Call Today (800) 989-1354

Posts Tagged ‘remodeling advice’

If you have ever thought about Remodeling your home, now is the time to make it happen. Just as the cost of homes is dropping, the cost of remodeling is dropping as well including building materials and contractor’s fees. And while it may be difficult to think about spending money on your home when the values are falling, taking advantage of lower remodeling costs could be a great investment if you are not planning on selling your home anytime soon. From low interest loans to highly discounted building products there are several reasons that make now the time to start remodeling.  Let’s look at each of these factors:

1. LOW INTEREST LOANS: If you need to finance your remodeling project interest rates are at an all time low. Lower interest rates mean that consumers spend less on interest costs, leaving them with more of their income to spend on that remodeling project they have waited years to do.

2. GET MUCH MORE FOR MUCH LESS: The economy has had a severe impact on the building and remodeling industry which resulted in many contractors going out of business.  Labor costs for all skill levels in the construction industry have also dropped dramatically. With that being said contractors are able to do much more for a lot less to stay busy and competitive.  They are willing to go that extra mile to give their customer ultimate satisfaction. This is the single most important reason why NOW is the time to complete that Remodeling Project.

3. REDUCED PRICE BUILDING PRODUCTS: Given the laws of supply and demand, the drop-off in work has driven down prices on most building products.  From lumber to fixtures you are able to get incredible deals on almost every building product, which allows Contractors to pass down the discounts!

4. TOP NOTCH BUILDERS: The best builders, contractors and trades have much greater scheduling availability right now, which gives you access to professionals you might not otherwise be able to get. During the boom years, Good contractors were as hard to get as celebrated doctors.

5. TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY: The government has rolled out several programs that can put up to 30% of the cost of energy efficient building products back in your pocket. These rebates are not limited to hot water heaters and refrigerators they are also geared towards high efficiency windows and insulation. So not only are you able to have a greener home you can put some green back in your bank!

Bonnie of Carlsbad, CA: What advice can you give to first-time homeowners looking to do some large renovations to our new home?

That is a good question Bonnie and Congratulations on the purchase of your first home! Now that you own a home it might seem like the projects around the house are going to be endless. So my job is to help you organize your projects in a manner that will be seamless and economical.

Lets talk Budget, this is the single most important part of any home improvement project. Determining the appropriate budget and sticking to it is vital.

Next, start first with the projects that are going to require an empty house. Example: a Kitchen renovation, Master bath renovation, Home additions, etc. Completing these types of projects first before you move into your new home will help you to keep your sanity since these type of projects are dirty, noisy and quite time consuming.

Lastly, you are going to own this home for a long time so take time with the remainder of your renovations. Make a list of improvements from most important to least and give yourself an attainable time frame to complete them in. We here at Reliable Contractors can help you from start to finish with all your home improvement needs. So call us today for a FREE in home consultation!

---

To ask a question yourself, simply visit the “Ask Shawn” page and leave a comment.  I respond personally, and will post the questions asked most-often of me within 48 hours of receiving them. – Shawn Bonneau / Reliable Contractors, Inc.

Got your heart set on a kitchen remodel? Well, before you put your foot on the gas and proceed full steam ahead, there are a few matters you need to attend to. We at Reliable Contractors of San Diego recently outlined a list of things to do before you begin your kitchen remodel.

1.  Carefully consider changes. Among the question you might want to ask yourself are: What aspects of my kitchen simply need updating, what parts need to be totally replaced or do we start from scratch? Where will foot traffic be navigating in my kitchen? Where would I like my furniture, appliances and lighting fixtures placed? What colors appeal to me? Then, browse an online showroom for kitchen remodeling ideas, inspiration, choice, assistance and advice.

2. Measure. The old adage Measure twice, cut once still rings as true today as ever. Start out with the wrong measurements and you could be throwing a lot of money down the drain. The width depth, height and door clearance for all new items you’ll be putting in your remodeled kitchen are important numbers. We at Reliable Contractors will walk you through the process of measuring your existing space.

3. Road test your remodel. Visit a kitchen remodeling super center and ask for sample flooring, tile and countertops and try them on for size. You’re going to be investing a good deal of money in your kitchen remodel, so you’ll want to make sure you can happily live with the finished redesign for years to come. Our kitchen remodeling team of experts can help you design a kitchen that makes your life easier.

4. Cover all the basics. Don’t get so caught up in the excitement that you forget to consider a timetable, price and payment schedule, as well as detailed specifications for materials. Checklists, cost estimates, help in selecting a professional and financing options are just some of the assistance you may want to seek out from a professional kitchen remodeling source.

We have provided a few additional pre-kitchen remodel tips.

Talk to various experts, like a contractor, a kitchen designer and an interior designer, for different takes on kitchen remodel solutions. Next to selecting the style and quality of the components you will use to create your super kitchen, nothing is more important than the selection of professionals to work with you. The most beautiful kitchen cabinetry and the most costly counters and appliances can result in a less than satisfactory finished product when improperly designed or installed.

Making the right choice of contractors is a challenge and deserves plenty of attention and a large helping of old-fashioned common sense. Your friendly, knowledgeable kitchen remodeling team of experts at Reliable Contractors can provide you with guidelines that can help steer you in the right direction.

Set your initial kitchen remodeling cost budget with an online calculator. Kitchen remodeling can range from a few to many thousands of dollars, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Depending on the amount of remodeling to be done, costs can generally be broken down to the cost of labor, mechanical and fixtures. Put aside some extra money for unexpected costs too.