Tag: licensed contractor

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Avoid These Mistakes in Remodeling


There are plenty of mistakes that can be made when you are having your home renovated.  From a freshly designed kitchen with upgraded cabinets to completing wasted attic space for an office, renovations can quickly go from smooth sailing to looking like the Titanic.  Below are common problems that are often ran into when remodeling especially if choosing the DYI approach.  Hiring a professional home improvement contractor is always your best bet but when you do decide you want to tackle a project on your own avoid the following:

  • Using Cut-Rate Materials:  The old adage is true for a reason, you do get what you pay for.  This is especially true when it comes to remodeling projects. If you don’t have the funds to do the renovation properly then wait and save money until you have money to do it correctly.  Materials of lower quality can reduce property value instead of adding to it as you wanted.
  • Failing to Consider the Budget: In any renovation a budget is important.  Not sticking to your budget can quickly derail your plan.  Many people fail to create a budget or just stop referencing it which leads to running out of money before the renovation is complete.  New construction project soften are spoiled because funds ran low. 
  • Inaccurate Measurements: Incorrect measuring is one of the biggest mistakes in renovating. It is true when measuring, “Measure Twice, Cut Once”.  This will prevent costly, time-consuming errors from occurring.
  • Forgetting About Layered Lighting: Natural lighting is a perfect addition to any room but once the sun sets and the lighting disappears it needs to be replaced. Lighting should be done in layers: ambient, accent, and task.  All three aspects should be included in each and every renovation. 
  • Too Many Trends and Overly Bold Colors: Trends fade fast and bold colors grow old quickly. The last thing that you want to do is to plan a major renovation on details that will fade fast and be outdated before too long.  It is okay to include trends and color but be sure it can easily be switched out.  Add trends and bold colors into your design with throw pillows, window treatments,and more.
  • Forgetting About the Environment: There is no reason to forget about the environment in your renovations.  Being eco-friendly is not that much more expensive and can lead to less expensive monthly utility bills.  It is also simple to do with the installation of energy efficient appliances, light bulbs, and using recycled materials.

The best way to avoid mistakes is to pre-plan.  Whether you DIY or hire a professional when making home improvements, planning thoroughly can help you avoid making one of the many mistakes listed above.

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan.  Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services.  More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.



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Home Improvements During the Holidays

No matter what time of year you are preparing to renovate your home, you will be under extra stress, it’s even worse when those renovations are taking place during the holiday.  Remodeling done in the months of November and December can come with a mixed set of emotions.  You are thrilled to have the home improvements underway but are a bit ready for them to be completed so you can get on with the celebration aspect of the season.

To avoid emotions that are already on fire from turning into a full-blown boil it is important to manage your frustrations while preparing your space for the holiday you desire despite the holiday celebration happening around it.  Obviously, there are greater issues when the renovation is of a kitchen or bathroom however, these basic tips will help you manage.

Managing Home Improvement Projects During the Holiday

  • Include Your Contractor in Your Holiday Plans: This doesn’t mean inviting them over for dinner or purchasing them new tools for Christmas but instead making sure they know your plans in regards to having people over and when you will be using the space so that they know they have to clean up more appropriately.
  • Be Realistic: Work in conjunction with the contractors and subcontractors to create a schedule to make sure you are all on the same page.  This will also help contractors when hiring subcontractors as well as making sure tasks that need to be completed are when they need to be.  For instance, if you need the toilet in the first-floor bathroom to accommodate company then it is important it is installed and ready before they are set to come over.
  • Create an Environment of Honesty and Solid Communication: Don’t beat around the bush when communicating your expectations of requirements.  Your contractor will tell you if the expectation is realistic or if your requests are way off base.  This allows you to plan accordingly.  If you find that something is not working how you thought it would and you need to reevaluate the holiday renovation it is crucial you feel able to do so.
  • Set a Spot Aside for Materials and Tools When Not in Use: Holiday accessories already quickly clutter the limited space within your home with added company in the mix. The last thing you want is to have the renovation materials and contractors’ tools in the mix of any already chaotic space.  To prevent this from occurring have a space to place materials and tools when they are not in use and company is expected.  Of course, this is not something that should be expected on a nightly basis especially when contractors will be performing work the next day.
  • Create Flexibility: All relationships are based on flexibility and so should the one that you have with your home improvement contractor. Everyone is working towards the same goal, you want your renovation completed in a timely manner with minimal stress and your contractor wants to please you and complete the renovation in a timely manner all with minimal stress.

The holiday season is stressful all alone let alone adding in a major or minor home improvement project.  Working with your contractor will allow the two of you to manage this stress while allowing the holiday happenings to continue on around it without major disruption.

 

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan.  Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services.  More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

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The Importance of Keeping Your Home Up to Date

Pure Coziness

As a homeowner we often overlook our own comfort which is a huge mistake when renovating your home.  Before you begin construction on your home ask yourself if this is what you want your home to look like for the next few years.  If the answer is not an immediate YES then it may be time to rethink the current renovation idea.

The remodeling that you have done around your home should not be done solely because you want to increase the value of your home.  If this is the sole reason for renovating, then you will be stuck living in a show piece that you aren’t enjoying, and it will not feel like a home at all.  Home renovations should not be done based only on how the renovation affects the things around you but instead on a combination of things including your comfort and enjoyment of the space.

Update the Outdated

When homeowners fail to renovate their homes, they can quickly become outdated and less appealing.  It is important to keep your home up to date but to do so in a timeless, classic manner that is not based on what is trending at the time.  Trends tend to go out of style as fast as they come in.  Just as a classic black suit or simple black dress never fades out of style, renovations around your home can be the same.  A perfect example of this is the installation of hard wood flooring.

Affordable Financing

Sometimes people fail to keep up on maintenance and renovations due in part because they don’t have liquid cash to do so.  Homeowners may need to rely on financing options to ensure their homes stay up to date.  Borrowing against your home’s equity is a fairly common practice especially when using the money for renovations that will help increase the value and equity in their home.

Enhanced ROI

Home renovations completed by a professional contractor may return a greater return on your investment when you go to sell or rent out your house.  When renovating a rental home, it is important that then renovations are done with the greater appeal in mind.  The home improvements that are done should be focused on drawing tenants in.  Improvements in rentals that draw tenants are private laundry facilities, increased storage, and open spaces. When renovating to increase the value of your home it is important to concentrate remodeling efforts on big ticket areas such as curb appeal, kitchen remodeling, and updated bathrooms.

Renovations allow homeowners to keep their homes up to date and well maintained.  This all works to increase the value of your property while making sure that your home is ready when you choose to move on.

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan.  Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services.  More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

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Increasing the Value of Your Home Through Renovations

Selling your house is a big deal.  To most sellers it is important to get top dollar for selling their home especially after they have put money into it through updates and renovations.  The problem that most sellers run into is that they sink money into renovations that do not offer the type of return on investment that they think it will.   Some renovations are just aesthetic and really don’t get sellers a ROI however others are not only pretty to look at, they add functionality that didn’t previously exist.  In this installment we will discuss several projects that not only increase the functionality of your home but bring added value as well.

Siding Replacement – Manufactured Stone Veneer

Curb appeal, curb appeal, curb appeal… you will hear this over and over again when you are selling your home.  When you improve the appeal of your home upon first glance it naturally draws people in.  To create a high-end look to your home’s exterior consider replacing the siding on your front porch or the front of your house with manufactured stone veneer.  This offers the appeal of real stone without the weight.  Even updating a small area on the front of the home’s exterior can make a huge difference.  An industry average of this type of renovations shows that homeowners will receive about a 92% ROI.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

When buyers enter your home, they are looking at certain areas in particular to ensure that the home is suitable for their family’s needs.  The kitchen is one area within the home that gets more scrutinized then any other.  The kitchen space has become known as the heart of the home.  It is a central area to bring your family together to start or end their day.  Kitchen spaces can easily make or break the sale of a home.

When speaking with other real estate professionals we have found that even the most basic kitchen upgrades turn the impression of a seller’s kitchen from bland to exquisite. Consider new flooring, updated countertops, replacing cabinet doors and hardware, add a backsplash, replace outdated appliances, and/or replace the sink and faucets.  All of these will make a large impact on the homes space.  Kitchen remodeling, even just minor updates can net a solid 82% ROI.

Bathroom Renovations

Second to the kitchen a bathroom is another highly scrutinized area in the home when buyers are viewing a home.  Bathrooms are an essential piece of any home and therefore high on the list of considerations that can make or break the sale of a home.  Consider replacing flooring, updating fixtures and cabinetry, increasing storage, as well as updating lighting.  Bathrooms are smaller areas that renovations are more easily accomplished.  The normal return on investment for bathroom renovations is upwards of 71%.

There are a lot of things to consider while living in a home.  The return on your investments doesn’t always play a role until you go to put the home up for sale.  By taking time to evaluate your family’s needs, along with the ROI, before prioritizing renovations you will be able to maximize both your family’s comfort and profit you are adding to the (eventual) resale value of your home.

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan.  Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services.  More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

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The Ultimate Guide for Kitchen Remodeling

Home remodeling takes a lot of your time, energy, focus, and money. Whether you are renovating your bedroom, bathroom, lounge, kitchen, or even the entire house, you must plan everything from your budget to the color schemes and how to make it all work together.

In home improvement, kitchen remodeling is the most lucrative as well as painstaking.  It is the center of every function in your house. It is especially difficult when you must live in the house as it is being renovated. Contractors do their best to work with families throughout this stressful time to ensure that homeowners can still use parts of their kitchens.

To simplify the predicament, we have made a list of top 5 tips to help while you are having your kitchen space remodeled.

  1. Budget

Before you start remodeling, you must determine that how much money you are willing to spend on home remodeling. In the case of remodeling a kitchen, you must decide that you want a low-end, medium-end or high-end kitchen. For that purpose, you can scan the market and your residential area that what type of kitchen designs are being adapted there. From that you can decide for the optimum choice that you want to consider for your kitchen.  Kitchen remodeling contractors will often help homeowners with this process.

  1. Changing or Keeping the Existing Floor Plan

If you are on a budget, home improvement plans can be a tricky situation and in kitchen remodeling changing your plumbing and/or your kitchen layout can be even trickier. As a rule of thumb, if you change one section of your plumbing or move the position of your appliances, it adds an extra $5000 to your budget. It looks very easy to change your plumbing and floor plan, but in fact it is not easy at all. Whatever you decide to do, you should always keep in mind the triangle shape between your stove, refrigerator and sink for the optimum use of the workspace and traffic flow in your kitchen.

  1. Bring Focus to Your Cabinets

New cabinets, new flooring, and new appliances are not the only solutions to consider when having your kitchen remodeled. Refacing existing cabinets, adding splashes of color, updated hardware and accessories can make a lot of difference.

  1. Incorporating Color

You can add a new life and buzz into your kitchen by incorporating contrasting colors in it. It will give a visual interest to your kitchen. It is important in all home improvement projects that you choose a  color pallet that accentuates all the good features within your home. Similarly, in your kitchen you can make a contrast of a bold and a neutral color or if you are going for a monochromatic look, you can choose contrasting tones.

  1. Small Changes Make Big Impacts

There are many ways to renovate your home and kitchen.  When deciding what and how you want each space done consider why you are remodeling.  Are you remodeling spaces to add functionality or mainly for aesthetic purposes?  If it is for functional purposes?  If yes, then many times your renovations will be a bit costlier as they may require moving walls, electrical outlets, lighting, and plumbing.  If you are remodeling mainly for aesthetic purposes and a change in the look of your space is desired then changing the color of paint, updating accessories, and some modified lighting may be more than enough.

We hope that the tips that we have mentioned above will give you the idea on tips and tricks required while remodeling your kitchen. JFC Remodeling, out of Howell, Michigan, offers a variety of construction services for the home including: kitchen and bath remodeling, flooring renovations, and home remodeling.  You can find out more information at http://www.jfcremodeling.com or by reaching out to our home renovation specialists at 810.923.1123.