Whether you have owned your home for a few months or many years, all homeowners can benefit from a home remodel. Remodeling projects greatly vary – are you looking to spruce up a fireplace surround, or is your home in need of a complete home makeover? If you feel it’s time for a home overhaul, a remodel can make your dreams come true and help you turn your house into the home you’ve always imagined. Before you get started, however, know that the remodeling process itself can give you nightmares. You should proceed with caution if you are thinking about a home remodel. Read on for more guidance on this endeavor.

Before you even start the process, you must first set aside a budget for this project. How do you know you have enough? Put together a list of your desired remodel projects and get an estimate from several contractors; this will give you a good idea of what your home remodel will cost. How do you look for good contractors? Begin by checking the phone book and websites for contractors in your area. Ask friends, family and coworkers if they have any personal experience working with a contractor they would recommend.

When searching for the right contractor, remember to check their experience and expertise. Have they been in business for a long time? Do they specialize in particular remodel projects? It is also a good idea to ask for references. A good contractor will have many references to share with you. Be wary of those who don’t as this could be a sign of inexperience or a contractor who doesn’t have a good working relationship with clients. If they have one, ask to view their portfolio of past home remodels to see what the contractor has accomplished. Work with someone you trust. You want to get quality results within your budget.

The Next step is knowing what you want to be accomplished. If you aren’t sure exactly what you want, work closely with your contractor; they will be able to give you technical insight and experience-based knowledge that will help you decide where to spend your remodeling budget. Get a blueprint of your house and determine which parts will need the renovation. Are there things that need immediate structural repair? Perhaps there are cracked walls, or weakened beams, or damaged sidings. These things should get the foremost attention.

Be certain of the new look that you want to have for your home. You may want to get suggestions from a professional so they can help you realize your home remodel ideas. Planning and design always come first before any work is begun. Keep in mind that kitchen and bathroom remodeling add a lot of value to your home, but they are also more difficult and more expensive due to added plumbing and electrical requirements.

Here are some questions to ask yourself in a home remodel project:

• Do you want a good landscape for your lawn?
• A nice façade for your home?
• How big is your living room and what type of furniture do you want for it?
• Do you wish to have a separate entertainment room for your latest home theater system and other electronic gadgets?
• What theme do you want for your kitchen and how big should it be?
• What appliances will you get for your cooking needs?
• How space should the dining room be?
• What kind of lighting do you want for it?
• How many bedrooms are in the house?
• What specifications do you want for each?
• How many bathrooms are in the house?
• Do you want a consistent look for them?
• Would you consider getting a bathroom suite for this?

Remember that besides the aesthetic features that you may want to improve, note also the soundness of the functional features of the house like the electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning systems.

Know the timeline for the home remodel to be finished. Work closely with the contractors. You should be updated with the progress as frequently as possible. Ask questions about the remodel should you have any. Remember, once the work is finished,you should come home to the house of your dreams!

Congratulations! You’ve decided to remodel your home. There is can be a wide spectrum of emotions from excitement, uncertainty and sometimes trepidation in making decisions. One of the most common problems people are having today is how to navigate their way through the myriad of choices and pressure from the web to catch up to speed with the latest trends.

Home Remodeling

Let’s put trends into perspective and explore what they really mean to you as a remodeling client.

The definition of a trend is the general direction in which something is developing or changing. Trend setting is usually set on the east and west coasts and slowly travels throughout the country. Now the internet has hopped on board and the explosion of trends are displayed on Houzz, Pinterest and hundreds of other sites. There are all kinds of trends to consider and sometimes overwhelms clients who are trying to find their own since of style for their home remodeling.

On the flip side these sites can be a helpful tool to help see completed projects, styles and trends. I often encourage clients to take a look to see if something speaks to them when they are at a total loss for direction. But some become confused, self-doubt their own preferences and feel pressured to go in a direction that may not make them happy. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard “I know this is the trend but I just don’t know if it’s me.” So, it’s always wise to back up and take a few easy steps to find out what you’re looking for.

 Kitchen Remodel – Bathroom Remodel

1. Think about color first. What colors make you happy? Are you drawn towards warm colors, beiges, taupe, and earth tones? Or cool colors, grays, blues, cool undertones. The trends right now are gray tones but if are a warm color person then stick with it! There are updated colors that look fresh and will please you.
2. What style do you like? Traditional, rustic, french country, contemporary/modern etc. Trends are showing a lot more of the contemporary flair. But if you are drawn to another style that’s completely ok! Traditional and other forms have also advanced and incorporated elements that give a new updated look.
3. Now that you have these two elements decided, you can begin to consider what kind of countertops, cabinet styles, flooring, and finishes you want.
4. Do you prefer a calm field or lots of movement? People sometimes try to make themselves like surfaces they know others like. This usually pertains to countertop selections and tile/floor. Trends are showing a lot of quartz and marble which are calmer fields, but granite is still very popular. There is a wide array of both to choose from and you should select what you like. Remember, you will be living with it.

Trends give us a barometer for new colors, decorating elements and stylized movement into different or sometimes reemerged components. It is possible for everyone to incorporate new elements into every style and project. Touches of accents in a backsplash or shower can freshen up the look. It’s all a matter of finding what will speak to you and if it will still speak to you in the future. If you think you’ll tire of seeing a certain element in a few years, then you might want to tweak it.

The wonderful thing about living in Texas is that we have every style represented and there’s something for everyone to identify with. Take into consideration the style of your home, your preferences and how long you plan to remain in the house. Sometimes timeless over trendy will stand the test of time. Remodeling should not dictate to you, your preferences should direct the design and finishes. Happy remodeling!