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Remodeling Tips, Trends & News

DIY or Hire: Where You Can Save Money and When You Should Hire a Pro

5/22/2019

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Photo by Annie Gray on Unsplash
Browsing online DIY galleries can be a good way to determine which home renovations you’re interested in and looking up step-by-step instructions can be a great strategy. However, having the skills and patience to complete these seemingly simple renovations yourself is a completely different story. In order to determine if you’re capable of completing renovations, it’s best to consult a professional for a quote before you dive in. Even if you end up opting for DIY, you’ll at least have peace of mind going into the project, knowing that it’s realistic for you to complete it. With that said, there will be renovations that will go much more smoothly and result in higher quality completion when done by a professional home remodeler. Here are five common projects that often offer the dilemma of choosing between DIY and going with a pro.
 
Painting the Exterior
Painting a bedroom on your weekend off is one thing but painting your home’s exterior yourself is a very time-consuming project. When painting interior walls, you often don’t need to scrape or sand surfaces first. However, with exterior surfaces, you will nearly always need to scrape the old paint and sand before you repaint. The whole project could take one person several weeks to complete. On the other hand, a professional painting crew can have the job done in just a few days.
 
Installing Countertops
Updating countertops can really add value to your home. Although installing them may seem straightforward, this is one of those renovations that is best left to the pros. Renovation professionals know how to take highly precise measurements, and they have expensive specialty tools for this exact situation. If you decide to make this project DIY, you risk having visible seams that may bother you until you end up calling a pro anyway. Furthermore, any damage to materials beneath the countertop may not be covered by your home warranty. You’ll want to make sure that all of your appliances are protected during the renovation.
 
Demolishing a Wall
Demolishing a wall is one of those projects that can seem simple at first glance. In reality, it can be complicated and costly. Most people probably imagine picking up a sledgehammer and going at it. The reality is that there may be plumbing, gas, or electrical lines running through the wall. Then, if you live in a house with more than one story, you’ll need a professional to determine whether or not the wall is load-bearing. If so, there will need to be changes to the architectural design, and that rules out DIY.
 
However, if you’re knocking down a wall that doesn’t have utility lines running through it and you live in a one-story home, you could probably take on the project yourself. It’s still a good idea to consult a professional for advice first.
 
Installing Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re going with pre-made cabinets, learning to install them could probably be learned from an online how-to guide. However, installing pre-made cabinets yourself in a complex kitchen layout can risk improper installation and end up costing you more in the long run by having to hire a professional to uninstall and reinstall them. Make sure you understand how much work you’re facing before you get started!
 
Author Credit:
​Paige Mitchell
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Choosing Your Next Counter Top

1/31/2019

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​Your choice of Counter Top will have a significant impact on the look and feel of your kitchen. The first step is to understand what your options are. Then you can make the choice that best fits with your choice of style and your budget.

Counter Top Choices

Granite
Granite countertops are the most popular because of the variety of colors like blacks, and whites, and greens and corals… no two pieces are alike. (Check out this article on Better Homes & Gardens that looks at Granite Countertop Colors.)
You also have two choices of granite finishes: a polished (shiny) and shiny or a more matte finish that’s called honed. As far as the cost, that depends on a few things such as color, where the granite came from(origin) and the finish.

Natural Stones
Other natural stone materials include like marble, limestone and soapstone that are way much softer than granite and require much more care. These and those countertops need to be sealed periodically. Atlanta Home Magazine has some great natural stone examples.

Engineered Stones
Engineered stone is another option for your kitchen remodel project. Some of the benefits of engineered stone include a more uniform color, durability, ease of cleaning, resistance to staining, and just the range of options available. Sounds like a great idea if you have young children. The only issue is that it does not really save you any money, it costs about the same as granite.

Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops like Corian were created to look like stone but be non-porous. They come in a huge variety of colors, are seamless, resist stains and scratches and can be buffed out. However; if you are the kind to be a little forgetful and tend to rush, solid surfaces might not be for you! Hot pans will damage these solid surface countertops.

Concrete
Who would have thought concrete countertops would be popular? They can be customized as far as how light or dark and are available in several different finishes. Trowel is smooth, Ground is kind of sanded and Pressed makes it look like marble veining. Down falls of concrete are extreme temperature changes that may cause it to warp or curl, wet sponges can leave discoloration and if any thing acidic spills on it, may get etched. These concrete countertops need to be sealed up to 4 times a year and waxed every 2 to 3 months.

Butcher Block Butcher block countertops are a great option and are easily cleaned. It’s even easy to sand out scratches. Water can damage them but if you oil them it’s easy to maintain. 
Find out more.

Laminate
Last, but not least there are laminate countertops. They are the most affordable and come in many colors and designs. You have to be careful not to put hot pots on these though! Give laminate a second chance?

Don’t forget you can always mix and match these countertops! Show off your own personal style!

We suggest you go and look at all these surfaces in person so you can touch, feel and see what would fit best in your kitchen. Bring some samples home and play around with colors!  Good luck on your kitchen remodel and thanks to HGTV for this handy information!



Author Credit:
Jennifer Bennett
Marketing Coordinator, Glazer Design & Construction

www.glazerconstruction.com

1 Comment

Smart and Simple Solutions for Sprucing up Your Bedroom and Bathroom

1/30/2019

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Image courtesy of Pixabay
Smart and Simple Solutions for Sprucing up
​Your Bedroom and Bathroom
Are you looking for ways to refresh your home?  Making simple updates can breathe new life into your bedroom and bathroom, and help your whole living environment feel new.  Here are some tips that pack a big wallop with minimal effort.


Less Is More
Do you sift through stacks in your closets attempting to locate basic necessities, or constantly misplace fundamentals, like your keys and your phone?  If you can’t seem to get organized, paring down on clutter can mean a smoother daily routine, reducing frustration and opening up time you would otherwise waste searching for things.  Not only that, Psychology Today explains decluttering appears to offer important mental health benefits, helping you feel more at peace with your homelife, reducing stress levels, and even encouraging healthier eating habits.  


Start With Your Sanctuary
Cutting clutter in your bedroom seems to be especially beneficial, helping to create a sanctuary for your sleep.  For instance, if books are piling up or you have clothing you don’t wear, you can free up space to be better organized and have fewer distractions.  You also should consider eliminating items such as electronics, which can inhibit your ability to sleep well. Do some editing, and if you have furniture or other belongings you’re on the fence about keeping, try storing them off site for a while.  If you miss them, you can retrieve them later, or you might decide it’s time to part ways. It’s an inexpensive answer to your dilemma, with the overall average price of a self-storage unit booked in Atlanta over the past 180 days coming in at $108.45.


Rethink Colors
A fresh coat of paint is one of the most effective and easy ways to give rooms a new look.  When it comes to a bedroom that inspires a cheerful outlook, House Beautiful suggests colors that are fun, bold and bright.  Walls in turquoise, pinks or reds promote energy, whites and greys soothe, or you can boost romance with elegant black.  Accessories can be pops of color or simply white to add contrast. For a bathroom that feels soothing and spa-like, select grey tones or soft blues.  Coordinated accents in deeper shades of the same hues add subtle elegance, or add some fun and flavor with citrusy shades of yellow, lime, or orange.  
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Linens For The Look
Selecting bed linens can have as much to do with color and pattern as it does thread count.  One idea is to mix and match patterns to create a look that evokes comfort, luxury and texture.  Choose a palette and patterns with common ground, whether it’s in the form of base or accent colors.  Then, select window treatments in fabrics and colors that mesh, such as neutrals for a modern look, or heavy patterns for a classic feel.  Don’t be afraid to pull together the room with stripes and medallions or paisleys and chevrons. With a repeat of the same hue throughout, you can ensure a cohesive feel.  

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Improve Organization
For your space to continue to work well for you, you’ll need to stay organized and avoid letting it become cluttered all over again.  Working with a professional organizer will set you back between $50 and $100 per hour, so to avoid shelling out extra cash for your home makeover, use some cost-effective DIY strategies instead.
In your bedroom, look for smart storage solutions, such as crates on castors that roll into the wasted area under your bed.  You can also turn unused wall space in closets into vertical shoe storage. If your closet is small, a garment rack can both display and store clothing effectively.  For better bathroom storage, add attractive wall cabinets and shelving, or hang a skirt under a pedestal sink for hiding cleaning products and hygiene items where they are handy but unseen.  You can even install a shelf to wrap around the wall over your sink for keeping toiletries at your fingertips; just choose attractive containers to complete the look.  

Give your abode a refresher by revamping your bedroom and bathroom.  Cutting down clutter, using inspiring color schemes, and organizing thoughtfully can keep you on track and improve your outlook.  Try these simple and smart solutions for making a big impact in both how you live and how you feel.


Author Credit:
​
​
Suzie Wilson
Happier Home
1 Comment
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