Category: Home Improvement

Things to Consider Before Building

So, you’re thinking about setting out to build your own tiny home or structure. Congrats! “But how do I get started?” People email me with this question all the time, and rightfully so. I mean, who wants to blindly jump into the alligator-infested pit of peril when it comes to building or designing a structure for the very first (or even fiftieth) time? There are so many things that can go wrong, not to mention how long it can take and how much it can cost.

Unfortunately, there is no short answer to this question, and because I’d like to stay in the good graces of my wife, spend some time with my kids, and do the things I need to do for a living, I can’t always give a satisfactory response. So here’s a cheat sheet, of sorts, to help you feel a bit more ready for the jump ahead. After all, rushing into a project without thorough contemplation, daydreaming, and planning could be one of the more expensive mistakes you’ll ever make. Take your time. Do it right. It’s not a race

KNOW YOUR SITE. In addition to finding out if your build will be allowed on whatever piece of property you’re dealing with, make sure you understand the natural and/or legal restrictions of your site. Are there any wetlands that you can’t build near? Are there seasonal washes or floods in the area? Where will the arc of the sun pass in relation to where you’ll position the build, and where do you want your windows to be (or not be) to take advantage of that? And so on

DOWNSIZE, STARTING NOW. If you’re transitioning to living in a tiny house full-time, you’ll want to start whittling down your possessions (that is, unless you want to keep everything and spend a fortune on storage). Downsizing isn’t an overnight endeavor. It’s personal, painstaking, and tough, and it will take you three times as long as you think it will.

GATHER MATERIALS. If you plan on building with salvaged materials, start looking for and saving them now. You’ll need lots of time and patience because you will not find your ingredients overnight — I promise you. I will also add a warning that planning and harvesting too much too early results in the cumbersome chores of storing, keeping track of, and maintaining your goods. The ol’ pile with a tarp over it won’t stay tarped for long. It will also look awful in your yard and possibly annoy close neighbors.

Complete guide to building a house

Many housing markets are tight and prices are rising. You might be considering building vs buying a home.

Cost of building vs buying a home — you may be able to acquire instant equity by building

Timing — it can take a few months to over a year to complete your build

Stress — 12 percent of couples surveyed by Houzz claimed that home construction caused separation or divorce

Cost to buy versus cost to build

The idea of building a new home might scare you, because you believe it’s the pricier option. But, depending on location and home features, the cost of building a house is comparable to buying an existing home.

Costs range between $151,987 – $422,025, averaging $286,075. Based on September 2017 numbers, the average resale price of a home is $287,700. Keep in mind the fact that existing or “used” homes may have some wear and lack the latest conveniences and efficiencies.

Costs of building a house

You control the out-of-pocket costs for building a house by creating an affordable budget. Once you know what you can spend, work with a reputable builder who knows the area and who can tell you what you can and can’t afford to include in your new house.

Begin with the basic essentials, adding a ten percent cushion for cost overruns. If you can afford additional amenities, add them in. The builder should include a description of materials and a cost breakdown, which you’ll need when you apply for a construction loan.

The last two times this happened, homebuilding stocks rallied double digits: Chart analyst

“A lot of people forget because of the way the tech stocks have acted recently that most of the market has been stuck in a sideways range for the last couple of weeks, and the ITB has been no different,” he said

After the sentiment report, it is now “breaking out to the upside” and adding to a series of higher lows and higher highs, both encouraging signs for chart analysts

“On top of that, we have the ITB experiencing a golden cross. That, of course, is when a rising 50-day moving average crosses above a rising 200-day moving average,” he said. “The last two times that happened — in 2019 and 2017 — the group rallied another 60% and 40%, respectively. So, on a long-term basis, that’s very, very bullish as well.”

“Lumber tends to be a good leading indicator for the housing stocks, so, you may see a little bit of a pullback here over the very near term,” he said. “But right now, on a technical basis, anyway, the group looks very, very good.”

“One is that interest rates will be lower for longer, which will help affordability,” he said in the same “Trading Nation” interview.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD USE A REALTOR TO PURCHASE A NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME

Building your dream home from the ground up can be exciting. You get to choose your lot, the floor plan, the exterior design, the interior finishes and any upgrades. But it’s a common misconception when you’re buying a new constructed home that you don’t need to work with a Realtor

The sales agent works for the builder. When you walk into a model home, the friendly salesperson who greets you is employed by the builde

Your real estate agent is your advocate. Your Realtor is obligated to work toward your best interest. “Working with a Realtor, gives the client another advocate to help protect their interests,”

Hiring a Realtor comes at no cost to you. When working with builders, there is no additional cost for working with a Realtor. The builder will pay your agent’s sales commission.

An agent can help you choose the right builder and neighborhood. “An experienced realtor can show you what the neighborhood values are currently for resale, which will help give you perspective when it comes to building your house, so you’re not necessarily over-building for the neighborhood – at least, not without knowing that you’re doing so,”

How Much Does It Cost To Build A House? An In-Depth Look

Shopping for your dream home can be exhausting. It’s difficult to find a pre-existing home that meets all your needs while checking off every single item on your wish list. In the end, you’re likely going to have to give up some of your must-haves in order to get into a home that works for you.

That’s why some people prefer to take matters into their own hands. While building your own home means you have full control over every aspect that goes into it, that freedom isn’t free.

But with the average sales price of existing homes approaching the $300,000 mark, aspiring homeowners might be wondering if building their own home from scratch could save them a little cash while ensuring they get exactly what they want.

an online marketplace that connects homeowners with home improvement professionals, the average cost to build a new house is a little over $290,000. But that cost can vary greatly. They go on to report that the average cost of building a house is around $147,000 to as much as $436,000.

Main Steps Of Building A House

If you’re just dipping your toe into the world of home construction, you may be wondering what  the project will entail. But don’t stress yourself out unnecessarily. Just take it one step at a time.

Surprisingly Affordable Bathroom Solutions

You do not have to live with an outdated, drab, grimy bathroom any longer! In as little as one day, bathroom remodelers can completely transform your old bathroom into a brand new spa-like getaway.

Stylish, durable acrylic bathtubs, showers, and wall systems are all engineered to fit into your existing bathroom with ease. Not only are showers and tubs long-lasting, but they are also very low maintenance, making it easier to get your bathroom to sparkle. From shower-to-tub conversions to installation of accessibility tubs, bathroom remodeling is the perfect solution for any homeowner

Choosing the Right Shower for Your Bath

If you’re planning to remodel your shower, congratulations! This is an excellent first step toward a more comfortable, easy-to-clean, and attractive bathing environment

How to Keep Aging Bathrooms Looking Clean

As bathrooms start to age, they become harder and harder to clean. From mildew and water stain buildup to older, harder to clean materials, years of daily use can take quite

Replacing your Bathtub vs. Using a Liner

Are you brainstorming cost-effective ways to make your bathroom look and feel fantastic? You might be looking at your current bathtub and wondering whether it’s worth i

Things to Remember When Remodeling the Master Bathroom

Are You Making Plans to Remodel Your Master Bath?

Master bathrooms were once a luxury of the rich. Homes typically had one small, purely functional restroom that contained a sink, toilet and possibly a tub or shower. Master bathrooms have grown in popularity, and now most new homes are designed with one in the blueprints. Adding a master bath to your current home, or enlarging your existing bath, is a great way to pamper yourself while increasing the resale value of your property. As always, hiring a reputable general contractor to do the work is a great idea.

Come Up with a Budget

Before you consider how big you’d like your master bathroom to be, or the amenities, determine how much you can afford to spend. Once you’ve decided on that total, set aside 10% to 15% of it to cover unexpected costs. Some unforeseen costs may include plumbing and electrical needs. These surprise expenses are one reason to hire a professional remodeling contractor.

Designing Your Master Bathroom Remodel

Every successful project should begin by ensuring the essentials are covered first. Does your master bathroom need a new stool, sink, tub or shower? You’ll be able to save money by designing your new space around their current locations. Therefore, water, plumbing and electricity lines can stay in the same place. A professional bathroom remodel contractor will make certain you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to design elements. Also, they can make other money-saving suggestions that may open up funds for indulgences like in-floor heat or a luxurious tiled shower.

How Big is Too Big?

A large master bathroom is nice, but be careful not to go too large. Since you’ll be spending at least part of your time naked in your newly remodeled bath, remember that open spaces with tiled surfaces can feel cool or drafty. But, keeping them comfortably warm may increase your energy costs. Consider putting the money you would spend on more space into features like a bidet with a heated seat and air-dry function, a built-in television or Bluetooth compatible speakers with surround sound.

Sensible Products

Believe it or not, carpet was once a popular choice for bathroom spaces. It didn’t take too long to realize, however, that a busy bath space meant carpeted floors never had a chance to properly dry out, and mold and mildew grew rampant. When choosing materials while remodeling your master bathroom, a reliable bathroom remodel contractor will steer you toward products that are sensible, stylish, and durable, such as tile, vinyl planking, stone or engineered wood.

How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?

Are you ready?

Numbers will always vary from project to project, but the main point of this post is to address the sticker shock that most people have when they receive a bid for a bathroom remodel.

Typically speaking, a bathroom is a much smaller space in comparison to say a kitchen. The size and function both play a factor in why I think so many people can’t believe that they cost so much.

Most want a nice bathroom, but at the end of the day, its not quite the statement piece a kitchen is, so its a little bit tougher getting yourself to spend the money on something that only you or your family will ever see/use.

To answer the question “how much does a bathroom remodel cost” in simple terms is tough because it’s a complex project. This is why at construction2style we don’t give construction estimates until the designs are finalized. And I’ll explain why.

There are, however, basic things that have gone into most bathroom projects we have done that make up a lot of our cost. Here is a list of the items that go into a bathroom remodel and roughly how much they might cost. Hopefully, this gives you better insight as to what it may cost and where the money is going.

Bathroom Remodeling Cost

How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?

The bathroom is arguably the most frequently used room in the home. So, if it’s out-of-date, not functioning properly or beginning to show signs of where, it may be time to remodel.

There are a wide range of costs associated with remodeling a bathroom, including size, the type of materials, its current condition, and the location. Homeonwers spend on average between $15,000 and $25,000 in their bathroom renovation. For example, the average cost of a 100 square foot master bathroom with tile walls and flooring, new fixtures, double vanity, and walk in shower with separate tub is around $20,000

Remodeling Phases

Most bathroom remodels will include some degree of layout or planning. Small bathrooms can be planned by a contractor, but larger rooms should involve the work of a bathroom designer to help make the most of the space. This service typically costs between $1,400 and $4,000, and in some cases, the costs can be recouped during the renovation, as designers can help you save money in other areas. This phase of the project generally includes not only planning, but also drawings, and the selection of the materials that you want to go into the room. The time frame for this phase can last several weeks depending on layout and what you ultimately want the room to look like.

Master Bathroom vs Powder Room

Often times, people confuse the difference between a master bathroom and a powder room. A master bathroom is a large bathroom that is attached to the master bedroom in a house. It is often big in size and contains a sink, toilet, shower, and bathtub. The bathtub and shower are either together or separate. A powder room is different in that it is a small bathroom only containing a toilet and a sink. Sometimes the name powder room is interchanged with guest bathroom or half baths. Powder rooms do not contain a shower, and is usually located on the first floor of a home. The purpose of a powder room is a bathroom for guests to use without feeling as if they are intruding into your home.

Bathroom Remodeling Options

In most cases, a bathroom remodel will include a total tear out. However, this isn’t always necessary. Partial and cosmetic remodels may include the removal and replacement of only some areas of the bathroom. Even in full remodels, you may choose to include some options while passing on others.

Reasons Why You Should Hire A Professional and Not DIY your Bathroom Remodel

If you’re considering a bathroom remodel for your home, you probably have just as many questions as you do dreams and ideas. Both large and small bathroom spaces can be a lengthy and stressful process, but if you hire the right professionals for the job, you’re more likely to have peace of mind and a better outcome when all is said and done.

The end result is likely what you care about most, and with good reason. A professional will be able to offer guidance with selecting the appropriate materials for your home and will be well-versed in the best installation practices that deliver quality results. Hiring a bathroom design professional increases the likelihood that your dreams will become reality, and save you a major headache in the process.

Hiring the right professionals for the job eases stress and anxiety for you and your family. Professionals will be kind and courteous, respectful of your home and the remodel, and eager to please their clients. A professional will save you countless hours of running to showrooms and educating yourself on the various materials and installation processes needed for your beautiful remodel.

Hiring the right professionals also protects your hard-earned investment. Choose a licensed contractor who has insurance, and stands behind their work. This protects your home during the work and after completion, and leads to greater satisfaction with your bathroom remodel. Don’t choose the first contractor or designer in the phone book: ask for recommendations, speak to friends and family, and above all, ask for a consultation.

If you have been avoiding a bathroom remodel for years because you’re too busy, partnering with a designer is a huge help as you develop the plan for your project. A design professional can help you sort through the design specs, plumbing and electrical needs, and fun elements like choosing the right paint colors and accessories