Best Buddies Home Renovation Services

A Victorian home may have its allure but is it as functional as when it was built centuries ago? People remodel their houses for several reasons. Remodeling updates the look of their homes and increases their value. It also allows you to customize the look of your home to suit your preferences. Other reasons are to make your home energy-efficient and more functional.

For some reason, though, people find home remodeling harder than building a new home. However, these time-tested tips that nobody told you will make home remodeling a breeze for you.

Get the Necessary Permits Before Starting

Some remodeling and renovation jobs need a permit, especially if it entails structural change like removing a wall, adding a room that alters the house’s floor plan (footprint) or adding new electrical circuits. Check out your city’s zoning ordinances and remodeling permits before engaging in the planning process. Failure to get a remodeling permit also negates insurance claims if there is a fire.

Hire a Professional to Make the Remodeling Plan

A floor plan for the remodeling project you’re undertaking is necessary for getting the building permit. 3D renderings of your project help visualize your vision. However, be sure to communicate what you want to the architect or engineer, but don’t be stubborn if they suggest something. These absurd houses will stop any stubborn ideas you have in mind when remodeling your home. Aside from the design, you also get a rough estimate of the material and labor cost for the construction project.

Remodeling Costs More Than You Expect

Remodeling is not a walk in the park. It will cost you a lot of money, especially with the current inflation trend. Set a generous budget and top it with a 20% overrun. Do not buy substandard and cheap building materials, even if you want to save. Also, keep track of every dollar you spend for labor and material costs to see if you’re still within your budget and avoid unnecessary materials purchases.

Prioritize the Need

Consider the budget if you’re remodeling a house and answer this question: Is it worth taking out a loan for a full-house remodel or going for a one-room-at-a-time remodel? Doing a one-time remodel is cost-efficient because you only hire your crew and go through deep cleaning once. However, if you find evidence of mold and mildew on your walls, prioritize finding the source of dampness on your walls. One source is excessive humidity, but damaged gutters may also be the culprit.

Safety is a Must

Never neglect safety protocols when remodeling a house, especially if foot traffic is frequent in the vicinity. Ask your contractor to use tools that generate minimal dust and heat. Power tools are better than manual tools. However, they produce large amounts of dust and heat, releasing PCB gas. Therefore, be mindful of the right tools to use. Safety precautions are necessary, so see to it that the contractor complies. 

Assign Temporary Spaces

It’s a nightmare to remodel your kitchen, only to realize that you’ve gutted out everything, leaving you with nothing to use for cooking and eating. When you decide to remodel a room, assign a temporary room to take up its function. A tent is good enough for setting up an outdoor dining area, away from the dust and debris. If remodeling the bedroom, find someone to bunk with or reserve a transient stay at a local hotel.

Contracting the Job is Better Than a DIY

You can do some weekend home renovations and remodeling, such as refacing your cabinet, installing your new flooring, trim, drywall, or shelves. However, some remodeling projects need a professional contractor. The rule of thumb is that when you need a building permit for a particular project, then that’s a job for a professional.

A Final Reminder

Remodeling improves the aesthetics and functionality of your home. However, most people fail to tell you to protect your lawn and interiors during the remodeling project. Also, contact a professional waste disposal company for your construction waste.

Renovating your home serves many purposes. Not only does it give your house a better, refreshing look, but it’s also a perfect opportunity to take care of property issues and increase its value. However, it doesn’t come for free. But the good news is that it is possible to do it cheaply. Learn how to […]

Siding is an essential component of a home, which adds character to its exterior. A well-maintained siding also boosts your house’s curb appeal, property value, energy efficiency, and integrity. But most importantly, it protects you from the elements, keeping you comfortable throughout the year. So, it’s only right to keep it in perfect condition. Fortunately, doing so is easy enough. Here is a quick guide to help maintain your home’s vinyl siding.

Rotting and Warping

When you see these signs popping up on your vinyl siding, it’s probably already beyond help. Luckily, these damages are not that hard to notice. All you need to do is to have a thorough walkthrough around your house. Look for cracks, big or small, and touch the siding to examine if the layer beneath the paint is still solid. In case something’s wrong, it might be wise to ask for professional help as soon as possible. Because if not replaced immediately, more troubles may follow.

Cracks and Holes

Cracks and holes are common setbacks for vinyl siding. This is often caused by the elements, such as wind, snow, rain, and sun, as well as small animals, insects, and debris banging on your home’s exterior. But there’s nothing to worry about. These kinds of damages are often DIY-friendly and only need minor upkeep. Simply apply caulk to small holes and cracks. Ensure to overfill it for better sealing, then let it dry for at least a day. After it dries, you can now scrape off the residue on top to create an even surface. On the other hand, bigger holes require a little more work but are still doable. Prepare a fitted patch of vinyl siding. Put caulk on its back and around the edges of the damage. Proceed to insert the patch on top of it. Place it carefully and leave it for 24 hours to dry. Once that’s done, clear off excess caulking. A touch of paint will make it so like cracks and holes weren’t there in the first place.

Fungus, Mold, and Mildew Growth

Although fungus, mold, and mildew doesn’t always spell bad news, it’s still a concern that needs some further inspection. Why? Because they grow wherever there is moisture. This may mean that there’s water leakage in your property stemming from damaged vinyl siding. Keep a constant eye out for these substances, especially around the seams. They affect not only the appearance of your home but also your and your family’s health. Clean it with mild detergent and water, and make sure you do it thoroughly, not leaving a single trace. You might also want to consider completely replacing them. This guarantees that mold and mildew won’t be back any time soon.

Siding Starts to Fade Easily

Vinyl is designed to retain its color under different weather conditions. However, its weatherproofing quality may deteriorate over time. This results in severely faded siding. But this doesn’t imply that they’ve become useless. You can still paint them anew to restore their beauty. Nevertheless, upgrading your vinyl siding would also be wise since you’ll have to spend some money either way.

Prominent Blisters

Blisters or bubbles on your siding are a major red flag. Be wary. Siding should keep moisture away from your home. This ensures your home’s structural integrity, looks, as well as your well-being. But when there are visible blisters or bubbles, it’s likely not doing its primary function, which results in moisture penetrating the siding. You may want to take action now and place new ones before more problems arise.

Abnormal Increase in Energy Consumption

There are various reasons for the increase in your energy bills. It may be that the cost of electricity has gone up or you’ve just been using appliances and electronics more than usual. Another factor, which many tend to overlook, is bad siding. But how does this affect energy consumption? Beyond appearance and protection, siding also serves another purpose – to help regulate your home’s temperature. So if you have old or damaged ones, their insulation properties become less effective, leading to more energy usage and costlier heating and cooling bills. When this happens, it may be time to install a new siding.

Siding Needs Frequent Painting

Constantly repainting your home is such a headache. Normally, vinyl siding only needs fresh paint once every 8-10 years. However, some homeowners find themselves repainting their property more often. If you’re experiencing the same, you probably need to reconsider. Have you thought that maybe the siding is the problem and not the paint? If you notice chipping or peeling, this might be true for you. Replace it with better, long-lasting vinyl siding to save you time and money in the long run.

Interior Paint is Peeling

Is there any peeling in your home’s interior paint and wallpaper? The first thing you have to do is survey the inside of your house. However, if you can’t identify any internal issues, it may be because of bad siding. It allows heat and moisture to permeate through the layers of your wall, causing indoor damage. Don’t let this continue. Call a pro to replace your worn-out vinyl siding.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, vinyl and all types of siding won’t last forever. What you can do, though, is make it last longer with some light maintenance. Just keep in mind to promptly repair or replace vinyl siding once it gets old or damaged.

From day to night, from brewing that morning coffee to cooking the most amazing dinner – the kitchen is one busy place in your home. So it’s only right that you improve its beauty and functionality. Discover how you can renovate your kitchen to take it to the next level. 1. Maximize Storage Space Having […]