Massachusetts Bathroom Remodeling – 8 Things to Consider When Planning a Bathroom Renovation
Bathroom remodeling has the second highest return on investment of any renovation you can do in your home. It is right next to kitchen remodeling for ROI.
A bathroom remodel can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars, to tens of thousands. It all depends on your budget, your home and your goals.
No matter what your budget, you have 2 goals with a bathroom remodel. To increase its beauty and to increase its function.
Here are 8 areas you need to consider whether you are thinking about just freshening up, or completely renovating your bathroom. The great thing about this list is you can choose to do 1, 2, or all of them in any combination, and still make a big impact on your bathrooms usability and look.
Cabinets
The first thing you are going to notice when you walk into your new bathroom, are the cabinets. New cabinets will improve your bathroom almost instantly.
Cabinet prices range a lot, from cheap particle board to custom construction. But, you can usually find something quite elegant for a reasonable price if you shop around.
Hardware
Even if you can’t afford to upgrade your cabinetry, new hardware will make a huge difference. Whether you have replaced your cabinetry or not, there are literally thousands of different items you can pick out to enhance your look.
It is amazing how a nice set of hardware will make even a mediocre cabinet look high end.
Fixtures
New bathroom fixtures, including faucets and sinks etc should be chosen to fit in with the style of the cabinetry and the overall look. You don’t want to put modern fixtures in with elegant old fashioned cabinetry and hardware.
Even if you can’t upgrade your cabinets, adding new fixtures, as long as they are a similar style, will make a big difference in the feel of your bathroom.
Flooring / Tile
There simply isn’t a better finish for a bathroom floor than tile. Usually bathrooms aren’t that large, so the cost difference over other options will not even be that significant. Its possible find inexpensive tile if you look around for sales. It is also possible to find very expensive, elegant tile, depending on your budget.
Another popular option is linoleum, but if you can find inexpensive tile, it will definitely have a bigger impact, for probably a similar cost.
Storage
Creating a storage wall is always a great investment. Bathrooms never seem to have enough storage, but by building a storage wall, you can get small items out of your way, and create an attractive display.
Mirror
Adding a big mirror to your bathroom will accomplish 2 things. First of all, it is a very practical addition, allowing you to get ready with ease. Second, it will make your small bathroom look larger.
Lighting
If your bathroom is bright, it doesn’t matter if it is small. It will feel bright and comfortable. There are many choices of different bathroom lights available starting at the very inexpensive and moving up to very extravagant.
Tub or Shower
In Massachusetts, bath tubs are not very popular, but they are gaining acceptance. Whirlpool tubs are built in many different sizes and shapes. They will fit into any spot where an existing tub exists, and often even where there is an existing shower.
These 8 improvements can be done on their own, or in combination with a complete Massachusetts bathroom remodel. It all depends on your budget and goals. But, if you want to freshen up your bathroom, these are the 8 areas you need to think about.
The first thing you need to do is determine your budget. And then, look at each one of these items to decide which you can change, and which you can not.
A bathroom remodel, whether small or large, will make your home a much more enjoyable place to be. And it will make your home more valuable when you go to sell.
Make Your Connecticut Home Look Brand New
If you want to spruce up your lovely home, you should start with a Connecticut home remodeling contractor that provides professional and prompt service. Certain factors that should be considered when looking for a great home remodeling service provider are how efficient and prompt their service is. Do they meet the deadlines they set for the home repairs they do? Do they work hard to come up with quality work that matches with what your vision is? A step in the right direction is employing people who listen to your needs. Repair and remodeling services are relatively costly and you want to make sure that the people who remodel your home have good attention to detail.
You want to make your house look even more inviting. There are a lot of ways to do this without it taking a huge chunk off your budget. Simple room additions to the spare spaces in your house can create a winning effect that you will be proud to show to your family and friends. A few changes and additions such as custom fences, enclosures, decks, patios, gazebos and pergolas would definitely brighten up your place. A thorough assessment is needed for your home so that you are able to know which design will work out best for your property. Consult with licensed experts so that you get better value for your money. You want to make certain that the changes are professionally installed and that your home remodeling installations and repairs are built to last.
Having experienced and well-trained people taking care of your home is key. You need to choose a company that fits the bill for your requirements. Do not take chances with second-rate remodeling and repair services. Quality service starts with contractors that sets up appointments and keeps them. Missed phone calls and missed meetings is a good indication of poor service. The reason for calling on professional services is to invest in a company’s expertise and their speed in getting an exceptional job done.
Pick a home remodeling contractor in Connecticut, Massachusetts that lets their work speak for their service. Looking at the testimonials clients have made on a company’s behalf can be a useful means of figuring out if the drywall business you are thinking of hiring One of the things that speak highly of a company’s expertise when it comes to home remodeling services are the assessments that they make about a project that they are about to begin. While looking for good testimonials from customers is always helpful, looking at samples of their work is an even better way to find out if they provide quality service.
You and your family deserve the best. When you have quality service done, it is always considered to be an investment. You will not only have a beautiful home when you hire expert service providers for patio and deck installations and other remodeling services. You are also adding to your assets by making your house and property more marketable and profitable. This will be a great help for your finances and your future plans for your children.
Home Remodeling For New Connecticut Homeowners
When a home buyer is looking at properties to build a home on, they might find bargain prices on land that already has a home on it. Some of these homes are foreclosures which will need some remodeling done because they have been neglected when they were occupied, but for a lower purchase price the home buyers will make a good offer.
The home remodeling projects for new homeowners will start out with those that make the house livable. Home buyers will typically start by doing a home remodeling job that includes replacing the bathroom fixtures and some of the pipes used for plumbing waste to the street where the city sewage lines meet up with it.
Then a Connecticut new home buyer will typically inspect the roof and determine if a home remodeling project is needed to replace a few tiles, or if the entire roof will need to be installed. For this remodeling project they will typically hire a professional roofing company to do the job at a good price. The homeowner will not go for the latest designer trends but install roofing that is functional and keeps the rain out.
A new home buyer will most assuredly replace all of the carpeting in the home. This is more of a visual improvement but one that makes the home seem more cozy and comfortable. The new home owner might consider splurging on this home remodeling project by adding thicker foam underneath the new carpeting. They might choose to add different colors of carpeting in the den and in the formal dining room.
A Connecticut home remodeling job is never complete without a fresh coat of paint being applied to the entire house. Some rooms might require an undercoat to hide darker paints but these color blocking applications might be too expensive to use throughout the entire house. Some walls might require a totally different approach when a wallpaper remodeling project is planned for one or two rooms in the house.
Some of the home remodeling projects might need the help of a licensed electrician. Older Connecticut homes have wiring that is not currently up to the latest electrical codes and a homeowner will typically have the home inspected before any type of remodeling is done. This expense of having the house rewired throughout might delay other home remodeling projects that were planned for the house.
Even with the cost of home remodeling, a home buyer can reap a good return on their investment after years of occupying the house. The updates in the electrical systems will help reduce the electrical costs to cool and heat the home. Some people live for years in a home before further remodeling efforts are planned and in that time they save money for the other remodeling plans on the drawing board.
Secrets of Profitable Remodeling
What is remodeling?
Remodeling is updating or altering the appearance and functional utility of a building. Home remodeling is big business. It accounts for about 40% of all residential construction spending and about 2% of the U.S. economy.
So to answer the question “Is it worthwhile to remodel my house?”
Probably; however, there are many factors to consider.
Why Remodel?
First you need to determine what’s your motivation? Why do you want to remodel? Are you remodeling for your self and your families enjoyment or to increase your appraised value?
Second do not expect a full recovery of your remodeling investment. Some estimates are as low as 40 cents on the dollar. Others, depending on what you remodel may recover more than 80%.
When to Remodel?
Other factors that will impact the return on your investment:
1. What sort of economic times are you experiencing? Are you in an up or down market?
2. How long do you tend to stay in the home? The longer the better for a good return on your investment.
3. How’s the housing market in your area? Are you competing against a lot of new tract homes?
4. How will the remodel will impact your appraised value? Find out before you invest your money.
5. How strong is the resale market? Ask a local Realtor for comparable sales for your area.
6. How soon do you plan on selling?
7. Do you plan to sell with full MLS service, FSBO, or Flat Fee MLS?
Who should remodel?
Ask yourself who will do the remodel? How good are you at remodeling?
If you’re not really handy, maybe find a friend and barter or trade services.
Are you going to do the work or hire the project out?
If you are considering remodeling, get three bids from local firms. Ask brokers, lenders, and appraisers if the cost of the remodel warrants completion.
The percentage of return on the investment for remodeling will change over time and vary from area to area. Ask the professionals.
Weigh carefully the expense of remodeling based on the return. Do only those projects which will bring you a significantly higher sales price or greater family pleasure.
Improvements and upgrades cause anguish for most sellers, because a seller wants to recover the full dollar value of the improvements. The industry standard suggests you will get back about 40 cents on every dollar. Don’t expect to recover the full amount.
For Example, if you put in improvements totaling $10,000, you should expect a net return of approximately $4,000. As a seller, you must remember that you put in that nice brick walkway because you wanted it, not for its resale value.
What should you remodel?
Average 2007 cost vs. a value report – average ROI
Deck – 85.4%
A major kitchen remodel – 78.3%
A bathroom remodel – 78.3%
Kitchen and Bath remodels are always safe to consider for good dollar return on your investment.
Know this answer; are you adding something to the home that will bring you and your family pleasure and enjoyment or are you adding something to add value?
Two very different considerations.
Areas of remodel that will bring you only marginal return on your investment are:
1. Home office
2. Sunroom additions
3. Family room additions
4. Master suite additions
Regional differences are also a consideration.
In the West Kitchens and baths are big.
East coast and North leans more to siding, dual pane window and energy types of remodeling.
The South is big on family rooms, sidings, kitchens and replacements.
And the Mid West leans toward kitchens, baths and decks.
Summary
Overall the two normally safe areas to consider upgrading and remodeling for the greatest return on your investment, are bathrooms and kitchens.
You need to answer these questions before you begin:
1. Why are you remodeling?
2. Who will do the remodeling?
3. What are you going to remodel?
4. How long do you plan to stay in the home?
5. How will you pay for the remodel?
6. What return on your investment are you expecting?
If you answer these questions and plan your project, you can probably recoup between 40 and 80 percent of your remodeling costs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wee_Dilts
Nine Things You Should Not Do When You Remodel
Building and remodeling choices are largely a matter of personal taste. Whether you are building a new home or remodeling an existing home the goal is primarily one of making the home more comfortable and practical for your family. But at least somewhere in the back of our minds is at least some consideration of how our decisions affect the resale value of the house.
To help you avoid some common pitfalls that can negatively affect the value of your Connecticut home, here are ten tips to keep in mind when you start thinking about remodeling.
1. Never improve a home beyond everything else in the neighborhood. This might be wonderful for someone who is deeply entrenched in the community and wants to stay put at all costs. But prospective buyers do not have this commitment to the community and generally will not be willing to pay an excessive amount for a house that has been over-improved. You might have the biggest and the best house, but why would someone pay more to live an a neighborhood that can’t compare?
2. Be very careful about trendy paint colors. Ordinarily, you will be better off with neutral colors when you put your house on the market. Some buyers will like bright colors, others will like pastels, and others will like darker colors. These trends change very quickly, and you cannot discount the importance of personal taste.
3. Don’t install windows without moldings. This might have been popular a few years ago, but when selling a home, it is important that it look finished. Moldings add character to rooms and frame the view through windows.
4. Don’t use concrete block for exterior walls. This has been unpopular for many years. It is interpreted as economy building and offers an undesirable exterior appearance. If you have concrete block walls, a good home improvement project would be covering them with something more attractive (inside and outside).
5. Upscale bathrooms with spa features are very desirable, so don’t settle for a basic master bathroom. You don’t have to let this get completely out of hand and try to create a bathroom that offers everything. But you should have a spa tub or shower and some of the luxury amenities, at least in the master bathroom.
6. Don’t choose a bowl-type bathroom sink that sits on top of a counter. These are being regarded as passé and impractical. The fad is over, so don’t leave your bathroom outdated.
7. Don’t install spiral staircases. Experience has shown that these are dangerous and difficult for children and older people. As the majority of the population ages, these space-saving designs will become increasingly unpopular.
8. Replace the hardwood laminate and bamboo floor covering. Bamboo tends to warp and scratch and hardwood laminate stains easily, changes color, and doesn’t stand up to repeated sanding. If you are looking for something environmentally friendly, it might be worth a look at cork floor covering.
9. Concrete Countertops have had their day. Concrete was briefly popular for kitchen and bathroom countertops. It could be shaped and colored; it looked clean and modern; but it doesn’t hold up as well as promised, and the fad is done.
Although you will want to watch the latest trends and listen to your realtor’s advice about what is and is not selling well in your locality, these tips can help you avoid some costly remodeling mistakes.