by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Additions and New Homes, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Remodeling Budget |
Bathroom Investment in Remodeling: How to Save Money
Bathroom investment in remodeling is more expensive, per square foot, than kitchen remodeling! According to the 2016 Cost vs. Value Report for Portland, Oregon, the range of bathroom investments for remodeling is $18,560 – $58,944, averaging $560/square foot (low = $530/square foot; high = $590/square foot).
The range of investments for kitchen remodeling is $20,808 (minor remodel), $104 /sq.ft. – $122,359 (major upscale remodel), $612/sq ft. What “ups the ante” for your
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by Diane Plesset | Archive, Additions and New Homes, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Remodeling Budget |
Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures Are Designed To Save Water, BUT . . .
. . . some bathroom plumbing fixtures may require a larger water heater, or an auxiliary on-demand water heater. This can seriously affect your investment in a bathroom remodeling project, adding as much as $4,000 to your investment. And it can affect your utility bills. The bathroom plumbing fixture that’s a major influencer of hot water needs is a large tub, whether it’s a hydrotherapy whirlpool, an air bath, or simply a soaking tub. A generous two-person tub that’s 48″ x 72″ x 24″ requires 100 gallons or more, depending on how full you want it to be. (more…)
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Additions and New Homes, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, D-I-Y and Problems, Remodeling Budget |
Have Remodeling Reality Shows Got You Frustrated Or Angry?
Remodeling reality shows can be fun, inspiring — and frustrating!
Misinformation Is Rampant!
Remodeling reality shows are still popular, despite the bad press they’ve received. I don’t know about how you feel, but it frustrates the heck out of me, because these programs spread misinformation to Homeowners. There’s a glut of home remodeling shows on several channels. Although they are fun to watch, they should be viewed as entertainment and not as serious “How-To” guidelines. There are several categories of misinformation that get my blood boiling:
• The time it takes to do a project
• Overall cost of the project — what consumers would pay for something similar
• Realistic cost of labor and materials — how much the Homeowners actually paid
• You’ll save a lot of money if you do the work yourself!
The Time It Takes To Do A Project
The audience has no way of knowing how much of the actual filmed project ended up on the editing room floor. This can cause serious problems for D-I-Yers and remodeling consumers who think that a bathroom can be remodeled in a week or less. A standard 5×8 bathroom remodeling project can take four to six weeks (or more), from demolition to completion. And the time frame they tell you doesn’t include the time required to make decisions or get permits before construction starts!
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, Cabinets, Contractors, Countertops, D-I-Y and Problems, Flooring, Lighting and Electrical, Remodeling Budget, Tile |
D-I-Y Kitchen Remodeling Success: Know What You Can Do and Cannot Do
D-I-Y Kitchen Remodeling required skill and patience.
D-I-Y kitchen remodeling was the last thing that Naomi wanted, but Michael was confident that he could be the general contractor. Like a lot of homeowners, they had been thinking about remodeling ever since they bought the home. Everything about the existing kitchen was dated: white laminate cabinets with continuous oak pulls, white laminate countertops, a dropped ceiling with fluorescent lighting. (more…)
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Additions and New Homes, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, Cabinets, Contractors, Countertops, Lighting and Electrical, Remodeling Budget, Tile |
Defining Your Home Improvement Goal Is Like Walking A Tightrope
Your home remodeling goal requires careful step by step progress, like a tightrope walker, until you reach your destination.
Get most of what you want of your home improvement goal. Not everything you want? That’s right. I’m being totally honest with you.
Unless you have a bank account that equals (or surpasses) Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, you’ll have to do research, and make informed decisions about every aspect of your home improvement project, one step at a time. Your decisions will include making tradeoffs, substituting lower-priced products, to stay within a reasonable budget. Below are time-tested, successful strategies to help you. Writing may be difficult for you, but you don’t have to be Ernest Hemingway or J,K. Rowling to write your priorities. You don’t have to do it in one sitting, either! Pour a cup of decaf coffee, or a glass of wine, and pour out your deepest home improvement desires. Doing this will help you to think of the possibilities.
You Don’t Have To Be A Famous Author to Create Your Home Improvement Goal List (more…)
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Additions and New Homes, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, Cabinets, Contractors, Countertops, Flooring, Lighting and Electrical, Remodeling Budget, Tile |
1970s Ranch Home Before and After Master Bedroom-Bathroom Addition
In ta previous, we explored reasons why this was a 1970s successful ranch remodeling project. Now, I’d like to share the six steps required for me to help the Homeowners achieve the best results.
1970s Successful Ranch Remodeling Beginning to Completion
Step One: Ask Preliminary Questions
- Does the neighborhood have a particular or predominant style?
- What needs to be improved — how can it be improved?
- What do the Homeowners want to achieve?
- What is the Homeowners’ target budget and target completion date?
The ranch-style home, when viewed from the street, was overwhelmed by the roofline. The garden was well-manicured, except for a large area on the left-hand corner of the property, which looked like an attempt to create a vegetable garden.
During the first meeting, the Homeowners shared their love of entertaining and their idea of enlarging the kitchen to cover most of the wasted property on the left-hand corner. We also viewed the awkward chopped-off second floor above the garage, where their master suite was located. We were on our way to a successful ranch remodeling! (more…)
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