On the Wire - Beat the Rush
As the weather begins to get warmer, there is more demand for remodeling contractors, so we urge you not to wait until summertime to start thinking about making changes to your house. Finding the right design, choosing a professional contractor, and securing the necessary financing for a home improvement project can sometimes take months. So if you want to start a project by the summer, begin planning now. Here are some steps to help you get started:
- Think your project through from start to finish. Careful planning of your home improvement projects will enable you to update your home, increase the value of your investment and customize your living space -- all for a lot less than the cost of a new home.
Look over your property carefully. What repairs are needed? What improvements would you like to make? Think ahead and determine your future needs. Professional remodeling contractors can help you in your planning by outlining options and discussing the improvements you can make within your budget.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy. What adjustments need to be made for the added value of the work being done?
No one likes to cut a budget, especially when it's their own. But when it comes to planning a remodeling project, homeowners must establish a realistic budget, and manage it. Preparing for a remodeling project is a lot like preparing to buy a car. You may know the room and style you want, but the options you choose may drive the price higher than you can reasonably afford. There are ways to stretch the remodeling budget, though, and end up with a stylish room within budget:
- Hire a professional contractor who is familiar with the building codes in your area. Replacing work that does not meet code can be extremely expensive.
- A well-written contract can prevent costly mistakes or additions to the scope of your project. It is a critical step in maintaining your budget.
- Save money by planning ahead. Go through the design process first and choose everything you want to include in the new room(s), from appliances to light fixtures. This will define your budget and prevent hasty (and costly) decisions later in the project. Be sure to include all your product and material selections in the contract to avoid confusion and unnecessary change orders. Include the model, size, color, and other specifications. It is also wise to save 10-20 percent of your budget to allow for items added to the scope of work.
- Product choice is the number one way to decrease the cost of your remodeling project. In addition, pay attention to how labor intensive some design features may be, for example laying ceramic tile on kitchen countertops and the backsplash.
- Compare products and their prices carefully before you make final decisions. And keep an open mind when you discuss product and design ideas with your contractor.
- Make decisions based on value and quality, not just price.
- Think about staging the work being done to minimize the initial financial impact. It is often easier to create a more manageable budget by starting small and adding to the project at a later date. This will break the work into several jobs instead of one large project. The down side of staging a remodel is that you may end up paying more in the long run.
Whether you want to expand the kitchen, add a second bath, build a family room, or install a deck, a great place to start is the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. NARI members represent a select group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as professional remodelers. Members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Visit www.RemodelToday.com to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI or call the NARI National hotline at 800-611-NARI and request a free copy of NARI’s brochure, “How to Select a Remodeling Professional”.
back to the top
Ask Tom & Leslie - Painting the Basement
I just purchased a new home with a solid poured concrete wall foundation. I am not looking to "finish" the basement, but would like to paint the walls to brighten up and make the basement look clean. Is there a material that I can use that would also fill in all the little holes in the concrete and paint the walls at the same time? Your help is appreciated.
Solid concrete foundation walls are about as good as it gets for a strong base for your home. The walls themselves are not really designed to be a finished surface, as the steel forms leave ridges when they are removed and small voids where air settled in the concrete results in “pock” marks. These, as well as even minor shrinkage cracks on the concrete foundation should be considered minor and mostly cosmetic. Basement wall paints tend to be fairly thick and hence have some hole filling qualities. However, no matter what you do, the walls will not be silky smooth. If you have any large areas that need repair, We’d recommend the products from Abatron. These epoxy based patches and fillers do a good job on repairing holes and voids in concrete.
back to the top
Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
back to the top
On the Air - iPod, uPod, We all Pod!
Hey, everyone! Don’t miss out on what iPodders everywhere are discovering is the best home improvement show out there! To get current podcasts of The Money Pit radio show, simply click here and follow the instructions. The best part about our Podcast is that it’s FREE! Plus, you can search our archives to find the shows that address YOUR home improvement problem or concern.
back to the top
Dot Common Sense - Dishwashing Duty
Looking for a new dishwasher? Here are some ideas to keep in mind when you’re shopping: Look for button controls as opposed to a large knob. Knobs are hard to handle for people with small hands. They can be impossible for those who have arthritis. Make sure you can slide the racks in and out without any trouble. You need to be able to pull each rack all the way out, even when it is full. Have all the kids grown up and moved out of the house? Buy a smaller dishwasher! It will use less water and power and take up less space. And, you can put it wherever you want. Some dishwashers fit into what looks like a regular kitchen drawer. You load these "dish drawers" by sliding them out of your cabinet. For more great tips like these, visit www.aarp.com/homedesign.
back to the top
Fun Fact - Great Greenhouse
Want to get a head start on spring planting? Use a greenhouse! You can build one yourself. The framing material is critical for your greenhouse, so consider your options. Wood framing retains the structure’s heat, but will require refinishing, and may warp or rot. Aluminum framing won’t retain as much heat, but resists corrosion and keeps its shape. A newer framing option is rigid steel-core PVC pipe, which can be used for shelving as well.
back to the top
Short Cuts - Super Snooper
Nosy people can be really annoying, always sticking their nose in other peoples business! But if you are buying a house, there is one super nosy person you definitely want to bring along, well before signing on the dotted line. When buying - or selling - a home, make sure a professional home inspector is part of the transaction. A home inspector provides unbiased third-party opinions about the structure, systems and any needed repairs. For an inspector in your neighborhood, go to the American Society of Home Inspectors web site at www.ASHI.org ASHI inspectors are certified and follow a strict standard. A good inspector will check:
- The Structure: roof, siding, porches for sagging or gaps as well as obvious signs of rot or insect damage. Most states also require a separate pest/termite inspection.
- The Exterior: decks, balconies, eaves, soffits and fascias. An inspector will look at the grading of the land around the house for obvious drainage problems, and check walkways and driveways for apparent deterioration or safety concerns.
- The Roof: Either by getting up on it, by looking down on lower parts from upper floor windows or by visual inspection from the ground with binoculars. Also roof drainage systems, flashings, skylights and chimneys.
- Plumbing: Interior water supply and distribution system including water pressure and water heating equipment.
- Electrical System: The inspector should check for over current protections, grounding, and the presence of any aluminum wiring, which is a serious fire hazard and is now banned. The inspector should also check some switches and outlets in the house and note smoke detectors.
- HVAC Systems: Even in warm weather, the furnace should be tested by turning up the thermostat and checking the response. However, air conditioning cannot be checked if the ambient outdoor temperature is below a certain point. In addition, most inspectors will also check appliances, fireplaces, and the interior of the home such as counters, cabinets, windows, basement, floors and ceilings.
back to the top
Share This Information With A Friend!
Simply forward this Email. And invite friends to register to receive this E-newsletter each week.If you would like to unsubscribe from our weekly newsletter, please refer to the unsubscribe directions at the bottom of this newsletter.
back to the top
Copyright 2006 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
|
