HOME DESIGN IDEAS

Basement Finishing - The Cost of a Mistake
Home Improvement Ideas

Basement Finishing – The Cost of a Mistake

- by Christian Harris

If you’re considering a basement finishing project, one thing you might be questioning right this moment will be the important things about a professional basement plan. In any major construction project, this is regarded as an utter requirement. In fact, without professional plans stamped by way of a licensed architect and/or engineer, you’ll be also struggling to obtain a permit! But with a basement finishing project, many owners think the size and style and complexity in the project doesn’t warrant construction plans.

Well, consider this to be…

Your basement finishing project will probably involve the efforts of 50+ individuals: you, your basement finishing contractor, his employees, and subcontractors, designers, city officials, etc. Your vision for your finished project is paramount in importance towards the vision of the others. Yet without plans that can effectively communicate this vision, you take the potential risk of being disappointed.

Another consideration could be the …

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The Building Process Roadmap
Home Improvement Ideas

The Building Process Roadmap

- by Christian Harris

The other day I was reading an article from your Builder lamenting about his Homeowner who refused to try out from the rules which are stated within the Building Contract. It was obvious in the tone of the piece how the Homeowner was ‘one of these clients’ – we have all seen them before. But suppose we’re able to ensure that the Homeowner did play through the rules and turn into section of our system and a part of we as opposed to an adversary? Maybe the Homeowner wasn’t following the principles because we never clearly defined those rules.

Looking back on this problem client, what could we now have done better? As a professional Homebuilder we all know the required steps to successfully make a home, but why do we assume the Homeowner understands? They are certainly not a Builder. Homes are not their business. That’s why they hired …

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How Much Will Building a New Home Cost Me?
Home Decorating Ideas

How Much Will Building a New Home Cost Me?

- by Christian Harris

Quoting an amount for construction of a new house is amongst the hardest things to complete because every house is unique and truly there isn’t any two houses exactly alike, regardless of whether it is simply everyone that makes them different.

Perhaps one of the most significant factors to price of new home construction is the local region. Local building codes and labor play a serious role in the cost of home construction. Local building codes vary widely by region. For example, in warm climates building codes often do not require high-performance windows, higher insulation values or advanced heating, ventilation and ac (HVAC) systems. Strict building codes or lack thereof is really a significant effect on the cost of constructing a home.

Local labor in certain areas can also be more than in other areas of the continent. In places that unions are prominent in residential new construction, prices will …

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Affordable, Energy-Efficient Home Construction
Home Improvement Ideas

Affordable, Energy-Efficient Home Construction

- by Christian Harris

As a real estate professional, I can remember the time when at the top of a homeowner’s wish list were things like a master bedroom suite or a gourmet kitchen, but times have changed, and so has the buyers wish list.

While buyers still have these wonderful amenities on the list, they are asking for energy-saving options as their must have items on their list.

Here is a list of options that are affordable and provide immediate savings. Some of these items are: 2×6 walls, house wrap, energy-efficient windows and energy-efficient appliances.

Construction:

Make sure the walls of the home are framed with 2×6 lumber. Using 2×6 lumber for framing allows extra room for more insulation, which will keep the home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

House wrap:

It is installed right after framing, and it literally “wraps” the entire house to create a thermal barrier …

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Designer Kitchens and Bathrooms
Home Decorating Ideas

Designer Kitchens and Bathrooms

- by Christian Harris

No matter how you furnish your home styles are constantly changing so it is no surprise when you take a critical at your home and realise that it is looking very dated.

Kitchens and bathrooms seem to take the brunt more that any other rooms in the house, this would not matter so much but both the kitchen and bathroom cost a fortune to renovate.

Designers seem to constantly come up with new ideas on how your kitchen or bathroom should look and when you thought you had a really up to date bathroom or kitchen after spending a fortune a couple of years ago, they are egging you on to change it to keep up with the new styles and designs.

Think back to when the new coloured bathroom suites came out, everyone had to have one. But the bathroom designers were not content with that, every twelve months …

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