ConstructionDeal.com Update

Yes, home improvement and home remodeling projects can save you money.

No Excuses
Want more of an excuse to remodel your kitchen? Install an air conditioner? Need to replace your rotten, old wood shake roof?

Okay, we all know that renovating your home can improve home values. A brand new kitchen and master bath can return as much as 95% of your investment when you go to sell your house. But there are other ways to make sure you get some of your money back after you upgrade your house.

After you have any home repair or home improvements done to your home, contact your insurance company. Let them know the kind of work you've had done. Depending on your policy and company, you will be eligible for discounts.

Home Repairs: if you need a new roof, new plumbing, electrical rewiring, or a new heating & air conditioning system, you should contact your insurance agent. Your home owner rates could drop by 5, 10, or even 15% for installing newer, safer, and more efficient equipment in your house.

With newer electrical systems and new wiring, your home will have much less chance of burning down. A new roof will protect the home for serious water and storm damage. Upgrades in HVAC means your new, efficient system won't have to work as hard which can lead to overheating and fire danger.

• Home Improvements: improvements or renovations that add safety and security products to your home can save you money.

• Fencing: check with your insurer about any discounts associated with new fencing. It's possible that the security of fencing around your home, pool, spa, or children play areas could be eligible for savings.
  
• Fire Sprinklers: retrofitted homes with fire sprinklers mean your home can't burn down. Insurance companies love that. Discounts abound when sprinklers are installed in a home. And you can usually have the installed in an existing house for about what new carpeting would cost (maybe more - depending on the layout of your house.) And you'll have the peace of mind of know that your family will be much safer than just having fire alarms in the house.
  
• Security Systems/Cameras: installing a home security system that includes sensor lights or cameras or alarms could allow insurance savings of 10 to 20%! Knowing your home and the contents and people are being monitored means fewer expenditures from insurance providers. And sometimes they pass the savings on to you. A burglar alarm, a computer home security system with CCTV cameras, or a home monitoring service like ADT can all cost you a pretty penny, but if you can get some money back, it's worth it because of the added protection.

Other Discounts: call you insurance company if you have renovated a room for a home office and now work from your house or if you are retired. You could get a discount for being around the house more often. Retirees and home office workers can prevent burglaries and home fires because they are there to prevent things from getting out of hand.

Also, if you do remodel your kitchen, bath, or add real value to your home - - you could be eligible for a higher payout in the event of a tragedy. In other words, you have sunk a considerable sum into a new kitchen - granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a travertine floor.

Should an accident occur, you'll want to make sure your insurance company knows about the new improved value so that you can be compensated when it comes time to settle the claim.

RELATED POSTS:
The Importance of Fire Sprinkler Systems
Remodel Your Homeowners Insurance
The Home Improvement Penalty

If you're looking to find any qualified home repair or home improvement company, post your request on ConstructionDeal.com!

It's a fast, free way to find a local service professional or contractor for all your home remodeling and home repair needs. Simply tell us about your project, sit back and wait for our network of companies to review your project, and receive as many phone calls from as many companies as you would like.

The more contractor bids you receive the more likely it is that you'll save money!

Labels: Home Improvement, Homeowner Insurance, Improving Home Value

• Keep walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice. You may not have to mow the lawn or trim the shrubs, but in the winter, consider this duty your 'yard work.'


• Present a warm and cozy home. Make sure the temperature is comfortable and not too cool for visitors coming in from the outside. Turn on gas fireplaces if you have them.


• Show during 'high-daylight' hours and make your home as light as possible. Clean blinds and curtains and keep them open during daytime showings. Put the highest wattage bulbs in amps and fixtures, and turn the lights on when you show. And wash your windows -- even a little bit of grime gives the impression that the home isn't well cared for.


• Set the mood with a little soft background music and some pleasant smells. Light a few candles that give off a nice scent, such as vanilla. Just don't overdo it -- you don't want people to think you're trying to mask a bad smell.


• Ask prospective buyers to remove their shoes or slip on paper booties over them. Doing so shows buyers that you are proud of your home and take meticulous care of it.


• Emphasize the features of your home that make it a good place to live in the winter. If your roads are regularly plowed and de-iced, be sure to make it known."

Something else to keep in mind. It's a good idea to wait to show your house until AFTER the Super Bowl. Why? Well, it can be pretty difficult to get men up off the couch on the weekends to go look at a house - until all the football games are done for the season. Naturally.

Housing Bubble Humor

Labels: Curb Appeal, Housing Bubble, Improving Home Value, Real Estate

The 2nd most popular remodeling project, after the kitchen, is an update of the bathroom. Of course, the cost can be prohibitive - with a national average cost of a complete bathroom renovation running over $10,000!

Many people feel that it's an all-or-nothing proposition. Either doing a complete update and transformation of their bathroom, with all the latest fixtures, or putting off the project and doing nothing.

The folks at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) had some great suggestions on how to save money when you're planning to remodel your bathroom. It could mean that you'll be able to re-do the room without breaking your bank:

• "Consider reglazing a tub instead of replacing it, especially if it is still in relatively good condition. This can save you more than half the cost of a tub replacement-and minimize the dust at the same time!
  


• Cultured marble sheets are a good choice for tub surrounds, instead of ceramic tile. You will save considerably on labor costs and the marble sheets are much easier to clean.
  


• Fiberglass surrounds are also less costly than tile.
  


• Examine how you are utilizing space. You may be able to steal some space from a neighboring room or closet. If your overall space is limited, purchase a jetted tub and shower combination or install a pedestal lavatory instead of a vanity cabinet with a sink. Understand that, while pedestal lavatories do eliminate the need for vanities and save space, some models may cost more than a separate vanity cabinet and sink. Look at all your options before making a decision.
  


• Cultured marble lavatories can be a great budget choice since it is an integrated sink bowl and countertop sold in one easily installed unit.
  


• Define what is truly needed in the bathroom. Sometimes an extra bath is planned when installing a double sink in an existing bath would meet the need.
  


• If you are going to add a large jetted tub to your project, consider adding a water heater dedicated to that tub. A large jetted tub can hold up to an average of 75 gallons or more, which can easily overextend your existing water heater and cause problems in the future.
  


• When revamping yesterday's bathroom to fit with today's homeowners' expectations for luxury, homeowners can familiarize themselves with the latest options in home spa advancements. One such indulgence is an electric warming system beneath your new stone or tile floor."

If you're planning a bathroom remodeling project in the next few months, you can use these tips as a guideline to help you save money. You can consider all of them, some of them, or maybe even just one idea. But any way you can help improve your bathroom on your budget is a good way.

And, if you need to find a local bathroom remodeling company to help answer your questions or give you some quotes on the work, you can use our main site - ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast, free, and easy way to post your project and let bathroom renovators bid on your job. And this saves you time and money -- but make sure you get at least 4 different bids. The more bids you have, the better chance you will get the best price.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Travertine Tiles
Updating Bathroom Fixtures
Would You Buy a Wood Bathtub?

Labels: Bath Renovation, Bathroom Remodeling, Home Improvement, Improving Home Value