Whether you want to remodel your kitchen to make it more functional, more comfortable, more modern, or to provide more space for family life, you can create wonderful changes within most any budget. If you are considering a kitchen remodel to make a house more marketable, the good news is that, according to Realtor Magazine, you can expect to recoup 85-112% of the cost when you sell your home.

A kitchen remodeling project can be as simple as new window and wall treatments, new flooring, or new cabinets. Or you can create the gourmet kitchen/family room that is so popular today.

simple and relatively inexpensive kitchen remodel might mean new curtains, a fresh coat of paint, new appliances, and new flooring. Hardwood floors are very popular today in the kitchen. The new finishes and coatings on the wood make them as practical in the kitchen as they are in other parts of the house. Ceramic tile is also a very popular flooring option. Tile is easy to clean and durable.

Much entertaining is now done in the kitchen. Preparing a meal can become a time for guests to gather in the kitchen and enjoy conversation. Most kitchens built today will either be open to a family room or they will include a family area at one end of the room. An attached or semi-attached breakfast room is also a popular design. An island that is functional for food preparation and provides a place for people to sit and talk to the cook is also very popular. In fact, one side of the island can be serviceable in food preparation while the other side functions as a casual dining counter.

If your home is older and your kitchen just needs a little modernizing, you will certainly want to consider modernizing your cabinets, and, perhaps, your counter tops. Raised-panel cabinet and cupboard doors are certainly the way to go. This can be accomplished by simply placing new doors on existing wood cabinets. If your budget permits, you can even install custom or semi-custom wood cabinets. While laminate countertops are certainly still being used, there is a clear trend toward marble or granite countertops. They are both beautiful and functional.

Your choice of appliances will be important in the total appearance of your kitchen. To be sure, appliances are available in a wide variety of colors and styles. There is, however, a clear preference in most new appliance purchases for stainless steel.

A quick look around an appliance or department store will provide a head-spinning variety of styles, colors and functions in appliances. Your refrigerator can be simple and functional or it can provide a variety of accessibility options and features that go far beyond ice and water from the door. Microwave ovens can be built in, or they can sit on the counter, or they can hang from the bottom of a cabinet. And stoves and ovens are available with an amazing array of options from warming chambers to griddles to multiple ovens, including convection ovens.

You will also find a wide variety of sink styles and faucet and spray options. Sinks are available in the standard single basin style, as well as equal double basins or even double width with various configurations of additional small basins. Water filtration and purification is becoming more important in many areas. There is a great deal of choice in systems that are either built-in or installed under the sink. There are also small systems that simply attach to the faucet.

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We hear numbers thrown out all the time about the amazing cost of a new kitchen ($25,000, $40,000, $70,000!!). It's enough to scare us out of the project altogether. Yes, it certainly is possible to spend this much on a new kitchen, but if you know where to cut corners, it's also possible to spend far less.

A kitchen remodeling project can be as simple as new window and wall treatments, new flooring, or new cabinets. Or you can create the gourmet kitchen/family room that is so popular today.

First, this article is written for those on a budget. If you can buy the very best of everything discontinue reading. Most of us need to pick and choose where we will spend our money. Let's look at some of the main items in a kitchen remodel that drive costs, and decide where we are going to spend our money.

In the appliance category the main driver is the range. (Can you live with your existing appliances by the way?). Do you need the "status symbol" six burner gas range with twin ovens below? If so, plan to spend about $10,000. However, if you are fine with the status quo 4 burner / one oven stainless steel range you should not have to spend more than $4,000 for a very high quality range and you can spend much less than this if you want. Want $1,000 off, find a nick and scratch store.

Can you live with laminate flooring at $2 to $3 per square foot. Most hardwood will cost $5 to $8 a square foot and that is what you will spend on most tile as well. Of course, there are many brands of hardwood and tile that will easily eclipse $10 per square foot.

If you absolutely need hardwood over laminate, discount stores like Lumber Liquidators will have many brands and types of hardwood at under $5 a square foot. Also, it's not uncommon for stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Color Tile etc. to "blow out" certain lines of tile for about $2 a square foot for items that are discontinued, etc. You can find deals if you look hard enough.

Tiles designed for the backsplash can get expensive, easily eclipsing $20 per square foot. Remember, any tile that's meant to be walked on can also act as the back splash and any cheap, square 4 x 4 tile can be installed diagonally on a backsplash. The savings in the tile will more than make up for the additional labor charge.

The typical kitchen has 23 linear feet of counter space. This can get expensive. Marble can be $80 per square foot as can granite which can go as high as $150 per square foot. The good news is granite is getting cheaper and where you buy the granite makes a very big difference. There are deals to be found out there. As you probably already know, this is not the area to cut corners. The heart of the kitchen is the countertop. Make this decision first along with your cabinets and plan the rest of the kitchen around these two things.

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Believe it or not, spending $20,000 on a kitchen remodel this year is no longer expensive, it's the norm. The housing market is suffering, but the cost of new materials is still high, and the kitchen remodel still ranks in the first position when it comes to the main project sellers will tackle to make their home more attractive to buyers.

A kitchen remodeling project can be as simple as new window and wall treatments, new flooring, or new cabinets. Or you can create the gourmet kitchen/family room that is so popular today.

Light and bringing in the sunshine is in. Increasing the size of the main window or two is a common, but costly project that may push a budget past $20,000. To stay under a $20,000 budget for a kitchen remodel, this project probably needs to be shelved. However, funny we mention shelving because open shelving (non-kitchen cabinet) is in. This can range from open shelving attached to the main wall to Ikea-style pantry shelves on wheels for baking supplies. In fact, we have seen upper cabinets replaced with open shelves to give the kitchen a larger, more open feel.

One of the hallmarks of the $20,000 kitchen remodel is, if you have the room, and island bar with at least two bar stools. For the $20,000 kitchen remodel, a place for the kids to eat (and destroy) and added storage is the key by adding more drawers and cabinets. A $40,000 kitchen remodel will probably include another sink or even another full range on the island bar and this would quickly put us over our $20,000 budget. One note, the countertop of the island bar does not have to match the kitchen countertop throughout the rest of the kitchen nor does it have to be the same material (granite kitchen countertop vs. concrete kitchen counters)

A deep farmhouse sink is also a staple of a kitchen that looks like money was put in the remodel. In 2009 it's the deepness of the sink that gives it the new modern look of a kitchen just refinished, and the old stainless steel sinks of just 5 years ago will look very shallow by comparison. Of course, an extra tall faucet with pull down dishwashing handle is the cherry on top if you have the $300 budget.

Finally, when it comes to cabinets, glass doors are in vs. the closed off look. When making a decision in the kitchen in 2009, always choose what would look the most open or let in the most light. Dark and closed off where your china does not see the light of day is out.

For kitchen countertops, granite still rules as king of the $20,000 remodel. For the kitchen floor, porcelain tile will win out over ceramic tile but resilient flooring is making a big comeback, and will be seen in many kitchen upgrades that push $20,000.

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Most everyone wants a new kitchen but few people realize the work and inconvenience that goes into a kitchen remodel. A big remodel can take months and you won't have access to the room while the work is going on. While this can be a trying time, once you have your beautiful new kitchen in place it will be well worth it!

Here's some tips to get you through the remodel and on to your new kitchen:

1. You will need to set up a temporary kitchen in another part of the house. Make sure it is a convenient location with have access to water and a space to keep food cold as well as a place to heat up meals. Sometimes portable appliances like a crock pot or electric frying pan and a small dorm fridge and microwave work good for a temporary arrangement if you will be replacing your old appliances.

2. Make sure you really think about how long the job will take. Most jobs run take longer than expected. This can be frustrating for everyone, so it's in your best interest to set a realistic date and that way you won't be disappointed.

3. Make sure you know what you are going to reuse. Whether you do some of the work yourself or hire it out make sure that it is very clear what things are going to be reused. The cabinets, counter tops and flooring can become damaged during a remodel and if you are planning on reusing them this can be a huge problem and expense. Remember to be careful around these reusable items.

4. Make sure you seal off the room properly so you don't get dust and debris all over the house. If you have hired someone to do the job, they will probably know just what to do but if you are doing it yourself, invest in some plastic sheeting and make sure you secure it around the doorways as good as possible.

5. Get everything out of the kitche. Box up everything that will not be used in your temporary kitchen. Label the boxes and store them out of the way.

6. Remove anything that isn't nailed or screwed down. This includes drawers, lazy susans, spice racks, wall clocks, ornaments, etc. Place a protective cover over anything that must remain in place while you work.

7. Make arrangements for the removal of any refuse that may accumulate during the remodeling. if you must rent a dumpster, do so in plenty of time or have a pick up truck on hand for hauling the rubbish to the dump. if you plan to salvage the old cabinetry for a workshop or donation to a charitable cause, have a place ready for them to go as you take them out of your work area.

8. Think safety and remember to turn off all utilities b efore removing any major appliances, turn off all utilities. This can be done at the individual shut off valves for gas and water. If there are no shut off valves, you will have to turn off the main valve. The main gas valve is usually located near the gas meter. Remember that, once you turn off the gas to the whole house, ALL pilot lights will have to be relit before they will work again. Without careful planning you may find yourself without hot water when you're ready to clean up after a hard day's work.

9. In older homes, the wiring may have been modified over the years and it may not be clear which circuits or fuses control specific areas. If you are unsure, turn off the main power or get professional assistance. Never take a chance with electricity! In addition, tape over the breakers so they won't be turned on inadvertently. If you plan on upgrading your electrical system and adding new outlets and fixtures, it will be necessary to dismantle all existing outlets and fixtures.

10. Remove all light bulbs. Then, dismantle each fixture by using a screwdriver to unscrew the plate and the receptacle and pull the receptacle out of the box. Put wire nuts on any exposed wires for the interim. The bare copper wire is the ground and does not need to be capped.

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It's the truth. Small bathroom designs are the focus of current interior design. Small spaces aren't a homeowners nightmare anymore; now they can be places for imaginative design that add to the beauty of the home.

Many people go all out to make their home a bonafide artistic creation. Interior design for small bathroom spaces is no longer the drag it once was. Nowadays, it's turned around 180 degrees. Despite having many time-tested methods available in design books, many individuals will have a strong desire to liberate themselves from these rules when trying to manage claustrophobic eyesores.

Secrets Finally Revealed: There may seem to be a real lack of effective and fresh ideas for transforming your small space, but here we will unlock some secrets of design. Lay aside what you think you know and let your imagination run wild.

Here are some ideas:

1.If you love your baths, install a small, intimate, deep bath tub in an unobtrusive place.

2.A see-through shower curtain against an opaque shower wall will show off your bathroom's style, but will not leave much to the imagination.

3.Don't discount using wall mounted cabinets or recessed shelves. Use as much of the wall space as you can.

4.Your visitors will appreciate the artful use of pedestal or wall mounted sinks.

5.Save space by installing sliding or hinged doors.

6.Windows placed close to the ceiling leaves plenty of wall space for the installation of cabinets and shelves.

7.You don't have to be a magician to take advantage of illusion. Allow light to stream in through windows and skylights, and see what an enormous effect it has. Creative lighting and the use of mirrors can transform a small, dingy space into a welcoming, airy space.

8.Vertical lines may add the illusion of height to a small space, but combining identical tiles on both walls and floors will really make a small room pop.

9.Using light colors - pastels or neutrals - can really jazz up your space.

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Your bathrooms, especially your main floor guest bathroom, will get a lot of use and your guests should feel comfortable when using them. Everything about your bathrooms including how clean they are, their style, how bright they are, and what colors they are painted all reflect upon you and your house.

One of the most important things about your bathroom and one that makes an immediate impression is the color you have chosen. Bathroom color ideas are therefore very important and should be considered carefully. Dark colors should be avoided because in the bathroom, you need to be able to clearly see what you are doing. Dark bathroom walls absorb light and make the room darker than it should be. You might do best with neutral colors that are on the bright side so as to give the bathroom an upbeat feel.

The accessories you choose for your bathroom should mix with the rest of the room and fit in well. You have a sink, tub, shower curtains, and mirror that all need to fit together and look like they belong together. Some bathrooms also have a standing cabinet that should look like it is part of the bathroom. The colors you choose, the designs you choose, and the items you choose for your bathroom must all serve a purpose and work together to create an inviting room for your guests.

The wrong shower curtain can ruin your whole bathroom. When a person walks in to your bathroom, the shower curtain is probably the first thing their eyes will see, especially if it is pulled closed. Looking for some good bathroom shower curtain ideas is what you need to do if you want to make sure your bathroom shows off it's best side.

Shower curtains come in all sorts of fabrics and designs now, as the day when they were all cheap plastic is long gone. In fact, you can spend quite a lot of money on a shower curtain if you really want to. Your shower curtains should compliment and not over power all the other design decisions you have made for your bathroom and they should blend into the background. If you use your shower curtain pattern colors and make it compliment the color of the walls, you will be well on your way to a successful bathroom redesign.

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As you consider your bathroom remodeling, even the bathroom fixtures, you should consider all of your options individually. It must fit your house's style and size as well as your family's needs. You can find good examples and options in magazines, but, do realize that for most people, the bathroom is not as large as the full garage!

Sometimes, these can be downsized some to help fit within your home, but other times it is simply not possible. Even when it works, it will not look the way that the magazine ad looks.

It Does Not Fit

One of the largest problems when looking at bathroom designs in published magazines is that they do not scale down correctly to fit other bathrooms. Some of the designs you will see are made for smaller bathrooms, and those work great. Yet, one the opposite side, it is often hard for most homeowners to fit a Jacuzzi in the same location as a bathtub would fit. Sometimes those double sinks just will not fit and therefore the process will not work.

One of the best ways to find out what will work for you is to invest in computer software which can easily be used to help improve the look of the bathroom within the dimensions that are already in place.

Design Service Options

You may want to consider investing in design software to help give you that three dimensional design that you are looking for. Some of the best design software products will allow you to design everything in the bathroom down to the bathroom fixtures. Yet, these are expensive options that now everyone can afford. You can also hire a professional designer to do the work for you. This really does improve the quality of the room considerably.

Tips For Designing

One of the most important first steps you need to take is to get the floor space laid out for the bathroom design option you are considering. What will fit depends on the space allotted and the amount of items you plan to place in. Things like the plumbing and construction work also need to be considered. As you consider these things, you can move on to others until you have the best design possible down to the bathroom fixtures.

Designing your bathroom can be a challenge unless you start with a few basic steps including laying out the bathroom design.

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Buying a new home is supposed to be the American Dream. Unfortunately, for many buyers of newly constructed homes it becomes the American Nightmare. Hiring a qualified third party home inspector can increase you chance of a hassle free home.

One only has to visit sites like Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings (HADD)- http://www.hadd.com or Homeowners for Better Buildings (HOBB) - http://www.hobb.org to see how widespread shoddy construction is in the industry.

No area of the country is free from shoddy construction.

In my job as a Professional Home Inspector I talk to hundreds of people each year about new home construction. It still amazes me that many believe the city inspector will find every item wrong with a home. Nothing could be further from the truth!

A city inspector inspects for code violations. The building codes are the MINIMUM standards that a home should be built to. City code inspectors only inspect for safety and health issues as they relate to building. City inspectors do not inspect for the quality of workmanship! City building inspectors also have no liability. If your home falls down and hurts you the day after you move in, you can not go back and sue the building inspector because he missed code violations.

In Houston, the area I inspect in, the city building inspectors spend about 10 to 30 minutes in a home inspecting it. At the end of their "Inspection", they will then place a green or orange 3x5 sticker at the front of the home. The Green sticker says you passed, the orange or red sticker says the home failed.

There is no way that a city building inspector can note all the discrepancies on a home on a 3x5 sticker!

The new trend is for builders to advertise that their homes have been inspected by a "Third Party Inspection Company." This is like listening to a used car salesman say he had his mechanic check your used car out before you bought it.

If the company the builder hires becomes a nuisance by continuing to find problems, then a new company will be found who can inspect the homes the way the builder likes.

Wise and prudent home buyers will research their builder before deciding on one to go with.

They will also start doing their research on finding their own third party home inspector to inspect the home as it is being built.

What are some things you should look for in a home inspector?

To start with, not all home inspectors are created equal. Look for a home inspector that is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) - http://www.ashi.org. ASHI is the nations oldest and largest home inspection organization. They have strict membership requirements in place and not any ole inspector will be accepted.

Next, make sure the inspector you choose is Code Certified. Many areas of the country have now adopted the International Residential Code (IRC) as the model building code. Check with your local municipality to determine which model code they enforce and adjust your search likewise. You can find a Code Certified IRC Inspector by going to http://www.iccsafe.org.

Ask the inspectors on your narrowed down list for sample inspection reports. You're looking for a home inspector who writes narrative type reports and who will include code numbers or the code itself when he finds them. I'd avoid inspectors who say they use an onsite "checklist" type of report.

Call or meet the inspector. You're looking for someone who is knowledgeable and who can communicate well. If you talk to an inspector and have trouble understanding what he's saying, it's likely his report will be hard to understand as well.

Ask for references. Have the inspector send you several references and follow through checking them out.

Ask questions. Ask your inspector if he/she will come back out and re-inspect after the builder says all the repairs have been made. Some will, some won't. Expect to have to pay for a re-inspection. Ask the inspector if he will communicate with the builder after the inspection if the builder has questions. Good inspectors will take the time to go over the report via phone or in person with the builder to ensure that all needed repairs are made.

As a home buying consumer, it's your responsibility to ensure your home is built correctly. Not the builder, not the State, County or City. Hiring a qualified and reputable home inspector will go a long ways in helping you obtain a problem free home.

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It doesn't matter if you have a large or small space to work with, a garden should be relaxing to you. But sometimes that same layout can get a bit old and you just want a change. So, here are five easy garden landscaping ideas that you can try without a lot of work or money:

Idea #1: Get a small fountain - This doesn't have to be an expensive, ornate one, just a simple fountain that will allow you a nice focal point for your garden, offer birds and butterflies a place to drink, and give you the relaxing sound of running water. This is one of the many great garden landscaping ideas you can use to liven up your garden and give you a more relaxing time when you want to enjoy it.

Idea #2: Keep some potted plants around - Potted plants offer you a way to constantly change up your garden landscaping ideas and move color where you want it. From the porch to the yard to the walkway, there are so many great places that you can easily move potted plants each day to give you a fresh garden look every time you step outside.

Idea #3: Colors don't have to be at war with each other - It seems that a lot of garden landscaping ideas revolve around tons of color in small spaces, and normally this backfires. You can easily narrow it down to a few colors and end up with a more beautiful garden than you would have ever imagined. Simply narrow down your choices so that you don't have a constant chaos of color going on, and you will turn your garden into a beautiful work of art.

Idea #4: Use climbing plants - These are wonderful ways to dress up any garden landscaping ideas and add in some spots of color and green no matter where you place them. Find an old trellis, a ladder, or anything else that you might not use much and plant some climbing plants around it. There are so many great plants that climb just about anything and offer some beautiful flowers any time of year.

Idea #5: Artwork is your friend - And you should be afraid to use the garden artwork that you already have in new and unique garden landscaping ideas. After all, if you don't like where you put it, you can always move it back. But, just a few switches here and there can make a big difference if you don't want to spend money on new stuff.

With these five easy to use garden landscaping ideas, it's easy to change up your garden's look and feel with just a simple move or placement of an item. Take your time and see which ideas strike you and have your garden transformed into a whole new world for you to enjoy.

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When there is a requirement for your home improvement you hire a person to complete the job. Sometimes you think that you can do it by yourself but you cannot do as the professionals do. It is better rather than trying your hands you must go for the experts so that you can save time and money.

If the roof is already damaged than it is very tough to preserve. This is a known fact to everyone. It is known to all that roof is such a part of the house where under the roof people lives in and roof safeguard us from hailstorms, snow, wind, and from other natural calamity. So due to this you will definitely look for a roofing company.

A roofing company comprises experts roofers where their talent lies on the any kind of roof work. These roofing companies are basically talented in fixing and designing roofs of those common house and even the common buildings.

Roofing company usually has enough manpower to handles some contracts in installation in a given time frame. Hiring a professional company is more advantageous than those single experts professional.

The roofing companies are usually talented in installing and they also give you proposal which they consider best for your house. And not only the drawings but also they offer you a healthier opportunity that will come with your budget. And when consulting with them they will make you aware of various opportunities that suit your needs and pocket.

The roofing company also demonstrate you some of their fine works that you might take into account for your house. You can soon come to conclusion about your requirement of your house as these roofing companies will give a brief description about the list of the updated amount of the raw items as well as the labor charge.

If you decide for quality roofing for your house then choose a good professional company. You will find many roofing companies who will provide services but select the good one. If you wish you can employ some single expert professionals but you will not be satisfied with their kind of work.

If you hire single experts professional then you will get sub standard roof that can easily deteriorate once there is any catastrophic hit.

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It is highly important to spare a good attentive thought towards your building roof. Just putting up a roof in place does not solve the purpose; one also needs to see to it that the roof is kept safe and conducive to changing climate type i.e it is suited to all weather types.

Along with this, one should also keep his/her eyes open towards catching early roofing defects. In case you fail to do so, you could land up with burdens of extensive repair needs and heavy cost outlay.

Why Im actually pressing on the need for you to have good roofing inspection knowledge is- its not always easy to withstand the effects of a damaged roof. For this, you could go in for a regular roofing contractor. His inspection will help you cut down on your energy bills immensely.

You could keep in mind a few grainy tips- First of all, you should try opting for a roof that stays insulated and keeps the warm air trapped inside. It is also extremely important to maintain good seals in your roof, especially if small holes and spots bog down your roof. Special care should be given in the rainy season.

Having said all this, we must understand that it isn't easy to upkeep maintenance of the roofs that is overseen by roofing contractors. At our own end, it needs to be ensured from time to time that we are taking special care of our roofs.

One more thing that we should keep in mind is this- you should be able to identify when your roof is weakening. If you think that your roof is moving towards wilting signs, then you should go in for mild repairs of your roof.

Otherwise, there can be a need where you may have to replace the entire roof or some major repairs might be required later on. So it is very important to keep a regular check on the roofs of your homes.

So, one should choose the roofing material as per the changing climatic conditions to well protect their homes.

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Element Kitchen & Bath Design has been designing and remodeling kitchens and bathrooms all over Pennsylvania for over 30 years. We offer a wide variety of the most lasting materials and products to meet any budget and our contractors will work with hand in hand with you to design your new kitchen or bathroom. We are expert remodelers and we take pride on our customer service and beautiful designs. We are complete kitchen remodeling experts.

Our beautiful designs are not our only specialty. We also make sure that every project we design is as functional as it is beautiful and we provide everything you need for your project. We are your one stop source for complete remodeling. We supply the most beautiful kitchen accessories from the most trusted names in the business. And, we have enough of a variety of suppliers that we are able to match your style. This means we use furnishings that can range from modern to classic.

Element Kitchen & Bathroom Design works with custom mills, custom cabinet makers, the best appliances, the best fixtures, and the best hardware - a wide array to match your style. We work with you to choose each piece of your new kitchen with careful consideration of your needs. Whatever your style is or your inspiration for your kitchen is, we can create it with beauty, style, and functionality.

We believe in finding the right unique products to make your kitchen unique. We specialize in custom designs that are beautiful and stylish. Our kitchen product like is extensive including elegant lighting, cabinets, windows, fans, countertops, flooring, sinks, fixtures, and other materials to make your kitchen a complete reflection of your style.

Contact us today and let us show you our products and receive a free kitchen remodeling estimate. We are able to offer the best prices on even the most expensive kitchen products. We are able to get our customers the best prices and the most affordable and beautiful designs. Contact us today for information on a complete kitchen remodeling quote.

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If you remodel your bathrooms now you can save more than 10% on the cost of the project and continue to save for years to come. Bathroom remodeling now can save a bundle in four important ways:

1. Take advantage of deep discounts on many materials and a number of bathroom contractors (due to the economic recession).
2. Choose energy-efficient options and take advantage of Federal Income Tax Credits of 30% on qualifying items (up to a total credit of $1,500 per year).
3. Check for State tax credits and power company rebates and credits.
4. Reap the benefits of energy-efficiency for many years to come in greater comfort and lower electric bills.

1. Take advantage of deep discounts on materials. Find a contractor who is offering discounts while maintaining quality work. The current recession has affected almost every business in some way. By remodeling now, you can take advantage of the discounts, help a few businesses, and get high quality materials and workmanship while saving big. Here are a few examples:
   1. Lumber and plywood prices are at a thirteen-year low. Prices declined steadily until October 2008 and then dropped even more between October 2008 and January 2009.
   2. Cabinetry manufacturers have experienced a huge loss of sales, and many are offering deep discounts. Between December 2007 and December 2008 sales dropped industry wide by 40%.This should help you when you buy new cabinets or a new vanity.
   3. Drywall prices have declined.
   4. Floor covering prices are being discounted by 10% or more.
2. Choose energy-efficient options and take advantage of Federal Income tax credits. The Economic Recovery Act offers Federal Tax Credits of 30% of the cost of several remodeling projects that make a home more energy efficient. For new windows and exterior doors, insulation, roofing, HVAC and water heaters, you can claim a tax credit of up to $1,500 total credits in 2009 and 2010. Here's how you can save on bathroom remodeling:
   1. Replace your bathroom window with a high-efficiency UV coated model. The windows must have a U factor <=0.30 and SHGC <+0.30. You will be able to claim a tax credit for 30% of the cost of the window (up to total credits of $1,500).
   2. Install storm windows over the existing window. The storm window combined with the existing window must meet qualifying standards. You can claim a tax credit of 30% of the cost (up to total credits of $1,500)
   3. Add an energy-efficient skylight. Energy-efficient skylights and roof windows qualify for the same credit as windows.
   4. Use the right insulation. Insulation must meet the standards outlined by the International Energy Conservation Code or the 2004 Supplement to the 2003 code). You will be able to claim a credit for 30% of the cost (up to total credits if $1,500).
   5. Take advantage of the opportunity to claim the credits and upgrade your water heater to an energy-efficient model. Gal, Oil and Propane water heaters must meet an energy factor of >=0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%. They qualify for a tax credit of 30% (up to total credits of $1,500). Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters must meet the same criteria of Energy Factor >=2.0. They also qualify for the tax credit of 30%. However, if you choose a solar or geothermal water heating option that meets the qualifications outlined by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation, you can claim a super credit of 30% of the cost of the solar or geothermal water heater with no limit on the amount of the credit you can claim.
3. Check for State tax credits and power company rebates and credits. Most states offer additional state tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades and remodeling. Many also offer low-interest financing for qualifying purchases. Many utility companies also offer rebates and/or lower rates for some upgrades.

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There are numerous cost categories you should understand when remodeling your home. This list will point out the most important costs of remodeling. A good way to save money when you remodel is to understand each cost category. Our brief explanation will help you decide whether you want to do some of the work yourself or hire an outside contractor or architect to do the work for you. Project management is a job that requires the person to be on the project site at all times while crews are working. They must coordinate workers coming in and out, make sure the work is done properly and be able to answer any questions that may arise. You should make the decision whether you are going to hire a general contractor, manage the project yourself or hire several different sub-contractors to perform the different tasks needed on the project.

Remodel payback plays a key role in the remodeling design. If you are unsure of what you want in design or additions, you should consult a contractor to see what is popular in more modern homes in your area. Your home will, someday, be sold. The design will not only be for your current pleasure but something that will make a good selling feature for potential buyers. In turn, the new feature will help you recoup your costs upon resale of your home.

Permits are sometimes needed depending on they type of work being performed. You should check with your city or county planning office and describe the project you have planned to see if you need permits and inquire about the process of applying for any permits you may need.

Foundation work may be needed if you have chosen a design that extends outside your present floor plan.

Framing may be necessary if you are moving or adding walls, ceiling, or floors. If you are making an addition to the existing floor plan, framing will be a large part of the projects cost.

Electrical work is necessary when adding light fixtures or circuitry to existing electrical work.

Plumbing will be needed if your plans are for a remodeling of the kitchen or bathroom.

Adding or moving duct work is necessary in some remodeling jobs. An addition will need duct work for heating and cooling.

Interior and exterior finishing of walls may be required on some projects. This may include drywall, sheet rock, paneling or vinyl siding or new brick.

Finish work and fixtures can be costly depending on your choice of materials. Kitchen cabinets can range from the modest less expensive style to custom built cabinets with all the options. The cost variation will all depend on your taste and what you are willing to spend. Remember to take into consideration what the resale value may be on these items as well.

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A SMART remodel approach to remodeling allows homeowners to embark on a remodeling project and achieve results that are not only less expensive, but that are of much higher quality than many people typically find at the conclusion of a renovation project. A critical part of A SMART remodel is working from a contractor interview plan. A contractor interview plan is a list of very specific questions that should be posed to each potential contractor you interview for your home remodeling or addition project. It is important to ask the same questions of each contractor and to define the project and the specific materials you want to use. Unless you are consistent in describing the project and the materials and you are consistent in the questions you ask each contractor you will not be able to make a fair and accurate comparison later. If you are planning a home addition or a remodeling project, you should plan to interview as many contractors as possible (at least five) before you decide which contractor you will hire. Working from a written list of questions will help you cover all of the details, describe the project and materials for an estimate from each contractor and evaluate the competence of the contractor. You will also want to ask some questions about the subcontractors and workers each contractor uses.

A good contractor interview plan will help you evaluate the following:

• Is the contractor properly licensed and certified?
• Does the contractor have enough experience with the kind of project you want done?
• Does the contractor use his/her own subcontractors and work crew or does he/she hire for each job?
• What does the contractor say about commitment to quality workmanship?
• Does the contractor want to use lower quality materials?
• Can you get a list of current jobs the contractor is doing?
• Can you get a list of previous similar jobs the contractor has done?
• Have you interviewed previous clients? How did they feel about working with the contractor?
• Are you comfortable having this contractor in your home and around your family?
• Do you trust the safety of your home and property to the workers the contractor will choose?
• Is the contractor's estimate a total cost/final cost estimate or is it cost of materials plus an hourly labor amount? (Choose the final cost estimate)
• Is the contractor adequately insured and bonded?
• Is the contractor willing to guarantee work quality with a one-year warranty on the work?
• Can you communicate with the contractor?

• A selection of the contractors you will interview.
• Check the credentials and reputation of each.
• Interview previous and current clients of each contractor
• Try to inspect the contractor's previous work.
• A list of the materials you want to use and the quality of workmanship you expect.
• A written estimate from the contractor
• Comparison of contractor estimates
• Time to think carefully about your choice.

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