Bathroom remodeling – Where to Begin?

Bathroom Remodeling

Bathroom Remodeling

Make a list of what you want changed. Don’t think about cost, just jot down as if money isn’t an issue. Put the list away for a few days, then come back and look at it with fresh and practical eyes. You may need a complete overhaul from floor to ceiling. Or, you may just need to upgrade parts of your bathroom. Looking at it with new eyes will help you focus in the right direction.

Do some personal research. Now that you know what parts of the bathroom you want changed, it’s time to get ideas. You can look on Pinterest, magazines, websites, or ask any friends you know who have recently remodeled their bathroom. Some contractors will have on their website before and after pictures of bathroom renovations they have done.

Think about the climate where you live. Remodeling a bathroom in College Station will be different than one in Alaska. There is humidity to consider in Texas and a good contractor will know how to factor that in for energy efficient reasons.

Pick a contractor with experience. This is easy to determine by looking on the contractor’s website, Googling their reputation, and asking them questions. A knowledgeable contractor will be up to date with the latest on energy efficient materials. They will also be able to tell you how long the project will take and give you an accurate cost of the project before beginning.

Write down your goal. Throughout this pre-work process you’ll need to remember why you are remodeling your bathroom. Is it for resell? Updating the look? To save money with energy efficient means? Knowing what the end goal should be will help you feel satisfied when the bathroom renovation is complete.

Planning a bathroom renovation? Here are some factors to consider:

Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom Renovation

The cost of a bathroom renovation in College Station will differ from one in Hawaii. In Texas, contractors can easily obtain materials which will help keep the cost of your renovation down. This also allows them to accurately quote you the cost of your project. Be sure to get the job cost in writing with as many details as possible.

Another factor to consider is experience. Be sure to askthe contractor their experience with bathroom renovations. A successful contractor should be able to show you a portfolio of their work. Seeing other bathrooms they have remodelled will give you the peace of mind you need before signing the agreement and ideas for your bathroom makeover.

Besides cost and experience, you will want to discuss what energy efficient innovations they recommend. A qualified contractor will be up to date on the latest energy saving ideas. Many folks focus solely on design and forget that a bathroom renovation should save them money in the long run.
Finally, ask for references and Google them. A good company will have an online reputation that praises them. The last thing you want a company that does sloppy work. Don’t select a contractor because they are the least expensive. The work they do could end up costing you more in the long run.

How to Upgrade Your Kitchen While Keeping Costs Low

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen Remodeling

Since many of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it makes sense to keep it comfortable and efficient. We should all make an effort to ensure that our home’s kitchen is perfect for entertaining guests and preparing snacks and meals.

It’s a good thing that kitchen makeovers don’t always have to be extremely time-consuming or costly.

The following are some of the best ways to enhance your kitchen without spending a fortune.

Clean the storage spaces. Don’t replace your cabinets, shelves and drawers if they are just slightly out of date but still in tip-top shape. The best way to take them up a notch while keeping costs to a minimum is to clean them thoroughly. If you think they could do with a fresh coat of paint, be sure to choose bright colors that will make the room livelier and more welcoming.

Add green elements. This is a great way to make your kitchen more colorful and vibrant. Putting a few potted plants on the countertops, shelves and cabinets can also improve air quality and make the atmosphere more serene.

Replace some of your hardware. If painting your countertops and storage spaces can’t seem to do the trick, consider replacing them. It’s not hard to find affordable choices, so you don’t have to spend a fortune. Small changes in the appearance and functionality of your kitchen’s hardware can have amazing effects on the entire kitchen.

Display a few books. Instead of keeping your favorite cookbooks hidden in a dusty shelf, display them in the kitchen. Create a small library and turn it into a focal point. If your shelves don’t have enough room, you can always purchase an inexpensive but ornately designed bookcase. Just be sure to keep the books away from the sink and counters so they won’t be in any danger of getting wet.

Install more hooks, hanging racks, shelves and baskets. These wall treatments will allow you to hang up some of your cookware and kitchenware. By putting them on display, you will be making the room more convenient and inviting. You will also have more space to store food and kitchen equipment you rarely use.

Paint over the walls. When kitchen walls are not cleaned on a regular basis, dust and grime become more difficult to remove. Scrubbing and scraping won’t easily remove them, especially if they have been on the walls for years. It’s a good thing that painting over them is an option. Adding color on your walls is a sure-fire way to make them less dreary and more ideal for cooking and entertaining guests.

If you’re up for a more daring makeover, try wallpapering. There are plenty of colors and patterns to choose from. Despite its low cost, it will certainly do wonders for the look and feel of your kitchen.

Taking these steps to upgrade your kitchen isn’t just an inexpensive way to make it more convenient and aesthetically pleasant. It can also increase your humble abode’s market value. Just make sure to plan carefully, and equip yourself with the right mindset by learning more about the psychology of remodeling.

10 Things To Ask Your Contractor Before You Start A Kitchen Remodeling Project

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen Remodeling

It’s important to select the right contractor for any kitchen remodeling project but in order to do that,  it is also important that you ask the right questions. Here are the top 10 things that you should ask any contractor before starting a kitchen remodeling project or  before signing a contract with a prospective contractor.

  1. What types of projects do you do?
    Match your job to the builder. Some contractors may be better at new construction — others at remodeling . Explore pricing as well. A builder that concentrates on million-dollar custom homes may not be the best choice for a modest cottage on a tight budget.
  2. What type of liability insurance do you have?
    Liability insurance is an absolute requirement for any kitchen remodeling in case there is damage or an emergency situation.
  3. Do you have references?
    Learning from some of the previous clients can give you a window as to what your contractor might be like. You can view some of Windham Construction’s Reviews here.
  4. Do you issue lien waivers?
    In the event that you don’t pay contractors they can put a lien on your house which can damage its value and make it very difficult to sell. A waiver such as this will acknowledge that you have paid your contractor in full.
  5. Do you provide a guarantee?
    If you have any issues or any piece of your kitchen remodeling requires immediate repair a guarantee will help to save you money in the future.
  6. Do you have insurance for your workers?
    Most contractors utilize some type of workers compensation insurance in the event that any one of their skilled hands gets injured on the job. Without this type of insurance you could be sued for lost wages.
  7. Are you accountable?
    Being able to contact your contractor to receive updates is important.
  8. Will you get all of the required permits?
    Depending on the nature of your remodeling project you may need a certain permit for full legalities.
  9. Are you a member of any professional organization?
    Professional affiliations can showcase just how responsible and professional a contractor is.
  10. Will you be in charge of the project?
    In some cases contractors will delegate project management to other individuals within their company. Having the head of the company working on your project just helps to get things moving faster.

Hardie-Plank Siding

Hardie-Plank siding

Hardie-Plank siding

When it comes to purchasing new siding for your home it can be very difficult to decide the best type of siding for your own individual needs. While there are a lot of choices when it comes to selecting between wood siding, vinyl siding, metal siding and more Hardie-Plank siding is very quickly becoming one of the most popular options available.

Hardie-Plank is the perfect middle ground between wood siding and vinyl siding. There are many homeowners to don’t like the look of vinyl siding and find that it rattles and makes noise especially when it’s windy. Although vinyl siding is fairly resilient it certainly isn’t the best option for everyone. Hardie-Plank is the perfect middle ground because it offers even better resiliency with the same classic look as wood siding.

Hardie-Plank siding is made of fiber cement. This means that the composition of the siding is part wood and part cement and if you were to cross cut a piece of the siding you would see thousands of little fibers of wood which are sealed up with cement. This means that the total amount of wood used in the siding is extremely conservative and you can receive siding that doesn’t make noise, insulates well and stands up to severe weather conditions.

Perhaps one of the greatest advantages to using Hardie-Plank is that it’s one of the very few types of siding that’s actually registered as a green building material. None of the wood used in this type of siding is taken from in danger at species of trees, cement and sand are made using non-toxic materials and can be created in great abundance. This means that when it comes to siding options Hardie-Plank is a great choice for the environment as well.

For more information on Hardie-Plank siding please contact Windham Construction today.