Remodeling Blog

Remodeling? What to Expect, How to Prepare.

 Remodeling - What to Expect, How to Prepare

You’ve signed with a reputable contractor and the remodeling work is about to begin. What you - and your contractor - do next about your working relationship will make the difference between a pleasant experience and an unhappy one. Your responsibility is to choose the best contractor to do the work - one who is insured and bonded and has a reputation for quality workmanship, reasonable speed, fair prices, and pride in his work. How to prepare for remodeling project.

After you’ve found a professional contractor who meets these qualifications, step back and trust his or her skills - and
your own judgment.

But your job doesn’t end there. You can do other things to ensure smooth sailing:

• Make a phase list of procedures. Have the contractor explain what work will be done so you’ll know the time needed for what’s
involved.

• Plan adequate storage space. Make room for materials, tools, and equipment by clearing work area of unnecessary gear.

• Post the builder’s phone number by your telephone in case a question arises during construction. To avoid confusion, delegate
only one family spokesman.

• Consider the logistics involved in delivering, shipping, and ordering materials and making the best use of the tradesperson’s
time and skill. Your contractor is as anxious as you are to finish the job. Allow a margin for human error or for simple forgetfulness.

• Double-check materials as they arrive. Once installed, they’re all yours. You can cut down last-minute decisions and delays by
selecting the materials in advance.

• Check locks and keys. You’ll probably need to share keys with the contractor or his or her workers. Ask who will take responsibility.  What to expect during remodeling.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets fall into three basic categories: stock, semi-custom and custom.  Which is right for you?    

• Stock cabinets, the least expensive, are factory built, standard-size units ranging in width from 9 to 48 inches, in 3-inch increments.  Wall cabinets are usually 12 inches deep, and base units are 24 inches deep.  Fill pieces are available to conceal gaps.  The least expensive cabinets are made from vinyl-clad particle board or core-board imprinted with a wood-grain pattern.  The higher-end models are fashioned from solid hardwood and high-quality veneers.
• Semi-custom cabinets fall between stock and custom in both quality and price.  Built to fit your kitchen, semi-custom units are crafted in the same 3-inch increments as stock cabinets, but they offer greater flexibility when fitting into unusual spaces.
• Custom cabinets, the most expensive, are built to order by high-end manufacturers and local craftspeople, according to your individual specifications, for an exact fit.  These units can include such special features as pull-up or tilt-down drawer fronts, swing-out pantry storage, roll-out shelves and a variety of accessories.

What to Look For

Cabinets are made in one of two ways --  framed or frameless.

• Framed construction: The frame is visible around doors and drawers, and hinges are mounted to it.  Often used with traditional-style cabinets, this design provides a stable storage unit.
• Frameless contruction: Because the doors and drawers completely overlay the edges of the cabinet boxes, and hinges are mounted on the insides of the cabinet, this type of construction results in a streamlined appearance.
  
• With the the growing popularity of the overlay door, framed cabinets sometimes appear frameless, while some of the newest frameless cabinets now feature traditional-style paneled doors. 

Cabinet Materials

The majority of cabinets are made from wood, particleboard, fiberboard or plywood.  A solid wood unit is usually one having doors, drawer fronts and face frames made exclusively of wood.  Hardwoods predominate but other species also are used. Some cabinets have a veneer of finished wood affixed to a particleboard or plywood core.  Quality particleboard is a strong, reliable material for cabinet boxes.  It serves as the base for most laminate-surface applications. Medium density fiberboard is a good choice for less expensive cabinets.

Look for Quality

Look for durable features like good joinery, such as mortise-and-tenon assembly.  Four-sided front frames keep sides from bowing and shelves from sagging.  Check hinges, drawer rollers and guides, knobs and handles for sturdiness and ease of operation.

Durability includes finishes as well as construction.  Wood has always been the most popular material and it still is, but laminates are gaining rapidly.  They are both durable and easy to clean.  Wood cabinet manufacturers have begun utilizing super-finishes to combine the beauty with practicality.  Many are also offering stain-resistant laminate interiors so you don't have the chore of lining shelves and drawers.

For more information about kitchen cabinets...       

3 Important Questions to Ask Your Contractor

Before you start any remodeling project, make sure you are choosing the right contractor by asking the right questions. You want to make sure your contractor is licensed, qualified, and experienced.  If the contractor was referred to you by someone you know and trust, you feel pretty safe, right?  But what if something goes wrong?  Are you protected?

Here are three important things you need to ask your contractor before you sign on the dotted line:

1)  About subcontracted work: How much of the work will be subcontracted?  Who are they? How long have you worked with these subcontractors?  Do they have their own liability and workers compensation insurance?

2) About insurance:  Can you provide a certificate of insurance?  Do you have adequate limits of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance for yourself and your subcontractors? Do you have workers compensation insurance covering all of your employees, and covering subcontractors if they do not have their own insurance?

2) About warranties:  Do you warranty your work?  What is covered, and what is not covered?  How long is the warranty in effect?

If you don't get satisfactory answers to these questions, you might want to reconsider which contractor you hire.  You might be tempted to overlook these important protections because of a low price.  But in the long run, hiring the wrong contractor can cost you far more than you save.

Three Reasons to Remodel Now

We all know the national economy is still struggling, and the Rhode Island economy and unemployment rate are among the worst in the country.  So why would you want to spend money on remodeling your home now?  Here are three good reasons:

1. Money is cheap - After years of irresponsible lending to high-risk borrowers, banks have tightened up their standards.  But if you have a good credit rating, 20% equity in your home, and proof of income, lenders are eager to extent fat lines of credit.
2. Materials prices have fallen - With the reduction in demand over the past year, construction materials are readily available and many have come down in price.
3. Many of the bad apples are gone - When the home improvement business was going gangbusters, anyone with a pickup truck and a clipboard could call himself a general contractor. No experience or skill?  No problem!  Now many of the marginal guys have gone under.  Of course, you still need to check references, but you are less like to have a bad experience.

So, if you have been thinking of remodeling, renovating or adding to your home and have been waiting for the right time, we say "go for it". Set a budget you can afford, interview three contractors who have good reputations and references, and select the one who  you feel most confortable with.  Then enjoy the results.  And when the market picks up - and it will - your home will have appreciated in value.

3 Remodeling Ideas That Add Value

In today's economy, you may already have figured out the remodeling rather than relocating makes sense.  But when you do decide to remodel, you'd be smart to spend dollars that increase the value of your home.

Here are three remodeling ideas that will add value to your home:

1. Add a kitchen island - According to the National Association of Home Builders, 77 percent of homeowners say that an island workspace is a "must-have".  Make sure you have at least 39 inches of space all around your island for easy traffic flow.
2. Add a bath - A powder room, second or even third bathroom will add much appreciated bath space for you and your guests. Make sure the room includes an exhaust fan -- something home buyers rank high on their list of desires -- and a window that will bring in plenty of natural light.
3. Add a fireplace - A fireplace adds warmth and creates a focal point for the room.  Dress up the firebox with a tasteful surround and a classic wood mantel. If you opt for a gas unit, upgrade to one with realistic looking logs.