renovation | 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.

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.

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.