Go green. What does it mean? Where do you go to get answers and guidance when you want to “green up” your home? Do these questions have you stymied? Making your home a green home isn’t just about buying Energy Star appliances. After all, Energy Star is just a name. It’s important to analyze the energy efficiency of each appliance regardless of its “star” rating. But, lets go further.

What exactly are you trying to do? A home renovation is a lot different than building a home from scratch. With a home improvement you have limitations on what you can do. It’s vital that you get some answers, create a plan, and execute your plan so that you reap some rewards.

House Remodeling Goals When Going Green

I want to explore some ways that will help you decide what will work for you in a remodel. With cost and practicality issues, you simply can’t do everything you may want to do.

Over the years of helping people upgrade their homes, I’ve learned a few things that really help them decide what’s most important to them. One thing I did was play a game with them. It’s called the “Features & Benefits Game”. Let’s play a simple version of it now. First, we’ll talk about green features.

FEATURES:

* Adding Energy Star (efficient) appliances to your home
* Replacing toxin-emitting materials like paints, carpeting, insulations, etc.
* Increasing and replacing insulation and sealing leaks
* Changing light bulbs to low voltage/wattage use bulbs
* New energy efficient, low-E windows and insulated doors
* Energy efficient heating and air systems with filtered air

Make your own list of things you want to do. Expand on the list as you research and discover new items and processes that make sense to you. Analyze costs for materials and get bids on labor. Then, think about the benefits of each. Read the rest of this entry »

Turn your bathroom into an oasis Caesar’s Palace would be proud of. Okay, so you don’t want to create a Roman Bath but you do want to modernize and add some luxury.

There are many reasons to remodel a bathroom. These home improvements rank right up there among the top in popularity. They also give you among the best bang for your remodeling dollars when it comes to resale value of your home. So, is it a wise investment?

What’s Your Remodeling Goal?

Always identify your highest priorities for any house remodeling project. What specifically do you want out of the remodel? Are you looking for more space, nicer fixtures, separate shower and tub, low flow toilets and showers?

Getting advice from industry pros like contractors, architects and especially interior designers is a great idea. They can introduce you to ideas you haven’t even thought of and can provide estimates on project costs.

Is a Bathroom Remodel a Do-it-yourself Project?

Many times, a bathroom remodel can be a great do-it-yourself project if you have some time and a few plumbing skills. If you’re going to be setting toilets, tubs and revamping showers with major tile work, then some professional assistance is a good idea.

Small projects, such as changing a bit of tile, doing a little painting, upgrading faucets and limiting yourself to more decorative things can easily be accomplished on your own. I would still recommend that you work with a good interior decorator. For a few dollars, they can really help coordinate colors and styles. Read the rest of this entry »

House great or small needs remodeling when it needs improvement in the way it looks or it needs to be updated to meet calls for extensions. In either way, house owners and occupants have to pay big attention to make the renovation successful or else, all efforts will be as nothing. And who wants to waste time? Or, who wants to spend for that which cannot be used? If your house renovation goal is not successful, then you’re losing a great investment. It doesn’t take so long a time to describe successful house plans. When you gain satisfaction from all those hard efforts and you spend the least amount possible, then it is a success.

By way of remodeling your house, you are increasing its value. If you are planning to sell your house in the future, the renovation and improvements might just offset all the depreciation cost. Thus, the amount you will receive out from the sale may be good enough to start anew or invest for a preferred line of business engagement. On the other hand, if you simply wish for a better and prettier home to live, house renovation is a very nice option. Some chose selling their homes out rather than be hassled of the cost, attention, and time to spend in the renovation process. The money got from the sale is then added to the purchase price for the new home which is a lot prettier and bigger in size. But, kindly think of this. Owners who are still undecided of which way to take, it is better to sit for a while and calculate the cost. The result derived may not be the specific amount but it will be close enough to guide on making the right decision. Ask an expert or a professional for house improvements and updates regarding the possible costs to be incurred. Compare them while considering the lapse of time.

If your money is limited, then deciding to buy a new home may not be advisable for now. If your problem is your house look and size, not the location, the you might opt for remodeling instead. Remodeling is not entirely changing your house. It only includes changes of some features, ceiling, and flooring, replacements of facilities that are old and no longer working well, adding some decorative materials, allowing extensions of spaces, and more. Read the rest of this entry »