WarmlyYours Blog

Many Canadian Homeowners Planning Renovation Projects

2013-05-09T08:47:04-05:00

Whether they plan on remodeling an entire kitchen or bathroom, or embarking on a different type of home improvement project like purchasing new windows or installing electric radiant heating in one or more rooms, many homeowners are planning renovations for 2013.

A new study conducted by CIBC of more than 1,000 Canadians revealed that nearly 40 percent plan to renovate their homes in the next 12 months.

"Home renovations can help you get more out of your property, but you do need to consider how the costs will fit with your overall financial plan," said CIBC's Colette Delaney. "Most people taking on a renovation have a clear vision of how they want their home to look when it's done. Our message is you need the same clear plan for repaying any debt you might incur along the way."

The poll revealed that the average amount of money Canadians plan on spending on their home improvement projects is $15,300.

American comparison
Similarly, a recent survey in the U.S. revealed that more homeowners are planning improvements this year. The poll, conducted by the website CouponCabin.com, revealed that 64 percent of Americans are likely to embark on a project within the next year.

Overall, home improvement spending in the U.S. is expected to increase more than 20 percent over last year. Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies estimates that homeowners will spend $151 billion on different projects in 2013.

Ensuring success
Whether you live in Canada or the U.S., experts say there are a few things homeowners can do to ensure a positive outcome to projects of any scope.

"The most important part of a renovation is the planning," said HGTV's Scott McGillivray. "It sounds cliché, but planning really is half the battle. In my experience, the homeowners who plan ahead are also more likely to be happy with the end result, and are better at sticking to their budget."

McGillivray also suggests getting quotes from contractors up front and ensuring you have a signed contract.

Additionally, he says that expecting the unexpected is good advice for anyone planning a home improvement project.

Consider value
Homeowners who want to complete renovations that will increase the value of the home may want to focus on their kitchen and bathrooms. Data shows individuals who renovate these rooms are likely to recoup a good portion of the cost of the project when they sell the home.

"Kitchens and bathrooms are always value-adds, so if you're prioritizing your renovations and looking to make your dollars go further, plan on doing those rooms first," advised McGillivray.

Share Your Story: Adding Value to Home with Heated Floors

2013-05-17T09:50:32-05:00

RADIATE Positivity is the WarmlyYours mantra. It’s all about being a positive force and influence in both life and work. Here at WarmlyYours, we believe that the word radiant goes beyond our heating products. It is who we are.

Our most recent “Share Your Story” winner is from Calgary, AB, Kevin Moorman, who installed WarmlyYours TempZone™ Cut & Turn Rolls in his bathroom.

Take a moment to read their story:

“The WarmlyYours heated floor is terrific; it was really useful all last winter. The reason I chose the WarmlyYours product was because I saw a bargain at the Home Depot website on Red Flag Deals, it was an incredible buy and it just so happened at exactly the moment I was preparing to lay tile.

So I bought the heated floor system and the heated floors really made the bathroom a lot more livable. I know that a system like this can add lots of value to the home, so I thought that I should make the effort to install it.

I was just speaking to a new friend about living in a home with heated flooring. I had only installed this in the upstairs bathroom, but it makes me think how great it would be downstairs in the basement where the bare cement really gets cold and uncomfortable.”

At WarmlyYours, we offer a radiant solution for any room in the home and every area of life indoors and out. From our radiant electric floor heating to our snow melting and gutter de-icing systems, we improve your quality of life with radiant warmth and comfort.

Experts Caution Homeowners On Diy Projects

2013-05-08T11:04:26-05:00

Improving weather and the fact that May is National Home Remodeling Month may spur many homeowners to start a home improvement project this month.

A wealth of information available on the Internet as well as television outlets such as HGTV and the DIY Network may inspire some to take on various projects on their own - without enlisting the help of a professional.

While some jobs are perfectly acceptable for handy homeowners to tackle without professional help, experts say there are some things considerations that need to be made first.

"Remodeling can be complex and often times full of surprises, even for experts like our members," said National Association of Home Builders chairman Bill Shaw. "DIY projects should be rewarding and fun, but if your DIY can't be completed in the planned price range or your safety is at risk, leave the work in the hands of professional remodelers."

How common are do-it-yourself projects?
According to recent data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, DIY projects accounted for 37 percent of all home remodeling projects performed nationwide from 2010 to 2011.

DIY home improvement projects tend to be smaller, require less technical training and expertise and cost less, with 50 percent of home owners spending less than $950 on these projects, according to NAHB. This is in comparison to the median spending on professional remodeling projects, which is close to $4,000.

Many popular home renovations are not commonly done by non-professional homeowners. In fact, NAHB reports that more than 80 percent of kitchen additions are done professionally. Experts say many of the jobs associated with a kitchen remodel, including rerouting plumbing, installing radiant heat and hanging cabinetry are most successfully completed by individuals who specialize in these types of jobs.

What to consider?
NAHB recommends homeowners take several things into consideration when determining whether or not to hire a professional.

First, there are often hidden costs associated with DIY projects. For instance, a product warranty may be voided if it is not installed by a professional. This could mean the homeowner may have to ultimately hire someone to fix his or her mistakes or replace the product.

There are also safety considerations to be taken into account with may home improvement projects. Whether it's the structural integrity of the house or your physical well-being, anything that could result in bodily harm to you or someone else should be left to a professional.

The total time needed to complete a project is important as well. After all, a job that will take you several months to complete may be better off left to someone who can finish it more quickly.

Should You Make Energy Efficiency A Priority?

2013-05-08T11:27:20-05:00

When it comes to home improvement, projects that maximize energy efficiency are on the most desired list of many homeowners.

In fact, a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that energy efficient updates ranked highest on the list of must-haves among potential home buyers. Nearly 95 percent of home buyers want energy-star rated appliances, 91 percent want an energy-star rating for the whole home, 89 percent want energy-star rated windows and 88 percent want ceiling fans.

Additionally, data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that nearly one-quarter of all homeowners making improvements to their houses choose projects that will improve the homes' efficiency, such as investing in appliances and equipment as well as installing new windows and doors.

Why opt for efficiency?
Having an energy efficient home is not just for the eco-conscious anymore. Yes, reducing energy consumption is good for the environment, but it also has other benefits, whether you're looking to sell your home or not.

For instance, homeowners who invest in energy efficient products spend less money on heating, cooling and powering their homes. The money they save can now be used for other things, so focusing on efficiency can ultimately help the economy as well as the environment.

Ways to maximize your home's efficiency
Regardless of your budget, there are ways to make your home more efficient.

While some homeowners hire an expert to assess their space and recommend improvements, there are easy online tools that can make this step a do-it-yourself project. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency offers the Home Energy Yardstick, which is an easy-to-use worksheet available online that can give you an insight into your energy consumption and ways to improve it.

A common way to improve a home's efficiency is to insulate and weather-proof it. This ensures the heat stays in during the winter and out during the summer, thus reducing the amount of money you spend heating and cooling the space. Installing new doors, windows and skylights can also help "seal" a home and make it more efficient.

Additionally, investing in more efficient heating and cooling systems can have a big impact. Whether it's a new furnace, hot water heater or radiant floor heating system, a one-time investment can result in significant savings over time.

There are also less expensive ways to reduce your energy consumption. According to BPT News, unplugging appliances and electronics when they're not being used can reduce the amount of electricity you consume.

The Outside Condition Of A Home May Influence A Future House Sale

2013-05-15T11:22:57-05:00

Homeowners are always focusing on ways to upgrade the inside of their houses with an eye to increase the value when it comes time to sell their properties. But appraisal experts say they should pay as much attention to the home's curb appeal.

The Appraisal Institute, an international association of real estate appraisers, reports that maintaining outdoor landscaping can have an influence on a home's selling price and the length of time it stays on the market.

"Landscaping improvements could make an impact on resale value, and homeowners need to consider how long they'll be in the home and whether to make short-term updates or plan for the long haul," said the institute's president Richard Borges.

But curb appeal goes beyond the greenery planted on the property. The house and other structures need to be in tip-top shape as well. Peeling paint on a house and decks, patios and swimming pools that are not well-maintained should also be spruced up.

One feature that may add to the value of walks and driveways is the installation of outdoor heating. Whether it's radiant floor heating on a patio to extend outside time as the seasons change or driveway heating to remove ice and snow from pavement, these are improvements that will likely impress prospective home buyers.

Changes to greenery
When it comes to the plantings that surround a home, choices should be in keeping with what's found on similar properties in the neighborhood. For older greenery, homeowners have to trim back bushes regularly and replant every five to 10 years if overgrowth threatens the house.

Homeowners should consider the cost savings to those who are looking for a new house. For instance, plants that require little upkeep and watering will save time and money for the new owners. If trees are planted to provide shade in hot regions, that's a plus for people who plan to use their outdoor living areas frequently.

Weak or damaged tree branches should be cut back to ensure healthy regrowth. Trees that are planted too close to the home should be removed to avoid fire hazards and possible damage to the house foundation. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, tree root systems that are too close to the home also may cause the foundation to settle unevenly.

In short, Borges noted that landscaping should make potential buyers want to go beyond outdoor appearances and walk into the home for a tour.