Archive for August, 2011

Home Improvement On A Budget ? Kitchen & Bath

There are many ways to update your home on a budget, and with minimum disruption.  For instance, some kitchen and bathroom upgrades will modernize your home without the need for major rehab work and huge expenditure. Yes, when it comes to renovation, looking good doesn’t always need to cost a lot.

Take your bathroom for example, you may want to consider the following:-

If your vanity or pedestal is in good condition consider leaving it in place and just change the faucet.
Refinish your tub instead of replacing it.
Change fixtures – vanity faucets, shower/bath trim (spouts, heads etc) and lights.
Consider adding wainscoting and new trim.
Paint walls and ceilings
Change the medicine cabinet.
If the floors are in good condition then you can leave them in place. However, if you have a tiled floor you may consider re-grouting the joints, especially if the tile itself is good.

Your kitchen is one of the most important places in your house, and there are many ways to enhance and update it without an extensive overhaul. For instance, you can keep the cabinets if they are in good condition and instead focus renovation work on these other areas: -

Replace countertops/sink and faucet
Refinish cabinets
Replace cabinet hardware
Refinish floor or install new floor
Add/replace lighting
Change trim
Repaint walls and ceiling
Change appliances

Ultimately, just remember that keeping your house looking good doesn’t have to be a huge expense. There are many companies that specialize in Residential Construction in major cities like Boston, Chicago and New York and are sure to have many outfits that will develop and execute a plan to make your house looking new again. As with any major home renovation, new homeowners insurance quotes need to be found to reflect the rise in property value

If you’re looking for Painting Services or just Construction Services in general, don’t be wary of approaching a contractor and outlining your specific needs. Many companies will be more than happy to listen to you and come up with a package that will suit both your needs and your budget.

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A pound of prevention for this fall’s home improvement projects

 

“One of the traps homeowners fall into, particularly new ones, is they try to do everything at once and don’t prioritize projects,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County, the leading home improvement and home furnishing club with direct insider prices. “Part two of that is that less savvy do-it-yourselfers might not know how to go about prioritizing. That’s why getting professional assistance is a pretty good idea.”

 

Vest recommends hiring a home inspector in the fall to get a professional assessment. While this may seem rather odd if you’re not buying or selling your home, hiring a home inspector is one way to detect potential large problems early, like a leaky roof for example, before the weather turns and you have a very serious problem on your hands.

 

“A typical home inspection can run anywhere from 0 to 0, but if it is the difference between that and replacing an entire section of roof or water damage in your home, it’s kind of a no-brainer,” said Vest.

 

Other fall preventative steps Vest recommends include:

 

Furnace inspection and service – The first sub-freezing day is no time to find out you have a problem with your furnace.

Chimney maintenance – Again, the first day you want to have a fire is not the time you want to encounter a problem. Hire a chimney sweep to ensure the chimney is clear of bird nests or other debris and that the cap is in place.

Window inspection – Be sure your windows are caulked and the seals between the windows are nice and tight. If you are unable to patch a leaky window, it may be time to replace it.

Clean your gutters – Autumn leaves and pine needles can create quite a backup of water in your gutters. That can translate to potential water damage to your house and, as the weather dips below freezing, icy sidewalks that make it treacherous for you and your holiday guests.

 

DirectBuy Club offers home furnishings and merchandise in addition to items for home improvement projects to help all homeowners create their dream homes— at direct insider prices. DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or taking on a home improvement project, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

 

“I know it goes against the grain to spend money on a home improvement project when there’s not an immediate need,” said Vest. “By making these recommendations part of your fall routine, you can definitely prevent major problems down the road.”

 

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

 

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

 

 

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