Room Additions are the best way to add extra space to your home without having to sell your house and buy a bigger one. There are many types of home additions and these are listed below with a description of each type:

Two Story Extensions – Two Story Extensions are designed to enlarge a home which has enough height, but could use some extra length or width. A two-story extension can be built on any side of the house, and the rooms inside a two-story extension depend on the size of the extension as well as the customer’s desires.

Second Story Extensions – Second Story Extensions are for homes with one level that would like to add a second story to their home. The entire roof is removed from the home and the second story extension is added on, followed by the roofing installation as well as the repair of HVAC, air, electrical, and anything else that had to be removed to put the extension in place. The rooms for a second story extension vary by home and by customer desire.

In-law Additions – In-law home additions are built onto any side of your home, and are usually built to include a kitchenette, living room, master bedroom, closets and a bathroom. These additions are not just one room being added to your house – they typically are meant for those who would like to up to double the size of their current home to accommodate an additional person(s).

Kitchen Extension Addition – Is your Kitchen too small? Kitchen Remodeling can add around 200 additional square feet to your kitchen, or any exterior wall of your existing home to function as a Room Addition. The existing roofing and siding will be matched to your existing home and a kitchen extension addition will be built on the exterior wall where your existing kitchen resides on a crawl space foundation.

Bedroom Additions – A bedroom addition “home extension” will be built onto an exterior wall of your choice with a crawl space foundation. Roofing and Siding will be matched to your existing house.

Bathroom Additions – The existing roofing and siding will be matched to your current home and a bathroom addition will be built on the exterior wall of your choice with a crawl space foundation.

Family Room Addition – The existing roofing and siding will be matched to your current home and a family room addition will be built off an existing exterior wall of your choice, crawl space foundation.

Sunroom Additions – Sunrooms are large and spacious and typically look great no matter where you put it. A sunroom addition can also be a Large Family Room. The existing roofing and siding will be matched to your current home and a sunroom addition will be built off an existing exterior wall of your choice with a crawl space foundation.

Dormer Addition – Add space by adding a front or rear dormer addition. Dormer Additions are designed to give your home’s second or third floor more space and flexibility.

Adding a front dormer will certainly give your home great curb appeal, but it will also allow more light into your home, and increase the air circulation on the second or third floor.

The existing roof will be cut in the section(s) where the dormer or dormers will be constructed. A dormer will then be framed to your custom specifications.

Front Porch Addition – A porch addition will enhance your curb appeal as well as entertaining possibilities. Porch Additions are generally built onto the front of the home, however they are also able to be added to the rear of the home.

Garage Additions (1-3 Car Plans) – A Garage Addition can be built as an addition onto your home which is attached to the side of your home, or it can be built as a detached Garage Addition. Garage Additions can be built to accommodate between one and three cars. The roof and sides will be built to match your home roof and walls.

Garage Conversion – Convert your existing garage into a room with a garage conversion. Removal of existing garage door, installation of trim, drywall, flooring, interior door, siding, windows, and paint.

Bonus Room Above Garage Additions – Building a Room Over your Garage can be the ticket to a larger home. Existing garage roof will be removed and a master suite will be built above the garage.

Deck Additions – Add a spacious 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated lumber.
Pressure-treated joists supported by 4×4 posts anchored to concrete piers. Pressure-treated deck boards installed in a simple linear pattern. A built-in bench and planter of the same decking material adds style and comfort to this deck package. Stairs included, assuming three steps to grade. Also included is a complete white vinyl railing system. Deck Additions can be completely personalized and the above is a sample of a typical deck addition.

Selecting Colors For Interior Painting In Los Angeles

Many people are afraid to paint their white walls in fear of choosing the wrong color…all that work, energy, and money, just to be disappointed with the result. There is a better way…

Los Angeles, California must have about 40,000+ homes, and I would guess that a good 25 to 30% of them still have the original builder white walls. Some people say it is for resale. Some people will be honest and tell the truth…they are afraid of picking the WRONG color. A color that will make the room look worse. It will look too small. It will be too wild. It will look pink, or blue, or…you fill in the blank.

Choosing color for remodeling is not rocket science, believe me, my wife use to design rockets, so she actually was a rocket scientist. At least that was what I loved to tell people. I, on the other hand, am no rocket scientist. But I can choose a great color to go with just about anything.

Color is a funny thing. It will change how it looks based on two things: what you view it next to, and what the lighting conditions are. Is it natural light, florescent light, halogens…you get the idea. We once painted a large home (over 6,000 sq. ft) and used the same color through out the house. It looked blue in some rooms, pink in some rooms, and purple in others. I remember standing in the entry way, and I could see all three different colors, or so it seemed. If I had not painted it, I wouldn’t have believed my eyes.

So how do you pick the right color…the first time. I usually start with Benjamin Moore’s Historical Colors as a starting point. No use looking at every single color and hue in the rainbow. Then, we need to look at how the space is decorated. To get inspiration, I usually look at pictures, rugs, or other decor to pull a complimentary color. This is usually don in conjunction with other rooms that are adjacent. With this in mind, a sense of what the homeowner wants as far as impact is considered. Are darker colors favored, or is everything in the home more subtle. Now a color can be selected. If a certain color is to be avoided, like pink, or green, you have to know if the color has that in its makeup. Remember yellow and blue make green? In certain lights, a red may not be detected, but get in the back room, and wow does it look pink. Basic color theory knowledge is helpful.

Now we need to take the color, and hold it up next to items and things that will still be in the room once we are done painting. Not our white walls. It kills me that every time I work with a customer on color, they want to hold it up to the white walls, and then they say, “Wow, this is really dark.” Then I tell them to hold it over by the chocolate brown tapestry hanging on the wall, and ask, “Is that better?” Color will change based on what it is seen next to.

If multiple colors are being selected in adjacent rooms, you need to make sure they all flow. They don’t need to match, but look good together.

(ARA) – There are 78.2 million baby boomers according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If you are one of them, born between 1946 and 1964, you might soon look at your house with a new perspective. “The bones begin to creek a little more as you age — things that don’t happen when you are younger,” says Morris Carey, one of the Carey Bros., nationally recognized experts on home building and renovation. As a baby boomer himself, he knows the changes this generation faces.

Their nationally syndicated radio show, “On The House,” has partnered with Premier Bathrooms, a company that specializes in walk-in bathtubs, disabled bathrooms and assisted bathing products, to help educate people on how to make sure their home is safe and secure so they can maintain their independence as long as possible.

“When looking at the safety of a home, the bathroom is top of mind, especially for baby boomers” says Iain Whyte, CEO of Premier Care In Bathing. “It’s a highly-used area where many accidents can occur. Start with this room when considering safety.”

Here are some easy tips from Premier Bathrooms and the Carey Bros. for creating a safe and secure house for aging adults:

1. Safer flooring
Hard floors like linoleum, hardwood and concrete become a hazard for slipping and injury as we age. Many people choose to install carpet because it does not lift and move, reducing the chance of tripping. Plus it is warmer on feet and softer if there is a fall. If you do choose to keep your hard floors, make sure they are free of clutter and clean up any wet areas right away. In bathrooms, use a non-slip flooring option and rugs that have a sticky backing.

2. Walk-in tubs
Walk-in tubs like the ones from Premier Bathrooms are great for seniors that want to take baths but don’t want to climb over a big ledge and risk slipping and falling. The walk-in door is the main reason people choose these types of tubs, but the benefits don’t stop there. With a contoured seat and hydrotherapy system, walk-in tubs are a must for someone who wants to remain independent in their home and stay healthy. Different models are available with unique features like temperature control and automatic seat lifts so you can find one that is right for you.

3. Higher toilet
They are called handicapped toilets, senior toilets and tall toilets, but whatever the name they are a great idea for aging people. These types of toilets sit higher off the floor so that the user doesn’t have to bend their knees as much to get up and down. Ease of use becomes key as we age.

4. Wider doorways
Whether we like it or not, most baby boomers will eventually use a walker, cane or wheel chair. Door openings are rather small, especially in older houses. Wider doorways make walking around the home easy, no matter what your life situation. Plus it’s great when the grandkids come over in a stroller.

5. Good lighting
Low lighting can be disastrous for aging adults whose vision isn’t as good as it used to be. It’s important to have well-lit rooms and walkways so that it’s easy to get around all areas of the house. Make sure you are using lights that are easy to reach and use so that you can walk around in confidence.

“These steps are a great start to help people live comfortably in their home,” says Carey. And Whyte agrees, “Life changes mean changes to our homes too. Living your golden years in a safe and secure house is very important for both health and comfort.”

For more information visit www.premier-bathrooms.com, call (800) 578-2899 or www.onthehouse.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Going green with a bathroom remodel is a major consideration today for many homeowners. A green bathroom remodel is good for the environment, but it is also good for you because it will save you money on utility bills for years to come. It also might qualify for some rebates and tax credits. The main opportunities to make your bathroom remodel environmentally friendly are in water conservation and in use of energy for heating/cooling and lighting.

Here are some tips for green bathroom remodeling:

1. Choose non-toxic building materials. These materials are better for your family and good for the environment.

2. Choose non-toxic insulation derived from materials like soybean or cotton. These are safer to handle and install, safer for your family, and good for the environment.

3. Choose tropical hardwoods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. These are rapidly renewable and protect the environment.

4. Wood-based features should come from rapidly renewable sources like cork and bamboo.

5. Choose VOC free (volatile organic compound) paints and sealants. These materials are safer to install, safer for your family (especially if there are children in the home) and better for the environment.

6. Purchase and install low-flow faucets and shower heads to reduce the amount of water used. Install an aerator in all faucets. This is a very significant water conservation step.

7. Choose and install low-flow or dual-flush toilets. These toilets can function with as little as half the water used by older toilets. Dual-flush toilets offer the choice for a lighter flush or a more thorough flush as needed.

8. Choose energy efficient light fixtures and use compact fluorescent bulbs in all light fixtures. You will not need to replace light bulbs as often, and you will use only a fraction of the energy for your lighting needs.

9. Use a window and skylight to provide natural light and natural ventilation. This will make your remodeled bathroom lighter and brighter and save energy.

10. If the bathroom is some distance from the hot water heater, consider installing a tankless water heater. If you are installing a whirlpool or soaker tub, install an in-line water heater. This allows you to re-heat the water in the tub, saving both power and water.

If you want to make your bathroom remodel environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, these ten tips will accomplish a great deal. Your new bathroom will be safer, more comfortable, and environmentally responsible.

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To understand the cost to add an addition to your home, it is necessary to have a good idea of exactly what comprises an estimate that is presented to you by contractors. Essentially, home addition cost estimates consist of two visible elements: materials and labor. The part of any estimate that you don’t usually see is the contractor’s profit, the contractors overhead costs and the allowance the contractor adds for the “unknown”. These costs usually get added to labor and materials to give you a total estimates.
For a general idea of the kind of money we are talking about here, most contractors are looking to make 10% to 25% of profit on both materials and labor. Whether the profit margin lies at the lower or higher end of the scale rests solely in the hands of each individual contractor.

Understanding home addition costs is really fairly simple. Once you accept the fact that there is always going to be an unknown element (the contractor’s profit), all you need to do is be prepared to create a budget and try to find a contractor who can provide you with a bid that meets your needs. It is important to understand that home addition cost estimates are not precise figures. While it is true that contractors should be very close in the estimates that they provide to you, there are extenuating circumstances that can arise during the course of a project. Unless something drastic occurs, however, any additional costs should be minimal if you have hired a competent contractor.

If you are considering remodeling part of your home, then understanding home addition costs is naturally important to you. When looking over a contractor’s bid, be sure that you pay close attention to the various materials that he or she is proposing to use. While you certainly do not want inferior materials being used to remodel your home, you also might not want the most expensive materials on the market. A great way to try to stay within your budget is to carefully pick and choose which materials you want to spend more on, and then go with less expensive materials on the other things. This will help to ensure that your home addition project gets completed with quality products that should stand the test of time.

We have all heard horror stories about people who have been scammed and cheated by people who claim to be contractors. A large number of these stories come from the aftermath of natural disasters or devastating storms. Tragedy seems to bring these people out of the sewers. Unfortunately the most vulnerable are often targeted and cheated. But there are ways to protect yourself and your friends. Here are some tips about protecting yourself when you are remodeling or making repairs to your home.

1. Never consider hiring someone who shows up on your doorstep, especially immediately after a storm or natural disaster.

2. Never consider hiring someone who offers you an exceptionally long guarantee.

3. Never consider hiring someone who insists on full payment in advance.

4. Never hire someone who tries to pressure you into making an immediate decision.

5. Never hire someone who happens to have the materials on hand.

6. Never hire someone who offers you a discount for finding other customers.

7. Never hire someone who offers to repair or remodel your home as a demonstration or a local sample of his or her work.

8. Never hire someone you have not taken the time to check out.

9. Never hire someone who suggests that you borrow money from a specific lender he or she knows.

10. Never sign any document that has blank spaces that can be filled in after you sign.

11. Never let anyone pressure you into signing anything.

12. Never sign a document you don’t fully understand.

13. Never sign a document in which you agree to deed your property to anyone until you have carefully reviewed it with a trusted attorney.

14. Never agree to contractor financing without shopping around for better terms.

15. Never let a contractor begin work without giving you a written contract that specifies all materials and the expected quality of work and a final total cost for the project.

16. Insist upon handling all changes from the contract with a written change order that specifies any difference in the cost.

Although this list is not intended to be comprehensive, it will help you protect yourself when hiring a contractor and arranging financing for a home remodel.

Building and remodeling choices are largely a matter of personal taste. Whether you are building a new home or remodeling an existing home the goal is primarily one of making the home more comfortable and practical for your family. But at least somewhere in the back of our minds is at least some consideration of how our decisions affect the resale value of the house.

To help you avoid some common pitfalls that can negatively affect the value of your home, here are ten tips to keep in mind when you start thinking about remodeling.

1. Never improve a home beyond everything else in the neighborhood. This might be wonderful for someone who is deeply entrenched in the community and wants to stay put at all costs. But prospective buyers do not have this commitment to the community and generally will not be willing to pay an excessive amount for a house that has been over-improved. You might have the biggest and the best house, but why would someone pay more to live an a neighborhood that can’t compare?

2. Be very careful about trendy paint colors. Ordinarily, you will be better off with neutral colors when you put your house on the market. Some buyers will like bright colors, others will like pastels, and others will like darker colors. These trends change very quickly, and you cannot discount the importance of personal taste.

3. Don’t install windows without moldings. This might have been popular a few years ago, but when selling a home, it is important that it look finished. Moldings add character to rooms and frame the view through windows.

4. Don’t use concrete block for exterior walls. This has been unpopular for many years. It is interpreted as economy building and offers an undesirable exterior appearance. If you have concrete block walls, a good home improvement project would be covering them with something more attractive (inside and outside).

5. Upscale bathrooms with spa features are very desirable, so don’t settle for a basic master bathroom. You don’t have to let this get completely out of hand and try to create a bathroom that offers everything. But you should have a spa tub or shower and some of the luxury amenities, at least in the master bathroom.

6. Don’t choose a bowl-type bathroom sink that sits on top of a counter. These are being regarded as passé and impractical. The fad is over, so don’t leave your bathroom outdated.

7. Don’t install spiral staircases. Experience has shown that these are dangerous and difficult for children and older people. As the majority of the population ages, these space-saving designs will become increasingly unpopular.

8. Replace the hardwood laminate and bamboo floor covering. Bamboo tends to warp and scratch and hardwood laminate stains easily, changes color, and doesn’t stand up to repeated sanding. If you are looking for something environmentally friendly, it might be worth a look at cork floor covering.

9. Concrete Countertops have had their day. Concrete was briefly popular for kitchen and bathroom countertops. It could be shaped and colored; it looked clean and modern; but it doesn’t hold up as well as promised, and the fad is done.

Although you will want to watch the latest trends and listen to your realtor’s advice about what is and is not selling well in your locality, these tips can help you avoid some costly remodeling mistakes.

You can save money on your kitchen remodel with smart planning and these ten steps. Kitchen remodeling is complicated. There are so many materials, fixtures and appliances to think about and purchase; and most of those choices involve a large number of options. This makes smart planning the key to saving money on your kitchen remodel. If the planning is done carefully you won’t waste money unnecessarily and you will be able to make smart purchasing decisions. Whether it is because you decide to do some of the work yourself or it is because you learn to get good buys, make a plan and stick to it, or you just think through everything very carefully, you can save money on your kitchen remodel with smart planning like this.

1. Investigate the area very carefully and evaluate the current space. Know what works and what doesn’t work and why. Think about how the existing space could be used more efficiently. Make lists of things that could be changed easily to make the kitchen more convenient through remodeling.

2. Inspect the area carefully. You might want to get a professional to inspect for mold and mildew, evidence of leaks or damage from leaks, adequate ventilation, plumbing and electrical up to current code, sink, lighting fixtures, safety issues, accessibility, little details like enough electrical outlets.

3. Make a list of changes and repairs needed to remodel your kitchen. Then prioritize the list. Starting with a cost estimate of what must be done will help you get a good handle on your remodeling costs. Giving this information to your architect or designer and your contractor will also help you reduce remodeling costs because these needs can be anticipated and planned for in the job.

4. Get a reliable rough estimate of the cost to remodel your kitchen. A good way to do this is to use an online remodeling cost calculator. The remodeling cost calculator will give you a good rough estimate for the project you are planning.

5. Develop your kitchen remodeling budget. Use the rough estimate as a basis for your final budget. It will start you off with the types of costs you will need to budget. Then comparison shop for each item, material or appliance you will need. Build a budget based on the costs you have gathered in shopping. This, plus contractor estimates, will help you develop your kitchen remodeling budget. Remember, your kitchen remodeling budget is not complete until you add in the labor and project management costs.

6. Decide whether you will do the work in your kitchen remodel. Keep in mind that there are many kinds of special skills needed for a kitchen remodel. Again, make a list of the kinds of work needed and decide what, if any, of the work you will do. Then remove labor costs for those parts of your kitchen remodel from your cost estimate calculations.
7. Find and interview contractors for your kitchen remodel. Be sure to interview at least five contractors and carefully compare their estimates. Get a breakdown of materials costs and labor costs. If you have already calculated all materials costs, you only need to add labor costs to your remodeling cost calculations.

8. Determine the design for your kitchen remodel. You might decide to do this yourself. Or you might hire a professional. Remember, however, that the design and style you work out could make a big change in the estimated cost. A design that does not move plumbing or major electrical connections and gas lines will help you save on the cost of your kitchen remodel.

9. Make final decisions on the cabinets, fixtures, accessories, materials and finishes for your kitchen remodel. If you shopped thoroughly when getting the prices as a basis for your remodeling cost estimate, you should be able to simply adjust your original budget to reflect the exact prices of the items you are choosing. This is another way you can save on your kitchen remodel with smart planning.

10. Make sure you have a strong contract with the general contractor you choose for the job. If you are managing the project yourself, get strong contracts with all of the subcontractors you will hire for your remodeling project. Check out the subcontractors as thoroughly as you would a general contractor.

These ten steps should set you off on the right foot in planning and completing a kitchen remodel. Paying attention to these early stages of the remodeling process will help you manage and reduce your remodeling cost. These ten steps will prove that you can save on your kitchen remodel with smart planning.

A critical part of planning a kitchen remodel is creating your kitchen remodeling design. It is really important to spend whatever amount of time you need to develop the exact design you want in your kitchen remodel. In fact, it is very important in controlling the cost of your remodel to decide on the exact design before work begins. Getting the design right first is one of the most effective ways to keep the cost of the project within your budget.

Browse magazines and books on home design. Surf the internet for ideas and pictures of kitchen designs. Visit new homes and model homes for ideas. Visit home improvement stores, kitchen design stores and other types of stores for ideas and trends. Be sure to ask sales associates in the stores about the new trends and the trends on their way out. This research will help you in creating your kitchen remodeling design.

You might be designing a professional kitchen or you might be designing a room that is convenient and efficient as a kitchen but also a place that will be the center of family life. You might be designing a kitchen that will be the place people gather when you entertain. Creating your kitchen remodeling design should begin with a clear understanding of the function of the room. Who will use the kitchen? How will it be used? What are the important features you want in your kitchen? What is most important of all of your ideas? Function should be your guiding principle when you are creating your kitchen remodeling design.

Here are some kitchen design points to keep in mind as you design your kitchen remodel:
 It is expensive to move plumbing
 Remodeling is a good time to upgrade insulation
 Tile removed before a remodel cannot be reused.
 Think about the visibility of pipes when choosing sinks and surrounds
 Think about where to put all electrical outlets for greatest efficiency
 Think about lighting – especially in task areas
 Always consider alternatives that can save money
 Think carefully about storage and counter space needed – try to think about efficiency over size
 Keep your priorities in mind
 Make sure all of the materials and finishes will work together
 Make sure the products you select are durable, safe and functional

With these points in mind, you should have no difficulty creating your kitchen remodel design. Think first and always about function and priorities, and you will make kitchen remodel decisions that will stand the test of time.

Among the many reasons given by Los Angeles homeowners for remodeling a bathroom these are six of the most common.

1. To make a small bathroom seem larger. There are many ways to make a bathroom seem larger by redecorating and remodeling. Even if the bath cannot actually be made larger, it can be made to seem larger. Changes in fixtures and design, as well as some creative space allocation can actually create space within the existing room. Many homeowners undertake this kind of bathroom remodel either for their own needs or before placing their home on the market.

2. The bathroom needs to be better suited to use by two people. Whether two or more people are sharing a second bathroom or the master bath is inadequate, making a bathroom more functional for two people is a common reason for bathroom remodeling. Whether the remodel is focused on having two sinks or partitioning off the toilet, making a bathroom work better for two people might be your reason to remodel.

3. The bathroom needs to be more accessible. The bathrooms in most homes are not designed to meet the additional safety and accessibility needs of the disabled or the elderly. Whether the reason is to provide accessibility for a member of the family with a disability or to make it safer for the aging, accessibility is a very popular reason for bathroom remodeling.

4. Adding a few luxuries in the bathroom is another popular reason for bathroom remodeling. Whether the remodel is designed to add a whirlpool tub or a spa shower, or to add radiant floor heating and fogless mirrors, adding luxuries and special comforts is often the reason for a bathroom remodel.

5. Creating a home spa is another reason homeowners have cited for a bathroom remodel. Many homeowners want to de-stress at home instead of going to a spa. They choose to add whirlpool tubs, steam showers, massaging showers, soaker tubs, heated towel racks and more.

6. Making a bathroom energy- and water-efficient is also an increasingly popular reason for remodeling. These remodels use environmentally-friendly materials, high-efficiency lighting, water-saving plumbing fixtures, and more. These changes result in energy savings for many years to come.

Whatever the reason for deciding to remodel a bathroom, the best reason is to respond to the needs of your family. Whether you are looking at immediate needs or at long-range needs, a bathroom remodel should focus on your family’s comfort and safety.