• Kitchen Cabinets: reface or replace?
• Porch and patio pick-me-up ideas
• Tips for a successful home remodel
Tips before deciding to do a DIY demolition
Home improvement projects can range from relatively inexpensive undertakings to complex endeavors that cost homeowners thousands of dollars. In an effort to make expensive projects more affordable, homeowners may look for ways to pitch in, and do-it-yourself demolition is a common way to cut costs.
Due to geographical fluctuations in price as well as the scale of a project, it’s hard to pinpoint just how much homeowners can save by doing demolition work themselves. HomeAdvisor estimates that the average small interior demolition project costs just over $3,000, though more significant demolition projects can cost considerably more than that. Given the cost, it’s no surprise that so many homeowners volunteer to do demolition on their own. Though it’s possible to do so safely, homeowners can take steps to determine if it’s in their best interest to take on a DIY demolition or leave it to the professionals.
• Conduct a cost analysis. Demolition projects seem simple, but they often require the use of equipment most homeowners don’t have on hand. Rentals can be considered in such instances, but the cost of
renting equipment can reduce the amount of money homeowners are saving by going it alone.
For example, homeowners may be able to pull up vinyl or tile flooring on their own, but not all floors are installed the same. Some floors may have been glued more effectively than others, making it hard and/or time-consuming to pull them up by hand. A walk-behind floor scraper can make it easier to remove such floors, but that equipment must be rented. A cost analysis comparing the contractors’ demolition cost estimate and the cost of DIY, complete with equipment rental projections, can give a more accurate picture of how much money homeowners will save by going it alone. If the savings of DIY are negligible, homeowners should probably let the contractor handle the demo.
• Speak with your contractor. Prior to saying they’ll do the demo work on their own, homeowners should speak with their contractors to get an accurate idea of what the project will entail.
Demolition projects may seem simple enough, but contractors can illustrate the correct way to do things so as to minimize potentially costly damage. Some contractors may
offer to help homeowners start the demo project and then leave them to their own devices once they get a knack for what to do.
Once homeowners see what it will take, they can then decide if DIY is best
Kitchen cabinets: reface or replace?
The kitchen is a busy room in many homes. That popularity likely has something to do with why so many homeowners spend sizable sums renovating their kitchens.
According to highlights from the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, the median spend on major kitchen remodels grew by 14 percent from the previous year, and minor remodels increased by 25 percent. Spurred on by increased time spent at home during the pandemic, the main impetus for kitchen remodels according to the study was that homeowners wanted to make these improvements all along and finally had the time and means to do so. There are many aspects of a kitchen that homeowners can change. Houzz found 94 percent of renovators either fully or partially replaced cabinets in their improvement plans. Cabinets are a major component of kitchen layouts. Cabinets help to establish the
aesthetic of a kitchen and serve a useful function, providing necessary storage space to ensure the room does not appear cluttered.
Homeowners have different options when it comes to cabinet renovations, and they may need to decide if they need to replace or reface their cabinets.
Replacement
Cabinet replacement involves removing all of the existing cabinets before new cabinets are leveled and installed. According to the home improvement resource
The Spruce, homeowners can expect to pay between $13,000 and $30,000 for contractor grade cabinets. Cabinet replacement is a good idea when homeowners want to add more cabinet space or create a new layout in the room.
Refacing
Cabinet refacing is less messy and less disruptive than replacement. All
cabinets remain the same size and in the same location. The cabinet boxes must be in good shape to facilitate a refacing. The process involves installation of new drawer fronts and cabinet doors, as well as veneering of the cabinet boxes. New hardware typically is installed as well. The insides of the cabinets typically remain the same. The Spruce says cabinet refacing can be 30 to 50 percent cheaper than a replacement.
Most people call in professionals to change their cabinets. Cabinet replacement can be a do-it-yourself job, but it involves measuring and ensuring everything fits and is leveled appropriately.
Homeowners who choose to reface their cabinets themselves may opt to paint or restain. Wood veneer or a new door and drawer panel installation can be complicated and is best left to qualified contractors. —
for them.
• Enlist help. No DIY demo should ever be done alone. The risk for accident and injury is simply too great for homeowners to go it alone. Homeowners who can’t enlist some volunteers to pitch in should leave the job to the professionals.
DIY demolition can save homeowners a lot of money. But such projects are not necessarily as simple as they seem.
Homeowners should take steps to see exactly what they’re getting into before they volunteer to take on demo duty.
— Metro Creative
Metro Creative
Dos and don’ts of bathroom renovations
Bathroom renovations are significant undertakings that cost homeowners sizable amounts of money. According to Remodeling magazine’s “2024 Cost vs. Value Report,” the average cost of a mid-range bathroom remodel across the United States in 2024 is around $25,000. Homeowners who want an upscale remodel can expect to spend around $80,000 in 2024. Such a large financial commitment underscores the significance that homeowners get their bathroom remodels right. Mistakes will only increase the already substantial financial commitment homeowners must make, so it can help to keep these dos and don’ts in mind.
DO work with a certified, reliable contractor. YouTube tutorials can give a false impression of renovation projects in relation to their degree of difficulty. Renovations as significant as bathroom remodeling projects require the skills and experience of professionals.
DON’T ignore return on investment (ROI). There’s no denying certain projects provide a better return on investment than others. The upscale bathroom remodel with a nearly $80,000 price tag noted above may prove awe-inspiring, but homeowners looking to get as
much of their money back at resale should know that such a renovation recovers 45 percent of homeowners’ initial investment. By contrast, the midrange bathroom remodel yields a 74 percent return according to Remodeling magazine. Though ROI may not be the deciding factor for every homeowner, it definitely merits consideration when planning a project.
DO pay attention to the details. Planning a
bathroom renovation can be overwhelming, as homeowners have many decisions to make before the project even begins. For example, homeowners will have to choose a vanity, fixtures for the vanity, light fixtures, toilet, showerhead, and an assortment of additional features when planning the project. Contractors work with clients to show them all of their options, and some will offer advice on products or materials
if asked. But homeowners are ultimately the ones who will have to live with the choices they make during the planning process, so these details merit ample consideration and should not be treated as trivial.
DON’T emphasize cost over quality. Homeowners should do their best to establish a renovation budget and stay within that budget, but quality materials should take precedence over cost. Many
budget-friendly furnishings and accessories are durable and aesthetically appealing, so homeowners need not enter a bathroom renovation thinking highend products are their only options. But it’s important that homeowners recognize the conventional wisdom that buyers get what they pay for when it comes to home renovations. If homeowners try to cut costs on materials, they may need to update or redo the bathroom
much sooner than they would if they invest in quality furnishings and accessories the first time around.
Bathroom renovations can be costly. Remembering some simple dos and don’ts can give homeowners the peace of mind that their renovation investment will result in an impressive, durable space.
—Metro Creative
Improve your backyard, deck or patio by hanging string lights
Outdoor lighting can extend the time you can spend enjoying your backyard with your friends and family. While there are a host of involved and expensive outdoor lighting solutions, there’s one easy DIY alternative that offers a lot of charm.
“String lights are a beautiful, inexpensive and fun way to add personality and ambience to your yard and patio,” says expert landscape designer, Doug Scott.
In a recent Exmark
Done-In-A-Weekend Projects video, Scott demonstrates how to hang simple, cost-effective backyard lighting. With the best part of the summer still on tap, he is offering his steps for this two-day project for improving your outdoor living space:
1. Determine where you’ll hang your lights. You can hang them from fence posts, on trees, off porch railings, or even purchase light stakes that do the hard work for you.
2. Research the style of backyard lights that you want to use.
3. Sketch an outline or design of how you want the lights to look. You may want to crisscross the lights or string them just around the perimeter of the patio. Knowing your design will help you determine how many strands of lights you need. Just be sure your design represents you and how you want to live outside.
4. Determine what installation equipment you need. You may need extra equipment such as an extension cord or hardware to hang the lights. Make sure that all hardware is weatherproof and outdoor-grade.
5. Measure the area where you’ll hang your lights, being sure to leave room for slack and to reach the outlet.
6. When you begin hanging the lights, try to have the light strand connections be as discrete as possible.
7. Install light hooks.
8. Hang outdoor string lights. To avoid breakage, remove all of the bulbs from the light strings before hanging them. Once the strings are hung,
and test it to make sure it works. Then add the remaining bulbs.
9. Reveal your space. Now it’s time to light up your backyard living space
Porch and patio pick-me-up ideas
If your concrete porch and patio surfaces are plain, ugly or in disrepair, you may assume the only solution is to hire a contractor for a complete overhaul. The truth is that you can resurface these spaces with minimal DIY experience in just a few days. Here’s how:
Make Repairs First
As with any project, the key to success is preparation. First, pressure wash your surface, allowing it to thoroughly dry. Then use a durable repair product, such as Rock Patch, to fill in cracks, pits and holes. Impact-, moisture-, salt- and mold-resistant, this odorless, hard stone compound can patch flaws or function as a smooth new base. Because it doesn’t dry quickly like concrete, you can take your time and apply the product slowly. While the normal cure time is 24 hours, you’ll want to increase your dry time when applying the product in damp, cool conditions, or if applying a very thick coat.
Choose a New Surface
Give your space a huge upgrade by applying a new surface with a DIY product. The real stone surfaces available from Daich Coatings, for example, will improve the look of your porch or patio while enhancing the functionality of the space, and there are many options to choose from, depending on the amount of skill you have and the time you want to invest.
The brand’s Terrazzo Decorative Granite Resurfacer has a unique formula offering a seamless overlay that is both attractive and functional, whereas its RollerRock’s self-priming formula means one less step, for instant color and beauty and an attractive textured finish.
Want to get creative?
Consider the all-in-one SpreadStone kit, which includes a pre-mixed primer, base coat, accent coat, clear sealer, stone texture roller and grout line stencil tape. While this process takes a little time, it’s easy to do and will allow you to design a stunning decorative stone surface that will stand up to extreme weather. Finally,
the SpreadRock Granite Stone Coating is easily applied in a thin uniform layer using a scraper, trowel or flooring squeegee for dependable durability and a visual effect that is timeless and stunning.
Complete Your Project
Finalize your porch or patio pick-me-up in one step by applying a sealer with anti-slip benefits.
TracSafe Anti-Slip Sealer from Daich Coatings is not only a high performance clear coat that will strengthen and protect your new surface, it will help keep family members and visitors safe from falls and mishaps. In fact, its commercial-grade anti-slip ratings are up to twice the OSHA standard and its high-performance, odorless water-based technology bonds firmly to all types of flooring materials. With just a little effort and minimal expense, you can resurface your porch and patio for a total transformation of your outdoor spaces.
— Statepoint Media
Statepoint Media
Whether you’re buying a fixer-upper or updating your current home, renovations will improve the functionality of your property and increase its value. Here’s your guide for making the process successful:
Set a goal: Prioritize renovations that help you meet your goals. For example, if you’d like to elevate your home’s aesthetic appeal, consider projects like landscaping the front yard or refurbishing a highly-trafficked room. If you’re more interested in guarding your home against natural disasters, consider exterior updates such as replacing the roof or windows.
Find inspiration: Browse home improvement magazines, websites and social media platforms for visual inspiration. Keep a collection of images and ideas that you can use to communicate with your contractor or designer.
Calculate return on investment: Certain projects can substantially reduce your utility bills while others can make your home more valuable when it’s time to sell. When calculating your renovation budget, don’t forget to factor in the projected return on investment.
Build a budget: Speaking of budgets, you can use Freddie Mac’s budget worksheet available at myhome.freddi-
emac.com/resources/ budget-worksheet to help you avoid overspending. Be sure to include a contingency reserve to pay for the inevitable unexpected costs that emerge along the way. If you’re short on needed funds, explore financing options with your lender. In some cases, accessing the equity you have built up in your home through refinancing or taking out a second mortgage can help cover the costs. Here are three mortgage products offered by Freddie Mac specifically designed to finance renovations:
CHOICERenovation mortgages allow you to finance a wide range of renovations, including roof replacement, kitchen and bath remodels, and additions.
CHOICEReno eXPress mortgages finance smaller-scale renovations and, like CHOICERenovation, offer the flexibility to work with your own contractors and those at big-box home improvement stores.
• GreenCHOICE Mortgages can finance energy efficiency improvements.
Select your contractor: The contractor is critical to the success of your renovation. Get recommendations from trusted sources, including friends, family and verified online resources. Meet with multiple contractors to discuss your project and re-
quest bids to gain a more thorough understanding of project costs and which contractor can best meet your goals. Of course, don’t forget to verify their qualifications. Ask for project references and documentation to confirm they have the proper licensing and liability insurance. Once you’ve found the right contractor, make sure your agreement is in writing to avoid potential disputes. The contract should contain a
FAQ about garage remodels
Homeowners tend to want to maximize all of the space they have in their homes. For some this may involve turning a garage from a utilitarian space into one that serves multiple purposes. According to The Mortgage Reports, a home-buying and improvement resource, garage renovations can increase the value of a home and add living space. Garage remodels can create additional storage space, provide an area for a home gym or even create room for a home office. Prior to beginning a garage remodel, homeowners may have some common questions about the process. How much does the renovation cost?
Several factors will ultimately determine the final price of a garage remodel, but HomeAdvisor says the national average for a garage remodel falls between $6,000 and $26,000. Most homeowners come in at around $15,000 for a total garage conversion. Will I recoup the investment? A garage conversion adds value to a home if it creates new and usable living space. The firm Cottage, which pulled together a team of builders, architects and technologists, advises the average garage conversion provides an 80 percent return on investment. That ROI varies depending on location. How can I upgrade the flooring? Garages traditionally feature concrete floors.
Although durable, concrete floors can feel damp, hard and cold underfoot.
Both vinyl plank and epoxy flooring options can elevate the design and functionality of the garage. Can I have the best of both worlds?
Sometimes a garage needs to serve many purposes. Lofting the garage means a homeowner can still park cars or utilize the lower space as a living area, all the while items are stored overhead. Some flip this design scenario and have the loft area as a bedroom or finished living space, while the lower portion remains a traditional garage area. Another thought is to finish only a portion of the garage. This works well for two- or three-car garages where there will be room to park a car and the remainder will serve another purpose. What are other ways to improve the garage?
Installing more windows or improving on the lighting in the garage can be important. The garage improvement experts at Danley’s say window installation enables people to circulate air in the garage without having to open the garage door. Improving the lighting means the garage can still be enjoyed or uti-
lized after dark. Spread out lighting in the garage, and use a combination of overhead and task lighting just as one would in the home itself. How do I deter bugs or other pests from entering?
Insects often want to hunker down in garages, and they may find it easy to get inside a garage. Keeping the garage clean and organized is the best way to deter pests and to spot infestations before they become problematic, indicates Mosquito Joe pest control company. Reducing water and humidity in the space, weatherproofing at the base of the garage door and other entry spots and utilizing insect repellents to make the garage less hospitable also can decrease the risk of insect infestation. Remodeling a garage can add value and plenty of usable space to a home. Whether a garage houses cars or hosts neighborhood game night, a garage renovation can be well worth the investment.
— Metro Creative
budget, scope of work and payment schedule that all parties have agreed upon.
Develop your project: Work with your contractor to develop a realistic timeline for your project that builds in extra time for unexpected delays. Before the work starts, you should also work with your contractor to obtain any permits needed and start sourcing materials.
Start building: Regular meetings with
your contractor can help ensure that everything is on schedule, and that you are in the loop on any plan modifications. If changes are needed, make sure they’re submitted in writing as a change order. No matter how thorough your specifications are, you should be prepared for unexpected issues along the way. So be flexible and work with a trusted contractor to find practical solutions to issues that arise. Conduct a final inspection once all renovations have been completed and make sure to address any issues with the contractor before making your final payment. Home renovations can make your home safer, more beautiful, more eco-friendly and more valuable, and with the right preparation and execution, you can complete your project on time and under budget.
The most popular rooms to remodel
Home improvement trends come and go. In a testament to that reality, the wildly popular open floor plan concepts that have dominated homeowners’ desires over the last decade-plus could be falling out of favor, a shift that Rachel Stults of Realtor.com linked to the COVID-19 pandemic in a 2023 interview with Business Insider. Stults noted open floor plans will likely exhibit some measure of staying power, but linked the shift toward more traditional layouts to COVID lockdowns and the desire for more privacy among residents.
The shift away from open floor plans is a testament to the fleeting nature of home renovation trends. But trends still deserve a place at the table among real estate investors and homeowners who want to renovate their homes with an eye on projects that could be most appealing to prospective
buyers. As homeowners balance their own preferences with those that might help them sell their homes down the road, they can consider this list of the most popular rooms to renovate, courtesy of the “2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study” from Houzz Research.
1. Kitchen
2. Guest bathroom
3. Primary bathroom
4. Living room
5. Guest bedroom
6. Primary bedroom
Laundry room
Dining room
Home office
When considering renovating these or other rooms, homeowners should know that Houzz researchers found that the median spend increased for most interior room upgrades compared to the previous year. However, the median cost to upgrade living rooms and home offices remained unchanged.
— Metro Creative
Metro Creative
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