Below are a number of tips to troubleshooting air conditioning compressor problems:

1. The first thing you should do is turn the air conditioner off and check for any wires and connections that look damaged. This can include wires that look worn, loose, or burned. You should also check the wire connections in the compressor terminal box for any signs of damage that will require professional repair.

2. If you find that the air conditioner is not providing enough of a cooling effect, you should check the temperature. The temperature should be set lower than the room temperature. You should take the temperature about 15 minutes after the air conditioner has been running. If the condenser fan and the compressor are both running and the cooling is weak, check the temperature drop. You do this by subtracting the air temperature entering the unit from the temperature of the air leaving the unit. If the temperature drop is extremely low, the unit’s refrigerant may need to be charged.

3. If the condenser fan starts and works properly, but the compressor is not starting, the air conditioner may either be low on refrigerant, the compressor may be broken, or the compressor may be too hot.

4. It is important to check the fan motor which can affect the compressor. For instance, a fan motor may have poor windings or locks when it is running. There may also be bad components such as a worn thrust bearing, the motor may need to be replaced, and the rotor bars may be damaged. All of these problems can affect the compressor and affect the proper functioning of the air conditioner. If you find the compressor starts but the fan is not starting, the condenser fan motor may be causing the problem.

5. There are a number of reasons why a compressor may not start. They can include: problem with the capacitor, a blown fuse, motor overload protector is broken, compressor is locked up, burnt wiring, compressor trips the breaker and blows a fuse, internal damage within the compressor, compressor has non functioning valves, compressor has fallen off its mounts, unequal pressure flowing through valves, and the motor is grounded.

Without a properly running compressor, the air conditioner will not be able to function properly. It is important to be aware that the components of an air conditioner are very delicate and complex; therefore, it is best to let a professional determine the cause and make the correct and accurate repair.

We don’t do HVAC, but we know of a reputable contractor that does!

Originally posted 2010-06-07 04:01:29.

Jennifer Dutz asks, “What is the best way to clean Cherry hardwood floors without leaving a residue or pitting the finish? My kids bare feet and 2 dogs are leaving footprints everywhere. Thanks.”

Hardwood floors appear easier to maintain than carpet. Carpet captures dust sooner and can ultimately have stains that are impossible to take out. If foodstuff or drinks spill on the wooden floors, is it simpler to just wipe them off by means of a rag or hardwood floor cleaner. If your carpet is poorly soiled then you might need to hire specialized carpet cleaners to do the job. These are charges you could do without. It is more difficult to spoil hardwood floors than any other surfaces.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are tough, resistant to dust and simpler to maintain than carpet. Even though hardwood floors hardly ever get dirty, you can’t avoid getting some dust on it from time to time. If you have children at home, their toys could graze the wrap up. Dogs & kitties may cause pet stains on wood. Split liquids with tough chemicals can spoil the floors. This is if a good hardwood floor cleaner becomes handy.

You will wish for the suitable cleaners for the wood floors to stay away from damaging the hardwood. Various cleaners are very harsh & can actually strip away the protective finish, making it more weak to scrapes, stains & damage. It’s ironic but does occur if you employ the incorrect type of cleaner. You can in fact create your own cleaner by mixing a teaspoon of vegetable oil with one teaspoon vinegar & a quart of water.

Mix the elements in a pail of water & apply it on the floor with a rag or mop. Ensure to sweep the floor clean first before obtaining the floor wet with the hardwood floor cleaner. As soon as you’ve finished rubbing the cleaner on the ground, you’ll need to go back with your mop or a new rag and wash it off with clear, clean water. Furthermore, a rag will come in helpful to clean hard to reach corners before & after applying the cleaner.

For tougher stains, you may have to rub the similar cleaner over you required to in any other locations. In extremist cases, you may need to sand the stain out a little bit before implementing the cleaner. If you have slight scratches, you are able to fix it up with concluding lacquer. Deeper scrapes will have to be sanded and refinished.

It is also important to know what sort of wood floor covering you have. Although it has a defensive finish, it isn’t completely water-proof. The most modern sorts of wooden floors are very effortless to install that they don’t need numerous sealant to keep it in position. The following exposes the flooring below the hardwood to water damage. In this instance, avoid wet through the floors using the hardwood floor cleaner. Use only adequate liquid to get the floor damp and cleaned out.

An additional impressive recipe for home made wooden floor cleaners is usually a watered down combination of vegetable soap or Murphy’s oil soap. The same rules as above apply. A fantastic recommendation is to use a spray container to spread the fluid on the ground to get simply the correct amount of liquid on top. A Swiffer mop is also a better choice to the usual mop because the pads do not have to be soaking wet to be efficient. Less moisture also implies less probability of warping the wood.

Originally posted 2010-08-03 06:10:31.

~This is a summary. To read the full 203k Loan document click this link: 203K Loan details from HUD/FHA ~

Learn about a government backed loan program called a 203k rehabilitation mortgage to make those needed Rockford home improvements. Repair inefficient leaky windows & doors, roof shot or shingles missing, kitchen or bathroom looking sad, tired and got you blue? Maybe your house needs to be remodeled and made ADA accessible for an aging parent that is moving in, or you know that there is no way that it can make it through another winter or summer comfortably paying ever rising utility costs.

Unfortunately, you might not have enough in your savings or checking account to cover the cost of improvements or maybe you wish to hold onto that money and go with an option that might help lower your taxes. Look below and learn about a government backed loan program called a 203(k) along with some standard loan options.

There are ways to get the money you need to improve your living space.

203k Loan program from FHA

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), administers various single family mortgage insurance programs. The Section 203(k) program is the Department’s primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single family properties. While this program fell out of favor during the housing boom with other loans not requiring inspections, it has gained traction again as one of the few types of loans that can still be gotten for repairs.

How the Program Can Be Used

This program can be used to accomplish rehabilitation and/or improvement of an existing one-to-four unit dwelling in one of three ways: To purchase a dwelling and the land on which the dwelling is located and rehabilitate it. To purchase a dwelling on another site, move it onto a new foundation on the mortgaged property and rehabilitate it. To refinance existing liens secured against the subject property and rehabilitate such a dwelling.

Eligible Improvements (Normal Version)

There are plenty of eligible improvements allowed on 203K loans like:

• Bathroom remodeling

• Kitchen remodeling with new appliances

• Making a house handicap accessible

• Whole house renovations & remodeling

• Finishing the basement, New deck &/or patio

• Flooring Replacement

• New doors and windows

• Upgrading the HVAC system

• Additions

• Roofing

• Painting

• Upgrading the plumbing and / or electrical

• Energy efficient improvements

• Wells and septic tank repair and upgrades

Section 203(k) Streamlined Program

The maximum repair amount allowed is $35,000 with no minimum amount that can be taken for repairs. The funds will be escrowed at closing and released as the work is completed. However, the following items are not allowed under this program; complete house remodeling, new construction, structural issues or changes, & landscaping. All work must be able to be completed within six months and must start within 30 days of closing.

So what’s the catch?

The FHA requires that all doors and windows have adequate weather stripping; cracks, or joints in the building must be sealed to reduce air infiltration; all openings in exterior walls where the cavity has been exposed as a result of the rehabilitation be insulated; ceiling areas must be insulated where necessary; attic and crawl space areas must be adequately ventilated; each sleeping area must be provided with at least one approved smoke detector; HVAC systems if replaced must be sized properly & insulated; work performed must conform with all state & local building codes.

Originally posted 2010-09-11 00:45:43.

You probably already know that upgrades in kitchens and baths are in demand among buyers. But did you know that using higher-quality materials throughout your home can also improve its value and saleability?

“Cheaper materials may save money at the outset of a renovation project, but in the long run they reduce the potential value of a home,” says Richard White, an architect who specializes in custom homes.

In fact, in homes that increased in value by at least 100 percent, owners spent 2.5 times more on improvements than in homes where the value increased by less than 50 percent, according to a study by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

White offers the following insight into using high-quality materials to enhance the value of your home:

High Quality Materials Used

Choose timeless, not trendy. Often, trendy building materials can’t compete with traditionally popular ones for staying power and durability. Choosing traditionally popular materials for your renovation can help ensure your house is appealing to a wide range of buyers through years of evolving fads.

“People trust building materials they know,” White says. “If I grew up in a home with Western Red Cedar siding, I know the qualities of the wood and what it will do for my home.”

Long a traditional favorite, Western Red Cedar has a number of qualities that make it a preferred, quality material for decking, siding, and the increasingly popular outdoor living spaces that can enhance a home’s value, White says. Natural preservatives in the wood make it very durable for outdoor uses, even in more severe climates, according to Web site realcedar.org. Its texture and coloration give it a rich, natural beauty that enhances interiors as well, in features such as interior paneling, vaulted ceilings, trim and boxed-in beams.

Custom Cedar Paneling

One trend worth tapping, however, is the movement towards more eco-friendly homes. Many buyers are looking for homes that incorporate recycled materials or new ones drawn from renewable sources, energy-efficient design and a minimal carbon footprint. When choosing products for your remodeling project, consider the steps the product took to reach your home.

Synthetic materials such as vinyl and plastic are manufactured with non renewable materials. Minerals making up cement, stucco and metal are mined from the earth and not replaced.

Woods such as pine, fir, and Western Red Cedar are renewable resources, grown and harvested sustainably. The environmental costs of wood production are also much less than mineral or synthetic materials. Production of concrete requires 70 percent more energy than wood building products and releases 67 percent more pollution into the air. “Wood has a lower environmental impact throughout its life cycle than other building materials,” says Paul Mackie of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Originally posted 2011-03-12 17:54:15.

Air Conditioning Efficiency: How to Lower Home Cooling Costs

Air Conditioning Efficiency: How to Lower Home Cooling Costs

By Tom Kraeutler

Created 07/27/2009 – 13:02

Efficient air conditioning is the result of year-round efforts, from pre-season maintenance of your system to smart improvements inside and outside of your home. Take time now to consider the following air conditioning efficiency checklist so that your family is comfortable and your utility bills are manageable through the warmest days of the year.

Air Conditioning Equipment

• Schedule an annual air conditioning system tune-up: Annual maintenance of your air conditioning equipment [1] is a must for efficient, effective cooling during warm weather, and also contributes to the longevity of the components. As soon as outdoor temperatures reach 60 degrees, you’re good to book your HVAC contractor for a pre-season call including such checks and adjustments as cleaning the evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils, addressing refrigerant levels and cleaning and adjusting blower components.
  
• Shade the air conditioning compressor: Ample shade for your system’s outdoor compressor will help it to work more efficiently. Just make sure that there’s plenty of space around the compressor for proper air intake and output, keeping shrubs and other plantings a one-foot distance away from all sides of the unit.
  
• Seal air conditioning ductwork: Up to 20 percent of the cool air your system generates can leak out through poorly sealed and insulated ductwork, so take time now to eliminate those escape routes. Use duct sealant (mastic) [2]or metal-backed tape (never duct tape, as it doesn’t have the required staying power) to seal all seams and connections, and then follow with an insulation wrap.
  
• Install a programmable thermostat: Programming air conditioning according to your away-from-home schedules yields significant savings while keeping you and your family comfortable during at-home hours.
  
• Change HVAC filters regularly: Check and change filters once a month or more during AC season. A dirty filter makes your system work harder by slowing down air flow, and also wastes energy and threatens components with dirt and dust buildup.
  
• Know when to upgrade: If your air conditioner is over 10 years old, it may be due for replacement with an Energy Star qualified model [3]. As you shop, remember that new equipment needs to be compatible with the rest of your HVAC suite in order to be efficient, and other components may also require replacement if they’re of a certain age.
  
• Choose and install the right room air conditioner: The best and most efficient room air conditioning [4] comes from a unit that’s perfectly sized to the space and properly installed. Energy Star once again comes to the rescue with a collection of qualified room air conditioners [5] that use 10 percent less energy than conventional models and can be selected with help from Energy Star’s room AC sizing guidelines [6]. For added energy efficiency, install your unit on the shadiest side of the house and select a model with easy-to-clean filters and controls such as a digital readout for the thermostat setting and a built-in timer.
  

Around the house
Here are several other ways to improve your home’s air conditioning efficiency that you can do around your house.

• Upgrade insulation: Keep that precious cool air indoors by adding insulation throughout your home. Some of the leakiest, most under-insulated homes are located in southern climes where winters tend to be mild, so bulking up insulation before high heat arrives is an absolute must.
  
• Keep storm windows closed: The same air that leaks in during cold weather leaks in during summer and drives up cooling costs, so keep storm windows closed in rooms with window air conditioning units for extra cooling comfort and efficiency.
  
• Pull the shades: Keep rooms cool by closing shades and blinds during sun-filled hours of the day.
  
• Spin out coolness: If you have ceiling fans in your home, get them spinning in the right direction for cooling efficiency by setting their reversible motors for counterclockwise motion that pulls cold air up.
  
• Landscape for shade: Strategically planted shade trees not only ad interest to your landscaping but also keep your home cool during the summer months, trimming your air conditioning expenses by as much as 25 percent.
  
• Work at night: Keep your home cooling efforts efficient by limiting use of heat-generating appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers to evening hours.
  

Improving your home’s air conditioning and cooling system efficiency [7] can be achieved through a combination of common sense maintenance tips as well as by reducing the heat that gets into your home. Follow these steps and you’ll improve your air conditioning [4] efficiency, reduce cooling costs and improve your comfort all year long.

 

Originally posted 2010-07-14 16:42:14.

When considering a basement remodel, start by making a floor plan. As you do, be sure to mark the location of your furnace, washer and dryer, and any other large appliances. Take notes on:

• Access to the basement from upstairs and outside;
• Where plumbing is already located if you want an additional bathroom;
• Where vertical support columns are located
• Location of windows and doors
• Floor / ceiling / wall materials.

With constant contact with the earth, basements are vulnerable to dampness, making basement remodeling a bit more complex than first meets the eye. We’ll help you take appropriate measures to ensure a room free from moisture.

Most basements have low ceilings and few windows. But this doesn’t have to limit you. There are many creative ways to make your basement light and airy. Talk to us about the variety of wall and ceiling lighting options available. Freedom Builders will help you make sure that appropriate electrical lines and outlets are provided from the beginning.

Here are some tricks-of-the-trade in making your underground space first class

Stay away from dark wood paneling and instead consider drywall painted in light tones to make the room brighter. Semi-gloss paint will gently reflect even more light into the room.

Open up the visual space. Double doors—even glass double interior doors—take away the typical cubicle look. Or, how about a rounded archway or pass-through area from one room into another.

Check to see if existing windows can be enlarged. Or, consider installing a small boxed window for a mini-garden to grow herbs or start plant seedlings. This will greatly increase the amount of light coming into the basement and provide a view to the great outdoors.

Built-in bookcases and entertainment units add a richness and depth to a room. Light them with either interior lights or from the top to cast light upwards.

Disguise vertical support beams, and horizontal ceiling pipes or floor joists by boxing them in. Or, you might decide to actually use pipes and beams as interesting accents by painting them with bold colors or with subtle earth tones.

An unfinished basement is much like a diamond in the rough—unexplored splendor awaiting your discovery!

Contact Freedom Builders & Remodelers 815-985-0310 for a consultation on your next remodeling or renovation project

Originally posted 2010-06-03 21:35:39.

Many of the top people in the home makeover feel the kitchen is the pulse of any home. A kitchen makeover not only gives the home a whole new boost and a new center of focus, it also allows the homeowner to put their own stamp on the home. Keeping practicality in mind, the homeowner can design the kitchen to reflect who they are. The kitchen makeover is the homeowner’s signature that the house is now their home. There are so many advantages to remodeling a kitchen, and there are just as many questions that arise when the homeowner decides to tackle such a project.

The first step in your kitchen makeover journey is to determine a budget. The budget will allow to see, just what you can (and cannot) afford to implement in building your kitchen. Yet determining your budget is just the first step of your journey. In addition the homeowner must prioritize the importance of each aspect of the project. Should the money be spent on appliances or cabinets? Should the importance be placed on countertops of kitchen flooring? These are questions that one must ponder before actually proceeding with the project.

After you have determined your budget and your priorities, you need to decide how you would like to lay out your kitchen. In a simple makeover, perhaps some or every item is replaced, but the general layout or design of the room will remain the same. In more complex kitchen makeovers, the design of the kitchen can change dramatically. Often times on projects such as these, outside professionals are needed. It may be in the form of a kitchen designer or an architect. These may be costly options, however, it is difficult to tackle a project without the expertise that these individuals bring to the table.

There are so many options on each and every aspect of kitchen remodeling that the most important thing that one must do is to shop around. From online options to discount stores, to designer shops, the options and pricing can range from affordable to outrageous. Shopping around not only helps maximize your budget, it also is a great starting point for other ideas. The more one sees the more that they learn and nothing is better for a kitchen makeover than an educated homeowner.

The most important thing that needs to be remembered when turning your existing kitchen into your dream kitchen is to know what your kitchen is for. Homeowners often forget that the purpose of the kitchen is cooking, storing food and gathering together. While the kitchen should reflect your personality and add charm to your home, functionality is still foremost. Make sure that the kitchen renovation not only makes sense to who you are, but perhaps who others might be.

Originally posted 2010-07-04 22:49:16.

Shocked by the bid for your kitchen remodeling project? Use the following tips to trim expenses on cabinets, flooring, and more while still getting a great look.

Low-cost fix-ups
The kitchen’s role has expanded over the past century, growing from an out-of-the-way service area to a room that’s central both physically and functionally to the home.
It’s no surprise that a room so significant presents costs so large during remodeling. The average kitchen remodeling project costs more than $30,000, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, making it one of the most expensive remodeling projects homeowners undertake.

You may be surprised, however, at how many costs you can cut from your kitchen project’s daunting initial bid.

Here are 20 places you can trim your budget, whether you’re hoping to spruce up your existing kitchen for a few bucks or overhaul the entire floor plan and bring in all-new materials.

New light fixtures can change the mood of a kitchen.

Lighting and paint
Lighting. A sure way to avoid big-ticket expenses is to spruce up your existing kitchen rather than overhaul it, and new lighting is one of the fastest ways to lift a kitchen’s mood and usefulness.

Halogen lamps are a good way to bounce light off the ceiling for indirect working light, and most come with dimmers so you can turn them down for more subtle lighting. For task and accent lighting, you can easily mount and plug in thin lights under cabinets — no wiring work required. New fixtures over a sink, island, or peninsula can boost performance and appearance.

Painted wood adds to the character of a kitchen.

Paint
There’s nothing sacred about stained wood. Painted wood is just as appropriate in many kitchens, and paint lets you get the color and finish you want at a fraction of the cost of refinishing cabinets — even if you hire a painter.
Appliance refinishing companies and even automobile paint shops can provide new complexions for your old range, refrigerator, or dishwasher for about $200. Just be sure you don’t invest in a new look for an appliance that has only a couple of years of use left.

Special do-it-yourself wall-painting jobs, such as sponging, mottling, and rag-rolling, are a good way to divert attention from other less-attractive elements.

Cabinet hardware adds subtle style to kitchen cabinets.

Hardware and molding
Hardware. New knobs and pulls on cabinets can add sparkle and life. Choose among glass, metal, rubber, wood, resin, and stone, and feel free to use multiple materials and styles to give kitchens a lift.

Molding. Featureless kitchens can benefit greatly from new moldings. Use crown moldings at the ceiling, install a chair rail or plate rail partway up the wall, and replace trim around windows and doors to create shape and detail.

Floor plans
Additions. Better kitchens aren’t always bigger. It’s often wiser in terms of design and finances to reconfigure existing space than to build new. Adding on means buying exterior materials such as siding and roofing to tie the addition to the original house, enlarging the foundation or basement, dealing with lot-line restrictions, and extending the plumbing, wiring, and ductwork.

Instead of extending out, look inside to find possibilities. Removing interior walls usually costs less than adding exterior walls, and the hallways, closets, and stairwells that adjoin kitchens in many older homes provide prime opportunities for annexing space.

Galleys. When you’re considering efficient layouts, think about galley kitchens. You may not want a kitchen like those on a boat or in a motor home, but the functionality crammed into those kitchens is hard to resist.

For a feeling of spaciousness, devise a relatively compact cooking area and devote leftover space to a seating or eating area. Or open the kitchen to an adjoining dining room or family room, dividing the two spaces with an island or peninsula. A large bay window and a skylight are good ways to give a modest kitchen an expansive outlook without adding square footage.

Islands increase the performance of a kitchen.

Islands. Simply adding an island can improve looks and performance in many kitchens. Islands are flexible design elements because they don’t have to match the surrounding cabinets; antique tables often make great islands. If the island holds the sink or cooktop, it often creates a more convenient floor plan and more work space.

Pantries. Adding a pantry to your floor plan cuts cabinet costs. Pantries provide versatile storage and, depending on the style you choose, often require only an abundance of inexpensive shelving. Even a closet-size pantry can replace an entire wall of expensive cabinets, along with the countertops, backsplashes, and extra hinges and knobs that go with them.

Cabinetry
Quality new cabinets. When you’re shopping for new cabinets, paying more for good ones is a smart investment. Look for high-quality construction and well-engineered features such as built-in spice racks, pop-up appliance platforms, pullout cutting boards, and appliance garages.

Don’t think, though, that higher cost always means higher quality. Imported cabinets typically cost more than American cabinets, but it’s often impossible to tell the two apart. Within a manufacturer’s product line, plainer cabinet designs that match the quality of fancier units may cost significantly less. Attractive kitchens can use simple cabinets that stay in the background while glamor elements such as a centerpiece island or tiled backsplash draw attention.

Inexpensive custom cabinets. Don’t assume custom cabinets from a local cabinet shop cost too much. A local shop may offer you a better price, especially if you order well in advance so the project can be done during the off-season. Watch for ads from cabinet dealers who are updating their showrooms. You could buy their old display cabinets at a savings of 30 to 40 percent, but make sure you don’t buy dated-looking cabinets.

Mixed looks. Well-designed kitchens don’t require completely matched cabinetry, so if you like a mixed look, shop architectural salvage yards, antiques stores, and flea markets for hutches, china cabinets, and buffets you can use in your plans. A vintage armoire or a stately bookcase can work like a pantry cabinet and bring a furniture look to the kitchen, while tables can make charming islands.

Reusing cabinets. Cabinets make up one-third to one-half of the cost of most kitchens, so good planning here has a large effect on your budget. For example, remember that new cabinets aren’t your only option. New countertops and backsplashes could give existing cabinets a new lease on life. If the cabinets are structurally sound but visually unappealing, consider replacing or refacing just the doors and drawer fronts.

Salvaged cabinets also can be a good resource. Ask local kitchen showrooms and cabinet shops, contractors, friends, relatives, and neighbors to watch for reusable cabinets from other homes. Watch the costs, though, because stripping, refinishing, repairing, and altering old cabinets can cost more than new ones.

Counter and appliances
Calculated luxuries. Saving money on cabinets can free funds for countertop upgrades. If you select laminate, add bullnose edges or a wood strip for a decorative look. Solid-surfacing products cost more for materials and installation, but they can update the kitchen quickly. The same goes for ceramic tile, granite, marble, and butcher block.

More mixed materials. No design law dictates that all of a kitchen’s countertops must be the same material. Use laminate (up to $50 per linear foot) for most of the counters, and reserve granite ($150 and more per linear foot) for the island. Install a granite tile backsplash above a solid-surfacing or laminate countertop. If you prefer ceramic tile, choose an affordable American-made tile as a field tile and save expensive imported or hand-painted tile for decorative accents.

Appliances
Buying what matters. When it comes to appliances, buy as much energy-efficiency and quality as you can afford. In cooking appliances, focus on power, not gee-whiz features you may never use. That means picking at least one high-heat burner and one ultra-low-heat burner. Five- and six-burner ranges and cooktops are worthwhile for frequent cooking because much modern meal preparation uses the stove rather than the oven.

Double ovens. Plans to install a double oven are a prime place to trim $500-$1,500. Many people find they rarely need to roast and bake at the same time, plus recent advances in oven technology let you cook two or three dishes consecutively in a single oven in the time one dish would have required a few years ago. To keep all dishes warm for simultaneous serving, consider a microwave oven that also offers convection baking.

Built-in refrigerators. If a built-in fridge costing $5,000 or so busts the budget, buy a freestanding model for about $1,000 and have the contractor give it a built-in look. Building an alcove and surrounding cabinets costs about one-third or one-half as much as a true built-in. Panel kits from companies such as Frigo Design (800-836-8746) give appliances a high-end look for $250-$700.

Flooring

Kitchen Flooring Options

Tile. Shop for discontinued colors or patterns that are marked down. Or use a neutral-hue tile as a field tile and more expensive tiles for color or pattern accents.

Vinyl flooring. Vinyl tile or sheet vinyl can greatly enhance kitchens, particularly when the floor isn’t a focal point. Even then, a checkerboard pattern made of solid black-and-white vinyl tiles, or another similar pattern, adds drama on a shoestring budget. Faux-stone vinyl and laminate flooring can create the look of granite or marble at bargain prices.

Hidden treasure. Check for buried treasure under older kitchens’ well-worn linoleum or vinyl flooring. You may find a salvageable wood floor that’s worth the cost of refinishing. That kind of hidden bonus can free a few more dollars to put toward the luxury items you want.

Labor costs and value
Don’t skimp on skilled help
One final note: If you have to cut budget corners, economize on materials so you can hire the skilled help you need. By making the most of your budget and preventing costly mistakes, architects, interior designers, or kitchen designers can save you from substantial headaches and often cover the cost of their services. A kitchen designer typically charges $1,000 to $6,000 or more for a floor plan.

Design professionals frequently can solicit more competitive bids for the construction portion of the job. You can advertise for bids yourself, but without a highly detailed plan and specifications from a professional, estimates will be less reliable.

Another advantage to hiring pros is that talented carpenters, cabinetmakers, tile setters, and stonemasons can make even inexpensive materials look good.

Where you can save
Demolition and cleanup are two areas where most homeowners can get involved and reduce labor costs. You may be able to save several thousand dollars by doing it yourself and put that money toward better materials.

If friends help, make sure your homeowner’s policy covers on-the-job injuries to volunteers, and always consult an architect or another professional before demolition to ensure you aren’t removing any load-bearing walls or other key structural elements.

Originally posted 2010-07-06 18:23:35.

A common problem with homes is something called “functional obsolescence”. This means that it’s just plain old fashioned and out of date. It could technically be in excellent condition, but if it looks like something from the Leave it to Beaver era, it won’t sell. To prevent this from happening, tackle small projects one at a time so that you don’t have a $30,000 remodeling project facing you at the last minute when you can least afford it.

The external appearance of your home has a lot to do with how people feel about your home. If the outside is in desperate need of a coat of paint and some serious lawn work, it won’t matter how nice the inside looks. People might pull up, glance around, and leave without even seeing the beautiful antique tin ceiling in the dining room or the new counters you put in the kitchen.

Exterior painting can usually be handled on your own if your home is of average size. Certainly a ranch and many split levels won’t pose much of a problem since the tools needed such as a ladder and long paint rollers are easily acquired. However, multiple storied homes need staging, huge ladders and even power cleaners and sprayers. These jobs are best left to the prose.

Areas like bathrooms can be a problem if you aren’t experienced in tiling, cabinetry or plumbing. However, you don’t need to do a complete rehab of a bathroom in order to improve its appearance and add value to your home. Just take care of what needs to be done. Paint, maybe get new counter tops, get a new light fixture, and maybe a new sink and faucet. If you do want to remove or add tile, check out what classes are being held at your local Home Depot or other home improvement store. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible and many first timers do a great job.

Simple landscaping improvements can add thousands in value. A few bushes, some colorful plants, some edging around the walkway and maybe new mulch can turn boring and dirty into eye catching.

Add some new bushes, loam, sod, or even mulch and crushed stone outside and give your yard the curb appeal it needs. This is where your money will give you some of the biggest returns.

Take care of problems when they occur. Fix leaks, replace roof shingles, and buy updated appliances little by little. Don’t wait until you have a major problem that you can’t afford to deal with.

Don’t have time for much-needed home improvement and home remodeling projects? Contact Freedom Builders & Remodelers 815-985-0310

Originally posted 2010-06-07 23:59:19.

These rooms require a lot of thought and being redesigned. It’s important that they are well planned in order to get the most money for your buck in terms of investments. If they aren’t done right, you could lose money. So, that’s a very important part to remember, if there is a plan to sell the home in the near future. If this is the case, you must put your wishes and desires aside, and tried to accommodate what home buyers are looking for.

To begin with, budget is one of the most important aspects of the entire renovation. It will take a lot of research, either online or at stores. Calculate the amount of costs between different tiles for both the walls and the floors in both rooms. Additionally, you will want to calculate the costs of different types of cabinets and the materials that each type uses. What you are aiming for is a good round figure, because at this point, you cannot determine exact costs.

However, that roundabout figure can change very quickly if you don’t stick to your plan. That’s why it’s important to move onto the next step which would be figuring out your style. There are lots of different products out there that could give you an excellent book without even having go overboard. Again, your budget will guide you.

One thing you are aiming for is to provide them with more function. That means that, in most cases, more storage will be required. Having said that, you have to find innovative methods of adding more storage without compromising style or making it overwhelming.

You could get incredible home remodeling ideas by shopping around, looking at magazines etc. Make sure that you draw plans of the existing rooms and the measurements must be appropriately taken and noted. This will give you a better idea as to how much material you will require and how much it will cost.

Of course, you’ll also have to determine whether you will be hiring a professional to do the job or, if you are handy, whether you were going to be taking it on yourself. There are many resources that could help you pull it off, but it will take some knowledge. If you are looking for ways to save money and aren’t very handy, you can always help your remodeling contractor in different ways. For instance, you can take care of all the demolition which could take several days to accomplish, even for the professionals, and cost a lot of money.

And finally, one very important consideration is the maintenance of each and every item that will be going into your renovations. Because these rooms are very busy, they need to be cleaned thoroughly and frequently. So, you must consider whether you prefer plain and straight lines that are cleaned up very easily, or whether you are willing to put in the extra amount of maintenance that is required for the more ornate items. It’s also important to remember the maintenance that is involved with high-gloss tiles. Installing these might mean having to polish and shying every day. If you carefully take all the considerations, you will end up with good results that will keep you satisfied and happy.

Do you need the right kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling projects done today? If you do we know a good place to look. Contact Freedom Builders & Remodelers 815-985-0310

Originally posted 2010-06-07 07:20:22.