How to Make an Informed Decision - What You Need to Consider For Any Home Improvement Project

Home improvement projects, whether they are strictly cosmetic or repair/renovation jobs require research. Sometimes we aren't even clear what questions we need to be asking or what exactly we need to research. Whether it is flooring or countertops, wall covering or a dated ceiling, there are options that we may not even be aware of. Home improvement, building and design, is a vast industry. As a professional, who lives and breathes the options and considerations out there, product development and new information is being dispersed at a pace that is nearly impossible to keep up with. I had the opportunity recently to speak to the owner of a local flooring company. I walked in with outmoded information about carpeting and came out understanding that there have been astounding improvements; from construction and durability to the ecological advances (recycled and recyclable products) and designs. Did you know that, allergy considerations are now a reason to have carpet! There are air purifying, virus destroying microbes, and some carpeting if paired with the right padding comes with a lifetime warranty! Rule #1 Do your research, it pays. Get on the internet. Pick up a magazine or talk to the salesperson in your local home improvement center. Go to a specialty store, appropriate to your specific project needs, ask questions and pick up anything that might give you more information. I know they can be dry and too technical but READ the brochures; you will be amazed to find some of those questions you didn't know you needed to ask. Rule # 2 Buyer Beware. Are you really comparing apples to apples? Is the brand name toilet at Home Depot really the same toilet as the one at your local plumbing store? Ask! Get the model numbers. Often, you are not getting the best value for the lowest priced item. Comparison shop either on-line or directly through a local retailer. You may want to consider a publication such as, Consumer Report Magazine, depending on the scope of your project and the areas of expertise that you are going to need to research. Rule #3 Know your total costs. Cost is usually one of the top considerations, but are you really looking at the full cost? What is the longevity of a particular product and what kind of maintenance costs can you expect? Are you going to have to replace it in one year or ten? Is there a warranty and if so, what are the limitations? As with brochure information, you can unearth some considerations about a product that you were not aware of by really reading the terms of warranty. What do they mean by "proof" and "resistant" terminology can have different meaning from one manufacturer to the next. Is delivery and installation included and if not, what is that going to add to the bottom line? Rule #4 DIY Project, is it really a do-it-yourself project, now that we've mentioned installation? What is the best use of your time and energy given your skill set, level of interest, capabilities and timelines? There are books written and comedy acts that feed off of self proclaimed "do-it-yourself" projects gone awry that are hilarious, but not so funny when it's your own kitchen that is messed up and you've just flushed money and time down the drain. Be as clear as you can about understanding what the scope of your project is. Take at honest look, are you the best candidate for this job, or do you need professional expertise? Might be, it's a combination, you hire the expert to hang and tape your drywall and then do the painting yourself. Implementing these 4 rules and applying them to your next home improvement project will give you a blueprint; you will be armed with the information that you need to make the right decisions ensuring that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent. (c) copyright - Kimberlee Carter. All rights reserved worldwide.

Home Improvement - How to Make an Informed Decision Choosing the Right Countertop

What are your options? Countertop surface choices are as wide and varied as are the considerations and costs. Keep in mind as you consider the various surface options that we are not just talking about kitchens, this information can be applied for use in; the bathroom, bar, family room or home office, virtually any space in your home where there is a flat surface. You might even consider applying one of these surfaces to a table, vanity, dresser or desk top. Top 10 Options - Granite- Engineered Stone - Solid Surface- Ceramic Tile- Laminates- Wood or Butcher Block- Stainless Steel- Marble- Concrete Counters- Concrete Resurfacing What do you need to consider for your specific usage? Durability: Stain resistant, heat resistant, scratch resistant, does it chip, peal or crack? Is it porous or non-porous, what are the implications for cutting directly on it? Is it water proof and does it need to be? Granite for example, has a high hardness rating and is considered one of the most durable surfaces but, it absorbs stains if it is not sealed properly on an ongoing basis. Style: Does the surface offer the colors and textures that you are looking for? Does the surface match the rest of the décor in the space? Are you looking to create a working space, purely functional or a combination? Maintenance: Does the surface fit with the reality of how it will be cared for in this environment? The habits and lifestyles of your family are important to consider with regard to your options. For example if standing water is ever left on your kitchen counter, you should not consider wood. I have a friend who absolutely loves her butcher block counter, in fact would consider nothing else, and it is worth noting that she is meticulous and she lives alone! Life Expectancy: Lifetime, limited 15 year or other, Certified only with dealer installation, none stated. This may or may not be important but understand that there is a difference. Cost: All surfaces are priced by the square foot. Make sure you are looking at total cost. Tile for example will require additional materials such as grout. Does the cost include installation? If not, is this in fact a do-it-yourself project, i.e., do you have the skills and the tools needed for the job? Choosing the right countertop can be an adventure; these are some key points to consider, ensuring that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent. For a more detailed description of the specific options listed, please visit our website. (c) copyright - Kimberlee Carter. All rights reserved worldwide.

How to Make an Informed Decision - What You Need to Consider For Any Home Improvement Project

Home improvement projects, whether they are strictly cosmetic or repair/renovation jobs require research. Sometimes we aren't even clear what questions we need to be asking or what exactly we need to research. Whether it is flooring or countertops, wall covering or a dated ceiling, there are options that we may not even be aware of. Home improvement, building and design, is a vast industry. As a professional, who lives and breathes the options and considerations out there, product development and new information is being dispersed at a pace that is nearly impossible to keep up with. I had the opportunity recently to speak to the owner of a local flooring company. I walked in with outmoded information about carpeting and came out understanding that there have been astounding improvements; from construction and durability to the ecological advances (recycled and recyclable products) and designs. Did you know that, allergy considerations are now a reason to have carpet! There are air purifying, virus destroying microbes, and some carpeting if paired with the right padding comes with a lifetime warranty! Rule #1 Do your research, it pays. Get on the internet. Pick up a magazine or talk to the salesperson in your local home improvement center. Go to a specialty store, appropriate to your specific project needs, ask questions and pick up anything that might give you more information. I know they can be dry and too technical but READ the brochures; you will be amazed to find some of those questions you didn't know you needed to ask. Rule # 2 Buyer Beware. Are you really comparing apples to apples? Is the brand name toilet at Home Depot really the same toilet as the one at your local plumbing store? Ask! Get the model numbers. Often, you are not getting the best value for the lowest priced item. Comparison shop either on-line or directly through a local retailer. You may want to consider a publication such as, Consumer Report Magazine, depending on the scope of your project and the areas of expertise that you are going to need to research. Rule #3 Know your total costs. Cost is usually one of the top considerations, but are you really looking at the full cost? What is the longevity of a particular product and what kind of maintenance costs can you expect? Are you going to have to replace it in one year or ten? Is there a warranty and if so, what are the limitations? As with brochure information, you can unearth some considerations about a product that you were not aware of by really reading the terms of warranty. What do they mean by "proof" and "resistant" terminology can have different meaning from one manufacturer to the next. Is delivery and installation included and if not, what is that going to add to the bottom line? Rule #4 DIY Project, is it really a do-it-yourself project, now that we've mentioned installation? What is the best use of your time and energy given your skill set, level of interest, capabilities and timelines? There are books written and comedy acts that feed off of self proclaimed "do-it-yourself" projects gone awry that are hilarious, but not so funny when it's your own kitchen that is messed up and you've just flushed money and time down the drain. Be as clear as you can about understanding what the scope of your project is. Take at honest look, are you the best candidate for this job, or do you need professional expertise? Might be, it's a combination, you hire the expert to hang and tape your drywall and then do the painting yourself. Implementing these 4 rules and applying them to your next home improvement project will give you a blueprint; you will be armed with the information that you need to make the right decisions ensuring that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent. (c) copyright - Kimberlee Carter. All rights reserved worldwide.

Home Improvement - Pick Up The Phone or Pick up a Hammer? Skills Reality Check

The Do-it-yourself industry continues to expand as our economy and over-all spending decreases. It makes sense when we need to tighten our belts, to consider doing things ourselves rather than outsourcing them. On the other hand, the DIY industry is here to stay; there are plenty who simply enjoy the hands on experience, gaining new skills, and the knowledge that they have done the work themselves. Either way, to ensure that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent, here are some things to consider to determine if this is in fact a "do-it-yourself" project. Experience is not the determining factor here. SKILLS: Reality Check Do you have the skill set required for the project? Research; determine the scope of the job. Does the project require technical, mechanical or creative abilities? We all have skills, some are just better suited to certain tasks than others. The value here is to be brutally honest with your-self, the consequences can be disastrous. Potential savings, which is generally the intention when you opt to do-it-yourself, can escalate out of control before you know it. Local ad for a Plumber: "We repair what your husband fixed." There are the projects from hell, the guy who decides to put a coat of paint on the living room to spruce it up, and ends up needing to have the ceilings repaired, the windows replaced and new carpeting installed. On the other hand, we are envious of our neighbor, who might be a banker by day, but give her the weekends, and she's created an outdoor living space that rivals anything House Beautiful has to share. SUITABILITY: Realty Check The next question is, are you suited for the job at hand? Experience is not the determining factor here. My husband, even though he has been in the building industry his whole life, just has the mind set and the capabilities to figure out how most any project can be done efficiently, effectively and, I am partial here, but beautifully. It doesn't matter if he's ever actually disassembled a barn and transformed the wood to create flooring...he has the skill and the mind set to figure it out. If you aren't sure, try your skills out on a small project, test the waters. You might be surprised to find that you love working with wood or are a really good painter. You might even decide you need to change your line of work let alone proceed with a bigger project utilizing your new found skills! I am a perfect example. I have great ideas about home improvement projects from design to implementation. I have been professionally involved with the building industry including years of hands on experience, and there are certain projects that I still love to get my hands dirty with, but I am real clear that my real skills are researching and writing and sharing information. Whether you need to pick up the phone and put down the hammer or vice versa, you have what it takes here to make an informed decision ensuring that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent. (c) copyright - Kimberlee Carter.