3.) Backup Generator: The potential return on these puppies is just over 50%. If you purchase this one, accept the fact that that you are doing so strictly for personal usage. Do not make the purchase with much expectancy of potential future profit.
The weirdest thing happened to me several years back.
I took a vacation to Arizona during the winter season and I stayed in one of those fancy-shmancy hotels on a hill. The resort was fantastic. It offered amenities such as slippers and bathrobes, pricey water bottles, on-site spa services and clean sheets. The shower soaps were sweetly scented and the bath towels were over-sized and plush.
Now. The ‘weird thing’ had nothing to do with the fact that I had been allowed onto the premises of such a a luxurious property. The ‘weird thing’ had everything to do with the interestingly hot floor space.
I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom to brush my teeth and to quickly evaluate what type of hair day I would be having. As I stood there on the ceramic tile floor, brushing my teeth, I took note that my feet were not being affected by the cold, tile surface. In fact, they were experiencing an unusual, yet pleasant, warming sensation.
Heated tile floors are absolutely fantastic. Their popularity may exist amongst high-end resorts, but more and more, homeowners are getting in on this fun little detail.
These systems are typically only about 1/8″ thick and they install conveniently on top of your sub floor. The system embeds within the thinset cement that is used to lay the tile. Lead wires will run from the heated mat to a thermostat (usually located in the gang box next to a light switch).
In terms of cost, you should expect to budget an average of $2-$3/square foot for installation. Additional fees will be required for electrical work (budget $300). According to our web research, a typical bathroom tile floor heating system will cost approximately $800.
Necessary? Probably not. Luxurious, sexy and fun? You betcha.
What do you know? The annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value report for 2009-2010 was just released and despite the track record of recent years past, a new trend is being established.
Hip, hip, hooray for Exterior Remodeling Projects!
Gone are the days of “best bang for your buck” in the form of Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling. It’s the remodeled exterior of your home that will now offer the greatest return, according to this year’s cost vs. value report. Seven out of the top ten high-yielding value projects on this acclaimed report are exterior remodeling projects.
Reason being? I’ll give you one guess.
The state of the economy has forced many homeowner to scale back on their projects in the name of frugality. Tax credits and energy efficiency incentives also aide in this outcome.
Folks are recognizing the importance of quality product vs. price of product (i.e. Most homeowners are now willing to pay more money up front for an energy efficient window that will help to lower utility bills in the long run). Projects are being recognized more and more as true investments.
Your Top Ten list is here:
1. Entry door replacement steel (128.9%)
2. Attic bedroom (83.1%)
3. Deck addition wood (80.6%)
4. Siding replacement vinyl (79.9%)
5. Minor kitchen remodel (78.3%)
6. Window replacement wood (77.3%)
7. Window replacement vinyl (76.6%)
8. Basement remodel (75.4%)
9. Major kitchen remodel (72.1%)
10. Bathroom remodel (71%)
No, I did not illustrate this cartoon. Not a chance. I stole it from the web. Pulled it off of Google.
I don’t know about you, but I think that Office Max is one of the greatest places on earth. I love the way it smells; I love the the layout; I love the customer service; I love the fact that they sell gummy bears by the bucket. But most importantly, I love the overall mission of the store “to help [their] customers do the best work.”
Next time you’re gearing up for a home remodeling project, hit up your neighborhood Office Max. Plan to spend twice the money you’d like to spend (it’s just more fun that way), and buy yourself a basket-full of supplies to assist you in organizing the three phases of your upcoming project: 1) The bid process 2) The project itself 3) Project completion.
These items should be on your must-have list:
Phase 1 of your binder will house all ideas and planning resources. Collect paint samples, brochures, magazine clippings, and store them in your binder. You should also include all pre-project estimate information. Ask your potential contractors lots of questions and make lots of notes. Remember, the lowest bid is not always the best option and it may not offer the best quality materials. Don’t shop on price point.
Phase 2 of your binder will contain all contracts, receipts and change orders. Keep all receipts in some sort of orderly fashion. This will help you when dealing with returns, but it will also come in handy when you decide to sell the property.
Phase 3 of your project binder will wrap the project up. It will display before and after photos. Note: When shooting before and after photos, stand in the same spot for both sets. This will make your side-by-side comparison just that much more fun to look at.
OFFICE MAX: Elf Yourself
Our Fearless Leader, Pat Strand
I thought I might post a quick blog about our blog and our blogging efforts.
We started bombarding the blogosphere with our advice, opinions and recommendations earlier this year. And not only have we not been kicked off of the world wide web (surprisingly), we’ve actually been applauded. That’s right – Somebody other than us thinks we’re pretty cool.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) publishes a bimonthly magazine, The Remodelers Journal, that is distributed to thousands of industry big-wigs across the nation. A couple months back, we received a phone call from a NARI Remodelers Journal reporter who had caught wind of our bad-ass blogging and social media campaigning.
The lady interviewed us and told us that she was going to feature Total Home in the upcoming magazine. Well, that upcoming magazine has been written, printed and distributed.
Do you know what that means? That means that your little, local remodeling company is the greatest remodeling company in the world! Okay. It may not mean that, exactly. But it does mean that we are kind of a big deal. Look out Hollywood, here we come.
Check out our article. Be proud of us. Feel free to help us deflate our overly inflated ego – but in regards to that last one, give us just a day or so if you could, we kind of like feeling like we’re something extra special.
Appraisers. You’re not going to fool them, so don’t waste your time trying to do so. But there are a few things to consider pre-appraisal in order to reap maximum value out of your home evaluation.
And remember what I always tell you: Your home is your largest investment, right? Well, this is your time to shine. Show off your investment in its “Sunday best.”
Make Necessary Minor Repairs
- Windows – Replace all broken windows
- Appliances – All should be in working order
- Steps/Railings – Repair if hazardous
Clean Up Your Crap
- Passing a white glove test is not the goal, here. But you should keep in mind that first impressions do matter. Clutter, trash, dirty dishes, strewn laundry – These things contribute to a flawed first impression that definitely won’t do you any favors.
Brag About Your Big Accomplishments
- This is the part where all of those painstaking remodeling & renovation projects will actually start to pay off. Now, don’t expect to recoup the full value of your investment – But you absolutely need to point these projects out to the appraiser. Bathroom? Floors? Windows? Sod? Allow the appraiser to take note.
Put A Leash On Your Pets & Kids
- Okay, I’m joking about the kids part. Don’t turn me in for that one. But do control the both of them. A distracted appraiser, is not a happy appraiser. (And you don’t want an unhappy appraiser on your hands).
Invite Your Agent – Have A Party!
- Sellers – Your agent works for you, so put her to work during the appraisal. She is better trained to think on her feet and deal with the routine concerns and questions of the appraiser. If this is an option, use her.
(I am providing the link to the blog that I stole this photo from)
I read a recent blog that claimed one out of every three marriages end up on serious rocks before the end of a major home remodeling project. I’m not so sure that I’m willing to accept this statement as fact, but it’s a very accurate claim in the sense that home remodeling projects have the ability to take a serious toll on a relationship.
Want to remodel your home? Want to remain happily married (or, married, at the very least)? Take my advice:
Wife:
Husband:
Both of You:
I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again – Your home is (most likely) your largest investment. It is also the largest outward expression of you as a couple. If you both get to be involved in the process, you’ll both be excited and your end result will be far more enjoyable.
In summation: Play nicely with one another and use your best manners.
Serial Remodeling projects are all the rave.
Gone are the days of one shot, once-in-a-lifetime home remodeling projects. More and more, today’s residential undertakings are conceived, plotted, budgeted, and carried out in a “series-like” manner that allows the homeowner to attain the ultimate end goal, through a system of achieving a series of smaller goals.
Phased remodeling projects typically start out by obtaining an overall estimate for the full price of the full project. The contractor then sits down with the homeowner and explains what phasing options are available and conceivable to the home itself.
People don’t always look at their major renovation as a multiple-project undertaking. But in all reality, many larger renovations can be broken up into smaller ones. This approach will offer several key benefits to a homeowner:
There is a difference.
I often hear home owners argue that they will not purchase a certain product or service because they are “on a budget.” But the fact of the matter is, Budget does not equal Cheap. When managed properly, the home improvement process can provide a satisfying return on investment. This is not something that will typically be attained through frugality and penny-pinching.
I found this funny sign on the web…
Porches have the ability to expand outdoor living options and extend personal style. Do you have one? Do you wish you had one? Is the one you have kind of sucky and pathetic? I feel your pain.
Porch additions are completely customizable. Design elements can offer distinct variables that will alter and enhance the appearance, functionality and overall appeal of a home’s front exterior.
More traditional porch additions will extend the exterior of a home with a portico addition, a well-crafted railing, a couple of sturdily erected columns and some beatuifully sculptured foliage. Some of these more traditional looks will include the enhancement of a porch swing or patio furniture, and perhaps some potted plants.
But have you seen some of the newer, more modern porches? Some of these homeowners are really going all out to do some awesomely creatively things with their front porch designs.
Allow me to show off some of my faves – These are a little dreamy, and pretty elaborate – All the more reason to absolutely love them!
The work of this first addition was done by a contractor out in Iowa. Brandon manufactured this porch over the existing cement slab. He included an outdoor fireplace and he completed the project with a wood ceiling. His site notes that the customers wanted to be able to utilize the porch year around. I think they definitely got what they wanted. This is awesome work. (Click the photo to visit his site – more project pictures available).
This next dreamy porch project I found was completed by Naylor & Breen Builders Inc. in Vermont. The porch project was a part of The Michael’s whole house remodel. The porch itself included a sitting and dining area, and a fireplace. Both areas could be accessed from the living room or deck. This is gorgeous.
Chris Jokisch in Raleigh, NC did a beatiful porch addition that included some really sexy ceiling fans. I love those fans.
And below you can see a quick pic of some very fine porch addition work that was completed by a few boys that I know pretty well. This is a lovely Kansas porch, complete with little white fans and porch swing.
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