Here are some quick tips to consider when remodeling your bathroom.
1. The focal point in most bathrooms is usually the bathtub or shower. If you spruce up the main
focus, the entire bathroom freshens up.
2. Replacing bathroom fixtures with modern designs can make a bathroom pop with decorative style.
3. A new paint color can change the appearance of the room dramatically, with little cost. Remember to use a mold- and mildew-proof primer.
4. A common rule of thumb is to never move any fixture if you don’t have to – leave your fixtures where they are.
5. No matter if you’re building or revamping a bathroom, you need to check whether or not your septic system can accommodate the increased water usage.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
We've Joined Twitter
We've joined the Twitter community!
You can follow us at http://twitter.com/homesavvi (@HomeSavvi). Find home remodeling tweets, in real time.
You can follow us at http://twitter.com/homesavvi (@HomeSavvi). Find home remodeling tweets, in real time.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Give us your Dusty Dirty Home Remodeling Pictures - and get a FREE $10 Amazon Gift Card!
Many of us have been through remodeling projects - a bathroom, kitchen, or an entire floor or home. HomeSavvi wants your story - and your pictures! We want your dusty, dirty demolition and remodeling photos - and we'll give you $10 for them. An early holiday gift from HomeSavvi!
Don't forget to share this opportunity with a friend!
Don't forget to share this opportunity with a friend!
Friday, December 5, 2008
How to Work with a Contractor
Top 13 Recommended Tips on Working with a Contractor
1) Be sure to carefully review drawings with your contractor and make decisions on materials together and put them in writing.
2) Once you choose your contractor, you and the contractor should make a written contract that consists of both of your names, addresses and details of all the work to be performed along with the materials used and agreed payments and dates.
3) If you have doubts after you've signed the contract with your contractor, remember that contracts signed in your home with your contractor or his agent can likely be canceled by you within three working days. Discuss this with your contractor.
4) Make sure that all materials are specified by brand, model, color, quantity, size, etc.
5) Start dates and completion dates should be noted. Allowances should be specified for uncontrollable delays.
6) No work should occur until you have approved the plans.
7) Check for a procedure on handling changes once a project has begun.
8) Ask your contractor for a timeline of what happens when, the order of steps, and the length of each step. This will help you and your contractor set expectations.
9) Be sure to clearly articulate your vision for the project to the contractor, along with your budget.
10) Don't be afraid to ask your contractor questions and show your interest in the project, but try to avoid micro-managing.
11) Some states require contractor workmanship warranties. They must be noted as either FULL or LIMITED. Be sure you discuss and understand all workmanship warranty details before accepting a contract.
12) The contractor is responsible for calling inspections - but it's up to you to make sure they actually happen.
13) Ask your contractor what you can expect in terms of disruption of your daily life and how long it would be.
For additional advice on how to work with a contractor, read Tips for Remodeling Your Home.
1) Be sure to carefully review drawings with your contractor and make decisions on materials together and put them in writing.
2) Once you choose your contractor, you and the contractor should make a written contract that consists of both of your names, addresses and details of all the work to be performed along with the materials used and agreed payments and dates.
3) If you have doubts after you've signed the contract with your contractor, remember that contracts signed in your home with your contractor or his agent can likely be canceled by you within three working days. Discuss this with your contractor.
4) Make sure that all materials are specified by brand, model, color, quantity, size, etc.
5) Start dates and completion dates should be noted. Allowances should be specified for uncontrollable delays.
6) No work should occur until you have approved the plans.
7) Check for a procedure on handling changes once a project has begun.
8) Ask your contractor for a timeline of what happens when, the order of steps, and the length of each step. This will help you and your contractor set expectations.
9) Be sure to clearly articulate your vision for the project to the contractor, along with your budget.
10) Don't be afraid to ask your contractor questions and show your interest in the project, but try to avoid micro-managing.
11) Some states require contractor workmanship warranties. They must be noted as either FULL or LIMITED. Be sure you discuss and understand all workmanship warranty details before accepting a contract.
12) The contractor is responsible for calling inspections - but it's up to you to make sure they actually happen.
13) Ask your contractor what you can expect in terms of disruption of your daily life and how long it would be.
For additional advice on how to work with a contractor, read Tips for Remodeling Your Home.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Top 15 Questions to Ask in a Contractor Interview
If you're thinking about remodeling your home, remember to do your homework before signing the contract with a contractor.
Here are a list of the top 15 questions to ask a contractor, to help guide you through selecting the right contractor for your remodel:
1. What professional designations do you have, such as Certified Graduate Remodeler or Certified ‘Aging In Place Specialist?'
2. How do you like to work with clients?
Be sure whether their system or style will work for you.
3. Who is on-site daily to manage the work?
4. How long have you worked with your trade's contractors (i.e. plumbing, electrical, and drywall contractors) and how long have you been in business?
Some builders are one-person companies that hire sub-contractors on an "as needed" basis.
5. How do you screen your trade's contractors?
6. What is your average for on-time/within-budget completion?
7. Can you give me some references of home owners and subcontractors who you've worked for/with in the past, that I can call?
When following these references, evaluate the contractor's professionalism, performance, quality of work, whether the contractor sticks to a quote or comes in way over budget, and whether the project was completed on time. Also, trades contractors can reveal a lot about a building and remodeling contractor, including whether they are good to work for and pay on time -- this speaks volumes about the contractor's business practices and integrity.
8. Can I see photos of your completed projects?
9. Do you warranty your work?
10. What can I expect in terms of the disruption to my daily life and for how long?
11. Have you had any complaints filed against you with the state attorney general's office or BBB?
Don't forget to check with these organizations to verify the clean record.
12. Are you licensed and may I have copies of your insurance certificates for worker's comp and liability insurance?
13. What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, such as permits, utility hook-ups, and builder's risk insurance?
14. Can you give me a timeline of what happens when (the order of steps and length of each step?)
15. If we select your firm, what happens next and when do I owe money?
Find more contractor tips here- Renovate vs. Selling in a Buyer's Market.
Here are a list of the top 15 questions to ask a contractor, to help guide you through selecting the right contractor for your remodel:
1. What professional designations do you have, such as Certified Graduate Remodeler or Certified ‘Aging In Place Specialist?'
2. How do you like to work with clients?
Be sure whether their system or style will work for you.
3. Who is on-site daily to manage the work?
4. How long have you worked with your trade's contractors (i.e. plumbing, electrical, and drywall contractors) and how long have you been in business?
Some builders are one-person companies that hire sub-contractors on an "as needed" basis.
5. How do you screen your trade's contractors?
6. What is your average for on-time/within-budget completion?
7. Can you give me some references of home owners and subcontractors who you've worked for/with in the past, that I can call?
When following these references, evaluate the contractor's professionalism, performance, quality of work, whether the contractor sticks to a quote or comes in way over budget, and whether the project was completed on time. Also, trades contractors can reveal a lot about a building and remodeling contractor, including whether they are good to work for and pay on time -- this speaks volumes about the contractor's business practices and integrity.
8. Can I see photos of your completed projects?
9. Do you warranty your work?
10. What can I expect in terms of the disruption to my daily life and for how long?
11. Have you had any complaints filed against you with the state attorney general's office or BBB?
Don't forget to check with these organizations to verify the clean record.
12. Are you licensed and may I have copies of your insurance certificates for worker's comp and liability insurance?
13. What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, such as permits, utility hook-ups, and builder's risk insurance?
14. Can you give me a timeline of what happens when (the order of steps and length of each step?)
15. If we select your firm, what happens next and when do I owe money?
Find more contractor tips here- Renovate vs. Selling in a Buyer's Market.
Home Remodeling Etiquette Tips
So you’ve decided to remodel? Exciting for you, but how do your neighbors feel about it? Homeowners need to remember that neighbors may not feel quite as thrilled with the project as they are. Find out how you can make peace with your neighbors during your remodel.
Remember: While remodeling, be a good neighbor
1) Take a moment to inform the neighborhood of their plans, length of construction time and who will be doing the remodeling job.
2) Let neighbors know well in advance about your remodeling plans and keep them apprised of progress, detail by detail.
3) Tell neighbors when work will begin, the approximate completion date, what work will be done and whether workers might have to come onto their property.
4) Make sure noisy power tools are only used during standard business hours. Reasonable hours are weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
5) Inform your neighbors of any large trucks entering the neighborhood and ask subcontractors to park on one side of the street only.
6) Try your best to have materials dropped off in your driveway or yard rather than the street, and keep your yard as tidy as possible.
7) Watch for debris that might find its way onto your neighbors' yards, especially if a roofing project is involved.
7) Remove dumpsters as quickly as possible. If you have room left in your last dumpster, invite neighbors to dump anything they might have lurking in their garage that needs tossing.
Read more about Remodeling Etiquette.
Remember: While remodeling, be a good neighbor
1) Take a moment to inform the neighborhood of their plans, length of construction time and who will be doing the remodeling job.
2) Let neighbors know well in advance about your remodeling plans and keep them apprised of progress, detail by detail.
3) Tell neighbors when work will begin, the approximate completion date, what work will be done and whether workers might have to come onto their property.
4) Make sure noisy power tools are only used during standard business hours. Reasonable hours are weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
5) Inform your neighbors of any large trucks entering the neighborhood and ask subcontractors to park on one side of the street only.
6) Try your best to have materials dropped off in your driveway or yard rather than the street, and keep your yard as tidy as possible.
7) Watch for debris that might find its way onto your neighbors' yards, especially if a roofing project is involved.
7) Remove dumpsters as quickly as possible. If you have room left in your last dumpster, invite neighbors to dump anything they might have lurking in their garage that needs tossing.
Read more about Remodeling Etiquette.
Friday, November 21, 2008
HomeSavvi: New and Improved
Within the next few weeks, we’ll be updating HomeSavvi’s website with a new design and features! You’ll be able to ask your remodeling questions to local remodeling professionals, find remodeling products and stores more easily, and share your remodeling projects with friends and family.
Here’s a sneak peak of what’s coming next:
Let us know what you think!
Here’s a sneak peak of what’s coming next:
Let us know what you think!
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