No matter how large or small the project, these guides will offer you some tips and suggestions for hiring a reliable contractor to handle your home renovation or if it’s possible to tackle the job on your own.
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How to Build a Sunroom
Posted by Nicole La Capria on January 7, 2013
A sunroom is a wonderful addition to any home--it allows you to enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful sunshine while remaining indoors. There are various types of sunrooms and endless ways to customize the space depending on your needs and budget. Read on for some information on...
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Preparing the Building Site
Posted by Nicole La Capria on January 7, 2013
When building a home, your newly purchased property will become a construction zone. Before you can begin building, you must prepare the site for construction. The process involves several steps, which may require the assistance of a contractor or other professionals depending on...
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How to Find a General Contractor
Posted by Nicole La Capria on January 7, 2013
If you don't have the time, skills, tools, or experience to handle your own home repairs or remodel, you will have to hire a general contractor. These tips will help you find the professional contractor best suited for your project. What Is a General Contractor? A general...
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Installing an Storm Door
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
There are many reasons to install a storm door. It can help keep your home
insulated in the winter (with thick, clip-on, tempered glass panels) and airflow
open in the summer. With the many available designs, it can even add to curb
appeal.
Choose Your Door Before you go...
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Installing an Interior Door
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
The privacy your doors afford your bedroom, office, and, most of all, bathroom
seems like something you couldn't live without. To ensure your doors swing and
latch effortlessly, you'll want to install them the right way.
Ordering a Pre-Hung Door and Preparing the Opening...
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Patio Enclosures
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Patios are great features for any home to relax outside and
spend time in the fresh air. However, if there's much sun, too many bugs, or not
enough privacy, you may opt to construct a patio enclosure to make the most of
your time outdoors. Below is some basic information...
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How to Plaster a Wall
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Before the arrival of drywall, interior walls were generally made of solid
plaster. While some consider plaster to be obsolete, it still has some
advantages over drywall. This guide will outline the differences between the
two, and provide instructions for plastering walls....
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Plaster Repair
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
The pains of plastering walls have been largely erased due to
the arrival of drywall. However, some still choose to plaster due to the
benefits of increased soundproofing and sturdiness. Even if you didn't choose
plaster, you may have purchased an older home with plaster...
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How to Hire a Contractor for Your Home Remodel
Posted by Nicole La Capria on May 30, 2013
No matter how large or small the job, hiring help for home renovations requires diligent research, preparation, and thought. Your home is your most important and expensive possession, so you will want to take all of the necessary steps and ask every pertinent question before...
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Post Construction Cleanup
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Whatever your construction project entails, it's sure to produce a great deal of debris and other garbage. Cleaning up is essential if you are to truly enjoy your newly renovated room or addition, and doing so in a safe and appropriate manner is just as important. Hire a...
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Renovation Tips by Room
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Each room in your home has a different purpose and a different look--you can't
approach the renovation of all your rooms the same way. The following tips will
offer a little room-by-room guidance on the complex project of remodeling your
home.
Living Room/Family Room...
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Creating an Addition to Your Home
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Adding an addition to your home isn't easy, but it can be a very worthwhile endeavor. Not only does it give you more living space, but creating another room can make your home more valuable. Despite the benefits of doing so, you'll want to carefully consider all of the pros and...
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Demolition
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Home demolition can be kind of fun--after all, it isn't very often that you get to smash things with a sledgehammer. However, it also takes a good deal of thought and planning to make sure you and your home are protected from avoidable damage. Read on to get some tips for a safe...
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Disability Retrofit
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
A disability retrofit is the process of making your home handicap-accessible--remodeling for functionality over looks. The specifics of the project will depend on the people you are looking to accommodate. The following guide will provide you with some ideas for making your home...
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Hiring a Draftsperson
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Depending on the extent of your renovations, you may need to put what you want down on paper so that someone has a blueprint to follow. However, for smaller and less complicated jobs, you may not want to hire a licensed architect, in an effort to save yourself money. In these...
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Drywall (Install)
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Drywall (sometimes referred to by the trademark Sheetrock™) is an economical and low-maintenance walling solution used in many homes today. It can be bought at home improvement warehouses and installed relatively simply. However, it requires precision and patience to be...
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Drywall Repair
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Compared to many other home improvement fiascoes, drywall can be repaired
relatively simply. There are a few different methods depending on the damage,
but the most difficult part is just waiting for the compound to dry! Keep
reading for some advice on patching drywall....
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Earthquake or Seismic Retrofit
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
In areas that are earthquake-prone, a seismic retrofit (the modification of a structure to make it resistant to seismic activity) can provide solutions to the myriad of problems caused by these natural disasters. It is a complex process that your home may need to undergo--either...
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Framing Repair: Studs, Windows, and Doors
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Taking care of the wood framing in your house becomes more of an issue as your
house gets older. The structural integrity of your home is dependent on the
studs, window and doorframes. Fortunately, there are methods for repairing all
of these elements in your home should...
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Testing and Replacing Phone Jacks
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on January 7, 2013
Telephone jacks can go bad from time to time and cause static, intermittent
reception, or no dial tone at all. If your phone isn't working, you may need to
install a new jack to get it up and running again. Of course, the problem could
lie with the phone you are using or...
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Dos and Don'ts of Hiring Labor from the Internet
Posted by Robert Moreschi on August 5, 2013
Thanks to the Internet, finding labor has never been easier. Gone are
the days of frantically flipping through the yellow pages, looking for a
contractor, until you finally find someone who can do the job. Not only can you
find a list of labor contractors located in your...
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How to Build a Wine Cellar in Your Home
Posted by Ana M. Ferrer on April 1, 2014
Building a wine cellar in your home might not be on your immediate to-do list, but with some planning you can easily build one using these helpful tips and suggestions. If you don't want to build one in your existing home because you'll be moving soon, perhaps your next home will...
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Install a Bar in Your Home
Posted by Ana M. Ferrer on March 31, 2015
A fully equipped bar is often a nice bonus when shopping for homes, whether it's a bar cart in your dining room or a full on dedicated area of your finished basement or backyard. If you're looking for a way to install a bar in your home, read on for some helpful tips on...