Bathroom Remodeling Can Add to Your Home’s Aesthetic and Resale Value

Homes in Chicago are always in high demand, but properties that are move-in ready and fully updated will fetch higher selling prices. If you’re going to make an investment in your dwelling, choose projects that will provide you with an excellent return on investment. The bathroom is a top choice because you’ll net a return of 60 percent or more on the initial cost. However, there are some tricks to ensure that your new space appeals to buyers and is everything you’ve been dreaming of.

Go Neutral

Ensure that your bathroom remodeling in Chicago is a hit by going with neutral colors. You can always add some style and interest with your linens and accessories, but the walls, floor, and fixtures should have nice, soothing, neutral shades that most people will like.

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Chicago Porch Builders Help in Adding to Your Home’s Overall Value

Front porches – If your house doesn’t have a front porch yet, do yourself a favor and call reputable Chicago porch builders like DAL Builders. Front porches serve as the preliminary area which greets guests as they arrive, and they make more sense if they provide a good place to rest and chill out. Like a few specific home upgrades, though, front porches are subject to strict building regulations.

A second floor – Bungalows are nice on their own, but they can still be made much better. Adding a second floor costs about $155,365 on average, but about 71.8 percent of the money will be paid back on resale. According to John Kmiecik of the National Association of Realtors, any additional living space will significantly add value when it’s time to sell—all the more reason why an extra floor with space for at least two bedrooms and a bath makes good sense.

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Remodeling in Chicago for Old Houses: It’s Getting Better with Age?

There are houses which have often been depicted as having stories to tell if they could speak, even after all the remodeling work they’ve been through over the years. If the place has been standing for a long time, someone may have ordered a remodel before you ever moved in. AJ LaTrace of Curbed Chicago has one such example: the 94-year-old Winnetka house that was the setting for the classic holiday comedy Home Alone.

Chicago carries a familiar air of old houses that have weathered many a Midwest storm. A check of houses in the Windy City show that many of them have old architecture but sport surprisingly unique modern interiors. If your house is years old but is now in need of a better appearance, consider hiring Chicago remodeling experts like those from DAL Builders to tackle the job.
http://dalbuilders.net/remodeling-chicago-old-houses-getting-better-age/

 

Things to Look Out for when Building a Porch

Your porch determines the first impression that visitors get about your house, and yes, as the saying goes, it does last, pretty much like how a first handshake can already speak volumes about a person. With this in mind, it’s only prudent that you keep your front porch looking its best at all times. Here are a few things about it that you should keep in mind:

Porch vs Façade

Designing a porch requires you to look at the house façade and to visualize the final outcome. If you visualize the porch area as a transitional space between the house and the garden, and the house is a bit small, you cannot expand the house structure; it might overpower the façade. A window screen will suffice.

 

Brighten Up a Bathroom Remodel by Using Glass Tile

When it comes to the aesthetics of any room in the home, one of the most desired look is for more space.  Not everyone has a large home, but, thankfully, a few design and decorating tricks can magically create the illusion of space.

One of these tricks is the effective use of light to make a place seem roomier. Apart from better light fixtures, this is commonly achieved by using brighter colors that reflect light a little bit better than darker hues.

 

Choosing the Right Materials for Outdoor Areas

Outdoor living areas are considered one of the better investments one can make for his or her home. The obvious benefit is how it, when executed properly, can substantially increase the overall curb appeal and monetary value of a property.

From a resident’s standpoint, the presence of an outdoor living space like a porch or deck allows them to comfortably enjoy the outdoors. It serves as a place beyond the living room and kitchen where everyone can come together and bond while doing some recreational activity (e.g. parties, playing card games, etc.).

 

Basic Tips on Repairing Your Front Porch

In your entire house, your front porch is one of the fixtures that can quite easily be damaged or destroyed by the elements—and since aesthetics is actually one of the main reasons of having a porch in the first place, it’s imperative that you have it repaired as soon as possible. While it’s important to call a professional for help, there are certain fixes that you might be able to do on your own.

 

Good Bathroom Remodel Ideas and Habits

In a home remodeling project, it’s wise to keep in mind that the results shouldn’t only be pleasing to the eye and kinder to your energy budget, but should also have added value to your home at resale. Here are several bathroom remodeling ideas (and habits) that will help through the process without having to regret a thing.

Setting up a contingency

Hidden water damage is a common problem in bathrooms—whether from a running toilet or leaking shower pipe. Visible leaks are fairly easy to fix; hidden problems are more troublesome as they often require reserve funds, given that such problems have already gotten worse over time.

Hiding the toilet

A truly stylish master bath can also be discreet. It’s still much nicer to hide this fixture away; say, behind a half wall or in its own “room-within-the-room” space. Pieces of furniture like armoires or dressers can also do the trick.

Being precise with dimension measurements

Never just estimate the measurements of the fixtures you need to replace, especially when it comes to sections that involve plumbing. There’s nothing worse than pre-buying all the pieces for your bathroom renovation project only to find out that the pieces don’t fit. Even a few centimeters can spell the difference between the right and wrong fit.

Creating and sticking to a plan

Making up your design as you go will likely get you ending up with something like the Winchester Mystery House—full of pseudo-rooms, staircases, and doors which are merely aesthetic, and not functional at all.

 

Basic Troubleshooting for a Concrete Porch

Concrete is one of the sturdiest materials for your porch or deck, but this doesn’t mean that it’s impervious to wear and damage. Concrete commonly cracks, chips, and splits because of weathering or because of overbearing weight and pressure on it over time. If you’re looking to repair simple cracks on your porch, look to these following tips.

Cleaning

Before any repair job, the first step is always to clean up the work surface. Run a vacuum through your porch, especially around the spots with the cracks. Patching up chips or cracks without getting rid of debris first won’t yield as good a result.

Patching

Small cracks about three-eighths of an inch wide should be quite simple to patch up; all you’ll need is a tube of commercial vinyl patching material, a wet rag, and a soft bristled brush. Brush off any remaining debris inside the cracks and apply the patching material, making sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Edge Repair

Sometimes, the edges of your concrete porch might also get chipped or break off. If you can still retrieve the separated portion, apply some epoxy which is formulated for bonding cement (again, following the manufacturer’s instructions). Press it into place and allow to dry before releasing.

 

Perks of Finishing Your Basement

When people think about their basements, the word “storage” usually isn’t far off—especially if the basement is unfinished. Indeed, many basements become nothing more than oversized storage areas for old and forgotten possessions.

However, basements are actually one of the most versatile spaces in your home. If you’re willing to remodel it, you can use a basement for both functional or recreation purposes—like a spacious laundry room or maybe a high-tech home theater, for example. Aside from adding more usable space to your home, finishing your basement also offers many other benefits, such as:

Increased Home Value

When it comes to home improvement, people often have kitchen remodeling or landscaping at the top of their list. With regard to return of investment though, few projects are as rewarding as basement remodeling, which provides up to a 150% return on your expenditure.

Additional Income

Want an extra source of income? Then you might want to convert your basement into a rental property. Most basement apartments rent at 75% of your monthly mortgage payment, which means it’ll pay for itself soon enough and help you pay off your house quicker.

Protect Your Health

An unfinished basement is often infested with mold and mildew, both of which can trigger allergic reactions and other health issues. When you finish your basement, you also eliminate the moisture problems that encourage the growth of these intruders.