Home Improvement Tips – Should You Renovate During a Recession?

Right now the economy is going through a recession. Home prices are down and unemployment is up. People have cut back on their discretionary spending and are more cautious than ever about their spending.

This has caused a lot of people to put off renovation work on their homes. They are concerned about the economy and are stalling until things turn around.

But there are some really good reasons to do your project right now because of the effects on the economy.

Contractors Are Looking For Work:

This will mean you the buyer are in the drivers seat. It might even make it easier to get a better price for your work. More contractors than ever are looking for work. They want to keep themselves and their employees busy.

Better Deals On Materials:

Even the large box stores are hurting. Shop around and you’ll find better deals on the materials that you need for your project.

Better Scheduling And Faster Work:

With fewer people doing renovations it is more likely that you’ll be able to get your work scheduled quicker and it will be completed faster.

Upgrading Your Home Will Help Maintain It’s Value:

The real estate market is getting hard hit right now. If you need to sell your home right now, doing upgrades to make it stand out and help it sell faster.

Interest Rates Are Down:

The Fed has slashed interest rates to banks so they are in turn offering better rates as they try to recover … Read More

Small Bathroom Remodels – Using 24" Bathroom Vanity Styles

Taking on home remodel projects is a fun and creative way to express your DIY self and bring in your personal style. If you are working on a small bathroom, give it a nice open feel and create an appearance of a larger space by using specific items and a some special techniques. Use light colors, the right mirror, and the perfect size of bathroom vanity and your small bathroom will look better than ever.

Open up the Space: When working with a small bathroom, you want to make the most of the space wherever possible. A great way to do this right off the bat is to choose a new vanity that has a good amount of under sink and counter storage space. By using a vanity that has good storage space, it will eliminate the need for things like over-toilet shelving units and multitudes of towel racks and hooks. Another way to create additional space is by using a built-in shelving unit. If you already have one, great; if you don’t, then consider installing one, they are great for storage space and because they are flush against the wall, it gives a clean appearance. Pedestal style vanities pair well with this type of shelving, because they are also great for creating the look of a cleaner and more open space.

Create Illusions: Add the feeling and look of additional space by playing with angles and reflection. Another option is to utilize mirrors for the purpose of creating the … Read More

Having a Residential Architect Design Your House Project

When you make the choice to design your own home, or make a moderation to your existing one, you want the very best, the perfect house. There are some things that need a professional touch and the design of your home is definitely one of them! A registered architect can provide you with an excellent, bespoke design and so much more, including building knowledge and suggestions for how to make your home energy efficient.

In addition to having an excellent knowledge of house planning and of the build industry as a whole, a professional architect will also have the correct understanding of permissions you need and local requirements. They can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run because they can prevent you from bumping into problems. If you employ an architect for the duration of your build, they can over-see the whole construction process, thus reducing your stress significantly!

Once you have found an architect which suits your project (many have samples of their portfolio online for you to view), you need to make it clear to him/her what your design brief is. This includes a list of what you require (such as room sizes and types and what you will need to fit into the spaces) but could also include some pictures of existing designs that you like the look of. Although you want to make your home look exactly as you have dreamt, remember that any recommendations your architect makes are because they … Read More