Today I’m happy to have a guest post by Tim Johnson from Relocation.com, take it away Tim:
When I bought my new apartment at the tippy-top of the market, a wise person gave me a sage piece of advice (not the same guy who advocated buying at the top of the market, btw):
If you want to get any work done on your new home, do it BEFORE you move in.
This might seem obvious, but moving is a stressful time, and you’ll be amazed at the amount of things that will be competing for your attention and time.
So between your closing and the time you move in, taking care of a few things at your new home will save you a ton of time, energy and expense going forward.
* Clean it: Of all the tasks associated with moving, this is probably the last thing you’ll want to do at your new home, so consider a professional cleaning crew. They’ll do a better job than you will, and you’ll be less stressed.
In particular, have them focus on the bathrooms. To put it gently, this is an area that you’ll want to be sure to erase any evidence (seen or unseen) of previous owners. This is a must if you’re buying a foreclosed or a short-sale property.
* Buff it: If your new place has hardwood floors and they need some work (or will likely need work soon), do it now. In addition to the workers needing unencumbered access to the floors, the floors will also need time to dry out.
* Paint it: It’s much easier painting an empty room than moving the furniture into the center of the room, covering everything in plastic, and then waiting several days for the place to air out.
* Make it energy-efficient: Aim for the obvious stuff: install energy-efficient doors and windows, do any caulking that needs doing, install green-friendly thermostats, and consider some extra insulation.
* Enviro-proof it: Look at your kitchen and determine the most efficient places to set up recycling bins. Many local governments now mandate recycling vigilance – and will fine you if you don’t play by the rules.
* Remodel it: If you know you want to redo the bathroom or the kitchen eventually (and you’re still solvent from your move), think about having that work done now. Both projects create a lot of noise and dust, so it’s good to have them completed before you move in. And how cool would it be to have a brand new kitchen or bathroom at your new place?
Finally, now that you’ve done all that hard work, here are some tips for protecting your investment when the moving companies arrive with your stuff on moving day:
1. If you’re concerned about your floors or carpets, ask the moving company to lay down protective material to protect them. You might have to pay for it, but the expense is worth it.
2. If it’s raining, your movers might be able to set up an indoor and outdoor crew, so there’s no rain or mud being tracked into your home. Ask them about it.
About the author: Tim Johnson is the managing editor of Relocation.com, the leading online consumer resource for moving services. Read his blog on Relocation.com/blog, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/timjjohnson
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We’ve covered kitchen remodeling, home lighting and historic homes, and now we’re moving on to bathroom remodeling with the guidance of another industry expert: Jill Moskowitz of Bathroom Magic.
A bathroom, next to kitchens, is often the most remolded room in a home. So, it’s likely that if you haven’t already done a bathroom remodel, you might actually be considering one at this very moment. Jill will offer her insight on starting your own remodel, including planning, making the most of your budget, and other tricks of her trade.
Jill has been in the bathroom remodeling industry for 7 years, two of those years with her current position as a design consultant at New Jersey based Bathroom Magic. Jill spends much of her time going to customer’s home to provide them with a free consultation and help them start considering all the possibilities with their bathroom remodel.
Jill offers her insight into the world of bathroom remodeling:
1. For a homeowner who is considering a bathroom remodel, but who also has have a strict budget, how would you recommend they get the most value from the amount of money they can put in?
A tub liner with matching wall surround is a fabulous alternative to replacing an old cast iron or steel tub. Both functional and beautiful — without the mess and expense of removing the existing tub. If your vanity is in good shape, replace the countertop with a new one in CORIAN® and update the knobs. Choose a dynamic new faucet in a different finish. Paint the walls–color makes all the difference. These changes will all transform the room at a lower cost than a complete rip out.
2. Are there any major differences between planning a remodel for a full bath versus a half bath? If so what should the design focus be for each one?
A half bath will be making a statement to your guests. It is typically very decorative — functionality is not the major objective there.
For a full bath, I usually approach the remodel in a different way. Consider who will be using the bathroom. Will it be for children or adults? The remodel should absolutely take this into account. Unlike a half bath, the objective is first function and then beauty.
3. If a homeowner was going to splurge on one aspect of their bathroom remodel, what part would you tell them to splurge on?
Every case is different. If you are the person who uses your shower or bath experience for unwinding and relaxing, the tub and shower area would be the one I would suggest. Great showerheads and handshowers, body sprays etc. would make a huge difference. If you tend to enjoy your “me” time where hair and makeup take place, I would focus on the vanity and mirror upgrades – great lighting and cabinets with door and drawer space is always essential.
4. What are some of the most common problems that occur during a bathroom remodel that homeowners might not have foreseen?
Mold and mildew is the first problem most people have, especially interior bathrooms with no ventilation. Bathroom Magic is always prepared and ready with a solution for any unforeseen bathroom problems. Windows in tub areas are also an issue as many older homes have this situation and homeowners often want to close off the window. This now affects the outside of the home (siding, etc.) and becomes more of a project than they anticipated.
Homeowner Bathroom Before Remodel
5. If a homeowner cannot do a complete gut and replace remodel, what projects could they focus on to still make some major changes in the room?
You can still accomplish a total renovation without gutting a bathroom as long as existing plumbing and electrical can remain in the same place. An acrylic system is perfect for an existing tub/shower area. An updated vanity area as well with new mirror/medicine chest and changing of existing lighting fixtures. A new floor and toilet — a coat of paint on the walls and you have a brand new bathroom!
Finished Bathroom Remodel
6. Are there any new products or materials on the market that you really like for the bathroom?
We are working with CORIAN® surround systems in tub and shower areas. We create walls routed to appear like tile without the nuisance and maintenance of grout. We install this system in over 140 colors and offer fashionable tile patterns–giving you virtually hundreds of combinations. For those tile lovers that realize the issues associated with grout, this is the perfect bathroom solution—and very glamorous. CORIAN® wall surrounds are offered exclusively by Bathroom Magic.
Remodeled acrylic tub and shower in Travertine
7. If you had one piece of advice for a homeowner starting their own renovation what would it be?
Let your bathroom be reflective of who you are. There are thousands of options available and this can be an overwhelming task. Work with a qualified design and build company, such as Bathroom Magic who can offer you solutions at different price points. All that matters is that in the end you will have the bathroom that you are envisioning. Look at this project as an investment in your home and your family. Once completed, this will be something you will enjoy each and every day.
As promised, below is the second part of the interview from Michelle Steinback of Schoolhouse Electric Co. If you missed part one of the interview, you can read it here.
Schoolhouse Electric Interview – Part Two
1. If a homeowner was going to splurge on one part of their home’s lighting system, what would it be?
Typically people spend the most on light fixtures for their entertaining spaces including the living room, dining room and kitchen. These rooms set the tone for the house and are a good place to splurge.
2. You provide many lighting options for homeowners trying to do authentic period renovations, what do you love about older fixtures and lighting that we lack in contemporary designs?
Two things: Details and quality.
Almost all lighting and hardware is made overseas these days. Fine detailing is overlooked and the quality is spotty. We are bucking that trend by keeping our manufacturing in the USA so we can keep craftspeople and time honored production techniques alive here in America. We take great pride in every detail and the quality of American made parts far and away superior. Another advantage to manufacturing in the USA is that it reduces the carbon footprint of our products by eliminating the need to transport materials around the world. Our light fixtures are built to last 100 years and can be re-wired or easily recycled at the end of their life, unlike disposable quality lights made overseas and sold at big box stores. We take pride in our products and do not cut corners—just like the good old days.
3. I tend to focus more on the style of lighting fixtures rather than the function, how can homeowners find a balance between style and function for their own lighting design?
Think of lighting in terms of layers to open the most possibilities and flexibility in your design. Consider mixing overhead ambient lights with sconces, recessed lighting, indirect lighting (such as under counter lighting) and/or table or floor lamps to achieve the level of light you need in a room. For instance, if you are working on a kitchen design and want a set of “eye candy” pendants over your island but you know they are not going to put off enough light for all the task areas in the room, be sure to add additional layers of lighting to make the space functional and adaptable to different uses.
4. Ok, and finally, we love local Portland businesses like yourself, what other local businesses should homeowners know about if they are working on a home renovation or remodeling project?
Portlanders love their house projects. What else are we suppose to do when it rains all of the time? Luckily we are a hot bed for renovation supply companies and organizations. Be sure to check these places check out:
North Portland Tool Library /http://www.northportlandtoollibrary.org Unless you live in North Portland you won’t be able to check out tools for your renovation project here (for free!) but this is a fantastic organization. I encourage people to check them out so you can start a tool library in your own community!
Architectural Heritage Center /http://www.visitahc.org/ The Architectural Heritage Center is a non-profit resource center for historic preservation, located in Portland, Oregon. They host dozens of programs, workshops, and exhibits each year. They are also caretakers of one of the largest collections of architectural artifacts in the United States.
NW Renovation Magazine /http://www.nwrenovation.com/ This is a local free publication that posts all of their content on-line for everyone to enjoy. They are a great resource with lots of current information and a great DIY section.
Pratt and Larson /http://www.prattandlarson.com/ Handcrafted tile made here in Portland, one at a time. Love them and you will too.
Old Portland Hardware /http://www.oldportlandhardware.com/ Everyone is talking about this new company specializing in vintage hardware. Top notch is the word on the street.
A-Ball Plumbing /http://www.a-ball.com/ They are another institution in Portland and carry some of the harder to find reproduction plumbing items.
Winks Hardware /http://www.winkshardware.com/ This is the hardware store that has everything that you need but can’t find anywhere else. Grab a ticket and wait in line M-F because this is where all of the contractors go. The knowledgeable staff is first rate!
There is nothing I like more than featuring local businesses I love from the Portland area. Two weeks ago I was proud to feature an interview with a designer at Neil Kelly, and this week I have another great Portland company who was willing to answer my questions, Schoolhouse Electric Co.
Michelle Steinback, General Manager of Schoolhouse Electric Co., had a wealth of information to share with us on successfully lighting your home.
Michelle is a Portland native who has been with Schoolhouse Electric Co. since the company’s founding in May 2003. Since then the company has grown from two employees to twenty, including a showroom in Portland, Oregon and one in New York, and a factory where the metal finishing and assembly take place. Michelle oversees the daily operation of the company including everything from product development & marketing to customer service & quality control.
This interview has so much great information packed into it I’ll be breaking it up into two posts. Continue to read part one, and come back on Thursday for part two.
Schoolhouse Electric Interview – Part One:
1. Why are lighting fixtures and lighting design an important part of a home remodeling project?
We think of lighting as house jewelry. It can pull together a space and certainly makes a statement about the finish quality and style of a home. Tasteful lighting and woodwork are the kind of details that give houses timeless character and appeal.
2. What is the most important thing that a homeowner should consider when planning to install new lighting in their home?
Consider the big picture. Choose timeless designs and high quality fixtures that will stand the test of time. Avoid trendy looks and disposable quality fixtures that will fail quickly and end up in the landfill—wasting your time and money.
3. Can you give a quick rundown by room on what the lighting focus should be for each space – ie, kitchen lighting, bathroom lighting, etc.
Living Room: Many people use one or more ceiling-mount light fixtures to provide illumination for their living rooms. Wall sconces placed around the room can also provide general light for the space. Some use a combination of ceiling and wall fixtures. For example, if you have a fireplace in your living room, you may choose to light the room from overhead while providing supplemental light by highlighting the fireplace with wall sconces.
Single-socket surface mount or multiple-socket pan fixtures are good choices for living areas depending on the amount of light needed. Single-socket ceiling-mount fixtures often provide up to a maximum 100 or 150 watts of incandescent light output. Fixtures with multiple sockets usually take a minimum of 60 watts of incandescent light per light bulb. More sockets often mean more light.
In living areas where people will be moving underneath the light(s), a good rule of thumb is to keep a minimum of 7’ of clearance from the floor for rooms with 8’ ceilings and 7.5’ of clearance from the floor for ceilings that are 9’ or higher.
Dining Room: Chandeliers and drop-pan light fixtures provide an essential element of style in a dining area but they also provide ample light for the room. If you choose to hang or drop your light fixture from the ceiling, a good overall length from the ceiling to the very bottom of the fixture and glass is in a range that is approximately 36” to 46” off the top of the table, or 66” to 76” off the floor.
Bedroom: A single ceiling mount light fixture is a good choice for ambient light in a bedroom. Many bedrooms in the houses in Portland have single-socket surface mount fixtures with 75 to 100 watt incandescent (or compact fluorescent equivalent) light bulbs that provide ample light for the space. The light output needed for a bedroom, like other rooms, depends on size and ceiling height but is generally less than the light output needed in a kitchen or living room.
Bathroom: Bathrooms may be the most important rooms in the house for task lighting. If you are selecting wall-mounted lighting for your bathroom, focus on your mirror(s). Lighting thoughtfully placed above or beside a mirror can provide more than adequate light so that many bathrooms do not require both ceiling and wall mount light fixtures. Some bathrooms have fanlights, which can provide supplemental light to that over a mirror.
Most wall-mounted bathroom light fixtures have open shades, and sockets are usually rated between 75 and 100 incandescent watts. Two single-socket wall sconces beside mirrors or one double or triple-socket light fixture above mirrors will provide good light for shaving and make-up.
When placing lights beside your mirror, place them somewhere in a range that is between 65” and 70” off the floor and approximately 30” apart. When placing a light fixture over a medicine cabinet, make sure there is clearance for the door to swing.
Kitchen: Many people use a combination of task and ambient lighting in the kitchen. The goal is good quality light with enough illumination to see and be safe in your work or eating spaces. Depending on your ceiling height, pendant lights can bring light down into the room and closer to your table or countertop. Pendant lights usually allow for higher output light bulbs, and opal glass shades that act as lenses provide even light — without shadows — in all directions.
Hang pendant lights so that the bottom of the light (including glass) falls somewhere between 36“ and 46” off the top of the workspace, or 72” and 82” off the floor.
Tricks of the Trade: When you are trying to determine the overall length you would like your new fixture to be, hang a piece of string and a balloon or paper plate (or something to give you a sense of scale) from your ceiling, and try out lengths within the recommended range. This will allow you to stand back and look at the total drop as well as practice moving underneath it, and you will find it much easier to make your decision on length than by simply holding a measuring tape to the ceiling.
Dimmer switches can be used to control the amount of light a fixture provides and work well in rooms that serve multiple purposes. For example, a dining room table may be used for entertaining and also for reading the paper, paying bills, etc. While bright light is not needed to serve and eat meals, the option of adjusting the brightness of the light to see when you read or write allows rooms to serve multiple uses. Dimmers can also help save energy; using less light uses less power.
Energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are a “green” alternative to incandescent light bulbs because they use a fraction of the power to yield the same light output, but they can’t be dimmed. Energy-efficient CFLs last much longer than incandescent light bulbs and are ultimately better for the environment.
Check back on Thursday for the second part of Michelle’s interview where she will cover topics such as how to choose lighting that has both style and functionality, and about Schoolhouse’s historic lighting options.
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We helped put together a city DIY guide for our fair city: Portland, OR.
We included many of our favorite local business, who we often feature here as well.
Check out the full DIY City Guide: Portland over on their blog — they’ve also got lots of other great posts to check out, so if you’ve never visited their site before, I’m sure you’ll be bookmarking it soon.
Big thanks again to Charles & Hudson for letting us help on this project!
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Here’s the second installment of our new feature from fellow home bloggers talking about what they learned from embarking on their home renovations. Last week we got some insight from the interior design and home renovating wizards at ThisYoungHouse, and today we’re happy to have Leah of HouseObsession.
Leah has a historic home in the seeming-to-get-hipper-everyday city of Philadelphia. With corporate headquarters for pop culture mega store Urban Outfitters in the city, trend setting is woven into the lifestyle here.
Leah is managing to create a home that intertwines current designers and patterns (Orla Kiely wallpaper), with classic historic features. The final product (like this kitchen) is both modern and timeless — a difficult feat to accomplish.
Read on for Leah’s take on doing your own window installation, removing old paint, and the one thing that totally irks her about her gorgeous kitchen:
1. What has been your greatest accomplishment while working on your home?
Installing my living room windows myself. I hired someone to do several windows when I first purchased the house, but now I’ve learned how to do it myself, and I wish I’d tackled it on my own beforehand. I’d have saved a lot of money.
2. What is one thing you wished you would have done differently?
I think there are always things you wish you’d done differently. There are quite a few things in my bathroom I wish I’d done differently…but one small thing that constantly bugs me involves my kitchen countertop. The seam in my marble counter is right in the center of my sink. Because it’s right there, it is very small…as opposed to being on the side and being quite large. However, it drives me nuts that it’s right there in the front. My eye always goes to it. I sometimes also wish I’d gone with Corian. (Oh, wait…that’s two things.)
3. Has there ever been a project you started where you realized it might have been way over your head?
Trying to remove the paint off my banister. I thought it would be easy to remove. We purchased Peel Away, and although we got down to the wood in many places, it’s not been so easy to remove overall. There is still a ton of pain left on it, and I finally gave up. I need to get back to that soon. It’s horribly ugly at the moment.
4. If you had one piece of advice for someone starting out on major renovations, what would you tell them?
I’d tell them to meticulously budget every single detailed item they can think of to get a sense of what the costs will be, then I’d tell them to expect to add another 20% on top of that for things they didn’t see coming.
5. What are some of your favorite remodeling resources?
Charles & Hudson blog, Re-Store Philadelphia for recycled house parts, HGTV for fun projects and inspiration, my local True Value Hardware Store (never underestimate your local, small hardware store!), Apartment Therapy for inspiration.
Thanks Leah! Good luck on your continued remodeling and renovating!
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Looking back it’s easy to see where things went wrong, or what you would have done differently.
For a homeowner, having the helpful hindsight of others can be priceless, especially if you’re a new homeowner with big renovation plans on your mind.
To help you avoid having “woulda, shoulda, coulda” renovation moments, I’m working on compiling the insights and experiences of a number of my favorite bloggers who are working through their own renovations and remodels…and doing it successfully!
Our first feature is from John and Sherry of ThisYoungHouse.com. This young couple is documenting the remodel of their home in Richmond, Virginia. A modern, fresh and young take on home renovation this couple’s blog is a testament to the great changes you can accomplish – even if you’re on a budget!
Because of their success on their own home, they’ve also taken to helping others fix up their spaces as well. When readers write in with pictures of a space screaming for a makeover, John and Sherry provide mood boards and color swatches to help the reader understand a vision for their space. More often than not the transformation is breathtaking.
Sherry was kind enough to answer my questions and talk about her backyard wedding, working through some 50-year-old bathroom plumbing issues, and of course where she goes for inspiration.
Take it away Sherry:
1. What has been your greatest accomplishment while working on your home?
Our greatest accomplishment has been completely overhauling a dated and dingy home on a serious budget. From thrift store trolling (where we found our living room coffee table and our armchair in the den) to brainstorming creative low-cost solutions (like using bamboo blinds as “cabinet doors” in our laundry room) we’re really thrilled with the result.
2. What is one thing you wished you would have done differently?
One of our biggest regrets is that we didn’t complete more of the renovation before our at-home backyard wedding in July of 2007. We knew it was possibly the only time that many of our distant friends and relatives would see our home so we did our best with what we had (painted the walls and trimmed the bushes). But we’ll probably always wish that our kitchen remodel and our dining-room-to-third-bedroom conversion along with our new mocha wood flooring could have been completed before the wedding so our friends and family could have seen the big transformation. Ah well, better late than never, right?
(John and Sherry’s Final Kitchen Remodel)
3. Has there ever been a project you started where you realized it might have been way over your head?
Switching out our bathroom’s shower knobs was quite a debacle! With 50 year old plumbing we knew we were in over our heads the minute we tried to loosen a bolt and were sprayed in the eye with water. Thankfully a local plumber came out and saved the day. Three hundred dollars later we had completely updated bathroom plumbing behind the walls and shiny new bathroom fixtures too. The lesson: we can handle electrical projects, but we’ll leave major plumbing jobs to the experts.
(The oh-so-chic! master bedroom remodel)
4. If you had one piece of advice for someone starting out on major renovations, what would you tell them?
Well, first we’d tell them that budgets will be exceeded and timelines will never be met. It helps to manage your expectations ahead of time so you can enjoy the ride instead of gritting your teeth the whole time. Then we’d just say have fun! There’s nothing like watching your house become your dream home before your very eyes.
(The remodeled den)
5. What are some of your favorite remodeling resources?
As far as blogs go, we adore the blogs MakingItLovely, Decorno and Decor8 for constant inspiration. We also look to glossy mags like House Beautiful, Domino and old copies of Cottage Living for eye candy. And as for our favorite places to shop for yummy home decor and furnishings, we love ZGallerie, The Company Store, West Elm, TJ Maxx, Jamali Garden (for great cheap little accessories) and of course Target and Ikea for inexpensive and affordable staples. Oh and JC Penney has some surprisingly fabulous finds on a budget. Most people don’t believe that every room in our house is filled with inexpensive furnishings from big retailers like Target, Ikea, and West Elm but we’re totally cheap when it comes to our house, so we prefer to mix inexpensive pieces for a deceptively high-end look on a dime. In fact, you can click here for a room by room rundown of our furnishings and accessories. Long live inexpensive interior decorating!
Thanks John and Sherry!
Next week: Check out another interview with Leah ofHouse Obsession
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Welcome to the first post of ReliableRemodeler.com’s new feature: Expert Interviews. I am working to gather a wide range of experts in the home improvement and remodeling field to bring you their insight and experience. There is only so much I know, so bringing in experts and asking them about their specialities will get the best information to you, and hopefully give you some insight into a project you may have been considering.
Today we start with the kitchen, the heart of the home, and one of the most popular rooms to be remodeled by homeowners. I’ve asked Linda Fennessy ofKitchen Magicto lend her 5 years of industry expertise to our site by answering the following questions about kitchen remodeling:
1. What do you think is the most important feature of any kitchen? Why?
The most important part of the kitchen is its style. The kitchen should always reflect the lifestyle of its owners. If there are usually more than two cooks, then there should be ample space for more than one person in the general preparation area. If other tasks are done in the kitchen, (homework and arts & crafts) then there should be seating at the island for these projects. And finally, the style of the kitchen. This will resemble the style of its owner to a “T”—comtemporary, traditional, eclectic or colorful. –Kitchen Magic has hundreds of color and style combinations to choose from.
2. For a homeowner on a budget, what kind of kitchen project would you recommend for them to get the most change in look and function, and to get the most bang for their buck?
To get the most out of a kitchen budget, cabinet refacing, in wood or laminate, with Corian countertops is the best bet! Refacing saves up to 50% over all new cabinetry and you generally can’t tell the difference. 80% of what you see in your kitchen is doors and drawer fronts. If your cabinets are sturdy and the layout is staying the same, then cabinet refacing is the answer…The perfect solution for the kitchen.
Now that you saved with cabinet refacing, you can afford to upgrade the appliances or that dated old floor.
Example of kitchen cabinet refacing
BEFORE
AFTER
3. Are there any new products or materials on the market that you really like for the kitchen? Kitchen Magic has exclusive color and styles of laminate doors not offered by anyone else in their market area. Our new Vintage Glazed series has the look of a designer wood door, priced significantly less. Plus, laminate is more kitchen friendly and easier to clean.
4. What’s your best piece of advice for a homeowner about to start a kitchen remodel?
Don’t wait to have your new kitchen just because you think you can’t afford it. Often customers think a kitchen project has to be paid for all at once. Most people can’t remember the last time they paid for a new car in one shot. A kitchen is no different. We have great financing programs so all a customer has to do is budget an affordable monthly payment.
Thanks Linda!
In the coming weeks look for more expert interviews on topics beyond the kitchen.
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