Categories Recent Work

Six ways to maintain your home this fall

Happy fall! Apple picking and trick-or-treating shouldn’t be the only things on your calendar this season. The fall is the perfect time to prep and maintain your home for the coming months. Too busy? Consider our Upkeep Services! Starting at just $150 per month, and our team at will ensure that your home stays in perfect condition! 

 

Whether you plan to use our Upkeep Services or not, we highly recommend maintaining your home in the following ways…

 

  • Screen Removal 
    • New England weather can be unpredictable! Please consider removing your window screens to prevent possible screen damage and breakage from the classic New England winter weather that is just around the corner. 
  • Caulking 
    • Annual caulking around plumbing fixtures is a great way to prevent water damage inside and outside your home. A water damage bill will be exponentially higher than the cost of annual caulking!
  • Smoke Alarms 
    • Safety is of utmost importance! An annual alarm inspection and battery replacement is a quick and easy way to protect you and your family from possible harm.
  • Drain & Trap Cleaning 
    • Your drains and traps should be on your home maintenance to-do list. Drains and traps should be cleansed to prevent residue buildup and avoid clogging. 
  • Heating & Cooling 
    • Your home’s heating and cooling units are expensive essentials. A filter change and basic service to both units will ensure that your home is effectively heated and cooled for years to come. 
  • Power Washing 
    • A trip to the car wash is likely a regular part of your schedule. If you clean your car, why not do the same for your house? The exterior of your home can quickly get dirty, which makes a yearly power wash a no-brainer.

 

We at McDonald Contracting highly recommend preventative home maintenance! Don’t have the time to complete all of these tasks yourself? Our Upkeep Services are a great way to ensure your home stays in great shape! Feel free to contact us to learn more! 

Categories Recent Work
Categories Blog, Recent Work

Beautifully Remodeled Kitchen

 We just finished this beautifully remodeled kitchen in Arlington! The homeowner wanted to increase the size of their kitchen, so we bumped out the back of the house to add additional space. This extra space allowed us to add an island, more cabinetry, and storage. In addition, the beautiful new windows brighten the room and create an inviting gathering space.

What do you think? One thing to note is how we incorporated different siding for the addition. This really helps create a customized design for a beautiful finish.

Thanks for following along, The McDonald Contracting team

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Categories Blog, Painting, Tips

Most Valuable Home Renovations

Thinking of updating your home and wanting to get the most value for your dollar? Here are some of the most valuable updates you can do! 

Bathroom Renovation 

Updating your bathroom can be a relatively inexpensive project that can have a big return on investment. Adding a shower to a half bath or just adding a half bath in general can increase a home’s appraised value immediately. Even a new coat of paint with a fresh vanity and new hardware can increase your home’s value. Try new tile floors for a worthy payoff.  Bathrooms are a major selling point so make sure to show them some love! 

Kitchen Remodel

All the magic happens in the kitchen, so it makes sense that remodeling it would be one of the most valuable home renovations. Homeowners can recover over 50% of a kitchen remodel upon selling the home! New appliances, updated countertops, and updated cabinets are worth the investment. You don’t  need to replace the cabinets, sanding and adding a fresh coat of paint can give your kitchen a whole new look without breaking your budget. Even a midrange remodel has a significantly high return on investment.

Deck, Patio, or Porch Addition

Everyone loves a nice patio or deck where they can spend those warm summer nights. If you spend $11,000 on a 16×20 pressure treated, wooden deck you can expect to get $10,000 of that back upon resale. Adding an outdoor addition is a smart investment that will give you almost a 100% return. 

Basement Remodel 

A basement remodel can cost a bit over $50,000, but you can expect to recoup almost 90% of that cost upon resale. Usable living space is a major selling point, so if you are looking to add immediate value to your home, think about a basement renovation. Basements can be notorious for water damage, so depending on where you live you may need to restructure some outside fixtures such as drains, gutters, or even re-sloping the yard to prevent water from getting into your newly finished basement. 

We would love to be part of your renovation journey. Make sure to check our list of services our team at McDonald Contracting offers to see what we can do to help you increase the value of your home!

Categories Blog, Painting, Tips
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