Tips Archives - Page 9 of 10 - McDonald Contracting

Blog, Tips

Bathroom Upgrades That Are Worth The Cost:

21Apr2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Just like kitchen remodels, updating your bathroom can result in the highest resale value of your home. Remodeling your bathroom can be a complex and daunting endeavor, so if you’re thinking of making improvements, calling a professional is always a good idea. The cost of a full bathroom renovation ranges from $15k -$25k, while smaller renovations can range anywhere from $1k – $15k… Clearly, there is a wide range of pricing behind a bathroom renovation. To help you determine how much to invest in your bathroom renovation, we’re sharing five upgrades we think are worth the extra cost!

1. Install recessed shelving: In smaller bathrooms and powder rooms, recessed shelving increases storage space, while also looking stylish. Recessed shelves in the shower provide easy access to necessities and can be cleverly tucked into the wall.

recessed tile shelf

2. Focus on the visuals: Choose your bathroom accessories wisely and don’t cheap out on the small details. Details such as nice tile, colors, and attractive fixtures go a long way, especially when reselling your home.

Tip: Purchase your shower head, faucet, and handle in a trim kit to save money and have a nice cohesive look. We find it’s best to avoid shopping for plumbing fixtures at large chains, such as Home Depot and Lowes.Shop at your local plumbing supply house to ensure top quality to avoid future headaches.

2015-01-13-brassbathroomdecorationfaucets

3. Install radiant flooring: Want to add a WOW factor to your bathroom? If so, consider adding radiant floors. This is a luxury addition that is becoming increasingly popular. You can choose from either forced hot water radiant hearing, which includes tiny hot water piped under the sub floor, or electric radiant mats that go on top of the cement board sub floor. The electric radiant mats are the most affordable option.

Radient floring

4. Think skylights: If you’re remodeling your bathroom on the top floor of your home, illuminate your space with a skylight or large windows. These options add an unexpected touch that creates the illusion of space, making the room feel larger. Additionally, they allow for natural lighting, which can be cost-saving by reducing your electricity bill.

skylight bathroom

5. Add lots of storage: Maximize your storage options by making sure your bathroom has a closet, medicine cabinet, and recessed shelving, as this is also a big selling point for potential buyers.

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Need some inspiration? Check out the McDonald Contracting Pinterest Account for lots of great ideas for renovating your bathroom and home.

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We hope you found these bathroom upgrades helpful! If you have any questions about remodeling your bathroom, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thanks for reading! –McDonald Contracting

www.McDonaldContractingMA.com

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Blog, Tips

Renovating Your Kitchen: The secrets no one will tell you

29Mar2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A kitchen is the heart of your home and due to a high ROI it’s also the most popular room to renovate in any house. Remodeling a kitchen is new to many of our clients and so is understanding the pricing behind it. Depending on the size of the home a new kitchen can range anywhere from $30K-$70K. Since this is such a large range we’ve broken down the costs to understand what goes into a small vs. a large kitchen.

Smaller renovations:
❖ Painting walls and ceilings
❖ Upgrading your sink and faucet
❖ Upgrading your appliances
❖ Adding backsplash
❖ Re-finishing existing cabinets or installing stock cabinets
❖ Replacing countertops with materials such as vinyl or laminate

Larger renovations:
❖ Installing custom cabinets
❖ Installing hardwood floors
❖ Adding recessed lighting
❖ Installing high-end appliances
❖ Adding a kitchen island
❖ Replacing countertops with materials like stone, wood or metal

The average project cost varies depending on the size of your kitchen and the materials you choose. If you’re planning on staying in your home for years to come, larger changes are worth it since you are increasing the value of your home, while being able to reap the benefits of things like using updated appliances and granite countertops. If you’re thinking of selling in the next few years, you can still start with smaller renovations that will increase the value of your home.

McDonaldContracting Blog — View one of our latest projects

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Money Saving Tips For Remodeling:

There are some great ways to cut costs, but not cut corners when remodeling your home. Check out our three tips on how you could easily save on your next kitchen or home renovation.

Purchase Your Own Materials: Customer involvement with material choices results in more time, but less money spent. Clients can order tile and cabinetry supplies directly or have the contractor choose all of this for you. You can also check out wholesale tile stores for discounted prices on high-end flooring or check out craigslist for reduced price items. There are wholesale tile suppliers like Fitzgerald Tile in Woburn, MA and Pro Source store in Boston, MA that have an array of materials and prices.

Get Items On Sale: We all know Lowe’s and Home Depot are great for all home improvement projects, but did you know they offer discounted prices on light fixtures, paint, and more! Their sale items can be a hit or miss, but it’s always worth exploring their sale shelves.

Shop Yard Sales, Thrift Shops & Estate Sales: Not afraid of something that is second-hand? By shopping at thrift stores, estate sales and yard sales you could save huge, but be prepared to hunt for a great deal. If purchasing something that requires electricity, always plug it in before purchasing and check with your contractor to make sure the sizing is right.

TIP: Check out Greengoat – Greengoat is a local charity organization that specializes in salvaging materials from homes being renovated or demolished. They offer everything from flooring to toilets for a remarkably low price.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”blue” style=”dashed” el_width=”70″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We hope you found these renovation and savings tips helpful! If you have any questions about remodeling your kitchen please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thanks for reading!

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Blog, Tips

The difference between a contractor and a handyman

15Feb2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Ever wonder what the difference of a hiring a contractor vs. a handyman is? We find we often get this question and while we offer both Handyman and residential c ontracting services there is a big difference between the two.

Hiring a General Contractor:

Many people do not realize what actually goes into remodeling a bathroom, kitchen or home. Take for example a kitchen, on average a kitchen remodel takes 5-6 weeks to complete with a cost around $30-$50K. A project this size requires an electrician, a plumber, a countertop contractor, a cabinet contractor, a flooring pro, a painter, and someone to install the appliances. It also requires pulling permits and scheduling town inspections. Talk about a lot of scheduling and negotiating… especially if you have never done it before.

By hiring a Residential General Contractor they will coordinate all required professionals needed, schedule their time appropriately and best of all, negotiate pricing to get the best deal on labor. If you were to do all of this yourself the time, effort and money spent (on possibly overpaying professionals) can take it tolls.

So if you have a big project that requires the talents of multiple professionals then we suggest hiring a general contractor to get the job done. It will save you money and you own sanity in the end!

Some examples of jobs that require a general contractor would include:

Adding a stairway
Installing a new roof (not just individual tile replacement but the whole roof)
Installing a fireplace or wood stove
Building a raised deck
Installing or replacing certain plumbing fixtures such as water heaters
Major remodeling
Putting in new doors or windows
Building a retaining wall (not simply a decorative wall)
Any work requiring the repair or modification of the existing electrical, plumbing, or gas systems

Hiring a Handyman:

Typically we suggest hiring a handyman when your project is on the smaller side and doesn’t require a lot of time. Many handyman jobs can be charged at an hourly rate (with minimums) helping you to keep costs manageable. If your job is small then hiring an experienced and trustworthy handyman could be the right option for you.

Some examples of tasks that require a handyman would include: