Remodeling the bathroom is a great way to add value to your home, as well increase your enjoyment of one of the most used rooms in your house. If you are like most homeowners, the thought of remodeling the bathroom can be a little overwhelming.The fist thing you must do when thinking about a bathroom remodel is to plan it out. It sounds simple but you would be surprised how many people do not do this important step first in their bathroom remodeling project. A little planning at the beginning can save a lot of headaches and money later on.A lot of people get caught up in the cosmetic features of a bathroom remodel, forgetting the need to look at some potential underlying problems that may need to be addressed. When they get into the project they find out a few thousand additional dollars will need to be spent fixing something they could have caught in the beginning if they had just spent a little more time in the preparation stage.Do a detailed inspection of your bathroom. Are the fixtures old and/or energy efficiency? Look at the room from every possible angle, keeping an eye out for leaks and water stains, deterioration and mold. Think about any moisture problems or air quality issues that may require attention.As you begin the process of planning and thinking about the bathroom remodel, take the time to build a budget, time frame and think realistically about how much you are willing to spend. Bathroom renovations can become very complicated and add up quickly. If the bathroom remodel gets prolonged do to an oversight or unforeseen problem consider how a prolonged expensive disruption to your home.Does the current bathroom layout work for you? Think about who uses the space and how that may change in the future. Do you have a growing or shrinking, family? How does the storage you have work for you? Do you need more storage or just a better system for what you currently have?One aspect of bath remodeling that is often over looked is lighting. When choosing what type of lighting you will be using consider if you have a source of natural light in the bathroom. If you do choose lighting that will compliment the natural light as much as possible and still provide privacy. If you do not have a natural light source try to create one through the lighting you choose.Finally choose what flooring you will be using in your bathroom remodel. If your budget allows for it natural stone or ceramic tile are two of the easiest surfaces to keep clean. They do cost more than other materials, but will last for the life of your bathroom.Once you have plans on paper and a budget to guide you, you can begin to think about where you are willing to spend your money.Things such as plumbing and electrical work are typically a fixed price and there is not much you can do about it. Bathroom vanities, sinks, lighting, fixtures, and other items come in a wide range of styles and prices. However remember to look beyond the price tag as this is something you will be living with for years to come and you want to get the most enjoyment out of your new bathroom. For example a new toilet and showerhead can save up to 70 per cent on water usage. Choosing a low-flow unit may cost more now, but save you money for years to come.Although it may seem extravagant, getting a new bathtub or shower may make sense when you have a plan and a budget that are working for you. A couple extra hundred dollars in one area may be the difference between a good bathroom renovation and a great one.By hiring a reputable general contractor to help you determine the best solution for your bathroom needs will ultimately save you time, money and headaches in the future and can guide you as to where you will get the most value for your dollar. For some suggestions read Tips For Selecting a General Contractor below.If you are looking for a Long Island Bathroom Contractor please call us for more information or visit our website.
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Remodeling a kitchen takes a great deal of planning. You have to decide what you want to change, what can stay and what your budget is. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are well worth once it is done. You get a beautiful kitchen set up just the way you want it and it is a great selling feature if you have plans on selling your home in the future.There are many things to consider when remodeling a kitchen; such as do you prefer cabinets or drawers, would you like a island or breakfast bar, do you want Granite, Formica or Silestone/Quartz countertops, do you need more storage, etc.?One of the greatest challenges is choosing a reputable contractor. The right contractor will make this difficult process as easy as possible. With a little research you should be able to find the right kitchen remodeling conractor. For some suggestions read Tips For Selecting a General Contractor below.Whether you have a large kitchen or one with limited space, you should always try to make every inch count to maximize functionality. Once you have your kitchen space planned out the other challenge in remodeling your kitchen is to not only choose good materials and colors for it but also create a lively interior that incorporates appliances and cabinets with structural elements.Plan where you will be putting your fridge, oven and other kitchen appliances. Creating a lively interior can be a challenge, but a detailed plan can help provide order. There is an imaginary triangle that you should use when remodeling your kitchen which experts call the kitchen work triangle. This is an imaginary straight line from the center of your sink to the center of your fridge and your cook top. The triangle should be planned using equal distances between each of the three appliances to promote efficiency.To further make your kitchen user-friendly it is important that no entry, appliance or cabinet doors block each other when they are open. If you have an island in your kitchen, an appliance or door on the island should not hit an appliance or cabinet door across from it.Modern kitchens usually face the dining area so that the cook can still talk to his or her guests or family members while preparing a meal. If you are worried that you might not be able to distinguish which is your kitchen and which is your dining area if you do this, all you have to do is pick the area with a higher ceiling and make that your kitchen.For kitchens that are small, finding space for storage can be a major problem. One of the best ways to keep a smaller kitchen organized is to build a walk-in pantry instead of using cabinets. Removing items that you hardly use can also make space for the things you do need in your kitchen.Countertops can differ in heights and this allows for visual variety and helps to maximize productivity. Vary your cabinet door styles to make your space more interesting; after all, your kitchen does not have to be uniform. Use one style of door for your wall cabinets and another style for the island. Or choose different cabinet colors or decorative finishes to add some interest.For those who do find appliances to be eye soars, there are panels that you can install to hide these appliances so they blend in with the rest of the cabinetry. Just make sure the panels match your cabinets. For items that you can't really hide, like your stovetop, using a raised ledge or breakfast bar on your island or kitchen peninsula can help hide the stove. If you are going with double ovens installing one or both ovens into your island will help make sure that oven is out of view.An easy way to also help hide your appliances is to buy stainless steel. Stainless steel appliances reflect the color of their surroundings, and since the material is neutral these appliances are often much less noticeable. In addition, they add a higher end look to any kitchen.Get ideas by looking at pictures of other kitchen remodeling jobs. The Internet is a great place to do this. This will help you get inspiration of how you want your kitchen decorated and arranged. Looking at kitchen remodeling ideas will also keep you up to date on the latest trends in kitchen design. It is not always a good idea to go with the latest trends and sometimes better to go with something more timeless if you plan on living with it for the next twenty years.Visit home stores and kitchen stores. Many have kitchens, appliances and products set up. By visiting these stores, you will see how kitchen product look and you can also ask the sales people about its durability and functions.Your kitchen is one of the most useful and most used areas of your house. Remodeling it to make it you're cooking and social area may require a lot of work. Do not let this hinder you from making your kitchen a much better looking and more functional place. If you are looking for a Long Island Kitchen Contractor please call us for more information or visit our website.
The first step in picking a general contractor is to select what type of general contractor you will need to do your home remodeling or new home construction project. Do they specialize in all areas of home construction and remodeling or do they only specialize in one area such as bathrooms and/or kitchen remodeling.Regardless of whom you choose you should follow some basic rules to make sure you choose a general contractor who is reputable. This is your home and you should make sure the contractor you select will treat the job and your home as if it was their own.To start, hire a contractor with an established business in your area. Make sure their business address is a physical address and not a P.O. Box. Make sure they are licensed in your area and have liability insurance to protect your property from any accidental damage that could occur during construction. Many areas require Workmen's Compensation to cover workers that may get injured during construction and towns usually require proof of insurance to obtain a Building Permit. In addition make sure any sub contractors on the job should are covered as well.Ask the contractor to provide insurance documentation you can verify. A reputable general contractor will have no problem providing you with copies of these documents. If they cannot provide this information you should cross them off your list.Next ask for several client references and do not be afraid to call and ask questions such as did the contractor complete the remodeling project on time and within the budget agreed upon, did the completed job meet or exceed your expectations, how neat were they in your home, did the workers show up when they were expected, if there were problems a month or two after the job did they come back to fix it in a timely fashion, etc. Request a detailed written estimate. Any general contractor who does not provide you with this should be crossed off your list as well. Get at least three estimates and then compare prices. Remember that the lowest bidder is not always the best choice. If there are major differences in the quotes you get, investigate further. Ask questions such as what type of materials will they be using; what is the time frame, how many workers will be on the job, what is the warranty, etc. Compare apples to apples and make sure you are getting quoted for similar work and materials from all contractors. Remember materials such as kitchen cabinets, counter tops, bathroom vanities, flooring, siding, roofing, etc. are not all the same.Sign a written contract. The contract should clearly state what the general contractor will do from the beginning to end of your job, what supplies and material types are included, the payment schedule and the time line for the remodeling or new home construction project to be completed.Find out if they a member of NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry). NARI is a not-for-profit trade association with more than 50 years of industry experience and is dedicated to enhancing the professionalism of the construction industry and serving as an ally to the homeowner.Visit the National NARI website or visit the Long Island / New York Chapter of NARI for more information.You may also want to visit websites such as Find A Pro to read contractors reviews. These can be excellent resources to read what others have to say about their experience with the general contractor.Whether you want to do a house dormer, new home construction, a bathroom remodel or kitchen remodel, by doing some research and planning will help you choose the right general contractor for your home remodeling job.If you are looking for a Long Island Contractor please call us for more information or visit our website.
