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Add Additional Square Footage To Your Home By Remodeling Your Basement

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basement remodeling near meHave you been thinking about remodeling your basement for a long time? If so, there is no better time than the present to get started. This is the perfect year to take on a remodeling project – especially when you consider how much square footage this particular project can add to your home. Check out the helpful tips and information below on basement remodeling to get your project underway.

Hanging Drywall

Putting up drywall can be more complicated than it looks. You will to contact a professional to hang the drywall, and mud and tape it. If it is not installed correctly, you will see the mistaped and unsanded joints.

Electrical Work

Typically, any electrical work should be left to the pros. Wiring your basement yourself is a dangerous prospect that could be deadly if you don’t know what you are doing. Working with a qualified electrician is the best option unless you have a lot of previous experience and know how to safely work with electricity.

Flooring Options

Like any other room in your home, there are a lot of choices when it comes to flooring for your basement. One of the easiest, least expensive options, however, is simply to stain the concrete. Stained concrete floors are a natural choice for basements.

Some people turn their basements into rec rooms or living rooms. Others add a guest room or transform the space into a playroom.

However you decide to use it, remodeling your basement can provide you with a lot of extra square footage in your home. If you are ready to start turning your basement into usable space, reach out to us today for help with your remodeling project.

Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen

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kitchen contractors mnIt’s a big project to remodel a kitchen, and you’ll need to plan ahead. If you’ve been pondering remodeling your kitchen, consider these ideas before you get started with the process:

It’s a smart idea to take a step back and think about the big picture of remodeling a kitchen, whether you’ve already got some information together or you’re just in the first stages of examining the space and making plans.

What Will it Cost?

While it’s not fun to consider, it can be a major expense to remodel your kitchen. While you want your kitchen to be perfectly designed and functional, you don’t want to start an overwhelmingly expensive project that you’re unable to finish.

Will You Be Adding On?

Space can be extremely important as one remodels. However, before you take out any walls, take the time to evaluate whether it’s worth it to spend the money on an addition or if you’d be better off putting that money into higher quality appliances, better appliances, or higher end decor instead.

Points to Ponder

Ponder your main goal for remodeling the kitchen. Are you aiming for a brighter, more functional kitchen space, or do you simply want more square footage?

Take a look at nearby rooms where you may be able to acquire some additional square footage. You may be able to, for example, consolidate several smaller rooms into one functional addition to your kitchen.

Talk about your project with a certified kitchen planner or an architect to find out what they’d recommend. An experienced planner may be able to assist you with adjusting the ceiling, the walls, or even the windows to make your kitchen seem even larger, without needing to spend the money on a kitchen addition.

The Existing Layout

Many experts in kitchen design agree that one way to save money is to keep the existing layout. This doesn’t necessarily mean that every single cabinet has to be in the same spot as the ones you take out.

However, you’ll save a lot of money if you leave the main systems like heating, gas, electricity, and plumbing intact and in the same location. If you rearrange your entire kitchen layout, it could lead to extra expenses, like:

Extra water lines for ice makers, refrigerators, dishwashers, or sinks

Moving gas lines for a range or oven

Needing to reroute HVAC ducts

Upgrading vents or ducts

Rearranging wiring for wall switches or fixtures

Adding wiring for sconces, lights under cabinets, or ceiling lights

Size and Style of Appliances

There are numerous sizes of kitchen appliances, ranging from tiny to huge. If you’ve been imagining a giant commercial range, for instance, you’ll need to keep in mind that they’re heavy and may require additional braces to be constructed.

Brighten Up

A quality lighting design will mean the difference between an average kitchen remodel and an amazing one. If your kitchen is like most older ones and only has one or two lighting fixtures and a small window above the kitchen sink, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Ponder these solutions as you think about the size and scope of your remodeling project.

5 Things To Ask Yourself Before Adding On To Your House

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Remodeling Contractors minneapolisEver picture your home with an extra guest bedroom, a cozy new nook in the kitchen, or a bright and airy sunroom? You’re not alone. Strong housing market conditions are encouraging more and more homeowners to invest in projects like room additions in Minneapolis.

The right addition can transform a MN old house into a dream home. But before you start, ask yourself these questions to set yourself — and your bank account — up for success.

1. How much do I want to spend?
Hold on to your chair: The average cost of adding a room or house addition is $40,942. That’s one hefty chunk of change! Costs vary from project to project, but every successful addition project starts with a plan and square footage estimate. Once you have that, you can formulate a budget by getting estimates from a Plymouth Remodeling Contractor:

2. Is an addition going to pay off in the long run?
Even if you have no plans to sell after your sparkling new space is complete, a new addition should pay for itself in the long run. Here’s what you might expect to get back on a few popular home addition investments:
Sunroom Addition: 49% return
Bathroom Addition: 53% return
Master Suite Addition: 63% return
Two-Story Addition: 65% return (an upstairs master suite and a downstairs living area)

3. Are there building restrictions I should worry about?
The answer to this one is almost always yes, but restrictions vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Reach out to your city and county offices for a breakdown of rules in your area.

What can you expect? The buildable portion of your land generally doesn’t stretch all the way to your lot lines – and for good reason. These “cutoff lines,” which are enforced by your local government, may give you less space for an addition, but they are in place to prevent house fires from spreading and to protect your neighborhood’s aesthetic. There may also be a height limit, which would restrict floor additions.

4. Could I remodel an existing space instead of adding a new one?
The costs of adding onto your home add up, so it’s wise not to jump in without thinking of alternatives. Remodels are generally more affordable than additions, so start by taking inventory of every room in your house to see if any could be updated to meet your goals of an addition. Maybe you could finish the basement or renovate the attic to create extra living space. Instead of adding on to your kitchen, you may want to remodel your existing kitchen to increase space, or even install custom cabinets to make things more efficient.

5. Is it smarter for me to build up or out?
Building up can save you money because it does not require excavation and foundation work. But going up may require an architect since it can be more complicated than staying on the ground.

If you decide to build out, a detached addition can save you money. Detached additions are often used as garages, guesthouses and home offices. Homeowners report spending an average of $15,000 to $24,658 to have a detached addition built. Work with a Minneapolis remodeling contractor to find out what is possible in your area.

9 Valuable Points To Think About In Bathroom Renovations

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remodeling contractors minneapolis mnBathrooms contribute an enormous amount to your home’s overall value in Minneapolis. This is one of the reasons that bathrooms (along with kitchens) are extremely popular targets for home improvements.

A freshly-renovated bathroom with all the latest and greatest fittings is more than just a selling point in MN. A new bathroom also improves your home’s level of livability and comfort. A versatile, attractive bathroom is easy to appreciate. From getting ready faster in the morning to relaxing in a hot bath at the end of the day, a new bathroom makes a tremendous positive difference in your life.

You have lots of factors to consider and lots of decisions to make when you have a Woodbury MN bathroom remodel. Here are some key items to think about when you plan your home improvement project:

1) Second Sink

As long as you have the space for it, installing a second sink is a tremendous boon. This is ideal for master bathrooms. A second sink saves a lot of time, allowing two people to perform their morning routines simultaneously.

2) Shower Head Upgrades

In terms of bang for your buck, it’s hard to find a more cost-effective improvement than installing a new shower head. A modern shower head can improve your showering experience dramatically. New settings like “rain” can turn a simple shower from an ordinary experience into a luxury treat.

3) Ventilation

While a good exhaust fan is probably not the part of your bathroom renovation you’re most excited about, it is an essential that you don’t want to overlook. Fans control humidity, improve air quality, and prevent mold in Minneapolis. Good ventilation will extend the life of your finishes and cabinets by preventing water damage.

4) Faucets & Fixtures

Faucets and fixtures give you an excellent opportunity to splurge on quality in a way that will be appreciated in the resale market. Premium fixtures on a quality cabinet make a strong selling point. Popular finishes today include brushed nickel and satin; these surfaces complement both light and dark surfaces.

5) Lights

Your bathroom feels warmer, larger, and more welcoming if it’s brightly-lit. Remember that natural light from windows is particularly prized. Mirrors multiply the effect of each light source, too. Wall sconces and task lights – fixed to the wall or ceiling – are popular for bathroom renovations because they are compact and come in many different styles.

6) Storage Space

No one has ever thought less of a bathroom because it has too much storage space. This is an area where you can really make the most of customized design work. Custom cabinets and clever drawers can turn awkward spaces into storage resources. Remember to make use of vertical space when you’re planning your new bathroom. Tall cabinets and drawers can pack more usable space into a tight floorplan in MN.

7) Colors

Picking colors for a bathroom renovation can be exhausting due to the sheer variety of options available. Try this general rule of thumb: Keep your palette neutral for most surfaces and fixtures. This lets you create visual interest by adding more color with removable features like shower curtains, rugs, and towels. As an added bonus, this sort of color scheme is super easy to change.

8) Heating

A cold tile floor can be a drag. If you have the budget for it, radiant floor heating will make your bathroom more comfortable even in the depths of winter. For a less-expensive treat, consider installing a heated towel rack.

9) Make More Space

Bathroom remodeling in Minneapolis often oblige you to make the most of limited space. Get creative with your initial plans and don’t be afraid of bold decisions. If you have a smaller, older bathroom to modernize, consider removing the tub and replacing it with a shower. The extra square footage will come in handy!

A Guide To Small Bathroom Remodeling Costs

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mn bathroom remodel near meSmaller bathrooms are typically less costly to remodel than their larger counterparts because they present with less square footage. This means that fewer materials are involved to make them appear new, and the cost is often found on the lower range of the chart above since you will require less of the sizes to fit in the bathroom in Edina MN. The overall cost of labor will also be less as the time spent renovating the smaller bathroom will not be as long as a larger bathroom, unless professionals experience problems with plumbing or electricity. However, there are still several planning, general time and heavy lifting issues that need to be taken into account. Below are certain cost factors you may need to deal with during a small bathroom remodeling procedure:

• Changing The Layout

If you choose to increase the amount of square footage in the bathroom, this will increase the overall cost of the renovation. This can result in a change of wiring in the walls, addition of more flooring, and potentially more plumbing. All of this increases the cost of material and labor from professionals in MN.

• Appliances And Fixtures

If you choose to replace the existing appliances and fixtures in the small bathroom, such as the bathtub or countertops, this can increase the cost of the renovation dramatically as the professionals will need to remove the original items and install new appliances. You can reduce or save on this cost via a refinishing of some appliances or by purchasing the materials externally.

• Electrical Fittings And Plumbing

Any and all problems with electrical fittings and plumbing caused by the renovation will add to the overall cost of the project in Minneapolis. It is recommended you have the items checked by separate professionals before the project as a precaution; however, there may be issues occurring during the remodeling event that cannot be planned for.