Home Remodeling Rebounding

AMMON, Idaho -$19 billion was spent on home improvement projects in 2013. The home remodeling industry is seeing a rebound after the recession.

Experts say since most people are not buying or selling, homeowners are taking on remodeling projects to improve what they've already got.

"Oh my goodness yeah," said Chris King who works at Ace Hardware in Ammon.

Monday afternoon many people were in the store shopping for small home improvement projects.

Paint was one of the busiest department. "It brightens up and warms up so when you walk into it, it's a great new experience," said King.

He said it's one inexpensive way to experiment.

"For a 100 dollars you can certainly change it again and change the whole mood again," said King.

In a recovering economy, King said people aren't taking on massive projects like pre-recession days.

According to Nielson & Scarborough, the top projects home owners are taking on include carpeting and flooring, landscaping, heating and air, interior painting, or small kitchen projects.

At Ace Hardware, King said that's right on with what he sees.

"Building a deck, it's one of the other things besides paint when you invest in it, you see a return on your investment," said King.

He said this summer his customers have been making small changes to the exterior of the home, which makes a big difference.

"Patio furniture, we saw a lot of lawn care, the umbrellas to go along with the other furniture that they have," said King.

King added that people often wait to make changes.

"A lot of times we don't spruce our houses up until we like sell them," said King.

Before the market returns to pre-recession days, working with what people have has become the new way of life for many people.

"The market isn't such that you're selling a house really fast, but you can change the way it feels, and that's an important part," said King.

He added the other big remodeling project homeowners are doing is changing small things in the bathroom, like new tile, or adding glass shower doors instead of curtains.

In 2014, home improvement product sales are expected to increase by 6.5 percent, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute.

Original Article: http://www.localnews8.com/news/home-remodeling-rebounding/27727106

Exploring What Is Involved When Undertaking A Home Improvement Project

Any home improvement project can be a huge undertaking. This is especially true when you aren’t a professional who tackles remodeling and renovation projects on a regular basis.  If you have never remodeled a kitchen before it is important that before the project gets off the ground that you take into consideration everything that needs to be done, ordered and thought of before the project gets underway.  Once you know what needs to be done you may see how beneficial it is to hire a professional kitchen contractor over completing the job on your own.  Here are some items to consider when thinking about remodeling your kitchen whether you hire a contractor or do it yourself.

The first thing in a kitchen remodel that you need to determine is your budget.  Set a budget and stick to it.  If you can’t afford the kitchen remodel you want it is better that you wait until you can to begin.  If you can’t budget enough to cover your wants and needs along with extra for the unexpected don’t start the kitchen remodeling project. Many homeowners quickly come to find out that hiring a contractor saves them money on materials.  Saving on the materials to redo your kitchen could wash out the cost of hiring a contractor to renovate the kitchen.

When you are thinking about a kitchen renovation you will want to have a design in mind.  This can come from a variety of sources including designs from kitchens you have been in or seen in magazines. Where ever your idea comes from it is important that you take into consideration your current plumbing and electrical systems.  If the existing scheme doesn’t fit with the new kitchen design vision you will want to add in to your budget the expense of redoing the plumbing and electricity.

When hiring a contractor be sure to look for a general contractor.  A general contractor will be able to assist in all areas of the remodel from the kitchen design to the flooring.  General contractors have the ability to see how one room in the house works with others and can help create the flow you desire.  If you go with a separate kitchen contractor, they have to hire specialty contractors to help with flooring, plumbing and finishing work it can lead to headaches for homeowners.  Hiring one general contractor can alleviate this issue.

With your general contractor complete a list of preparations that can be taken before any renovation is begun to help speed the entire process along.  From the start, have the materials ordered to ensure that half way through the process you are not waiting on the faucet or sink to be shipped.  Ordering everything you need ahead of time and having all the materials ready and available for the job makes the remodel run along smoother and helps to keep your contractor on time with the schedule that has been set.  A kitchen remodel that is finished on time and is complete all the way down to the finishing touches makes for a happy homeowner.

Jason Foldenauer Construction, out of Howell and Brighton Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to home additions and storage sheds.  Contact http://www.jfcremodeling.com today for your entire home renovating needs.

Upgrades Around The Home That Pay You Back

Purchasing a home is an adventure.  Maintaining and increasing your homes property value is of utmost importance to all homeowners. In order to do this there are a few simple things to keep in mind. One of the most important elements in owning a home is maintaining the property.  This entails keeping the home as clean as possible as well as keeping the home in working condition with no pest infestations, fresh paint, and updated water as well as electrical systems.  A home that is kept up on will sell time and time again over a home that is not kept up on and is under cared for.

Real estate is starting to pick up again.  If you are trying to sell your home you will want an edge up on the competition.  When it comes to homes you will want to ensure that your home is in physically better shape than all the others.  There should be absolutely no visible problems in the home.  Your homes curb appeal should be top notch.  All visible siding, roofing, windows and exterior improvements are areas where you should spend money.

Home improvements should pay you back upon the sale of your home.  When you put money into your home you should expect that in the end you will get an equal return on your investment.  Make sure that every improvement that is made within your homes interior or exterior will net an equal return on your investment as well as keeping with the cohesiveness of the existing neighborhood.

Many homeowners ask about upgrades including room additions, expansions, renovations as well as updating bathrooms and kitchens.  The answer to any of these is a resounding yes!  If you as a homeowner want it then they should do it.  The trick is to be careful about overdoing it.  Any upgrade can be done, but doing it within the standards of the community that you live in it is important to keeping your home’s value consistent with those around it.

Kitchen and bathroom renovations are super important when it comes to any home upgrade. Getting your money out of the remodel is the trick.  When it comes to kitchen upgrades and bathroom renovations be sure to update your home to make it more high-end.  This will encourage buyers when it comes to buyers purchasing your home.  The problem is over-improving your home.  Don’t add a designer, high-end kitchen, in a home that is within an average first time home owners budget.  As a seller you will not recoup your money.

In an average subdivision with first time home buyers a better source of spending money on renovations is with the addition of a second bath or half bath.  Using materials that are of good quality and adding an extra bathroom can turn an ordinary three bedroom home with one bath into an extravagant three bedroom home with a separate bath for the kids and one for the adults.  Any dull house or small apartment can be improved upon with the addition of a half or full bathroom.

New homeowners are looking for upgrades that keep homes updated while maintaining their fair market value in an overall friendly community.  This is ideal for most homeowners looking to purchase a new home.

Jason Foldenauer Construction, out of Howell and Brighton Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to home additions and storage sheds.  Contact http://www.jfcremodeling.com today for your entire home renovating needs.

Finished Basement Flooring Options

When it comes to finishing your basement one of the biggest concerns is the flooring. Basement floors are often just a concrete slab.  Before choosing flooring for your basement it is imperative to determine if a moisture barrier had been laid down previously or if you will be dealing with moisture seeping through the concrete slab.  Most often when it comes to basement slabs a concrete moisture barrier is not present.  This leads to issues that are common when homeowners wish to finish their basements.

If you are unsure if a moisture barrier is present underneath the concrete slab in your basement the easiest method to figure it out involves some time and plastic garbage bags.  Lay a few plastic bags out over the concrete basement slab and tape them into place.  After a few days check to see if the plastic bags feel wet or feel like they contain any moisture on the underside of the bag.  If moisture is present than your basement slab does not have a moisture barrier present and this will limit your flooring choices.

If you want to keep your options open when it comes to flooring in your basement consider a waterproofing the basement floor. This will allow you to choose more openly what you desire for the flooring within your basement.  Carpet is a common want in cold, damp basements.  The floor should be waterproofed as well as cellulose underlayment before padding and carpet is laid.  This will help to create a moisture proof floor in your basement with carpet flooring.

Free floating engineered flooring is a great option in basement flooring.  A foam underlayment allows the flooring to float the basement floor.  This underlayment creates a space that balances any unevenness in the flooring as well as providing a moisture barrier.

Laminate flooring is yet another option in basement flooring that is popular.  When using laminate flooring, the look and feel can be warmed up using throw rugs throughout the basement space.  Laminate is only a good choice in basements that have relatively low moisture levels because the backing is susceptible to bubbling in spaces with higher moisture.

Ceramic tile can be installed in basement flooring as well.  This is a great option however one that does tend to add to the coldness already associated with basements.  If you are installing ceramic tile note that low moisture basement ceramic tile will last longer than if placed in high moisture basements. 

If all and all you decide the flooring options in the basement are too risky and to dependent on moisture look into painting your basement floor.  Even with high moisture levels concrete paint will adhere to the floor and will last a fair amount of time in between maintenance.  Add warmth with throw rugs that can easily be picked up, washed and dried.  

Jason Foldenauer Construction, out of Howell and Brighton Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to home additions and storage sheds.  Contact http://www.jfcremodeling.com today for your entire home renovating needs.  

When it comes to renovating your home, especially in your kitchen there are certain updates and upgrades that give you a large return on your investment.  There are also a great deal of ways to waste your money when it comes to kitchen renovations.  Consider the following when looking into remodeling your kitchen. 

The first and best use of resources is to hire a contractor that specializes in kitchen renovations.  A kitchen contractor can save you a ton of time and money.  Even with the added expense of a contractor it will amaze you how much less you will spend on your remodel over what it would cost you to do it on your own.  Kitchen contractors have experience that will save time and in turn money as well as connections when it comes to materials needed to create a space that is desired.

When it comes to kitchen renovations the biggest bang for your buck is the kitchen countertops.  Granite, Corian and Silestone are all popular options in materials for counters.  A decent countertop can cost upwards of four thousand dollars all of which is easily recouped in the increased home value that will occur with your updated kitchen.

To avoid the cost of new cabinets consider cabinet door re-facing.  This gives you all the benefits of new cabinets without the considerable expense that goes along with them.  New cabinet doors can change the entire look of your kitchen.  Along with cabinet re-facing consider updating the hardware on the cabinetry throughout the kitchen.  This is a fairly inexpensive update that offers a great deal of change in the look and function of the kitchen.

Another renovation within the kitchen that offers a big bang for your buck is kitchen flooring.  Vinyl kitchen flooring dates not only a kitchen but the entire home.  Upgrade kitchen flooring to ceramic, hardwood or bamboo.  Flooring is expensive.  Finding discontinued flooring for your kitchen is one way to offset the expense.  If you are not set on a certain look, color, feel or material this may be the way to go.  Look at different home improvement stores.  When you find something that interested you, even if discontinued ask if there is any way to have shipments from other stores sent to your local store.  If this is not a possibility it may be worth a short drive to collect the materials needed to complete a new kitchen floor for your home. 

Jason Foldenauer Construction, out of Howell and Brighton Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to home additions and storage sheds.  Contact http://www.jfcremodeling.com today for your entire home renovating needs.  

Home Improvements That Actually Decrease The Value Of Your Home

When it comes to remodeling and adding on to your home it is important that your upgrades enhance the value of your home.  Many home improvement projects such as kitchen and bathroom remodels, finished basements and flooring renovations all add equity to your home’s value.  There are projects that homeowners decide upon because of the value added to their family that add no equity to the home and in fact decrease the homes desirability to many future buyers.  Home improvements that can actually harm your home’s value should only be considered if the value they add to your family’s enjoyment outweighs the harm.

One great example of this is the addition of a pool.  An in-ground pool does not increase the value of your home in most parts of the country.  In fact this is an expensive renovation that should be avoided at all costs.  In-ground pools limit the marketability of your home.  The maintenance required is expensive, the upkeep constant and many people don’t want this hassle.  Carefully think about the installation of a pool as well as the costs associated with landscaping, safety fencing and maintenance.  Most often the expenses, along with the fact that the pool does not increase a home’s equity is enough to deter from the installation of an in-ground pool.

Another renovation to consider before it is too late is taking your home’s garage and changing it into something it is not.  Small garages or homes with no garages at all is a negative to future home buyers.  When looking for a new home buyers are looking for two car garages.  If you are thinking of home renovations consider the addition of a garage that is a wiser investment than taking an existent garage and transforming it into another room. 

When consider additions to your home or any renovation for that matter make sure whatever is being discussed flows with the homes floor plan and also opens it up.  Small rooms, tiny bathrooms and distorted floor plans leave many buyers searching for something more. 

When complete room renovations in older homes consider increasing the budget to allow you to update the plumbing and electrical systems.  This is especially true in older homes.  Completing a room remodel without updating the electrical systems is like purchasing a new door for an old oven.  Buyers are looking for homes that have been renovated on more than just the surface.

Neutral renovations throughout the home are desired.  Even when bold colors and funky ceramic tiles are all the rage stick with a neutral pallet on all upgrades that cannot be easily changed.  Add the funk in with the room’s accessories.  This will offer you a greater return on investment when your home is up for sale.  You can pack away bold accessories and replace them with an inexpensive neutral pallet that appeals to the majority.  An example of this is in the bathroom.  Paint, cabinets and fixtures should all be neutral while you accessories with bold shower curtains, towels and baskets. 

Jason Foldenauer Construction, out of Howell and Brighton Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to home additions and storage sheds.  Contact http://www.jfcremodeling.com today all of your home renovating needs.  

Increasing The Value Of Your Home

When it comes to home improvement and remodeling projects there are certain projects that actually improve the value of your home.  Below you will find home renovations that will bring you at least a ten percent return on your investment if executed correctly.

A Kitchen Update

When purchasing a house people immediately seek out the kitchen area to see if it is a space they could see their family.  When remodeling your kitchen think about what you want that would also be desirable to the homes next owners.  Solid counter tops, high-quality flooring, upgraded appliances and new kitchen cabinets are all desirable. It is also important that the space opens into the home which makes the space seem inviting and full of entertaining possibilities.

Bathroom Renovations

Bathroom upgrades are important whether they are master baths, half baths or second bathrooms.  When remodeling your bathroom add space to the shower.  Large stand up showers increase the home’s value.  Also consider adding in double sinks and an extra area for a commode. Another great feature is within the hot water heater and adding an on demand system so that hot water to the space is abundant and plentiful.

A Master Suite

Buyers love an area that they can call their own away from the main home and the hustle bustle of kids.  A master suite is a bedroom, lounge and spa area that creates a space that is away from the rest of the world that is a home in its own.

Upgraded Natural Materials

This integrates into the entire home.  Natural countertops and flooring are things that all new home buyers are looking for.  When thinking in terms of flooring renovations look into ceramic or hardwood instead of carpet and linoleum.   Counter tops out of granite, marble and even colored concrete are what buyers are interested in as well.

Curb Appeal

Your homes outside appearance is the most important factor in your homes appeal to the rest of the world.  It is the first impression that anyone has that visits your home.  Spend time on landscaping and lawn care as well as the home’s exterior features such as roofing and siding. When it comes to curb appeal and landscaping remember that mature trees increase the value of your home $1,000 per tree.  To keep your older trees looking top notch hire tree trimmers to regularly trim dead branches and keeping them looking their best.

Solid, Energy Efficient Windows

When updating your home add light via windows.  Natural light is the greatest selling point for homes.  Energy efficient windows and door walls add appeal to your home.  Home improvements that bring in natural light to rooms throughout the home are ideal.

Look into hiring a contractor to ease the hassles involved with your next home improvement project whether it is a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, master suite, counter top upgrade or new windows.  Contractors work efficiently and bring harmony to your space without the disruption brought on by handling larger renovations alone.

Jason Foldenauer Construction, out of Howell and Brighton Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to home additions and storage sheds.  Contact http://www.jfcremodeling.com today all of your home renovating needs.