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.

technorati tags: snow removal, snow plow, snow plowing, snow removal service, snow removal company, snow plow service, ice removal, shoveling snow

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.