admin - Part 34

Home Renovations – Tips Before You Begin

If you have decided to make some renovations to your home or investment property there are a few steps I would suggest, even prior to calling a contractor:

Define Scope

Firstly, renovations have a way of getting out of control once they have started, so it is imperative that you layout the scope of the work to be completed. If a bathroom renovation is your plan, ensure you list all areas that are to affected – new toilet and wall tiles or a complete over-hall including: plumbing, fixtures, lighting, cabinets, tub and flooring.

Just a quick note based on my experience; once one area of a room has been newly renovated it will make the other areas appear more “tired” than they had previously looked. Consider doing as much renovation in one room as your budget will allow. This approach will be less expensive and less time-consuming than having to return to re-renovate the same room several times.

Floor Plan

Take the time to create a drawing of your new floor plan. This does not have to be a professional illustration, just a sketch showing your basic ideas. For example, if you are finishing your basement, show the location of interior walls, appliances, fireplaces, lighting, bar, shelving or furniture built-ins, bathrooms and closets.

If you have decided to include a bathroom, kitchenette or wet bar consider the location of the plumbing rough-ins. It can be very time-consuming and expensive if you decide to put your toilet across the room from where the builder has placed the sewer access.

This floor plan may take a little time; however, it will definitely make things easier when it’s time to explain to your contractors what your plan is.

Create Budget

You must set a budget and try to work within it. I have heard the old phrase “money is no object” a few times in my 25 years in the renovation business, however, nine times out of ten; it is an object – and a big object.

Only you can decide what budget you are comfortable with. Having said that, after speaking to several contractors you may find that what you want and what your budget allows for, are miles apart. So, your budget may not be flexible but your plans will need to be flexible.

Set Time Frame

The time frame, in some people’s opinion, is the most important aspect. When setting a time frame for your renovation work to be completed, keep in mind that unless you are hiring one of the T.V. renovation teams that could build the Taj Mahal in 3 days with a crew of 500 workers; you may have to be a little more realistic.

After you meet with several contractors be sure to ask each of them how long they think the job should take and when they would have the time to focus on your project. It is my experience you should increase this estimate by 30%.

If this is a large renovation it may be necessary to make living arrangements elsewhere. Regardless, you should still ensure the contractors are given exclusive use of the area and services that they will need. There is nothing more frustrating than a plumber trying to install a new kitchen sink while you are making your family breakfast. Give the professionals room to work.

Now that you have a defined the scope, sketched a floor plan and set a budget, it is now time to get a few estimates. I recommend that you avoid uninsured renovation companies for obvious reasons. There are many reputable renovation companies out there and there are many ways to find them, today the most popular ways are: internet web sites, yellow pages, trade magazines and of course personal referrals/word of mouth.

When meeting with a renovator be sure to show them your drawing of the floor plan and discuss in detail what you want done, do a walk through with the renovator of the area to be renovated and don’t forget to ask about the time frame. I would suggest that you not mention your budget at this time. You should first get yourself 3 estimates.

When a renovator is pricing an estimate they have many variables to deal with such as material quality and it turn material prices and hardware and fixture prices, for example a set of sink taps can vary from $30.00 up to $3,000.00 the same rule applies to all material, hardware and fixtures. So in my professional opinion ask the renovator to price the estimate using basic builder grade material and fixture costs. Asking for an estimate based solely on base price materials will help you adjust pricing for items you wish to upgrade and hopefully still stay within your budget.

Summary

If you have followed the above suggestions: outlined your project scope, sketched a floor plan, set a budget, considered a time frame and contacted several (3-5) contractors for estimates and referrals then you should now be in a position to comfortably make your decision and get started on your renovation.

Martin Power:

After working as a real estate agent and home renovation company owner, for over 20 tears, Martin became a full-time web developer and marketing expert/author for the real estate and home renovation industry. Check out further articles and educational materials at [http://www.buyrealestatehelper.com].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Martin_A_Power/1252645

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Getting A Durable Concrete Driveway

Whether you’re interested in a durable concrete driveway, a decorative brick one or a utilitarian access road topped with asphalt or gravel, the materials you need represent only part of the cost of installation. Cutting and paving a driveway is a labor-intensive job that is virtually impossible without heavy machinery, and the cost of a contractor often surpasses the cost of materials. Get several labor estimates, and remember that compatibility between you and the contractor you choose trumps bargain prices. The cost of new driveway Perth depends on the space of your driveway.

Your cost estimate begins with an accurate measurement of the width and length of the proposed driveway, using a surveyor’s tape. Don’t forget to take into account the garage pad — if it’s part of the project — and any width variations. After multiplying the width and length to find the area to be covered, multiply that by the thickness of the proposed covering, in feet. This gives you the volume of the material you need, in cubic feet.

Multiply this number by .037 to convert to cubic yards, which is the unit most used by materials suppliers.

For example, a standard concrete driveway is usually 4 inches — 0.33 feet — thick. If the driveway is 100 feet long and 6 feet wide, you need 200 cubic feet of material. That’s 7.4 cubic yards.

Before laying concrete, you need to lay a 1- to 2-inch layer of drain rock, and an asphalt coating requires a 4- to 6-inch bed of compacted rock, depending on the terrain and drainage characteristics. Don’t forget to include those costs in your estimate.

Bricks and Pavers — Bricks and pavers come in predetermined thicknesses, so you don’t need to quote a volume when ordering them — just the area of your driveway. Calculate the number of bricks or pavers you need by dividing the dimensions of a single unit into the area of the driveway and adding a 5 percent overage. Driveway Edging — You may want to create a border, using bricks, pavers or rocks — this is recommended for gravel driveways because it prevents material from draining or being thrown off the roadway. Measure the length of the driveway, multiply by 2 and add a 10 percent overage to be sure you have enough edging material. Other Features — If you live in a cold climate, you may want to consider installing a heated concrete driveway.

This involves the installation of pipes under the roadway and a boiler to heat the water. You’ll also need extra materials and labor if you want to stain or stamp the concrete.

When it comes to estimating labor, there’s no single method that works for everyone. Much depends on the availability of qualified contractors with the necessary equipment in your area as well as on the topography of your property. Expect complications, such as large tree roots and the need for culverts or drainage ditches, to add to the labor costs. Get at least three estimates.

Of course, you can always go it alone by renting the excavation equipment you need, which may be the best option if you live in a sparsely populated, rural setting. Don’t forget to include the cost of delivery and pick-up of the equipment in the rental costs.

It’s possible to get a rough idea of the cost of your new driveway by consulting online sources, such as Home Advisor. The best way to use calculations performed by using information from such a site is to present it to a contractor as a benchmark. Even though there’s no such thing as a standard driveway, having a rough cost estimate in hand provides the basis for negotiation.

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Custom homes stand out from the crowd. They are one-of-a-kind, upscale creations that come with luxury upgrades and unique architectural design.

In addition to flexibility in home design and architecture, buyers typically choose their ideal location and environment. As a result, custom home design often incorporates elements of the local landscape, whether that is a view of the ocean, a natural stream, or the distinct colors and plants of a desert landscape.

While production builders build communities by restricting design to a group of preselected home types on lots they have picked and purchased themselves, custom builders tend to build on land owned by the customer and start fresh with each design.

Production builders typically construct a large number of homes throughout the year; these may offer a variety of options, but production builders generally do not use construction plans other than the ones selected by the building firm. Custom builders spend more time on each project and often work on fewer than 10 homes a year.

Architect Joel Turkel of Turkel Design and the building team at My House Design created the Gambier Island House, using a design from Lindal Cedar Homes. Perched on a hill overlooking the waterfront in British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, the custom builders used careful planning to integrate the home with its lush forest atmosphere. The home’s sleek design, use of green building techniques and connection to nature earned the home a spot as a finalist in the 2012 Best in American Living Awards.

Concern for the environment is growing among U.S. households—and so are energy costs. Because of this, many custom builders are embracing green building techniques. Features like solar panels, water-saving appliances, insulation to improve heating efficiency and the use of renewable or recycled building materials are all popular techniques to improve a home’s efficiency. Custom builders allow buyers to include a wide range of green products and give them the opportunity to weigh each cost and benefit to create a home that is stylish, comfortable, but also eco-friendly.

Today, home owners like to see features that will improve their lifestyle through health, entertainment or comfort. In this way, custom homes really set themselves apart from the competition. Yoga studios, resistance pools and fitness rooms can be added to encourage healthy living; game rooms, theaters and even a bowling alley can be added for fun; and for comfort, breezy, screened-in porches or warm hearths can make your home feel cozy and welcoming.

Custom amenities are also taking a turn to the world of tech. In a world where there’s an app for everything, buyers are beginning to expect a custom home to do more and be “smarter.” Nowadays you can control many features in your home using a phone, including energy usage, security systems, lighting and even the music playing in each room.

Whether it’s aging parents moving in with their adult children or young adults living back with mom and dad, multigenerational households have specific needs when it comes to a home.

Custom builders are seeing an increasing need to tailor homes to this lifestyle. A recent Pew Research Center study shows that 39% of adults ages 18 to 34 have had to move in with their parents. In the same year, the U.S. Census reported that 4.3 out of 76 million households were made up of at least three generations.

Multigenerational families often build homes that include the traditional mother-in-law suite or even feature a locked-off living space within the home. These apartment-style spaces can have their own kitchenette, full bathroom and living areas to provide a sense of privacy and independence.

As the country grows older and many baby boomers look to retirement, Universal Design (UD) features are an ever-growing priority for many custom buyers and builders. UD is used to ensure that features like wider doors, lower countertops and fewer stairs are used to create a home that everyone can enjoy comfortably. An accessible home allows owners to age in place, prolonging their ability to stay in the house independently and can also increase value by opening the market to any future buyer, despite age, stature or ability.

TheAtkinson Residencein Berlin, Md. won a silver award in the 2012 Best in American Living Awards for its use of layered balconies and porches that make the most of the home’s spectacular view of the water. This nook is an example of the unique architectural details often included in custom homes.