Renovation House | Yakima Furniture

General Contractors

April 19, 2022 Comments Off

It’s Easy To Find The Right General Contractor For Your Project
You’re ready to renovate and you know you need a General Contractor, but how do you find the best one for you? With a little work, you’re sure to find someone who’s just right for the project you have planned. By taking a methodical approach to the hiring process, you can avoid those nightmare tales of construction you’ve heard about.
Before you start looking for the right company to update your home, take a trip down to your local planning department. You can speak to a professional there about the requirements you’re going to have during your project. They can let you know what plans or surveys you’ll need and what kind of permits will be necessary. They may also tell you of specific companies with numerous successful inspections in your area.
When looking for a construction company to hire, start with word of mouth referrals. Someone you know is most likely to give you an accurate account of their experience. Check with the Better Business Bureau, local Chamber of Commerce, or Associations. There are websites devoted to construction referrals as well, and might provide more information than the yellow pages.
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential companies, do a little research. The most important verification is the license. Most state licensing boards have a website where you can look up license, bonding, address, years in business and complaint information. Based on this, check with the firms to find out about liability and disability insurances.
Make appointments to review the work with several potential bidders. Verify that the companies you are hoping to work with are the ones showing up by requesting a photo ID and the contractor’s license. Provide a detailed list of all the work to be done and request written quotes and contracts from each. This will ensure the bids include the same work. Make sure to request that the contract include a projected payment schedule and completion time line.
While reviewing the bids, remember most state boards recommend avoiding a bid that is significantly lower than the others as this could be a sign of a problem with the company. Review any workmanship guarantees, as this might make a seemingly higher quote much more valuable. Make sure the bids are inclusive of all the work you want done as well. This will prevent an unwanted cost increase later.
You’ve picked one reputable company and signed the contract. Because you have a schedule and a guarantee, rest easy knowing the general contractor will protect the company name by ensuring the contract is upheld. Enjoy your new renovations.

How to Obtain the Perfect Basement Flooring

January 4, 2022 Comments Off

Deciding on basement flooring can become a difficult decision because of the important considerations attached to it. Selecting proper supplies for basement floor finishing must accompany clear ideas. Lets see what the important factors are.
Initially you need to decide on what type of basement flooring is suitable for your needs. Are you considering a complete remodel or small touch ups? If you want a fully remodeled basement floor, then you must take durability into account. A strong and durable basement floor is very necessary which lasts for many years but it should also look attractive enough throughout the years.
If you are entirely replacing the basement floor which was damaged then you need to determine whether you will continue to use your basement as storage. If the mere purpose of your basement is still storage then you need not invest in high quality floor materials. Durability is a strong aspect which you should consider while dealing with basement flooring used for storage. When you know beforehand what function your basement will serve, you will be in a better position to determine material.
A large variety of basement floor materials exist in the market. Though attractive, it is just as much confusing for the homeowners.
As you’ve decided on the function of the basement and material that will go with it for flooring, your next step is to make sure that your basement does not have any wear and tear. As soon as you detect any work required for fixing the basement, get it done right away. Basement is the foundation on which the house rests, get all the cracks, leaks and water drain problems fixed on top priority. Repair all problems even if you are using your basement for mere storage and furnace, heating placement.
Any work done no matter how durable including a fresh layer of concrete gets damage by water in case of leak or flooded basement. The house slopes should also be right to not allow water flowing in the basement from any direction. Take preventive steps before spending money, otherwise you will only end up spending more in the future to fix it.
You can use from amongst carpeting, wood, ceramic or marble tiles or any synthetic material. A word of caution while using hardwood, it must be water proof and water treated in advance. This allows such flooring to withstand leaks and other water damage issues.
Synthetic wood is therefore suggested in most cases because of its resistance against water damage. Similarly Linoleum tile use is avoided in the basement because it is quite possible for this tile to absorb moisture and repairing damage becomes difficult in the future.
After you determine the basement function and decide on the flooring, you can start with material installation. You can choose to have the installation done entirely on your own.
In order to gain a sense of achievement, you can do the entire work on your own. Take time, do not rush things and do them proper. Laying tile or wood is a difficult task and hence requires patience. Doing a proper job of basement flooring will result in a flawless work and you get to enjoy your hard work yourself as you live happily in your house for years to come.

Remodeling “Musts” For Your Home

December 16, 2021 Comments Off

In today’s real estate market, many homeowners have chosen to stay in their homes and invest in remodeling it rather than selling it right away. However, it is important to choose remodeling projects that will increase the value of your home for a possible future sale. There are a few key areas that you should concentrate on when deciding to remodel your home.
Kitchens – This is still considered the heart of the home and where most buyers look first. Upgrade the countertops to granite. Add an island, if there’s room, to create more workable surface and storage space. Consider upgrading those old appliances to “greener” ones. Not only will this entice buyers, but you can save money on your monthly energy bill while you live in the home.
Master Suite – For multi-story homes, most buyers nowadays want a master suite on the main floor. While this is very popular with older folks, it’s becoming more and more popular in general.
Home Office – As more people are telecommuting, home offices have become more popular.
Outdoor Living Space – With the fabulous weather we have in Lake Havasu City, the outdoor living space can become as important as the indoor living space. Creating a “living room” atmosphere in your own backyard is quite impressive.
Garage – Every home should have at least a two car, fully enclosed garage. However, 3+ garages appeal to homeowners who like to play in the desert or lake, have a larger family, like to work on projects or simply need more room.
Whether you plan on staying for a while or wish to upgrade your home with an eye to selling in the future, keep these remodeling tips in mind to determine where to spend you money on your home.

Bow Windows – Gain Space and a Larger View With a Window Remodeling Idea

September 23, 2021 Comments Off

Winter can be a beautiful season, but its pleasures are often best enjoyed from the warm interior of our homes. That’s where beautiful bow windows come in. You can sit by the window, comfy and warm on cushions, hot cocoa in hand, all the while watching snowflakes fall or the cardinals and chickadees at the birdfeeder. So, if you have a room that seems to need “something” and you have been planning a renovation that involves replacement windows, consider some of the many benefits of installing a room expanding bow window.
Bow windows are perfect for living rooms, kitchens, sitting rooms, dining rooms, or even master bedrooms. Consisting of a series of four, five, or six identical windows, the bow window gently curves out from a wall, creating a kind of panoramic effect on the view outdoors while offering convenient and gracefully curved seating or floor space indoors. The addition of a bow window actually extends room size, but it also appears to bring the outdoors in without the expense of a sunroom. Your room will be awash with natural light.
And contrary to popular opinion, an expanse of glass in a stylish bow window does not make a room cold. In fact, new advances in glass and framing technologies actually make this energy efficient home remodel a smart idea.
Low-E (low-emissivity) is a thin layer of transparent metallic material that’s applied to window glass for insulating purposes. Renewal by Andersen windows, for example, have nine layers of metallic materials. This Low-E coating helps to prevent heat loss in your home by acting as reflective shield, pushing radiant heat that tries to pass through the glass back to the source it originates from. That means, come winter, the metallic coating holds warm air generated in your house inside, preventing it from escaping out through the glass. The result is a warm and cozy room-with an impressive view!
So while there is more “window” in your room, today’s window glass meets or exceeds all of the rigorous energy-efficiency standards as set out by federal regulations through the Energy Star ratings. If you have been following some of my previous articles, you will know that the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) energy performance label can help you determine how well your windows will perform in terms of their U-factor, SHGC, how they block out wind, and resist condensation.
Concerned about drafts? Air can rush in through gaps between the window frames and wall, as well as between the window frame and glass window panes. Today’s major window manufacturers have created some amazing new composites for window frames that boast great insulating properties, so multiple side-by-side windows won’t let in any drafts.
Wood and vinyl hybrids like Fibrex from Renewal Windows (made by Andersen) have half the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) of regular vinyl and are much closer to a home’s wood framing. The CTE describes how the size of an object changes with a change in temperature.
You may ask why that matters. If a window frame reacts to changes in temperature differently than the wall where it is attached, then small gaps are created that increase over time and allow drafts in. Wood and vinyl composite window frames respond to changes in temperature very similar to the way your house does; they expand and contract together as the weather changes. That means no gaps or cracks will appear, so your windows stay airtight and foggy windows will be a thing of the past.
So let the cold winds blow! Between today’s composite window frames and Low-E glass technology, your house will stay comfortable all winter long, and you can significantly cut your energy bills while you’re enjoying the view.
As an added bonus, today’s composites offer the real look of wood, both inside and out, so the exterior of your home will also benefit from the addition of a beautiful bow window. Now, all you have to do to make the picture complete is get your landscape in order!

Renovation Coach – A New Way to Evaluate a Property Before the Purchase

February 22, 2021 Comments Off

Buying property that needs work and doing that work is a good way to increase equity. Shop for location and then find a property in that location that can be changed to fit your needs. But how do you know if a property can be adapted to meet your needs at a budget you can afford?
There’s a fairly new type of professional called a renovation consultant, or a remodeling coach, that can assess the property for you. They can identify the creative possibilities and functional limitations of the property before you make a commitment to purchase.
Their assessment will help you:
Prioritize Your Needs: A renovation consultant will help you ascertain what needs to be done to the property to adapt it to what you really want.
Expose the Potential: By making design recommendations and looking beyond the obvious issues to find simple solutions that uncover the full potential of the property in a cost effective way, a renovation consultant can help you visualize and plan for the realization of the full potential.
Value Engineer the Project: A knowledgeable consultant will help you design and choose materials that add maximum bang for your buck.
Evaluate City Planning and Zoning Requirements: In most municipalities there are rules that could impact improvements that you might want to make. A thorough assessment of these is imperative.
Establish a Renovation Budget: It is important to establish a realistic budget and timeline for the renovations. This will ensure that the purchase price plus the cost of improvements does not exceed the average value of property for the neighborhood.
Develop a Timeline: A realistic timeline for the completion of the renovation will give you the information you need to plan where you are going to live, if the property will be uninhabitable during the renovation.
It is a relatively new idea but there is estimated to be about 100 across the county. They offer unbiased advice and is are good resource if you find yourself considering a “fixer upper”. Consultants usually charge a flat fee between $400 – $700 for this type of service.
If you decide to purchase the property a consultant can be retained to help with the renovation. They have expertise in design, product selection, scheduling and construction. By developing a game plan with a renovation consultant you will be better prepared and the renovation will flow more smoothly. They can be your eyes and ears on the job while you’re living your life.