to hire to get the job done and do it right with a lot less money.  I say, look around, local yellow pages or Google it and look for home remodeling resource network. Most of these companies can connect you to the right candidate in your area with the following credentials: 1) they are licensed and bonded;  2) they have liability and workers compensation insurance, and 3) highest approval rating from Better Business Bureau (BBB). Most of the time, they would send you up to 3 pre-screened contractors and on top of that, this service along with the job quote is FREE for you. They will not charge you a dime as they deal directly with the contractor for whatever fee they charge. By doing this, the expense is within your affordability, the job is done to your instruction and specification and more importantly, in a timely manner.

In closing, I say whatever you decide, keep in mind some, if not all the pointers I shared with you. You ultimately decide what’s best for you. Just a hope that it is one wise and intelligent decision so it makes a long lasting productive effect for the future!

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This article is an original copyright of Claire Schaper, online media specialist for All Around Home Remodeling. For inquiry, e-mail Nir Arie at lionsmarketing@gmail.com or e-mail at 818-745-5168. You can also visit http://www.allaroundhomeremodeling.com.



Vivian

Michael d asked:


I just got a new iMac and I’m looking for a program that’s compatible with my new computer but I don’t want anything too expensive or too hard to learn how to use. Can anyone help me out?

Frederick

Shawn Bowman asked:


Copyright (c) 2007 Shawn Bowman

With home prices increasing and mortgage rates rising, many homeowners are opting to turn their current home into the home of their dreams through custom home remodeling.

The National Home Builders Association reports that approximately $280 billion was spent on home renovations in 20051. This amount is expected to continue to rise due to the concern for homeowners to add value to their existing home along with their desire to modernize their home. A custom remodel allows the homeowners to reflect their own style and individual tastes ? from integrating a theme to using unique styling and colors.

Two of the most popular custom projects consist of kitchen and bath remodels. These traditionally consist of incorporating a more luxurious look and feel to the existing rooms and may include adding custom products such as high-end tiling, fixtures or elements.

With the current trend in creating an ?open? kitchen and living area for entertaining, comes the emphasis of creating specialty areas specifically designed for individual family needs. With added square footage to open up an area, along with stunning granite countertops throughout, custom cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances that are as beautiful as they are functional, homeowners can now created a modern kitchen that takes center stage and looks fit for a gourmet chef to cook in.

The increasing desire for homeowners to remodel their homes can also be attributed to the increased interest in adding value to an existing home. By incorporating additional square footage, you?ve not only transformed the living space but you?ve instantly increased your home?s resale value. For example, a recent remodeling survey found a midrange remodel costing $10,499 would recoup 102.2% of its cost if the house sold within a year2.

Once you?ve made the decision to remodel, you?ll need to contact an experienced and reputable, licensed general contractor. When considering hiring a general contractor, it?s important to do your homework and thoroughly research your options. Your local homebuilder’s association is an excellent source to find out information on local and established general contractors. Also, ask the contractor for customer references and contact these customers to find out what type of work the contractor did as well as their opinion of the contractor.

What do you look for when hiring a contractor? Hiring the right contractor is detrimental to your remodeling project?s success. Below are some helpful tips to follow:

? Search for a contractor who specializes in the type of remodel job you are interested in.

? Find an experienced contractor who is established and has a presence within your community.

? It?s important to find a contractor who communicates with you and shows enthusiasm about the opportunity.

Your home is one of your most precious and valuable assets. Be sure to protect your investment by finding the right contractor for your remodeling project.

1www.nahb.org

2Weston, Liz Pulliam. (2007) The hottest remodeling trends for 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2007, from http://www.realestate.msn.com/Improve/Article



Rhonda

Asha asked:


Any homeowners would at least undertake one major home remodeling plan in the lifetime. There could be lot of reasons such as ugly wallpaper, stain, cracked or nasty linoleum floor. Mainly people deal with kitchen and bathroom remodeling and they also remain important, but might not be really necessary for all kind of homes, you need to make your choice according your needs.

The most excellent home remodeling ideas are the ones, which assure to develop your class of life. Bathroom and kitchen remodels might actually have the chief average fiscal return on the investment made, but any home remodeling plan would probably add to your land value and few add the complete cost of the renovation. Your principal want might be a home office or the cellar remodel. The family room might be in real bad form due to the pet damage that it’s pleading to be deal with first. In addition, you might not actually know what a possible home buyer is going to like most.

Major Home Remodeling Ideas

In spite of the home area you select for remodel, the input to a winning home remodeling project is simply planning. Trade shows, display area and the Internet are all amazing ways to make beginning ideas. You must give yourself for a while to get a sense for what you actually desire, the size of your project budget, and how you could get finance for the remodel. For big home remodels, a tradition floor plan and other building consents are obligatory before any real production starts. You of course don’t want to have entire answers, but the more you understand about what you need the more competent and annoy free your remodeling plan will be.

In addition, by taking a more practical, well-informed, and patient move towards your home remodeling project, you can actually reduce the risk of miscommunication among you and your contractor. You would further boost the ability of carrying out your home remodel/renovation and, certainly, decrease the actually cost of your plan, while yet getting all that you desire from your fresh home living area.

Not all home remodeling plans comprises wide planning and other floor plans. Replacing your boring wallpaper, counting storage cabinets, or just revamping could change some of your areas in home without the pricey process of an entire bathroom or the kitchen remodel. Another amazing foundation for home remodeling plan is to increase your money roughly and keep away from discarding all your dispensable cash into one particular area. This is particularly accurate for homeowners that carry some additional cash, will like to smarten up their home, but do not have one part of the home, which has any urgent remodeling needs. So decide upon your needs and work along with the contractor for completely home remodeling!

Asha is a Copywriter of Houston home remodeling.She written many articles in various topics such as Houston Home Repair,Home Remodeling in Houston. For more information visit: www.allphaserenovations.com. Contact her at allphaserenovations@gmail.com



Charlie

Taisha Grant asked:


Home Remodeling may or may not include flooring. The choice of flooring material available is quite impressive. The very choice of such a wide range of products makes the business of choosing comparatively easier. But it’s a Herculean task to decide upon a type of flooring that’s close to the budget and preference.

Flooring has been categorized as Antique, Bamboo, Chestnut, Commercial, Cypress, Engineered, Granite, Hardwood, Laminated, Limestone, Linoleum, Parquet, Refinished and Slate, Vinyl etc., etc.

Wooden flooring can either be new or antiques reclaimed from old homes. For instance, hardwood mix flooring - remilled from salvaged lumber is a good choice where a decision about the type of flooring suiting the need and personal style can’t be made. A first-growth hardwood is hardly available now, it’s better to go in for various types of woods salvaged from old homes and barns. Such reclaimed woods are treated, kiln dried and cut into various lengths.

Bamboo flooring is said to be denser than maple and more stable than red oak. Available in plenty, bamboo is cut into strips, pressure cooked and kiln-dried. Bamboo flooring is consistently colored and needs no staining.

Engineered flooring is modernized production of wood flooring. Made of three or more ply’s of wood, engineered wood has more stability than solid wood. This is available in different stains and finishes.

Floor tiles are available in various finishes, styles and colors. Porcelain tiles are treated in higher temperatures than the ceramic tiles. This makes the porcelain tiles stronger, denser and stain resistant. Porcelain tiles are designed to look like marble and can be used in kitchen and bath.

Ceramic tile is today one of the most used flooring materials. Available in an exciting range of colors including classic black and white, and various finishes, ceramic tiles can be easily installed as seamlessly as natural granite.

Linoleum is one of the most commonly used flooring materials for kitchens. It’s made from natural raw materials including linseed oil, chalk, wood flour, and pine resin. This floor covering comes in a range of over 30 colors in sheet, tile and planks. Linoleum is hard to beat for its durability, easy maintenance and environmental friendliness.

Granite makes an ideal floor covering with its natural hardness and non-porous surface. Unusual shade variations, colors and grain patterns make granite one of the favored flooring materials.

Whatever is the material chosen for flooring, care should be taken to see that it’s suitable for all the family members. Fancy, but hard to maintain or materials that require constant cleaning and are easily damaged should be avoided. Granite or ceramic tiles glow as much as they are polished. But polishing makes the surface slippery. Highly polished flooring proves to be hazardous to even the most agile and young person. When there are elderly people and children in the home, it’s advisable to keep the floor polishing to the minimum. Wooden flooring too needs careful handling and constant maintenance. Expert advice should be called for maintenance and repairs.

Flooring surface is important, but more important is the personal love and care that’ll keep the home warm and happy.



Adrian

russ_0067 asked:


My wife and I want to completely renovate two bathrooms in a home we are purchasing. There are just too many local choices to choose from. Are there any nationwide chains out there? In particular, ones that offer financing?

Bessie

Samuel’s Mommy! asked:


We bough a house and want to add garage, second floor, etc. Does the bank need to know that the house is being remodeled, meaning raising in value?

We don’t and aren’t planning on getting equity.

Thanks.
Yea, we got permits and everything from the city. what a rip off. lol

Earl

Jonathan Zemeckis asked:


If you have ever signed a contract for a home remodel, then you know how frustrating it can be when working with a general contractor and his entire team of subcontractors. As a former contractor in the Los Angeles area, I know exactly what you are up against when you hire a builder to work on your house.

The contractor ultimately wants to turn a profit while the homeowner wants his or her house built or remodeled exactly as they want. Both parties want something but ultimately the homeowner usually ends up paying a lot more money by the time the project is finally complete.

Additional construction costs usually occur because the initial contract was not detailed enough and didn’t cover potential construction issues. Ultimately, it’s poor communication that is at fault when the final bill far exceeds the original estimate. This article will discuss a few proactive methods a homeowner can take to avoid additional costs during their construction remodel.

The very first thing you can do when choosing a subcontractor is to try to find a local builder. And when I say local, I mean within 10-15 miles from the construction site. This isn’t always practical but if you can swing it, I would definitely get bids from contractors who are geographically close to your construction site (your home).

There are many benefits to choosing a local contractor. One benefit (and perhaps the most important), is the contractor is most likely familiar with your city building officials, planners, and inspectors. This lends to a more accurate, initial bid from the contractor because he or she will foresee potential building and inspection problems that a non-local contractor will miss altogether in the bidding process.

Another good reason to choose a local company is it makes it easier for the builder to inspect the job site and keep close tabs on his construction crew. Imagine being a contractor and having one project a few blocks away and another that is a 45 minute drive. Which are you going to visit more often?

Yet another benefit from choosing a local contractor is more than likely the contractor has a close network of local companies that he or she works with. This will lead to quicker response times and more efficient service.

Before you sign the dotted line and agree to a construction contract, ask your builder about their subcontractors. Are they local? Are they union?

Although union contractors are more expensive, their workers are usually more reliable and experienced than a non-union contractor. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. The point is you should be well informed about each of the subcontractors who intend to work on your home. You should request a meeting with each subcontractor, and discuss the project details with their job site foreman.

In case you didn’t know, subcontractors typically finance every one of their projects. It’s true. The builder will sign a contract with a subcontractor (such as a plumber) and then only pay the plumber after the completion of the project or at significant percentage intervals. This could be anywhere from 30 days to 180 days before the plumber receives a nickel for working on your home. Meanwhile, the plumber has purchased material, paid their workers, and possibly paid for necessary permits.

Essentially, the subcontractors are the bank! Why does this matter to you? It matters because if one of the subcontractors doesn’t get paid in a timely manner by your builder, you could very easily end up with a disgruntled crew working on your home. Or, even worse, a crew that refuses to show up to the job site because the builder is late with their payments.

To help facilitate payments, it’s always a good idea to maintain a relationship between the builder’s superintendent and the subcontractor’s individual foremen (the men in charge of their respective crews).

I’ll forewarn you: the builder will get upset if you try to maintain contact with their subcontractors. The builder loses a little bit of control when you are communicating directly with the subs. By communicating directly with the subcontractors, you will have a direct hand in the building or remodel of your home, and you can easily avoid costly mistakes made during construction.

If you really want to take control and make sure the subcontractors are happy, you could cut checks directly to them and avoid paying the builder altogether. You would need to prearrange this prior to signing the contractors estimate. When this happens (and I’ve seen it a lot), the subcontractors tend to work in favor of the homeowner and will put the extra effort into giving the homeowner exactly what he or she wishes.

While there are many tips I can give you for working with your builder, the above listed ones are probably the most effective for maintaining a productive environment for your home remodel.



Arnold