Remodeling Tips for New Homeowners

Remodeling Tips for New Homeowners

Everyone has their reason for embarking on a home remodeling project, but the thrill remains the same, especially as a new homeowner. Perhaps, you want to improve the value of your home or want it to fit your style? Regardless, it’s an exciting project that comes with a lot of work— sometimes more than bargained.

It can be devastating to embark on a remodeling project only to realize halfway that it’s unachievable. So, whether you will be getting the assistance of a remodeling company or you’ll be handling this project alone, here are five tips you should know before starting.

1. Try to ask for help:

img

It takes more than a pair of jeans and a well-equipped toolbox to produce quality work on a renovation project. First off, as an amateur, certain tools aren’t suitable for you. Secondly, YouTube tutorials may not always have all the answers and solutions you need.

So, except remodeling is something you have years of experience in, don’t shy away from asking for help. A simple Google search should come in handy in this respect. For example, if you live in Houston, Texas, a quick search for Houston, Tx remodeling company should deliver some viable results.

2. Make a priority list:

While some people can afford to stay in hotels during home renovations, you may not have that luxury and will have to keep living in your home during the renovation.

The best way to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the home renovation process is to tackle time-sensitive projects first, like water damage or a leaking roof. Additionally, areas of the house you use frequently should be a top priority. That way, you can still go about your daily life even though your home is under renovation.

3. Set a budget:

img

Contrary to what some TV shows make us believe, remodeling a house can run your account dry, especially if you don’t have an accurate budget.

So, the next step after drawing out a plan would be to determine your budget and financing. Although budgeting isn’t the most fun thing to do (as it requires you to find a balance between the available finance and your dream design), it’s an essential part of the remodeling process because it helps you gauge your expectations.

Your budget should ideally include everything from the costs for permits to building materials, labor, painting, and cosmetic touch. It’s easier to stick to your budget if it’s accurate.

So, make sure you get a contractor to review it or request cost estimates from professionals. You can look up companies in the Houston area that offer free estimate and consultation services to save costs here.

4. Remember the big picture:

When taking up a remodel project, it’s essential always to keep the big picture in mind. Remember that energy costs, water bills, and repair expenses can add up quickly in the future. So, make sure you include them all in your plan. Furthermore, since you’re remodeling, you may want to invest in sustainable appliances that respect resources and support sustainable living.

This is especially vital for a bathroom renovation. This area of the home can spike up your future heating and water costs. In a nutshell, you need to consider ways to save money both now and in the future; your bank account will thank you for these decisions in years to come.

5. Don’t focus solely on design:

img

Sure, many of us have a design that fits our style in mind before embarking on a remodel project. Perhaps, it’s your kitchen, bedroom, or study that concerns you. However, you’ll have to find a balance between getting the design you want and maintaining functionality.

Many contemporary homes now blend functionality with design. For instance, if you have a small kitchen space, you may want to consider forfeiting some fixtures like the planning desk that no one really uses. That way, you save on space and maintain functionality.

Read Also:

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Plumbers

Best Plumbers in Singapore by SG HomeNeeds

Sometimes the DIYer inside you might come out and try to take the issue into hands, but most of the time, it ends up being temporarily fixed or getting worse. So, it’s always advisable to get a professional hand to get the work done. What do you do when you have to find a good plumber? What’s your reliable and go-to source who can’t go wrong? If you don’t have one and always look at several options and get confused about choosing the perfect one, you’re at the right place. SG HomeNeeds provides the best-reviewed plumbers in Singapore. Read through for the measures SG HomeNeeds follow to curate a list of exceptional plumbing services for your needs. The measures SG HomeNeeds follow: 1. License: First and the most basic measure we follow to find out if the company is eligible to serve you is to check their license. The license gives the official recognition to the companies that they’re certified to do the work, and they follow all the required safety measures. We always cross-check their license and always keep an eye on the license expiry date. Make sure they’ve completed all the updates, certifications, and pieces of training come along with the permission. Not only the companies, but we also check individual employee licenses too. Well, we want to give the best to you. 2. Insurance: Insurance is most crucial when it comes to the plumbing services where the chances of the worse situation are high. The substantial pipe breaks, drainage clogs, toilets, etc. can get expensive and hard to get rid of. In those cases, insurance can be helpful. Most of our shortlisted plumbing services protect costly services and regular plumbing maintenance. 3. Test & Trail: Along with checking the certification, we also test every company we suggest for you. They have to undergo several examinations to test their technical knowledge and practical tests to check their experience. We also review the customer experience personally once they complete alive a job and make sure they perform well and reach to customer’s expectation. 4. Satisfaction Survey: Of course, the active job is different than the practicals that are conducted in-house. Examinations give them knowledge, but every issue is different and can’t be replicated. Then how do we know if they perform well in the active job? We take a satisfaction survey from every customer and improve ourselves and the plumbing partners(plumbers). We don’t encourage any disrespectful behavior or unprofessionalism and take strict action of such cases. New customers can directly view the review from previous customers and choose one on their own. 5. Time & Efficiency: An experienced professional can finish the job earlier than a regular plumber. Whenever you approach us for a service, and we give the tentative time required to complete the job and try to put the efficient plumber at your service. Our motto is to provide nothing but the best to you, and we stick to it. We take care of all the required things to give you a list of the best plumbers in your locality. But it’s in your hand to choose the better one who you think can work for you. Below are some of the parameters you might want to consider before finalizing a plumbing service: As we discussed earlier, the license is one of the most efficient ways to find a good dealer. So, verify their certification. Check for their ratings and reviews and shortlist a few. Ask them for a personal visit to the affected area, enquire about the resolution and an estimated costing. Approach 3-4 different plumbing service companies and compare their pricing. Always monitor while they’re working when you finalize a company so that you can be an alibi if something goes wrong or to give a useful review if they fulfill the work effectively. Now we’ve given you the vital information on how we provide the best plumbers in Singapore and what are measures you need to check to choose the best one out of them. Now, we’ve reduced your effort to run around many plumbing services and get confused about what you need to choose. Get in touch with us today! Read Also: Top Local SEO Tips For Plumbers A Guide to Starting a Plumbing Business

READ MOREDetails
Common Household Accidents

4 Ways To Prevent Common Household Accidents

It’s easy for accidents to happen around the home. Even some of the most common household accidents in the home can lead to serious injuries or even death. Part of the reason may be because one’s home is the place where they feel the safest, so one might not be on guard. The good news is there are several ways to prevent these accidents from occurring. 4 Ways To Prevent The Most Typical Household Accidents  Most residential people think these accidents are very common. Yes, these are not like road accidents or earthquakes. But these small accidents can harm your whole body, which is no less than any road accident. Here are the easy ways to prevent the most typical types of common household accidents. 1. Preventing Falls Kids and older people can easily trip and fall, although these occurrences are not limited to just older people. No matter your age, tripping, and falling can lead to broken bones or concussions. It's important to ensure you are cautious around the house. Make sure you don’t have clutter on the floors and place non-slip mats on hard surfaces.  Stair falls are the most common household accidents. That can be particularly pretty dangerous, especially for older people. Consider ways of mitigating issues, such as adding brighter lights to dark areas. As you get older, you may even consider putting a home lift in. That way, you won’t have to worry about the stairs as you get older. Installing one of the superior domestic lifts available today can increase your home’s value while keeping everyone safe. Consider Going Through: Senior Staircase Safety: What You Need to Know 2. Preventing Cuts Cuts are a common type of injury, especially in the kitchen. While you may feel sharp knives can be more likely to cut you, it’s actually better to use a sharp knife instead of a dull one since it is less likely to slip. Ensure you use a non-slip cutting mat. So it does not slide around while in use. Any types of cuts are common household accidents. But when you are having different types of utensils and sharp things in your house, you have to be pretty careful. Cuts can happen anytime when you are handling any type of sharp object. For example, cuts are most common during the chopping of vegetables. So how can you prevent these? Keep utilizing the covering after using the sharp things. And always keep handy, fast aid kits for eliminating the excessive blood-flowing chances after cuts. 3. Avoiding Poisoning You need to prioritize keeping your home clean; however, kids are even more likely to be poisoned since they might be curious about cleaning products, medicines, and other toxic substances and want to try them out. Still, you could also be at risk through other avenues. Carbon monoxide is hard to detect, but it can lead to poisoning.  The most common fatal household poisoning accidents are lead poisoning and typical plant insecticides or nonhuman medicines. You must maintain a safety protocol. Make sure that all household cleaners and medications are out of reach and in locked cabinets. These should be childproof locks to keep the kids out of the supplies. Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide tester in each part of the home. Test the batteries often. You may consider using nontoxic cleaning products on a regular basis to reduce further the risk of your kids getting into them. Things like baking soda and vinegar can be effective at getting your surfaces clean, and they are not toxic to your kids. Consider Going Through: Top 7 Home Security Mistakes That Homeowners Need To Avoid Making 4. Preventing Burns At Home Of course, the kitchen is an obvious location when you think about burns, but that’s not the only spot you need to be careful in. Your water heater should be set to a low enough temperature that you are not scalded while washing dishes or taking a shower. And when it comes to fire safety, make sure you never leave your stove on while unattended.  Ensure there are fire extinguishers in an easy-to-access area. It is also critical to ensure smoke detectors are in working condition. It's often wise to replace batteries twice a year, even if they still seem to be working. Burning and blistering are common household accidents. How to prevent it? For more burn cases, you have to take help from the hospitals. But you can treat small blisters and boil at home. Conclusion: All of these four are common household accidents. You can easily overcome the chances of these accidents. But the easy solutions are to keep it handy in a small first aid box. Small cuts and brushes can happen at any time. Your first aid box will help you to minimize the blood flow. But for Severe cases, you have to take help from professional doctors and hospitals. Read Also: Roof Repair: Should You Hire Roofers or DIY? How to Protect Your Wood Flooring in a Busy Household

READ MOREDetails
Smart House Upgrades

8 Smart House Upgrades that are Totally Worth the Money

Looking to add a little resale value to your house? Choose wisely! Some house upgrades are worth it, but not all of them are a great investment. Smart house upgrade is essential for your lovely home. Upgrade your home the right way. Increase the value of your home with smart upgrades that return your money and then some! Different ways Smart House Upgrades can make things easier for you. 8 Smart House Upgrades that Pay Off Here are some of the best ways to upgrade your home and increase the resale value. These 8 ideas are totally worth the money! 1. Clean, Fresh Paint: When a buyer walks in, they want to see bright, clean rooms. Your paint has a lot to do with how the sunlight affects a room. A fresh paint job can brighten any room in the house. You don't necessarily need to go neutral, but your choice in paint colors can affect your potential buyer's feelings about your house. If you're not selling just yet, the right colors can also help lighten your own mood. Choose a palette that you like. But, don't stop there. Make sure it compliments your home's age, style, and architecture. Check out these ideas for a modern look! 2. Modernize the Kitchen: Look at the age of your appliances and countertops. Are they in poor repair or stained? If so, you should consider replacing them. Here's a list of kitchen upgrades that you can benefit from. Newer, energy efficient appliances Countertops that suit the space Refinish cabinets Tile backsplash Sink upgrades Accent paint Save some cash! Check out dent and scratch or discontinued appliances. Discontinued tile can be used to make an attractive backsplash, too. You can get huge savings from buying these options. Look for ways to accent and offset countertops and cabinets in your kitchen for a more modern look. Check out paint pallets that give your kitchen a pop of color and make your cabinets stand out. 3. Programmable Thermostat: This is such a simple upgrade, but it gives your house a modern feel. Programmable thermostats are affordable and easy to install. Many are also easy to manage from your phone! An added bonus for installing a programmable thermostat is instant energy savings on your electric bill! 4. Upgrade Bathrooms: Ugly bathrooms can send a potential buyer out the door. Check out your bathrooms for any of these problems and fix them! Stained toilet bowls and seats Leaky faucets Outdated fixtures Old tile and paint Evidence of flooding Damaged cabinetry You can easily and affordably upgrade a bathroom by switching out any old fixtures and lighting. But, making sure the bathroom is clean and in good working order is a priority. 5. Landscaping: Ever heard of curb appeal? This house upgrade is a must. The first look a buyer has as they walk to your front door can influence their opinion about the whole house! Walk outside and check your landscaping, in the front and the back of your home. Consider these upgrades for landscaping your home. In the front: Clean, groomed lawn Flowers and shrubs that are trimmed Trees that cut back and look nice A walkway that invites people to come in In the back: A patio or deck for entertaining Trees and flowers for privacy and color Fences in good repair Clean, groomed lawn A small gardening area Your landscaping matters in the value of your property. It should be well maintained and easy to upkeep. Good landscaping invites you to come out and enjoy the outdoors! 6. Install Solar Panels: Nothing is more attractive to a potential buyer than the idea of their new home saving them money. If you've already installed solar panels, then you've given them a step up in that direction. Solar power is a responsible energy choice and it will save you money in the long run. That's good for you while you live in your home. It's great for potential buyers, too. Your new buyer will instantly save on energy costs. You've already made the investment for them! This increases the value of your home and makes the buyer more willing to pay the price you are asking. 7. New Flooring: You've got fresh paint and clean rooms, but your flooring is filthy and worn. That won't work when you sell your home. Take a look at high traffic areas, carpets, and tiles. Is anything stained, worn or broken? If so, you need to replace it. Look for neutral carpet colors. You want any type of furniture or paint to work well with your choice. Avoid white or extremely pale colors because they are so hard to maintain. If you are replacing only one room of carpet, try to make it closely match what is already in the house. Nothing looks worse than mismatched carpet. Tile can be a really affordable upgrade. It should be easy to maintain, durable and neutral. Make sure stone tile doesn't have a lot of nooks and crannies for dirt to hide. You can even get a tile that looks like wood! Take a look at options in your hardware store. Save yourself some cash! If you are replacing a whole house of carpet or tile, try to find discontinued items at your local hardware store. They may be cheaper but are still good quality and new. Another way to save is to learn to install flooring yourself. There are plenty of books at your local library and YouTube videos to teach you how. 8. Basement Improvements: Paying outright to have the basement turned into a high-class lounge might not pay off. However, putting in the time and effort to fix up and finish off your existing basement can have an amazing return on investment. If your basement is unfinished, check it out for these problems. Cracks in walls or floors Wood damage to the supporting structure Leaks and flooding damage Excessive clutter For already finished basements, here are some things to think about. Patch damaged walls and repaint Paint the ceiling bright white Replace all light bulbs Install more lighting to brighten the room Remove excess, unused furniture Go with a traditional theme Fix any problems you find and clear out the clutter. A man cave or game room may be exciting for you, but tame down your theme if it's over the top. Your potential buyer wants to see open, clean space. Let them imagine how they might use it. Upgrade Your Home, Today: If you really want to increase the resale value of your home, pick one or more house upgrades on this list. The money you invest will be worth it. Check out these interesting articles about home and garden topics! Read Also: Smart Fun Gardening: How To Take Care Of A Money Tree Why Renting A Duplex House May Be Right For You

READ MOREDetails