Home Reno Plans: Value Added Or Value Subtracted?

Canadians' ongoing love affair with renovating their homes is alive and well, with more than $20 billion being spent every year since the new Millennium. But how do you know what improves your home's value, and what might make it harder to sell? Here are some tips that might make the decisions a little easier:
Develop short-term and long-term goals: If you will be at your house for less than five years, you might want to forgo the addition to your home and simply repaint, or install new windows or floor treatments.

Don't use a renovation just to express yourself: Don't expect prospective buyers to pay for your wonderful, but unique taste—you might love a pink and black marble en suite, but not everyone will.

Stay in character: When planning your renovations, try to match the neighbourhood aesthetics. Ask yourself if mini-Windsor Castle touches work well in your post-war housing neighbourhood.

Become a Do-It-Yourself-er: Hardware and home renovation shops often have project seminars to show you how to get the job done properly. Many stores also have in-house experts who can give you advice, should you need it.

Consider professionals: Professional architects, contractors and designers know the quirks of your local zoning regulations. You don't want your garage conversion shut down because you don't have the correct permits.

Financing: If your project exceeds your cash on hand, there are many financing options available including small loans and larger mortgages. Consider taking out a line of credit to help you get the job done properly and see it through to completion. One of the most innovative home equity lines of credit available is Manulife One, offered by Manulife Bank.

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

The Importance Of Bedroom Design In A Home Decoration Project

A home is a place where we live, spend most of our lives, with family members and our loved ones.

A bedroom design project includes a careful study of the surrounding of the entire home. When an architect plans a home, he takes into consideration many parameters for the location of various spaces.

Lets take an example of the bedroom itself.

While deciding the location of the bedroom, an architect might go through the following checklist.

North direction
Path of the sun.
Surrounding landscapes.
Presence of other natural elements such as lake, flowing river, seashore, etc.. which could be visible through bedroom window.
Wind direction.
Manmade other features, such as tall buildings, roads, etc..

These external factors directly affect the interior of a bedroom. This is true with any space and not only bedroom.

For example the amount of sunlight entering in a room will affect the dimensions of the window openings, which will in turn affect the available space inside the room for furniture.

The overall atmospheric conditions outside, will affect the type of finishes and materials used for furnishings, linen, flooring, etc.. A bedroom on seashore will have a different set of weather conditions to deal with than a room on a hill slope with heavy snowfall.

That's why the interior design of any living habitual space is an exact replica of what's happening outside. Everything is so dynamic. A slight change in the outside world can affect the appearance of the home altogether.

If you are trying to design your own space then this article might help to start thinking on the concept level.

With these words I end this article and hope it was useful.

About The Author
Shrinivas Vaidya
For more powerful and in-depth concept level knowledge of bedroom design visit Bedroom-Design-And-decorating-Ideas.com. You will find good concept level thinking to design your own bedroom here.

Home Improvement – Don’t Exceed Comps In Your Area

For most homeowners, the pride of ownership includes a consistent home improvement effort. While this makes sense, be careful you don't improve the property so much that you can't recover the costs when it is sold.

Home Improvement

You've picked up a heck of a deal on a home in a nice neighborhood. The purchase price was $200,000 and you put twenty five percent down [$50,000]. The comparable homes, "comps", in the neighborhood appraised for $300,000. Yes, your home is a bit run down, but that's why they have Home Depot and weekends! You'll just fix the ugly ducking up and pocket a quick $100,000 in equity when all your projects are done. What a country!

This situation definitely has potential. The value of the home is so low when compared to the comps that a relatively quick equity grab certainly looks possible if the home can be fixed up. Off to Home Depot we go...

Let's do an evaluation of our ugly ducking. Put another way, what needs to be done to get it on par with the other ducks in the neighborhood? Okay, we need new doors, new windows and landscaping in a very big way. The drive way looks like a toxic dump sat on it and we aren't even going to get into the peeling, ugly paint on the home. Pricing everything, deciding to use homeowner labor as much as possible and so on, we find it is going to run roughly $50,000 to makeover our ugly duckling. It's going to be a lot of work, but that's what weekends are for. We should still come out with a $50,000 gain and $100,000 in total equity considering our $50,000 down payment.

Budgets and Temptation

The problem with the above scenario is it is very hard to stick to a budget. If you've owned a home, you're already familiar with this problem. If you are buying a home for the first time, watch out!

With homeownership, the structure you own quickly evolves into "my home." Once this occurs, you tend to view the quality of your home as a statement to the world and you want to show the world your best. Instead of buying moderately priced cabinets for the kitchen, you buy custom pieces that would make Bill Gates envious. Counter tops soon become marble counter tops. Refinishing the driveway evolves into putting in an entirely new one with brick inlays. And so it goes.

You are no longer trying to bring your home up to the standard of the neighborhood homes. You are trying to turn the home into a swan and swans are expensive. After making all your improvements, you are distressed to find the total cost being $90,000 instead of $50,000. For all your hard work and effort, you've realized only a $10,000 gain in equity.

In Closing

Make sure you objectively budget improvements and stick to those budgets. While there is something to be said for making a home glow, make sure it makes financial sense.

About The Author
Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - providing FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our "sell my home?" page at http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your home for free for one month. Visit http://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale by owner.

Rustic Stone House Signs

You may own a remarkably constructed, attractive house that is perfect from every angle. The outside of the house is designed to demand a second look from anyone passing by. So it's important that people know the name of the particularly well-constructed house. Also anyone visiting the house should easily be able to locate it hence putting up your house name or street address in a legible and presentable manner is of utmost importance.

Among the commonplace options available for choosing the type of house sign or plaque for the house is a metal sign that might rust after sometime or the wooden signs that could crumble and become illegible. Therefore a solid everlasting piece of stone to display the name of one's house is essential. Our handpicked stones express a lavish, individual view about the house and provide a high-quality first hand _expression of the owner.

The natural unpolished stones are perfectly resistant towards any type of corrosion or decay that could occur in our lifetime. Once the desired inscription is engraved on the stone and is mounted on walls or the sides of the door or at any other place of owner's choice it stands there with out any cause for concern. Unless some one intentionally removes the plaque or house sign from its place there is no need to worry about the sign. Another added advantage of slate signs is that it is almost maintenance free. It can stand all weathers and climatic condition with out getting damaged.

The house owner's name and address written on a stone and slate plaque also gives an impression of the solid personality and individuality of the owner. Since the stones come in varying sizes, and shapes its very simple for anyone to find a plaque or freestanding stone to suit their individual tastes and preferences. Any design or text, as per the choice of the client can be inscribed on stones. The names and addresses along with any specific graphics can be engraved permanently on slate pieces. The wide variety of fonts is available for customers to choose the typeface that best suits their taste.

Lots of endeavor to get the finest quality of stones ensure that our clients get best available quality of the material. Also before inscribing finally on the slate, a proof reading of the artwork and chosen stone by the client makes sure that there are no problems after the job is done. Also the delivery service is very prompt so that there are no discrepancies later.

Adding to already existing qualities of a stone plaque is the fact that is comes at a very genuine price. The price tag of a slate house sign is set by the size of sign not the text engraved, although images may cost more and require artwork to copy, hence is easily affordable by anyone aspiring to give a smart look to the outside of their house.

About The Author
Mansi Gupta writes about house signs in stone. Learn more at http://www.rusticstone.net.

Protective Coatings For Your Home

There are several areas of your home that suffer from extensive damage, whether it is due to poor weather, physical damage or simply because of old age. Protective coatings are a great way to help these areas remain durable and resistant against negative elements. One of the most delicate surfaces around your home is the driveway and garage floor. You can use some tough protective coatings to protect such spaces - simply brush or roll the coating in an easy but effective action that will protect your driveway from all sorts of damage. For concrete floors, choose a high quality epoxy coating - this is an excellent addition to the floor's structure because it soaks in and becomes part of the concrete matrix. High chemical and fuel resistance also recommends such coatings for garages and workshops. Most top grade protective coatings are engineered to self level and have different characteristics such as being resistant to chemicals, spilled fuel, brake fluid and acids, is impact resistant to 500 PSI, heat resistant to 350 + degrees, color-fast, non-chalking and resists cracking, chipping and peeling.

Due to recent advancements, several top class products appeared on the protective coatings market. Choosing a silicone based epoxy ester single component epoxy product, for example, will guarantee excellent resistance and unsurpassed flexibility, two very desirable elements of any coating system. Such products are reinforced with alkyd and urethane, two special components that augment the qualities of the protective coating. The interesting thing about such a waterproof floor coating is that it is the same product used on aircraft carriers. This means that, originally, it was designed to withstand extreme damage, such as jet fighter landings and take offs, fuel leaks, flaming jet exhausts and so on. Imagine how resistant such a protective coating would be on your driveway!

Epoxy coatings are also used in protecting other materials, such as wood, concrete, metal, fiberglass... and the list goes on. Not only do they do their job with military precision, these epoxy coatings are also lead-free, making them safe for the environment. When they dry, the protective coatings are completely harmless and non-toxic, so you don't have to worry about your pets or children. You can top the coating with a clear finish, especially if you purchase one with UV inhibitors that guarantee a long life. Such a finish would make the protected surface look even better than it originally did, plus with the extra protection it brings. When properly applied, such protective coatings do not chip or break and most good manufacturers and retailers offer guarantees that extend up to 5 years.

About The Author
Jeff Martin writes articles for many well known newspapers and is currently writing a book that is set to be released at the end of March 2006.
support@blackwoodproductions.com

Finishing Your Basement Can be Very Rewarding

Transforming your home's basement into a finished space can prove to be very rewarding. Frequently the additional living space is used for a variety of entertainment functions including: Recreation Rooms, Bars, Gyms, Billiard Rooms, Home Theatres and Family Rooms. In addition, Bedrooms and Bathrooms are also incorporated into the floor space. Typically the square foot cost of finishing a basement is significantly lower than other floors within the home.

Planning is critical before starting a Finished Basement project. From a financial standpoint, first determine how big your budget is and how you will finance the project. Will a mortgage be required or can you refinance or obtain a home equity loan?

From the project standpoint, carefully consider what you want to use the space for. As part of this consideration, consider ceiling heights, existing pipes, Oil Tanks, and Heating and Water systems. Also consider lighting. To make a Finished Basement cozy, warm and comfortable, the number and kinds of lights to install is key. In addition, consider natural lighting. Can additional windows be installed and will they be appropriate for the finished space?

Installing a Bathroom in a basement can be a challenge, particularly if a pump-up system is required. It is important you meet with a plumber before you start any work, as they will have many questions and requirements for your bathroom. Potentially the most onerous aspect of installing a Bathroom may be the removal of some of the cement flooring. This is a very dusty and messy job!

Also consider heating. Does your existing furnace have the capacity to support the additional space? If not, you will need to consider putting in a bigger system or creating a secondary heating system.

Finally, and probably the most important aspect to consider, is dealing with moisture. A finished basement will quickly loose its charm if water problems create mold and mildew. Basement floors and walls should be sealed and insulated to reduce moisture content in the basement. Even with these precautions, a dehumidifier may be required.

About The Author
Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.

Driveway Landscaping

Landscaping driveways does not necessarily mean the driveway itself, although the design of your driveway can impact the look and feel of your landscape. Rather, many people neglect to landscape their driveways to look attractive. This includes adding landscaping elements to the sides of the driveway, as well as at the bottom and the top of the driveway. There are many softscape and hardscape elements that can be added to make the area surrounding the driveway more attractive.

Your driveway landscape is the entrance to your property. If you ignore it, the driveway can look more like an ugly scar than a part of your landscape. If properly incorporated, however, it is possible to create a nice looking element in your landscape, tying it in to the rest of your design and looking as though it truly belongs. It is very worth your while to make an attempt at landscaping around your driveway. You need not spend a great deal of money to landscape your driveway, but if you carefully choose features and elements that are attractive and creative, you can have a fairly low-cost driveway landscape that is inviting to visitors as well as to those who live inside the house.

Before landscaping the driveway, however, there are a few things to take into account. First of all, you need to make sure that what you are doing will not be so much wasted work. Take into account your neighborhood. If there are a great deal of children, a flower bed at the entrance, near the street, may not be a wise decision. It may be trampled careless children, or the flowers may be picked. While these actions do not usually the products malice, they can result in a ragged and disheveled looking driveway entrance. In such a neighborhood one might consider accenting the entrance with an attractive fence, rock wall, or even a small rock garden. Also determine the footpaths traveled by those who live in the house. Make sure that any elements you add to the sides or ends of the driveway are not interfering in established walkways.

Some of the common hardscape options are walls and fences. These are projects that can add distinction and accent to your driveway area. A rock wall can be especially interesting if you use different colored rocks. It is also possible to plant grasses and small, hardy flowers in the cracks between the stones used to construct the wall. This can be decorative and it can add a more interesting aspect to your rock wall. Short, attractive fences, and even some of higher height, can also accent the driveway and give it a little more color and character. Small hanging baskets or lanterns can be used with either a fence or a wall to add more beauty.

There are plenty of softscape options for dressing up the area around the driveway. The first thing you need to decide (and this goes for hardscape accents as well) is whether you plan to use the landscape elements to run the length of the driveway or to simply accent the entrance to the driveway. If you are working with a very small budget, simply accenting either side of the driveway, near the bottom, is a good idea. It will cost much less, but add a great deal to the look of your over all landscape. Some of the softscape ideas that work well either to follow the driveway up or simply to add character to the entrance, include beds of colorful annuals, groundcover along the drive to create a natural and interesting border with the lawn, ornamental trees, and shrubs. The shrubs can even be cut to be topiary and have interesting designs.

A curved driveway is interesting of itself, and can be made even more so if a focal point is added to nestle in the curve. This focal point should be something of beauty. It can be as simple as a stately oak, or a specially designed flowerbed or rock garden. Or, instead of being something simple, the focal point can be something else entirely. Landscape bridges, wishing wells, garden arbors, and water gardens all make excellent focal points that can be exceptionally attractive.

About The Author
Janeth Duque of Geeks On Steroids. Janeth is well-known in the world of web design and search engine optimization.
Web Site: Geeks on Steroids
View their website at: http://www.geeksonsteroids.com
janeth@geeksonsteroids.com

Remodeling a Bathroom

So you've decided that it's time to update your bathroom. Whether you're planning to sell your home or you've simply decided your family needs a more updated space, there are a few important decisions you should make before you start.

First of all, consider what needs to go (no pun intended). Are you remodeling because all of the fixtures- tub, shower, toilet and sink- are outdated? Or is there a specific area of the bathroom that doesn't work for you? Maybe the floor is outdated or peeling, or the mirrors are in inconvenient places, or you'd like to knock out a closet or install some shelving. Before you start, pin down the exact things about your bathroom that need work. Don't immediately assume you need to overhaul the entire room. You may be able to save yourself big bucks by starting with the problem areas.

If your bathroom seems too small, you might not need to tear out a wall. Maybe you just need a pedestal sink instead of a cabinet one. If you're more than ready to just tear the whole thing up and start from scratch, you'll have to make some decisions about what's going to replace the current fixtures. Take some measurements of your tub, sink and toilet, the replacements you're considering, and the size of the room. Keep in mind that just because you want a claw foot bathtub doesn't mean you should have one- your bathroom may be too small for anything but a tub that fits closely into the wall. Draw some diagrams, and move things around until they seem to fit. But keep in mind that the layout of a bathroom is fairly limited. The water pipes only come out of the walls in certain places, so unless you're planning on tearing up the walls and the plumbing, your toilet and shower will probably stay where they are, even if you replace them with new ones.

Making decisions about what new items to buy should be the easy part. Look into purchasing a low-flow toilet. If you haven't had a new toilet in awhile, you will be amazed at the savings on your water bill once a new, water-saving model is installed. This is also a huge plus to potential buyers, who will love the idea of saving on utilities each month.

Safety in the bathroom is also a consideration. Consider handles around the tub and a non-slip floor covering specifically designed for bathrooms. Many older bathrooms are lacking in safety features, and that's a down side when it comes time to estimate a home's value.

Remodeling your bathroom is going to be a job that requires some forethought. Whether you're doing it to sell the home or for your family, it's best to take space, safety, and convenience into consideration. You spend an awful lot of time going in and out of your bathroom. It might as well be comfortable!

About The Author
Richard Rigor is a real estate agent in Birmingham, Alabama. Visit www.BirminghamRealEstateToday.com to find out your homes value or get a free list of homes for sale that fit your criteria (with prices, addresses, and descriptions).

Shingling a Roof

Shingling or roofing a house is a major undertaking for a homeowner and extreme caution is required. This said, a Do-It-Yourselfer homeowner can shingle or roof their own home with a little knowledge and the right tools.

Required Tools

In order to roof a house properly and safely the following tools are needed: Ladders, Roof Jacks, Hammer, Carpenters Knife, Chalk Line, and preferably a compressor or nail gun.

Estimating Materials

Typically the roof is measured in squares, where a "square" represents 100 square feet. There are eighty shingles in one square. However, when you go to your local home improvement store shingles are usually sold in bundles. Usually three bundles equal one square, however this can vary slightly pending the shingle style.

Measure the area of your roof (length x width) and divide by 100 to get the number of squares required. Then multiply this number by three to get the number of bundles of shingles required for the job. Add an additional 10-15% for spare, leaning toward the 15% if your roof has hips and valleys.

Drip edge, ice and water shield, asphalt paper, flashing, roofing nails, and hip and ridge vents will also be required. The Drip edge comes in various lengths. Measure the outside perimeter of the roof to calculate the drip edge required. The ice and water shield, asphalt paper and flashing come in roles. Use your roof square area calculation for determining your asphalt paper requirements. Typically only one or two courses of ice and water shield is required along the bottom/eave of the roof and in the valleys. Calculate 2 times the length of the roof and valleys to estimate the amount of ice and water shield required.

Typically each shingle will require 4-6 roofing nails and flashing usually comes in 16" wide roles or 6x6 or 8x8 square inch steps. Step flashing is typically used around chimneys, dormers and side wall junctions. Hip and Ridge vent will vary with local building codes, however a rough estimate would be to measure the length of your roof's hip and ridges and take 75% of this figure for calculating the amount of vent required.

You should now be able to fairly accurately calculate the cost of material for roofing your home.

Installing the Drip Edge

Nail the Drip edge around the entire outside perimeter of the roof.

Apply the Ice and Water Shield Membrane and the Asphalt Paper

Apply the ice and water shield material such that it is flush with the drip edge. If the climate in your area has harsh winters and/or significant annual rainfall, add a second course of ice and water shield for added protection. You should also add the ice and water shield membrane in the valleys.

Next apply the asphalt paper to the entire roof, starting from the bottom and working towards the ridge. Make sure each course of asphalt paper overlaps the lower row by several inches (effectively shingling with the asphalt paper).

Install metal flashing

Install metal flashing in all of the valleys. Step flashing around chimneys and dormers will be added as the shingles are installed.

Installing the Shingles

Start the shingling at the bottom of the roof (or at the eaves). Lay a starter course such that the bottom edge of the shingle lines up flush with the drip edge. The starter strip is a "tabless" shingle that you make from the regular shingles using your carpenter's knife.

Lay your next course of full shingles over the first course, staggering the starter joints from the first course to prevent water penetration.

Note: Sometimes you may want to start with a full or a partial shingle at one end. In either case, you want to try to avoid small shingle pieces at the far end of the roof. To prevent this, divide the length of the roof by the length of a full shingle and assess how much of a shingle length you want to start with. Ideally you do not want to have pieces smaller than 12".

Use a Chalk Line

To ensure your shingle courses run straight use a chalk line. Measure the finished reveal on your shingles. Usually this is about 5 inches. Then make marks every 5 inches on the gable ends of the roof. Snap a chalk line between the gable ends at each pair of marks all the way up the roof. This will ensure that you shingles run true and straight as you progress up the roof with the courses.

Vertical lines should also be snapped every 3 to 6 feet to ensure your tabs maintain alignment.

Use of Roof Jacks

After 3 or 4 courses of shingles have been installed using ladders, roof jacks may be necessary to access the upper courses. Roof jacks are steel brackets that hold planks in position for you to stand on. The roof jacks should be securely nailed through the decking and into rafters to ensure that they will support your weight.

Shingling Valleys, Chimneys, Skylights and Dormers, and Step Flashing

Shingling the valleys and installing flashing requires extra care. The shingles, typically coming from two intersecting courses when entering a valley, need to overlap each other such that no water penetration occurs.

Skylights, chimneys and dormers must be step flashed (step flashing is interleaved with each course of shingles) to ensure water is kept from penetrating the roof.

Adding the Ridge Vent and Caps

To complete the roofing project, ridge vents need to be installed. These are nailed to the top of the ridge and then capped.

The ridge cap prevents water from entering the home via the ridge vent, while still allowing the house to breath. The ridge cap is constructed out of individual shingle tabs that have their unfinished corners cut off at 45 degree angles. Each modified shingle tab, is nailed such that it overlaps the previous piece as you work your way down the length of the ridge vent.

About The Author
Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.

10 Ways to Survive Building or Remodeling Your Home

Building or remodeling a home is a stressful experience. Right up there with visiting in-laws and getting root canals. So here's some advice for finding the silver lining on this often difficult time.

1. Think of the project as a new diet.

Who doesn't want to lose at least five pounds? This is one way to do it. Between running to stores all day and evening long, meeting with contractors, inspecting the work, searching the Western world for the perfect light fixture, who has time to eat? Provided you don't sabotage this new, unorthodox diet plan, with McDonalds drive through, you're good for losing five pounds. If you are a masochistic type who does some of the work yourself - whether it be painting, laying tile, landscaping the yard - you can count on another five to ten pounds of weight loss. Just think, you may be miserable, frustrated, exhausted, nd down right cynical about the good of the humankind, but your jeans will fit nicely!

2. Write checks as aerobic exercise.

These workouts are great for toning the wrist and fingers. Usually done in hectic spurts as you race out the door in the morning while the contractors are breathing down your neck and your kids are beating each other with the lunch boxes you just prepared, the stress and frantic activity are sure to raise your heartbeat for a good hour. Grumbling under your breath that the plumber, electrician, or you name it, isn't really worth this much money adds greater intensity and calorie burn to this little publicized exercise regime.

3. Save money through shopping burnout.

Yes, even the most die-hard shopper will come to dread setting foot in any store. This affliction starts innocently enough as you go to look for light fixtures. How hard can it be? Hard! Either the light you want is being shipped from Yugoslavia and won't arrive until your youngest child buys his own home, or you just can't find the one you want. You'll shop every lighting and electrical store you know. You'll search Home Depot. You'll haunt hardware stores. And then there's plumbing fixtures. Sink centers, faucet handles, finishes, special orders. What's all that about? And the cost. You'd think you were outfitting the palace for a former third world dictator. Of course, there's carpet, tile, hardwood, stairs, siding, windows. Enough already. And you thought it was a pain picking mints and sweet table treats for your wedding.

After your 1000th trip to Home Depot (or Lowes or Menards or whatever), in addition to all the other trips you've made for items that shouldn't count as shopping (toilet seats, for example), you've had it. Your friends won't be able to bribe you to check out the latest sale at Bloomingdales. You'll think it will be better when you can pick out "fun" things like paint, wall paper, drapes, fabric, furniture - but don't bet on it. At this point, the pressure to make your home look like something other than an empty rat maze will counteract any joy in shopping. Spending this much money has never been such a miserable experience. As a result, when your home becomes half-way presentable, you'll refuse to shop again - even for groceries - for at least six months. The money you save during this shopping hiatus will be sufficient for you to resume this previously pleasurable past time once more without guilt.

4. Impress your friends with obscure facts.

Only someone that has built or remodeled their home can explain the fluid dynamics of a proper toilet water swirl. Or cite the International Building Code that calls for no more than 6' between electrical outlets. Or brag that triple glazed windows are really the wave of the future for light emitting device technology. See what I mean?

5. Pride yourself on your new creative skills.

You'll discover a creative side that you never knew existed. Like how to wash dishes in the bath tub. And how to make a full course meal for a family of four using nothing more than a toaster and hot plate. Or how to fit an entire family in a house smaller than your first apartment. They say that necessity is the mother of invention. That's probably true, but I also think that the only thing that separates modern and pioneer life is just one kitchen or bath remodeling project.

6. Yell at someone other than your kids - and not feel guilty.

Honestly, as a modern woman trying to juggle the running of our homes, possibly a job, and the future Olympic soccer aspirations of our children, you have the primal need to yell. At someone. Anyone. Often our spouse and children suffer from this need of ours to release pent up negative energy generated from nothing more than some miniature human leaving smelly gym shoes on the kitchen table. (Ok, that probably deserves a bit of yelling - we eat at this table!) But when you remodel your house, you have a whole cast of characters - and believe me, they're characters - that often deserve a good scream from time to time. Like when they tell you that they tore out the fireplace because they didn't think it looked right. Or when they show you a mistake made three weeks ago that now requires half the house to be torn down in order to fix. Yelling isn't immature or a result of too much estrogen, it's therapy.

7. Throw out (finally) your significant other's treasured [fill in the blank] from his bachelor days.

You know what I mean. It could be the semi-nude poster he won't get rid of. Or his collection of exotic beer cans. Or all of his Sports Illustrated magazines since the Chicago Bears last won the Superbowl. Now is the perfect time to get rid of it. If you need to move out of your house while the remodeling is done, or you are moving to a new home, such an opportune time may never occur again. Say it won't fit in the rental house. It's either this or his golf clubs. Gently remind him that the sentimental item really serves as a reminder of his advancing years. Anything. Get rid of it. It will be one positive you can remind yourself of when the stress of remodeling makes you feel that this project was the biggest mistake of your life.

8. Grow closer to your family through forced bathroom sharing.

The saying goes that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Perhaps that wise pundit had to share a closet sized bathroom with three kids and a spouse. In reality, there's no greater way to create intimacy in a family than by all trying to get ready for the morning in the same 7'x 5' space. You'll learn new exciting things about your children - like toilet paper is purely optional for little boys. You'll discover that there is no bond quite like the one created when the entire family brushes their teeth together over the same sink. You'll realize why the older generation of your relatives only washed their hair once a week instead of facing communal bathroom time. But most importantly, you'll no longer need to yell at your kids to hurry up for school - they're standing right next to you.

9. Earn free flights from all of your purchases.

In what is admittedly (and somewhat sheepishly) the only practical survival tip on this list, get an airline mileage credit card. Charge everything on it - lights, plumbing fixtures, windows, doors, lumber, carpet. The windows alone can get you close to one free trip. Whether you decide to share your miles with anyone else in the family or to escape on your own to a world of quiet solitude and, preferably, an open bar, is entirely up to you.

10. Hire some good looking contractors and feel like you're 15 years old again.

Hey, guys get a whole chain of restaurants and bars where the main attraction is busty waitresses in tight t-shirts (Hooters). Why can't us gals have some eye candy once in a while? Besides, it's a productivity tool. You'll be more likely to inspect the job or meet the architect if some young, fit, good-looking men are there - especially in the summer months when shirts tend to become optional. For example, we once hired a roofing crew of male model wannabees for a house we built. My husband called them the "Beefcake Roofers." They created quite a stir in the neighborhood that summer. Let me tell you, it made rushing to stop by the house to go over notes with the trades first thing in the morning a bit more interesting ... and much more fun!

Finally, remember, the end result of your new house will be worth the aggravation of the process. Plus, think of all the good stories you can tell!

About The Author
Julie Lohmeier
Along with her husband, Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects. From working hands on and doing much of the work herself to hiring contractors and construction managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement. She shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and other various rants at http://www.myhomeredux.com. Or sign up for her free email newsletter at: http://myhomeredux.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/get_my_home_red_2.html
@copyright 2005-2006, Julie Lohmeier, http://www.myhomeredux.com

Easy Landscaping and Curb Appeal for Florida Homes

The idea that an appealing outside is your best offense for intriguing potential buyers is based on the simple concept that first impressions really count. The great thing about learning some key elements of landscaping is that you can apply them to a home that you are just settling into, as well as one you are about to sell. For those who are selling or buying real estate in Tampa Bay Florida, some extra curb appeal advice will go a long way.

Florida is popular for nature-lovers. Instead of trying to keep up with garden hobbyists, present a clean, green impression, rather than a mini-arboretum. The decluttered impression that you want for the inside, should apply to the outside. Imagine a buyer coming to view your Tampa Bay Florida real estate house and all they can think is either, "how will I keep up with all those tropical flower beds?" or "how long will it take me to undo all of this?" Not that you should tear down all your hard work from a spectacular garden; just be sure to have it freshly pruned, trimmed and weeded for buyers, so they don't feel like they have to have a green thumb if they want to buy your home.

Select your plants according to how much sun and water they need. Then, focus on buying smaller selections (or larger if your budget allows) of some of Florida's award-winning specimens like the East Indian Holly Fern, which is wonderful for mass ground cover, and the Dwarf Golden Dewdrop for a beautiful border shrub with its yellow-gold leaves. Make up for size with color, with the purple-blooming Princess Flower, or the Yellow Elder, that will grow quickly (up to eight or ten feet tall). The plants you pick should attract the eyes to the house with their complimentary shades. For example, forest green trim on a house is complimented by shrubs with yellow leaves, and homes with neutral features can always use a few splashes of dramatic color in their landscaping.

Take a picture of the front of your house with you as you visit nurseries and garden shops. Garden professionals can suggest which colors and varieties will work best for your particular home. They should also be able to tell you what kind of mulch, pebble or lava stones you should use for each. The colors of these can also add a lovely contrast of color.

Plant a few annuals near the mailbox and an odd number of shrubs or hedges in front of the house to create depth. Make your house inviting with colors that compliment, but don't complicate. If your house is basic in design, plant a few romantic Magnolias or exotic Calathea to break up the lines. Likewise, a house with a modern exterior can be dressed down for the conservative eye with neatly trimmed Serissa Foetida hedges and simple splashes of annuals.

If you want something even more simple, try buying big, decorative pots and filling them with a few shades of hardy flowers. This takes care of catching the eyes of the buyer, yet implies the perfect level of impermanence for the more fickle-natured. You can offer to leave the pots, or take them with you if the buyer doesn't want them. This can be a quick fix for those who are trying to move, sell and maintain a family and full-time job at the same time. There are plenty of ways to get elaborate with landscaping, but if you need to keep things easy, focus on complimentary colors, hearty specimens and as neat of an exterior as possible, so buyers and visitors will see your house as a breath of fresh, tropical air

About The Author
Bob Lipply is a licensed broker associate with Remax Realtec in Palm Harbor, Florida. He has many years of experience in selling Tampa Bay Florida Real Estate and has helped many families relocate to Florida and find their dream homes. Visit his website at http://www.lipplyrealestate.com or contact him direct at 1-888-423-5775. e-mail address is info@lipplyrealestate.com

Dressing Up Shower Curtain Rods

If you are on a tight decorating budget, or just like getting really creative, then you may want to consider using shower curtain rods in more places than the bathroom. Sure these rods are functional. They do hold up the all important shower curtain liner that keeps water in the shower and off the bathroom floor. But shower curtain rods also make great decorative poles in other room of the house.

Some of the Most Unusual Place to Hang a Rod

Shower curtain rods can be purchased for just a few dollars but look like a million bucks when used in some creative places around the house. It's the kind of home improvement project a struggling college student can use or the most sophisticated decorator and still have a great new look.

In the bedroom: Drapery fabric or curtains are a great way to hide an unattractive wall or cover closets where doors just don't work. The pressure style rods simply twist to the right size and are held in place by pressure. One consideration with this type of rod is that it cannot usually support very heavy drapes. If you are using velvet for example, you would probably need a rod that is mounted with good drywall screws.

Another creative place to use shower curtain rods in the bedroom is by suspending a couple from the ceiling above the bed. Sheer fabric can drape across both rods with a dip in the centre and then the fabric can cascade down the wall at the head of the bed. Not only have you created a romantic canopy, but you will also have a soft fabric headboard as a backdrop to decorative pillows.

In the Kitchen: A pantry area can be curtained off by using a shower curtain rod and some lightweight kitchen print fabric. This can be coordinated with café curtains on the windows and all of the table linens.

In the Sunroom: What to do with a sunroom that gets too hot? Most sunrooms are vented to control temperature, but it can still heat up the connecting rooms in the house when too much sun comes in. You can use a pressure shower curtain rod at either end of the overhead windows in a sunroom. Then stitch a pocket ½" wider than the pole's diameter into which the poles slip. When you hang the rods the fabric can be taut or drape slightly. Either way you have diffused the sunlight just enough to control the room's temperature.

Shower Curtain Rods for the Bathroom

The latest decorating trends have taken the mundane out of bathrooms. There are s-shaped rods that make an old fashioned claw foot tub able to support a shower spray. Also, there are new designs in rods that suspend them from chains so that they appear to float from the ceiling. You can dress up shower curtain rods by choosing fun coordinating colours or attaching the curtains with interesting ribbons or clips. It doesn't have to be just a plastic ring through a button hole.

The ideas are endless and only limited by imagination and creativity. Spend some time looking through decorating catalogues and you will see that whenever there is an expensive rod used to hold up fabric, a shower curtain rod may do the job just as well, but for a whole lot less money.

About The Author
Peter Wilson revealed a lot of articles for http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com, a source on tips and tricks. The writer is writing on subjects such as shower curtain rods ( http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com/shower-curtain-rods.html ).

Modern Decor Tip: Blend Not Match

Are you having a difficult time trying to match the colors of the different pieces in your room's color scheme? Do you want to know how good Interior Designers solve this tough problem? I'll let you in on the secret...they blend the colors in the room instead of matching the colors. Don't be afraid because you can do it too. In fact, I really recommend it because it will allow you the freedom of being able to easily incorporate more exciting pieces into the room's color scheme and it will also make your life easier too since you won't end up going crazy trying to make all of your room's decor match perfectly!

How do you determine what items blend in your room and what items don't? A real good rule of thumb is to stand back and look at all the pieces in question together and to go with your gut feeling or (if you don't quite trust your eye for color) seek out a second opinion from a good friend or family member with a good eye for color. This method of blending not matching is especially helpful when you're working with a pattern that may take on one general color when viewed from a distance. I also like to take a close look at each patterned piece to see which colors they're comprised of to see if the piece is a fit. Be sure to have fun and remember; blend not match!

You can find more fun and exciting design and decorating tips on our website which features art and decor tips for contemporary homes and also art and home decor shopping.

About The Author
Bridget Greuel is a designer and writer for Zazzy Art Decor at www.zazzyartdecor.com and Topic Tuner at http://www.topictuner.com. Zazzy Art Decor features modern art and decor shopping and decorating tips.

Aquatic Bath Tubs:- More Than Just a Dip

Bathing is an important part of a decent living. For thousands of years, various cultures and societies have given attention and significance to the experience.

Nothing compares however to the experience of soaking in an aquatic bathtub after a long day. It is a perfect combination of luxury and quality, of leisure bath and healthy water immersion.

What Is an Aquatic Bathtub?

The aquatic bathtub provides for a more relaxing and soothing experience than any ordinary tub out there. It is like having your own spa in the comforts of your home. It is all about hydrotherapy.

What Is Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is one method of treating a disease through the use of water. It is deemed to be used by ancient Greek doctors.

This method is more commonly known now as the spa therapy. They are very popular now.

Hydrotherapy or spa treatment can be used to address various problems. The warm water can relax spasm, very useful in alleviating sprains, muscle sprains, fatigue and backache.

Sitting in hot water alone, or a sitz bath, is effective in treating swollen hemorrhoids.

Physiotherapy is another area that makes use of water. The buoyancy of water allows an ailing limb or strained muscle to be moved or exercised, as there is less pull of gravity when immersed in a tub of water.

What Is a Whirlpool Bath?

Whirlpool is a special feature in most bathtubs to have an effective hydrotherapy experience. It is water spinning in a circular motion around a central area.

Heat is used together with this whirlpool bath, to effect a stimulating treatment or massage in an aquatic bath.

Additional Features to Consider

In deciding over an aquatic bathtub, there are hundreds of selections to choose from, with more than 1,500 distributors worldwide. There are premium designs that come with many luxurious features. There are the economical ones that will provide the basic needs of a spa treatment.

1. Two-Person Bathtub

A roomy bathtub will definitely spell comfort. Spacious bathing will dispense with unnecessary adjustments.

2. Support Features

Seek an aquatic bathtub that has raised seats, arm rests and lumbar support. These features should be secured to enjoy a long soak.

3. Neck Pillows

Neck jet pillows and shiatsu back jet system are some of the most sought-after features. Hydrotherapy jets are installed to provide also the ultimate massage experience.

4. Lighting

Chromatherapy lighting will add more than to the aesthetics. This is a desirable bonus to the hydrotherapeutic experience.

5. Continuous Waterfall

This adds to a peaceful ambience as one rests in a relaxing bath. The sound makes the bathing the ultimate calming experience.

6. Remote Control

Since this bath is about relaxation, some manufacturers have already provided for floating remote control. Any features of the aquatic tub can be turned off and on without having to move from the relaxed stature.

The selection provides a wide range of style and sizes. The features are made even more user-friendly now. Anyone can configure the features to focus on a specific area of discomfort.

With these features to watch out for, getting an aquatic bathtub is really a must. It is like having a hot spring in the confines of the household. Anyone can take a dip, any time of the day.

Just do not miss out on the aquatic bathtub experience. Whatever it is that may be discerned by the budget and by the desires, make sure to get one. Get a quality one, in keeping with the true hydrotherapy purpose of getting more than just a dip.

About The Author
Claire Bowes is a successful Webmaster and publisher of bath tubs & bathing. Claire provides more information on her site about Aquatic Bath Tubs that you can research at home.
cbowes999@yahoo.com

Say Goodbye to The Wooden Window Shutter

A discussion of the wooden window shutter plus definitions and descriptions of the many kind of inexpensive and low maintenance shutters on the market.

The traditional window shutter is usually made of wood, needs a lot of maintenance and looks like it is right out of an episode of the Brady Bunch. These window shutters that have been in existence since Colonial times are a bit of an anachronism. Most people simply never shut them yet still the hinges need to be oiled and shined.

It might be time to get rid of the anachronistic wooden shutters on your home and go with something more modern such an aluminum window shutter that resists the elements and never closes. This will definitely cut down on your replacement and maintenance costs for keeping the exterior of your home looking sharp!

Here is a run down of the different types of decorate window shutter that are offered by manufacturers today.

Vinyl window shutter - These easy to clean, affordable shuttles last about forty years! They give your house a traditional look without the traditional expense of replacing them frequently. They weigh next to nothing and look like the real thing. They are available in all of the traditional louvered, board and batten and raised panel styles. Even better they come primed and ready to paint in the color of your choice.

Composite window shutter - These shutters are like a thick particleboard that is made from a composite of weather and rot-resistant materials. They are made from molds that offer all kinds of styles including the louvered, board and batten and raised panel window shutter style. You can also find these types of shutters in a cupboard style (sometimes called the Bahama style) that is hinged at the top so you can open and close them just like the old fashioned wooden shutter.

Fiberglass Shutters - This type of window shutter is the most expensive but they do last about twenty years. They are also molded and offered in a variety of designs including the Bahama, louvered, board and battened and raised panel window shutter styles. The fiberglass window shutter is also stronger and more secure than other types and can be used to protect your windows during hurricanes and storms. Most manufacturers offer these in scores of colors and textures that mimic the look of the real thing. You can also buy these primed and paint them yourself to match your house's exterior design scheme.

Aluminum Shutters. The aluminum wood shutter is also offered in a variety of styles including the faux colonial louvered style and the Bahama style. These strong shutters are great protection for your windows, both in terms of an intruder and also against a hurricane. They come in about a thousand textures and colors. However the powder coated finish looks a little less authentic than other types of shutters and many companies also only offer a warranty of about three years on aluminum shutters.

Of course the crème de la crème will always be the traditional wood shutters, but unfortunately they are not as storm proof as the fiberglass or aluminum window shutter and the costs of protecting them from the elements are relatively sky high compare to other types.

About The Author
Rene Knops helps you get a clear view for choosing beautiful window blinds, shutters or window treatment at lowest prices. for Special Deals and more visit: http://www.ChoosingWindowBlinds.com.

Stairways: Working with Your Contractor

Your home beautiful is just around the corner. You've selected your architect and your general contractor, and soon tradespeople will be appearing at your doorstep to put in those much-needed renovations. Now, it's about speaking their language so you can answer questions intelligently and get the results you want.

One key area that takes special crafting is your stairway. You can keep an eye on how things are progressing if you know the basics of stairway construction.

Learning the Lingo

Like any craft, building stairways has its own jargon. Learn the most common terms here.

Tread: The part of the step that is stepped on.

Riser: The vertical portion of the step between steps.

Balustrade: Refers to the collection of newels, balusters and handrail on a staircase.

Handrail: The horizontal member of a balustrade system that sits on top of the balusters and is supported by newel posts.

Balusters: Vertical posts which help support the handrail and comprise an integral design element in the formation of the balustrade.

Newel Posts: Located at the bottom and top of a staircase, and positioned at turns and support positions for the balcony rail, these posts form the major support of the balustrade system.

Nosing: The portion of a tread or landing tread which protrudes beyond the face of the riser.

Bullnose: The wider, rounded portion of a first step of a stairway that is open on one or both sides.

Run: The horizontal distance measured by the entire stairway.

Stringers: A supporting structure which runs the length of the stairway and supports the treads, risers, and balustrade system.

Staying in Step with the Workers

Now that you know what the workers are talking about, you can also know what they're doing with the tips below.

1. Make sure the contractor has checked the local building codes. Building code requirements for stairs vary from town to town, and you want to be sure you're in compliance.

2. Confirm correct stairwell dimensions. You may see measurements on a blueprint, but it wouldn't hurt to check the numbers again when the workers aren't around. You don't have to say anything if they're right; if they need correcting, you've just saved yourself some money.

3. Follow standard rules of thumb: Check the charts as well for stair parameters. Stair rise should be no higher than 7-5/8 inches, and the stair tread no more narrow than 10 inches. You'll ensure there's no stumbling when guests are over.

4. Choosing the material: Use specially crafted parts, especially for the weight bearing parts such as stair treads. If any wood will be exposed, you'll want to find a grain that harmonizes with your taste and décor.

5. Fasteners and adhesives: Ask your contractor if they intend to "glue and screw," and not just provide one or the other. This extra connecting power will help keep the stairway from creaking.

6. Strength and noise: Once the stairway is built, take a few moments to run up and down it before any carpeting or staining takes place. Be sensitive to bounciness or squeaks. This is the one and only time they can be dealt with affordably.

It's your house, and your involvement helps ensure things are done right. And, you'll enjoy your new stairway all the more knowing what's gone into it.

About The Author
Shawn Capell is the cofounder of Stair Warehouse. Stair Warehouse specializes in beautiful American Cherry stair parts, ornamental contemporary and iron balusters and Newel Posts. Visit them today at http://Stairwarehouse.com to find Stair Treads at warehouse pricing!

What You Should Know About Cabinets

Cabinets are one of the most important aspects of any kitchen. Quality cabinets can increase a the selling value of a home, while poorly constructed ones can detract from not only the value of a home but also the beauty and efficiency of a kitchen. In this article you'll learn more about the different types of cabinets, as well as what to do if the cabinets in your kitchen are less than ideal.

There are many different types of cabinets, made out of many different types of materials. The most popular material is, of course, wood. The least expensive type of woods that cabinets are sometimes crafted from include choices like poplar, birch and maple. If you go with one of these woods, you will probably want to paint your cabinets. Some homeowners choose to go with designer effects like faux finishing to give lower grades of wood a classic and sophisticated look. A step up from these low grade woods would be choices like oak and pine -- durable woods that are fairly affordable.

Looking to spend a bit more for high quality wood? Then you should consider woods such as maple, cherry, or hickory. Which one is best for you depends on your personal preferences and what you feel looks best in your kitchen. Now, if you're looking for a cabinet material that's truly spectacular, you could go with expensive choices like mahogany, walnut or ebony. Not only are these woods exotic and attractive, they're durable and long-lasting.

Just as there are lots of various woods cabinets can be crafted from, there are also various types of cabinetry to suit every price range and preference. Stock cabinetry is the most affordable type of cabinetry, however you won't have a lot to choose from as far as design is concerned. These types of cabinets are made in large quantities in a factory. The next step up from stock cabinetry is semi-custom cabinetry. While these are also factory made, you are given more choices in the size, material and finish of your cabinets. The third, and most expensive type of cabinets are custom cabinets. Custom cabinets are crafted especially for you and meet your every specification and need from start to finish. This type of cabinetry takes longer to build and costs a lot more than the other two options, but can be worth the time and expense.

Maybe you're a homeowner who has cabinets that are less than satisfactory. If so, there are two choices available to you. You can have your existing cabinets removed and replaced or you can simply refinish your cabinets. Which option you choose will have a lot to do with your kitchen storage needs and the quality of your cabinets. If your cabinets are crafted from a low-quality wood and you would prefer a higher grade, then replacement is probably your best bet. If your cabinets do not provide you with the storage space you need, this may be another reason to replace. However, if your existing cabinets are made from an acceptable wood and provide you with enough storage, then refinishing, also known as refacing, might be the way to go.

Refinishing your cabinets is something you can hire a contractor to do, or handle yourself. The first step is to remove your cabinet doors and all hardware, then label the inside of each door with a sticky note. The reason for labeling is so that it will be easy to replace your cabinets when you're done refinishing. After you've labeled everything and removed all the hardware, it's time to remove the finish from the cabinet doors. This can be achieved with a varnish removal product purchased from your local home improvement store. These products can be quite toxic so always be sure to wear proper safety equipment like goggles and gloves. Also, it's crucial to ventilate the room with plenty of fresh air. If you can, doing the work outdoors is an even safer option.

After the varnish remover has done its job, rinse the wood clean and let it dry. Once dry, sand the cabinets to a smooth finish, then brush away all excess sanding dust. You might want to start with a coarse sandpaper to smooth rough areas and finish with a finer grade for an even finish. After the sanding is complete, you can apply the stain or varnish of your choice. If you use more than one coat, allow each coat to dry before adding another. Make sure the stain is completely dry before touching the cabinets. Once you're sure the cabinets are fully dry, you can reinstall them in your kitchen. To give them a shiny new look, replace your old hardware with new hardware.

No matter what type of kitchen you have, good cabinetry is a must. Not only can the right cabinets add to the look of the room, they can give you all the space you need for storing your kitchen related items. If you ever sell your home, you can be sure that prospective buyers are going to examine the kitchen cabinets! With that in mind, take a good look at your existing cabinetry. Is it all you think it should be? If not, there are many options available to you. For ideas, check out some books on the subject or flip through some home improvement magazines. Even a leisurely trip to your local home improvement store can be enough to get you thinking about the upgrades you want to make to your cabinets. Whether you do the work yourself or hire someone to do it for you, you'll find that the end result is definitely worth the time and expense!

About The Author
Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://jwpincorporated.com/.

Historic Homes Restoration—it’s Easy With A Professional Restoration Team

Old homes are beautiful. Not to mention they have character and style that just can't be found in homes today. That is because older homes were built with materials that are no longer used. Not to mention craftsmanship and creativity that can't be found in today's matchbox homes. However, if you buy a historic home and are interested in home restoration then you will definitely have your work cut out for you.

Restoring an old home takes a lot of time and effort and it can be nearly impossible if you don't know what you are doing. Even if you hire a contractor to restore your historic home you may not end up with the results you are looking for if the contractor does not specialize in historic renovation or old home restoration. However, there is hope out there!

Many contractors work specifically on historic homes to restore them to their former glory. However, the new owners also want modern conveniences and features that were not previously present. So, the home restoration contractor works to impeccably restore the home while including the modern necessities the homeowner desires. The result is a historical home that offers everything a contemporary family might need while reflecting the home's amazing history, construction and craftsmanship.

Choosing a Home Restoration Contractor

If you want your old home to be restored then you need to be very careful with the home restoration contractor you choose. Not all contractors know how to restore old homes correctly and could actually do more harm to your historical restoration efforts than you imagined.

Because of this when you are looking for a contractor to restore your historical home make sure you check out their past work. Ask for references, check out previous homes they have restored, and see if the final result is what you are looking for in your home restoration.

Once you find a contractor you trust with your historic renovation then you will be ready to sit down and talk about what you have in mind. Be sure the old house restoration contractor is well aware of your desires for the ultimate outcome of your home.

When the homeowners and contractors are on the same page, and the contractor is skilled, then old house restoration is most successful. Keep these tips in mind when you are considering old home restoration and you will likely have the new, old home of your dreams!

About The Author
Ken Kurse is a writer for Landmark Services. Landmark Services Inc. specializes in historic renovations, additions, and repairs to historic homes and buildings throughout the New England area. Turn to the old house experts — Landmark Services — to preserve your home's historic character, longevity, functionality, and value. Visit http://www.Landmarkservices.com today!

Major Bathroom Remodeling Guidelines

Although the bathroom, compared to all the other rooms in the home has the smallest area, a "major bathroom remodeling" can be costly; in fact can be compared to renovating a small house.

Upgrading your bathroom appliances as well as knocking down walls are generally the scope of "bathroom remodeling" jobs. You will need important help that will include a designer or architect, an electrician, plumber, carpenter, professional tiler and possibly also a "general contractor" to organize jobs and bring everybody together.

For the superlative bathroom remodeling results, you need to contact a contractor because this won't be a simple do-it-yourself remodeling project.

Benefits of hiring a contractor

The most notable benefit of obtaining the help of a contractor in your major bathroom remodeling project is acquiring "peace of mind" and having to deal with just one person to impart your ideas to or to blame in case something goes wrong.

A reliable contractor carries with him the knowledge and skills to supervise and manage everything in the bathroom remodeling process starting from the tearing-out phase up to the installation of the last plumbing piece.

Your contractor coordinates with the plumber, electrician and any other workers needed in your bathroom remodeling project, obtains all essential permits demanded by your city and organizes work schedules in order that no time is wasted.

Design and planning

A collection of architectural and design plans will help not only you but your bathroom remodeling professionals as well visualize the completed project, although any design ideas and preparations may be helpful.

When contemplating major remodeling on your bathroom, the most essential thing to keep in mind is to consider and look into your "bathroom remodeling" project estimate or figures as well as what you imagine is the most attractive bathroom design for you.

Throughout the your bathroom remodeling course, remember to think and look of the remodeling project from all angles such as functionality, overall design, aesthetic appeal, comfort, materials and colors.

While you may avoid crazy designs generally in other rooms of your house, your bathroom can deal with vibrant patterns and colors and whimsical themes. Furthermore, it can be a meticulous depiction of your homes ambience.

Consult a designer for bathroom design suggestions and ideas, let them know of your design preference so they can give you a sketch or you can examine magazines and cut out designs, ideas and photos that correspond or match with what design you have in mind.

Here are basic questions that you should ask yourself to help you design your bathroom:

• What do you want to accomplish?

• Which do you prefer more, sink or counter space?

• Do you need one more shower compartment?

• Would you like to put in a whirlpool or spa setting?

• Do you need lots of cabinets or just open shelves for storage space?

Establishing a realistic budget for your major bathroom remodeling

When determining your bathroom remodeling budget, bear in mind the bathroom design inspiration and ideas you like as well as if they are expensive.

Remember, it is less expensive when you don't relocate your bathroom's plumbing fixtures, like sinks or toilets, so then when you have a much smaller budget, incorporating your present bathroom plan into your new bathroom design can in fact, be very economical.

Furthermore, the cost of your bathroom remodeling project will greatly depend on your choice of fixtures and quality of bathroom appliances you would like to have. Some bathtubs, fixtures and even tiles could be expensive because of their brand names.

Considering that you can spend hours in your bathroom, taking care of your many hygiene and grooming needs, it is very important that you give thorough consideration on how you want to use your bathroom room.

Today's bathroom is no longer just a place for taking a bath, brushing your teeth, etc. It now can a place where you can relax in the tub, light a candle and read a book and just take pleasure in its calming ambience.

Bathrooms need to be just as functional, good looking and comfortable as the other rooms of your home.

Enjoy the excitement and fun of your bathroom remodeling project and take pleasure in the many years of contentment and gratification offered by your finished bathroom project.

About The Author
The above article was written by Sarah Miller on behalf of a buzzing online Home Improvement community where homeowners easily and painlessly find the right contractor for their home improvement projects and in turn, contractors can find the right Home Improvement Leads! Also check out the http://QuoteCity.com Blog for more related Home Improvement Articles and Ideas.

How to Make an Fixer-Upper’s Kitchen Working and Spanking Cool

Kitchens are one of the busiest parts of the house. Many things go on in the kitchen and this is why it's often the dirtiest, most abused and most in need of repair in the whole house. If you're planning on investing in an fixer-upper, be sure that one of your top priorities will be renovating the kitchen.

How Do You Plan on Marketing the House?

Before you touch even one object or take one brick out of the kitchen, consider first how you plan on marketing the house. Consider the house's size. Consider the neighborhood. Is it more suited to become a family home, an apartment or a bachelor's pad? The answer to this question will enable you to learn as well what type of kitchen would be best to use or create.

A bachelor's pad, for instance, would only need a simple but functional kitchen – if the kitchen area is too big, you should consider making the area smaller if your budget allows.

A family home, however, would need lots and lots of space in the kitchen because this is one of the communal spots of the house and where everybody gathers for some quality family time.

How Much Are You Willing and Able to Spend?

Keep in mind that those questions are completely different but you have to reach a compromise between the answers to both questions. It's more difficult to save money when redesigning or renovating a kitchen than a bedroom. There are more accessories available to make a bedroom or even a living room more beautiful for a relatively small amount. Kitchen accessories, however, are comparatively limited and only few of them are priced cheaply.

Consider Giving the Kitchen a Facelift

Take a critical full structural survey of the kitchen. Take snapshots of every corner of the room. Try appraising it with an unbiased eye. Is it in need of major repairs or is it only in need of a makeover and a fresh new appearance? If it's the latter then maybe all it needs is a simple facelift. A facelift involves making superficial changes, nothing major or anything that would require you to spend loads of money. Facelifts include but aren't limited to removing old wallpaper, re-applying varnish to kitchen cabinets, laminating countertops and changing faucets.

Are There Any Time Constraints?

If, for any reason, you are subject to time constraints, you need to consider this while making remodeling plans for the kitchen. How long do you think it will take you to accomplish your plans? If you are in need of contractors, have them give you an estimate on the number of days they need in order to complete their job. If you are going to order materials or supplies, ask how long it will take to deliver them to your home. Give your project at least one week's allowance for delays or problems. If there's a possibility that you won't be able to meet the deadline, consider altering some of your plans for the kitchen or asking for an extension of the deadline.

Space Planning for the Kitchen

If you believe that there's need for changes beyond simple repair and facelift, you should also consider the present layout of the kitchen and see if it allows people to move and work in comfort.

Kitchen Cabinet Area – Is there truly enough space for kitchen equipment, kitchenware, cleaning materials, canned goods and other miscellaneous kitchen items?

Vertical Space – Don't neglect using vertical space to your advantage. If the kitchen area is small, making use of vertical space for kitchen cabinets will prevent the layout for being too cluttered.

Staying on the Dot

You need to make full use of each day you're given when remodeling the kitchen or the house in general. Make a list of the repairs you need to accomplish for the kitchen to resume functionality. Don't postpone for tomorrow what you can do today.

Remember: no matter how much you wish to redesign the kitchen into the most beautiful culinary center in the neighborhood, you still have to consider your budget. You still have to remember that this is an investment and the need to save as much money on repairs as possible.

About The Author
The above article was written by Sarah Miller on behalf of a buzzing online Home Improvement community where homeowners easily and painlessly find the right contractor for their home improvement projects and in turn, contractors can find the right Home Improvement Leads! Also check out the http://QuoteCity.com Blog for more related Home Improvement Articles and Ideas.