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Bathroom Renovations

Renovating Tips – Why Having a Plan Will Save You Time and Money

We went into our renovation like most people having an idea of what we wanted to achieve, but lacking any real plan at the start. This ended up costing us both time and certainly money. Leaving things to the last minute, especially when it comes time for tradespeople, will always increase the cost.
I recommend writing down what you want to achieve to start with, “a new kitchen”, “a new bathroom”, “changing a bedroom into a study” etc. From this you can start to plan what needs to be done. You can write down what you can do and what you will need a tradesman to do. I would never recommend trying electrical work by yourself, leave this to the experts. Once you have this information you can start to get quotes from the tradesman and I always recommend getting at least 3-5 quotes for each job. If you can get a recommendation from someone you know about a tradesman they used who was good and reliable, sometimes it’s worth spending a little extra. As with anything you quite often get what you pay for. Another good tip here is to ask about a “cash” price (no tax), most tradesman are happy to do this and it will save you money.
Once you have selected your tradesman and decided what you can do, create a timeline. Keep in mind doing things yourself will often take longer than you think. Book your tradesman for the required dates and if anything occurs to change your timeline make sure you tell your tradesman straight away. Given enough time they are usually happy enough to fit you in at a later date. But remember try to stick to your time line, don’t try to take on extra projects or increase your initial plans half way through. This will lead to delays and will end up costing you time and inevitably more money.
Part of your plan also needs to include buying your materials, which you should do before you start your reno. Doing your research here will also save you a lot of money. You would be surprised the price difference between stores. I would recommend wholesale/warehouse outlets. You can get want you want at discount prices. These stores don’t have expensive showrooms, so you don’t pay expensive prices. Another good place to pick up bulk items such as timber, tiles, bathroom and kitchen fittings etc is auctions. There are some really good bargains to be had here. Check you local paper, they usually have the items listed so you can see what’s on offer before you go. You can also check out the prices before you go.
Another good tip is to do your research. Use the internet and get some Do It Yourself (DIY) books. I have a whole pile of books from which I get information from. Having a book at your finger tips is often faster than trawling the internet trying to find answers to your questions. Books also have great step by step diagrams and tricks to help you along the way. A good collection of books is a handy man’s or woman’s best friend.
So now your armed with your plan, you have your tradesman booked, your materials purchased, a few good books to use for guidance. Remember to try and stick to your plan, things will always come up to throw a spanner in the works, just update your plan to reflect the changes. Plans are not set in stone. They are a live document and can be changed and updated as needed.

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Bathroom Renovations

The Importance of Having Home Remodeling Software

Home remodeling can sometimes be overwhelming and stressful but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right tools. Home remodeling software is a program created to help one with remodeling one’s house efficiently. Whether you are building a custom home, a mobile home, an attached home addition, or remodeling your kitchen, it is important to generate first a set of remodeling plans. A well prepared remodeling plan is necessary not only for getting a better view of what you want your house to be but also in acquiring home remodeling permits within your area.
You cannot get a home remodeling software for free. You need to purchase it to gain access to its features. There are cheap ones though and they are very easy to use. All you need to do is install it in your computer and it will walk you through the process. You must, however, have the available measurements of the areas you want to remodel. Once you enter the required data into the program it will make options for you to choose from. You can create your own remodeling plan if you wish and work with the program to get the best possible design available.
Recent home remodeling software packages come with basic templates for you to modify to achieve your own remodeling targets. The software packages also allow you to view your finished product from different perspectives. You can quickly easily move and remove walls in the templates. You can even change the flooring, the lighting fixtures, add rooms and features like cabinets and sinks to your liking.
With this kind of software in your hand, you don’t have to hire a professional which will cost you much more. You can divert that money towards the actual remodeling of your home. It also gets you more involved with the actual design, giving you more options to make the right decisions.
Home remodeling software is like having in your disposal a team of architects, engineers and interior designers working with you to redo your home. Get the software in advance so you will have plenty of time to play and practice. In the end, having a home remodeling software gives you a better view of your finished product at the same time having fun doing it.