[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We recently finished home renovations for one of our clients in Arlington, MA. Our team transformed this home by making a few substantial changes to give the homeowner more space in their own home. The results were amazing and our clients couldn’t be happier!
Here is what we did –
Knocked down the wall between the dining room and kitchen to increase the kitchen size
Renovate the kitchen to be clean and modern
Added a dormer to their attic which added two new bedrooms and a new full bathroom
Kitchen Remodel:
Bathroom:
Bedrooms:
Are you looking for ways to increase the space and/or value in your own home? Contact us today to learn more about our team can help you!
[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.
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.
[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 contracting 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:
Hanging a TV or shelving unit
Installing or fixing lighting fixtures
Fixing a leaky pipe
Servicing your heater before the winter
Fixing your sprinkler system before spring
Installing a window air-conditioner before temperatures climb
Leaky roof
Broken pipes
Sagging front step
Loose stair railings
Warm or humming electric outlets
Loose lighting fixtures
Toilet leaking at the base
Let us know if you have any questions! Our team is here to help in any way we can. Thanks for reading!
