my bathroom remodel update | Gather

my bathroom remodel is moving along. Today we are doing some things that I really cant photograph like making shims and picking up the new tub.

Yesterday was interesting we took down the walls and found the newspaper my fatherplaced there when we put the cabinet in sometime in 1999. Then after the cabinet was out we took the wall down and found a beer bottle and the cord that went to the light switch was way to long and not up to code, even at the time the house was built!!!

At least no one fell through anything and I still have my shower, for another night.

Renovations with the best return on investment

Several years ago, when Steve Thomas was the host of "This Old House," I recall he commented in an interview somewhere that during his antique home renovation in Salem, Mass., he included all the bells and whistles he wanted. He said that as he intended to stay in the house for many, many years it made sense for him. However, he cautioned anyone who thought they might be moving sooner rather than later to be careful not to price themselves out of the market when remodeling the house.

As it turns out, Steve sold the house after 24 years of ownership in 2010 for over a half-million dollars more than he paid for it. While antique homes are notorious cash drains, it's still likely he made a considerable profit. And that was after the real estate crash.

For years, we've been reading articles about the Return on Investment (ROI) of remodeling projects when it comes time to resell. While the numbers vary a bit from year to year, or market to market, the overriding takeaway is that few projects will increase the bottom line market value of the property dollar to dollar. In other words, if one spends $50,000 on a new kitchen, it may only increase the property value by $40,000 (20 percent) or so. And this is assuming the potential buyers like what you've done with the renovation. If they don't care for what they see, they will start adding the price of remodeling yet again into their offer calculations.

Having lived with an old and out-of-date condo kitchen for several years, I was always fantasizing about how I would re-do it if I ever could. In my dreams, I saw Carrara marble countertops and gleaming top of the line stainless appliances. When I actually did eventually redo my kitchen, it did not include a beautiful new marble countertop -- I made do with my existing off-white Formica counters and while I did do stainless appliances, they were from a more modest line of appliances befitting my actual level of cooking and the space in which they lived.

Why? Because as beautiful as all that would be, I knew that the price would never come close to paying for itself. The kitchen was very small and could not get any bigger, and while I lived in a wealthy beach-side community, a small condo still had limited market value potential. And that leads off my list of five tips about resale and renovating costs:

Consider all the variables when it comes to projecting the resale value of a property. This includes the location, available size and who the potential buyers are. There is always a limit to how much a property will fetch and top of the line materials will not override these factors. Avoid being the most expensive house in your neighborhood. In other words, think twice before putting in $100,000 worth of improvements into a $100,000 house that's in a $100,000 kind of neighborhood.



ROI is improved when the investment makes a property bigger, more efficient or less costly down the road. More living space that comes from new additions, basement or attic remodels are usually very successful, assuming the costs are kept under control. Updated and efficient systems such as heating and plumbing, or a new roof, will also be welcomed by potential buyers.

Keep the "artistic" choices to a minimum when selecting appliances and other expensive yet "standard" items such as gas or wood burning stoves. A friend once fell in love with a cobalt blue enameled gas stove that would be installed in a prominent location in her dining room. Although it was her favorite color and could have been quite fantastic, she ultimately opted for a more common black stove, befitting her modest home and neighborhood. She knew that down the road, the brilliant blue stove probably wouldn't speak to potential buyers as it did to her.

The only purely decorative expenses that might be considered an investment in future resale value are on the outside of the house. Curb appeal is enormously important and a good paint job that highlights a welcoming front door, a nice lawn and pretty landscaping will go a long way towards resale value.

A word about permits, since this is about saving money: Attorney Kevin M. Veler, a construction attorney in Alpharetta, Ga., stated on Hometalk.com (a social network where homeowners, renters and home improvement pros share and help with home improvement), "Unless you know what you are doing, the contractor should pull the permit. If the contractor asks the homeowner to pull the permit that may be a red flag that the contractor does not have the required license to do the work."

"While you may 'save' a few dollars by not pulling a permit, you risk finding out that the work does not meet code, you will be asked at resale if there was unpermitted work on the home, and you may bring down the value of your home. Your 'savings' may be very costly in the long run."

All that being said, do invest in things that will bring you enjoyment and happiness in your home. As the real estate market has slowed, we're all staying in our homes for longer periods than we were in the 1990s to mid-2000s and we should enjoy where we live. While a kitchen remodel will likely only return 80 percent of its value, you will be getting much pleasure from your new kitchen or basement rec room -- and the value of enjoying one's home? Priceless.

Linda Merrill is an expert in the fields of interior design, media communications & marketing.

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Remodel Your Current Home With Retirement in Mind

Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:00pm EDT

Most people in their thirties and forties don't spend much time thinking about their retirement, let alone planning for it. Sure, they participate in their company's 401(k) plan. Maybe they've opened an IRA. But they're busy building a career, buying a home, or figuring out how to get one kid to soccer practice and the other across town to band recital at the same time.

Then, at some point during the fiftysomething years, it hits most of us: Retirement isn't all that far off. It's time to look more closely at your 401(k), IRA and other savings, plug some guesstimates into online retirement-savings programs, and take long walks with your partner talking about the next stage of life.

"Honey, what about the house?" The most popular answer among middle-aged homeowners is they'd like to stay put. Your home's value may have taken a knock from the housing bust, and there are too many memories in every room to leave behind.

Like other aspects of retirement, aging in place requires turning your desires into practical planning. So, as you start to weigh that remodeling project you've been putting off, don't just look at the cost of installing granite countertops in the kitchen, or dual sinks and towel warmers in the bathroom. What home improvements would make your home safer and more convenient for you in your old age? "If people are planning to stay in the home -- say, they're now 55 and they'll stay until they're 70 - 75 -- they should be thinking about how to make aging in place feasible," says Jon Pynoos, professor of gerontology, policy and planning at the University of Southern California.

The trend toward remodeling projects with aging in mind is growing, but slowly. It appears that many middle-aged homeowners are reluctant to put "aging in place" on their wish list. The reason: People don't think features that make a home convenient for aging occupants will be attractive.

We've all driven by homes with a big ramp up to the front door, or visited an aging relative and stared at bathroom equipment reminiscent of a hospital room. "People don't want to think of themselves as getting old and needing grab bars and things like that in the home," says Kermit Baker, senior research fellow at Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. "Even people in their fifties and sixties aren't thinking about their needs in 20 years."

Too bad. Plenty of remodelers these days will cater to homeowners who are planning to age in place and want to start installing features now, while it's convenient, that will make life easier for them when they get older.

The best-known movement is called universal design, which incorporates attractive, easy-to-use appliances and other devices. So don't worry that you have to turn your house or condo into an assisted-living center.

Universal-design accessories and accommodations may add about 5% or more to a project's upfront cost (depending on the project). But think of it this way: With a little preparation, you won't need to call in a pricey contractor to do a rush job if you have a bad fall ten years from now. "There is no money savings on the front end," says Richard Duncan, executive director of the RL Mace Universal Design Institute in Chapel Hill, N.C. "A big advantage of doing the changes now is reduced remodeling costs later on."

What are some universal-design mainstays? A simple one is substituting door handles for doorknobs. The handle material and design, which can match the décor of your home, will make it easier to open doors with arthritic hands.

Older folks need more light and are more sensitive to glare. Lights with extra illumination and lighting controls can be incorporated into a kitchen remodel.

European-style showers are sophisticated and don't have a lip, allowing wheelchair access as well as a way to wash plants and even the dog. You don't need to put a grab bar in the shower now -- but why not install the plates during a bathroom remodel so that a grab bar can be quickly attached later? "These things should be part of the design rather than something separate to be added later on," says Pynoos.

If you do decide to remodel this year, you'll have plenty of company, and soon -- spring appears to be coming early to the housing market. After years of falling real estate values, it appears the market is finally stabilizing, due to the combination of lower unemployment, low interest rates and low home prices. In similar fashion, remodelers are getting back to work: The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University expects inflation-adjusted spending on homeowner improvements to grow at a 3.5% compound annual growth rate from 2010 to 2015. That is in sharp contrast with the 1.4% decline in remodeling spending from 2005 to 2010, though it pales next to the 7.3% growth rate of the bubble years, 2000 to 2005.

Many of today's remodeling projects will be undertaken by middle-aged homeowners who are happy to stay in their home and make everyday living more comfortable. If you're one of them, remember that remodeling your home is as integral to your retirement plan as your asset allocation in your 401(k).



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Betty Nairn from Cabinet-S-Top Receives Award for Professional Achievement in the Remodeling Industry

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Professional Remodelers of Ohio held their Evening of Excellence Event this past January where they recognized Betty Nairn from Cabinet-S-Top of Medina, OH with an award for outstanding professional achievement through excellent craftsmanship in the remodeling industry.

Nairn won first place for a $63,000 newly remodeled kitchen featuring Medallion Cabinetry's Potter's Mill Cherry mission style cabinetry. The kitchen included a two level center island. The balloting criteria was based on Aesthetic Appeal, Use of Materials, Handling of Unique Situations, Attention to Detail, Functionality of Space, Financial Success and Overall Impression.

Nairn is General Manager at Cabinet-S-Top and has designed with Medallion for 16 years. She is an active member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) for the Ohio State Chapter since 2001.



Medallion, which is part of the Elkay Cabinet Division, offers more than 6,600 combinations of door styles, wood species and color finishes in semi-custom cabinetry through kitchen and bath design centers and dealers nationwide. The Elkay Cabinet Division was created in 1993 has 12 facilities throughout the United States. Operating under the brand names Medallion Cabinetry, Yorktowne Cabinetry, Mastercraft Cabinets and Schuler Cabinetry, the company is the fourth largest provider of residential cabinetry in the country.

The Best Time of Year to Remodel

Any type of home improvement, or home renovation can take a great deal of time to complete. From hiring the contractors, to choosing and ordering the products, it can be months before a project has been completed. Savvy homeowners who time their projects right, can take advantage of slow times in the design industry to capitalize on deals.

The Best Time of Year to Purchase Product

If embarking on a kitchen or bathroom renovation project, the best times of year to purchase products such as plumbing or tile, is often in the winter, after the holidays. The fall is a very busy time for the design industry, with homeowners hoping to finish up projects before the holiday season. From December through March, however, showrooms slow down dramatically. This means that not only will homeowners be able to get more attention from a design consultant, but that they may be able to get products at a lower price.

Showrooms hoping to move product may hold winter sales, or specials, and many will be flexible with pricing if asked. The showrooms are often quiet during this time period as well, making it easier for homeowners planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation to take their time, spread out plans and materials and get extra assistance from sales people who are not being spread too thin.

Even if the project is not slated to begin until summer, or even the next fall, ordering the material in winter can save time and money. A number of products can take up to three months to arrive, so by planning ahead, it is possible to not only save money, but to have a greater selection of products to choose from.

The Best Time of Year to Hire a Contractor

Ask any contractor his schedule, and often times, the answer will be that he's booked from August to November, even if the question is being asked in June. Fall is the busiest time of year for home renovations, with everyone home from vacation, and trying to get the house in shape for the holidays. To ensure that the best contractor for the job is available and willing to take on the project, try to schedule renovations to take place in the spring or early summer.



Slow times of year for contractors may mean a reduction in pricing on labor, or it may just mean that the most sought after builder or contractor has an opening to fit a project into. If planning to renovate in the late summer or fall, be sure to book the contractor well in advance, even as early as the previous spring or winter. Waiting too long, or until the product is on hand can mean having to settle for a contractor or builder that is out of the price range budgeted, or who is not entirely suitable for the job.

When to Avoid Scheduling a Renovation

It can be tempting to try to schedule work to be done on the home, while the family is off vacationing. This can lead to problems, however, and is best avoided. Products arriving while the family is away may be broken, miss-shipped or miss-placed. A contractor may install just what's arrived, not knowing if it's the right product or not. This can lead to hassles, and lost time and money when the homeowner returns to find that the room tile has been installed on a bathroom floor.

If the renovation is going to be so large, that it does make sense for the family to be away, try to be home to receive all product, and check it over before leaving. Label boxes clearly, and place them in the rooms where they will be installed. Go over everything in detail with the contractor, and don't make assumptions that installers or subcontractors will understand what's to go where. If a product has been miss-shipped or has arrived broken, it can be taken care of before the family is away and a contractor is left to deal with a problem on his own.

By planning well ahead for any type of home improvement or home renovation project, homeowners can often save time and money, while ensuring a smoother, better managed project. Shop for product, and hire contractors well in advance, be home to receive the product and supervise, and know that the home renovation will be everything dreamed of and more.

Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Choosing some attractive cabinet colors is very important to give your kitchen the perfect look. Read on to know some bright and appealing color ideas.

Cabinets form the major chunk of kitchen furniture as that is where all the essentials are stored. They look organized and neat, and provide ample space for storing utensils, cutlery, and food items. As a part of interior designing, kitchen cabinet colors are also an important part of home decor. Hence, when you are deciding on the wall colors of your kitchen, you have to keep in mind the color scheme of the furniture as well. Along with the usual cabinets with wooden finish, you can also go for modern painted cabinets, as they look very stylish and different. Take a look at some more interesting ideas mentioned below.

Ideas for Kitchen Cabinet Colors

When you are thinking of redecorating your home to give it an entirely different look, it is a great idea to change everything. If you like bright colors, you can definitely choose them, but only if your interiors complement it. There are millions of shades for cabinet colors, which are hardly ever used, but look great nonetheless. Apart from the usual reds, blues, and greens, trying a mixture of colors could change the look of your kitchen in a unique way.

Popular Colors:

There are many popular colors used to paint kitchen cabinets with. These are usually neutral shades so that they match with any type of kitchen furniture, like a wooden dining table. These colors can be gray, beige, cream, lemon yellow, wooden brown, steel gray, etc. There are other bright colors which are also very popular and are used on a large-scale, for example; blue, green, red, orange, mustard, pink, yellow, etc. Sometimes, the cabinets have glass doors so as to give them a showcase exterior. A stained glass on the doors of these cabinets would look perfectly classy for a modern kitchen.

Cabinet Colors with White Appliances:

There are a variety of colored appliances in kitchens, like the microwave, coffee maker, chimney, dishwasher, and cooking stove. If the appliances are white, it is easier to choose cabinet colors for the simple reason that there is already a uniformity in the kitchen, and all you have to do is find a common shade that will match all these appliances, and use it for the cabinets. A few colors which can be used are lemon green, yellow, teal, dark blue, red, orange, mustard, pink, purple, and wooden brown.

Cabinet Colors with Black Appliances:

Similar to the white and steel-colored appliances, there are a few modern kitchens which are decorated with a basic black color for all the appliances. Black is a neutral color, and not many dark shades look good when paired with it. For this reason, painting the kitchen cabinets in a slightly light color would look perfect. Colors like light blue, any shade of brown, violet, gray, mauve, light wooden brown, mustard, beige, light lemon-green, and ivory can be used. These colors are not only unique, but also have a wide range of shades in them.

Making a choice for your kitchen cabinet colors can surely be a difficult job, as there are many other things you have to consider changing or matching. Therefore, make the right choice, and paint those cabinets in an expressive manner.

Renovating Your Kitchen To Add Value to Your House

One of the ways to get the most value out of any kitchen remodeling project is to focus on the kitchen cabinets. If you're on a limited budget there are many things that you can do to spice up your kitchen cabinets and make them look totally new. This article will look at one unique idea that you can use to spice up your kitchen cabinets. If you decided to tackle the task of remodeling kitchen cabinets in your home, the best place to start is with the hardware. The knobs and hinges are perhaps two of the most important parts that can feel and complete the look of your kitchen cabinets. If you currently have hardware on your cabinets then you may want to consider the possibility of fixing that hardware up. If in this hardware that can be polished and shined this might be a place to save some considerable money. Often times your and able to do anything with the old hardware and must replace it. One of the tricks here in saving a considerable amount of money is to know where to shop for your hardware. Most people will just go off to the local home improvement store and go into the kitchen cabinets section and the willing to pay three, four, and five dollars per handle. The secret is to just look a few aisles over in the hardware section and you may be able to find some very nice handles and hinges for only pennies on the dollar. A Kitchen renovation can take approximately eight weeks to complete, but of course that is if everything goes as planned. Then you know that something may not go as it was planned, if you know anything about Murphy's Law. Each kitchen that needs rejuvenated varies with the extent of the project, the age, and condition of the house. The older the house, the most likeliness that there will be a few problems that go along with the remodeling. This reasoning can go with any kitchen remodeling design. The items that follow will give you a short breakdown of what to expect from your kitchen renovation idea. Before starting, you might need a building permit. Check with your local government. 1) The Demolition - This is where some project experienced homeowners will save money by doing the tear down themselves but it is not a very fun job. It can also bring a scare to the homeowner because it is always possible to find a "small leak" beneath a sink that reveals rotten floor boards or something worse as the sink base comes out. It's also possible to find out that the wiring is not up to code. The good news is that it is better to fix it now than later. Be sure to have a large trash bin to dump your waste. 2) The Preparation - The very good do it yourselfer can save quite a bit of money by painting or putting up drywall. You might have to hire a certified electrician or plumber depending on you building permit codes in your area if wiring or pipes need attention. 3) The Installation - Always check your products for any damage that might have occurred during transportation from the store/warehouse to your home. Your installers should use padded equipment when moving appliances or other items around and use wooden clamps for your cabinets. If you decide to install yourself, you should read up on some home improvement manuals before making any major decisions on installation. For flooring, if you are using sheet vinyl, it goes in easier before your cabinets arrive but tile and wood floors are usually installed afterward to save on labor costs. Renovating your kitchen will increase the value of your house. The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home and therefore is very important when potential buyers are considering a purchase. One of the ways to get the most value out of any kitchen remodeling project is to focus on the kitchen cabinets. If you're on a limited budget there are many things that you can do to spice up your kitchen cabinets and make them look totally new. This article will look at one unique idea that you can use to spice up your kitchen cabinets. A Kitchen renovation can take approximately eight weeks to complete, but of course that is if everything goes as planned. Each kitchen that needs rejuvenated varies with the extent of the project, the age, and condition of the house.