Blog Archives - Page 15 of 47 - McDonald Contracting

Blog, Recent Work

Beautifully Remodeled Kitchen

5Oct2022

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

Blog, Painting, Tips

Most Valuable Home Renovations

12Aug2022

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!

Blog, Home Maintenance

5 Tips For Getting Your Home Fall-Ready

12Jul2022

Fall in New England is one of the most amazing times of the year; the trees are bursting with colors, and homes are filled with the smell of apple pie. But, it’s easy to forget about maintaining your home, so we are here to remind you! Don’t neglect your home this summer and fall. Instead, use your extra daylight time this August to prepare your home for the colder months ahead.

Here are some tips to help keep your home well-maintained –

Get Your Chimney Inspected and Cleaned: Fall in New England can be chilly! So before curling up with a book by the fireplace, ensure your chimney is inspected and cleaned by a professional. Keeping up with chimney maintenance will help reduce the risk of a fire.
Check Your Furnace and Boiler: Inspecting your furnace and boiler is always a good idea. You will want them checked for leaks and any other damage. Changing filters is essential as well. Keeping your equipment inspections up to date will help with efficiency and decrease heating costs.
Clean or Replace Gutters: It can be easy to forget that the gutters need a little TLC too. Clogged gutters can wreak havoc on your home. If gutters get neglected, you could end up with water damage to your home’s exterior and interior. It may be best to wait until mid to late fall to clean them.
Test Home Safety Devices: When the cold weather comes, so does the risk of house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. You should ensure you put fresh batteries in all your devices and test that they work. Stay safe this season, and make sure everything is in working order!
Check for Drafts: Nothing is more inconvenient than trying to heat a house with drafts. Making sure there are no drafts will help keep heating your home more efficient and cost-effective. A trick for checking for drafts is walking with a lit candle near common draft areas such as windows; if the flame flickers or burns out, then a draft is near.

We hope these tips help get your home for an stress-free fall! AND if you find yourself not having enough time, check out our UpKeep Home Maintenance Services.