Top 10 Reasons to use Construction Deal.com to find your next Contractor!
12 February 2007
Top 10 Reasons to use Construction Deal.com to find your next Contractor!1. Construction Deal.com is a free service: we do all the work to match you with a quality service professional. Unlike other online services, you get to choose how many contractors will call you!
2. You're under no obligation to use any of the qualified contractors in our nationwide network.
3. It's a simple Two-Step Process - tell us about your project, then sit back and wait for companies to call you!
4. If it's inside or outside your home, we've got you covered! We have professionals available in over 40 categories, from architects and new home builders to plasma television installers and pest control pros.
5. The company is nationwide, but we'll find a contractor near you - usually within 24 to 48 hours.
6. We've got outstanding customer service - we'll call you after you post your project to verify your information and answer any questions you may have. If you have any problems with your project, we'll work with you to get it solved.
7. Construction Deal.com can help provide you with financing for your remodeling project! We are a one-stop shop to help you complete your project.
8. Our online resources save you time. Looking up contractors on your own, you can spend hours sifting through the phone book. You'll call and leave messages or have to explain your project over and over again. At Construction Deal.com, our contractors call you!
9. Using Construction Deal.com will save you money, too. Instead of talking to only one service pro, several companies will bid on your project. Having multiple bids means you'll get to choose the best price and the best company for you!
10. Our site is chock full of great resources to keep you informed! Check our our home improvement blog - tons of useful information that will help you get your project done.Labels: Construction Deal.com, Home Renovation, Remodeling
Remodeling Trends: the Home Office
10 January 2007
Mark Nash, author of the book "1,001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home," interviewed hundreds of real estate professionals about upcoming trends in home remodeling. In this Washington Post article, Nash states that many of the results were surprising. In discussing 'The Hot and the Not', he found that many agents said that adding a Home Office was a big trend for 2007.
Today, technological advances and flexible schedules have made it easier for people to work from home. Many want more productivity by spending less time commuting or to access work-related projects at any hour of the day or night. It means having all the right tools - computer, high speed Internet capability, storage, and office furniture - to get the job done as if the person were in their regular office.
The article even suggests that some families are choosing to add two home offices - one for each household adult - to make sure there is enough room for both wage earners.
Adding a home office can not only be a great tool for you, it can be an attractive selling point when it comes time to move on.
"'More people want a home office today than anything else I've seen this year,' one agent said. 'They want to work from home.'"
The author found that many real estate professionals are suggesting that homeowners who want to sell their homes should turn their smallest bedroom into a home office for their open house. Homeowners are smart enough to know that the home office can be turned back into a bedroom but it might be a good idea to install computers, put in a desk or two, and give them a picture of how it could look as an office.
Whether you're looking to sell your house, or you have need of such a space, what will do you need to create the perfect Home Office?
Today, technological advances and flexible schedules have made it easier for people to work from home. Many want more productivity by spending less time commuting or to access work-related projects at any hour of the day or night. It means having all the right tools - computer, high speed Internet capability, storage, and office furniture - to get the job done as if the person were in their regular office.
The article even suggests that some families are choosing to add two home offices - one for each household adult - to make sure there is enough room for both wage earners.
Adding a home office can not only be a great tool for you, it can be an attractive selling point when it comes time to move on.
"'More people want a home office today than anything else I've seen this year,' one agent said. 'They want to work from home.'"
The author found that many real estate professionals are suggesting that homeowners who want to sell their homes should turn their smallest bedroom into a home office for their open house. Homeowners are smart enough to know that the home office can be turned back into a bedroom but it might be a good idea to install computers, put in a desk or two, and give them a picture of how it could look as an office.
Whether you're looking to sell your house, or you have need of such a space, what will do you need to create the perfect Home Office?
- A Desk or Workstation - high end office furniture that fits well with the size of the room and has a decent comfort factor
- High Speed Cable, Fiber Optics, or perhaps even a T1 line installed - instant connectivity is a valuable selling tool
- Storage Room - people love to have plenty of storage in nearly every room and the home office is no exception. Storage room means being able to organize files but also books and manuals
- Good Lighting - a single, harsh, overhead light is not going to cut it in a home office. Install quality task lighting for the desk or work station and accent lights around the room (either recessed lighting or lamps)
- Office Accessories - adding printers, shredders, phones and phone lines, copiers, computers, and even a small stereo system can complete the home office. Artwork is a final consideration, if you have room for it - it might be better to use any available space for a dry erase board
Labels: Home Improvement, Home Office, Home Renovation, Improving Home Value, Remodeling
Remodeling a Small Bathroom
02 January 2007
While many new homes have these massive master baths with spa tubs, double sinks, and the latest in modern showers, most of us have to deal with the fact the bathroom is a fairly small room.When knocking out walls is not an option for your bathroom remodeling project, there are a number of things you can do to add new life to a small bath.
Pedestal Sinks - if storage space isn't a huge issue, consider switching to a small pedestal sink. The lack of a large cabinet under the sink can really open up a smaller room.
Keep Plumbing in Place - if you're remodeling your small bathroom, there's probably not much room to move a toilet or tub to another spot anyway. But if you can keep from moving any of your plumbing fixtures, you'll really save money on the remodeling. It's very expensive to relocate these items, so you should be able to save money over the larger bath remodeling projects.
Smokin' Mirrors - adding a large mirror, or even two mirrors on opposite walls, can make the small bath space feel larger.
A Wall Hung Toilet - to really make space in a small area, you can install a wall-hung toilet. It does require some plumbing relocation, but if you're really trying to save space and open the room, it's a great option. And, because the pipes go into the wall and not down onto the floor, it makes it much easier to clean the bathroom floor.
Enclosed Showers - very few take baths anymore and it might be the perfect upgrade to remove the tub/shower and replace it with an enclosed glass shower. The glass on the doors will also help open up a small space.
Add Luxuries - because the room is small, it doesn't mean you have to go without. You can still add state-of-the-art technology for additional comfort. Massaging shower heads, towel warmers, radiant heat flooring, and natural stone counters and shower walls are all great options. It would even be possible to add an LCD TV into the wall or a stereo system with in-wall speakers.
Skylights - consider adding a skylight to bring in a ton of natural light and really pop the small room wide open.
There are a lot of other small tips that can help bring your small, outdated bathroom to life. Go with lighter colors or wallpaper to make the room feel bigger. Avoid excessive window treatments that will cut back on light. And make sure to keep the small bath clutter-free. Too many small things sitting around or hanging on the wall will close the room in on you. Finally, if you can't expand the bathroom out, consider expanding it up - by raising the ceiling, you can really make the small space seem much bigger.
If you need to find a bathroom remodeling expert to help with your remodeling project, consider using us. At Construction Deal, you can post your project request for free, choose how many remodeling companies will call you, and then sit back and wait for them to bid on the project. It's fast, free, and easy. And you'll certainly save lots of time and money.
Labels: Bathroom Remodeling, Home Improvement, Home Renovation, Remodeling
When is the Best Time to Remodel?
15 December 2006
Construction is a seasonal industry. Because so much work is done outside, from installing a new roof to adding brick pavers to a backyard patio, the majority of remodeling and building companies always have more work lined up from the Spring through the Summer.Also, the Fall holidays and Winter weather don't have many homeowners thinking about adding their new swimming pool. I mean, who thinks about buying a new swim suit in the middle of February?!
So, it's obvious that the perfect time to talk a local remodeling contractor is during the Fall and Winter months - usually from October through March. Waiting until March, however, could still mean some delays.
Because most remodeling companies do not have as many jobs on their schedule, it can mean that you will have their undivided attention. Most renovation contractors are working on several jobs at one time -- you may hire a company to remodel your basement and they'll work on your house for two weeks straight. But they will disappear for two weeks while they wait for subcontract work on your room. During that wait, they'll be working on someone else's house. It can really add to the length of time that your house will be under construction.
So, if you'd like to make sure that a remodeling company is focusing on you and your home improvement project, the best time to have the work done is during the "off season." You may even get a better price on labor because there is not as much demand for their services! Don't be afraid to haggle to keep those costs down.
If you've got your plans in mind, or down on paper, and you're ready to remodel -- good news! We can help! Construction Deal will match you to a local renovation company to help you get your project done.
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Labels: Home Renovation, Remodeling
Planning to Improve Your Home Value?
06 December 2006
So, your current home is not quite your dream home? You know you'll be moving in a few years? I bet you're putting together a list of projects you want to complete in the long term to make sure your home is ready to sell, if and when you plan on moving.Let's face it - the average American moves every five to ten years. So, anything and everything that you can do to your home to improve the look and functionality could potentially mean a greater return on investment when you sell.
Everyone talks about renovating the kitchen and bathrooms in a house to improve value. But let me help you look as some of the smaller, less interesting but still very important tasks that you need to clear up first. These are the small tasks that a local handyman or contractor could help you with, if you can't do them all yourself, to improve the overall value on your home -- without spending very much!
Lose the Popcorn Ceiling - have you got those acoustic ceiling tiles or popcorn ceilings in most of the rooms in your house? Get them out. They've been an eyesore since the mid-eighties. Nearly everyone hates them and wants them gone. If you get rid of them and replace them with smooth drywall ceilings (possibly with some crown moulding up there), you'll win favor with potential buyers.
Air Conditioners in the Windows? Central heating and air conditioning is the way to go. Yes, it's very expensive to have it installed, but it will serve you well while you'll live in the house and serve you well when you go to sell the house. A very wise investment. In most states, it's practically expected and when it's not there, it can be a deal breaker.
Lose the Linoleum - If you've got dated vinyl, plastic, or linoleum floors or counters, you should think about replacing and upgrading when and where you can. There are even modern equivalents to the linoleum products that look and feel much better than the old stuff installed in your house from the 60's. New technology has improved most of the man-made tile and sheet products to make them look like natural stones and ceramic tiles.
Run for the Border - Remove all the wallpaper and borders that have tattoed your walls since 1984. Even faux paint is starting to fall out of favor. Go with quality paint in conservative colors that match the tone and style of the room and house. Paint is classic and much harder to go out of style (the colors may not be but paint is always "in.") If you need to find a painting company, we can help...
Peel the Paneling - Remove or paint over all the dark faux wood paneling in the house. It's been out for a long time but most people have been looking at it for so long, they've tuned it out. Fresh and airy and light is what people want from their home. Not dark and muted, which is what paneling provides.
Improve your home and you'll eventually improve your bottom line. The housing market is slow right now but it doesn't mean that it will be this way in a few years when you're ready to move on.
Keep Construction Deal in your bookmarks and remember us when you need to find a quality home improvement expert. It's free and faster than looking up remodeling companies at random from your local phone book.
Labels: Home Improvement, Home Renovation, Remodeling
