GIVING YOUR KITCHEN A COMPLETE MAKE OVER…AND DOING IT ON A LOW BUDGET AT THAT— DEMOLITION: PHASE ONE Um Um good, good old home made banana pudding and chocolate cake. I can almost smell it now, the aroma slowly filling the air with delicious foods and tasty treats that makes your mouth watery just to think about it. And what about all the main entrees that go along with the tasty deserts? It’s no wonder that in our house the kitchen is our favorite place for food and good conversation and I suspect that is true for most American families…and probably for families around the world as well. What better place for friends and love ones to gather than in the kitchen for good things to eat and good things to drink. With mom in the kitchen mixing a whole lot of love with everything she prepares, how can it get any better than that?

Practically every home, condominium, townhouse and apartment has a kitchen in it, however sometimes after years of much use and abuse, kitchens can become worn, outdated; no longer functional and in some cases down right depressing. Ceilings that have collected smoke, soot, dirt and even insect bile no longer make looking up a pleasant experience; not to mention drywall (sheetrock) that looks like it might fall down any given day. Walls that have accumulated layers of thick almost immovable grease and cooking oil that looks gross. And the floor looks like it has been a long, long time ago since it was new and attractive looking. You see, kitchens take more abuse and have to endure some of the most extreme conditions, unlike any other room in your home, therefore, it is only natural that over time it will need a complete upgrade and that is what this article is all about. We did a kitchen total make over for one of our clients and we are going to tell you just how we did it…and on a very meager budget as well. Perhaps, this can be some sought of informative guide that can help you with your kitchen make over—at least we hope it does. So sit back and take a ride with us as we offer pointers and tips on how you can transform your kitchen into a beautiful new and exciting place for a much lower cost than if you hired a contractor to do it. Let’s get started.

DEMOLITION: OUT WITH THE OLD

Before you can begin implementing new and exciting changes to your kitchen you must first take the time and get rid of the old. When it comes to demolition I like to begin at the top and work my with down, in other words, I like to start with the ceiling and work my way down to the floor. Your approach may be just the opposite and if that is what you’re comfortable doing than so be it. But before you begin make sure you have on all your safety gear and safety goggles on. The operative word is safety and working safely is paramount to everything else. If you need to file a permit with your local officials by all means do so. And if you feel uncomfortable doing this type of work hire a contractor. This type of work is dirty and nasty and it can be very, very dangerous; so be careful and avoid any and all accidents. We do this for a living and we abide by these same rules and safety measures that I’m giving you, so practice safety every step of the way.

Before I begin to tear out the old drywall in the ceiling, I remove the lighting fixture in the ceiling and then I cover the expose electrical wires with electrical tape or electrical twist caps. If need be, go to your breaker box and turn off the electricity that leads to the kitchen. Again, if you’re uncomfortable doing this, then be sure to contact a reputable contractor and leave all the cares and responsibilities for him to deal with. This type of work is not for everybody and everybody is not comfortable doing it. But for those who are and those who want to do it than let’s continue on. Generally speaking, when it comes to tearing out old drywall you can use any number of tools to get the job done, but I prefer to use a hammer and sometimes even a shovel. Ceilings are usually eight feet high and higher, so I use a tool that allows me to stand on the floor and reach up and tear the drywall out. If your ceilings are higher you may need the use of a stepladder or even scaffolding, it just depends on what is more comfortable for you. Most of the tools use for demolition can be rented from your local rental center, or you can buy tools and equipment from your neighborhood home improvement center—the options are open.

Once the drywall has been removed from your ceiling you will need to go on and remove the nails/screws that held the drywall in place. Simply remove the nails with a hammer and the screws with a ***** gun/cordless drill. You must remove all nails and screws from the ceiling joists in order to install the new drywall.By now all the appliances, cookware, dishes and counter top items should have been removed from the room, if not, you should do it now. If you can’t remove your stove and refrigerator make sure it is covered well. It would be ideal to have everything removed from the room, however, sometimes that is not an option; so all that you cannot remove from the room just make sure it is completely covered to protect it from dirt, dust and flying debris. If your ceiling is a plaster ceiling and it is in need of repair, you might want to call a plaster contractor to take a look at it, but if it is in relatively good condition with the exception being a few hair line cracks then you should be able to do that yourself. And if you have a ceiling that is wood then by all means check to see if the wood is warped: bowed; broken; splintered or just plain old ugly; if so, it should be repaired or removed. In order to give your ceiling a fresh new attractive look you must do away with the old and start anew.

DEMOLITION: PHASE TWO

With the ceiling completely removed and the ceiling joists cleaned of old nails/screws we can proceed to remove the walls. This can be difficult to do if some of your large appliances are still in place. Getting behind the refrigerator and stove will be hard to do with them still in place, but if you are doing a complete make over to your kitchen then nothing should be left in place. You really have to find a place to store your large appliances as well as the smaller ones. If you are going to replace them then you should be able to get the company that’s delivering your new appliances to carry them off for you, if not, then you might have to arrange to have an independent trash hauler pick them up for you at an additional charge, I’m just not sure how that works in your area. But if you plan to reuse them as part of your new kitchen decor then make sure they are well covered and protected. Plastic covering should suffice, but be sure to use multiple layers of plastic for added protection. Make sure the dishwasher has been disconnected and moved out of the room and remember to turn off the water supply line so that you will not flood your home and possibly your neighbors as well. This part can get really serious so you might need to consult with a plumber to assist you and removing faucets and so forth. Remember, if you’re unfamiliar with this aspect of demolition don’t hesitate to call in a professional plumber that is reputable in your area. You could be in for a very large lawsuit(s) if you make a mistake in this area, so tread these waters with the utmost of care.

TEARING OUT THE CABINETS AND WALLS

Somehow old kitchen cabinets really get a bad rap, although for years when they were in their prime they were the darling of the kitchen, they were loved and adored, but now that many moons have come and gone and they have lost their luster and charm, they have become the scorn of many a housewife. So now is the time to say good riddance to them—both top and bottom set. They are no longer needed or wanted and the time has come for their demise. Say goodbye to your old friends and let the demolition commence. And now that they have been completely removed somehow your kitchen look miraculously larger…and much more roomier. This can only start your imagination to begin running non stop at all the possibilities for your new kitchen make over, but wait a minute there we have more work to do…much more work to do.

Before you begin taking out the old walls in your kitchen, first check to see if there is any baseboards, trim or even shoe moulding that needs to be removed before you proceed. If indeed it is then by all means remove it before you attempt to tear out the walls; it will make it much more easier to do then to leave the trim and baseboards in place. This is also a good time to remove all doors and door casing too. You really don’t want any hindrance when it comes to tearing out your walls. Again, a good hammer will suffice when it comes to tearing out your walls, but you may prefer a sledge hammer or a short handle shovel, or a crow bar; whatever feel comfortable and workable for you—use that. Make sure the electricity is still off because you don’t won’t to be electrocuted due to negligence on your part, so be ever watchful and stay alert. Like the ceiling, you must remove all the old drywall that’s covering your studs in order to facilitate a complete kitchen make over. So get rid of all that old drywall and start fresh. If there are some pieces and panels of drywall that looks good, then by all means allow it to remain, but in my opinion it would just be best to remove the remaining pieces/panels and go with all new drywall.

REMOVING THE FLOORING

With everything practically cleaned out of the kitchen there should be only one thing left—the floor. Whatever it is; vinyl, linoleum, ceramic tile, natural stone, or whatever, it must be removed in order to make way for the new flooring. If you choose to keep it; that might be a viable option if it is stable and in good condition, that is good enough condition to apply a new floor on top of it without causing a problem or premature floor failure. I personally like to remove all existing flooring to avoid any possible problems down the road and not only that but I am just as concern with the subflooring that lies underneath the finish floor. And my concerns don’t stop there because the foundation is the key to a successful flooring project. It doesn’t matter what type of flooring you choose to install, one thing is for sure, if your foundation is bad your flooring project will subsequently end in failure…and that’s a written guarantee you can bank on. Make sure your foundation is solid and level and ready to receive a finish floor on top of it. If you need to call out a foundation contractor don’t neglect to do it.Assuming that you have chosen to remove your old finish flooring, make sure you have done it thoroughly.

DEMOLITION:CONCLUSION

In your quest to remodel/renovate your kitchen it is imperative that you remove the old in order to make room for the new. Personally, I really do enjoy doing demolition work. Although it is hot and sweaty work (doesn’t matter what season of the year), I truly enjoy removing the old and making way for the new. But in caution just let me say this: demolition is not a time for indiscriminate destruction, instead, it is a time for careful planning and even more carefulness when it comes to executing your plans. Demolition can be a real opportunity for irreversible destruction cause by a careless worker that’s working in a mindless way. Instead of using this as an opportunity to get familiar with the anatomy of your kitchen, a foolish person will use this as an opportunity to vent rage or worst to have fun. Both attitudes or inappropriate for this type of work and both attitudes are responsible for countless injuries and many deaths that have occurred while doing demolition work. So be smart and stay safe.

Disclaimer: This author assumes no responsibility for any injuries or deaths that might occur base on the content of this article. This article is written for the sole purpose of informing and entertaining. Please be advise to call a reputable contractor in your area. Thank you.

About the Author

Donald Thomas is owner and CEO of AMERICAN PAINTING AND PRESSURE CLEANING,INC.He has been in the home improvement business since 1984. Please feel free to visit our website for more full length feature articles and a whole lot of neat tools and equipment. http://www.americanpaintingandpressurecleaninginc.com



By: Donald Thomas

About the Author:

Bathroom home improvement can be exciting for you can finally have a bathroom that you can be proud of. With this, when invited guests come and ask to use the bathroom, you can simply hear them gasp as they move inside and amazed by what you’ve done and forgotten part of your home. Change into large tub or shower you’ve always desired, change the sinks, the tile or even flooring. Do whatever you want for just like any home improvement; bathroom home improvement is completely up to you can make wonders for the overall look of your home.

Bathroom home improvement can be so costly such that you won’t want to endure if you won’t continue living in the home. You should look into clearance items and home stores if you want to have the process as affordable as possible. As new stocks are coming in, you can get products such as counter tops, cabinets, flooring, bathroom fixtures and more that are brand new which have price reduction.

You may also consider a wholesaler that will provide you a break down on costs if you decide to buy all of the supplies for your bathroom home improvement at one go. If cost is making you worry, remember that you are investing money into the house so that you can get more out of it later.

Bathroom home improvement not only can make your home look fresh and new again but also update the house instantly by getting rid of the wear and tear. Some of the great bathroom home improvement projects that will change the whole look and feel of your bathroom are: resurfacing or replacing the bathtub and shower, painting or replacing cabinets, and repainting the walls.

Affordable Bathroom home improvement Ideas

You are probably worried about the cost of the project if you know that bathroom home improvement is in you future since you need to sell your house or you just don’t want to cringe every time guests use your bathroom. Your bathroom home improvement projects do not need to break the bank despite what many people tell you.

A great way to start your bathroom home improvement projects is to have your existing bathtub or shower replaced, including any knobs or shower heads. If you visit your home improvement center you will find a new bathtub which is easily within your bathroom home improvement budget since bathtubs do not have to be very expensive.

You can always choose to have tiles and porcelain tubs resurfaced if you don’t wish to spend time and expense of removing the old tub. This process will take a whole afternoon and leave the bathtub and shower looking brand new but it will also hold up some time too.

To replace your toilet is another way to revitalize the look of your bathroom. Since toilets are like anything else which are used regularly, they tend to wear and not work very well over time. It is not mandatory to replace your existing toilet with a brand new one if the current one is still working though replacing with a new one is a good idea. If you find the right bargain, simply replacing the seat is a good option and it can cost less than $5.

Though not mandatory, replacing cabinets is a good bathroom home improvement project. Simple painting or staining the cabinets will spice up the place and that cost little. Since hardware usually goes with cabinets and such quite a bit, it is a good idea to replace them after you paint.

Bathroom home improvement doesn’t have to cost a lot. If you just consider how you can use the existing items, you can also make your current bathroom as good as new in a short time. After all is said and done, don’t be afraid to pain the walls new colour and beautify to make the room a nice place to be.

To come up with reasonable plans is the first step to a successful series of projects of home improvement for bathrooms. Anyone desire a larger bathroom. It may be possible to make a bathroom look roomier, but it’s a very large job to actually make a larger bathroom. Most homeowners only do home improvement for bathrooms once or twice in a lifetime.

Plans for a home improvement for bathrooms redesign can start with a good idea of available fixtures and prices. Most homeowners start with a budget which makes certain decision simpler. The price of retiling the floor may be out of the question and limits color decisions to a reasonable range. Several home improvement projects for bathrooms begin with a new sink and tub or shower. The whole room looks dated the moment those kinds of fixtures looks out dated.



By: Cindy Heller

About the Author:

Protecting Your Family and Home From the Dangers of Lightening

 

As the seasons change, so do the elements and storms we are exposed to. This time of year, hurricanes and flooding rains are major problems we face. A by-product of these mysterious weather phenomenons is lightning. A lightning storm, also known as an electrical storm, can be extremely dangerous and destroy a home with a single blow. These erratic ribbons of energy seek to find refuge by kissing the earth with a tremendous force of energy and destroying anything that may be in its path.

 

At any particular moment, there are over 1,800 thunderstorms in progress somewhere around the globe and 25 million bolts of lightning reach out of the sky, coming in contact with the ground, annually.

 

Watching a good lightning storm zigzag across the sky is an awesome visual experience. The ominous ness and the electrical displays are extraordinary to watch. But, these displays of dancing energy come with a destructive power that steals more lives and causes more damage than floods, hurricanes and tornadoes - combined.

 

There is a way you can help to protect your home from being destroyed by these flashes of energy. Installing a lightning protection system can provide a path for the lightning to follow into the ground and help to direct it from melting the shielding in your homes electrical system and taking out the electronics and appliances plugged into your outlets. These systems do not prevent lightning from striking nor do they attract it, but help to direct its energy out of harms way.

 

Lightning protection systems that meet the latest standard requirements are considered to be 99% effective by Underwriters Laboratories. These systems can be partially concealed on the exterior or completely concealed during construction.

 

If lightning strikes the ground, it can affect whatever is within a 60 foot radius and 10 times that area, if it strikes water and can be lethal. On average, it can strike over 50 times within a quarter-mile of your home and is the leading cause of fires in suburban and rural areas.

 

There are several factors to determine if your home is at risk:

1.      If your home is located in an open area

2.      If lightning strikes were reported or seen within close proximity

3.      If your home is located in an elevated area, like a mountain.

4.      If you do not have a system to safely direct the path of electricity into the ground

 

A Few Lightning Facts

·        A lightning bolt can travel from 25 – 45 miles horizontally prior to hitting the ground and can be from 6 to 8 miles in length.

·        The size of a bolt is about 1 - 2 inches in diameter with the surrounding light making it seem a lot larger.

·        A single bolt of lightning can become up to 5 times the heat of the sun and carries with it 1 billion volts of current and up to 20,000 amperes.

·        The Empire State Building is struck by lightning over 100 times per year.

·        Most lightning strikes occurs between 12 noon and 4 PM

 

 

In homes located where sandy soil conditions are prevalent, more elaborate systems are necessary. Sand is dryer than normal soil and does not conduct electricity in the same way that moist soil does. For areas with sandy soil conditions there is a system that dissipates the energy over more of an area than the simple lightening rod, cable and clamp system.

 

Although the rod and cable system is easier than the more elaborate systems, for the best results and to ensure that you meet the requirements for a lower deductible and discounted premium from your insurance carrier, have a licensed professional evaluate and install the best system to protect you, your family and your home.

 

To get your copy of Hector’s book,

 

What Your Parent’s Never Told You About Owning a Home

 

Visit www.americashomeimprovementcoach.com and with

 

your purchase his book you will receive 5 reports on

 

ü     Selling Your Home In Any Market

ü     Hiring the Right Contractor For You

ü     Staying Within Your Budget

ü     Looking Out For Contractor Scams

ü     What Questions Should You Ask a Potential Contractor

 



By: Americas Home Improvement Coach

About the Author:

A modern home is incomplete without a remodeled kitchen. And if you think that your kitchen is not looking as it should look, then the time has some to take charge!

Some websites provide reliable and valuable information about home improvement, in particular with kitchen remodeling tips. For example, you will find that there are many online companies that do the work of remodeling the kitchen. You can simply send them an email and their professionals will come to your house for further discussion.

You can also get books and ebooks on home improvement that focus on kitchen remodeling tips. Simply search Amazon.com or eBay.com for starters.

Here are some remodeling tips for your kitchen projects:

1) If you are interested in changing the tiles of your kitchen, then there are a number of natural stones available in the market. Natural stones such as granite, marble, sandstones, quartzite and limestone are used and can also be located on the web.

2) Many people actually prefer granite for kitchen floors, countertops and other surfaces that are used a lot. And granite is extremely popular as it is durable and has immense compressive strength. In fact it is the hardest stone, hence is an important part of heavily used surfaces. Also decorative stone, granite is available in rich colors. Characteristics such as density and stiffness make it a good choice for flooring and counter tops.

3) Kitchen remodeling also involves changing around some room furniture in some projects. And a number of hard and soft woods are used in making kitchen furniture; for example, red oak is commonly used to make a kitchen cabinet, as it is heavy, durable and has a high crushing strength, hence, is widely used. Ash is another material that is used to make kitchen cabinets.

Regardless of the material you use to make your kitchen furniture though, ensure high quality material is utilized. Make sure that the people who are making the furniture or the manufacturers have good knowledge and the prerequisite experience. Inexperienced people may damage your material and hence put a crimp in your remodeling efforts. So in short, every piece of furniture that you include needs to have a good finish so that it looks attractive.

Hint: You can also seek the help of friend who has good knowledge, taste and experience with remodeling to give you good home improvement kitchen remodeling tips.

4) The kitchen cabinets are another very important part of the kitchen remodeling tasks for your project as you keep a lot of necessary items here for daily use. So if you are thinking of making or installing new cabinets, then it is necessary to first and foremost focus on your materials choice.

Wood is usually preferred in making cabinets. Wood gives a classic, rich appeal to your cabinet and comes in a variety of types. You can create the look you desire for your cabinet with the help of wood, giving an elegant stye to your project, for example. And also note that whether it is antique or modern, ornate or minimalists, the wood type that you choose will not only have an impact on the cabinet but also on the overall look of the kitchen.

Depth of color of your wood cabinet should also be taken into consideration while choosing the type of wood for your cabinet. Cherry wood is most often used in making cabinets as it is medium dark. If you want darker richer effects to your cabinet and other kitchen furniture then you should consider mahogany, walnut and ebony. Teak, rosewood and butter also provide a rich warm color and hence are preferred by many. Your cabinet and other furniture are sure to shine as these types of wood are of excellent quality.



By: Jim Ames

About the Author:

think it is any surprise that a major home improvement project will not only take time and money, but it also takes proper planning to get the job done right. When it comes to planning, probably the most important aspect of the project is buying the materials for the job. By doing a little research you can, not only find the materials you need, but cut some cost and time out of your budget as well.

Comparison shopping is the single most important part of your planning for the job. This takes time and effort, but you will quickly find out about the wide variety of prices and quality in the market place. The old adage “you get what you pay for” is very true in the remodeling world. Super stores or big box supply stores have great prices, but a good amount of their product is manufactured for their own private label, therefore the super store dictates the quality of the product. You might see some good prices, but the quality may very well be lacking.

Don’t be afraid to shop online. There are a ton of websites out there that specialize in various categories that can save you a ton of money since they don’t have the high overhead that is associated with the retail environment. When it comes to lumber (2×4’s, plywood, etc..) you won’t find much of a difference, but for the fixtures, cabinets, lighting, and items like these, you can save as much as 50-60% by doing a little bit of research. There are literally thousands of websites for construction materials. By searching for closeout deals and alternative products to the name brand items, you can easily trim down your budget.

I touched on this earlier, but it is important to take a moment to talk about quality. The big name brand companies that supply the mega home improvement stores do a very good job of convincing you that they have a name you can trust (and that the quality will be there). While there are a lot of categories in which they do offer high quality products, there are some that you are better off getting from a specialty store. One example is paint. If you’re buying paint, don’t go with the big box retail brand. These stores tell you it is quality paint, but if you go to a real paint store like MAB or Sherwin-Williams; you will get a much better product and they will be more knowledgeable about the product.

The same is true for countertops and flooring. Once again, you can find all of these items in the mega stores, but the quality is just not there. Ironically, Home Depot and Lowes have very little to do with the flooring and countertops other than brokering the sale. They outsource the installation and most of it they don’t even stock in the store, especially the countertops. If you were to run into a problem with the product or how it was installed, it just becomes of battle of who is at fault. By working with a specialty countertop or flooring place, you can usually find a better deal on some closeouts and you know exactly who you are dealing with when you are signing the contract (it all comes back to the perception that the big stores have created about having the best price on everything, which is nearly impossible in the real world).

The other advantage of dealing with the smaller businesses has to do with the installation. Scheduling deliveries and installs can throw off your entire project time line if just one of the components isn’t completed when you need it to be. Time is money, so having an installer that you can rely on is just as important as what you are paying for the work to be done. By working with a local company, they are more likely to work around your schedule than the bigger outfits that will force you to work around theirs.

By: Gary Nealon

About the Author:

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of home improvement bathrooms is certainly no exception.

Some bathrooms have tile walling and flooring areas. Over the years tile suffer deterioration and/or damage due to steam, heat, moisture, and even accidental hits.

Thus to repair tiles instead of buying new tile is relatively easy. The tiles have a bit more detail than simply tiles, including caulk and joints. The caulk sometimes need replacing, or renewed especially when water causes the material to fade.

It is important to work around dry areas when re-caulking bathrooms for improvement. You will need a scraper, since the old caulk and/or grout needs scraping before the new is applied. You can use an awl, which is a pointed tool that marks the surface, or else pierce smaller holes in the area. The rubbing alcohol is needed in this home improvement scheme, since the joints must be freed of debris and dirt and soaked in the alcohol for cleaning before reusing.

It is important that you follow steps when improving you home, thus, the next step is to fill the tub slowly before starting the new caulking process. Thus, the water will minimize or eliminate the possibilities of the caulk cracking.

It is important to clear the joints of spores or mildew before filling the joints in with new latex caulk. You can also use silicone to fill in the joints. Solutions for removing mildew are available at most hardware stores.

Note: Keeping a moist finger will help stop sticking from the silicone and/or caulk. You can use your fingertips to smooth out the area where the caulk is applied, using the fingers to figure the caulk into a bay form.

Once the caulk is applied, you will wait until the material dries before continuing to carve away any residue around the area.

Sound complicated, or are you feeling that the terms are frightening? Many homeowners shy aware from home improvement or repairs, simply because the carpentry or technical terms scare them into paying high dollars to fix or remodel their homes. If this method frightens you, you may want to consider using “performed peel-and-stick tub and tile caulk” which is easier than the preceding details to follow. The caulk only requires that you peel and stick.

If you have wallpaper in your bathroom, thus repairs may extend further than fixing tiles. Whoever comes up with the notion to add wallpaper in the bathroom was not thinking in my opinion.

Wallpaper is fragile, and when it is exposed to heat, moisture, and steam, it tends to deteriorate much faster than caulk on tiles. Some of the nicest looking bathrooms in homes are tiled walled and floored, and/or have a laminate flooring or wall that has sturdy materials.

Bathrooms with tiles or firm laminate walls and floors often clean better and will stand longer than wallpapered walls. Thus, if you are repairing your bathroom and it has wallpaper on the wall, then you may consider remodeling the entire wall area of the room.

Tips Bathrooms often have accessories. Bathrooms include towel hangers, toothbrush and soap dishes, and other lofty accessories. The accessories can make a bathroom look good, or else make it look bad. Thus, if you are improving your bathroom you may want to consider an entire make over. If you have broken accessories in the bathroom area, a few dollars will help you enhance the appeal of your bathroom.

A sophisticated carpenter may require that you have a pocket full of tools and materials to replace towel holders, or other accessories in the bathroom, but in most instances, a few tools and materials will suffice.

Repairing your home or else improving your home is an awarding experience. Our home makes a statement as to what type of person we are. Thus, when we take the time to take care of our home, we are telling others that we care about self and what others think about us.

For more information on home improvement, visit our article directory where a wealth of information is waiting for you to take the steps to improve your home without costing you a fortune.



By: Hans Hasselfors

About the Author:

When most people think of home improvement bathrooms, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to home improvement bathrooms than just the basics.

Down through the years the bathroom has played a large role in homes, yet the facility is one of the most detested areas of the home at times. The bathroom gives off the impression that it is something needed, rather than something we could appreciate or find enjoyment within its realm.

Bathrooms compose an excessive amount of plumbing, overwhelming fixtures at times, and an area that adheres to little room for nothing more than bathing or releasing inner nature.

There are various types of bathrooms. Family, master, individual, compartmentalized, half, guest, and other types of bathrooms need considered when repairing or improving the homes area. Special-use, three-quarter, full baths, and disabled bathrooms are types of bathrooms that may need additional consideration when considering home improvement.

Before starting to work on your bathroom, it is important that you clean the area in which you will work. Removing all dust particles including the tools you will use for repair or improvement.

After you dust the area, take a browse about the area to see what you are considering. Try to plan ahead of the game; by setting up a systematic idea of what you intend to do.

If you want to do things completely right, you may want to file your notions on a piece of paper. After you file you will need to analyze the bathroom to again see what you intend to do to the area for improvement. You could also draw up a list of likable areas and dislikeable areas.

You will need to consider during analyze of the bathroom, considering storage area, space, layout, shower/bathtub, faucets, fixtures, counters, flooring, ventilation, heat, walls, electrical layouts and so forth.

If your bathroom is small, consider what you need to do to expand the area for comfort ability. Sometimes if your home has a larger area in the next room and the space is not needed you could take out a wall linking to the bathroom and other room to expand your bathroom.

I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

By the way, before you get started remodeling your bathroom you may want to check with your local City Hall. Many states have laws for building, which includes codes and building permits. The permits are often affordable, thus having a permit if required can save you from fines and costs.

If you are improving, your bathroom beware that fixtures are the most costly items to repair within the cavity of the room. Regardless if you need to repair or remodel your bathroom, regardless of the expense think equity and you will be ok.

When remodeling your bathroom if you are searching for appeal you may want to consider replacing cabinets to reach an effect. If you are merely searching for style verses complete make over a few designs may increase the equity of your home value at the same time bring to light that bathrooms do bring forth pleasure.

Common bathrooms give out a somewhat hidden expression at the same time giving a chilling feel. The bathrooms may have cabinets with dark or medium wood coloring, thus the only appeal in these types of bathrooms is the accessories bought extra to bring out the design.

Thus, when considering designing of bathrooms verses home improvement consider the European style, modern style, Mediterranean style, “turn-of-the Century, or else the Oriental style bathroom. Other styles of bathrooms including the rain forest style bring out a warming atmosphere as it provides a refreshing outdoors appeal.

Considering the rain forest style, we can analyze the situation and see that this effect may come cheaper than other styles of bathrooms.

The rain forest style could come to life if the homeowner adds plants, flowers, and other types of accessories to the bathroom coupled with forest-affect wallpaper. Tile is cheap, thus the floors could be finished for around forty of fifty dollars, and bring to life a storming effect.

Home improvement increases the value of your homes equity. Thus, when considering improving your home it is important to assess the situation carefully, take notes, create files, and setup steps for improvement. Finally, if you have a small toiletry area, you may want to consider lighter appeals verses darker appeal to make the room more comfortable for use.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about home improvement bathrooms.



By: Hans Hasselfors

About the Author:

Any advice or guide on the interior design of a bathroom should be based around one simple concept: keep it simple. Rooms inside of a home should have functional aspects, and if one room is designed for very specific functions, it is the bathroom. There have always been many jokes about the “throne” of a home, but the honest fact is that creating a visibly appealing and comfortable bathroom will inspire positive feelings to its users.

Hardware choices should be the primary concern when designing a bathroom. Faucets and spigots, as well as tubs and toilets, produced in a variety of shapes and materials can centrepiece a design. Open showers are currently popular with the younger upwardly- mobile crowd, and claw-foot bathtubs are almost always considered to be classic and attractive. Evaluate privacy issues first; don’t put the toilet and tub too close together.

Is it a possibility to centre your bathroom around a favourite theme? The answer is most certainly “yes.” Keeping in mind that “less is more” while choosing a decoration pattern that will coordinate with the rest of the home will open many design possibilities. Finding a colour or pattern inspiration from simple or small artwork may be the first step toward creating a bathroom masterpiece.

When designing a bathroom’s tiling, take the time to shop around through different hardware, decoration and craft stores. The more expensive of the different types of tiles should have durability, aesthetic value, and a non-porous surface. It should be easily cleaned and sanitized, and it needs to install easily without any expensive or caustic glues or cements. Get creative also; all tile in bathrooms need not be made of porcelain.

After the design and production of a space-conscious and attractive bathroom have been completed, focus on decoration accessories to bring out personality and individualism. The bathroom is the most sacred room of any interior, and placing prized possessions on the walls or shelves is an interesting way to bless this special room. Use courageous ideas and do not be afraid to take chances, but above all: keep it simple.

Take a look around your own home. Is what youve been referring to as your time-honoured home decor really just old fashioned? If so, maybe its time for you to join the remodelling parade. The good news is: there are lots of easy, low cost ways to give your homes look a nice pick-me-up.

The bathroom is one of the most popular targets for home improvement. While any project involving plumbing tends to intimidate the average homeowner, there is a lot of new product technology designed with the do-it-yourself in mind.

One of the easiest and most cost efficient ways to spruce up a bathroom is to replace the faucets. Improvements like this have a huge impact on the functional and aesthetic value of the space. You can create an entirely new theme for your bathroom — such as contemporary, old world, or European — based on the design of your faucet, says Angie Coffman, director, Delta product marketing for Delta Faucet Company.

Before purchasing a new faucet, its a good idea to do some preliminary research. You may also want to consider a budget before beginning your search, as prices can vary widely. You will find that there are many different styles and designs in bathroom faucets. Consider ahead of time whether you want a single-handle or a double-handle faucet. Notice how the handles feel in the palm of your hand. Do you want something that is delicate or more heavy-duty? Explore different spout designs and finishes as well. Decide whether or not you want an escutcheon, the decorative plate beneath a faucet. An escutcheon will also cover extra holes that might be drilled in the sink.

Look for a faucet that installs easily — you may notice language like quick connect or no adjust, indicating that minimal tools are required. Pay close attention to the existing hole configuration on your sink. How many are there and how far apart are they? Do you need a single-hole, 4-inch centre-set, or a wall-mounted faucet? Your single-handle faucet may have three holes underneath, but you dont necessarily have to replace it with another single-handle. Theres a design, called a mini-widespread, which provides flexibility for customers who have a single-handle faucet, but are looking to switch to a double handle, widespread look. The Victorian Mini-widespread from Delta is an example of a faucet that offers intricate, old-world styling in a smaller sink setting.

Make a Lasting Improvement

Look for a design that wont soon be outdated and one that will complement the rest of your bathroom, one that will stand out without sticking out, according to Coffman. Keep in mind that you will probably be using this new faucet for years, so choose something that is durable, versatile, and a brand that is considered reliable.

Installing high quality products in a bathroom will result in a high return on your home remodelling investment. That is why it is important to choose a faucet that offers long-lasting, worry-free performance. You want to look for things like solid brass construction and a company that offers a lifetime limited warranty, along with customer support, in case you have questions while installing the faucet yourself.

Now that you are ready to give your bathroom the facelift it has been waiting for, have a few tools handy for the installation. A pair of adjustable pliers, along with an Allen wrench and basin wrench, will probably be necessary. Also pick up some silicone or caulk, and Teflon tape. Always double check the instructions on your faucet for any other tools or supplies needed.

If you are looking for additional support, try consulting your local home improvement store. Or, check out manufacturer Web sites, such as deltafaucet, for installation tips. As you join the millions of Americans remodelling their homes this year, choose your projects wisely and remember that even seemingly small changes, like a bathroom fixture upgrade, can add value to your home.



By: Neil Parnham

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Finding the right home improvement company to update or renovate your home doesn’t have to be a stressful and disheartening process. Yet most homeowners have no idea where to start because they are bombarded with bad press about contractors who are dishonest, inexperienced and downright unreliable. Homeowners today are wary of who they can trust.

Home Improvement Complaints and Scams:

“With lower-rate mortgages tempting homeowners to trade up to a bigger house, or to refinance and expand or repair their existing home, we’re finding that construction and home improvement activity is way up, and with it is the number of complaints in those areas,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Edwin R. Rodriguez. (Consumer Affairs, January 2006)

“Home improvement complaints rank as the top consumer complaint in Connecticut and elsewhere across the country,” Rodriguez said. “While home improvements themselves can be expensive, any problems that arise often cost consumers thousands more to fix. Unfortunately, there have been many cases where a homeowner is left with a huge problem and has no financial means of getting it repaired.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)

Basic scams usually do not occur with accredited companies, so make sure the company you use is licensed. “The law requires home improvement contractors to register and follow certain procedures for a reason, to protect homeowners,” Rodriguez said. “This includes complying with state laws that assure consumers a level of financial protection.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)

Be Wary of Certain Sales Tactic:

According to the National Consumer Law Center at consumerlaw.org, unscrupulous contractors mostly target senior citizens. Do not fall into the trap of the following sales tactics that take advantage of homeowners:

• “Bait and Switch” - offers low prices for installed items like windows and home siding, and then tells the homeowner the item is out of stock and can only be replaced with a high-priced substitute.

• Misrepresent the urgency of a needed repair.

• Claim the item is more expensive than advertised because it has to be “custom made” to fit the home.

• Misrepresent that the consumer is receiving a discount because the home is selected to model the repair when, in reality, the consumer is paying market price or more.

• Misrepresent the energy savings, health benefits and value added to the home.

• Misrepresent the terms on which financing is likely to be arranged.

Practices to Follow for Finding the Right Contractor:

If you hire a contractor with a license and a good reputation (such as the Home Remodelers Group®), you are guaranteed to avoid unfinished work, financial wrongdoing and fraud.

The National Consumer Law Center has a list of suggestions for homeowners looking for a home improvement company:

• Do not hire an unknown contractor that solicits business by knocking on your door. Deal with companies recommended by friends or reputable building supply stores.

• Before agreeing to hire any home improvement contractor, get a second estimate for the same work from another contractor.

• Get references for the contractor and speak to those references. Ask about satisfaction and any problems that arose.

• Look at other work performed by the same contractor.

• Many states require contractors to be licensed and/or bonded. Check with the state licensing body to see if the contractor you are considering is licensed.

• Get a written contract describing explicit specifications of the work, the price (including details of any financing or credit terms), the responsibility for cleaning up, and the hourly rate for any added work. Ask for guarantees and other promises to be made in writing.

• If the written documents are different from oral promises, do not sign them.

• A 3-day right-to-cancel applies to door-to-door sales and home improvement loans even after the papers have been signed.

• Do not allow a contractor to begin work until financial arrangements to pay for the work are complete.

• Do not agree to pay the final payment until the project is finished.

• Do not consolidate other debts with a home improvement loan.

• If problems with a contractor or home improvement lender arise, get help from a lawyer or housing counselor immediately.

Take Care of Your Home:

The Home Remodelers Group® has been in business since 1964 and there is a simple reason for our longevity. We take great pride in helping our customers beautify their homes, we enjoy our work and we want our customers to be happy with their homes. The Home Remodelers Goup® is licensed and insured so you can feel secure when working with us. Before you sign any contract, we provide a written estimate and detailed information on the scope of the project. You’ll know exactly what you are getting before we do anything. We do this to provide our customers with peace of mind. We have survived in this business because we focus on customer satisfaction, attention to customer service and offer quality products at a fair price.

Think of your home like a child that needs a doctor. You would take your child to a licensed and professional doctor, not someone that comes to your door. So make sure your home receives the care it deserves by hiring experienced and well-accredited home improvement professionals.

For more information visit http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/?source=articles



By: Home Remodelers Group

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Many people who have home improvement questions ask friends or family or even neighbors but what do you do when they are not around? You can’t very well ask someone who is not there. So who do you turn to in your time of need?

Well, when you have a question there are lot of different options when a real person isn’t around. First, you can read up about home improvement in a book or magazine, secondly you can flick through a catalogue and hope they have answers to your questions or you can jump on your computer and go to the good old reliable internet. There is a world waiting at your fingertips and no doubt that the internet has all the answers to your questions.

Books, magazines and catalogues are only updated and published weekly or monthly, so you can be sitting there with this week’s edition of the “home improvement” magazine and it doesn’t have the answer to your questions and it is another week or month until the next one comes out. But that option of course is not good to you, you have half started a job and can’t remember how to finish it, you obviously can’t just leave it incomplete for weeks on end!

The best option is the internet. It’s full of information on anything and everything so you are absolutely sure to find an answer to any question you have! Home improvement questions are asked by thousands of people each day and they always log off the internet leaving very happy and of course knowing the answer to their question. The internet has vast amounts of information on any topic or subjects in the world so a question based on home improvement is sure enough to find at least one hundred answers.

Home improvement questions are asked by everyone, not everyone knows the answers to everything. Sneaking onto the internet seeking answers is those men who think they can do the job then get half way into it and realize that he doesn’t know how to do the job and is scared to ask the wife what to do.

So when a family member isn’t around or your neighbors have popped out for the day, just log on and access millions of pieces of information all at the click of a button. The information is fast, free but not often very reliable; but well at least you are getting your question answered.

Ideas For Improving Your Home

There are thousands of home improvement tips available from friends, family, books, television and even the internet. Tips are a great way to find out what way to re decorate your home if you have decided on some home improvement. Many magazines and television channels are jam packed with all different sorts of tips, whether it is building a new part of the house or just some simple styling.

Tips can come in the form of some warm advice from friends and neighbors or as some good techniques and drawings illustrated in magazines. They are all over the place, you just need to know where to look. In the UK the biggest home improvement conquests are home styling. People aren’t just adding driveways and extra bedrooms onto their homes, they are looking for new ways to make their homes comfortable and stylish places to live.

Whereas Americans are all for the lets knock down the house and build another one type of home improvement they are all full of radical and insane but effective ways of home improvement! They see this as a special and life changing project! In the UK home improvement is not attempted by anyone less than a professional!

When reading home improvement tips, try a few of them. You never know it may sound a bit strange in the idea but it could very well work for you and your home. You never know until you try! Only do something radical if it is something that you really want, small changes are ok to do but a big change is a big responsibility. You have to make sure that you can afford to do it and you are going to like the end product.

Home improvement tips are a fantastic way to get your stylish side out of the closet and into action. Don’t get stuck behind with old designs and out of date homes, spruce up your home life and let your house do the talking!



By: Jim Ames

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