Things a Remodeling Contractor Can Accomplish

Particularly for an older house, one of the main things people want remodeled is the kitchen. This area of any home can add a substantial amount of value to the property.  If the kitchen is old and outdated it might also be a detracting feature for any potential buyers that might be looking at your home.  In the kitchen you can have your cabinets replaced with a large variety of alternatives.

If you do not like the look or feel or your kitchen countertops a remodeling contractor can be hired to replace them with something to help you modernize your home. Updating the flooring in your kitchen can also be accomplished with ease by hiring a remodeling contractor.

Bathrooms are likely to be the second most popular place in a home to be remodeled by a contractor.  Again a person might be looking to simply update the current look of the bathroom or even to upgrade certain aspects of the bathroom such as vanities, flooring, and even bathtubs and showers.  A remodeling contractor can even help construct a new bathroom from scratch.

Basements are another great place to find remodeling contractors.  Frequently new homes are sold with basements that have not yet been finished.  By hiring a remodeling contractor you can easily finish these areas which will increase the amount of livable square footage in your house.  This can allow you to potentially sell your home for more money.  Finishing off a basement is also a great way to expand your living area rather than simply selling your home as it is and buying a home that is larger already.

If you have a den or spare room in the house a remodeling contractor can help to convert the space into numerous things.  A contractor can add built-in bookshelves to the room to make it look like a library or build in surround sound speakers to make it look like a theatre room.

Take a look around your home and consider the things that can be upgraded and improved and then give your remodeling contractor a call.  See what kind of services they can provide and maybe they can even offer you some interesting ideas in the process.

For people who are not lucky enough to get perfect commercial kitchens with out paying attention to money, it is essential to move with extreme care. In case money is a concern for you but you are interested in starting your own business, then you must try to find one such design company which may provide you with professional services at the most competitive rates.

In addition to this, you must always keep in mind that a great kitchen design is not always connected with more money. Although there is absolutely no doubt about the fact that spending more money will help you to get exceptional commercial kitchen but you really don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good one.

Remodeling your commercial kitchen:

Apart from getting design services for new kitchens, there are lots of people who have to consider remodeling at some stage of time. If you are one of those people, you must realize that it is important to consult with a design company to avoid making a mistake. However, you can always make some changes on your own according to your budget constraints. For instance,

•    If you have a really small budget, you can always deal with the problem area of your kitchen. In this scenario, it is enough to replace countertops or other freestanding appliances.

•    In case you have a slightly better budget, you can always opt for new cabinets, appliances, flooring and counters. However, it is possible only if you have structurally correct kitchen because restructuring will not be possible in limited budget.

•    Having big budget means that you can make all sorts of changes to your commercial kitchen. That’s exactly the point where you will require professional assistance.

Most people are of the view that commercial kitchens are all about having lavish exteriors but it is nothing more than a misconception. Your customer retention rate improves when you pay attention to the quality and hygienic conditions. Safety measures, like disabled access, electric devices position, fire exit accessibility, etc, should also be taken in the right way.

It is exactly because of all these issues that getting services pertaining to commercial kitchen design is not only expensive but complicated as well. A simple mistake in design can make you pay through the nose. So, whether you are interested in a new commercial kitchen or want a remodeling, you must seek professional help in order to get a perfect commercial kitchen design.

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Renovations for the Elderly:

According to a recent CNN report, home renovations for the elderly are on the rise. These types of renovations are the fastest-growing segment of the remodeling industry, said James Lapides of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAHB’s recent study concluded that 75 percent of remodeling companies have seen an increase in requests for so-called “aging-in-place” work.

The “Certified Aging in Place” Specialist program, offered by the NAHB Remodelers Council to teach professionals how to modify homes for older adults, has increased in enrollment, according to Lapides. Representatives of NAHB and the AARP created the program in 2002. Over 1,000 participants have learned building techniques and structural awareness for accommodating physical needs. (CNN, “Builders: Home Renovations for Elderly on the Rise”, by Grace Wong)

Statistics Show Elderly Want to Stay in Their Homes:

According to the AARP, 83% of people over 45 own their own homes. A 2003 AARP survey, “These Four Walls,” sampled this group and found that 75% expect to stay there for the rest of their lives. 51% envision making changes so that can happen.

In addition, The National Association of Home Builders conducted a survey of remodelers and learned that:

• 75% reported getting more requests for “aging in place” projects

• 60% had done “aging in place” projects. Of those:

• 43% were for customers aged 45 to 54

• 76% were for customers aged 55 to 64

• 67% were for customers 65 and older

Remodelers reported that clients wanted aging-in-place remodeling because:

• 75% were planning for future needs

• 53% were living with older parents

• 46% had acute, age-related disabilities

• 23% had acute disabilities unrelated to aging

(realestate.msn.com, “Elegant Remodels Allow ‘Aging in Place’”, by Marilyn Lewis)

A Remodeling Project:

Some families are bringing older relatives to live with them and extending a part of the house to accommodate that change. Others are making modifications for physical reasons, such as widening doorways for wheelchairs, lowering bathtub walls and adding support bars. Other modifications simply include updating an older home because of wear and tear. However, the going trend is to do it all with style.

An example of an accommodating remodeling project occurred in a California backyard. A playhouse was rebuilt to become a livable apartment for one family’s 70 year-old father with Paget’s disease. Building aspects of the apartment include a walk-in shower with no obstructing ledge at the entrance, two-inch-square commercial nonskid tile, lever handles instead of doorknobs and an anti-scald device to keep water temperature even. (realestate.msn.com, “Elegant Remodels Allow ‘Aging in Place’”, by Marilyn Lewis)

Suggestions for Remodeling:

If you are contemplating a remodeling project, keep the future in mind. You can make simple changes now for what may be needed many years in the future. Sam Clark, a builder and author of “The Real Goods Independent Builder: Designing & Building a House Your Own Way” and “Remodeling a Kitchen”, provides the following suggestions for changes to make to your home to accommodate the physical bodily changes that occur over time:

• Remodel your home so that you can live on the ground level if necessary.

• Widen doorways to accommodate wheelchairs.

• Plan the front entry to be as level with the ground as local building codes allow. Eliminate stairs with sloping sidewalks.

• Try to think way ahead. For example, in a bathroom remodel, install reinforcement for grab bars.

• Plan for a lot of storage within the “optimal reach zone” – the space between 20 inches and 44 inches above the floor to a depth of 20 inches away from your body.

• Use drawers instead of cupboards where possible.

• Install lever handles throughout the house.

• Use hard flooring or choose an attractive, low-pile commercial carpet.

• Place electric outlets higher than usual and switches lower.

• Install a shelf outside the front door so you can put down packages while searching for keys.

View full post on Architecture and the Urban Landscape

View full post on Architecture and the Urban Landscape

View full post on Architecture and the Urban Landscape

View full post on Architecture and the Urban Landscape