Super Easy Home Decorating Tips For Every Rochester Homeowner

For a lot of people, decorating the home is almost more difficult that renovating it. Which color to pick? What type of furniture? The options available are overwhelming. Even if you see something on TV or in a magazine, does that mean it's the best option for your unique home?

Decorating doesn't have to be complicated. Start by using some of these simple tips to help improve the look of any room.

Tip #1 - Add Plant Life!

By adding flowers or indoor plants to any space, you can bring color and life (literally) to the room. Who knows, it could even help your mood. The nice part about plants is that they come in all sizes and shapes. Don't have a green thumb? Ask your local greenhouse expert about the easiest indoor plans to maintain.

Tip #2 - Lay Some Rugs

Area rugs are a relatively cost effective way to really transform a room whether you're remodeling or not. The rug will warm up any tile or hardwood floor while protecting your floors from damage, wear and tear.

Tip #3 - Dress Up Your Windows

Blinds, curtains and drapes can do wonders for a space. These small touches will make the room look polished and give you some privacy. When in doubt, stick to lighter colors.

Tip #4 - Paint

Nothing refreshes a room like new paint. Again, when in doubt, choose a natural or neutral color. If you're brave, go darker. But you may wish to consult with an interior design expert first.

Tip #5 - Upgrade Your Lighting

It's amazing what new lighting can do. Whether you're going with a floor lamp, table lamp, or something installed in the ceiling, having the correct lighting pattern will set the tone for the whole room.

Tip #6 - Pillows & Comfy Blankets

While also serving a practical purpose, adding new throw pillows and blankets to your furniture allows you to add color, texture and personality at a very low cost.

Tip #7 - Art Work

We find that choosing the right art work for a room is very difficult. Consider photography or something more subtle. Check out a local art studio in addition to the usual retail stores. There are online sites that have a wider selection as well.

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 6 Things To Consider When Choosing a Roofing Company

Having a new roof put on your home is a major investment. It will not only increase the value of your house but it will also help protect it from the elements while improving the aesthetic curb appeal!

How should you go about finding a roofing company? There are many to choose from in the Rochester area. Some are new to the scene and others, like Trinity, have been doing it for years.

Before you sign any sort of contract with a roofing contractor, be sure to consider each of these factors carefully:

#1 - References

Generally, the longer a company is in business, the more references they should have. Don't be afraid to ask for references from some of their customers.

#2 - Warranty

With so many different options and products on the market for roofing materials, find out which materials the contractor uses. What is the warranty offered either by the contractor or the manufacturer of the actual roofing shingles? Is it a limited warranty and if so, what are the restrictions? You can often find out more details about the warranties on the manufacturer's website.

#3 - Licenses & Credentials

If a potential contractor says they have a license, ask to see proof. A business license is necessary for tax purposes and has nothing to do with their qualifications as a roofer. State and local licenses will indicate whether the roofer you’re considering is qualified for commercial or residential projects and whether there are any limits on what work they can perform.

#4 - Reviews

In the modern era of the Internet, many customers will write reviews online. Check out the many sites that allow for candid third-party reviews from customers including Google, Angie's List and Yelp. What are the customers saying? Are the reviews and feedback primarily positive?

#5 - Better Business Bureau Ranking

Any legitimate roofing company will have a listing with the Better Business Bureau. Investigate their overall "score" as well as any major complaints or lawsuits against the company.

#6 - Insurance

Ask to view the potential contractor’s certificates of insurance. They should carry comprehensive liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance and will happily forward verification to you. The legal name of the contractor may offer a clue about the level of insurance they carry.

Uninsured contractors are likely to be less expensive to hire because they are not incurring the high cost of insurance. But beware, if a worker is injured on your property, the property owner may be held liable for all associated costs unless his employer is insured through worker’s compensation. Although an uninsured or underinsured contractor may be less expensive to hire, ask yourself whether that is a risk you want to take.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Picking The Right Roof Color For Your Home

With so many options to choose from these days, picking the right color shingles for your homes' roof can be a challenge. Trinity is a proud certified partner with GAF, one of the largest residential shingle manufacturers.

We believe in GAF's products and the warranty they offer. You may have seen them featured on Extreme Makeover Home Edition recently. Before we get into the various color options (after all, that's why you're reading this!), we want to point out some of the benefits of GAF's most popular shingles — Timberline HD:

• Lifetime limited warranty


• Awesome Value - Priced right for the homeowner


• A Look With Dimension - Features GAF’s "High Definition" color blends and enhanced shadow effect for a genuine wood-shake look


• Very Safe - Class A fire rating from Underwriters Laboratories, the highest rating possible


• The Best Performance - Designed with Advanced Protection® technology, which minimizes the use of natural resources while providing superior protection for your home


• For a full list of features, check out the GAF website

Ok, now the fun part...picking out a color. Here's a chart that shows you the various roof colors available for the Timberline HD shingle in the Rochester area:



When looking at the color options, be sure to consider the color of your home. Whether your home has siding, cement or wood, we recommend coming up with a palette of complimentary colors, with a bit of contrast. You don't want it to match per se but it should complement the existing colors of your house including the windows and doors.

Genevieve Gorder from HGTV put together a cool guide for choosing the right shingle color for your roof.

For more details on roofing in Rochester and the various options, check out our complete website. Have a question? No problem. Get in touch with us and we'll get right back to 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

Frequent Roofing Problem - Old Shingles

Along with the walls and siding on your house, the roof protecting your home is the skin between the cozy indoors and the rough, caustic elements created by Mother Nature. Many homeowners don't think about their roof until a problem arises. It could be a leak or missing shingles that raise a red flag causing the homeowner to call a professional.

Here in Rochester, we are forced to deal with a bipolar weather pattern. It can literally snow one day, be sunny the next and rain the following day. This crazy weather reeks havoc on the skin of your house—your roof.

We'd like to take a few minutes to explain some of the common roofing problems homeowner's around Rochester tend to see.

The biggest issue is a leak in your roof. If you have a leak, contact a professional to come evaluate the situation. It may be time to find a roofing company who can do a tear-off / roof replacement for you.

Deteriorated Shingles

Based on our location, the warranty period for your roof should remain in tact. Many warranties are up to 30 years these days. If your home wasn't new when you moved it, it would help to know when the roof was most recently replaced. If your shingles start to go bad, you will start to see a build up of rock chip material in the gutters. Be sure to clean out your gutters each year to locate any of this matter. If you catch it early enough, you can avoid a costly repair down the line. Nonetheless, you should strongly consider replacing your roof once you begin to see the rock chip particles in your gutters.

We will be covering other common roof problems in future posts so stay tuned!

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Hiring A Bathroom Renovation Contractor

Hiring a contractor to renovate or remodel your home is a big decision (or any part of your home for that matter). The company you choose to work with will be a part of your life for weeks or months to come. Their employees will be in and out of your home with access to private areas. You want to be sure you select the bathroom renovation contractor carefully, after doing research and reading some reviews.

We proudly present the top 5 things to do before hiring a bathroom contractor:

1. Ask Around — Check in with friends, family and co-workers to see if they've used a reputable contractor in the past. Many contractors, like Trinity, work on a number of home projects (not just bathrooms). Although, that is not always the case. If someone refers you to someone who did their roof or did a minor home improvement project, don't just assume they're a good fit for remodeling your residential bathroom. They might be—but not necessarily.


2. Read Reviews — Doing some simple Google searches can reveal a lot of helpful information about a contractor. In addition to the reviews on the company's website, be sure to read the testimonials on other third party sites like Angie's List, The Better Business Bureau, Houzz, Google and Yelp. The contractor has little to no control over the reviews posted on those sites so they're generally very reliable.


3. Narrow Down The List — There are likely many home contractors vying for your business in your area. After doing your homework, choose two or three that you'd like to pursue.


4. Ask For References — After narrowing the list down to two or three contractors, ask each of them for references and make a couple calls.


5. Obtain Estimates & Information — Meet with each company individually. Ask for specifics on everything from insurance to licensing requirements they might posses. Obtain a clear estimate including pricing details. Unclear on something? ASK! Now is the time to make sure you fully understand how the project will work. Any reputable home renovation company will take the time to sit down with your or chat over the phone to iron out any questions you may have.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com