Ten Common Fall Home Remodeling/Maintenance Projects

The fall season is approaching; the time known as “not too hot nor too cold” for outdoor work. Familiarize yourself with ten common home projects best done in the fall.

Gutters

One of the most critical maintenance chores that usually fails to get done in a timely manner is cleaning your gutters from leaves and debris. Nothing is more annoying than finding your channels clogged during a rainstorm and water pouring overboard. Or worse, ice dams that can quickly damage your gutters and more. Ensure your gutter system is fastened securely to the house and pitched correctly. Short on time, hire a cleaning company or helper. The money spent can save you thousands down the road to repair damages.  

Roof

At least once a year, you should climb up to your roof for inspection. Check the state of your roof, vents, and chimney, and fix any minor repairs, like missing shingles or small leaks. Determine if it needs to be replaced. Roofing companies will give free estimates and can be hired to inspect and list essential and minor repairs.

Insulation

Adding more insulation to the attic will lower your energy costs. Over time, you will re-coop what you spent for insulation. Proper insulation within your attic will help keep the warmth in during the winter and the cool air in the summer. If you are hiring a roofing specialist, they can usually assist with replacing or adding more insulation. Be sure to ask when getting roofing estimates.

Fertilize the Lawn

Fertilizing can be done in the spring, summer, and fall, but if you have pets or young children, this task may better be left for the fall, when most outdoor activities have been completed. This job can be completed in an afternoon by yourself or by hiring a fertilizing company. Be sure to ask about safer organic applications for pets and children.

Refinish the Deck or Patio

The best time to refinish your deck or patio is in the fall, so you’re ready to sit and enjoy in the spring. If the area is small enough, power washing, cleaning, and re-staining the deck can be done within a day or two. If you hire the job out, ask to be placed on their yearly schedule if pleased with their work. This way, the company contacts you, and it’s one less thing on your to-do list.

Re-Stain, Paint, or Refinish Siding

If you are especially handy and want to take on this enormous task, fall is the best season to complete this project. Temperatures over 80 degrees or cooler than 50 degrees greatly affect the application drying. When your paint has faded, become discolored, or chipped, the fall season is the best time of the year to recoat your exterior.  

Interior Painting

Painting can make a room look new again. Even if you can’t redo the entire home, starting with one room at a time will eventually bring new life to your house. If you can’t paint a room or it doesn’t require a drastic change, consider painting the trim or the front door. Just changing up the color can impact the entire vibe of a space. For larger jobs, hire a professional painter if able, or take a weekend and roll up your shirt sleeves for single room or smaller projects.

Septic Tank Pumped

Most septic tanks require being pumped every 3 to 5 years. So, if you have a septic tank and your approaching the deadline, schedule to have it pumped before winter. Give yourself peace of mind knowing that you won’t have the extra burden of dealing with the winter elements. The number of bathrooms the home has and the number of occupants will help determine how often you need to empty the tank. Always call a professional to verify needs.

Replacing Windows

Is your furnace or central air working overtime? If it feels like they are constantly running, it may be time to replace the windows. Energy-efficient windows save you a ton on heating and cooling costs, plus your home actually stays warm in the winter and cool in summer. Planning a move? New windows increase the value of your home and help promote resale.

Winterization

Winterizing is a must for Michigan homeowners. Prevent costly repairs of busted pipes and such by proactively overseeing your underground sprinklers, exterior water spickets, hoses, and pool/filters/heaters. Also, inspect and caulk any exterior doors and windows that need it, and replace weather stripping.

For bigger jobs, call JFC Remodeling for professional, safe, and worry-free renovation.  

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call or email us to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Low-Maintenance Kitchen Finishes

Let’s face it; kitchens get a lot of action. To keep your cooking area clean and tidy, it’s essential to pay attention to the types of finishes used throughout the space. Are you tired of scrubbing your flooring, hardware, cabinets, and more? Read on to learn how you can reduce your cleaning time by using these easy-to-maintain finishes.

Flooring

  • Ceramic or porcelain tile is best for high-traffic areas and wet zones, a.k.a. kitchens. Their moisture resistance is unmatched, and they are highly resilient to scratching and staining. Another added bonus? Unlike natural stone, you don’t have to seal ceramic or porcelain tile or use special cleaning agents.
  • Vinyl is ideal in kitchens as it can handle moisture, spills, stains, and more. Cleanup is quick and easy; it is also difficult to scratch. Without grout lines, there is no place for dirt and grime to hide and accumulate.

Cabinets

  • Flat-panel doors are so chic right now. The less door detail, the less grime and grease. Since the surface of flat panel doors doesn’t have raised grooves or deep recessions, they are super easy to wipe and clean.
  • Shaker doors are a great alternative to flat panels. These add a touch of detail yet are easy to maintain.

Backsplashes

  • Ceramic and porcelain are again the clear winners here, as they are nonporous and repel water, don’t require sealing, and are generally durable.
  • Glass is super easy to wipe down, thanks to its smooth finish. Though their highly reflective surface shows grease and food more than tile, solid-glass sheets allow you to forgo grout as well, which is a huge advantage.

Hardware

  • Brushed nickel is superior to most metals since its matte finish helps to hide water spots and fingerprints. It’s easy to clean and has a long-lasting appearance.
  • Oil-rubbed bronze doesn’t require much upkeep but does show fingerprints more.

Do you want to replace some of your kitchen finishes to help ease the upkeep? Contact the remodeling experts at JFC today.

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Five Reasons to Hire a Tiling Professional

Tiling is much more complicated than it might seem. Whether it’s a floor, kitchen backsplash, or bathroom wall, there are several factors to consider before you tackle this project yourself. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects can be a nightmare if you don’t have the proper tools, let alone experience. Moreover, installations vary by medium, materials, and square footage.

Many tiles are made from delicate materials and installing them correctly can make a significant difference in the finished product’s lifespan. Hiring a professional to install tile might seem unnecessary initially, but you will be thankful in the long-run. Read on to discover why hiring a professional to tile your home is a better bet.

  • Design Options
    Since professionals install tiles daily, they are familiar with styles, textures, layouts, grout colors, and much more. Industry innovations and updates fluctuate – thus, licensed contractors can effortlessly adapt to changes and know best practices.
  • Speedy Installation
    It should go without saying, but here we are. Hiring a licensed contractor to install tile in your home will undoubtedly be much quicker than a DIY project, as you will have time restraints and schedules to follow. Additionally, an expert will lay tiles at a much faster rate since they are more familiar with the complex process.
  • Proper Equipment
    To install tiles, the tools sitting in your garage or basement probably won’t suffice. Specialists will not only come equipped with all of the right tools – they will also know exactly how to use them. It’s imperative to understand that tiling can be a messy job; letting someone else handle the mud, grout, and cleanup is the way to go. 
  • Reduced Waste
    Remember geometry class? No? Well, the contractor you hire to install your tile will be familiar with geometry to say the least. The progression of measuring, cutting, and fitting tile can be tremendously complicated. To lessen the amount of waste from your project, don’t DIY.
  • Home Protection         
    Hurdles will undoubtedly surface in nearly any home project. Tiling sounds fun and easy, but don’t forget about the dusty, dirty demolition. You might not have the capability to deal with unforeseen issues that arise in a DIY plan. Removing old tile, disposal, protecting trim and walls from damage, and closing off doors to contain dust are just a few of the extra precautions taken by professionals.

Thinking of re-tiling a floor, kitchen backsplash, or bathroom wall? Put the tools down, pick up the phone, and call the flooring experts at JFC Remodeling. Save yourself the headache and let us handle your flooring renovation from start to finish.

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Choosing Materials for a Bathroom Remodel

Remodeling a bathroom can be exciting yet overwhelming due to the vast amount of available options. Having an overall plan or scheme is ideal; make sure to include a list of goals, priorities, and, most importantly, a budget. It’s all in the details – try to have a crystal-clear vision of what you want the aesthetic to be. Hardware, color scheme, patterns, textures, etc. are some ideas to explore.

How do you sift through hundreds of options to solidify your choice? Specialty design showrooms are a great place to start. They display finished plumbing, flooring, cabinets, lighting, and more. After you narrow down your ideal design, remember to factor in your budget. It’s also a good idea to have a backup or second option if your first choice is unavailable.

Here are some basic suggestions to help you get started:

Flooring
Choose an easy-to-clean, non-porous surface such as tile, ceramic, hardwood, etc.

Countertops
Any tough, durable, solid surface including granite, quartz, marble, and the like will stand the test of time.

Storage
Look for tall and spacious cabinets and sleek shelves to add a functional yet appealing touch.

Lighting
Set the mood with accent lighting, illuminated mirrors, and achieve specific color temperatures with specialty light bulbs.

After you choose the aesthetic of your new bathroom, you can start shopping for materials. Check out the complete article for a more in-depth look at fixtures, countertops, cabinets, flooring, and more.

You have the perfect bathroom planned – now you need the perfect bathroom remodeling contractor. Contact JFC Remodeling for your next bathroom renovation project at 810-923-1123. https://www.jfcremodeling.com/

DIY Tips – Saving Money by Demoing Your Kitchen

You can save a ton of money if you demo your kitchen instead of getting it done; however, it’s not for everyone. Depending on your health and any available help you may have, you might consider paying for your demo work instead. For those considering ripping out their old kitchen on their own, this article gives you a quick rundown of a few tips to follow before grabbing the crowbar and hammer. 

Prep the Space. Turn off the kitchen power supply from your circuit breaker box. A good tip you’ll want to remember is putting a piece of tape over the breaker for the kitchen, so no one accidentally turns them on, giving you an unexpected shock when you reach for an outlet. 

Turn Off the Water. Demo work is messy enough without burst water pipes. Be sure to turn off the supply usually found under the kitchen sink with a value or handle.  

Turn Off the Gas Supply. If you have appliances that run on gas, you will need to turn them off with the valve located behind the appliance. Ensure that you pull the appliance out carefully so not to dislodge the hose out of the valve. 

Rent a Dolly for Heavy Appliances. Don’t break your back, get some assistance by renting a dolly typically found at rental centers or home improvement stores.  

Lay a Drop Cloth on the Floor. This will prevent scratches and other damage. If you are also renovating the floor, you obviously do not have to do this.

Rent a Dumpster. A typical average-sized kitchen will require you to rent a six-cubic yard dumpster. These can be rented from your local waste management centers. 

Now you’re ready to begin the demoincluding the garbage disposal, sink, cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and dishwasher. For the next steps, read more from this article regarding the main kitchen demo.

These are just a few tips on prep work you will need to consider if you plan on remodeling your kitchen. Contact JFC Remodeling for your next kitchen renovation project at 810-923-1123. https://www.jfcremodeling.com/