Posts tagged with "chicago remodeling contractors"

Sizing up Your Remodeling Contractor

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Very few people will invite strangers into their home without knowing, at a minimum, who they are and if they can be trusted; hiring a remodeling contractor should be no different. Home remodeling projects take a lot of time and investment, which means that you’ll most likely be interacting with your contractor a lot, and you would want someone you can get along with and rely on completely. Here are some things to check off your list before making a final decision: Continue reading

Simple Home Remodeling Requires Careful Thought

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Remodeling projects are more affordable than buying a new home. Homeowners should consider doing one to add value to their homes. That said, even a simple kitchen renovation or a new patio construction can become quite complicated if homeowners do not give sufficient thought to such projects.

For example, deck construction is one home remodeling project that has a sizable return on investment. Experts agree that a brand-new deck can certainly recoup about 72 percent of its original value over time. However, the variety of deck options available usually complicates matters. Pressure-treated wood is a popular option for homeowners since it is cheap and easy to work with. On the other hand, this material needs to be refinished every other year, thereby increasing its cost in the long run. Continue reading

Remodeling Contractors: Did You Hire the Right One?

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Remodeling a house involves more than your money and resources; it also entails emotions. Having to deal with a remodeling project that is failing to meet your expectations can be exhausting and stressful, as for the most part, you’d be spending more money to make the needed adjustments, or to fix the mess. How can you tell if you have, indeed, hired the right contractor for the job? How do you make sure you get the best? Here are a few tips that will help you arrive at the right choice. Continue reading

Distressed Property Investments: Renovation Tips

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Real estate investments can have you reaping bountiful harvests in record time, but that’s only if you know how to put your money in the right spot. For instance, you might want to consider investing in distressed properties for sale. Continue reading

Choosing the Right Remodeling Contractor

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Home renovations can be long and painstaking. However, with the right contractor, many of the problems associated with home remodeling can be avoided. Here are a few tips on how to find the right contractor for the job.

  • Consult with friends and family. The best way to start is to ask your friends and family about their own home remodeling experience. If there’s anyone you can trust to give you a straight answer it’s your relations. They’ll be able to steer you to those who manage to give good work.
  • Credentials are important. Check out if the contractors you’re looking at are qualified to do the sort of work you want for your home. There are several national organizations like the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Homebuilders who can verify the membership of contractors with the experience to perform certain renovations or constructions.
  • Talk with your potential candidates. It’s not enough to know about your contractor’s capabilities. A phone or face-to-face interview should be part of your vetting process. You’ll be working with this person for the entire project and you’ll need to decide if you feel comfortable with him and his team. You’ll have to decide also how comfortable you feel about the company’s rates and schedule.
  • Get bids. You’ll have a short list of candidates by now. Show them your remodeling plans, ask them their rates and compare prices. This helps in planning your budget and making your final choice.

Remodel to Make the Most Out of your Attic Space

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If your house has an attic, chances are it’s being used as a storage room and not as a functional bedroom. Old books, seasonal clothing, rarely used appliances, and your child’s old toys may all be stored in the attic to save space in bedrooms and other living spaces in the house. Commonly one of the areas in the home with a wide floor area, the attic can be utilized in many other ways to maximize the space.

You can choose to turn it into a man cave, an entertainment area, or an extra bedroom for guests staying overnight. Working with Chicago remodeling contractors, you can have your attic turned into just about any kind of space you like. Unlike simple furnishings and decorations, a team of professionals can transform your attic into a very functional and comfortable area in your home.

Apart from the aesthetic benefits, a professional contractor can help ensure that your attic is properly insulated, saving you a significant amount in heating and air conditioning bills, as well as ensure that lighting and other fixtures are installed safely.

With real estate prices currently on the rise, experts suggest expanding current properties to get more space instead of buying a bigger house. By remodeling your attic, not only do you provide additional living space for your family, you also increase the overall value of your home.

Getting Ready for a Bathroom Remodel

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As a homeowner, remodeling your home is a huge decision you will make several times in your life. If you are planning to remodel your bathroom, the most ideal time is now. Any time is a good time to start work on the bathroom, however, don’t be too hasty in deciding and consider the following important factors:

Fund and Emergency Fund

Expanding your bathroom is a good idea, especially if your main objective is to increase your home’s resale value. A large and chic bathroom will definitely entice a potential buyer. This project will be pricey, so you have to prepare accordingly. In the process of the remodeling, there may be some unexpected issues that could add to the estimated cost, so you have to set aside an emergency fund.

Design

There are a plethora of bathroom designs that you can choose from. However, you have to pick one that suits your budget, matches the architectural features of your home, and makes you feel more comfortable. Discuss your ideas with the remodeling contractor because he’s the one who knows all design options that could meet your needs.

Materials and Furniture

The reason you’re remodeling your bathroom is that you want to make it more comfortable and beautiful. This can be achieved by removing and not merely replacing pieces of furniture that are causing obstructions. You also have to consider which materials for flooring and walling are safest to prevent accident.

Maximizing the Use of Your Basement Space

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Some people utilize their basements as a storage utility room, while others use it as the location for the boiler, water heater, breaker panel, and the fuse box. However, if your basement has a substantial size, you can maximize its usage with help from basement remodeling contractors. Below are some options on how you can make better use of a large basement:
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Building a farmer’s porch on your house

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A casual look at your community can help you cherish the sights and sounds of people and vehicles passing by. In some cases, it’s actually therapeutic to just sit back and relax outside the front door.

Slight problem though – sun or rain is beating down. When you want to go outside and look without having to be at the mercy of the elements (especially in the Windy City), you must consider having a large porch built. Continue reading

Tips for Aspiring Remodeling Contractors

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The construction industry is a highly technical field but the monetary rewards of its players are quite attractive. If you’re interested to penetrate this field as, say, a remodeling contractor, take the following things into careful consideration.

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that you would be competing with several players in the industry. You can secure an edge through specialization. For instance, you can concentrate on targeting clients whose infrastructures are classified as commercial or residential. You may also opt to align your services and focus on a sub-specialization of a certain classification of building use. In particular, you may choose to offer services designed to rehabilitate public properties with historical significance.

As an aspiring remodeling contractor, you should also acknowledge the importance of building your credentials. In the process of looking for potential contractors, clients check whether or not the former carry proper licenses and adequate insurance coverages. There are those who would even ask for proofs before proposing a potential partnership with you.

Also, don’t concentrate solely on the financial aspect of the business. Understand that there are several other factors that come into play. Quality, for instance, is one of those. So don’t strive to be the lowest bidder thinking that your clients will make do with what their money can apparently afford. Even those with comparatively meager budgets would demand quality work not only because they want it but also since they deserve it.