Remodeling Tips & Advice
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Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodelBy Ann Robinson and Annie V Schwemmer Published: March 27, 2015 Unless you are into flipping houses, you will most likely only experience a major home remodel once or twice in your life. Like the path to many good things in life, you may encounter some hardships and difficulties during the home remodeling process. While…
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Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will cost
Read More: Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will costAn old high school teacher used to say if one student has a question, others probably have the same question. A few weeks ago, we had an inquiry on our Facebook page about how our process works. We decided it may be useful to answer that question here for others who may wonder the same…
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Adding curb appeal to your house
Read More: Adding curb appeal to your houseReal estate professionals say it time and time again: Curb appeal (or the lack thereof) can make or break a deal. They say potential buyers form their opinions about a given property within the first 15 seconds of viewing a house. Whether you are selling your house or not, curb appeal is important and can…
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Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projects
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projectsBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer The official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter this year. Here along the Wasatch Front, however, we are wondering what winter? Well, whether or not Phil’s prediction will prove to be true, now is the time to plan your spring projects. Along with the normal…
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Renovation Solutions: Tips for remodeling a bathroom
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tips for remodeling a bathroomBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Home remodeling takes money. How much depends on the level of remodeling you intend to do. Obviously, the more involved the project the more expensive it will be. This week we want to share some tips and ideas for the varying stages of bathroom remodels. The first level…
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Renovation Solutions: Designing your home with storage in mind
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Designing your home with storage in mindAs we start another year, it is time to get your life and your home in order. Of course, decluttering and purging is a big part of the organization process. However, once you know what you want to keep, you need a place to put it. Lack of storage is one of the most common…
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Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeowners
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeownersOur message in a nutshell: No, the first step to a remodel is not to call a contractor. Design comes before construction and each professional has their expertise. (Photo by Renovation Solutions) Many of our friends and acquaintances are kind enough to tell us they enjoy reading our columns. Other than that, however, we don’t…
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Why upgrading your front door will help you save money on your energy bill
Read More: Why upgrading your front door will help you save money on your energy billEnergy-efficient updates are a good idea any time of the year. There is, however, a more measurable and meaningful reason to go green during the colder months. You can ease the pain of the winter heating bill by making a few simple changes to your outside doors. These simple changes can enhance the energy efficiency…
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Renovation Solutions: Holiday season inspires remodels
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Holiday season inspires remodelsEditor’s note: This column was previously published on deseretnews.com and on their website renovationdesigngroup.com. The holiday season is often the busiest time of year for gatherings, so it is also the time when your home’s capacity and functionality are tested. Before: This client who enjoys entertaining converted an office off the entry to a…
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Renovation Solutions: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodelingEveryone knows reality TV isn’t actually reality, right? We know an hour in real life is never that entertaining. There is a lot of editing, slicing and dicing behind the scenes to put those shows together. However, the pop culture of home-remodeling reality shows has a lot of people believing that the TV version of…
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Renovation Solutions: Bigger isn’t always better in home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Bigger isn’t always better in home remodelingWhen it comes to home remodeling, we stand by the saying: “Bigger isn’t always better.” We have said it before and we will say it again: Good home remodeling is about function and design, not about size. We have seen small homes with much better style and function than homes with double the square footage.…
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Renovation Solutions: Architects’ three tips for a great design
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Architects’ three tips for a great designEditor’s note: Portions of this column have previously run on the writers’ website at renovationdesigngroup.com and in a previous Renovation Design column at deseretnews.com. These French doors and windows, visible from the home’s entry, provide lots of natural light to the space and also offer an inviting view of a covered deck and beautiful back…
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Renovation Solutions: Housing market impacts home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Housing market impacts home remodelingThe housing market is becoming a seller’s market again. Home values are on the rise and optimism abounds. Actually, according to reuters.com, the housing market saw an eight-month high in July, evidencing that the economic recovery is officially back on track. Experts actually predict the housing market to keep climbing in 2015. Altos Research predicts…
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Renovation Solutions: Guarding your house against floods
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Guarding your house against floodsIn past weeks, we have discussed our valley’s potential for earthquakes and landslides and options to remediate our homes in preparation for a disaster. This week we will consider another issue, namely flooding. Even though we live in a desert, there is still a flood potential in our area. Certain areas, known as flood plains,…
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Renovation Solutions: How to protect your hillside home against landslides
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to protect your hillside home against landslidesAt the beginning of this month, a landslide in North Salt Lake destroyed one home and caused 27 others to be evacuated. People are rightly concerned about protecting their homes from disasters such as this. When things like this happen, we are all reminded that Utah is not immune to natural disasters. While we would…
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Renovation Solutions: Top remodeling challenges decoded
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Top remodeling challenges decodedWe recently saw an interesting survey of homeowners posted on Houzz.com titled “Transforming the American Home: Findings from the 2014 Houzz and Home Survey.” Houzz is a website that posts literally millions of pictures of homes and everything to do with them, including the kitchen sink. It is a great resource for gathering and communicating…
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Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodelBEFORE: This is a good example of how an outdated kitchen can be transformed with an updated style with a remodel. (Dan Barton, Renovation Design Group) AFTER: This is a good example of how an outdated kitchen can be transformed with an updated style with a remodel. (Trina Knudsen) When is it a good…
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Renovation Solutions: How to pull off being your own general contractor
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to pull off being your own general contractorRecently, we had a conversation with a construction manager for large commercial projects about home remodeling and construction. Shaun Johnson is starting a consulting firm to help homeowners act as the general contractor on their home remodeling projects. The primary motivation for this approach is to save money. The mark-up for a general contractor is…
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Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mind
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mindLast week, we talked about the move-versus-remodel debate. That is the first decision you have to make when you accept your house isn’t working for you and you need a change. If you decide to stay put and that remodeling is the way to go, the next phase of the design process is programming. …
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Renovation Solutions: Tips to selecting a new front door
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tips to selecting a new front doorAs part of our recent market analysis, we mentioned Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for 2013-2014. The top five national remodeling projects with the highest return on investment for this year are a new front door, a wood deck addition, adding an attic bedroom, garage door replacement and a minor kitchen remodel. BEFORE: In…
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Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodelingWith housing prices remaining steady, interest rates low and contractors back in full swing, this is a prime time for home remodeling. The remodeling market is confident, and the economy is holding. The experts in the market analysis world say 2014 is a good year for the remodeling industry. The fireplace becomes a nice focal…
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Renovation Solutions: Three types of home improvements that increase home value
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Three types of home improvements that increase home valueIn addition to making your life better every day, home remodeling projects will ideally impact your home’s value for the better. However, your home’s value is at the mercy of the market and, in fact, some home improvements will positively impact your appraisal more than others. Adding a bathroom is one remodeling project that will…
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Renovation Solutions: One family’s experience with remodeling a split-level home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: One family’s experience with remodeling a split-level homeLast week we discussed the common issues of remodeling a split-level or split-entry house. The Smiths found that common thread of a love/hate feeling toward their house and their situation. They loved the neighborhood, the lot and the view. Their split-level had appeal, and with a little tweaking of the floor plan, they knew they…
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Renovation Solutions: 3 common problems and tips to remodeling the split-level home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 3 common problems and tips to remodeling the split-level homeOwners of split-level homes often have a love/hate relationship with their house. They love the amount of living space provided and the privacy the house design offers. They appreciate that teens can be alone in their bedrooms on the top level of the house or in their lower-level family room, while Mom and Dad can…
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Renovation Solutions: The power of color choice
Read More: Renovation Solutions: The power of color choiceColor is a powerful element in both interior and exterior design. A room with nondescript walls can be transformed by a simple coat of paint. You can create different feelings and moods in a room just by what colors you choose for the walls, furniture and accent pieces. Because color is powerful, you may feel…
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Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equity
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equityRemodeling is a big decision. The process will impact several areas of your life and be influenced by many factors, one of which is your project budget and how you will fund your project. In years past, the financial option of choice was a home equity line or loan. During the past several years —…
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Remodeling? How long the process should take, tips to speed it up
Read More: Remodeling? How long the process should take, tips to speed it upIt is not uncommon to think about remodeling your home for years before taking any action. Once you have decided to actually do something, however, it is human nature to want it now. The fact of the matter is there are specific phases in this process. They are sequential, and none should be skipped! …
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Renovation Solutions: Closed kitchens versus open kitchens
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Closed kitchens versus open kitchensBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer When seeing a new house or newer apartment, it will most likely include an open concept kitchen in the design. Many people love the idea of an open kitchen that isn’t separated from the rest of the living space and may be part of a great room. They…
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Renovation Solutions: Organizing, Part 2: A place for everything, everything in its place
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Organizing, Part 2: A place for everything, everything in its placeBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer When organizing children’s rooms, make it easy with one step to put away items. Hooks are easier than hangers, racks are easier than bookshelves, and bins on shelves are a great way to teach organizing and help children stay tidy. (David Price, Renovation Design Group) No matter how…
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Renovation Solutions: New Year’s series: Breaking down organizing in manageable steps
Read More: Renovation Solutions: New Year’s series: Breaking down organizing in manageable stepsThe University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology did a survey to discover the most common New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight was No. 1, and No. 2 was getting organized. While we can’t really help you with the first one unless you want to come to the gym with us after work, we thought we…
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Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your homeOne of the joys of the holiday season is getting together with family and friends. Determining where to hold the holiday party usually consists of evaluating the potential hosts’ gathering space. What makes a good gathering space? Architecturally speaking, the best gathering spaces have flow, order and connectivity. Gathering space is important in any home.…
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Renovation Solutions: Well-detailed remodeling project will pay off
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Well-detailed remodeling project will pay offArchitect Mies van der Rohe said, “God is in the details.” Others have said, “The devil is in the details.” We suppose it’s all in the perspective. Certainly when it comes to a home renovation, you can feel very inspired or very tormented by all the details to which you must attend. If you are…
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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling opens up possibilities
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling opens up possibilitiesWith the Fourth of July, we’ve got freedom on our minds. A very different kind of freedom is found in the process of remodeling when clients become aware that there are many options available to address their particular issues. For instance, needing more space in a family room does not have to mean an addition.…
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The question: Remodel or move?
Read More: The question: Remodel or move?By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News If there is something about your location like a great view that would be hard to duplicate, then remodeling may be the right solution for you. Deciding to remodel does not happen overnight. The decision usually takes a lot of deliberation. We discussed last…
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Renovation Solutions: How to solve common remodeling problems
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to solve common remodeling problemsBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Adding more curb appeal to a house is one of the top client requests when they are considering a remodel. While some issues of deferred maintenance need to be addressed on a practical level, changing the look of their home is often more of a psychological need…
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Renovation Solutions: Finding the best remodeling contractors for your project
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Finding the best remodeling contractors for your projectBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer This entry remodel shows the dramatic impact a remodel can have on a house with the help of a well-selected group of professionals. (Annie Schwemmer, Renovation Design Group) Many of our clients come to us wondering how they can ever find a contractor who can get their job…
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Renovating the mother-in-law suite
Read More: Renovating the mother-in-law suiteBy Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News Thinking of moms recently, this week we will discuss a mother-inspired renovation: the mother-in-law suite. The number of multi-generational households is growing in the U.S. The Census Bureau says they were up 30 percent between 2000 and 2010, making nearly one in six households a…
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Remodeling for seismic upgrades
Read More: Remodeling for seismic upgradesLast time we introduced you to Bob and Char Nelson’s remodeled 1927 Tudor-style home in the Harvard-Yale area of Salt Lake City. The remodel stayed within the floor plan of the historic home and was initially focused on energy efficiency and updating the exterior facade. The exterior of the home was in rocky shape: The…
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Time to plan the patio project
Read More: Time to plan the patio projectBy Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News We are sure your spring project priority list is filling up fast. No doubt many of your lists include some overhaul to or addition of an outdoor space. Though Mother Nature may still throw us a snow storm or two, now is the time to…
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Tricks to front porch additions
Read More: Tricks to front porch additionsIf you follow this column, you know that for the past month we have been covering house styles. We broke down the history, traditional elements, remodeling challenges and solutions for the Craftsman Bungalow, the Tudor Revival, the Cape Cod and the California Ranch. While this was just a sampling of house styles, we made the…