Home Improvement Archives - Page 13 of 26

How to Hire a Home Remodel Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Earlier this month we looked at hiring a kitchen remodel company. The skill set for remodeling a kitchen is similar, but there are some specific things you need to know before you hire a home remodel contractor. Chances are, your home remodel contractor will be working in more than one room. They might even add a room to your house. Here’s how to hire a home remodel contractor in Orange County.

Understand the Regulatory Requirements

Some jobs require permits and others do not. Failing to get permits when permits are required leads to problems down the road. Your insurance company may refuse to cover your house if it violates code and the costs to bring your home into compliance will probably be greater than if you had followed code in the beginning. That’s because engineers may be brought in to assess the structure.

So, just start by finding out what work requires a permit and what does not. Then when talking to your home remodel contractor, find out if they will be responsible for pulling the permits. If the contractor asks the homeowner to get the permits that’s a warning sign. The contractor may have problems with their license or insurance that will be uncovered during the permit application.

Be Honest About Your Budget

You know how much to have to spend on your remodel project. Be honest with the contractor about it. A seasoned contractor knows that you should include a contingency amount in the total budget. An experienced home remodel contractor can also tell you if your budget is realistic.

Get the work to be covered by your budgeted amount in writing. In other words, make sure you have a contract and the contract specifies the amount budgeted. You will also want to include a change order process. If during the project changes are required to the scope of the work (such as discovering a load bearing wall), the contract should include a process for approving these changes.

If the contractor excludes items from the contract, find out the value of these items to make sure you are still on budget. For example, if the project includes the installation of barn doors but the contract doesn’t include the actual cost of the doors, you need to make sure they are in your budget.

Also, remember that when it comes to home remodeling materials and workmanship the cost reflects the quality.

Connect with the Contractor

Don’t hire a home remodel contractor that you can’t personally connect with. This company is going to be in your house and they may be there for weeks.

You need a contractor with a personality and style that meshes with your own. You also need to know you can connect with the contractor when you have questions or a problem occurs. A reputable home remodel contractor like Inspired Remodels will provide you with a point person for the entirety of the project. Make sure this is a person that works well with your personality and style.

Home remodeling is stressful. Dreading a conversation, text or email with the contractor only adds more stress. So, select someone you can communicate with.

Check those Credentials and References

This is so obvious but it must be said. Check the references and credentials of the contractor. It’s easy to check a license online with the State of California and with sites such as Google and Yelp, it’s easy to find references. Be like Nike and just do it.

Orange County Home Remodel Contractor with Integrity

You won’t go wrong if you go with Inspired Remodels. That’s the home remodel contractor with integrity and a long list of happy customers and successful projects.

Residential Remodeling Contractor Explains Barn Door Popularity

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Barn doors are showing up all over Orange County. Joe Mueller, an Orange County residential remodeling contractor and licensed real estate agent, explains the appeal.

Barn Doors as Art

When you think “door” you don’t usually think “art”. But that’s not true with barn doors. A large part of their appeal is that not only do they serve as doors, they act as permanent art installments.

When these barn doors are closed, they provide privacy for the bathroom. At the same time, the wood of the doors, the hardware and the simple Shaker-like design create art. And while the two rooms use two different neutral palettes, the barn doors as art pull both rooms together. A four or six panel door painted with matching trim paint just wouldn’t give the same effect.

Rooted in tradition with a modern twist is what Orange County homeowners want in their homes. Barn doors deliver.

Barn Doors Deliver Value

Barn doors don’t just deliver good looks, they deliver value as well. Zillow research finds that homes with barn doors sell faster and sell at a premium price.

Mentioning “barn doors” in the property listing can result in a sale of 13% more than expected and a sale in as little as 60 days. That’s because when people search online for homes, they are adding keywords to their search. So, “barn doors” can be as much a part of the search as “3 bedrooms”. And when it comes time to sell, what you list is almost as important as how you list it.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 50% of home buyers start their search online. That’s more than starting with a real estate agent, open house, yard sign, and word of mouth from friends or family combined.

So, feel free to add those barn doors to separate bedrooms and bathrooms, adorn kitchen pantries, and provide division between living areas.

Residential Remodeling Contractor That’s A Real Estate Agent?

Joe Mueller understands the total impact a remodel makes on a home. Not just visually, but financially as well. That’s because Joe is the Orange County residential remodeling contractor that’s also a real estate agent. He is the principal behind Inspired Realty.

So, when you talk remodel, Joe knows how changes affect the value of your home. The addition of a barn door is just one example. Joe also knows that the same research on the keyword “barn door” also discovered that “subway tile”, “shaker cabinets” and “farmhouse sink” are terms buyers are using in their search. So, if you are considering a bathroom or kitchen remodel, it pays to consider subway tile or a farmhouse sink.

Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today.

Bathroom Renovation Company Tips for Surviving Your Remodel

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel, Home Improvement / Comments Off

You’ve likely spent months with magazines and Pinterest. You know the HGTV schedule by heart. Your bathroom remodel is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Now the contract is signed, a construction date is set and reality sets in. Your bathroom is going to be under construction for some time. You need a bathroom! Here’s tips to survive a remodel from a bathroom renovation company that’s seen the good, bad and ugly of people coping with construction.

Avoid Major Renovations

This doesn’t mean you should avoid performing major renovations. It means you should avoid them. If more than half of your house is going to be under construction at one time, you should consider moving out temporarily.

It’s hard enough to live without a kitchen or a bathroom. But, if your kitchen, bathroom and bedroom are all under renovation at the same time you should probably move out. It’s a great time to take that vacation you’ve been planning.

Just make sure that your kitchen, bedroom and bathroom renovation company know how to reach you while you are gone. That way if problems or questions arise, they can be solved before you return.

Think of it this way, you’re probably going on vacation for a week or two this year. Why not do it during remodeling if a major portion of your house will be unlivable.

Memberships Matter

Got a membership at the local gym? Then take advantage of the shower and bathroom facilities while your bathroom is out of order.

Pack a bag with your personal care essentials and make it a habit to shower at the gym. Many gyms even provide hair dryers!

Honestly, the gym management doesn’t care that you didn’t work out. After all, they’ve got your monthly membership fee and that’s what matters to them. Shower at the gym in the morning before work or in the evening when your day is done.

Plan Carefully

Plan with your bathroom renovation company very carefully. Before work begins, remove all items from the bathroom that you need on a regular basis. Talk to them about how they will contain debris and dust while they are working. Windows should be open if possible. Not only should doors be closed, but a containment area should be set up if sanding is involved.

Talk to the contractor about protecting your HVAC ducting system from construction debris. If your unit runs while construction is underway, dust will be picked up from the areas under construction and deposited all over the house. If the climate must be controlled to protect the materials being installed, then the AC might need to be left on. In this instance, make sure a thorough cleaning of the blower motor, coils, and ductwork is performed once work is complete.

Bathroom Renovation Company that Cares

Inspired Remodels knows your home is more than our work area. Your home is your castle. We pledge to minimize the stress involved with a major renovation. Get a single point of contact for the entire project, get designers and remodelers that work as a team, and get a truly inspired remodel of your bathroom in Orange County. Call (949) 716-1938 and schedule a consultation today.

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