Porch Renovation Ideas in Time for Summer
from our BLOG-magazine
Many homes built in the 1970s and 1980s lack porches, a deficiency that began to be remedied in the 1990s when home builders recognized that these features enhanced the look and enjoyment of homes. Today, much older homes and those built within the past decade are more likely to have a porch, a low cost section of the home that can benefit from a renovation, ranging from the simple to the profound.
at our Home Improvement BLOG-magazine at our companion site: www.LetsRenovate.com
Home Building Tip
for the weeks of: May 13
For Your Home Floors ...
What kind of flooring for your home construction: hardwood floors, carpet, tile, stone, linoleum, and more. See what style you can do to for your new home.
Weekly Tip:
Saving Money for Home Upgrades
from our home building library
Feel like your home needs a bit of a makeover? If you want to upgrade your home, whether to live in or to sell, you’ll really need to budget for it. This means saving a little bit of money each week or month until you have enough funds to cover your renovations and upgrades.
The improvements you make might be as simple as changing light fittings or installing a new Bosch dishwasher or they could involve larger jobs, like repainting your whole house or redoing your floors.
Whatever you desire, it all begins with research and some discipline. Here’s a step-by-step plan to help you achieve your home improvement dreams!
1. Make a List
If you want to upgrade your home, you’ve probably got some ideas of what you want done. So, start by making a list of all the improvements you ideally want to make. It’s important to be specific in your requirements, too. If you want to redo your kitchen floor, for example, will you be going for timber, concrete or tiles? Or if you want new tap fittings, will you choose silver, chrome, brass or gold?
2. Contractors or DIY?
Next, decide for each item on your list if you’re going to hire a contractor or whether you’re going to do-it-yourself. Bear in mind that hiring contractors will involve additional costs. Some upgrades, like painting a room, may be completely achievable on your own, but others may require the help of contractors, particularly if they are on a large scale, or if there’s electrical or plumbing work involved.
3. Prioritise
Your dream list may or may not be feasible, depending on your finances. Now that you’ve got a list, prioritise it – put your “most wanted” or needed upgrades at the top and your less urgent or necessary items at the bottom. If you’re thinking of selling your home, you may want to consult a conveyance or estate agent as well, to get their opinion on what upgrades will increase your home value the most.
4. Research Costs
You’ll never know how much home improvements cost without conducting some research. Research all of the items on your list (or, if your list is long, the ones with top priority) and make a note of approximate costs for each one. Don’t forget to include costs for both materials and tools, as well as labour hire.
5. Research Rebates
Depending on where you live and what improvements you’re making, some home upgrades will be eligible for certain rebates from your Government. These can include solar hot water rebates, toilet dual flush rebates and rebates for rainwater tanks. You will need to research what rebates are available to you and then deduct these from your estimated costs.
6. Start Saving
Now that you’ve got a good estimate of your total renovation costs, decide how long you’re willing to save for before starting your home improvements. Can you wait a year? Six months? Or only six weeks? Whatever you decide, divide the total cost of your upgrades/repairs by the number of months or weeks of your “waiting period.” This will tell you how much money you need to save each week, fortnight or month. Now, start saving!
7. Further Tips
- If you’re not a great saver (or budgeter), consider setting up a direct debit for your savings plan or asking your partner to manage this for you both.
- When it is time to source materials, search for bargains and second-hand materials (if appropriate) and negotiate on labour costs where applicable.
- You may also find that with a little more research, that you can actually do some of the jobs on your list yourself, rather than hire a contractor. Asking friends or family for help can be a good idea too.
- Finally, don’t rush your home upgrades. Nothing’s worse than ending up with a rushed job. Plan well and take your time – and don’t cram in too many renovations at once!
01b-/08 home construction
Sun Solutions for Your Home
from our home building library
A brightly lit and sun-filled home can be beautiful. But depending on the aspect of various rooms, the sun (especially when it’s head-on) can turn into a bother. However, with the possibilities for new additions to your home, you can still stay cool. Consider installing blinds, panel glides, plantation shutters and tinted glass. If you’re outside the home, why not also consider awnings, sun roofs and pool covers!
Blinds
Blinds come in many shapes and forms these days. Depending on what you need, you can choose different styles to suit your home. There are roller blinds, Roman blinds, Venetian blinds, vertical blinds and even ‘blackout’ blinds that filter the sun out completely. Choose a blind that is going to be easily adjustable to suit the moving sun and which also blends with the look of your home. Wooden Venetian blinds, for instance, provide a lovely, country-style look, while Roman blinds modernise any space.
Panel Glides
Just like blinds, panel glides are great for keeping the sun out. Instead of dropping like blinds they act like sliding doors that run across a think track. They are great for full-panelled glass windows or doors if you want to keep the view without letting all the sun in.
Plantation Shutters
Beautifully old-fashioned, shutters block out sun and heat, as well as adding lots of character to your home. Depending on your supplier, you should be able to choose the type of ‘blades’ you want for your shutters, as well as your shutter colour. Shutters are ideal for those who want to block out the sun, but who still want the benefit of allowing air and ventilation to flow through the room.
Tinted Glass
If the sun is a permanent problem in one or more of your rooms, you may also want to consider tinting your glass with a special sun protection tint. Single glazing or double glazing your windows can help with heat and glare, as well as providing more privacy. You can also adjust the ‘reflectivity’ of your tinting depending on how dark you want them to be.
Awnings
Awnings are becoming popular home enhancers, not only because of the sun blockage they offer for your outdoor space, but because they increase the appearance and value of a home. Awnings can be permanent or retractable, depending on your budget.
Pool Covers
Finally, if you’ve got a pool, there is a sun solution for this too! An awning or a sail shade over your pool area can provide swimmers with much needed sun protection. If you find that the sun overheats your pool water, you can fit a pool cover, to keep the heat out and the water cool.
01b-/08 home construction
View more home construction ideas in our home building gallery
How to Pressure Clean Your Deck
from our BLOG-magazine
Your deck will provide months of outdoor living pleasure for you and your family, enabling you to entertain guests, spend time with your children or grandchildren and avoid the hassles of dealing with the lawn and bugs just to have access to the great outdoors.
at our Home Improvement BLOG-magazine at our companion site: www.LetsRenovate.com
7 Insurance Tips for Homeowners
from our BLOG-magazine
If you’re planning a home renovation or have recently completed an update or addition to your home, your homeowners insurance should be reviewed to make sure that it covers the current value of your home. In these days of depressed home values, homeowners may mistakenly believe that their coverage is sufficient. This can prove to be a big mistake especially following a major renovation where the home’s value has increased sharply.
at our Home Improvement BLOG-magazine at our companion site: www.LetsRenovate.com
Designing The Right Pergola For Your Home
from our home building library
Creating the perfect outdoor area should start from the top – and that means installing a pergola that will set the scene for everything that follows. Modern pergolas come in all shapes, sizes, colours and a range of materials, meaning the right design is easily incorporated into your home. Pergolas are a key asset to your home and add value, functionality and practicality. Speaking to an expert who can advise on the best options for your outdoor area is the sensible move.
Be Prepared
Whether it is a new home in need of a pergola or an older home in need of a revamp, it is important to have an idea what you want and what works best. Before you seek out quotes, measure the area where the pergola is to be erected and make a note of any problems you foresee, such as the surface underfoot, proximity to sheds and other buildings, or where it is likely to attach to the walls of your home.
It’s important to find the right place for the pergola. Most new homes are built with an obvious location for an outdoor area already taken into consideration. The best location will provide ease of access to the inside of the home – access straight to the kitchen is ideal. A north-facing orientation is also a good idea, to make the most of our climate.
Types of Pergolas
Modern pergolas come in three main configurations – gabled (or pitched roof), flat roof or domed. As a general rule, flat roofs are cheaper and more straight-forward to install. They are a simple and easy option and can be made to fit virtually any area. Gabled pergolas give greater flexibility when it comes to style. They are also cooler because the higher roof allows the heat that gathers underneath to rise and the design encourages better airflow. Domed roofs add that extra ‘wow’ factor and are generally the most expensive. Once again, they can be designed to fit any space and they can be an impressive feature all by themselves.
Choice of Materials
Steel and aluminium construction has taken over from timber-framed pergolas as it offers great flexibility and protection from the elements. Timber pergolas will need more maintenance (such as painting) than steel construction and can warp or crack under certain conditions. When it comes to the roof, Colorbond and polycarbonate sheeting are the most popular choices. Polycarbonate can come in clear sheets to let light into the outdoor area, while Colorbond comes in colours that will complement the rest of your home.
Two Tips
It’s important to consider safety and local laws if your patio adjoins a swimming pool. Pool suppliers should be familiar with the laws surrounding this. Look for someone who can install approved fencing to make your outdoor area as safe as possible. In many States pool fencing is a legal requirement, so check with your local authority. Here’s another tip – if you are installing a patio, put in your fencing before laying paving bricks to save hassles. It’s easier to cut the pavers to fit around the support poles once they are in the ground.
01b-/08 home construction
Home Renovation (Construction): Making Better Use of Your Current Space
from our BLOG-magazine
Home renovation (Home Building) projects can be extensive, changing the footprint of your home and dramatically altering the interior or exterior. Not every project requires an extensive update to suit your needs, with some jobs helping you to make better use of your current space. Simpler updates can save you time and money, budget pleasing renovations you can handle yourself or with the help of one more contractors.
at our Home Improvement BLOG-magazine at our companion site: www.LetsRenovate.com
Let's get started!
 |
 |
||
| For Your Rolodex | ||
|
||
| end side navigation |
