Renovations should be enjoyable and exciting (really!). The key is to plan the project ahead of time, hire the right people, allocate enough time, and account for delays. Try not to schedule the completion date on your birthday or anniversary. If you’re planning a special event, plan way ahead of time, and even then, have an alternate location in mind. Quick tips on Flat renovation london.

Don’t put a time limit on yourself or your Contractor. That will stress you out. At the same time, determine how long the project will likely take and when it will begin. If it’s a three-month project that won’t start until November, your house won’t be ready for a New Year’s Eve party unless you celebrate Chinese New Year… This is a surprisingly common issue: the gap between how long a homeowner expects a project to take and the required work time.

There are no Contractor Fairies (and I mean the magical ones! Ha, ha!) who can slip in the middle of the night and finish the project by the morning, though that would be nice! (I’m guessing there’d be some loud dance music, which would keep you awake…!) Request that your Contractor include a possible time frame with the quote.

Before your Contractor arrives, have a clear idea of what you want. You don’t have to draw the changes, but you should be able to tell them what you want to see. Many good contractors will have done so many renovations that they will know exactly what needs to be done and the approximate cost and time frame.

When a contractor tells you that ‘the little bathroom’ will cost around $3,000.00, don’t expect your job to secretly cost about $20.00, maybe a little less…only to be shocked and dismayed when your bill comes in…$3,000.00. You’d be surprised how many people believe that. Try not to fall into this trap or to think that any changes you make after the job has begun will not affect the cost or duration of the project. Always get written quotes for any work you have done so that you and the Contractor know the job’s expectations.

Consider hiring a Designer if you’re stuck trying to figure out how to improve an area in your home. Remember that they can work within your budget, but if you’re on a tight budget, spending the consultation fee on new drapes or a toilet… A designer may be the obvious solution if you struggle with decision-making and are willing to give up control.

Shop around like you would for a contractor until you find someone who makes you feel at ease and will listen to what you want. Remember, this is your home, so do what feels right. If you say, “Absolutely no red,” and the designer says you need all red to be “cutting edge,” find another designer more interested in meeting your needs.

Is there a quick solution?

There is frequently a quick fix. Consider a fresh coat of paint, new flooring, new baseboards, and new window treatments if you aren’t dealing with structural changes or a complete makeover. There are numerous things you can do on your right now. For example, you might want to replace your bathroom or Kitchen flooring. If you’re handy, there’s a new glueless laminate ‘wood’ flooring that you can install yourself.

Tiling is another excellent option, and you can learn how to do it on our website (click on the Tiling page) or at your local hardware store. A nice throw rug can completely transform the look of a room and breathe new life into an old carpet. Unless it is a small area and you are skilled at it, new carpet installation should be done professionally.

Updating your hardware (the knobs in your kitchen – no, not your husband’s friends! Ha, ha!) can sometimes make a huge difference in the overall look of a room. If you don’t want to replace your cabinetry, you can paint it. Check out the selection at your local hardware store if you return the cabinets.

You can look into the price, availability, installation fees (don’t try this alone! ), and some general ideas you like. Then, if you arrange to meet with a Kitchen Designer and draw one together, they will provide you with a computer printout of what your finished kitchen will look like.

Consider painting an old brick fireplace if you don’t like the look of it or want to give it a new look. This is not illegal…painted brick looks fantastic! Creamy colors work well, but you can use whatever you want. Brick absorbs a lot of paint, so start with a good primer.

You can also put a marble Tile (or slate) around the fireplace. Again, use the proper tile adhesive (ask the store) and an excellent grout.

You can buy a pre-made Fireplace Surround or build your own Mantel with Crown Moulding and some friendly lumber. You might want to enlist some assistance for this. Check out the excellent ‘Fireplace Overmantels’ while looking at the Fireplace Mantels — they’re gorgeous! You can have a mirror custom cut to fit in the center and make your house look stunning, darling!

Changing the lighting in your home can give it a completely new look. You can do this on your own if it isn’t too complicated. Bring in an electrician if the job is too difficult or dangerous. Changing the light switches and switch plates can also make a significant difference. With the flip of a button, you can travel from the past to the present! Ha, ha, ha!

Doors have a significant impact on the appearance of a home. Painting old wooden doors (from the 1960s and 1970s) can give them new life. While at it, replace the hardware, and you’ll have a beautiful new door! Likewise, using French Doors (the ones with the glass inserts) can help to add light to a room.

You can get the glass in various styles if privacy is an issue. If your budget allows, consider replacing all the doors with the new white colonial style, which looks good in almost any home. They’re neat and clean, and they’ll brighten up any hallway.

Replacing your front door can add value to your home and increase safety, as many new doors are steel-made. In addition, a lovely screen door can sometimes add interest to the front entry. You should probably replace the baseboards when you replace the doors. If you want to make the job as easy as possible, use Rosettes for the corners; this way, all of the cuts will be straight. Fill in any small gaps with Dap or wood filler if you’ve chosen a wooden finish.

Also, replacing garage doors in an older home to update the exterior appearance of your home is a great idea. Garage Doors are now very affordable — some things become more affordable as time passes — go figure! However, replacing your garage doors can give your home a new look. Also, maybe some nice neat trim around the doors!

Did you know you could spray paint your appliances? It also works. If you are concerned about the outcome, you can hire a painting service. You can order matching appliance covers if you are getting new kitchen cabinets. Inquire at the cabinet store for specifics to see if that is possible in your kitchen. Sometimes the best option is to bite the bullet and purchase new appliances.

The Upright Freezer is my favorite new appliance (who knew you could have a “favorite appliance?” I’m putting one in my new house because it’s so cool! It appears to be a refrigerator, with some being the same height and almost the same size as others. If you have the fridge and upright freezer side by side, you can arrange for the door to open from the left, making access even more accessible. It saves ‘losing’ all those items at the bottom of a regular freezer you can’t remember and later find… Some excellent new small appliances will increase the efficiency of your kitchen. For example, a roasting oven that plugs in and sits on your countertop is ideal for large dinner parties when another stove is required.

Consider replacing regular doors with mirrored doors if you have a small space with a closet (front entry, bedroom). That quickly opens up a room and adds more light.

Window treatments can completely transform a room. There is a vast selection of beautiful curtains, most of which are reasonably priced. Look around – there are some great deals to be found. Shopping on the Internet is ideal for this. At the very least, it will give you an idea of what is available on the market.

A beautiful Valance will make a massive difference in the room. You can build them out of Crown Moulding if you want a wooden look or out of plywood, cover them with cotton batting, then material to suit your room and staple them at the back. Make sure to have someone help you hang them on the wall because they will be pretty heavy.

Make sure to attach it where there is a stud as well. (Are you making your stud jokes?! Ha, ha!) The new wrought iron curtain rods with all the nifty attachments are also very appealing. They are less expensive and much easier to install than valances. You can also buy ready-made material valances, usually included with the set of curtains you select. Tie-backs can also make a big difference, so look at them.

Furniture has a significant impact on the appearance of your home. If you don’t want to replace extra comfortable items, some lovely slipcovers are available! You could experiment with reupholstering your furniture. It’s not as complicated as it appears, but it does require time and skill. You should be fine if you’re a willing participant and plan carefully. To make the job easier, get a staple gun.

Perhaps you’re in the market for a new bed? You can make your own using a lovely door with an even pattern, Crown Moulding, and legs. These are available at any lumberyard. Please turn it on its side to achieve the desired effect.

If you want a softer headboard, cover a sheet of plywood with padding, then cover it with material and staple. If it’s large enough, you can place it behind the head of the bed or attach it to the frame.

Let go of your preconceived notions about painting wooden furniture – it can bring it into the present (especially if it’s that dark wood that was so popular in the 1970s…). Remember to paint the interior of the cabinet to keep it looking light. The new stick-on lights available at regular retail outlets make adding additional lighting simple. Smear Vaseline on the unit’s windows before painting to make cleanup faster and easier.

You can also change out the hardware or paint it. Finally, if you’re feeling particularly daring, you could tile the tops of your dressers and end tables with a lovely marble or ceramic tile. Check out the mailing Page’ to find out how to do this.

A new bedding set can completely transform a bedroom’s look and feel. If you don’t already have bed skirts, consider getting some. A flat sheet larger than your bed is an easy and inexpensive way to make your bed. First, place. Place it carefully on the bed, reaching the floor and creasing at the corners. Then, you can pin it or place the top mattress on the sheet to keep it in place. For a new look, layer a Duvet Cover over an old comforter. You can also get matching Pillow Cases to complete the look.

Regarding tiling, if your kitchen countertop has seen better days, you should consider tiling it. This is a surprisingly low-cost venture, especially if you can do it yourself. For example, many arborite countertops have a ‘lip’ at the outer edge that you must plane down to create a smooth and square surface for the tile. You can also remove the old countertop and replace it with 34 plywood (custom-cut to fit), then tile over it.

The possibilities are endless because there are so many beautiful tiles. Take a look at the various tile sizes as well. People often think of tiny or 4″ tiles for a countertop, but you can go significantly more. The tile we chose for our next kitchen (you can watch this process by clicking on the Tiling box) is a 13″ X 13″ Green Marble Ceramic Tile – gorgeous. Natural marble tile is also fantastic. There is a special grout for countertops, so tell your retailer.

Many people have successfully painted their tiles. Ask your retailer what paint and finish you’ll need for this. The bathtub can also be painted – a service specializes in this, so check your local papers. Tub Surrounds are not a bad idea if there’s no water damage on the walls. Of course, tiling is always a good option if you’re doing it yourself.

If space is an issue, check your closets to see if there’s a space at the very top where a shelf could be added. That’s usually wasted space; you could store your ‘opposite season’ clothes up there. Can you build shelves into your pantry to make more room for canned goods? Stackable baskets and boxes help store all the extra little things that cause clutter around the house.

Rearranging furniture is a straightforward way to change the look and feel of your home; it sounds painfully simple, but it can breathe new life into a room. Also, adding some friendly big tropical plants, hanging plants, and potted flowering plants will add life and color to a room. Hanging lovely prints or other artwork will also do wonders for your décor.

Significant Renovations

Generally, significant renovations would encompass Remodeling a portion of your home or the whole thing. The important stuff to remember is not to get in too deep. A common problem is taking on more than you can chew, usually right after watching your favorite renovation show on television! It always takes way longer to do a renovation than what is accomplished with the magic of TV! Ha, ha, ha! For one, they have all kinds of professional help (free – yours probably won’t be…), and note how the camera carefully avoids any close-up shots of the finished work.

If you race through a job, you’ll have lots and lots of time afterward to look at all the mistakes. Take your time, plan it out carefully, and do one area at a time. It sounds obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to start ripping out all the stuff you don’t like, then realize later that it takes forever to fix any given area. Much better to decide what needs to be done, write out a list, then prioritize. If you have the Walls and the Floors on the same list, do the walls first – it’ll be less stressful when the paint splatters!

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