Take your remodel to the next level
New carpet, a fresh coat of paint, new furniture and decor sure can make a difference when you're working on a home remodel project. But want to take that remodel to the next level? It's time to start thinking about the small details that make a big difference.
Whether you planning your next project, in the middle of one or just thinking about how to make a few small changes, we've found a few links to information that should help you make the most of your next remodel project. First up: Bathrooms.
HGTV has a great photo gallery that talks about how to spruce up your bathroom. Of course they recommend things such as high end fixtures, in-floor radiant heat, custom tile and towel warmers. HGTV also points out that more and more people are turning their bathrooms into luxury spaces and recommend things like fireplaces, sitting spaces, and custom walk-in showers.
If you're on a tighter budget, you can always add touches of tile, update instead of replace, upgrade fixtures or add splashes of color.
And while we're talking about bathrooms, we'd be remiss if we didn't recommend you think about your heating needs. Our ComPak Bath heater, which operates on a timer or Perfectoe, which fits underneath your cabinets, are great options to bring a little more warmth to your bathroom.
And next, a few tips for the rest of your home:
In another HGTV photo gallery, the site rounds up finishing touches such as custom balusters, a new front door (or front door details), interior doors, drapery hardware and consistent door hardware throughout the home. HGTV suggests that a lot of these details are often overlooked in general, which makes them stand out that much more.
Good Morning America echoes the shift toward luxury remodels and finishing touches. That means spa-like bathrooms, professional kitchen appliances and lots of slab granite. That doesn't mean you have to go for broke. The GMA article suggests using high end materials in moderation (like using slab granite just on an island, rather than on the whole kitchen); saving cash by finding scrap material or discontinued items and rethinking your home's layout to see if a spare bedroom can be used to extend a bathroom's footprint, etc.
For the pros: ForResidentialPros.com suggests that contractors try to compete on value rather than price.
"Most people pay to remodel a kitchen only once or twice in a lifetime, and remodelers should help them evaluate their needs and choose the right services at the right price," author Gerry Henley suggests.
Stands to reason that if folks don't know what all the options are, they're going to be hard-pressed to figure out what exactly they want and what sort of budget they will need for the entire project. Don't forget, you're the professional who does this day in and day out. You can add valuable insight and perspective that a client might not always have.
The second point the article brings up (and it's a good one) is that as these high-end homes get older, people will be looking to update but not necessarily to replace high-end countertops or other features that break the bank. In that case, being able to reface or refinish cabinets may be a big deal. Anticipate where the market is heading and decide what services you should offer to stay competitive.