25Apr
Home Renovations That Are Both Easy and Affordable

Everyone wants a home that looks great, but sometimes remodeling and renovations are cost prohibitive. In fact, billions of dollars are spent on home improvements every year. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to minimize the cost of enhancing the appearance of your home. If you think outside the box and get creative, there are numerous ways to shake things up and even increase the value of your home. 

Perhaps one of the most affordable ways to improve the appearance of your home is by changing the color palette. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to use bold colors. In fact, if you have any plans to sell your home in the near future, you’ll want to stick with neutral colors because they are known to increase the number of offers that you receive from potential homebuyers. Painting the interior of your home in neutral colors like cream, light gray or off white can also cause rooms to look larger and more open. Painting is usually a great option because it only costs a few hundred dollars to paint an average size room. If you have a larger budget, you can hire someone to paint each room; the cost will depend on the size of your home.

If you spend time on your patio or in your backyard, you might want to take time to improve the overall landscape of your property. For instance, you can plant flowers and perhaps add a water fountain. There are a wide range of changes and additions that you can make for a significant impact, some of which will require the help of a remodeling contractor. You can also install an attractive walkway, change the color of your front door and add additional greenery. Most of these changes are relatively inexpensive. If you’d like to spend a little bit more for something fancier, you can install a custom door Cincinnati OH. 

You might be surprised by how much of a difference replacing windows can make when it comes to the overall aesthetic of your home, as well as the amount of energy you can save annually. The reason why you can often save on your energy bill is because the windows on many homes don’t have the necessary weather stripping, which ends up causing drafts. Subsequently, both cooling and heating costs tend to rise during certain times of the year, depending on the weather in your region.

If you have a slightly larger budget, you can have marble or hardwood floors installed in some of the rooms. It’s a great way to completely change the appearance of your home. There’s no doubt that some flooring materials will elevate the appearance of your home. Marble and hardwood flooring options can be a better choice when it comes to cleaning because carpeting is often difficult to maintain. Hardwood floors with a protective coating can be much easier to clean, which is partially why they are so popular these days.

 
8Apr
Hire A Reputable Siding Contractor With These Steps

Taking extra care to choose a reputable siding contractor is worth the effort. The purchase of a home is usually our largest investment. Adding quality siding to your home will not only enhance its beauty but will increase its value. So, it’s worth the time to find the best siding contractor to handle your siding project. 

Quality Reputation 

The first step in finding a siding contractor is to find one that performs quality work. Ask the contractor for references from recent completed jobs. Also, check the online reviews to get a clearer picture of the company. Make sure you hire an installer who can be easily reached if you have concerns. The siding contractor you hire should have several years experience. Ask how many siding projects they’ve completed. The Better Business (BBB) database is an excellent way to find an installer with a good reputation. Look for one that holds an A+ rating with the BBB. On the BBB website you will also find publicized complaints. You will want to search for any siding services kansas city mo for information on siding contractors. 

Licensed Properly 

The installer you hire should be properly licensed and insured. A reputable contractor will carry general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. This will ensure they can get the permits that will be needed. Verify with your state if a license is required to install vinyl and other siding materials. Verify the contractor’s license and insurance. Ask the contractor for a copy of his or her license and valid insurance. You should do your due diligence and ensure both are valid. The property owner will be responsible for accidents or injuries if the contractor is not covered by insurance. If your home is damaged or the work crew is injured, you will be responsible for repairing damages to your home and medical costs for the workers injured. 

Estimates 

Remember to always get multiple estimates. This will give you an idea as to how much you should be charged. Be cautious if an estimate seems too high or too low. If an estimate seems too low, the contractor might be cutting corners. If an estimate seems too high, don’t hesitate to discuss the issue with the contractor. If you’re not given a satisfactory explanation, don’t do business with them. And always make sure any estimates you receive are in writing. Get all the details in writing. This includes itemized costs of labor, all materials and a time frame for completion of your project. Never feel pressured by a sales pitch to start your project immediately. 

Cost 

Never pay the entire balance of the project before the project starts. You should not make an upfront payment of more than 25 percent. If you’re asked to pay more a red flag should go up. 

Warranties 

A reputable contractor will stand behind their work with warranties. Be sure to get a workmanship warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty. The workmanship warranty will cover the labor; the manufacturer’s warranty will cover the material. It’s important to remember materials improperly installed could void the manufacturer’s warranty. This is why it is very important to only work with a qualified contractor.