Kitchen Remodel Open House in Chula Vista, CA

Handicap Accessible Remodels

No one should be limited in their own home due to narrow doorways, stairs, or other obstacles. If any of these, or similar problems, sound familiar, remodeling for handicap accessibility could help your home meet all of your personal requirements.

When it comes to modifying a home to suit the owners' health needs, no two projects are ever exactly alike. That's because each individual's accessibility needs are different, so their home renovations should be, too! Some require major alterations, such as handicap ramp construction and door widening, while others simply require shower grab bars. No matter what alterations are needed, the main goal of every project remains the same: to make sure that you can enjoy a safe, comfortable home. With just a few changes, your home can, once again, be your castle.

The success of your handicap remodeling project depends on:

* Smart product choice - Just like any household feature, handicap accessibility and safety aids are not all created equal. Make sure that you are purchasing quality equipment by doing research and weighing all of your options carefully in order to confirm that you're investing in an item that will serve you reliably for years to come.

* Attention to personal needs - In addition to choosing quality materials, you may also want to think about which products will be best suited to your particular health restrictions. Perhaps your wheelchair dictates a full bathroom remodel with a handicap accessible shower or maybe you're having a hard time deciding if having your toilet raised would really be the best idea for your mobility limitations. To ensure a successful outcome for your home renovations, be sure to consult your doctor and before making your final purchase. You won't regret making an informed decision!

* Proper installation - When it comes to equipment intended to encourage a safe environment, proper installation can make all the difference in the world. Just think: a grab bar that's secured into the wall studs provides reliable support while one incorrectly attached to just the drywall will have you taking a tumble in no time. Correct installation of everything from wheelchair ramp supports to handicap bathroom adaptions can safeguard against physical injury - the very thing that your safety apparatus was meant to prevent! Regardless of the magnitude of your project, it is always better to be safe than sorry, so make sure your renovations are completed accurately.

Don't Become an "If Only"

You can usually tell that a home remodeling project - especially a larger one - went well if the homeowner does not include an "if only" in their conversations about the end result. Unfortunately, too many homeowners do end up uttering those words. It's not that anything went really wrong with their project, it just didn't turn out quite as they envisaged.

A lot of the time in this situation the problem was not with the work that was done but what the homeowner failed to speak up about. Here are a few examples that you should keep in mind as you plan your home remodeling project and maybe learn from the mistakes of those that have gone before you.

If Only I Had Asked For More Outlets

This seems like a rather insignificant detail at first - which is probably why so many homeowners forget all about it - but having the right number of electrical outlets in the right places can make a huge difference to the function of any space.

For example, the homeowner steps into their beautifully remodeled kitchen only to realize that they can't put their appliances where they wanted to because the outlets are too far away. Or they cannot use their hairdryer in front of that great new mirror because they forgot to ask the electrician to add a socket there. Your contractors are not mind readers and will only do the work you ask them too. Make sure that you discuss even the smallest of details - like an extra outlet - with your contractors before the work begins.

If Only I Had Been More Specific

The clearer you can be with your contractors during a remodel the better. He knows that you want tiling done in the bathroom, but what about the color of the grout? Do you want the handles and drawer pulls that come standard with your kitchen cabinets or do you want to pick out something different? Again, think about these little details before the project begins to avoid disappointment and/or additional expense.

If Only I'd Been Around More

Work may suffer if the "boss" is not around and without good, ongoing communication between contractor and client little problems that could have been solved with one phone call can snowball into serious issues. It should not have to be your contractor's responsibly to try to catch up with you for two days to answer a simple question that is holding up the whole project. Make a habit of checking in with your remodeling construction crew at least once a day, just to make sure that everyone is still on the same page.

Get Spring Fever!

When spring rolls around you can get Spring Fever. You start cleaning up areas around your home that you've let go during the long winter. You've also started to notice a few things that could look better - things that need improvement. There are plenty of home remodeling projects that have been discussed to death in magazines and across the internet. So here are a few much-less talked about ideas to spruce up your home - and add value, should you choose to sell:

Add a Master Suite: There is typically a "master bedroom" in most homes and apartments, but a Master Suite can be something entirely different, depending upon interpretation. There is usually room to expand most bedrooms, knocking out part of a wall in a different room to make way. Adding even five feet to a bedroom can give it a much more open appearance. Also, expanding the bathroom, adding more luxury to its décor, can give you - or potential buyers - a total feel of comfort.

Upgrade Your Bathroom: Similar to the above idea, adding a real Master Bathroom can add elegance to your home. Even if the new bathroom is not a part of the master bedroom, it can be a viable option. Guest bathrooms that have been renovated to give comfort and relaxation to visitors can keep friends content at get-togethers.

Install a Gate: While outside some budgets, installing a gate at the outside of your residence can add much to both the scenery of your home and the security of it. Large gates with an intercom system can let you know when you have visitors as well as deter potential thieves from targeting your home.

Wine Cellar: Few home additions garner as much conversation as a wine cellar. Even if you're just starting out on your collection, a few bottles properly placed can add a sense of intellectualism to your home, even if you're only a mild to average collector. They're surprisingly easy to install, and most professional remodeling companies are seasoned in the different varieties.

How Much Can Vinyl Siding Cost?

Vinyl siding is an exterior walling manufactured from polyvinyl chloride or PVC resin. It is the cheapest to install when compared to other siding options like fiber cement, wood or aluminum sidings. Labor and maintenance cost is very minimal and affordable. The material is highly durable and some vinyl sidings are energy-efficient having energy star label. These are some reasons why many homeowners are opting for this highly in demand type of siding.

If you have made up your mind that this is what you want, the next step is to know how much it will cost. This will depend on various factors and whether you want it professionally installed.

How much will your vinyl siding project cost? There are different classes of vinyl sidings. Its cost depends on whether it is low-grade, mid grade or premium grade. Low grade cost ranges from US$0.45 and up, mid grade vinyl costs about US$1.60 per square foot and premium grade costs about US$ 1.90 without the extra pieces. For a typical job, installation will cost about US$ 1.60 per square foo.

Total siding cost also depends on the thickness, from .035 to .055 inches for the average grade siding while the premium thickness is from .040 to .048 inches. Additional cost will come from any trim packages, channels, corner board details, shutters, crown moldings, soft fits and existing siding removal. The removal budget can probably amount between $1000 to $3000 depending on the size.

Don't forget also that any choice of certain special order color will be having a higher price of US$ 2-4 more than the standard colors. Insulated type of vinyl siding and those with UV protection will also mean extra costs of additional 20%. Another matter is when you want a thicker siding, it will cost you more. When it comes to installation cost, the contractor will charge between US$ 2 to US$ 7 per linear foot.

Coverting the Garage!

When the garage is no longer as important to the household as it once was, homeowners may decide to use the space for something more practical. Attached garages have a variety of uses when converted through a residential remodeling project. An extra bedroom, an entertainment center or a Florida room may all make better use of the garage. There may be fewer drivers than there once were, or there may be more people that need privacy and space. Either way, a custom remodeling company can help a homeowner decide the best way to convert the space to meet the household's needs.

Florida Room
A garage can be easily converted into a Florida room. The room already has an outdoor view with no obstruction. Since it will need enclosure on that side, a glass wall to let in sunlight will be less expensive than creating one as a home addition on the exterior of the home. Blinds or shades can be added to the walls as needed for privacy to prevent a clear view of the home's interior.

Bedroom
With a new family member on the way or two growing siblings that are no longer compatible sharing a room, another bedroom may be ideal. It could also be used for a family member that needs to be on the ground floor due to physical disabilities. When there are more younger children than drivers in the family, comfort inside is preferred over the convenience of parking near the door. Another scenario may include an older parent coming to stay at the house who would appreciate the extra space.

Entertainment Center
For empty-nesters, a room for relaxation and entertainment may be the perfect reward to putting all of the children through school and having them married off or out on their own. A large screen television may not fit in other rooms. In most cases, a suitable cable and wiring connection or wireless set-up may be easier to incorporate into a room as it is being rebuilt, rather than one that is existing.

Home Office
A two-car garage may be more suitable as a home office. Eliminating the commute from a long drive in traffic and creating a private, yet comfortable, place to conduct business is an easy choice for those who are able to do it. A separate entrance could be created during the design phase.

Questions to Find a Reputable Contractor

Your home improvement project, either large or small, is a serious matter. That is particularly true for exterior improvements (i.e., siding, windows, entry doors and additions/modifications to your home). When you find the right contractor, you will save a lot of time, money and headaches and actually make the process an enjoyable experience. The following are a few questions that you may ask prospective home remodeling contractors in your search for the right, reputable home contractor for your project:

- "How many years has your company been in business?"
- "What is your experience with the products you are offering? How many projects have you completed with these products?"
- "What is your Company's Better Business Bureau rating and your Angie's List record?"
- "Have you won competitive awards within your industry? By whom and how meaningful?"
- "Can you show me references? May I contact any of them?"
- "Can you show me projects you have completed in my local area that may be similar to ours?"
- "What is your installation warranty (in addition to the product warranty)?"
- "What differentiates you from your competition?"
- "What is your customer-care policy after the job is completed?"
- "Do you offer design services and do you take care of municipal permits?"
- "Can you handle large exterior projects, e.g., deck, gutters, gutter guards, complex accessories, architectural designs, patio rooms, room additions, designer concrete? What is you experience with these?"
- "Are your installation crews employees of your company (or do you sub-contract)?"
- "Are you lead-safe certified?"

Keeping it Practical

When it comes to a reconstruction project for your home, it is essential that you know which areas you should definitely cover and which ones you have to think twice about. This is very important especially if you know that you have a limited budget or you do not want to spend so much on it. While a home remodelingproject definitely has maximum impact in your dwelling place, you could still be very frugal about it if you know where to start.

Turning Old Things into New Things

For example, you do not necessarily have to buy everything you need to give your home a makeover. The more seasoned practitioners of home remodeling know that you can turn old things into new things by simply giving home furnishings a much-needed facelift. One good suggestion when it comes to this is to repaint, polish or upholster old furniture. In a home remodeling project, interior design plays a lot- and this involves beautifying the things inside the home. This includes cabinets, doors, living room sets and tables among others. If you are going for a mixed-classic look, you could paint that carved side table in a light color and make it a focal point of the hallway. If you think your living room set looks dilapidated you could simply reupholster it in a more contemporary fabric instead of buying a new one. Cutting corners in the budget does not necessarily mean having to cut corners in the finished result.

Raising and Allocating Funds in the Home Remodeling Project

When planning a reconstruction for your home, you obviously have to be smart about the budget. You have to make sure that the more important fixtures are replaced or fixed - which is where the majority of your budget will go. If you think you want to do more, you can probably hold a yard sale. Things that you do not want can be resold for a good price, which when added together could probably pay for replacing the windows of your home or buying the necessary light installments that you want. A home remodeling project has the aim of making your dwelling place neater, cleaner and more updated - which also means less stuff and no junk lying around like it used to.

And finally, try to pinpoint some areas which you can replace or renovate by yourself instead of letting the home reconstruction team do. It will lessen the amount of time they have to work, will translate into fewer payments for their services and will give you a satisfactory feeling of being personally involved in the project. This includes staining some furniture, quite possibly installing spotlights or target lamps inside the house and whatnot. Leave the bigger things to the experts, such as massive carpentry or all-over home painting. These are areas which you will probably not be able to do properly, so leave these to the experts. When your home remodeling is finished, you will be very happy with the results and delight that you did not have to spend so much.

Should You Go With the Lowest Bidder?

Lowest price is an alluring way to choose a home remodeling contractor. When comparing estimates, make sure that you are comparing apples-to-apples. There are many features and characteristics that can be different among the myriad of products available. The price quoted for the project should include all aspects of the job:

- The products with defined styles, products and accessories
- Any special circumstances with either the products and/or the installation
- The warranty for both the products and the installation

A good proposal will be thorough, complete and clearly written thereby minimizing possible later misunderstandings. Make sure you know the products that are being used and that they will be installed in accordance with the manufacturers installation specifications.

Review the warranty information carefully. Ask for explanations of price variations between contractors and, above all, do not automatically choose the lowest bidder. You may find after close examination, higher prices may be justified to suit your needs and the overall objectives of your home improvement project.

Maintenance Requirements and Long-Term Care for a Home Remodel

Maintenance, such as painting, cleaning, manufacturer required maintenance, routine repairs, and even future replacement can become burdensome - particularly with poor product choices.  The associated costs can exceed the original installed cost of the products, sometimes maintenance requirements (and costs) will vary based on products, the manufacturing processes and even the installations. For example, wood windows will require regular painting, typically every three to five years. Steel windows also may require regular painting, typically every five to seven years. As temperatures fluctuate vinyl window frames expand and contract very differently than glass panes which can result in stresses that can affect long term performance. Painting costs can be eliminated by the use of fiberglass, vinyl and some clad wood windows. However, the performance of fiberglass window frames over a wide range of temperature fluctuations is far superior to other materials. And lastly, the installation of the products: with almost any of the materials you choose installation in accordance with the manufacturers specifications is an important consideration - not only for long term performance but peace of mind warranty validation.

Further on the windows example, they may require some preventive and corrective maintenance to keep them in good operating condition and weather-tight. Each manufacturer has suggested or required maintenance that needs to be performed to maintain warranty validation. This should not be ignored as it can significantly add to the life cycle cost of the products you select.

Wood entry doors can warp in time and will also require regular painting (three to five year intervals). Maintenance requirements of fiberglass doors are considerably lower and have the same performance features of fiberglass windows.

Fiber-cement siding is known for long lasting beauty and minimal maintenance requirements. It is resistant to mold and, because of inherent stability, paint adheres very well over time. Its' fire resistance is legendary. Vinyl siding on the other hand requires regular power washing particularly if mold persists and it has practically no fire resistance (toxic fumes when heated).

This kind of home remodeling analysis should be performed (in greater detail) on every major component of your home remodeling project.

Marrokal Design & Remodeling in San Elijo Hills