Avoid Home Remodeling Mistakes

Licenses & Permits

Homeowners attempt many home remodeling projects every year. Some of them are simple, do-it-yourself type projects others require (or should require) hiring a contractor to complete them. There can be any number of improvements homeowners want to make to their house from building a backyard deck, laying tile in the bathroom, or completely renovating the kitchen or laundry room. There are many common blunders that NJ homeowners make when they are remodeling their homes. Here are the main mistakes that are unfortunately happening all too often.

Not Hiring a Contractor for Bigger Projects

There are certain remodeling projects that should not be attempted by the homeowner unless they have adequate experience. Things like remodeling the kitchen or bathroom, or building a new deck or an addition are better contracted out with an experienced professional. Otherwise you may get halfway into the project, and make an irreversible mistake which can end up costing you double in the end because you’ll have to hire the contractor to fix what you broke, then hire him to do the job right.

Bathroom Cabinet Design Options

 

Modern Bathroom Vanity

Bathroom cabinets have the practical function of providing storage in this very important room. When considering a bathroom remodeling project a homeowner must consider how to provide adequate storage for toiletries and other necessities. It’s important to find the best way to organize storage options while utilizing the available space. The final choice of the homeowner will depend largely on the size of the bathroom, personal preference and what will best accommodate the storage needs. When remodeling the bathroom, homeowners can choose cabinets that match the color scheme and existing décor. Cabinets can be inexpensive and installed by the homeowner or they can choose expensive models that require a professional contractor to install properly. There are many different design options available to meet the need but in general bathroom cabinets will come in three basic designs.

Green Bathroom Design

Bathroom design

Bathroom remodeling can be a huge task even though it is typically the smallest room in the house. There are so many facets to consider such as storage, grooming and bathing. We usually spend a large amount of time gathering information pertaining to the latest trends in interior design. One of the latest trends is to “green” up the bathroom; this can mean including certain elements that will save the environment as well as the budget. There are several ways to accomplish savings in these two areas by incorporating greener options in the bathroom remodeling project.

Water Conservation

The toilet is the most frequent culprit of excessive water usage. Installing a low volume toilet or one with a dual flush mechanism can save gallons of water over time. The design of the showerhead can help you save water as well. Nearly 20% of all the water in the home is used by the showerhead. Most showerheads allow water to flow at about 2.5 gallons per minute. This can be switched out with a low-flow head that only uses 1.5 to 2 gallons per minute. This will allow an adequate flow of water, while saving substantially on water usage.

Commercial Remodeling Versus Residential Remodeling

Kitchen remodeling

There are many similarities between residential and commercial remodeling projects. They both can be performed to improve the looks of the structure, or make the building more energy efficient. Some of the same types of tasks can be completed in both types of projects such as painting, replacing flooring, installing plumbing fixtures or bathroom remodeling. But there are also some key differences between commercial remodeling and residential remodeling.

3 Big Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Luxurious

Pelican Shower/Bath

With so many of us leading busy lives and rushing about from here to there, it can be difficult to set aside time to conceptualize, much less carry out, any home improvements. Between work, school, social engagements and other obligations you may often spend so little time at home that you scarcely have a moment to consider whether you’re happy with your dwellings. That is, until you step into your bathroom or kitchen each morning and have that fleeting thought of, “I really should fix/change/replace/ that”. Our only true sanctuary from the outside world, home is where the heart is, and it can be wonderful to focus a bit of effort on your own space. Having a luxurious bathroom can truly improve your quality of life, so even if you’ve got a small area to work with, it pays to make it as comfortable as possible.

Big Items First

When designing a bathroom, the larger fixtures generally must come first. Items like a bath, shower, and sink must be chosen with care according to the bathroom’s measurements and plumbing locations. However, even smaller spaces can take advantage of luxury fixtures. Experts agree that having a bath of any size will increase your home’s value for future buyers.  The most practical way to implement a bath in a small space is to opt for a shower bath , which allows you to make the most of your floor space. Space-saving toilets can be very attractive as well, so look for styles like back to wall toilets and wall hung models to make the room seem streamlined instead of small. Compact, even minuscule sinks are available in a variety of styles. You’ll be amazed by how nice it feels to rest your eyes on a shiny new sink instead of an old, moldy, cracked or stained one. Replacing this feature will add major luxury appeal.

Make the Space Seem Bigger

It’s difficult to make a cramped space luxurious, but you can use a few tricks to make it seem bigger. First off, make sure to eliminate all clutter by storing it properly (implement proper storage if necessary). A good tip for smaller bathrooms is to use open shelving; it allows the eye to travel to the wall, opening up the space. The same goes for clear glass shower doors instead of a curtain. Check your lighting to make sure it makes your bathroom light and bright- few truly luxurious bathrooms are dark and dank. If possible, leave any windows uncovered to allow for maximum natural illumination. Install mirrors on dull walls, to reflect light and give the appearance of a room that goes on much further.

Luxurious Accessories

What exactly is it that makes a bathroom ‘luxurious’? Aside from having smaller versions of larger luxury features, like a shower bath, many times all a small space needs is the right luxurious accessories. Replace an old plastic shower head with a chrome model, and switch out your basin taps for chrome as well. If you’ve always fancied having marble or stone tiles, a small bath can be a great place to install them, as you’ll need far less material to cover your space. Purchase thick, plush towels, scented candles and quality soap. You can also consider added an extra luxurious heating element, such as a heated towel rack or underfloor heating. Many luxurious bathrooms also incorporate texture, in order to create a sensorial experience. Try adding a plush rug for the floor or have a velvet bathrobe to slip into. By adapting the guidelines for larger bathrooms to fit any space, you too can have a luxurious bathroom.

Sonia Bieber is a home design expert and avid cyclist. She spends her free time in the great outdoors, but appreciates coming home to her cozy home, family and two cats. She is also a freelance writer for Bathroom Heaven, retailers of luxurious bathroom furniture and fixtures.

Types of Bathroom Flooring

There comes a time for every homeowner to consider several aspects of home remodeling. These considerations will eventually work their way around to the bathrooms. There are many choices including fixtures, storage, painting and lighting. But you will also have to find what you believe to be the best bathroom flooring.

Other remodeling options are pretty easy to find solutions to. There are also many various options for fixtures and indoor lighting for bathrooms. But when it comes to the flooring very careful consideration must be given. For instance, carpet works great in other rooms of the house, but in the bathrooms it can be disastrous. It can get wet and moldy. There’s nothing welcoming about those kinds of trapped odors!

But there are some viable options for bathroom flooring. It is up to you to decide which the best is for you. Tile, laminate and vinyl are the most popular choices for covering bathroom floors. Each of these has their own set of benefits.

Ceramic tiles can look wonderful in the bathroom. It is a super durable choice. Not only will it last as long as the house if it is damaged you only have the expense of changing out the particular tile that is stained or broken. You don’t have to replace the entire floor.

Vinyl flooring is available in tiles or sheets. Sheeting is installed easily and quickly. Vinyl is durable but it will begin to wear out in high traffic areas. The trouble with that is that when it begins to wear down the entire floor will have to be replaced.

Laminate is another alternative in bathroom flooring. It’s been used in home remodeling for years, but not so long for bathrooms. The advantage is that it is much less expensive than ceramic tiling. When it is installed it has a special overlay that will help it be a little softer on the feet and also help alleviate noise.

Laminate and vinyl come in a wide variety of styles and designs. Some styles can look like other types of floors such as wood or stone. But the advantage is that the cleaning and maintenance is much easier!

Remodeling the Bathroom

Sometimes the most overlooked area in home remodeling can be the bathroom. We think a lot about how we want rooms rearranged, color coordinated and how to maximize the space. We forget that these are all viable options for the bathroom in our home as well. How do you know when it is time to remodel your bathroom?

Sometimes the fixtures will let you know that it is time to consider remodeling. If it’s a struggle to turn the water off and on, the faucets drip or the toilet sways while in use it is time to think about remodeling.

Perhaps it is the poor condition of the walls that first turned your attention toward a full bathroom remodel. Struggling to store all the necessary bathroom items may be what first got your attention. Or it may have been the lack of decent lighting.

Any or all of these can be indications that it is time (or past time) to begin major renovations. The bathroom, just like any type of home remodeling, can be done all at once or a little at a time as finances allow.

For the most part fixtures must not be moved since they are hooked into main water supplies. This makes it difficult to move them. One option if room allows is to keep the water supply where it is and turn the tub a different direction. This allows for minimal movement of hookups but can provide additional room or just change the aesthetics of the room.

If you are tired of the lack of storage in the bathroom areas of your home there may be some easy solutions when remodeling. A top shelving unit can be extended the length of a wall, or a small cabinet can be made into a full closet that extends from ceiling to floor. This can add storage space as well as change the looks of the room.

There can be many signs that it is time to remodel your bathroom. It certainly should not be the most frustrating room in the house. Talk to your contractor to explore options in home remodeling.

Green Bathroom Tips

It might seem surprising, but the bathroom can be a great place to go green. There are plenty of eco-friendly tips that can be put to use inside a bathroom. From going organic to conserving water and energy, here are a few areas in which your bathroom can serve as launching point for an environmentally conscious home.

Going Organic

By searching for organic material to outfit your bathroom, you could be going green in a quite comfortable way. Items such as towels, washcloths, bathmats, even your bathrobe are now often available in eco-friendly or sustainable materials such as organic cotton or bamboo.

Ditch the Disposable Dispensers

While those soap dispensers you buy at the store on a regular basis might be handy, they may not be eco-friendly. Consider using environmentally friendly hand soap bars, or if you prefer a dispenser, you might try a refillable one as opposed to the disposables. And if you find that you just can’t live without disposables and don’t want to refill them, at least consider recycling the containers when they’re empty.

Water Consumption

The bathroom can be a great spot for reducing water consumption. From the toilet to the sink and shower heads, low flow options abound. You can even use a water displacer in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water per flush if you don’t want to replace the entire toilet.

Bulbs Galore

When you stop and look around your bathroom for a moment, you might be surprised at the number of light bulbs in use. From ceiling lights to vanity bulbs, there could be a variety of spots in which bulbs are in place, but not necessarily needed. If you have a multitude of bulbs around your vanity or other bathroom space, consider removing a few and seeing if you even notice the difference. You might be surprised. Consider replacing other bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescents bulbs.

Conclusion

Whether or not you choose to follow these exact tips, the important thing is that you are interested in finding ways to go green. Maybe these helpful ideas can assist you to breed green ideas to help turn your bathroom into an eco-friendly space of your own creation.

Pablo is a licensed plumber in Houston that offers services to both residential and commercial customers. He has over 10 years of experience in the plumbing field and enjoys providing tips on anything and everything in the plumbing world. Read more about his company at http://www.texaspowerplumbing.com.

Bathroom Renovations: Bathroom is Your Sanctuary

http://www.hulu.com/embed/uw33Geb8DGQnFq4N6qpOtw

Have you ever wanted to renovate your bathroom but was unsure of what you wanted n such a small space? Well, homeowners Tom and Gary share their quest to turn their master bath from drab and dull to relaxing and sensual with the help from Bathroom Renovations in home remodeling. Tom and Gary are new to remodeling and turned to licensed home renovator Amy Matthews. She had great ideas and options for them, but they ultimately stuck with their vision of large travertine tile with pebble tile accents.

Amy, Tom, and Gary worked together to build the perfect bathroom. Tom and Amy started with pasting mortem, a cement –like texture that insulates and has a shield- like mechanism, on to the walls. They then add a waterproof membrane before adding the pebble, to add the outdoors look and feel that Tom and Gary love so much. Great tips in turning this vision into a reality, after adding the pebble they had to add grout to make this hold. Grouting the pebble can be hard when using conventional tools, using hands works great.

Once the shower is complete, custom nook and the vanity is added to the bathroom. Thereafter, the cherry wood floating vanity is installed, which adds space to store their bathroom items. Given the fact that the counters had to float and were so heavy, they used buckets to stabilize the counter while the used an impact wrench to drill. Too often, then not, regular household items can aide as tools in renovating. Floating vanity and cabinet, leak proof shower, outdoor pebble shower feel, and a wider shower makes this bathroom a sanctuary like no other.