Budgeting a Bathroom Renovation

So now that we’re approaching the middle of Upstate New York’s wonderful winter season, you’re probably ready for a change in scenery, since you’ve been “stuck” inside for weeks. A lot of homeowners opt for indoor renovation projects in the winter, and we see an increase in the amount of quote requests for bathroom projects. So for this month, let’s talk bathrooms!

Crunch the Numbers

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost vs. Value report, a mid-range bathroom remodel might run you somewhere in the neighborhood of 15.8 thousand dollars. Before you lose your mind over that figure, consider that your investment will vary greatly depending on how you define “mid-range,” the size of your space, and numerous other factors. In the end, the amount you spend may actually be much less. A good place to start is with an honest evaluation of your finances. Come up with a number that you are feasibly able to spend on the project. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has a budgeting worksheet to make this step a breeze.

Let’s next consider how long you plan on staying in your home. This can give you a better idea of how valuable this project should be to you. If you plan on staying for less than five years, consider your project an improvement on investment, and consider how you can best improve the value of your home and improve its ability to sell. If you’re planning on staying more than five years, it’s acceptable to consider the comfort of you and your family over the ability of your home to sell.

Substitutions and Omissions

When you budget for a bathroom project, it’s important to remember to include labor costs. As a general rule, a third of your budget will be put towards labor.

Should you find that your budget needs a trim, start with the extras (a towel warmer, steam shower, etc.). From there, consider some other investment options, such as having an old tub re-glazed versus buying a brand new one. If you’re planning on changing the layout of the room, the plumbing is a big cost than might be able to be omitted by keeping the layout the same.

Leave Yourself Leeway

When you open up the walls and floors of any home, surprises tend to pop up. Plan for these little surprises by leaving some cushion in your budget to accomodate. Last minute changes are also a source for budget-busting costs, so try to finalize your plans before project start, and keep mid-project revisions to a minimum if at all possible.

On top of your labor costs, set aside 10 percent to cover the cushion. If you don’t use it, you’ll have ample funds to buy the little luxuries (towel warmers, fluffy towels, a nice massaging shower head, etc.).

Keeping On Budget

Once you’ve finalized your project, keep a spreadsheet to track actual expenses against what’s been budgeted. When you can visualize the impact on your project’s bottom line, you’re less likely to go over.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Choosing The Right Time To Start a Home Renovation

There's no question that here in Rochester, late spring, summer and early fall may be the best time to conduct a remodel or home renovation project at your house. But, don't just assume that the colder months are completely out of the picture. Here at Trinity, we've been known to do new roofing projects right through the winter!

Of course, indoor remodeling and renovation projects are generally a bit easier on everyone during the winter months. Here are a few good reasons to consider doing a renovation project during the cold weather months...

1. Winter Incentives
   Depending on the time of the year, the project and availability of crews, some renovation companies may offer an incentive for having them work on your project during the off-season.


2. Be an Early Bird!
   By scheduling projects during the winter months, you are putting yourself ahead of the spring renovation crowd.


3. Enjoy The Warm Weather, When It ArrivesOnce we complete your roofing, kitchen, bathroom or other home remodeling project, the only thing left to do come spring is enjoy the renovation to your home, making this the most important reason to schedule a renovation project during the winter season.

Do you have another idea or reason to consider a winter renovation project? Does your home need a new roof but you don't want to wait until spring? Reach out for a free estimate and let's see if we can help you.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Top 7 Things To Give The Value Of Your Home A Kick

In no particular order, we’re presenting the top things you should consider to give the value of your home a jump. Looking to sell in the near future? Or just looking ahead and planning for what may come down the road when it’s time to sell? Either way, doing some home improvement or remodeling is never a bad thing.

Our ideas range from simple, low cost upgrades to full remodeling and renovation projects. Feel free to pick and choose a project or two that suits your timeline and budget and go from there.

Take a look at Chase’s Home Value Estimator which will give you some guidance as to the current value of your house. Of course, there are many other factors to consider when using this tool including recent upgrades and home improvements you’ve made. The estimator primarily uses local trends and recent home sale data from homes around you and on your street. The reality of selling your home and the final amount will depend on this data but also the unique features and upgrades done to your home since you purchased it.

#1 - Upgrade Your Flooring

Most people would love for the majority of their home to have hardwoods in it. Unfortunately, that’s not always realistic and hardwood flooring can be cost prohibitive to many. Nonetheless, the floors in your home should be up-to-date, clean and stylish. There are many options on the market for flooring — from tile to carpeting, hardwood and pre-fabricated and laminate. Not sure where to begin? Check out a local flooring dealer, find a reliable local contractor, or ask an expert online (see Mohawk, Shaw or Armstrong).

#2 - Don’t Forget The Garage

Sure, most people don’t spend a ton of time hanging out in the garage but you should’t ignore this very valuable area of your home. Take the time to clean it out, clean it up and spruce it up. Install new shelving units, organize your tools and other essentials. And don’t forget the floor. You may want to consider applying an epoxy coat to the floor which will bring it new life (and a hefty dose of shine to boot!).

#3 - Boost The Bathroom

Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the most common room new home buyers focus on. Aside from doing a complete re-model or bathroom renovation, start small and make some minor improvements. Upgrade the hardware on cabinets and towel holders (and don’t forget the toilet paper holder)!. Purchase a new vanity or mirror (many companies sell pre-matched vanity/sink/countertop units). Fix broken tiles or consider re-tiling the floor, walls or bathtub area. Even a relatively simple upgrade like a new toilet can make a world of difference.

#4 - Invest In A Cleaning Plan

We all love a perfectly clean, spotless and great-smelling home. And so do home buyers! If you’re putting your home on the market, invest in a professional house cleaning service. They’ll take care of areas you may have forgotten about and are pros and finding hidden (and not-so-hidden) dust and dirt. Most major metropolitan areas have commercial services that can come clean your house. If you’re going to go with a private cleaner or someone you know, be sure to read reviews, ask for testimonials and verify they have any necessary insurance.

#5 - Curb Appeal Is Everything

From simple flowers to a professional, well thought out plan for overhauling your home’s landscaping, everyone agrees that curb appeal is critical. Remember, the outside of your home makes a huge first impression. What better way to get a potential buyer in a good mood than to have them be uber impressed with your outdoor areas?

#6 - Make Over Your Kitchen Cabinets

The work needed to make over your kitchen cabinets will depend on what you currently have. How old are they? How do they look? Do they match the decor in your kitchen or has everything else changed but the cabinets? A simple paint or sand and re-staining job may do the trick. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, find a professional who can resurface your cabinets for you. You may want to consult with an interior designer to help pick out paint or stain colors that will really pop and give your kitchen a fresh look. Also, don’t forget the hardware. Sometimes new hardware alone can make a big difference.

#7 - A Fresh Coat Of Paint

One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is paint! Most of us can handle this project on our own. The hardest part? Choosing the right colors! You don’t want to choose a color that is too bold. Imagine a red wall in your home and the potential buyer hates red! Pick something modern, perhaps a bit trendy and of course—neutral. Most paint runs $20-$35/gallon. Consult with your local home improvement or paint store regarding which type of paint is best. Many of them have primer built right into the paint which can save you time.

There you have it. 7 areas to think about when considering selling your home. We could go on all day with hundreds more but this is a great start!

Image courtesy of nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Do You Have Any Home Remodeling Ideas?

Home Remodeling Ideas

Many folks choose to remodel their home in the warmer months. Coming up with home remodeling ideas is much easier to do when you find the right professional beforehand.

Springtime is also a great time for you to determine if you would like to add a pool or an outdoor kitchen to your backyard to enjoy all summer long. Who wouldn't love an outdoor kitchen!?

It’s Time for Home Repairs and Remodeling Projects to Begin

Preventing hot or cold weather issues in your home is something that should be checked each spring. This means that by the time summer comes around again, you can have the means to protect your outdoor furnishings when cold weather begins. Home remodeling ideas should always take this into account.

Kicking off a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project in the spring is a great time because it’s not terribly hot outside nor is it cold (it might be rainy, though!).

The spring season provides the best weather for contractors to make home remodeling ideas come to life. Because of the warmer weather, it could take less time to have these projects done during the spring than at any other time of the year. Every contractor handles this issue differently.

Having a home remodeled during the spring is very easy to do, but make sure that you find an experienced contractor to look at whether your project may need some structural revisions to make that dream come true.

Expert Home Remodelers

Trinity's professional team has the experience to deal with simple jobs or very complex projects.

Have a great idea that you think we should share on Facebook or Twitter? Let us know!

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com