Monthly Archives: December 2008

Are Your Renovations Really Increasing the Value of Your Home?

Posted on by Scott
Handy Man

Are your Renovations Really Increasing the Value of Your Home?

When considering a home upgrade or reno there are 2 very important things to evaluate:

#1. Value to you

Enhancing your home with a renovation may offer more than money can provide. A beautiful outdoor living area to entertain on, a finished basement for the children to play, or that dream bathroom to help you unwind, all may contribute to a quality of life that only a home can build.

#2. Return on Investment – Resale Recovery

Despite what the trendy home flipping television programs show, not all home renovations or upgrades will give you a large return on investment. Infact, more so than not, most home renovations give you very little return on your investment. Very rarely does a $10,000 home renovation get you a $20,000 return. When considering a home renovation or upgrade for resale purposes, keep all costs in check and splurge only on the necessities.

Return-on-Investment Renovations Chart

Some renovations can seem more promising than others regarding your return on investment. In a buyers market, certain home upgrades are necessary to get top value for your home and to move quickly.

The following information is a range of the 20 most popular renovation improvements identified by a survey of the Appraisal Institue of Canada. The goal of the survey was to determine, in the informed opinion of Canada’s professional real property valuers, what effect home improvement projects have on the value of home resale.

Please note: Home values and returns on renovation investments are dependent on so many factors such as the location of the property, i.e. rural/urban, the neighbourhood and notably important is the quality of workmanship and materials.

Renovation

Resale Recovery

Basement Renovation

50 – 75%

Bathroom Renovation

75 – 100%

Install Central Air

25 – 75%

Recreation Room

50 – 75%

Adding a Fireplace

50 – 75%

Flooring Upgrade

50 – 75%

Furnace / Heating Upgrade

50 – 80%

Kitchen Renovation

75 – 100%

Landscaping

25 – 50%

Exterior Paint

50 – 100%

Interior Paint

50 – 100 %

Adding a Swimming Pool

10 – 40%

Window / Door Replacement

50 – 75%

Roof Shingle Replacement

50 – 80%

Build a Deck

50 – 75%

Construct a Garage

50 – 75%

Build a Fence

25 – 50%

Install a Skylight

0 – 25%

Interlocking Driveway

25 – 50%

Asphalt Paving

20 – 50%

When should a water damaged ceiling be replaced ?

Posted on by Scott
neutralparty

OK…so, bathroom renovation project on main floor. Project was 98% complete. Husband was replacing faceplates on bathub without turning water off at main. He takes off the knob that controls the water, and it honest to goodness looked exactly like an open fire hydrant. I estimate that we were losing at least 30 gallons of water per minute (probably more). Anyway, when all was said and done, our lower level ceiling was SOAKED (soggy), and there was water on the floor that had seeped through to the garage. So far, the ceiling does not appear to be saggy or falling, just very moist.

We disconnected power to the affected lower level rooms, but the question is, do we need to tear out the ceiling and walls to repair this or should we just be able to repaint when it is all dry? I realize that mold is a particular concern, so is there a way we can prevent mold without tearing the whole thing out?

What You Should Think About When Installing Basement Bathroom Fixtures

Posted on by Scott
Thomas Johnsen

Your basement could become a useful wing of your home.  A simple renovation can turn any basement into an entertainment room, guest room, and more.  However, every new basement space will be a lot more useful if you include a bathroom in it.  After all, running upstairs every time you need to visit the bathroom can become extremely frustrating.  A new bathroom is an important part of your basement renovation project.  There are a few things you should take into account when installing basement bathroom elements, however.  Here are some tips.

Planning is vital!  If you don’t have a good plan for your bathroom, including all fixtures, visual elements, and storage spaces, you’ll have a much harder time creating a functional and pleasant space.  After all, there are a number of concerns for installing basement bathroom fixtures and other elements that don’t apply to normal bathroom renovations.  From special toilets and sewage concerns to moisture and lighting, you’ll need to think about everything if you want to succeed.

Basements are often chilly, damp locations – not the first place you think about putting a living space.  So, if you’re going to be installing basement bathroom space or putting in any kind of finished, livable room, you’ll need to address these problems.  Proper insulation of basement windows, a quality heating system with good ventilation, and a well sealed basement are all important to making sure that yours is a space you can live with, not just tolerate.  This is particularly important for places where you’ll be using carpet.  That’s not usually wise in bathrooms, which are better off with tile, but excess moisture can still be a problem in your basement bathroom installation.

Toilets and baths installed below your sewage line won’t drain or flush properly unless you have the right type of setup.  Macerating systems are one option that allows you to put in your basement bathroom without worry about excavating the floor.  Slightly less expensive are expeller systems that push waste water up and out of the basement.  No matter which you choose, some system will be needed in order to get water and other waste out of the basement and into the sewer system or your septic tank.

Other considerations in addition to basement bathroom plumbing include the amount of space you’ll need, the lighting conditions for the room, and storage.  It’s important to plan carefully, and pay attention to detail if you want to create a space that does more than just work.  Basement bathrooms should also be pleasant to use, after all.  Fortunately, it’s not really all that hard.  If you’re working with a contractor, talk to him or her about any problems you may have.  If you’re doing it yourself, be sure to plan carefully and consider every eventuality.  Your chances of success will go way up.

can you have your house appraised to drop PMI insurance?

Posted on by Scott
fighterace26

I am paying PMI on one of my houses because I wanted to take the downpayment money to do renovations. Can I get any lisenced appraiser to find the new value of the house now that its done? Can I just take that to the bank and request PMI be dropped ?( its a local bank I always deal with ) not an out of town lender.
( assuming that the appraisal shows that I owe less than 80% of the value?)
I’m quite sure of that, we added another bathroom, another bedroom, and all new walls, carpet, and fixtures. it was a total gut job,
I just dont want to drop a grand on a new appraisal if the bank can reject it.
( yes I called the bank and they wont give me a straight answer ) they keep saying call OUR appraiser and have him look at it,
“funny how the banks appraisers always seems to think your property is worth EXACTLY what you borrow”
Thanks in advance,

I am in MI by the way.

Modern Bathroom Design For Dummies

Posted on by Scott
Frank Johnson

For many of us, the bathroom is the one room in the house where the style hasn’t changed in 15 years. Rather than spending money on renovating the bathroom, we put the money towards remodeling the kitchen, buying new furniture and carpeting for the living room, or renovating the master bedroom. The bathroom is almost always the last room in the house to get a face lift. Nevertheless, the time will come (or quite possibly has come) for the bathroom to shed its 1970s wallpaper and linoleum, and be reborn in a more modern décor.

However, remodeling the bathroom takes more than changing the paint, paper, and flooring. If you want to do it right, you need to get rid of that outdated vanity, sink, and faucet, (yes, even the faucet) and replace them with some modern bathroom fixtures.

Your Contemporary Bathroom Options

If you haven’t kept up with the latest modern bathroom design, you might not realize the number of different styles and designs available to you (believe it or not, avocado green and yellow isn’t “in” anymore). Recently modern bathroom design has become quite cutting edge and, more importantly, affordable. Because of the Internet and online bathroom renovation retailers, many of today’s fashion-forward and “hip” designs are more available and affordable to the public.

However, as affordable and available as these designs may be, many people still don’t know what styles are available to them and how to choose the right bathroom fixtures.

Selecting Your Modern Bathroom Vanity

Vanities today are both functional and fashionable. They come in many different sizes, shapes, heights, depths, colors, materials, etc. The key to choosing a vanity out of the hundreds of contemporary vanities available on the market today is to select one that: 1) fits your bathroom space, and 2) matches the new color of your bathroom. It’s easy to get carried away and purchase a highly stylized modern vanity even though you know it’s going to take up 75% of the space in your bathroom. If you want your vanity to work perfectly with your new décor, measure the space you have available and take a color swash of the new bathroom paint color with you when shopping for a vanity. It will help you purchase a contemporary bathroom vanity that goes perfectly with your new décor.

Selecting Your Modern Bathroom Sink

Believe it or not, sinks come in many different colors and shapes. Today, you can find bathroom sinks in any color with just about any design imprinted on it. There is no limit when it comes to sink design, but there is a limit when it comes to purchasing one for your new bathroom redesign. You should never purchase a sink without considering everything else that’s going into your new bathroom. In many cases, the sink is the focal point of the bathroom and ties the entire room together. If you select a modern sink that doesn’t work with all components in your bathroom, the look and feel of your renovated bathroom can be completely thrown off. When selecting a contemporary sink, find one that matches and fits your new (or existing) vanity. Your sink and vanity should appear and function as one solid unit. Don’t choose a sink just because it’s “cool” or has an awesome design. Make sure the sink you select will fit perfectly with your vanity and the new décor of your bathroom.

Selecting your Modern Bathroom Faucet

If you truly want to transform your bathroom into a work of modern art, you need to select your bathroom faucet carefully. Modern bathroom faucets come in different shapes and sizes, giving you many options to choose from. The sink and vanity you select will dictate the height, depth, and shape of the bathroom faucet you need to get. Don’t purchase a faucet that will make your sink and vanity look awkward (it’s easier to do than you think). Find one that’s the perfect height, depth, and shape for your sink/vanity combo.

For more information, visit http://www.modernbathroom.com

Rediscover Luxury In Your Bathroom With A Bathroom Renovation

Posted on by Scott
Frank Johnson

A recent Business Week online article brought to light the fact that there’s a drastic shift occurring in the home renovation market. Instead of spending thousands on revamping kitchens and other previously popular parts of the home, the trend is shifting toward bathroom remodels. More and more people are discovering the beauty, style, and luxury their bathroom’s can contain by renovating their bathrooms with the latest modern bathroom furnishings and fixtures. No longer is the bathroom a cold and quiet room hidden away in your home. Today, bathrooms are taking on more vibrant and modern designs and highlights. The influx of exquisitely crafted contemporary bathroom vanities, sinks, and faucets has provided homeowners with more options, designs, and styles to push the look and feel of their bathroom to the highest level.

From Simple to Ornate – Your Bathroom Renovation Options

Modern bathroom design has taken on a life of its own. From simple, sleek designs to ornately constructed and fashioned fixtures, bathroom remodelers definitely have their pick of the litter. However, updating your bathroom to a more modern look involves more than slapping in a new toilet or sink. If you want to truly renovate your bathroom into a work of art, you need to remodel all aspects of your bathroom so that all the colors, styles, and angles flow together to create the new, luxurious ambience your bathroom deserves.

Updating the Bathroom Vanity

Go and take a look at your bathroom vanity. How old is it? Is it cracked, dull, faded, and/or just plain ugly? If you’ve never remodeled your bathroom, chances are your vanity is nearing the end of its life and it’s time for a new vanity. Today bathroom vanities are made of many different materials, colors, and shapes, giving you more options than you’ve had before. Stained or painted wood is no longer your only choice. But your options don’t stop there. Depending on the size of your bathroom, you have the option to go with a single basin or a double sink vanity. If you’re more into antique-styled bathroom vanities, there is even a large selection of traditional and classically designed vanities that will give your bathroom that old-world charm. From forward-thinking designs to more traditional styles, you have an impressive array of bathroom vanities to choose from for your bathroom renovation.

Selecting a New Sink

Your bathroom sink takes a lot of abuse. Its daily use and constant exposure to many different elements (i.e. water, mouth wash, hair care products, etc.) can quickly erode its luster, leaving behind a dull, drab, and out-dated sink. If you care about the overall appearance of your bathroom, you need to update your sink. If you haven’t checked out the latest selection of contemporary sinks available to bathroom remodelers today, you’ll be surprised at the elaborate assortment of brightly colored and styled sinks currently sweeping the bathroom renovation industry today. Sinks these days can come in just about any color under the sun, contain exquisitely drawn designs, and even come in different shapes. The sky’s the limit when it comes to selecting a new bathroom sink, so go out there and explore.

New Sink Advice: If you’re going to update your sink, you should also update your vanity. Nothing looks tackier than a brand new modern bathroom sink resting in an old, dilapidated bathroom vanity. So update your sink and your vanity at the same time. It will save you the embarrassment of having your friends and family point out your bathroom’s “odd” mixture of old and new.

Don’t Let the Neighbors Outdo Your Bathroom

Modern bathroom fixtures are more prevalent and obtainable than ever before. The wide range of contemporary styles available to renovators is making it very easy for homeowners to transform their once dim and drab bathrooms into reflections of modern luxury. So if you’re thinking about a bathroom renovation, remember, you don’t need to stick to the standard bathroom styles. Venture out and discover the latest styles and designs available in the bathroom renovation market today. Before you know it, you’ll be basking your bathroom’s new modern décor.