Renovation Costs | Yakima Furniture

Before You Hire a Home Renovation Contractor

August 26, 2022 Comments Off

If you are planning to hire a contractor for your home remodeling project, there are several things you will want to consider. You will want to make sure that the contractor is licensed. Do not be afraid to ask the contractor to show you his or her license. In fact, you may want to check to see if the license is current by going to one of the websites that provide this service. You can find this information for free by doing an online search for contractor licenses.
Another thing you will want to look for and check is references. Most contractors will be happy to provide you with references and pictures of jobs they have done in your area. You will want to insist on a contract, whether or not the contractor offers this upfront. You will want everything spelled out in the contract; exactly what is to be done, when the job will be completed, and how much it will cost.
Your contractor may ask you for money upfront. While this is customary, never pay for the full job at the outset. You want to be able to pay for the job in stages. You may be asked to put down a deposit or a percentage of the job’s total worth. Then it should be spelled out in the contract at which stage you will pay more and how much. In addition, inspect the job thoroughly before you finish paying the contractor.
By doing your research ahead of time and carefully planning your home renovation, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that other homeowners have experienced when they engage the services of a contractor. While most of them are above board and hardworking, unfortunately, there are those that will take advantage of you if you let them.

Things You Should Look For With Remodeling Contractors

August 22, 2022 Comments Off

Whether the homeowner is do-it-yourself savvy or would simply prefer leaving everything in the hands of experts, the homeowner at one point or another would need the help of home remodeling contractors for their home renovation needs. Whatever project it may be: bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling or even custom-built additions to your home – the right kind of contractors would be available to tackle all your home improvement needs.
However, choosing the proper contractors for your home remodeling project is not as simple as choosing the lowest bidder but it should take into consideration several other factors and elements to ensure that you have the right people to do the job. Making a choice without putting extra time and thought into the selection process would find you ending up with sub-par results that will not only be inconvenient for the whole household but would also entail extra cost.
Considerations to Take in the Selection Process
When choosing contractors for your home remodeling project, you should take into account the fact that these people will be coming in and out of your house more frequently during the course of the project. Security would be a number one reason so you must enlist the services if reputable companies that are registered in your state’s Better Business Bureau. Another thing to consider is that the project may be undertaken while your household is normally living their lives under the same roof, so it would be best if you can get along well with your contractors and their crew.
A safe way of choosing home builders is to get recommendations from friends and family, particularly those whom they have worked with in the past. You can also ask your real estate agent, your architect or your interior designer for other recommendations and they would surely recommend someone whom they have worked with on previous projects and can get along well with.
Understanding the Functions of Contractors
In the strictest sense, a contractor is someone who agrees to perform some work for you as part of a legally binding contract or agreement, but the term has been used extensively in the construction industry. A project usually involves some bidding where a contractor declares a proposed budget that can include the materials, the labor costs, payments for subcontractors, and the overall contractor’s fee.
Depending on the scope of work, contractors have the option to hire qualified subcontractors to help them complete the project. These subcontractors may be construction specialists who are focused on a particular type of work like cabinet making or plumbing, which may be beyond the specialization of the contractors themselves. However, the quality of work and overall management of the subcontractors would fall under the responsibility of the contractor and he shall be liable for any work done by these subcontractors.
Contractors are also expected to work closely with the architects or interior designers and should discuss any design elements that needs clarification or confirmation. This is why it is important that during the bidding stage, the contractors should understand the scope and complexity of work required, particularly if there are several custom design elements inclusive in the work. The success or failure of the home improvement project would depend on this.

Home Remodeling Tips for Finding a Reliable Contractor

July 10, 2022 Comments Off

A home renovation or remodel can be a costly and life-altering undertaking. You don’t want to spend that kind of money and invest that much time, not to mention the inconvenience of giving up your personal space, on a job that is not done exactly as you specify. In order to ensure a top-notch job, you need the right company handling the work. When it comes to home remodeling, here are a few basic, simple tips for finding a reliable contractor.
It is essential that any contractor you hire to perform work in your home be licensed and insured. That means they’ve proven their ability to do the work to the licensing board and they have an insurance company that will cover the cost of any damages to your home that result from their negligence or ineptitude. While your cousin’s nephew might be a whiz with a hammer, if he is not licensed and insured, he is not the contractor you want.
Secondly, check any and all potential contractors for your job out with the local Better Business Bureau and, if possible, get references from some of their other customers. Many of these contractors will have websites or photo albums showing you the work they’ve done in the past. Seeing past success will boost your confidence in their ability to do your remodel right.
Finally, do shop around. Two equally qualified, licensed and insured contractors may have very different price quotes. Get all quotes in writing and request a guarantee. After all, you want to be able to recommend them to your friends. So, when it is time for home remodeling, just follow these tips for finding a reliable contractor and you can rest easier knowing the job will be done the right way by the right people.

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas For Every Budget

November 7, 2021 Comments Off

Thinking of remodeling your kitchen? Great idea! Estimates vary, but most sources agree that you can expect to recover at least 75% of the remodeling cost for a kitchen through the increased resale value it contributes to your home. Whether or not you are planning to sell your home anytime soon, here are some remodeling tips to make your kitchen a room the whole family will enjoy spending time in.
Install an Island – If you do not already have a kitchen island, this is a great multi-purpose addition. Islands add counter space for food preparation or decorative objects. They add extra drawers and cabinets for storage – and you can never have too much storage! Add some stools, and you have a great casual dining surface. A kitchen island can become a family gathering point, with mom or dad chopping vegetables on the counter while the kids sit on the stools finishing homework or playing games on a laptop.
Include Plenty of Light – No matter how beautiful your kitchen is, you won’t be able to fully appreciate it without good lighting. Try to maximize the natural light in your kitchen with windows, even skylights, if possible. Skylights, or roof windows, are a wonderful way to bring light into your kitchen while preserving wall space and privacy. If it is not possible to add windows to your kitchen, make sure you have enough lighting fixtures to thoroughly illuminate the room. One popular trend is the lighting dimmer, which allows you to change the intensity of the light, creating a different mood and atmosphere.
Create a Live-In Kitchen – One current remodeling trend is the idea of the “live-in” kitchen. Most people like to be around food, and the kitchen can be a great family hang-out spot. A television, comfortable seating, and internet access can make the kitchen a perfect place to entertain friends or spend time with family. If your kitchen borders your living room or den, consider opening the space between them, perhaps even tearing down a separating wall and installing a bar in the transitional space.
Little Changes Make a Big Difference – If you do not have the budget for a full-scale remodel, there are still several small things you can do to give your kitchen a new look. Repaint your cabinets and adding new handles or knobs can give the effect of replacing your cabinets without the cost. A new sink or lighting fixture can also help to refresh your kitchen’s appearance.

Choose Green Home Remodeling and Let the Sun’s Energy Power Your Home

September 8, 2021 Comments Off

When considering a green home remodeling project, think of the sun. Now is a perfect time to consider switching to a renewable energy source such as solar power. Many homeowners don’t consider solar because they think it too expensive, unreliable, or complicated. However, solar panels have improved greatly in the last 20 years. They are smaller, more efficient and reliable, less expensive, and easier to obtain.
Solar energy creates no pollution and it’s free. While solar panels themselves are not free, they’re a very effective long-term investment. A variety of local, federal and state tax credits and incentives can cut the expense by as much as 50 percent. If you generate more power than your home uses, you can try selling the extra power to your local utility. You can also rent your solar panels, reducing your initial cost, and letting you pay for the rental from energy savings.
Many homeowners erroneously believe that solar power will provide reduced power at certain times or will require expensive batteries. Solar systems can create power on cloudy days, although they generate more on sunny days. Because most solar panels are tied to the electrical grid, a process called net metering allows you to build up credit during the day – when your system is generating more power than you need – and draw on that credit at night. If your home is too isolated for a grid connection, you may want to consider a generator or a battery back up.
Before you sign on for solar there are a couple of considerations. First, check your utility bills; if they are already low for your area, solar panels might not be a good investment. Next, see how much sun hits your roof every day. If your roof is shaded for much of the day, you might not be a good candidate or you may need to trim some trees. Finally, see if your roof has a southern exposure. Other exposures work, but they may be somewhat less efficient or more expensive.
Good installers can evaluate your home’s potential for solar power and make estimates for costs. As with any green home improvement project, it pays to get bids from a number of contractors. Choose a company that is experienced and licensed.