For anyone who has undergone a home remodel in the past, they can attest to the fact that it always seems to cost more. As you get going, it is easy to want to opt for the upgraded appliance or better lighting. However, these small upgrades add up fast and before long, you are way over budget.

Before Starting A Home Remodel

Of course, budget is the most important thing to establish before starting on a home remodel. Call around and get estimates for the work and use this to determine if your initial budget will be enough to get going.

If you do not have enough saved to start right away, that is okay. It is better to do it right than rush into it. Save for a couple months more and give yourself a nice cushion. Afterall, the last thing you want is to be without a kitchen while you are trying to scrape together enough to finish the job.

Talk with your spouse about the key points you are looking to accomplish with the home remodel. Maybe he wants a huge kitchen with a Viking range and you are looking for a larger living room. If there are budget constraints, decide how you plan to offset the costs with lower end appliances or detailing.

Home Remodel Apps

The iPhone has made home remodel a much more interactive process for the homeowner. With 3D modeling apps that provide a realistic picture of what you house will look like, you can now do much of the concept work yourself.

Some of the top apps we have found are:

* Home Design 3D: Lets you draw rooms and test out different furniture.

* Roomscan Pro: Creates floor plans by just touching your phone to each wall or scanning the floor with your iPhone camera.

* Photo Measures: Saves measurements directly to your photos.

* Tap Painter: Lets you visualize paint colors on your walls.

* IHandy Level: An accurate, general purpose level, on your phone.

* Home Advisor: Helps you discover and compare contract costs. As well as book contractors.

Check Your Local Recycling Center

Did you know that Habitat for Humanity operates over 400 ReStores nationwide? These stores offer a huge variety of salvaged material for sale. They are also a great place to donate your old fixtures.

Starting at a local recycling center can save you heaps of money and give you the good feeling of knowing you are doing your part in up-cycling. This is especially great for the do-it-yourselfers.

Save Money On Your Home Remodel

You can save lots of money by doing some of the grunt work yourself. A big money saver is doing the demo work yourself. While you have to be mindful of what stays and what goes, doing the demo can save you hundreds of dollars.

During the project, if you plan to be around, put yourself to work. Simple things like cleaning up at the end of the day will save you a hundred bucks or so versus having the construction crew handle it. Be mindful of the crew working as you don’t want to me getting in the way.

Another great way to save money during your home remodel is to pick up the construction supplies yourself. Even renting a truck for the day is cheaper than the cost that most contractors would charge for one of their guys to do pick up runs.

When choosing materials, look at “look-a-like” options. Unless you have an endless budget, opting for imitation or laminate flooring is usually the best way to go.

Good luck on your home remodel and we hope this article helped you plan a little better and save a lot more!

The post Help With Your Home Remodel appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

Bright colors are being taken over by subtle earth tones as more homeowners are opting for the environmentally conscious look. The use of re-purposed wood is becoming more popular for kitchen cabinets as well.

The biggest trend for 2019 will be the understated elegance where less is more. This doesn’t mean the giant Wolf range is going anywhere, but rather it will blend in more with the modern kitchen aesthetic.

Design Aesthetic

The overall design aesthetic will remain constant though 2019 as there are no major innovations – like the “kitchen island”. This is good news if you are looking to do a refresh on your kitchen.

Trends toward minimalistic styling would suggest that there would eventually be limited upper cabinet storage but this has yet to come to fruition. Most builders are sticking with the current styling and using the more earth tone fixtures and paint tones.

If your kitchen is still stuck in the sixties with orange cabinets and yellow appliances, it might be time to make a switch. Not only will a kitchen remodel add value to your home, it will also give you more flexibility with designs aesthetic.

What To Consider Before The Remodel

Before starting, it is important to consider what is involved in the remodel. Mainly, not having a kitchen for multiple weeks. The cost of eating out for every meal should be included in your budget for the remodel as well.

I also suggest sitting down and thinking about what appliances you use the most in the kitchen. These will be the ones worth investing in. If you never use a microwave, skip installing one. You will save money and have more to spend on the appliances that you use the most.

Talk with an architect and get their opinion on what will work the best for your lifestyle. Chances are they will have some ideas that you have not thought about.

How Long Will This Trend Last

The trend of eco-friendly and environmentally conscious building has just begun. With the increased awareness about our planet and the need for sustainability only increasing, there is no sign of this trend slowing down anytime soon. And thank goodness for that.

More people are taking the environmentally responsible route in their daily routines and major purchases (like hybrid cars). As re-purposing and up-cycling becomes more popular, the contractors and builders will have more access to new innovations.

I would guess that the trends starting in 2019 will last for the next 15 to 20 years or more. We are at the very beginning of this renaissance.

When To Remodel Your Kitchen

Now is the time to start working with an architect to draw up plans for your new kitchen. Come January, it is slow season for most contractors which means they will be offering discounts in order to earn your

business. By having your plans ready and funding secured, you will have much more bargaining power with the contractors.

When planning a kitchen remodel (or any home remodel) you should have an extra 20% extra cash on hand for change orders. Meaning, if your kitchen remodel is estimated at $20,000, you need to have $24,000 in the bank to spend on the project.

It is inevitable that issues will come up or upgrades will be desired. Having this cushion will give you more flexibility and ultimately the kitchen of your dreams.

The post Your Guide To Kitchen Remodel Trends For 2019 appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

If you are anything like me and had to deal with a smoldering hot garage this summer, looking into garage door insulation is a top priority before the winter cold sets in. After talking with a variety of contractors, I have the inside scoop on what the best way to insulate a garage is.

Garage Insulation Explained

Unlike the rest of your house, the garage is usually just a couple panels of drywall and some siding between the harsh elements and the inside. As the summer days heat up, there is little to dissipate the heat as it moves through from the outside, in.

Your home on the other hand has insulation in the walls. This insulation is rated with an “R” ranking. The higher the “R-XX” number, the more time it takes heat or cold to pass through the insulation. This

means that even on the hottest days or coldest months, the temperature outside will take longer to move inside depending on the insulation rating.

Since most of us want to live in a comfortable 78-degree house year round we rely on heating or cooling systems to regulate the inside temperature. In this case, we are both trying to keep the outside temperature our, and hold in our comfortable living temperature.

The garage is an often-overlooked section of the house because not much time is typically spent in there… possibly partly because it has such major temperature fluctuations. A major cause of heat or cold loss in the garage is the garage door. Most garage doors are sheet metal and have no insulation to speak of. So, no matter how insulated your garage walls may be, all the heat or cold will come straight in (or out) of the garage door.

Insulated Garage Doors

To prevent temperature fluctuations in the garage, there is insulation that can be installed to just about any garage door. These kits come with generic sized panels that can be fitted into the panels of your garage door.

If you are looking for a professional insulated garage door, there are options with R-18 rankings that come complete. These doors use a sandwich construction to enclose the insulation and reduce the airflow.

Keep in mind that simply upgrading the garage door is only a part of the battle against the elements.

Even with the best insulated garage door, you will lose massive amounts of heat/cold if your walls and windows are not insulated as well. Before investing heavy on the garage door, take a look at the big picture and analyze the weak points of the garage.

Spreading your money out between wall insulation and garage door insulation will give you much better thermal results than simply doing one or the other.

Getting Started With Insulated Garage Doors

If you are feeling good about your walls and windows insulative abilities than it is time to focus on the garage door. You can find kits online that make it pretty simple to install the insulation.

After talking with contractors, the main thing they caution is buying a cheap kit. The cheaper kits have poor adhesive and will cause the insulation to fall off the garage door when it is up.

Following the instructions and prepping the door correctly is very important. Make sure the door is free from dust or other materials. This will give you a better surface for the insulation adhesive to bond.

Happy installing and I hope this article helped provide you with guidance on installing garage door insulation.

The post What To Know Before Purchasing An Insulated Garage Door appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

Before getting started on the project be sure to have all your tools ready to go (listed below). It is also recommended that you do vinyl siding repairs in warm weather. Trying to repair siding in cold weather is much hard and can even cause the siding the crack as you try to remove/re-install.

This can be done alone but if you have an extra set of hands available, be sure to take advantage!

Items you will need:

• Zip Tool
• Flat pry bar for removing existing nails
• Hammer and nails
• A new piece(s) of siding
• Work Gloves
• Safety Glasses

Replacing vinyl siding

Have a new piece of matching siding ready to go when you start. Find the end of the damaged piece of siding and push the zip tool under the siding until you feel it hook. Pull the tool down and slightly outwards to release the siding from the mounting. As it comes down, continue to slide the zip tool horizontally along the siding to release the entire panel.

Continue the repair by “unzipping” any pieces above the damaged piece that may be in the way. You can use your arm to keep these out of the way while you work the nails out. Slide the new piece of siding in so that the lower lip locks into place with the siding below.

Use ¼” roofing nails at around 15″ spacing – close to but not in the existing holes – to hammer the new piece in place. Leave around a 1/32″ space between the nail head and the new piece of siding.

Leaving space between the nail head and siding is extremely important as the siding will swell and shrink with weather changes. Nailing it too tight can cause the siding to buckle in extreme heat.

Finishing the job

Now that you have the new piece of siding in place it is time to re-install the pieces above back into place. Using your zip tool, start at one end and slide the tool so that the panel clicks back in place. You will need to push the siding to help it slide into place.

Depending on the age of your vinyl siding it may be difficult to match the colors. If the existing siding is faded it could be a good idea to resurface and paint it.

For newer vinyl siding you can usually find the matching color at your local Home Depot or Lowes. Keep your damaged siding so that you can bring it in for color matching.

Painting vinyl siding

Before painting you will need to clean the vinyl siding. Use a mixture of:

– 1/3 cup laundry detergent – 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner – 1 quart liquid laundry bleach – 1 gallon water

Using a gentle brush work the solution onto the siding and hose off.

Once the surface is clean and dry, you are ready to paint. Using a roller or paint sprayer, apply the new paint to your vinyl siding. Use a paint bush for the hard to reach corners.

Considerations for vinyl siding repair

If you are long overdue for vinyl siding repair it may be worth updating the entire house. Old siding is often hard to color match or find matching replacement pieces. If the siding is starting to crack all around the house than it is worth considering an entire overhaul.

An entire overhaul will of course take more time and cost more but there are advantages. If you are repairing a lot of the panels already, the house is going to look mismatched. At this point you are getting to a point where you spend more today or do a quick fix and have to spend more in a few years anyways.

Vinyl siding today is more resilient than the stuff from 20 years ago. Taking the time to update your house will add value as well as provide better protection from the elements.

Take the time this summer to refresh your vinyl siding and enjoy it for years to come!

The post Tips On Repairing Vinyl Siding appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

Here are the top 7 things you should consider before replacing windows in your home.

1) Don’t do it for the energy efficiency – even the best dual panel windows will only give you a 10-13% savings on heating and cooling costs. If you consider the cost of premium windows in the $1,000/window range (we found that window costs started around $300 and went up to $1,500 or more a window), it would like a lifetime (or more) to see savings from your new window purchases. There are better ways to make your home more energy efficient.

2) If it aint broke, don’t fix it – Updating your windows simply for a nicer looking house can end up costing you more than you think. Homes built in the 60’s used high quality wood to frame windows and doors. Today, the wood is much worse quality and therefor may homeowners are opting for vinyl windows. To get high quality wood frame windows, expect to pay about 20% more than the premium vinyl options. If your windows are in decent shape they can still be salvaged though repair or refinishing.

3) Consider repairing – there are a lot of new companies starting up that specialize in repairing windows. These services run between $100 and $350 a window and can bring back to life some of the most dilapidated windows. By repairing your windows, you can preserve your homes original look while enhancing its appearance. Repaired windows will usually give you better energy efficiency and similar savings on electricity costs as new windows. This is a great option if you live in a home with nice looking windows already.

4) Don’t cut corners – there are major upsides to new windows and in a recent study, around 80% of homeowners saw a return on their investment with new windows. When purchasing new windows, it is important that you do not skimp on quality. Windows are a major part of a home’s aesthetic. Purchasing cheap windows on a nice house will bring the homes perceived value down. To put it simply, if you own a modest home, go for modest or mid-range windows. If you are in a luxury home neighborhood, purchase the high-end windows.

5) Explore retrofitting options – there are different levels of window replacement. Retrofitting lets you use your existing window frames to install slightly smaller windows inside of them. This will typical cost around the same as a window repair. The advantage is a new window without the full renovation cost. Then downside is that you lose a few inches around the entire window. Usually not noticeable but something to consider.

6) Understand the features of windows – many of the modern windows have UV protective film on the pane to help protect your furniture and carpets from fading. Consider the angle that your house and windows face and where the most light in coming in. Choosing the right windows to let in more or less light will greatly enhance the homes livability. Because a full window installation is so involved, consider moving windows higher, lower, or even going bigger or smaller. Re-positioning window height based on the suns direction can dramatically affect the natural light inside your home.

7) Safety and practicality – modern windows provide an extra layer of safety to your home than older model windows. If you are traveling a lot, installing new windows (and maybe even a security system) would be a good investment in piece of mind and home safety. Installing premium windows will give you home added security against break ins.

Lastly, consider the neighborhood you live in when choosing windows. Meaning, if you live on a golf course, do not purchase glass windows, opt instead for a synthetic material that is resistant to flying objects.

If you live in an area where your windows are open often, consider options with screens that are easy to clean. Also, if your backyard is small, consider windows that open vertically inside the house rather than roll out windows. This will give your backyard a larger feel even when the windows are open, instead of having them opening outwards into your yard.

The post What You Should Consider Before Replacing Windows appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

Create defined sections

Taking time in the design stage to create defined zones within your deck will pay off in spades once your project is complete. Subtle design aesthetics will manage flow and maximize relazation when guests come to visit. These sections can be defined with sitting areas on the far side of where the bbq area is to avoid the smoke and bar stools or high tops close to the bbq are for those who want to be close to the action.

Varying the direction of your deck boards will also help guest section themselves naturally to the different zones on your deck. Aligning string lights with these deck board angles will subconsciously guide guests around your deck.

Go full luxury with your backyard deck

With flat screen TV’s selling for under $200 these days, why not add one to your backyard deck? This is a great way to make the most of the investment in patio furniture by hosting movie nights with your family on warm summer nights.

Other luxury improvements include a refrigerator, beer tap and surround sound speakers. Adding something like a gas fire pit in the center of the furniture is a great way to keep kids engaged with snore’s cooking while the parents soak into the comfy lounge chairs.

Choose easy to clean furnishings

The last things you want to do is have to wash throw-pillows weekly or get down on hands and knees to scrub the deck. Choosing a composite deck is a great way to forget about splinters, cracking, warping or rotting. The upfront cost may be slightly higher than regular wood planks but your long-term return on investment will be well worth the expenditure.

When installing your deck, be sure to follow guidelines for air circulation and draining. If you are hiring a professional, they will likely have this already figured out for you. If you choose to do it on your own, take the time to measure, re-measure, and triple check the specs.

Don’t forget a hot tube!

Hot tubes are a great addition to any deck if there is enough space. For small decks, this will likely take up a majority of the space and could potential take away from the lounging area. Think about what you are going to be using the most for yourself. If you do add a hot tube, ensure that there are proper safety mechanisms in place to kid-proof it.

Put some shade on it

Summer evening BBQ’s are one of the most popular uses for a backyard deck but you should not forget about mornings and afternoons. Adding a nice canopy will not only give the deck a completed look but also provide you with nice shade during the warmer days and protection from the elements on the rainy or snowy days. They are the perfect place to hand lights or even ceiling fans for added airflow.

Want a color pop? A pergola is the perfect canopy to put some paint on and bring your deck to life with.

Safety First

For those with small children or elderly parents that visit often, adding railings around the deck is a must. Not only do they provide a great level of safety, they can also work as cocktail or small plate holders when you use a wider top board. Take it one step further and line the underside with LED lights for a great accent.

Using anti-skip strips on the stairs is also advised especially for those looking to throw cocktail parties often. Just a little bit of spilled beer can make that last stair feel like an ice rink and take your party from fun to flop.

Explore design aesthetics for your taste

Backyard decks are synonymous for fun! Don’t be held back by traditional wood colors when designing your deck. With so many varieties of paints and outdoor fabric cushions you can make your deck look however you want.

Adding a vegetable garden to the side or a vertical planter is a great way to ensure you are going outside often on your deck and getting the most use from it.

Now that you have the secrets to a perfect deck, get out there and start designing!

The post Secrets to Designing the Perfect Backyard Deck appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

turned off and the water has drained out. During flooding, dangerous foreign objects can work their way inside your home. An extreme example is in Florida when one resident found an alligator in his home after a flood. More realistic dangers include broken glass, electrical shortages and chemical spills. So, what do you do to repair water damage?

Know the water you are dealing with

There are three types of water that can cause water damage to your house; clean water (from rain or leaky pipes), gray water (slightly dirty water from dishwashers or clean toilets), and black water (very dirty sewage water that can pose health risks). For the most part, cleaning up after clean water and gray water can be done by yourself – using proper safety gear and equipment of course.

Black water on the other hand contains waste, bacteria and other contaminants that can cause serious health problems. You should not try to clean black water damage by yourself. There are companies (most covered by your insurance) that specialize in dealing with black water clean up.

Act faster than the mold

A major problem with water damage is the possibility of long term mold in your home. Mold can start developing in as little as 24 hours and will grow extremely rapidly if not treated. Even slight condensation can lead to major mold problems. Because mold is harmful to humans, it is important to take action right away. If you had clean water-damage, and notice a small patch of mold forming, you can simply cut out the affected drywall, bag it, and throw it away. In major mold issues that result from water damage, it is better to get out of the house and call professionals to remove the mold.

Focus on what’s above you

Ceilings are the most susceptible to further damage because of gravity. Any water soak ceiling should be dealt with first as it is likely to come crashing down if not taken care of right away. While repairing the ceiling, be sure to check the major supports in your house to ensure everything is structurally sound. Check the wood inside your walls and ceiling when replacing the drywall to ensure that there is not water damage. If the wood is noticeably wet, work to dry it off as quick as possible with high powered fans. If there is already signs of mold or if the wood is severely drenched, you will want to call a contractor to replace the wood. Do not attempt to do this yourself as it is hard to tell which wood beams are for structural support.

What is typically covered by insurance

Any type of water damage can lead to long term, potentially very expensive, issues in your home. Insurance companies typically will cover a pipe bursting over a slow leak but it is a good idea to put in a claim if there appears to be surrounding water damage. Water can quickly soak into drywall and grow mold. Take action quickly and your chances for getting a claim processed are much higher. Plus, the damage will be dealt with faster so the overall price will likely be lower.

Take action to prevent against future issues

If you live in an area that is prone to severe storms and flooding, chances are you may have to deal with water damage repair again. There are a variety of very nice waterproof flooring options that you can

install in your home. Using waterproof flooring will help mitigate water damage and ease in the repair costs.

It is not just the interior that you need to focus on when there is water damage to your home. Exterior siding is susceptible to rot and should be inspected, repaired, or replaced after any water damage. Water can slip in behind stone siding and creep behind paneling, causing long term damage. These are much harder to spot and it is usually a good idea to bring in a professional with an eye for spotting water damage.

The post What You Need to Know About Water Damage Repair appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

you not only are having to deal with burnt sections of your home, you are also having to deal with flooding. The fire may have damaged electrical wire or burned away the protective rubber coating around wires creating even more of a hazard inside the home.

What to do after a house fire

As tempting as it might be to rush inside and survey the damage, you should refrain. Depending on the severity of fire the home may not be structurally sound. Entering a home that isn’t sturdy can be extremely dangerous. This being said, here are a few things you should do after a house fire:

* Limit your movement inside. Simply walking around the house can move soot particles around and embed them into your carpets and upholstery, making it more difficult to get the smoke odor out of the home.

* Use towels to place on the ground where you are walking. There will be a lot of soot around the home that you will track inside, using towels helps mitigate the extended damage.

* Any plants that you have inside should be washed on both sides of the leaf’s. Taking the plants outside after and hosing off with a garden hose is ideal.

* If you have central heating and cooling you should tape cheese cloth over air outlets so not to allow the smoke odor to enter the air ducts.

* Call a cleaning and restoration service professional. These companies are experts on cleaning and repairing homes or businesses. Contact your insurance provider and then contact a restoration service.

What not to do after a house fire

There is often more damage than what meets the eye after a house fire. Trying to jump into cleaning and repairing can be extremely dangerous and potentially cause more issues. After a house fire, never:

* Attempt to clean major electrical appliances that were near the fire.

* Use canned food or boxed food that was close to the fire

* Turn on light switches that were close to the fire. The water from extinguishing the fire could be pooling around outlets or fixtures.

* Send clothing to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning will actually set the smoke smell in your cloths.

* Attempt to wash walls using generic cleaners. This will cause more damange.

Cleaning up after a small house fire

If there was a small fire and you wish to clean up the damage yourself rather than work with fire damage professionals, here are a few tricks:

* Using products that contain tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) can help to reduce the smoke odor in fabrics. Be sure to test one or two items with the following solution before washing them all.

o Measure 4 to 6 tbsp. Tri-Sodium Phosphate and 1 cup household cleaner or chlorine bleach for every gallon of warm water you will use.

* To remove smoke odor and soot from walls you can also you have above mixture. Gently scrub the walls and always test a small area first.

* Replace any drywall that had contact with fire hoses. Drywall can absorf the water and lead to mold and mildew.

* Wash all of your dishware, pots and pans. Even if there were only mildly exposed.

* Throw away and food packages that were already opened or close to the fire. This includes canned foods, beverages, plastic bottles and coffee.

Final thoughts

If you have suffered a house fire it is important to keep a level head and stay calm. After the firefighters leave, do not rush in as the house could be dangerous still. If the fire required firefighters to put out the flames then you will not want to stay in the house until a professional fire restoration company has been able to repair your home. Contact your insurance right away so they can help you facilitate the cleanup process. Be extremely careful when moving around the house as there could be exposed electrical wires from the fire as well as pooled water from the fire hoses. As devastating as the fire may have been, there are loads of professionals that have the experience to get your home back to its original state.

The post House fire clean up – What you need to know appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

You get what you pay for with epoxy flooring

The difference between a cheap and expensive epoxy flooring product is very dramatic. Cheap epoxies will shrink and not dry currently. This means that instead of getting a nice 2mm thick epoxy flooring, you are left with about half of that which then falls into the category of epoxy coating. The more expensive professional grade products will bond better and not shrink.

Equally as important as the quality of the epoxy that you use is the way in which the floor is prepared and applied. It is critical that the floor is prepared correctly for the epoxy flooring to bond correctly. Using an experienced professional to lay down your epoxy flooring is very important to get a clean look. If you are doing a home DIY project for your garage, you can get away with doing it yourself if you are okay with potential flaws.

Epoxy flooring is environmentally friendly

What you might not have known about epoxy flooring is that it is an environmentally friendly option. Many of the epoxy flooring options exceed LEED certification and because there is no need to cut, you use less material which reduces waste. The epoxy flooring is also much easier on fork lift and machinery tires, saving you money on replacing tires. Traditional concrete can grind against tires and cause them to wear down much more quickly. Epoxy coating is much smoother and not create so much damage. Epoxy

flooring is can also help reduce your energy bill because of the way its highly reflective qualities can add light.

Improve worker morale with epoxy floors

This may sound totally bogus but hear us out. A typical warehouse is often very dull with boring surroundings, causing a decrease in the work your employees get done because the environment is not pleasing to the eye. Epoxy flooring comes in a wide range of color tinted options which allows you to customize the work space and add a more pleasing visual aesthetic.

Offers major advantages

Epoxy floors are easy to clean and provide a durable surface for high traffic areas. If you are installing epoxy flooring in your factory, you can use different color variations to help direct traffic and stay organized. By applying an epoxy to concrete flooring, you will also increase the lifespan of your concrete base. Repairing concrete floors is more expensive than simply re-applying another coat of epoxy. Lastly, epoxy flooring provides fantastic anti-slip qualities and is resistant to chemical spills.

Flexibility of epoxy flooring

Using epoxy flooring allows you to customize the look and aesthetic of your floors. Did you know that you can even add you logo between layers of the epoxy? The possibilities are endless with color combinations and styling. It is no wonder that epoxy floors are becoming the number one choice for warehouses, factories, showrooms and retail stores.

Final Thoughts

Epoxy floors are tough, easy to clean, resilient and good looking. Adding an epoxy flooring over existing concrete floors is a great choice for harsh environments or work areas that get high traffic. Concrete floors are susceptible to cracking. By adding epoxy flooring on top you can fill those cracks and preserve the life of your floors. If you are ready to get started with installing epoxy flooring, contact a professional today. You will be enjoying the added aesthetic and practical benefits of epoxy flooring for years to come.

The post Five Things You Must Know About Epoxy Flooring appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.

Assuming your home is structurally sound and current on all other basic home maintenance, a bathroom remodel could be a good place to invest. In fact, a recent study showed that in a hot housing market a bathroom remodel could bring in a return of 182% of its cost at resale. In San Diego, a $17,000-bathroom remodel investment netted a whopping $27,000 at resale. These figures are based around an average remodel that is in line with the homes overall cost. Meaning, don’t expect that a $40,000-bathroom remodel in a $200,000 one-bedroom apartment will bring in the same 180% return.

What Makes a Good Bathroom Remodel

Before jumping into your bathroom remodel, consider the overall layout of your home. If you are in a 3-bedroom, 1 bathroom for example, your money would be better spent adding a modest 2nd bathroom rather than updating the current one. In fact, adding a second bathroom has been shown to increase the resale value of your home by almost 9%. Twice that of the return from adding an extra bedroom.

When designing your dream bathroom think of practicality. Sure, the idea of soaking in a big bathtub with candles all around your sounds great, but how often, if ever, will you actually do this. Opting for a larger floor to ceiling shower is more practical and will likely lead to a higher return on investment. This being said, it is also important to note that you should make improvements in ways that you will enjoy them. It is one thing to plan for selling one day but another to spend a lot of money on improvements

that you may not like. The improvements you make should be to improve the home to fit your lifestyle. With the exception that you are planning to just flip the house.

Bringing in the Highest Return on Your Bathroom Remodel

Designing your bathroom to current trends will help you bring in the highest ROI on your bathroom remodel. If you are renovating the master bath, consider double sinks. Recent studies have shown that master bathrooms with double sinks are most attractive to buyers because they provide more convenience and flexibility. To go with these sinks, consider brushed metal faucets that match the other hardware in the bathroom. Keeping a consistent look and feel adds to the aesthetic and ultimately to the ROI. Lastly, add in a little something extra. If you live in a cold environment, consider a heated towel rack. If your neighborhood is popular with young families consider installing a hand shower. Hand showers are great for parents with very young children and pets. It is sometimes the little things that make the difference to perspective home buyers.

To bring in the most money on resale from remodeling your bathroom, be sure to keep it in line with the overall feel of your house. It is easy to get carried away with grand ideas for the ultimate bathroom. But, consider the overall flow of the house and how this grand bathroom will blend. Buyers will get turned away if only one room is spectacular and the rest of the home is very modest, and visa-versa.

Final Thoughts on Bathroom Remodeling

Fixing up an outdated bathroom has historically produced solid ROI at resale. More importantly to note, is that this is only the case on homes that have been cared for and properly maintained. Making sure that you have not overlooked the rest of your home’s maintenance is the best way to increase your home’s value. Once this is done, doing a bathroom remodel is a great step in increasing your home’s value.

The post Will a Bathroom Remodel Deliver the Best ROI? appeared first on Home Improvement Madison.