Kitchens and bathrooms remain the top jobs home owners are taking on in remodeling projects, according to a new survey by the National Association of Home Builders.
The top remodeling projects of home owners, according to the latest survey of remodelers, are:
1. Bathrooms
2. Kitchens
3. Window/door replacements
4. Whole house remodels
5. Room additions
6. Handyman services
The report’s finding of the main motivation behind home owners’ decision to remodel is not too surprising: To repair and replace old components and to upgrade amenities.
But more than 20 percent of remodelers surveyed said they’ve been noticing a drop in the number of customers who are remodeling to try to increase their home’s value.
The survey is yet another indication that more home owners are happy staying put–at least for now–and instead are looking at how to enhance what they already have.
Nearly half of the remodelers surveyed said they’ve been seeing an increase over the last year in the number of home owners who are undertaking remodeling projects so they can avoid moving.
“Home owners are repurposing spaces and making more efficient use of their home’s square footage,” says NAHB Remodelers Chairman George “Geep” Moore Jr. “Whether it be young families or couples aging in their homes, people want to let their house adapt with their needs as they change over time.”
According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, home remodeling is expected to post its best year this year since 2006.
But while home owners want to enhance, they also want to save.
“Before it was curb appeal, showiness and keeping up with the Joneses,” Duo Dickinson, author of Staying Put: Remodel Your House to Get the Home You Want (Taunton Press), told USA Today in a recent article on remodeling trends. But now more home owners want their homes to reflect who they are. “The house is the most direct mirror of your personal values. When people renovate to change their lives, they waste money.”
These more “me-centered” remodeling projects may include livening up outdoor spaces, creating “livable kitchens” that are multi-purpose and make the kitchen serve as a room for more than just cooking, and smaller master baths (like removing that luxurious spa tub for a larger shower).
Also in saving a buck, more home owners are looking at doing more of the work themselves. According to a new report from Bank of America, 70 percent of home owners are taking on home improvement projects that they once hired out in order to cut costs, tackling everything from plumbing to painting.
Resource: Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Whether you're a hobbyist, crafter, painter, organizational goddess, antique dealer, junk aficionado, or simply need to beautify your living space, Tomboy Tools has you covered. There are many ways to engage with us. Whether you prefer a more relaxed, social environment or more hands on, Tomboy Tools has a variety of options to suit your style. Share your fun projects, tips, ideas and resources with us!
Showing posts with label Windows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Windows. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Seal the Deal! How Simple Caulking Can Save Money and Energy
Caulking in your kitchen and bathroom is not a task to be overlooked. Caulking can keep water from seeping behind walls and into floors in the bathroom and kitchen. Any point of entry for moisture should be sealed, such as around sinks, between the tub and wall, and the area where the toilet meets the floor.
Any areas requiring outside sealing should be caulked inside as well for energy efficiency.
This includes woodwork around exterior doors, windows and receptacles such as dryer vents. A little effort goes a long way and can save you money!
1. Identify the area that you are caulking.
2. Scrape away damaged and old caulk with a utility knife, mini scraper or 5-in-1 tool.
3. Select a waterproof, flexible caulk because the joint will probably expand and contract with changing weather conditions. You will also need to take into account whether the caulk will adhere to aluminum or wood.
4. Once you select the caulk, it is extremely important that you prepare the surface properly.
5, Read the directions on the tube before beginning work because some caulks require that the surface be primed first. In addition, these directions will tell if you are dealing with toxic substances and should take safety precautions.
6. Place your caulking tube into your caulking gun and identify the seam size before cutting the tip off your tube of caulk; cut tip at a 45 degree angle. A standard cartridge of caulk will give you approximately 25 feet of 1/4” bead.
7. Caulk your seam with a steady and consistent movement. It gets easier with practice!
8. Dip your finger in water then drag it along the bead of caulk on your surface for a sealed and finished look.
9. When finished, plug the hole in the caulking tube with a large nail.
For more information, refer to page 99-100 in The Tomboy Tools Guide to Home Improvement.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)