A kitchen contractor for home remodeling is important in kitchen remodels because kitchen contractors (or general contractors who specialize in kitchen remodeling) have both the knowledge and the contacts or connections to produce quality work.  And quality work is very important in a kitchen remodel.

Another argument for a kitchen contractor for home remodeling involving changes to a kitchen is that many states or localities require that electrical, plumbing and natural gas lines be installed only by licensed or certified professionals. A kitchen remodel also involves detailed measurement and cutting for proper installation of cabinets, countertops and flooring. 

Hiring a kitchen contractor for home remodeling is often the difference between a solidly constructed, functional and safe room and a disaster waiting to happen.  Ventilation, appliance installation, and the correct installation of sinks, faucets and other fittings are critical for a healthy kitchen.  Because of their expertise in providing quality work, you might want to turn to an expert.

Here’s what you should look for in any contractor you hire for a kitchen remodel:

• Connections/relationships with reliable, high-quality electricians and plumbers
• Knowledge of kitchen design and function
• Experience in working with kitchen remodeling
• Ability to offer advice and suggestions to make the kitchen more useful, attractive and spacious (or compact)
• Experience of the unique challenges of kitchen remodeling
• Knowledge of the difference between reducing cost and cutting corners
• Concern for safety
• Experience with ceiling and wall changes and how they affect the integrity of the roof and its structural support
• Experience with extending or enlarging a kitchen and the kind of structural changes necessary to support the changes
• Experience in building seamless additions. 

Most of the appliances in your home are located in your kitchen. You will need a contractor who knows how and where to position all of the electrical outlets needed for both major appliances and other kitchen needs. 

Working with cabinets and countertops presents unique challenges that argue for a kitchen contractor for home remodeling. Adjustments must be made for uneven floors or crooked walls when hanging or installing cabinets. Proper seals are necessary for sinks, exhaust fans, etc. 

If you add an island or a peninsula, this can also present unique challenges, especially if your range or cooktop or sink are to be placed there.  This will involve additional professional work. All of the lines, wires and pipes will need to be correctly positioned, insulated and protected from damage.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, you might conclude that hiring a kitchen contractor for home remodeling is just a very smart move.  You will certainly find that your project goes faster and smoother with a kitchen professional on site.

There are three ways to buy kitchen cabinets: stock, semi-custom and custom. 

Stock cabinets are made in a factory in standard sizes, finishes, types of wood, and design. You will choose the wood, color and design you want, and the cabinets will be delivered to you ready to install or ready for you to assemble and install.  Stock cabinets are almost always the lowest cost option for your kitchen remodel.

• Semi-custom cabinets give you some additional choices about wood used, finishes, designs, sizes, etc.  They will be cut to your specifications and delivered to you to assemble and install. Semi-custom cabinets represent the middle of the cost range.
• Custom cabinets will be built of the wood you choose in your kitchen. They will be finished and have door design of your choice. You will be able to have cabinets that are not of standard size, and you can design specialty cabinets that will meet your needs. Because they are built to unique specifications and built on site, they will be the most expensive. 

The style and color of your cabinets will set the tone for your entire kitchen remodel. You will want to choose door panel designs that are appropriate for the room style and décor.  You might want to have glass or frosted glass panels in some of the doors. 

The main function of kitchen cabinets is storage. As you plan the layout of your kitchen and the position of cabinets, you will want to be sure you are positioning the right size and shape cabinets in key locations, such as deeper and taller cabinet sections near the oven/stove for convenience and accessibility. For example, you will probably want to keep pots and pans near the cooking area of the new kitchen.

 As you consider kitchen cabinet cost and decide how customized your cabinets will be, it is also worth the time to investigate cabinet inserts that provide organization and access to the items you store in them.  For example, a deep corner cabinet for large pots and pans can be hard to live with when you want the items in the back corner.  But by installing a lazy Susan or a set of curved shelves attached to the cabinet door, you can have easy access to everything.  Cabinet inserts can be installed in almost any type of cabinet you choose.  These organization and accessibility devices can add cost, but the cost will probably be worth the ease of access.

If you are remodeling your kitchen before placing your home on the market, it can be a good idea to put personal taste and preferences aside and choose the wood, color, finish, etc. for your cabinets that is a better match for what is being installed in new homes in your neighborhood.

As you work out your budget and define your total kitchen remodel, it will be important to keep a close eye on your kitchen cabinet cost. Don’t forget that kitchen cabinet cost will account for about half of your total remodeling cost.

1.  Do you like the rest of your current home?  Are you happy with the size, layout/floor plan, location, neighborhood and yard?  If you are not, then the decision to move might be obvious.  If you are happy with your current home, but you would like to change a few things, it is probably worth considering some remodeling, perhaps in stages (taking one room at a time).

2.  Is your current home worth the investment?  Would the kitchen of your dreams be completely out of place in your current home? Would the kind of kitchen remodel you have in mind result in over-improving your home in terms of other houses in the neighborhood?  This can be roughly calculated by adding to the current value of your home 70-80% of the expected cost of the planned remodel. 

3.  How do you feel about moving and about remodeling?  Do you enjoy remodeling? Can your family live with the disruption while the work is done? Or do you cringe at the thought of even a minor remodeling project?  Would you do the work yourself? Would you hire a general contractor? Would you do part of the work and have a contractor do the rest?  Do you have the time to look for a house that fits your needs? Do you have the time to devote to a remodeling project?

4.  Have you compared the costs of remodeling vs. moving?  Many homeowners compare costs based on partial information and find themselves surprised by the actual cost of either remodeling or moving.  There are many hidden costs or costs people don’t think about when they are making a decision. There is, however, a resource to help you. Just go to www.remodelormove.com and click on the calculator information. You will get a realistic comparison of the real cost of moving vs. the real cost of the type of remodel you have in mind for your kitchen.

5.  How will you pay for the remodel or the move?  Will you use available cash? Will you use financing options?  Can either solution be financed without up-front cash from your savings?  Do you know how much credit is available to you for either a remodel or a move?

6.  Can you find the house you need with the kitchen you want by moving?  Kitchens in newly constructed homes are often bigger and better equipped than many older kitchens.  As you look for a new house with the kitchen you want, you might find it necessary to make some compromises between the kitchen and what you need in the rest of the house.  What are the realistic chances you can find a house that meets all the needs of your family and has a terrific kitchen?

These questions should help you begin to think about the best way for you to get the kitchen you want.  They will also help you ask other equally important questions as you decide whether to remodel or move to chase away the kitchen blues.

One way to approach a small bathroom remodel, then, is to keep it simple.  Sometimes less is more; and this is true of small bathrooms.  If you are trying to create an elegant and luxurious bathroom don’t forget about understated elegance.

Starting with the big things, here are some tips to help you with your small bathroom remodel:

• Choose only a compact shower stall or only a whirlpool or spa tub that is smaller and deeper (this will fit nicely in a corner).  Even some of the tub designs now being advertised for seniors would work in a small bathroom.
• Choose a pedestal sink or a wall mounted sink.  This will leave more floor space and make the room feel bigger.
• Choose the most compact toilet you can find. Choose a taller model over a shorter wider style.

Now for decorative items:

• Choose a mirror with no frame or a mirror with a small frame — this will make the room look bigger and the mirror will reflect light farther in the room.
• Cover an entire wall with a mirror — this will create the appearance of a much larger space.
• Use fewer wall-mounted towel rods or rings – choose a ring beside the sink to save space.
• Store extra linens nearby, but put out only a minimum at any one time.
• Place light fixtures where they will reflect light throughout the room
• If you don’t have a window, consider installing a tube light to bring in sunlight
• Find creative ways to add storage in walls.

Decorating ideas:

• Choose lighter and brighter colors
• Use glass block windows or frosted windows instead of curtains – it will make the room look larger
• Use wallpaper or paint design that draws the eye upward to make the room appear larger – either vertical stripes, vertical designs, or a border at the top of the wall
• Use small shelves above and under sinks, toilets, etc. to provide storage and decoration
• Keep color combinations minimalist – no more than two colors
• Avoid clutter – don’t set decorative items around that are not necessary
• Add luxuries in ways that do not use more of your space (massaging shower heads, spa tub, radiant floor heating, fogless mirrors, heated towel rods, fragrances, etc.)

In small spaces, simplicity is generally best if you want to create a feeling of spaciousness and elegance.  Clean simple lines, lots of light, no clutter, and an eye to the necessary will help you create a very comfortable and luxurious small bathroom remodel.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, advanced wall framing is a set of techniques used in framing a wood-framed house which reduces the amount of lumber used in the project and reduces the amount of waste in construction of the house.  Advanced Wall Framing is also called Optimum Value Engineering (OVE). 

Design Considerations

• Design the home, the addition or the remodel on 2-foot or 4-foot square modules (this saves cutting and labor when using sheet goods, such plywood).  This design consideration also reduces waste because most cuts of sheet goods will result in a useable piece for another part of the project.
• Space floor joists and roof rafters up to 24 inches apart on-center.  Using engineered lumber will also allow you to span longer distances with the joists and roof rafters because of its added strength and stability. 
• Use in-line framing, which places floor, wall and roof framing elements in a vertical line in order to transfer the load directly downward into the foundation. This will allow you to eliminate double top plates by evenly distributing the load.  Your studs will be placed directly beneath roof trusses, and all can be placed up to 24 inches apart.  
• Plan windows and doors so that one side (or more) of the window or door uses an existing stud.  If your windows have openings of 22.5 inches, they will fit between the existing studs. This will eliminate the need for headers because you will not need to cut any studs. 

Using these design considerations and framing methods will save a lot on the cost of your remodel for several reasons: 

•  
  1. You will use less lumber and other materials.
  2. You will have lower labor costs.
  3. You will eliminate much of the waste.

No matter what your home remodeling project, if supports or framing is involved, you might do well to consider advanced framing techniques for your remodel.  Be sure to check with your local building codes office to understand local remodeling requirements. Then discuss advance framing with your contractor.  You might find that using these techniques will save a lot on the cost of your remodel.

For more detail on this and other findings, read the complete report here.

First steps in planning your family room addition should include:

• Assess the property (grade, easements, etc) and determine where you will build your family room addition
• Consider access to the new family room. If you place the addition in a particular location, how will it connect to the existing structure? What changes to the existing structure will be necessary to provide access to the new family room?
• What changes to the existing structure will be necessary to provide access? How will this affect the functionality of the existing space?
• If your home is on a sloped lot, how much will you need to “build up” the foundation to position the new space on the same level as the existing structure?
• If you must “build up” how will you use the space under the new room? Is this a good space for storage? Is it something that can be finished into another usable space? Is it a place to store lawn and gardening equipment and supplies, or bicycles and other outdoor items?
• What is the appropriate size of the new family room? You will want to consider not only your space needs, but also the size of the existing structure. Proportion is important, especially when considering resale value. You will need to determine the size and scale that fits and complements the existing home. Don’t make it so large that it overwhelms the house or so small that it doesn’t acent the rest of the house.
• What kind of roofline will fit into the existing roof? What kinds of roofing materials are indicated in order to match the rest of the house?
• How will the exterior walls match or complement the rest of the exterior of the house?
• What kind of windows and doors are appropriate in order to make the addition look like it has always been part of the house?
• Is this an opportunity to build your addition in a way that improves the energy efficiency of your home? Should you add skylights or solar panels?
• What is required by local building codes? Are there restrictions on the size of the addition or the materials that can be used?

Next, create your checklist of tasks and note who will perform each stage of the construction.

• Adding a family room will almost certainly require some demolition of all or part of an existing exterior wall.
• Will your new addition have a crawl space beneath it, or will it be built on a concrete slab? Will you utilize the space beneath the family room in some way?
• Who will construct the foundation?
• Who will construct the framing?
• Who will do the roofing?
• Who will construct exterior walls?
• Who will install electricity, heating/cooling, plumbing (if included)?
• What kind of walls will you have? Who will hang drywall or paneling?
• Who will install windows and doors?
• What kind of ceiling will you have? Will it be drywall or a drop ceiling? Who will install it?
• What kind of floor covering will you use? Will it be carpet, vinyl, hardwood, or tile? Who will install it?
• Will you have built-in shelves or cabinets? Who will build them?
• Will the room have a fireplace? Will it require a gas line for gas logs or a gas starter?
• Who will install lighting fixtures?
• Who will paint or hang wallpaper?

You will need to create a schedule for construction of your family room addition that blends with your family’s schedule. A family room addition is not a weekend project. Removing walls and installing wiring, duct work and drywall will be messy. I twill be important to try to do the work at a time that is least disruptive for your family.

 Think about room design and decoration carefully. You might want to position your family room as an extension of your kitchen. If so, you will need to consider how the two rooms will function as a unity. If your entire home has traditional 8 foot ceilings, you may not want to build a family room with an extremely high ceiling. Considering the way the new room blends with the rest of the house is important. Consider how the placement of windows and doors impacts the flow and appearance of the entire house, both externally and internally.

 Finally, plan to make your new family room both comfortable and functional for your family. Consider both immediate needs and space usage and long-term needs and usage. This may help you determine which, if any, items (such as cabinets and bookshelves) should be built into the room and which will serve only temporary needs.

By thinking through both short-term and long-term needs, planning for the interior and exterior blending with the rest of your house, and remaining consistent with the style of the existing structure, you can create a fabulous new living space with a family room addition. While you enhance your family’s lifestyle, you will also increase the resale value of your home.

These days, budgets are tight. If you are remodeling or adding to your house, you might want to take advantage of some of the really great money-saving ideas in Dan Fritschen’s book, 101 Ways to Save when You Remodel your Home Workbook. Click here to learn more and to order your copy in either print or digital format.

The second consideration is to design your bathroom for comfort and efficiency. Begin by thinking about how many people will use the new bath and how often they will use it. Then factor in how it will be used. This will help you decide whether you need a full bath, a three-quarter bath or a full bath.  If more than one person will use the bathroom at a time, you might want to think about partitioning in your new bathroom to provide privacy for each person. Then think about such things as whether you need two sinks and whether you need a bathtub and a shower or just a tub or a shower.

The third consideration will be energy efficiency of your new bathroom.  Here are some of the energy efficiency considerations that should go into planning and designing your new bathroom:

• How far must hot water travel from the water heater to the new bathroom? Would an instant water heater be more efficient?
• Insulation should be installed in walls behind the shower and tub.
• Insulation in the interior walls will provide some sound-proofing.
• Using engineered wood will cost about the same, but it will be more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
• The window(s) you install should be energy-efficient styles. The best insulation value will be a triple-paned, vinyl-framed window with Xenon gas between the panes and a good UV protective coating.
• Radiant heating installed in the floor will be extremely comfortable and will reduce energy demand and cost.
• Choose energy-efficient lighting fixtures, using as much natural light as possible. If there will not be a window, you might consider adding a skylight, roof window, or a tunnel light to bring in sunlight.
• Choose environmentally-friendly materials, such as drywall and engineered lumber.
• Chose water saving plumbing fixtures, faucets and showerheads.
• Choose environmentally-friendly materials, such as recycled glass tile, cork floor covering, etc.

You can find answers to all smart bathroom remodeling questions in the Bathroom Remodeling Workbook. Learn more and order your copy in either digital or print format here.

Whether you need is for extra storage, another bedroom, living space or a home gym, your need will probably only use a fourth to a third of the total space in your basement.  So your first decision about your basement remodel will be whether to finish all or part of your basement at this time.  Keep in mind that basements lend themselves to finishing the space in stages, as your budget permits or as your family’s needs indicate. 

Once you are sure you have a safe and dry basement, you have a wonderful place for a teen suite or an in-law apartment.  You can use as much of the basement space as you wish for the suite of rooms or apartment.  You might need to think a bit more creatively about access and privacy. You might find that a second stairway is a good idea. You might also consider adding sound board or insulation on the walls between the apartment or suite and the rest of the basement for extra privacy. 

Among the other things you might want to do with your basement are:

• A cedar lined storage closet
• A guest bedroom
• A playroom for children
• A billiard room or game room
• A family room or den
• A home office
• A home gym or sauna
• A wine cellar
• A party room (perhaps with a wet bar)
• An extra bathroom
• A home theater
• A hobby or craft room
• A library or study
• A computer room
• A second kitchen
• A safe room (if you live in an area subject to storms)

Whether you decide to finish your basement all at once or in stages, you will then be ready to look at design ideas.  Keep in mind as you plan your basement remodel that you will need to provide some kind of access to each room.  You will need to decide whether to build a hallway or provide access through a common room. 

Once you have a layout or floor plan, you will be ready to start looking for materials and decorating ideas.  For example, if you are building a wine cellar or a family room, or even a game room, you might want to consider covering walls with stone or doing some other decorative wall treatment.  Think carefully about how the space will be used, and by whom. You might need to build a second bathroom in the basement. The least expensive way to do this is to place them near existing plumbing (below another bathroom or below the kitchen) because connecting to supply lines and waste pipes will be easier and less expensive.

Dealing with support beams or posts might be your next challenge.  Designing your rooms so that these posts are in a corner is a great idea. Somehow, though, the support posts are not always where you want walls.  In this case, look for decorative ways to make them part of your design and décor. One way to do this is to enclose them in fiberglass or wood columns. Keep in mind that you can balance a post surround with another column, whether it is necessary for structural support or not. 

Plan your windows and exterior door(s) carefully.  You will want to think about emergency exits as you do this.  If you don’t have a daylight basement (with one or more sides at ground level), you will need to think about how people will get out in an emergency. 

Finally, you can get great design and decorating ideas from remodeling magazines and websites. You can also get wonderful basement remodeling ideas by visiting new homes. Look carefully at how these examples deal with such things as ducts for heating and air, how the ceilings are built, how access and emergency exits are handled. By looking around and shopping around, you can choose the materials and the floor plan that will make your remodeled basement functional, comfortable and unique. 

Would you like access to more than 100 ways to save on the cost of your remodel?  Click here.

Adding a bathroom can make your home more comfortable and convenient in the short run. It can also increase the value of your home in the long run.  The National Board of Realtors reports that most people are looking for at least two full bathrooms in a home. Realtor Magazine also reports that in most parts of the country, you will recoup 74-90% the cost of adding the bathroom in the increase you will realize in the selling price of your home when you put it on the market. 

The first thing to do is to decide where the new bathroom will be located. Can you locate some extra space within the existing house that can be used for the new bathroom?  Will you need to extend the house to add the bathroom?  If you plan to add a “powder room” or a half-bath, you will need to find about 18 square feet. A bathroom with a shower will require about 30 square feet. A bathroom with a shower and a tub will require at least 35 square feet.

Once you have identified the space you will use, it is time to start planning the room. First, check with your local government to see what the minimum room size requirements are. Then think carefully about who will use the bathroom and if that use requires any special fixtures, space or accessibility.  For example, an additional bathroom for a teenage boy may not require a large space, and may require only a shower (no tub). A bathroom for an elderly or disabled person, on the other hand, will require some special safety features.

Then look at how you think you want the bathroom to look in terms of placing fixtures. Where do you want the toilet? Have you allowed about 2 feet in front of it? Do you need just a shower stall, or do you want a tub with a shower, or do you want both a tub and a shower? How much storage space do you need in the bathroom?  Do you need a linen closet? Do you need a vanity with drawers and cabinets? What kind of lighting do you want? 

By looking at various types and styles of fixtures, you can accommodate your needs for the bathroom and achieve the design and style you want.  For example, if this bathroom is to be attached to a guest room, you may not need a large vanity or a great deal of storage. You might be able to maximize the use of space by installing a pedestal sink and placing it across from the toilet. This makes the bathroom look more open and creates a bit more leg room when using the toilet.  You can also save space by planning for a corner shower.

If you have choices about where you will locate your new bathroom, you will probably want to consider the location that makes the installation easier or less expensive.  You can save money on plumbing costs, for example, if the new bathroom shares a wall with an existing bathroom or kitchen.  It will also save on cost if the new bathroom is situated above a crawlspace or a basement – it will be easier to connect plumbing and electricity.  Another consideration might be proximity to the waste drain. 

If your new bathroom is to have windows, you will need to think about where the windows will be placed in proximity to the various fixtures. Whether or not you have windows – but especially if there are no windows – you will need to plan for ventilation through either the roof or an exterior wall. 

Finally, but perhaps most important, be sure to consider the additional weight a bathroom adds.  Bathroom fixtures tend to be rather heavy.  You will need to check the supports and floor joists in the area where you plan to add the bathroom. Especially in an older home, you may need to reinforce those joists before you install bathroom fixtures. Your choice of fixtures may determine the need to reinforce the joists. 

Then you can turn your attention to the fun part of adding a bathroom – choosing the design and the materials.  Always consider the function of the bathroom, the amount of use it will receive, and whether the materials and the décor blend with the rest of your home.  Your choices are limited only by your imagination and your budget. 

For a tub or a shower you have several choices in materials, colors and styles. You can choose from fiberglass, porcelain, metal. You can choose a tub or a shower that is pre-fabricated and simply requires placement and connection to plumbing. You can use white or you can use colors. You can surround the tub and/or shower with ceramic tile or with drywall that can be either painted or wallpapered. 

Your choices for a sink or a pair of sinks are also extensive. You can use a pedestal sink, a sink built into a vanity cabinet, a sink that sits atop a vanity cabinet, or even one that attaches to the wall.  You can choose from a variety of materials and colors, as well.

Your floor covering can range from vinyl floor covering to hardwood to a wood laminate to ceramic tile. You can even use marble or granite.  And, if you wish, you can install heating elements under several flooring materials so you will never step from the tub or shower onto a cold floor. 

Your shower can be simple or it can include a sauna feature or multiple massaging shower heads for a relaxing treat. Your tub can include jets for hydrotherapy or your own private spa. 

No matter what the style you want to achieve or the budget you are working with, you can find fixtures, wall coverings, floor coverings and decorating items that will achieve the look and the experience you desire. Your new bathroom addition can focus on functionality or luxury or a little of both.

You may want to do a bathroom addition yourself.  It might be a fun project, and you might be able to save money.  It will be important to have the appropriate permits from your locality, know the requirements of the building codes, and be sure you know enough about plumbing and electrical wiring to do the job right. Otherwise, it could be wiser to hire a contractor to do the plumbing and the electrical work, leaving the easier tasks for you.

Don’t forget: there are answers to all kinds of bathroom questions in the Bathroom Remodeling Workbook. Learn more here.