Remodeling & Home Improvement Tips

A contractor may make or break your remodeling experience. For the greatest likelihood of success, choose a contractor with an agreeable personality, whom you can comfortably interact with and actually want in your home! Communication is essential. Assign one decision-maker in your family and have him or her keep regular contact with your contractor, with at least some face-to-face interaction. The contractor can confirm the workers’ insurance—everyone working in your home requires it—and is personally responsible for sticking to the contract.

In an age of open floor plans, multi-purpose homes, and a surplus of technology, a few soundproofing measures can go far for one’s sanity—and sleep. Priority one: Seal all holes. If there’s air, there’s noise, so use caulk or foam sealant where pipes, wires and other objects penetrate your walls and ceilings. Next, reduce those noisemakers. Go for quiet appliances—when purchasing new ones—or isolate the loud ones you have away from bedrooms. Also, select flexible furnace ducts over the metal type, and if able, use resilient pads between pipes and their framing members.


Summer remodeling reminds us that air conditioning is a priority. While you’re making so many big home changes, consider some passive techniques to cool down: Plant mature trees and tall shrubs around your house, especially on the west side. That shades the house and can greatly decrease your AC bill. Awnings are another option to protect against the summer sun, this time for south-facing windows. Then again, a whole-house cooling fan may be just what you need. Tips courtesy of the Sierra Club.


Remodeling the attic? Consider these guidelines before beginning: Check how it’s built. You want to find A-shape rafters that support the roof, not W-shaped trusses that would require an extensive remodel. Make sure accessibility is possible. Adding or enlarging an existing staircase is bound to affect the newly remodeled attic and the space below. Varying designs will take up around 5-15 feet of floor. Calculate headroom (with the thickness of finishing materials included) to make sure your local building codes are achievable. Many codes also require egress through a window, to escape a fire. Weigh this cost before beginning.


Impact-resistant glass windows were created to hold up to the force of severe weather. These windows not only protect homeowners from the elements, but also absorb the outdoor noise and make it more difficult for intruders to break in.

Taller ceilings give your home a spacious, open feeling, and door makers are taking notice by offering doors up to 12 feet in height. Patio and four season porch doors are also available in tall and wide sizes to let in natural sunlight.



Do your homework when selecting products. You might be spending lots of money on the project, but don't skimp when selecting the small stuff. Instead, choose quality products that will stand the test of time. Also, make sure the products you want are in stock and readily available. There's nothing more frustrating than having a nice remodeled space sit empty while you're waiting weeks and weeks for shipments to come in.

Protect against seepage. Winter is here, but that doesn’t mean remodeling projects are pushed aside. Instead, many people go downstairs. Number one priority though, before acting, is protecting against (or fixing) seepage—the passage of ground water into a basement. Get a free consultation to confirm or search for problems. If seepage is found, take advantage of winter discounts (usually a slower time for the waterproofing industry) and seal the house before remodeling.



Reduce the unavoidable mess by planning waste logistics with your contractor before anything begins. Decide where to put receptacles or bins and follow through. Also, hang tarps in doorways to protect the other rooms and property from the dust, and cover floors if they also need protection.

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