Home Builder Guides

Top Five Home Renovations

Home renovations are big business these days, likely fuelled by television shows and magazines that show homeowners how they too can change their homes. If you are looking to add space or increase your home’s worth there are five renovations that you should consider, as not all improvements will lead to a larger payout when you go to sell.

The most popular home renovation is the addition of an income suite, that is, a stand alone apartment, usually in the basement of a home. Construction of a one or two bedroom unit complete with bathroom and kitchen can fetch some serious money when you go to rent it out and this can be applied to your mortgage, reducing it or even eradicating it entirely. Best of all, having an income suite means that your home is cash flow positive, which is great for you as well as any future buyer.

It has been said time and again that the kitchen and bathroom are the most important rooms in your house when you are looking to entice potential buyers. They can be the most expensive rooms to renovate, but an updated and modern kitchen and bathroom can add profit and give potential buyers that all important wow factor.

In the kitchen a renovation can include a full gutting and starting from scratch or can simply be replacing the cabinets, fixtures and countertops. Adding an island, increasing the size of the room itself and adding a breakfast nook are all other things that can go into a kitchen renovation. Likewise, a bathroom may just need to be taken back to the studs and redone completely, or a new bathtub, bathtub surround or a new vanity may do the trick.

The fourth most popular renovation is fixtures. That is, you change out simple things like taps, countertops, switch plates, faucets, lighting and toilets to upgrade your space and make it more energy efficient. Small improvements can go a long way in making your space more desirable.

The fifth best renovation to tackle is the floors. Nothing says durability and sophistication like hardwood flooring, but there are many other options on the market like bamboo, cork and tile that also modernize your space.

The key to any good home renovation is that is makes your home look fresh and updated without going overboard and pricing yourself out of the housing market. When in doubt call in the experts who will have all the home renovation answers that you are looking for!

Home Improvement And Home Repair Service

As a homeowner you are aware that something always needs fixing around the house. You may need a wall painted, a new appliance installed, or the roof fixed. If you don’t have the time or capability to do this on your own, you may need the home repair services of a handyman.

The home repair service business is now a major industry. That’s because many people prefer to call a handyman or skilled tradesman to do minor home repairs. Older or retired people living alone often require the services of a handyman. Of course, there are do-it-yourselfers who are perfectly capable of doing repair and maintenance work at home. However, even DIY enthusiasts may need the skills of a plumber or electrician for more complicated tasks.

Handyman vs. Home Improvement Specialists

A handyman and a home improvement specialist can both operate their own businesses but the home improvement specialist is required to have a contractor’s license. This is why hiring a contractor to do the same thing will cost more than if a handyman were to do the job. This is also why licensed professionals sometimes turn down smaller home repair jobs. If you need someone to paint a room, install new shelves or repair a dry wall, call a handyman. To build a new addition to your home or repair a staircase, you will need the home repair services of a licensed carpenter or contractor.

Home Repair Jobs for a Handyman

A handyman is a more affordable and convenient option for small household repairs. He is a jack-of-all-trades who can perform small maintenance and repair jobs that a carpenter, plumber or electrician would normally do, but at a lower cost. A handyman is good with his hands. He is usually self-taught, having gained his experience and know-how at his own home and by reading home improvement manuals.
Replacing your entire plumbing system or more complicated electrical wiring should be done by a licensed professional.

However, you can hire a handyman to perform simple tasks such as emptying storm drains, fixing a leaky faucet or putting up shelves. A handyman can also handle more complicated tasks such as installing a water heater or replacing roof shingles.

There are some jobs that are not suited to the garden variety handyman, and having a burst pipes emergency is one such situation you will need to call in the professional services of a plumber, to ensure your house doesn’t flood.

A flooded house from burst water pipes can cause considerable damage to carpets, gyprock walls and timber flooring. So make sure to match the task with the right man or woman for the job.

Where to Find a Handyman

Many handymen work on their own, setting up “office” in their own homes. People you know may be able to recommend a good handyman for home repair services. You can also search online for a handyman in your area. There are many businesses and franchises for handyman services. You can call on them if you need any repair or maintenance services at home.

Getting Started With Bathroom Remodeling

Have you been saving up for a home improvement project but don’t know where to start? A bathroom remodeling plan might be the best way to begin thinking creatively about how to best utilize a small yet essential space in your home. While it could take years of investment and construction to update your entire home to suit your aesthetic and functional needs, just a few updates to your bathroom can make an immediate difference on a realistic budget and timeline.

While some of us might be satisfied with the simplest arrangement – a toilet, bath, sink, and mirror – there’s always potential for so much more. After all, this is the site of your morning routine and your before-bed rituals. Why not make the investment to create a relaxing, functional, and visually appealing space? You have thousands of options when it comes to selecting colors, textures, and fixtures, and your bathroom remodeling project is a fantastic way to take control of the place you inhabit.

When you begin upgrading your space, you should first decide whether you’ll want to go for a total refit (pull out all the existing fixtures and installations and start fresh), or begin with a few upgrades to your existing space and setup. A full bathroom remodeling project gives you the opportunity to totally rethink how you’re using the room, and a complete rebuild allows for maximizing shelving and storage space and making cleaning easier and more efficient. You’ll also want to consider making changes to lighting and ventilation. A window or skylight can add a welcome touch of natural warmth to a space that normally feels small and enclosed, and some basic electrical and duct work can do wonders to fight the mold and mildew that naturally begin to grow if you do not keep the room dry.

You’ll also want to consider what sorts of materials would look best with the existing aesthetic of your home and the statement you’re trying to make. It has never been easier to take advantage of the wide range of styles and designs available to homeowners, so take some time to think about the overall image you’re going for. Perhaps your style is a minimalist modern look punctuated by glass and stainless steel fixtures, or the classic touches of porcelain and a variety of textured fabrics. Your favorite design blogs or magazines can be a great place to start thinking about your options, and your contractor may be able to help you consider the best bets for your budget. You may even be surprised by some of the choices available to you, from walk-in showers with sophisticated drainage systems to state-of-the-art commodes that could even save money in the long run due to energy-efficient design.

Best of luck with your renovations!