Renovation and Remodeling Industry Seasons

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Home Remodeling Cost Estimator

I found this handy little tool that can help you try to figure out how much your remodeling project is going to cost.

No estimator is perfect because there are so many variables - the location of the project, the current cost of materials, and the quality of products used. But this tool could help give you an idea of how much you'll need to spend:

Home Remodeling Cost Estimator

It can take a while to answer all the questions, but it could be the tool you need to help estimate your remodeling job.

The estimator is powered by HomeTech and keep in mind that it is for informational purposes only, as an educational product. It does not provide exact figures for your home renovation job. Also, if this estimator link has expired, you can register with HomeTech for a 30-day free trial.

What Can Affect Your True Cost?

• The Homes Location: a remodeling job in one city, state or region of the country can cost more or less than in another part of the country. A roofing job in Charlotte is usually considerably less than a roofing job in San Francisco. Costs of materials and labor can be much higher in larger cities.
• The Cost of Supplies: lumber, concrete, steel, and other materials can change from one quarter or year to the next. And prices of supplies can vary by region as it may cost more to ship to one state or the other.
• The Projects Quality Level: for the sake of simplicity, there are usually 3 levels of quality (basic, mid-range, and upscale) which affect your projects price. Laminate flooring, pre-made cabinets, and tile countertops will usually cost less than hardwood floors, customized cabinets, and granite counters.

If it looks like you can go ahead with your home improvement project, you can always go to our site ConstructionDeal.com and find a quality renovation company!

It's free to be matched to at least 4 local remodeling companies in your area. You'll get multiple bids from contractors which can save you money by helping you choose the best bid!

You're under no obligation to hire the companies that contact you -- and it will save you time. Renovation contractors call you!

Find a Snow Removal Company

Whenever people think of contractors, they think of remodeling their kitchen or adding a second floor to their home.

During ugly winter weather, keep in mind you can use ConstructionDeal.com to find a snow removal contractor.

So, if you live in any of the Northern States and you hate to shovel snow, you can use our service to locate a snow plowing company to do it for you.

Many states and counties do not require that a snow plow company have any type of license, so make sure to see if they have a license for other parts of their business -- most snow removal pros are also landscaping companies. Also, make sure they have insurance. There is normal wear-and-tear involved in the snow removal process, but they should have policies to protect your home and landscaping from any serious negligence on their part.

Finally, most snow removal companies cannot guarantee your driveway, walks, or roof will be free of snow at all times. Don't expect miracles. But most companies will make sure they do with work within 24 to 36 hours.

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Carpeting Scam to Avoid

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Budget Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

The 2nd most popular remodeling project, after the kitchen, is an update of the bathroom. Of course, the cost can be prohibitive - with a national average cost of a complete bathroom renovation running over $10,000!

Many people feel that it's an all-or-nothing proposition. Either doing a complete update and transformation of their bathroom, with all the latest fixtures, or putting off the project and doing nothing.

The folks at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) had some great suggestions on how to save money when you're planning to remodel your bathroom. It could mean that you'll be able to re-do the room without breaking your bank:

• "Consider reglazing a tub instead of replacing it, especially if it is still in relatively good condition. This can save you more than half the cost of a tub replacement-and minimize the dust at the same time!
  


• Cultured marble sheets are a good choice for tub surrounds, instead of ceramic tile. You will save considerably on labor costs and the marble sheets are much easier to clean.
  


• Fiberglass surrounds are also less costly than tile.
  


• Examine how you are utilizing space. You may be able to steal some space from a neighboring room or closet. If your overall space is limited, purchase a jetted tub and shower combination or install a pedestal lavatory instead of a vanity cabinet with a sink. Understand that, while pedestal lavatories do eliminate the need for vanities and save space, some models may cost more than a separate vanity cabinet and sink. Look at all your options before making a decision.
  


• Cultured marble lavatories can be a great budget choice since it is an integrated sink bowl and countertop sold in one easily installed unit.
  


• Define what is truly needed in the bathroom. Sometimes an extra bath is planned when installing a double sink in an existing bath would meet the need.
  


• If you are going to add a large jetted tub to your project, consider adding a water heater dedicated to that tub. A large jetted tub can hold up to an average of 75 gallons or more, which can easily overextend your existing water heater and cause problems in the future.
  


• When revamping yesterday's bathroom to fit with today's homeowners' expectations for luxury, homeowners can familiarize themselves with the latest options in home spa advancements. One such indulgence is an electric warming system beneath your new stone or tile floor."

If you're planning a bathroom remodeling project in the next few months, you can use these tips as a guideline to help you save money. You can consider all of them, some of them, or maybe even just one idea. But any way you can help improve your bathroom on your budget is a good way.

And, if you need to find a local bathroom remodeling company to help answer your questions or give you some quotes on the work, you can use our main site - ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast, free, and easy way to post your project and let bathroom renovators bid on your job. And this saves you time and money -- but make sure you get at least 4 different bids. The more bids you have, the better chance you will get the best price.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Travertine Tiles
Updating Bathroom Fixtures
Would You Buy a Wood Bathtub?

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Home Maintenance: Foundation Inspection

I've found a great resource to help you review the most important part of your house - your foundation.

It's not a sexy part of the home renovation process. But it is essential to make sure the structure of your house is in good shape.

This information is from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and it has a great section to help you do your own evaluation of the foundation. There are sections that help you ask the right questions, gives you options, and lets you know what will happen if you do nothing.

"Renovating a full-height basement can add value and extra living space to your house. Even if you don't have a full basement or aren't planning any basement improvements, the foundation of the house is the most important consideration in any renovation. The foundation supports the structure above it and resists the pressure of the soil around it. Fixing any foundation problems before you renovate is essential to preserve the durability and structure of your home."

The foundation for your house may be a full-height basement, a crawl space, a slab-on-grade foundation or even a combination of two or more types. Foundation materials include poured concrete, unit masonry, stone and preserved wood. Each type of foundation or material has its own associated problems.

The most common problems related to structure or soil conditions are:

• Cracks in slabs, walls or footings;
• Crumbling mortar or concrete;
• Unstable or weak soils;
• Uneven settlement;
• Warped or bowed foundation walls;
• Adfreezing (frozen soil sticking to the foundation and lifting it) or frost heaving;
• Low ceiling height;
• Inadequate support of the main floor system;
• Soil gas or radon infiltration;
• Odors or generally poor indoor air quality (IAQ);
• High humidity;
• Pest infestation"

You can read through the sites questions and suggestions. They also provide a Basement Assessment Worksheet to allow you to check off the problems and locations. It's a great way to let you know it's time to bring in professional help.

Here's a sample of the some of the questions, options, and consequences of ignoring a problem:

"Ask Yourself...

• Is there any porous, powdery or crumbling concrete or mortar?
• Are there honeycombs (voids) in the concrete?
• Is the surface layer of concrete breaking off (spalling)?
  

Consider Your Options:

• Patch small areas of crumbled, honeycombed or broken concrete with a cement-based material. Consult a structural engineer for widespread problems.
  

And If You Don't...

• Small areas of crumbled, honeycombed or broken concrete will allow moisture and soil gas to enter. Deterioration may continue, affecting the structural strength of the foundation.
• Large, damaged areas may be unsafe if they don’t adequately support the existing house or proposed renovations."

Check out the site - even if you're not Canadian. There's some really good, useful information there. If you review your foundation and find some problems, you can always use ConstructionDeal.com to help you find a quality foundation repair company.

It's a fast, free, and easy way to find a service professional.

Remodeling Ideas: Italian Kitchen Designs

I'm a big fan of the Italian style of kitchen design. I wanted to provide you with a "photo blog" post of several Italian kitchen pictures. Hopefully, it can give you some ideas for any future kitchen remodeling project you may have planned.

Not all of the designs are modern or ultra-contemporary (although I've included some stunning modern kitchen design pics) in style, they also have some classical examples:

And when it comes to a more modern and sleek look -- the Italian designers have some wonderfully exotic creations:

Don't be afraid to use color in a kitchen. If you like contemporary styling, you can choose bright reds, blues, greens. They make a great contract to brighter and whiter flooring or wall paint colors. It's better to have darker colors than lighter ones if you have a lot of natural light in the room.



In modern kitchen design, it's important to make sure the room is still inviting and comfortable. Many didn't like the harsh or industrial look and it turned many off because it seemed too cold. By adding the rounded surfaces, accent lighting, and the colors to the stainless steel, the modern kitchen can have a softer look. If you'd like to check out some Italian Kitchen design websites, I've picked out a few that you can visit for even more inspirational design ideas!

Italian Kitchen Design Companies:
Ged Cucine
Fiamberti
Aster Cucine

When you're ready to renovate your kitchen, you can always post your project with ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast, free way to find a local kitchen remodeling company in your area.

RELATED KITCHEN POSTS:
Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
Kitchen Remodeling Budgets
Remodel Your Kitchen: Save Your Sanity
Kitchen Remodeling: Form AND Function

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CNN: 5 New Home Remodeling Trends

Over at CNN.com, they have a story on home improvement called, 5 Home Trends We Never Saw Coming and I wanted to provide you with a sampling of the article. Check out the rest of their article when you get a chance.

"Some of the latest trends in homebuilding and remodeling were not too hard to spot. Is anyone surprised that Americans, already living in monster homes, want even bigger ones?

But there were some developments we never saw coming.

Here's a few that Mark Nash, author of Real Estate A-Z for Buying and Selling a Home, has gleaned from a survey he conducted questioning 923 real estate agents, brokers and industry executives:

Upscale garages: Who knew that those smelly, greasy spaces overstuffed with junk and empty boxes would morph into showplaces for Home Improvement types?

'Today's owners want them decked out with cabinet and storage systems, matching refrigerators, air conditioning and residential looking flooring," says Nash.

Garage remodeling starts at around $7,500 and goes up, sometimes steeply, from there depending on size and just how nice you want it.

Caving: People want more personal space - for both mom and pop. Apparently, married people often like time alone. Who knew?

So, an amenity of choice these days is 'personal, dedicated space for one person in a household to go and work on projects or simply chill,' says Nash.

Rejuvenation rooms: No, This is not simply to work out in. These are one-stop sites for exercising, meditating, yoga, sauna and fancy steam showers.

'This is kind of a new age, serenity room where you do these quiet exercise things and then jump in the spa,' says Nash.

First you get your head together, then your body and then you steam off the sweat you expended doing it."

The article also lists Outdoor Kitchens, but we told you about those a while back. There's also a trend called a "Snoring Room" but I doubt something like that will be sweeping the nation anytime soon.

Finally, the article had some interesting remodeling trends that were now considered to be "out" and no longer a current trend (although I disagree with the Bamboo Flooring):

"On the Way Out

Spiral staircases, which were once the rage, are now death to the home seller. Aging boomers don't care to climb them and they're tough on pets and small children. Nash advises sellers to remove and replace them before putting a home on the market.

Bamboo floors are also out. The early reviews are in and owners have found them to be easily scratched and prone to warping.

Hardwood laminate flooring is also a no-go. 'They don't stand up to multiple sandings to change color or remove stains,' says Nash."

Well, if you have any plans to remodel your home, consider ConstructionDeal.com. We'll help match you with quality remodeling companies in your area, for free. It's a fast and easy way to find a renovation expert without have to pick someone at random from the yellow pages. You'll also get multiple bids, which means you'll get the best price, and that will save you money.

RELATED POSTS:
Is Now the Time to Remodel?
Kitchen Remodeling: Form AND Function
Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

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Installing Concrete Countertops

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