Friends and followers,
This will be a growing list till I meet the 101 tips and mistakes, as implied by the title here. These are commonly made mistakes in home improvement projects as well as ideas for improvements that you can use to make your home your haven. I have learned many great things as I have been working with Euro Design Build Remodel as well as many things that you need to watch out for. I seem to be doubling my Remodeling knowledge base on a daily basis so check back often for new tips and tricks.
Do's and Dont's
- Waterproof sheet rock anywhere that you will have pipes with water. (This is not that much more expensive than regular sheet rock and will save you a ton if you spring a leak).
- Seal and protect tile grout yearly. Any professional tile mason or remodeler can do this at very little expense. This keeps water from getting between the tiles, as well as keeps them strong and helps them last ages without loosing grout or chipping, cracking and falling apart. Failing to do this can lead to much more costly expenses (especially if your tiles are no longer being produced... complete tile redo!).
- Before winter. Check door seals and window seals for leaks. Fix these to improve the overall insulation of your home and to avoid moister between glass panes.
- Don't ignore the wet spot on your ceiling (if you have one). This means water is leaking, possibly from a hole in your roof, an overflowing drip pan, or a corroded pipe from your plumbing. Take care of these issues right away and don't wait for water to drip on you head. It will likely cave in you ceiling prior to water actually dripping. Check your ceilings bi annually for discoloration to avoid costly repairs.
- Change your air filter regularly!
- Make sure your foundation is moist and install a drip system to keep it that way. TX is one of the worst areas in the world for foundation problems due to the sandy soil that runs right through our metroplex.
- Be logical and realistic about what you can and cant do. It is very tempting to say you want to knock down a wall to open up more space, but there are many things to consider (Is this a structurally supporting wall? Do the ceilings and floor match in the area you are opening into? How old is your house and is there the possibility for hazardous material to be released?). What seems like a quick easy project often ends up to be more than many home owners can do safely on thier own, so do research and use common sense
Hiring Contractors, Remodelers, Interior Designers:
- Always hire a known contractor and check references when having a company come into your home. Euro Design Build Remodel is unmatched and has an a+ rating on Angie's list, 5 stars on "Talk of the Town", NARI Certified and licensed with the BBB. Our Designers are skilled in each set of skills and our designer / owner Melinda Dzinic has more credentials than I want to type including CK, CKBR, UDCP, NARI Certified... www.eurodesignbuild.com.
- Don't cut corners to save money (unless they are wooden corners that need to be cut for your project, lol). If a one contractor quotes you a price and another quotes you one for half, it is very likely that the second will be cutting corners, using sub par supplies and end up costing you much more than you saved in the long run. Your home is your haven and should be treated as such. Make each investment on that will last the test of time. This is not accomplished with the cheapest stuff, but with the best. Though it may cost more up front some of the more high end remodelers, interior designers, contractors... that cost more up front are much, much cheaper in the long run. If you want a project to outlast your house and the comfort that comes with knowing nothing will fall apart, then chose wisely. (same applies for the DIYers, the cheap stuff is cheap for a reason, weather paint, wood, or even screws, a few extra bucks can add years of life and ease to a project)
- Don't settle for less due to a budget. So you found the perfect interior designer / remodeler (hopefully Euro Design Build Remodel) and now you start the process of your kitchen remodel. Your budget allows for $60,000, but your dream kitchen will run $80k... What to do? Do not settle for less. If your dream kitchen is 80k and all you have is 60 then either wait till you have the funds, do part of the kitchen or take out an extra loan to get the kitchen that will make you happy for years to come. When using a quality remodeler, the price you pay will be far less than the value added to your home (well that's how we do it at Euro). If you end up settling for cheap hardwoods instead of the amazing granite tiles you had in mind, you will not be happy with the finished product (It will cost way more to go back and have it done the way you want it if you do something different up front. Be patient, you've waited this long so do it right). These investments are to big to settle for anything less than what will make you feel like you are in a little piece of heaven each time you step in the door.
- Find a designer that you mesh with. It is important to have an open line of communication between client and designer and more important that the designer understands what you want and who you are. If at any time you don't feel like your ideas are being interpreted correctly make sure to bring it up and don't let anyone run you over. You are the #1 person that knows exactly what you want, and the only way that will get across is if you are able to communicate it to a designer that gets you and what you want. I have seen to many people in my neighborhood get bullied by other designers that had an idea of what the they (the designer) wanted to see and my neighbors didn't have the heart to let them know it was not what they had in mind. These clients ended up with a great remodel project that represented the designer and not the client. Euro prides them self in an open line of communication between client and designer and expect impute from clients. A good quality interior designer may ask you to bring pics from magazines, of kitchens, baths... that you like as well as show you loads of pics before ever designing anything.
Misconceptions
- Nailing hole after hole in your wall is not the best way to find a stud! (Use an electronic stud finder, not expensive)
- If a project calls for a screw plastic sheath (like on a TV mount), you do need it!
- Dripping water from your outside and inside faucets is not necessary if you properly insulate your faucets and pipes. You can buy a cheap foam insulator that will cover faucets and have your pipes insulated upon installation.
Remodeling Ideas
- A full kitchen remodel can be pretty pricey but is one of the most common remodel projects that Euro Design Build Remodel does, so there is an idea :)
- A refinishing of your kitchen cabinets can create a whole new look for your kitchen if done properly. Contractors have come very far with what is possible with refinishing and faux finishes and obtaining a great authentic look that speaks to the home owner.
- Knock down a wall to open up your house. This is one I am in the process of doing. (always make sure you re-support load bearing walls.)
- How about a new bath remodel? This can drastically change the appearance of your restroom and create a little peace of heaven for the lady of the house.
- Heated floors are not so popular down here in TX, but if you can afford the luxury they are a great way to keep your feet and whole house warm while cutting down on gas heating.
- Dining room renovations are a great place to start as they can be drastically changed with a great paint or faux finish on the walls and a few select furnishings can make all the difference in an old outdated dining area and a new timeless dining area that will outlast the life of your house. Floors should compliment furnishings as well as wall texture or paint.
- Paint your front door. This simple remodel is price effective and has a drastic impact on the appearance of your front house. Burgundy and red has become very popular as well as a great faux finish combining both.
- Update handles, knobs and fixtures (fans, lights...). Another great way to give a great big look without a great big cost.
- Rip up your carpets. They will stink over time, regardless of how often you have them cleaned. Granite, hardwoods and tile are great options. A throw rug will give you the soft warm feel and can be replaced as needed and as your tastes change overtime, as well as being much cheaper and easier to keep clean (its really the padding underneath permanent carpets that make them so yucky. Carpet fashion and current styles change much faster than hard woods or granite tile, which has been popular for hundreds of years and will continue being so for just as long (this is what we mean by "outlast the life of your house. Though your house may not last 400 hundred years, if it did the travertine, camargo floors would still be in style.
- A tankless water heater pays for itself in a few years and lasts three time the length of a tank water heater. These tankless water heaters provide an endless supply of hot water without any risk of leaks and flooding. This is a renovation truly worth making.
- Heated floors in bathroom. You wake up and need to go to the bathroom, if your like me your room has a nice crisp chill to sleep better, but the thought of the cold tiles on your feet keep you in bed awake till the alarm goes buzz, you quickly run to the restroom shivering from the cold tiles and frustrated about the lack of sleep (if this has happened to you as it has me, renovate your bathroom by adding heated floors. You will have no problem getting up to go...)
- Expand or remodel your packed closet to add more room for storage and practicality.
- Safety should be the first thing to consider when remodeling any part of your house
- Make sure you cut all electrical power from the fuse box to the area you will be working on when rewiring or installing new lights, fans, etc...
- Work gloves and protective eye ware will save you pain and suffering. I know this first hand...
- Pay attention to your surroundings and always keep a clean work space.
- Take care of your house and pocket book by researching any and all remodelers that may work on your home. I put this under the safety category cause, your money is valued and provides a sense of comfort that wont be there when you get ripped off by unincensed remodelers who cause more damage than good and possibly reduce the value of you property.
Check out http://www.eurodesignbuild.com for other great remodel ideas. See the portfolio page for some amazing renovations.
