Home Remodeling

A knowledgeable and trusted contractor is the best option for the best results in remodeling

Your home is your castle. It’s likely the largest single investment you’ll make in your lifetime. Keeping it maintained is a priority to make sure it remains in good shape structurally and functionally.

But sometimes regular maintenance and upkeep isn’t sufficient. Simple repairs may not be enough to resolve problems. Events can occur that require remodeling the home in some way. The extent of remodeling would be based on the situation.

Reasons to Remodel

You’ve Outgrown Your Space

If your family is growing, you may have outgrown your home. Having more children, bringing elderly parents in, or just feeling cramped can present the need for more space. You could move into a larger home, but what if you love where you are? If you like your neighbors, the location and schools, an option is to add on to your current home.

The types of home additions best suited to your needs would depend on the layout of your current property. You could build up or out. Expand your master suite.

You can get more space without adding more rooms as well. A finished basement can add lots of room for entertainment, additional storage, an extra bedroom and bathroom and more. Redesigning closets and adding cabinets and shelves can add more storage space.

Your Situation Has Changed

Another change could be that you’re getting older yourself and need modifications to the home if you plan to remain there. Wheelchair ramps, walk-in tubs and showers, and other changes will assist you if you have limited mobility.

Or you and your spouse may be spry empty-nesters who no longer need 4 small bedrooms. You can convert some of them into a home office, craft room, game room or for some other purpose that suits your new lifestyle. Maybe you don’t need a formal dining room any more. Knocking down a wall to make it a hearth room or expanded kitchen can make it a more open floor plan more conducive to entertaining.

Maybe you want to expand your living space outdoors. Adding a deck, patio, porch or sunroom can do that. Barbecue, dine, entertain, or just sit and relax while enjoying the pleasant weather.

More people are working from home now, at least part time. Perhaps you need to just reorganize your current space. If you need more room to get your work done comfortably and need inspiration, a remodel or room addition might be advisable.

Ready for Updates?

Do you still have those laminated kitchen cabinets? Old worn carpeting? Bathroom vanities or tubs that are scratched and stained? Still stuck in the 60s or 70s?

These and many other outdated features of your home can be a great reason to remodel. Trends in paint colors, materials used for countertops, and other design features change. If it’s been a while since you’ve had them updated, it may be time to freshen your home’s look.

Upgrades can be gradual and small, like replacing your kitchen cabinets. Or you could remodel the entire kitchen with new cabinets, countertops, appliances and flooring. This decision depends on your budget and needs.

Add Home Value

If you’re considering putting your home on the market, some improvements will generate more value than others.

Curb appeal is tops on the list to attract potential buyers. Making sure the outside of the house is clean and repaired, the lawn mowed, shrubs and trees trimmed--all will affect the initial appeal. If the exterior siding is peeling, cracked or faded, you may want to have it painted, repaired or replaced.

If you’re looking for the best ROI in room remodels, the kitchen and bathrooms should be the priorities. They may cost more to remodel, but you’ll reap the benefits in the added value. Also, you don’t need a complete room remodel to get benefits from it. Replacing or refurbishing cabinets or countertops can update the look considerably.

Even if you don’t plan to sell your home in the near future, you will be able to enjoy the updates. Your kitchen and bathrooms are the most frequented rooms in the home. Getting a fresh, upgraded look may convince you to stay put for many more years!

Remodeling Projects to Consider

Most homeowners don’t update their entire house at once. Costs and inconveniences are two big reasons why remodeling and renovations are done piecemeal. We’ve already discussed some of the many reasons for remodeling a home. Each room (or portion thereof), addition, or repurposing has its own specific needs and benefits.

Some remodeling projects will offer more ROI, as with a kitchen or bathroom renovation. However, finishing a basement, adding a bedroom, converting a garage, and other projects can add quality of life and provide a more comfortable and enjoyable environment for everyone.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the central hub of a home. It’s where everyone congregates to dine, cook, and socialize. It gets a lot of wear and tear. Upgrading or updating your kitchen can reap great benefits, including return on investment. The changes can be small or extensive, but the difference you’ll realize is immense.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms also get a lot of use and abuse. Fixtures get stained and scratched, storage is at a premium, the design is antiquated. Renovating a bathroom can provide your family with a more relaxing experience, as well as increase the value of the home in general.

Master Bedroom Suite

Is your master bedroom cramped or dim? Would you like a sitting area, an en-suite bathroom, or a walk-in closet? Maybe you’d like to move the master bedroom from the second floor to the first. There are many ways to add comfort and style to your current layout if you find the right contractor.

Refinished Basement

If you have a basement that is not finished, you are wasting valuable space. Even finishing it partially can open up opportunities for entertainment, kids’ playroom, an extra bedroom, man cave, or almost anything you can imagine.

LivingRooms

Your living or family room should be a place where the family gathers to watch TV, play games, or just have pleasant conversations. If the room is cramped or the layout not conducive to togetherness, expanding it or making it more open can make it more comfortable and modern.

Home Office

With more people working from home, having an area conducive to privacy and productivity has grown. Using the kitchen table to park your computer is not the best solution to getting the job done. You may want to consider adding a room or converting an existing room to an office space.

Home Theater

With all the streaming channels available, why waste money on going to the movies? You can have the same experience with a home theater built in your home. You have options on where to locate the theater, depending on how large you want it to be. The basement, a spare bedroom, or a family room will work as long as it’s large enough to accommodate the theater seating and conducive to sound requirements. Or you can have a room added just for this purpose.

Laundry Room

You may have a basement laundry area that you want to renovate. Or you may want to move it to the main floor or upstairs for more convenient access. Making your new laundry area organized with sufficient storage can help make the chore a little easier.

Outdoors

Don’t forget that you have a yard where you can spend quality time when the weather is pleasant. Getting a deck or patio added can expand your living space. What about an outdoor kitchen? Or a screened-in porch? A gazebo is a great place to relax in the shade with a good book.

Tips for a Successful Remodel

Once you’ve decided to take the leap, you’ll want to make sure the results of your remodel are what you expect. This requires some research and planning on your part.

Planning the Remodel

Make sure you have an idea of what you want so you can relay it to the contractor doing the project. Many reputable contractors can provide some guidance or ideas, but ultimately, you are the decision maker.

What are your color preferences? Do you favor any particular materials? Is there a design you’ve seen in a friend’s home or on TV that you like? Gather all the information you can upfront.

You also need to realize that a remodel will take time and result in a disruption of your daily routine, so plan for that ahead of time.

Setting a Budget

Depending on the extent of the remodeling project, costs can add up. It’s wise to set a budget and stick to it. Share the budget with the contractor you hire and stress that they need to inform you of any possible overages before they act on them.

Hiring the Right Contractor

Sure, there are some things that you can fix or remodel yourself, if you have the time, skills, desire, and tools. But many remodeling projects can get complex as you get into the details.

A knowledgeable and trusted contractor is the best option for the best results in remodeling. But don’t hire just any contractor. Make sure you check references and reviews. Are they local? How long have they been in business? Do they provide free estimates? Are they licensed, bonded and insured?

Answers to these questions and more will reveal the reputation, reliability and trustworthiness of those contractors you consider.

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