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7 Savvy Tips for a Fabulous Kitchen Remodel!
February 20, 2016
Homeowners spend more money on kitchen remodeling than on any other home improvement project. And with good reason: Kitchens are the hub of home life and a source of pride.
A significant portion of kitchen remodeling costs may be recovered by the value the project brings to your home. A complete kitchen renovation with a national median cost of $60,000 recovers about 67% of the initial project cost at the home’s resale.
The project gets a big thumbs-up from homeowners, too. Those polled in the “Report” gave their new kitchen a Joy Score of 9.8 — a rating based on those who said they were happy or satisfied with their remodeling, with 10 being the highest rating and 1 the lowest.
Stainless steel kitchen faucet and sink. Modern kitchen interior
Follow these seven strategies to get the most financial gain on your kitchen remodel!
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Plan, Plan, Plan!
Planning your kitchen remodel should take more time than the actual construction. If you plan well, the amount of time you’re inconvenienced by construction mayhem will be minimized. Plus, you’re more likely to stay on budget. How much time should you spend planning? The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends at least six months. That way, you won’t be tempted to change your mind during construction and create change orders, which will inflate construction costs and hurt your return on investment.
Some tips on planning:
— Study your existing kitchen: How wide is the doorway into your kitchen? It’s a common mistake many homeowners make: Buying the extra-large fridge only to find they can’t get it in the doorway. To avoid mistakes like this, create a drawing of your kitchen with measurements for doorways, walkways, counters, etc. And don’t forget height, too.
— Think about traffic patterns: Work aisles should be a minimum of 42 inches wide and at least 48 inches wide for households with multiple cooks.
— Design with ergonomics in mind: Drawers or pull-out shelves in base cabinets; counter heights that can adjust up or down; a wall oven instead of a range: These are all features that make a kitchen accessible to everyone — and a pleasure to work in.
— Plan for the unforeseeable: Even if you’ve planned down to the number of nails you’ll need in your remodel, expect the unexpected. Build in a little leeway for completing the remodel. Want it done by Thanksgiving? Then plan to be done before Halloween.
— Choose all your fixtures and materials before starting: Contractors will be able to make more accurate bids, and you’ll lessen the risk of delays because of back orders.
— Don’t be afraid to seek help: A professional designer can simplify your kitchen remodel. Pros help make style decisions, foresee potential problems, and schedule contractors. Expect fees around $50 to $150 per hour, or 5% to 15% of the total cost of the project.
2. Keep the Same Footprint!
Nothing will drive up the cost of a remodel faster than changing the location of plumbing pipes and electrical outlets, and knocking down walls. This is usually where unforeseen problems occur. So, if possible, keep appliances, water fixtures, and walls in the same location. Not only will you save on demolition and reconstruction costs, you’ll cut the amount of dust and debris your project generates.
3. Get Real About Appliances!
It’s easy to get carried away when planning your new kitchen. A six-burner commercial-grade range and luxury-brand refrigerator may make eye-catching centerpieces, but they may not fit your cooking needs or lifestyle. Appliances are essentially tools used to cook and store food. Your kitchen remodel shouldn’t be about the tools, but the design and functionality of the entire kitchen. So, unless you’re an exceptional cook who cooks a lot, concentrate your dollars on long-term features that add value, such as cabinets and flooring.
4. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Lighting!
Lighting can make a world of difference in a kitchen. It can make it look larger and brighter. And it will help you work safely and efficiently. You should have two different types of lighting in your kitchen:
— Task Lighting: Under-cabinet lighting should be on your must-do list, since cabinets create such dark work areas. And since you’re remodeling, there won’t be a better time to hard-wire your lights. (Here’s more about under-cabinet lights.) Plan for at least two fixtures per task area to eliminate shadows. Pendant lights are good for islands and other counters without low cabinets. Recessed lights and track lights work well over sinks and general prep areas with no cabinets overhead.
— Ambient lighting: Flush-mounted ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, and track lights create overall lighting in your kitchen. Include dimmer switches to control intensity and mood.
5. Be Quality-Conscious!
Functionality and durability should be top priorities during kitchen remodeling. Resist low-quality bargains, and choose products that combine low maintenance with long warranty periods. Solid-surface countertops, for instance, may cost a little more, but with the proper care, they’ll look great for a long time. And if you’re planning on moving soon, products with substantial warranties are a selling advantage.
6. Add Storage, Not Space!
Storage will never go out of style, but if you’re sticking with the same footprint, here are a couple of ideas to add more:
— Install cabinets that reach the ceiling: They may cost more — and you might need a stepladder — but you’ll gain valuable storage space for Christmas platters and other once-a-year items. In addition, you won’t have to dust cabinet tops.
— Hang it up: Mount small shelving units on unused wall areas and inside cabinet doors; hang stock pots and large skillets on a ceiling-mounted rack; and add hooks to the backs of closet doors for aprons, brooms, and mops.
7. Communicate Clearly With Your Remodelers!
Establishing a good rapport with your project manager or construction team is essential for staying on budget. To keep the sweetness in your project:
— Drop by the project during work hours: Your presence broadcasts your commitment to quality.
— Establish a communication routine: Hang a message board on site where you and the project manager can leave daily communiqués. Give your email address and cell phone number to subs and team leaders.
— Set house rules: Be clear about smoking, boom box noise levels, available bathrooms, and appropriate parking.
— Be kind: Offer refreshments (a little hospitality can go a long way), give praise when warranted, and resist pestering them with conversation, jokes, and questions when they are working. They’ll work better when refreshed and allowed to concentrate on work.
Evaluate Your Home for Basement Finishing!
February 18, 2016
Some unfinished basements are better basement finishing candidates than others. Here’s how to evaluate your space for a basement finishing.
Basement finishing is a great way to add that extra bedroom or playroom you’ve always wanted, if you have the money and space.
Basement Remodel Cost!
— The per-square-foot price of basement finishing starts at about $90 per square foot and can climb higher depending on how much or how little remodeling you must do. According to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report” from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the national median cost of remodeling a basement into a 15-foot-by-25-foot playroom is $36,000. You’ll get 69% of that investment back if you should sell your home. Meanwhile, settle into contentment — homeowners responding to the “Report” gave their basement project a Joy Score of 9.4 — a rating based on those who said they were happy or satisfied with their project, with 10 being the highest rating and 1 the lowest. And, you won’t have to dig and lay a foundation or frame and insulate exterior walls — that’s already done.
Depending on your circumstances, here’s what you’ll need to know:
Building to Code!
— The International Residential Code (IRC) says a basement living space must have a clear, floor-to-ceiling height of at least 7 feet (6 feet for bathrooms). Local codes for basement finishing may vary, and exceptions are made for the presence of exposed structural beams, girders, or mechanical system components along the ceiling, but only if they’re spaced at least 4 feet apart and extend no more than 6 inches from the ceiling. If your existing basement ceiling height doesn’t meet those specifications, you have two options, and neither is cheap:
- Raise your house and build up the foundation around it to gain the ceiling height you need.
- Lower the floor, which entails removing the existing concrete slab floor, excavating to the desired level, and pouring new concrete footings and a floor slab.
Both options during basement finishing require professional and precise engineering, excavation, and structural work that will cost at least $20,000.
Add a Staircase!
— The IRC also governs the staircase that leads from your home’s main level to the basement remodel. Requirements include a handrail and stairs with proper width, tread, and riser dimensions. There must be at least 6 ft. 8 inches of headroom at every point along the staircase. If the stairway isn’t wide enough (at least 36 inches) or the steps aren’t to code, you may have to rebuild them during basement finishing, an extra cost of about $2,000.
Condition the Space!
— Heating and cooling your basement finishing can be as simple as tapping into existing HVAC main trunks and adding a couple of vents ($1,000) or as complicated as upgrading your entire heating and cooling systems ($7,000 to $15,000). Your contractor will have to “size” your existing system to make sure it can handle the additional load and will comply with building codes that consider health and safety, such as adequate venting of furnace combustion gasses.
Cure Moisture Problems!
— You’ll have to fix moisture problems before basement finishing begins. You may have to waterproof walls and floors, grade the yard so water falls away from the foundation, install a sump pump, or install drains around the foundation, all or any of which can add thousands in costs.
Add Emergency Egress!
— Code dictates that basement finishing have at least one door or window big enough for people to get out and for help to get in during an emergency: If you’re including a bedroom, it must have its own point of egress. Each egress opening must be at least 5.7 square feet, with the windowsill no more than 44 inches above the floor. Most basement walls are built using poured concrete or masonry blocks, which can be cut (although not as easily as wood-framed walls) to create openings for egress windows or doors.
Beautiful Residential Land at 48 Haynes Hill Rd., Wales, MA.-$28,999!
February 15, 2016
Plant your roots on this amazing residential property!
This land covers 2.54 acres located at 48 Haynes Hill Road in Wales, MA. This property is connected with the Degregorio Conservation Area and *ALL* proceeds will benefit the Second Chance Animal Shelter in North Brookfield. Listed *BELOW* the assessed value at just $28,999! Snag some excellent residential property *and* help a great cause! Call us today!
Commercial Land Opportunity at 83A Central St., Millville, MA.-$549,000!
February 15, 2016
This is an amazing commercial property opportunity located at 83A Central Street in Millville.
Listed at just $549,000, this land spans across 4 acres and is located near routes 122 and 146, also near the Rhode Island border. Located in a great neighborhood and is available to be part of the sale of the antique colonial house that borders this land. Call us today!
Waterfront Construction Opportunity at 26A Barre Rd., Hardwick, MA.-$214,999!
February 15, 2016
This waterfront lot located at 26A Barre Road in Hardwick, MA comes with tile and wall-to-wall carpeting in 4 rooms, 2 beds and 2 baths and a finished basement and is listed at just $214,999.
A steal, indeed! Solid wood cabinetry and granite counter tops, 600 feet of waterfront property sits on 1.6 acres of land. 20 minutes from Worcester and I-90 makes an easy trek for commuters. All permits are in hand and they are ready to break ground! Financing available. Call now!
Brave the Cold for a Spectacular Spring!
February 13, 2016
Prepping your lawn for Spring is easy with these five no-sweat steps!
In recent winter months, snowmen were the only detectable “life” in your yard. But, now that Frosty has succumbed to “puddlehood”, it’s time to get ready for spring! Jump start your lawn resuscitation as soon as the ground defrosts, and you’ll avoid a muddy disaster zone come April — not to mention ignite your neighbors’ envy.
Here’s what to do:
- Assess the Mess!
“As soon as you can stand being outdoors for an extended period of time, see what hand you’ve been dealt by Mother Nature,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
Case your property for thrown branches, dead leaves, and other debris. Clear it away so you’re able to do a general inspection of your soil, lawn, trees, shrubs, and garden structures. See what grass is coming back — or not. Get rid of broken tree limbs; call an arborist if they look dangerous. Now’s the time to take stock and make a plan.
- Rake and Wake…
Just as you like to hunker down on those dark winter days, so, too, do your grass and trees. “As soon as the snow fades, vigorously rake that grass to wake it up and begin to get it to grow,” says Walt Nelson, horticulture program leader for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Monroe County, N.Y.
Rake out areas of thatch — dried, dead grass that can be thick and deep. If you don’t, thatch will keep oxygen and sunlight from other plants and grass. Check for fungus and mold growth. Don’t worry if you run across “snow mold” — a pinkish or gray web over matted blades of grass, or possibly just a slimy brown mess. Despite its name, it’s rarely serious. Gently rake it out and it will dry. “You’d need 100 consecutive days of snow for snow mold to kill the grass,” says Tony Koski, extension turf specialist at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins.
The grass may be a bit brown, but that doesn’t mean it’s dead. There are two types of grasses. “Cool season grasses green up in early spring. Warm season grasses green up really slowly in spring,” Koski says.
- Weed Out Weeds!
Finding a lot of crabgrass out there? It’s decision time. Will you avenge the scourge? If your crabgrass is out of control or you’re just hell-bent on getting rid of it, here’s what you need to know: Preventing crabgrass is all about timing. You want to nix the nasties before they start germinating. You need to use a preemergent crabgrass control before the soil temperature hits about 55 degrees and the crabgrass begins growing.
“But most people aren’t walking around with thermometers to measure their soil’s temperature,” Koski says. “Blooming forsythia is a good indicator you should put out your crabgrass preventer. That will be a different time in Michigan than in Virginia.”
You can choose a toxic or an organic pre-emergent such as corn gluten meal, but understand that with the organic, Nelson says, it will take two to three years of applications to be effective.
Oh, and if you’re eager to get seeding, note that you can’t put out grass seed until at least eight weeks have passed since you applied crabgrass control.
- Trim the Trees (& Shrubs)!
Move on to trees and shrubs as the world defrosts, but the garden is not yet growing. “Trim out the dead, and it’s off to the races on another growing season,” Nelson says. “You can do the shrubs on your own, but if you’re concerned about trees, hire a professional.”
The important thing about trimming is to “be careful about trimming growth,” Henriksen says. “You want new growth to get healthy enough to sustain itself in case of a second cold snap.” For flowering shrubs, wait until flowers bloom so you don’t cut off limbs that will be producing flowers or fruit.
- Go Beyond the Grass…
Winter is hard on other garden elements. Henriksen recommends making sure your irrigation system works properly, and checking to see if there’s damage to any garden lighting. Fix broken or damaged patio furniture and any wooden structures. Even clean off and refresh your deck once it’s warm enough that power-washing won’t create a deck ice rink.
Don’t forget to tune up the lawn mower and string trimmer. Clean, sharpen, and oil your pruning shears so they’ll be ready when the temperatures start to rise.
Prepping the yard won’t be just a single weekend event, but if you get the heavy lifting out of the way early, it won’t be long before you’re leaving your socks and boots behind, and feeling the warm, soft grass between your toes.
Beautiful Residential Land at 48 Haynes Hill Rd., Wales – $28,999!
February 8, 2016
Plant your roots on this amazing residential property! This land covers 2.54 acres located at 48 Haynes Hill Road in Wales, MA. This property is connected with the Degregorio Conservation Area and *ALL* proceeds will benefit the Second Chance Animal Shelter in North Brookfield. Listed *BELOW* the assessed value at just $28,999! Snag some excellent residential property *and* help a great cause! Call us today!
Commercial Land Opportunity at 83A Central St., Millville – $549,000!
February 8, 2016
This is an amazing commercial property opportunity located at 83A Central Street in Millville. Listed at just $549,000, this land spans across 4 acres and is located near routes 122 and 146, also near the Rhode Island border. Located in a great neighborhood and is available to be part of the sale of the antique colonial house that borders this land. Call us today!
Oil heat…you need a rider on your home owners insurance for spills?
November 11, 2014
Egads! I was not aware of that until recently so I am sharing this tidbit of information:
Heating Oil Spill Remediation Coverage on Homes/Properties
Effective July 1, 2010 the regular homeowner’s and property insurance programs will no longer provide coverage for property damage and liability caused from heating oil spills stored in the homes/properties. However, the remediation coverage for oil spills can be bought and added as an endorsement on the regular homeowner’s and dwelling fire insurance policies.
Coverage applies to “Residence premises”, “Covered real property” and “Covered personal property”. Limit includes first-party property coverage per occurrence and third-party liability coverage per occurrence.
We at our agency have had two such claims last year: For one $150,000 was paid and on the other $250,000 was paid for clean up costs. There would have been further damages, if a water source had been polluted.
Home heating oil spills can be both a financial and emotional disaster for property owners. In addition to making sure they have the proper insurance protection, homeowners should consult with their fuel oil dealers to determine what preventative measures and system upgrades are needed. In most cases, heating systems which comply with the new regulations are unlikely to develop a leak or spill.
To qualify for the optional coverage, the dwelling must be built in 1990 or later. For homes built prior to 1990, the policyholder must provide proof that their heating system and tanks have been upgraded to comply with Massachusetts Chapter 453. A certificate from a heating oil dealer/supplier or from the local fire department confirming that the insured has installed either an oil safety valve or a non-metallic protective sleeve around the oil supply line to prevent leaks will be sufficient. Heating oil systems installed on or after January 1, 1990, most likely are already in compliance. State fire codes implemented these requirements on all new installations.
The cost to add the property damage coverage ranges from $52 to $87 per year. Most companies will provide the liability coverage at no additional cost and the others have a nominal charge ranging from $4 to $9 per year depending on the limits of the coverage.
Should you need further information on this new law in MA, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup/laws/hhsl.htm or contact:
| Alka Yadav-Mehta, LL.B., LL.M., CISR Vice President Business Sales Herlihy Insurance Group 51 Pullman Street Worcester, MA 01606 Phone: 508-471-9658 Fax: 508-751-5747 |
2013-14 Cost vs. Value: Remodeling Pays Off Big Time
March 26, 2014
— 1 Comment
The numbers are in and WOW!
The data used in the Cost vs. Value Report was collected with the help of REALTOR® Magazine in an online survey between August and October 2013. More than 4,500 NAR members participated from 101 U.S. cities, up from 81 cities included in last year’s survey.
Visit www.costvsvalue.com to find information from the 101 cities included in the survey and download free PDFs that include specific metro-area market data. (Site registration is required.)
Top Projects
If you are considering a home improvement project to boost the quality and appeal of your home, here is the list of top 10 midrange and upscale projects from the 2013-14 Cost vs. Value Report:
Top 10 Midrange Projects1. Entry Door Replacement (steel) 2. Deck Addition (wood) 3. Attic Bedroom 4. Garage Door Replacement 5. Minor Kitchen Remodel 6. Window Replacement (wood) 7. Window Replacement (vinyl) 8. Siding Replacement (vinyl) 9. Basement Remodel 10. Deck Addition (composite) |
Top 10 Upscale Projects1. Siding Replacement (fiber-cement) 2. Garage Door Replacement 3. Siding Replacement (foam-backed vinyl) 4. Window Replacement (vinyl) 5. Window Replacement (wood) 6. Grand Entrance (fiberglass) 7. Deck Addition (composite) 8. (tie) Bathroom Remodel (tie) Major Kitchen Remodel 9. Roofing Replacement 10. Bathroom Addition |
Real Estate and *stuff * 