remodel | Yakima Furniture

Signs That a Home Needs a Remodel

October 6, 2022 Comments Off

Remodeling a room in a house has many long-lasting benefits. It can increase the functionality of the room, raise the resale value of the house and provide an updated look. Professional custom remodeling contractors are available to help every homeowner walk through the steps of a remodel.
KitchenOne of the most popular rooms to be remodeled in a house is the kitchen. Kitchens can become out of date and can lose their functionality as the family grows. A small kitchen may suit the needs of a new family, but as the number of kids increase and the children grow up, the kitchen can become too small. Kitchen remodeling contractors can help a homeowner find solutions to the overcrowding. Taking out a wall or moving cabinets are some of the solutions that can be utilized to increase space and function.
BathroomThe bathroom is another popular room to get a makeover. New and better bathroom fixtures are coming on the market all of the time. The features of these new items can make a big difference in the bath experience. Additionally, a bathroom that was built as part of a spec home or first time home may not have all of the amenities that are desired by homeowner. Adding a new bathtub or tile to the bathroom is a good way to remodel the bathroom that will make it feel like a spa inside of the house. Professional contractors are familiar with the applicable codes and construction methods to ensure that the bathroom remodel is done correctly and quickly.
Living RoomThe room used the most in the house is typically the living room or den. The family gathers in that room to enjoy each other’s company. The amount of use the living room receives can quickly wear out everything in the room such as the furniture or television. Also, as children grow they will start having more friends over to use the living room. The additional number of people in the room can make it feel crowded. When a homeowner finds themselves avoiding a particular part of the house due because it is unattractive and worn or if the room is becoming over-crowded with nowhere to sit, it may be time to remodel the living room.
Eventually, the homeowner will want to make changes to modernize and renovate the house. The best way to get professional results in the least amount of time is to hire a contractor to handle the home remodeling project.

Home Renovation – An Affordable Transformation Kitchen Remodel

May 21, 2022 Comments Off

If you are looking to transform your kitchen on a budget there are several areas you can concentrate on that will bring a modern look to your kitchen. Focus on a few key areas of your kitchen and stay away from too many kitchen projects at once.
Countertops are the area in the kitchen that most eyes are drawn to. Installing a top quality countertop will update a kitchen by decades. Granite is one of the most durable materials on the market and the end results are stunning. The benefits of granite include: natural beauty, increased home value, variety of colors to choose from, and the simple maintenance. Granite can also be very affordable too. Here are a few parameters to work within when selecting granite and installation prices.
Most importantly, go with a top quality company that is licensed and bonded and don’t be afraid to ask for references. Ask to see before and after remodel pictures from former clients. Also, the more color patters that are within the color of granite the more expensive it becomes square footage wise. So, stick with a simple color as that can offer significant savings.
Everything is a negotiation and even though you are given a quote, you can always bring down the price by $100 to $200 if you’re willing to negotiate. It is strongly advised to get three quotes too. This will assure you are paying fair market value for your granite and installation. Also, make sure to ask about seams when the granite is cut. Some companies try to cut corners and add unnecessary seams to your granite, and this is something that can be avoided by asking the simple question when receiving quotes.
Other affordable updates you can make to your kitchen includes; modernizing your sink with an under-mount sink and replacing the sink faucet. After your new granite is installed, updating the hardware on your cabinets is great way to bring your new remodel to a complete finish.

Keeping Pets Safe During a Remodel – A Little DAP Will Do Ya!

August 8, 2021 Comments Off

When preparing for a home remodeling project, whether it’s just having a paint contractor in or a major kitchen remodel, we make sure to have a checklist of everything that needs to get done. We move furniture, take down pictures, arrange our schedules to be there when the contractor what about our pets? Do they have a safe place to go where they can stay safe and out of trouble?
First and foremost, it is important to remember that the contractor is not a babysitter for your pet(s). It isn’t their job to make sure that the cat has water in its bowl or that the dog is let outside at 2p. I suggest you find alternative residence for your pet whenever possible during your project. If a relative or alternative residence isn’t an option, check out pet day care. Most areas have this service available on a daily or per hour basis.
***Your pet must be up-to-date on all of their vaccinations and have basic “social” skills to be admitted to most establishments.***
Any type of design project is going to require “strangers” being in your home. For most pets, this is a cause of much stress as their primary job is to protect their people and property. If your pet isn’t too “neurotic”, introducing the workers to your pet prior to work starting can help. This will help to establish the contractor as a “friend.”
As stated previously, if you can’t find alternative care for your pet during working hours, placing your pet in a “safe” room away from all of the commotion will help. Construction sites, whether they are big or small, are fraught with dangers for curious animals. Open paint cans, nails and screws, hammers and saws can all be an accident waiting to happen. A pet gate cordoning off the work area can also be helpful to keep your pet safe.
If possible, have a separate entrance for workers to arrive and come and go as they need. This helps to keep the commotion at bay as tools and equipment are being brought into the home and construction waste being thrown out. Having a separate entrance will also help you to keep tabs on “Sparky” the dog (or Morris the cat) from escaping out into the neighborhood.
Dr Lisa Kluskow of the Silver Spring Animal Wellness Center in Glendale WI strongly suggests the use of DAP for dogs and Feliway for cats to help them deal with stress. DAP stands for “Dog Appeasing Pheromone” and mimics the scent given off by the mother dog that keeps her puppies calm and happy. These same “appeasement” pheromones have the same calming effect on adult dogs and aren’t detectable by humans. DAP takes about a week before the effects are noticeable-so start using before your project begins. It should be noted that not all dogs will be effected by DAP as it depends on the dog and the severity of the anxiety. Feliway is a pheromone which works on a cat’s sense of smell, and has been proven to be so calming that peace and harmony can be restored in even multi-cat households. (Feliway is also used to help prevent spraying and litterbox usage!). Both products are available as room diffusers and sprays
Make sure that the workers place plastic sheeting and/or tarps around the work area. Plastic sheeting should be hung in all doorways of rooms being worked on to prevent pollutants, dust and other debris from spreading throughout the house. Dust, pollutants and other airborne particles can irritate any upper respiratory afflictions, cause headaches or trigger allergies. Ask your contractor what steps they take to minimize the risk to avoid the creation of these indoor pollutants and contain those that can’t be avoided.
While there are many steps that have been taken to reduce the hazards of lead paint, if you live in an older home (older than 1975) there is a possibility that lead paint can be a cause of concern. This is still a threat even if you’d placed lead-free coats over it. If you scrape, sand or heat lead paint, the lead can become airborne and make it into your body or contaminate the soil around your home. This is a hazard for anyone that comes into contact with it. If lead paint may be an issue during your project, hire a trained inspector to test the surfaces.
***The EPA does not recommend home-use testing kits. Get the “Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home” brochure for suggestions and tips on how to proceed.***
Make sure the contractor uses low or no VOC materials whenever possible to cut down the risk of all home occupants becoming sick from breathing in these emitted chemicals and toxins. Carpeting is one of the largest indoor polluters of our spaces. Carpet off-gasses toxins and chemicals into the air upon installation and removal. Make sure the carpet installer unrolls the carpet BEFORE it is delivered to your home, or at least before it is brought inside to help air the carpet out. Make sure the installer uses a no or low VOC adhesive to secure the carpeting (although this goes for ALL flooring). Cats are more susceptible to VOCs and other airbourn irritations than dogs due to their shortened upper respiratory tracts and they should be sequestered away during any painting, sanding, scraping or carpet removal/installation.
***Paint is the second major “offender” of off-gassing indoor spaces.***
After the work day has finished, it is vital that the contractor secure the work area if the job isn’t finished. Dangerous items such as tools, ladders and other hazardous materials out of family member’s reach at all times. Any holes in walls, floors or in the yard should also be secured to prevent any 4-legged family members (or 2 legged for that matter!) from falling in.
Here is a checklist to help you manage your remodeling project AND your companion animals during the duration of construction:
– Mist down all surfaces before sanding or scraping areas to be painted or stained. This will help keep the dust from becoming airborne and you and your pet(s) from breathing it in.
– Work outside whenever possible. This will help to keep the mess to a minimum inside, and cause less chance of your pet getting into trouble.
– Ventilate the space, even in winter. Even if you are doing a GREEN remodel, dust and other particles will still be a problem. Position fans so that they exhaust out instead of in.
– DO run your HVAC unit when contractors are sanding. Make sure to change filters as often as once a week to keep dust from spreading through the house in prolonged projects. If your project is only a couple of days-change the filter once project is finished.
– Be wary of rodent droppings that might be exposed during demolition and can spread Hantavirus. This can be deadly for pets and people.
With these helpful tips and some careful planning, you can rest assured that your animals will be kept safe and sound during any and all of your remodeling projects

Kitchen Remodeling – Top 5 Reasons to Remodel

May 17, 2021 Comments Off

Your kitchen is one of the most visited rooms in the household because it’s the gathering place for the whole family when they get hungry. Food is one of the essential pleasures that attracts people to the kitchen making it the busiest and most used location in your home.
Because of the overwhelming significance people place on their own cooking area, the popularity of kitchen remodeling has gained a large number of interested followers. If you wish to do some home remodeling, the kitchen is the best place to start.
Top 5 reasons for kitchen remodeling1. Upgrade existing kitchen
Whether you have just moved into a new home or have lived there for some time, you may not be entirely happy with your kitchen because it’s not functioning how you want. For instance you want to create a center island to make better use of space or the appliances are not sufficient or located in hard to reach places.
2. Family expansion or reduction
When you purchased your home you had no kids however now that you have several kids you may want to expand your kitchen to accommodate your family members.
Alternatively you may have a large kitchen but now the kids have left home and you’re not as active as you were years ago. A smaller kitchen would make it easier to access all the appliances, cabinets, etc.
3. Custom-made kitchen
You’re not happy with the stock kitchen you received with your new house and wish to have a new one designed. A custom kitchen may be expensive however you’ll be happier with it because it’s built according to your needs and fits your lifestyle better.
4. Increased market value
New home buyers always visit the kitchen because it’s where they’ll spend most most of their time. If it looks old or well used (ie faded colors, scratches, broken hinges, etc) consider getting it remodeled. Even if it costs you thousands of dollars to remodel you’ll recoup the costs by increasing your homes market value.
5. Partial remodeling
Instead of remodeling the whole kitchen you may just want to remodel the counter tops, kitchen cabinets or flooring. Each of these areas may become worn out, lose their colors or the hardware is outdated and needs replacing.
Whatever reason you have, remodeling a kitchen is a great investment because it not only adds value to your home but will give it a fresh new look you’ll be happy with for years to come.

Need Help Designing Your Remodel? – There’s an App for That

February 15, 2021 Comments Off

Home remodeling, even when you have a good general contractor on board, can be tough. Trying to get across to the contractor you are considering hiring exactly what you have in mind can be a challenge. “I want a bedroom in my attic” is, after all, a little vague.
If an architect is not in the picture and if your drawing talents stopped developing after third grade, a tool to help you envisage what the home improvement ideas in your head will turn into in real life would be really handy. Especially if you could do it all right from your phone. Well, guess what? There is an app for that – Home 3D for the iPhone and iPad.
Home 3D is rather different to other remodeling software aids you may have seen in the past. Using pre-set room dimensions that can be adjusted if needed, it allows you to alter the layout of any room within seconds. Want to see what your bedroom would look like minus the dividing wall? Done. Want to put it back again but this time with a built in closet? Results in seconds.
Home 3D also differs in that not only does it let you design – and then redesign – the layout of the rooms you are considering remodeling but virtually decorate them as well. It allows furniture to be moved, wall art to be hung, and an overall design scheme to be established-anytime, anywhere.
That means that when you do meet with your remodeling contractor for the first time all you will have to do is take out your Apple gadget of choice and they will instantly have a clear picture of what you want them to aim for. Planning and negotiation, then ultimately the remodeling work itself, can thus begin far more quickly.