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Article 10-18-2010

Time to Remodel, but Where to Begin?

Remodeling a home can be a big decision, between the time that it will take up and the money that it will require. Once you have decided to go through with home improvements, you will probably be asking yourself "Where do I begin?" This is a very important question; if you neglect it and skip the planning process, you will likely regret it later.

Deciding which part of the house to focus on takes thought. In your mind you probably have ideas for every room in the house, but in reality you will have to focus your project on targeted areas. First sit down and think about why you are remodeling in the first place. Common reasons to renovate a home include:

• Repurposing space to change its use, such as remaking a bedroom into an office
• Renovating parts of the home to accommodate an aging or handicapped loved one
• To modernize the house for your enjoyment or to increase resale value
• To make the house more energy efficient

Repurposing
If you are repurposing a space, then the decision is usually easy. Maybe you know that you want the smallest bedroom to become an office or you want an unused den to be turned into a home movie theatre. Do take total space and use into account, though. For instance maybe you are eyeing the back bedroom as an office but you never use your garage. A good handyman or contractor can build out a portion of your garage and give you the extra room while still leaving you storage space in the garage. Then you get to keep your guest bedroom intact.

Accommodating Lifestyle Changes
If you have special needs in mind, then you are likely thinking about switching up a bedroom. Changing closets so that clothing can be reached more easily and removing bulky furniture are good starting points, but the rest of the house might need some work, too. The bathroom will need additions, from handlebars to help your loved one keep their balance to elevated toilets that better accommodate people with less mobility. You also will want to consider having your handyman add some easy-to-reach shelves or drawers in your kitchen.

Modernizing
Upgrades to modernize a house make it more of a home. They also increase a home's value, which is necessary if you want to sell in a housing market like the one we are in. It is useful to decide which rooms either needs the most work or will bring the most value. The kitchen is often a good place to start for both criteria. Modern cabinets and countertops, revamped flooring and new appliances can turn a kitchen into a whole new room. Moving unused countertops can open up the room and allow for more family and social interaction. Family rooms and dens can also be good areas to begin. Removing walls that close things in, adding shelving to allow for pictures and decorations and having a new floor laid can change the look and function of a room. With a few changes you will be surprised how a previously unused room can become a central hub in your home.

Energy Efficiency
Going green can save money over the long run and show your commitment to sustainability. If you are considering environmental friendliness, you might want to think about which rooms get the most use and cost the most. Adding skylights to a family room that always has lamps on will cut your electric bill. Water-saving toilets and shower heads can save you money several times a day and are easy to put in when you are installing that Jacuzzi tub you have been thinking about. On a side note you might not want to focus on a room as much as a roof. It doesn't matter whether you have a house in Tampa, Orlando or Boca Raton. Florida gets enough year-round sun to make solar panels a wise investment. You can shop around, find what you want and use green energy to power some of the key items in your house. What if you paid a bit up front but then never saw the effects of your laundry equipment and hot water heater on your electric bill ever again? It's not hard to make your house a little greener while keeping a little green in your wallet at the same time.

Handyman Connection is proud to serve the home improvement and home repair needs of Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Orlando, Bradenton, Sarasota, Naples, Ft. Myers, Melbourne, Merritt Island & Titusville

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