Saturday, October 12, 2024
FAQ about garage remodels
Homeowners tend to want to maximize all of the space they have in their homes. For some this may involve turning a garage from a utilitarian space into one that serves multiple purposes.
According to The Mortgage Reports, a homebuying and improvement resource, garage renovations can increase the value of a home and add living space. Garage remodels can create additional storage space, provide an area for a home gym or even create room for a home office. Prior to beginning a garage remodel, homeowners may have some common questions about the process.
How much does the renovation cost?
Several factors will ultimately determine the final price of a garage remodel, but HomeAdvisor says the national average for a garage remodel falls between $6,000 and $26,000. Most homeowners come in at around $15,000 for a total garage conversion.
Will I recoup the investment?
A garage conversion adds value to a home if it creates new and usable living space. The firm Cottage, which pulled together a team of builders, architects and technologists, advises
the average garage conversion provides an 80 percent return on investment. That ROI varies depending on location.
How can I upgrade the flooring?
Garages traditionally feature concrete floors. Although durable, concrete floors can feel damp, hard and cold underfoot. Both vinyl plank and epoxy flooring options can elevate the design and functionality of the garage.
Can I have the best of both worlds?
Sometimes a garage needs to serve many purposes. Lofting the garage means a homeowner can still park cars or utilize the lower space as a living area, all the while items are stored overhead. Some flip this design scenario and have the loft area as a bedroom or finished living space, while the lower portion remains a traditional garage area. Another thought is to finish only a portion of the garage. This works well for two- or three-car garages where there will be room to park a car and the remainder will serve another purpose.
What are other ways to improve the garage?
Installing more windows or improving on the
lighting in the garage can be important. The garage improvement experts at Danley’s say window installation enables people to circulate air in the garage without having to open the garage door. Improving the lighting means the garage can still be enjoyed or utilized after dark. Spread out lighting in the garage, and use a combination of overhead and task lighting just as one would in the home itself.
How do I deter bugs or other pests from entering?
Insects often want to hunker down in garages, and they may find it easy to get inside a garage.
Keeping the garage clean and organized is the best way to deter pests and to spot infestations before they become problematic, indicates Mosquito Joe pest control company. Reducing water and humidity in the space, weatherproofing at the base of the garage door and other entry spots and utilizing insect repellents to make the garage less hospitable also can decrease the risk of insect infestation. Remodeling a garage can add value and plenty of usable space to a home. Whether a garage houses cars or hosts neighborhood game night, a garage renovation can be well worth the investment.
How to Keep Bugs Out This Season
Occasional Invaders
Fall is here, which means temperatures are cooling and some insects are gearing up for their version of hibernation, called overwintering. Now is the time to be thinking about how to keep bugs out before leaves and snow cover the ground.
First and most importantly, start by inspecting your home with a watchful eye and sealing any possible entry points. By removing these tiny entrances, overwintering insects won’t be able to get into your structure.
Entry points for overwintering pests can include:
• Cracks or gaps around windows, doors, or foundations
• Holes in window, door or vent screens
• Holes/cracks around electrical outlets or switchboxes
• Gaps/cracks where utility lines or water spigots enter your structure
• Gaps/cracks where any materials meet (brick, siding, carpeting, flooring)
Types of Overwintering Pests
• Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB)
• Boxelder Bugs
• Cluster Flies
• Asian and Domestic Lady Beetles
What you can do
• Remove clutter from both inside and outside your home, as pests often use these areas for shelter.
• Ensure that your home’s drainage systems are functioning properly to avoid creating moisture-rich environments that attract pests.
• Store firewood and other outdoor materials away from the house to discourage pests from seeking refuge nearby.
• Pay extra attention to the South and West sides of your structure, as those areas receive the largest amounts of sunlight. Before attempting to break in,
What if they’re already inside?
If you come across an insect invader inside your structure, no need to panic! One of the best ways to take care of these pests is to vacuum them up! Don’t forget to remove the vacuum bag or clean out the filter after, though. They may be able to escape.
overwintering pests will sometimes gather on these sides of buildings to soak up those last rays of sunlight.
A rundown of 3 popular flooring materials
Even though it’s underfoot, flooring can set the tone for how a room or even an entire home is viewed. Perhaps that’s one reason why flooring generates such strong opinions when homeowners look to refurbish or replace their floors.
Homeowners now have more choices than ever when considering new flooring for their homes. The following rundown of three popular flooring options can help homeowners as they try to decide which material best suits their homes.
1. Hardwood floors
Hardwood floors might once have been a relatively straightforward option, but homeowners may now choose between solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring. According to The Home Depot, engineered wood flooring provides the look of solid wood flooring without the high maintenance of such floors. Engineered wood is manmade and created with the use of wood strands, particles, fibers or veneers of wood that are forged together with adhesives. Each engineered wood flooring plank is composed of several layers of plywood or fiberboard with a solid wood veneer on top, which is how it can provide the look of solid wood flooring. Solid wood flooring planks are made from a single piece of hardwood. Each type of flooring has its pros and cons, and homeowners who prefer hardwood floors are urged to speak with a flooring professional about the features that make these options unique from one another.
2. Laminate floors
Laminate flooring is another engineered flooring product. But unlike engineered wood flooring, laminate flooring does not utilize real wood and many people can recognize that the moment they step on a laminate floor. Flooring is such a vital and heavily trafficked component of a home that it’s typically best to leave installation to a qualified professional. However, homeowners who prefer the DIY route should know that laminate flooring is viewed as among the easiest types of flooring for DIYers to install.
3. Vinyl flooring
The experts at Good Housekeeping report that vinyl flooring is the fastest-growing category of flooring. The Home Depot notes that vinyl flooring is made from plastic and usually consists of acrylic, PVC and similar polymers. Luxury vinyl tile is thick and durable, and it’s often noted for its likeness to solid wood. Vinyl tile also is considered a versatile flooring option, as The Home Depot notes it can be purchased in planks, sheets or tiles. The Home Depot advises homeowners to consider the thickness range when mulling their vinyl flooring options. Thickness ranges between four and 40 millimeters, and a thicker layer is more resistant to water, scratches and stains.
Homeowners will be confronted with a variety of options when considering a flooring project for their homes. The right option for a given home may come down to a host of factors, including cost, look and durability.
Warning signs a bathroom needs work
Homeowners know that the work involved to maintain a home is never done. The end of one project has a tendency to roll into the planning of another, and so it goes for years on end.
Fortunate are the homeowners who get to choose when to begin a renovation project, but it’s far more common that homeowners spot an issue and then realize it’s time to renovate. When it comes to bathrooms, which can be among the more expensive spaces to renovate in a home, homeowners can keep an eye out for various signs suggesting the room needs a remodel.
• Mold and mildew: Mold and mildew is perhaps the most glaring sign a bathroom needs to be renovated or remodeled. Mold and mildew pose a notable threat to human health, as the United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that molds can cause allergic reactions. Individuals sensitive to mold may develop symptoms that mimic reactions to outdoor allergens like pollen, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and dermatitis (skin rash). Mold also can trigger asthma attacks in people allergic to mold who have the condition. Mold can grow in poorly ventilated bathrooms, such as those without a fan or ones in which fans are not working properly. Mold and mildew will return if it’s merely scrubbed away, so the underlying cause of mold must be addressed to prevent its return.
• Small signs of fading: Stains, peeling paint, cracked paint, and gaps in grout are small signs of fading that indicate a bathroom is in need of renovation if not a complete remodel. These issues also can serve as warning signs of larger issues, such as water issues and structural problems, so they
should not be merely written off as minor problems or eyesores.
• Rising water bills: Some signs a bathroom could use a little TLC are not necessarily confined to the room itself. If water bills are rising significantly and do not align with price increases or an uptick in water consumption, homeowners may have leaking pipes. Such pipes might be beneath a bathroom sink or behind tiled walls. Discoloration on the walls, peeling paint or wallpaper and/or a musty odor may indicate leaks inside a bathroom wall. If coupled with rising water bills, these signs could be indicative of a significant issue that requires immediate attention.
• Issues with tiles: Cracked or damaged tiles in the shower and bathtub or even on the floor are unsightly and also pose a safety hazard. Cracked floor tiles can lead to slips and falls, which can be especially harmful to older residents. And cracked tiles within the shower and tub area can indicate water problems behind the walls or general disrepair. Such issues should be addressed before they escalate into something larger.
• A dated vibe: Of course, some issues affecting a bathroom are not necessarily health or safety hazards but more an affront to homeowners’ grasp of current styles and trends. If walking into a bathroom unintentionally feels like stepping backward into a bygone era, then it’s probably time to consider a renovation or remodeling job.
Various signs can indicate to homeowners it’s time to consider a bathroom renovation.
4 things to know about kitchen renovations
Kitchens are often described as the most popular room in a home, and that’s not mere conjecture. A 2022 survey from House Digest asked participants to identify the room they consider most important in their homes, and roughly 41 percent chose the kitchen.
Residents tend to congregate in kitchens in the morning and then again in the evening when meals are prepared and, in homes without formal dining rooms, eaten. With so much time spent in the kitchen, it’s no wonder that the 2022 U.S. Houzz & Home Study: Renovation Trends found kitchens to be the most popular interior room to upgrade. With so many people interested in kitchen renovations, the following are four things homeowners should know about these popular improvement projects.
1. Expect to spend some money.
Most home improvement projects require a significant financial investment, but kitchen renovations are among the more expensive undertakings. The overall cost of a project will depend on a host of variables unique to each home, including homeowners’ preferences, but HomeAdvisor estimated the average kitchen remodel in 2023 cost between $14,611 and $41,432. Homeowners considering an upscale kitchen remodel may receive six figure estimates for such projects.
2. Expect a good return on investment.
If sticker shock settles in when receiving an initial kitchen remodel estimate, perhaps it can help homeowners to know that such a project may provide a strong return on investment (ROI). According to Remodeling
magazine’s “2024 Cost vs. Value Report,” a minor kitchen remodel provides a 96 percent ROI. A major kitchen remodel mid-range (49 percent) and a major kitchen remodel upscale (38 percent) did not provide as notable a ROI.
3. Expect the project to take some time.
Kitchens are large rooms with a lot of components, so renovating these spaces can take some time. Estimates vary depending on the size of the room, the scale of the remodel and the materials chosen, but Angi reports a kitchen remodel for most homes takes six weeks to four months. That’s a sizable window, and it reflects the likelihood that unforeseen issues like supply chain interruptions or the discovery of mold will arise at some point during the renovation. Though it’s impossible to determine precisely how long a project will take before it begins, homeowners renovating their kitchens may want to plan for the project to take two months if not longer.
4. Expect to use your kitchen during the renovation.
If the timeline of a renovation is scary, homeowners should know they will likely be able to use their kitchen even after the project begins. Though the room might not remain a popular gathering space once the work starts, Angi notes kitchens are typically out of commission for around six weeks during a renovation. That still requires some pre-planning in relation to meals, but it also suggests homeowners won’t be without a kitchen for months on end. Kitchen renovations are popular projects. Homeowners who know what to expect before such projects commence can make it through a renovation more smoothly.
Projected timelines for popular renovation projects
Renovations help homeowners customize their homes to align with their needs and wants. Remodeling may be necessary to replace outdated fixtures and features, address mistakes previous homeowners may have made, or to make a home more functional. Homeowners often find it beneficial to hire professional
contractors when they have work to be done around the house to ensure the job gets done to code and to their satisfaction. Timelines for home remodeling projects vary depending on a number of variables, including the size of a crew as well as the scope of the project.
Once a project commences, the timeline can feel endless. The
company
following are estimates of timelines for top remodeling projects to give homeowners an idea of how long their renovation projects may last, courtesy of Renofi, a company that provides a lending platform leveraged by credit unions nationwide to offer loans to consumers.
• Kitchen: There are a lot of moving parts to a kitchen renovation, involving the services of electricians, plumbers, structural experts, and even interior design professionals. Not to mention the needs of craftspeople who can make custom cabinetry and countertops. Kitchen remodels can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks.
• Bathroom: The process of a bathroom renovation typically involves demolishing the old bathroom, removing old fixtures and starting from the ground up. As with a kitchen remodel, bathroom jobs require the services of different professionals. That is why homeowners can expect three to 10 weeks for a bathroom, depending on
the scope of the project.
• Finishing a basement:
Finishing a basement can add valuable living space to a home. Establishing a home theater space or man cave may require installing framing, insulation, utilities, drywall, flooring, and any additional needs if the finished basement will have a bathroom or necessitate additional plumbing. A finished basement project can last one to two months. But the good news is that typically the rest of the house is livable while the work is being done, so residents will not be disrupted.
• Whole home remodel: Hogan Design & Construction says that a whole house remodeling project can take anywhere from 16 weeks to 24 weeks. More involved projects can take longer.
Remodeling a home often involves a considerable investment of time and money. Knowing how long a homeowner will be inconvenienced by the work can help the household plan accordingly.
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What delays project timelines?
Even with the best intentions and services of qualified contractors and crews, timelines for home renovation projects can be prolonged due to various circumstances. Each project is unique and contractors cannot predict the circumstances they will encounter once work is started. Various factors can affect the overall timeline of a project.
• Weather can impact the ability to pour foundations, do housing framing, install Belgium block pavers, or tend to roofing projects.
• The temperature outdoors and inside can affect paint drying times or how long it takes asphalt to cure.
• Getting a permit for work isn’t always cut and dry. There may be delays at the permit office that can affect the remodeling process. Also, inspectors have to check that work is being done correctly, and contractors can be at the mercy of inspectors’ schedules.
• Mold, water damage, insect infestation, and other issues may only become apparent once
demolition begins. These issues often cannot be ignored and must be addressed before work on the actual remodel can continue.
• Changes in design after an initial plan has been established can throw off the timeline, as it may require ordering new supplies or getting new architectural drawings.
• Supply chain issues became commonplace during the global pandemic, and building materials still may be affected. A project can be delayed by certain materials being backordered or no longer available.
• Some homeowners have to interview and hire new contractors if theirs fails to deliver on promises or is a no-show altogether.
• Homeowners whose loans or other funding fall through may have to delay further work until they are able to pay for the work at hand.
These are a few situations that can waylay a home renovation project. Individuals need to remain patient whenever they begin a remodeling project.
The benefits of home security cameras
Homeowners go to great lengths to make their properties comfortable places to call home. Whether it’s new interior furnishings or renovated outdoor living areas or the installation of various smart home technologies, there’s no shortage of ways to upgrade a home with comfort in mind.
When homeowners renovate a home in an effort to make spaces more relaxing and welcoming, it’s important they recognize the relationship between comfort and safety. A home is only as comfortable as it is safe, as residents might struggle to relax if they’re concerned about their safety. Security cameras can help quell such concerns, which is one of a handful of reasons homeowners should consider these increasingly popular safety features for their homes.
• Security cameras can help to deter criminals. Property crimes may not garner the same level of news coverage as violent crimes, but a recent report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicated that there were still nearly 900,000
burglary offenses in the United States in 2022. That figure represents a decline of more than 50 percent since 2012, when FBI data indicates more than 1.8 million such offenses were committed. A host of variables undoubtedly contributed to that decline, and the greater availability and increased affordability of security cameras has made it easier than ever for homeowners to make their homes less appealing to prospective burglars.
• Security cameras may help to lower insurance premiums. Exterior security cameras can help individuals
lower the cost of their homeowners insurance policies. The extent of those savings may depend on the type of cameras homeowners install and whether or not the cameras are integrated into a whole-home security system. The Insurance Information Institute notes that whole home security systems can save homeowners anywhere from 2 to 15 percent on their homeowners insurance policies. More advanced systems, such as those which feature alarms and exterior cameras, can earn homeowners greater savings on their policies.
• Security cameras provide peace of mind while traveling. Modern security camera systems now provide remote access through smartphone apps. That can give homeowners peace of mind when traveling, as they can monitor their properties when they’re away from home and potentially alert local authorities if they notice anything suspicious on their remote feeds.
• Security cameras can give parents peace of mind. Much like security cameras help travelers keep an eye on their property while they’re away, parents also may find that access to real-time video footage of their homes can calm their nerves when children are in the house. Parents can utilize cameras to keep tabs on youngsters playing in the yard and monitor feeds to see what older kids are up to while Mom and Dad are at work or away from the home for other reasons.
Home security cameras are a worthwhile investment that can save homeowners money and provide peace of mind that they’re doing everything possible to make their homes comfortable, safe spaces to live.
