The Importance of Quality Construction: Tips for Homeowners

Quality construction is vital in ensuring that your new home is safe, durable, and efficient. Poor construction practices can lead to costly repairs and maintenance issues down the line. This blog will discuss the importance of quality construction and provide tips for homeowners to ensure their new home meets the highest standards.

Understanding Quality Construction
Quality construction encompasses various aspects, including the selection of materials, craftsmanship, and adherence to building codes and standards. It involves using high-quality materials that are appropriate for the climate and intended use, as well as employing skilled tradespeople to perform the work.

Choosing the Right Builder
Selecting a reputable builder is the first step toward ensuring quality construction. Research potential builders thoroughly, checking their credentials, references, and past projects. Look for builders with a track record of delivering high-quality homes and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Emphasizing Attention to Detail
Quality construction requires meticulous attention to detail at every stage of the building process. Encourage your builder to prioritize quality by implementing thorough inspections at key milestones. This includes checking for proper framing, roofing, and installation of systems such as plumbing and electrical.

Investing in Quality Materials
Using high-quality materials is essential for ensuring the durability and longevity of your home. Discuss material options with your builder and choose those that offer the best performance for your budget. Investing in quality roofing, siding, insulation, and fixtures can prevent future problems and reduce maintenance costs.

Staying Involved During Construction
As a homeowner, staying involved in the construction process is crucial. Regular site visits will help you monitor progress and ensure that work meets your expectations. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or raise concerns with your builder. Open communication is key to maintaining quality throughout the project.

Conducting Regular Inspections
Hire a third-party inspector to conduct regular inspections during the construction process. An independent inspector can identify potential issues that may go unnoticed by your builder. This proactive approach allows you to address problems early, preventing costly repairs later.

Final Walkthrough and Quality Assurance
Before moving in, conduct a final walkthrough of your new home with your builder. Use a checklist to ensure that all elements are completed to your satisfaction. Address any concerns or discrepancies before finalizing payments. This step is crucial for ensuring that the quality of construction meets your expectations.

The importance of quality construction cannot be overstated when building your dream home. By choosing the right builder, emphasizing attention to detail, investing in quality materials, and staying involved in the process, you can ensure that your new home is built to the highest standards. Taking these steps will not only enhance your home’s durability but also provide peace of mind for years to come.

Home Improvement Trends of 2023

According to a survey, 59% of homeowners in the US plan on doing home improvement projects in 2020. The trend of home renovations and repairs is expected to continue to be popular.Getting a home remodeling project done can be daunting, but it can be done with the right strategy and guidance from a skilled contractor. This guide will help you find the most effective home improvement trends that are expected in 2023.

Larger Windows

In 2022, one of the biggest home improvement trends will be bigger-are-good windows. However, if you want to see the full effect of this design, consider adding floor-to-ceiling windows.Consider adding more oversized windows to create a more luxurious atmosphere in your home. This will allow you to enjoy natural light in your room and make it feel more spacious. Another vital home improvement trend that you should consider is the use of arched windows. This design can be combined with other features to create a unique look.

Mudrooms

The concept of mudrooms was a massive hit during the 2000s, but it has since fallen out of favor. Now, these rooms are back and are more organized. In 2022, the walls of the mudrooms will be covered in built-ins, allowing you to store various items, such as umbrellas and shoes. These rooms also feature a sink for washing up. Aside from being a must-have, a well-designed and organized mudroom will keep your home clean and on-trend.

Renewed Interest Built-Ins

Although built-ins are back in style, they are more functional than their predecessors. Consider using built-in units if you’re planning on adding a built-in cabinet to your dining room instead of a traditional buffet. You can also add a built-in shelving unit in the living room to free up more space.

You don’t have to go for boring built-ins. You can use various materials, such as wood and onlays, to create a unique look.

Retro-Futurism Designs

Although you might not have heard of retro-futurism, it’s a trend that will be prevalent in the home decor and interior design industry in the years to come. The concept of retro-futurism combines modern aesthetics and nostalgic pop art. It features a futuristic theme running through the space’s architecture, lighting, and technology. The retro-futurist home can be ideal for people passionate about science fiction and retro-futurism.

Outdoors Coming In

The pandemic taught us the importance of being close to nature. This is why many homeowners are adding natural elements to their living spaces. Aside from bringing plants inside, this also means looking for natural elements that can inspire you to create a more organic atmosphere in your home. For instance, you can use natural materials such as wood, stone, and linen to create a unique look. One of the positive effects of this trend is that it encourages people to feel more comfortable when they come home.

Add-Ons That Are Eco-Friendly

The eco-friendly trend is finally making its way into the interior design industry. It allows homeowners to use repurposed materials in their homes. To bring the eco-friendly trend into your home, consider collaborating with companies that share your values. You can then create a space that will feel good about itself.

A Guide to the Different Styles of Decks

A deck is a platform structure that can be made from either wood or composite materials, and it can be used for various outdoor activities. What differentiates them from a patio is that these structures are raised above the ground. They can feature various accessories, and there are several styles to choose from when considering building one on your property.

There are many ways to classify a deck type, such as its intended use, location, and basic structural design. In this article, discover some different types of decks and the ways that they can contribute to the overall design and feel of your home.

Detached Deck

A detached deck is structurally different from an attached one. Unlike an attached deck, this type of structure can be built anywhere in the yard. These types of platforms or floating decks are often constructed without the need for a building permit. They are a great choice for people who are looking to build their own deck without the additional expense and design requirements of an attached deck.

Attached Deck

One of the most common types of decks is a structurally anchored deck. This type of structure can be used as an extension of the home, and it can be accessed through the doors leading to the interior of the home.

This broad category can include multi-level structures with landings and stairs, as well as simple ground-level platforms. What makes a structurally anchored deck different from other types is that it’s attached to the house using a ledger board. This type of engineering ensures that the structure is strong and solid, but it also means that it’s subject to the building code requirements. When these types of structures are elevated above the ground, they must be supported by footings and posts that are in accordance with the building code. These types of decks will typically require permits and inspections.

Multi-Level Deck

A multi-level deck is typically composed of several separate structures that are connected by stairs. The terrain can dictate the need for this type of structure, as rocky, steep, and sloped areas might lead to a different design choice. Compared to standard rectangular or square decks, multi-level structures are typically more expensive due to the additional labor and materials that are required to construct them.

Wraparound Deck

Large attached decks are known as wraparound decks. These structures are typically elevated and connected to the home by running around two or more sides. They can feature various accessories, such as railings and roofing. Depending on the size and budget of your home, a traditional wraparound deck can be either spacious or narrow. If the structure is covered, you’ll need to spend a lot of money on various expenses, such as installing new roofing and installing a gutter system.

4 Tips For Remodeling Your Kitchen

If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, it’s important that you think it out so you can prepare properly and not have any regrets later. After all, the kitchen is a central part of your home and having a kitchen that you’re unhappy with is a surefire way to make you hate cooking and doing anything else you might have to do in there. You’ll want to consider the size, the appliances, the cabinet and counter space and so much more. Here are a few tips to help you remodel your kitchen successfully.

Test Out An Island Before Installing One

Kitchen islands can be a great idea if you’re looking to add more counter and storage space. However, it can limit the number of people who work in the kitchen and make for a chaotic environment. Before you commit to a kitchen island, try making one out of cardboard or plywood and living with it for a couple of days. Make sure that you can open the refrigerator and stove doors. This will help you decide if it’s worth installing one, and if you’ll want to look for alternatives instead.

Leave Space For Future Appliances

If you’re planning on getting new cabinets but aren’t currently planning to replace appliances like your fridge or microwave, you may want to consider leaving enough space for a wider model later down the road. A great way to leave extra space without it looking empty is by installing either side panels or filler strips. You can also install shelving between the panels, or even install top cabinets. Be sure you order these panels and strips with your cabinets in order to everything matches properly as well.

Don’t Do New Counters Until You’ve Installed The Cabinets

Before you start the process of installing new counters, make sure that you have all of the base cabinets installed and measured. This will allow you to determine the dimensions of the new countertop. If the rows of cabinets have out-of-square walls, you might want to place a carpenter’s square over the end section to help prevent a gap between the wall and the countertop.

Beware of Floor Gaps

If you’re planning on keeping the old floor and adding new cabinets, you might have to deal with gaps between the two. If the new cabinets don’t fit the existing cabinet footprint, you’ll have to deal with gaps. Make sure that the total width of the new ones matches the width of the old ones. If you have any gaps that are less than 3/4 of an inch, you can hide them using molding.

This article was originally published on ChuckSchmalzried.com

Tips For Installing A Hardwood Floor

It’s hard to deny the appeal of a freshly installed hardwood floor. They look sleek, they’re easy to clean, and they feel great to walk around on. Installing your hardwood floor is rather simple as well, even without any prior experience! A few useful tips can go a long way though, and that’s what we’re here to discuss. Here are a few tips to help you install your new hardwood floor.

Consider Your Installation Methods

There are three main types of hardwood floor installation methods: nail-down, click-lock, and glue-down. The former is commonly used for its permanence and is the most common type of hardwood floor installation. If your home’s floor is made of wood, you must first create a wood subfloor, which can be done with either plywood or a combination of both. The process of nail-down hardwood floor installation is very cost-effective. Glue-down involves securing hardwood to the surface of the subfloor, which is done using a strong adhesive. The glue-down method with a cement subfloor as well.

Read The Directions

Before you start the process of installing your new hardwood floor, make sure that the manufacturer has issued clear and consistent installation instructions. While this may seem obvious, you’d be surprised how many people completely skip the directions! Not following the included directions can bring up some rather large headaches. Some warranties, for instance, are dependent on following the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Take A Look At The Subfloor

Before you start the hardwood floor installation process, make sure that your home’s subfloor is level. This will allow you to install the floor without any variations. If the level is only minor, you can sand down the raised spots and fill in the low ones.

Be Sure To Acclimate The Wood

The amount of moisture that’s in the air can cause the wood to expand or contract, which can lead to a gap in the floor in the winter and a crack in the summer. To prevent this, put lay the hardwood flooring out in the room it will be installed in for about a week before actually installing it. Make sure that the room’s temperature is set to whatever you typically have it at. Ideally, the room should stay at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Be aware that even with proper acclimation, there’s a chance the wood will still expand and contract. This is why it’s wise to leave about a quarter-inch around the perimeter of your installation. Don’t worry, your baseboard and molding should hide this.

This article was originally published on ChuckSchmalzried.com

Easy DIY Home Improvement Projects

If you’re looking to get some work done on your house but don’t want to spend loads of money to have a professional do it, consider doing the work yourself. Even if you don’t have any experience in home improvement, there are often plenty of easy do-it-yourself things you can do that will freshen up your home for a much lower cost than hiring a pro. Check out this article to learn more about some rather easy DIY home improvements.

Paint a Room

One of the easiest ways to give your walls a boost of vibrant color is by picking up a paint can. This will give them a burst of life and give you the opportunity to transform them into something beautiful. Painting is one of the most popular home improvement projects that you can do yourself. Although you don’t have to be a pro to paint a room, it’s definitely not as easy as just throwing paint on the wall. Be sure to research the proper painting techniques before giving it a go yourself.

Re-Caulk Your Bathroom

One of the worst things you can discover about your home is that the caulk in your bathroom is getting old. It’ll start to show signs of cracking and brittleness and probably have a brownish tinge as well, which can allow water to seep through and turn your walls and framing into mush. Caulk can be found anywhere, between your sink and your tile surround, or even under your shower stall. This simple process can be done in just an hour, and it’s very easy to apply, as long as you’re following the correct instructions.

Add Some Crown Molding To Your Home

One of the most popular home improvement projects that people tend to do is add crown molding. This is because it adds value and charm to a house and is easier to do than you might think. One of the most popular types of crown molding is the Trimroc from Canamould Extrusions, which is a lightweight foam that’s been coated in hard plaster. This material cuts smoothly and doesn’t have any tricky angles or joints. It can be used in just a few weekends to transform a plain room into an elegant space.

Add Some Insulation To Your Floors

Getting up in the morning and having to deal with the cold floor is not ideal, especially if you have to go to the bathroom. Having a warm and resilient floor is also important to keep your home warm and welcoming. If you’re looking to add some style and warmth to your room, consider investing in a cork floor. This natural material can be used to create a sleek and stylish floor. Due to the innovation of engineered panels, which are designed to snap together without nails or glue, cork floors are easier to install than ever before. They can also be used over existing flooring, such as concrete or plywood.

This article was originally published on ChuckSchmalzried.com

The Best Podcasts For Home Improvement Enthusiasts

Getting into home improvement can be an amazing experience. Maybe you figured out how to fix that leaky faucet in your kitchen all by yourself and now you want to start fixing everything in the house. Or perhaps you bought a new home that also happens to be a fixer-upper, so you need to start renovating if you want it to be a comfortable home. There are loads of reasons to get into do-it-yourself home improvement, and if you’re looking to easily learn more as you go about your day, a home improvement podcast might be exactly what you’re looking for. Here are some of the best home improvement podcasts out there today.

Young House Love

For those who love home renovation, this podcast is a great way to keep up with all the latest trends and learn more about the projects that are happening in the market. John and Sherry Petersik of Young House Love created a new podcast to talk about their DIY home renovation projects in Virginia, while also touching on trends in design and the digital world.

The Money Pit Home Improvement Show

The Money Pit Home Improvement Show is a nationally syndicated call-in radio program that covers all the latest home improvement and decor topics. It’s also a great way to get in touch with other people who are interested in the same. Unsure of how to install new power outlets? Maybe you’re looking into re-doing your floors. Have no fear, as The Money Pit is here to help you out.

Fix It 101

You need to fix a leaky faucet, but you’re not sure where to start. The hosts of the podcast, which is called “Fix It 101,” tackle various home improvement projects that can be done by yourself, even if you’re an amateur at these things. They cover practically every home improvement topic, from leaky faucets to installing a wall mount for your new TV. They even discuss whether or not it’s a project that you should hire a professional for.

Fix It Home Improvement

This podcast covers a variety of home improvement topics, including kitchen and garden repairs, as well as storage and garage organization. Topics such as grass seed, wood-burning stoves, and pocket knives have also been covered. You can find this show pretty much wherever you can download podcasts: iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Music, or wherever you want to listen to them.

This article was originally published on ChuckSchmalzried.com

Great Books On Home Renovation

Home renovation projects can become expensive, especially when you’re hiring a contractor to do it for you. This is why many people have turned to doing home renovations themselves. While this is still expensive, it can ultimately be cheaper than hiring a third party. The problem is that you need to make sure you know what you’re doing. Being handy is a great thing, but remodeling your home is an entirely different beast. A great way to learn more about how to handle these situations is to read a good book on the subject. Here are a few great books to read when renovating your home.

Home Improvement For Dummies – Gene and Katie Hamilton

The creators of the popular “Dummy” series have come up with a great home improvement book that’s geared toward people who are new to the process of home renovations. This book features a variety of step-by-step guides that are designed to make the process of home improvement as easy as possible. They cover a wide range of home improvement projects, such as installing insulation, putting up a smoke detector, and fixing leaky stairs. There are also helpful cost-calculation and tool-buying guides.

How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home – Charlie Wing

This book will help you build a solid foundation in understanding the various systems that your home has. It will also teach you how to care for them and what to look for when it comes to repairs. Although it’s focused on preventing and diagnosing issues, it also provides guidance on how to perform repairs.

Big Book of Home How-To by Better Homes & Gardens – Better Homes & Gardens

The book’s claim to fame is its easy-to-follow layout, which is based on thousands of detailed illustrations. It’s designed to walk people through each step of the 200-plus projects that it covers. The layout also allows advanced home improvement fans to look for more specific techniques.

One of the most popular home improvement books out there, this book features hundreds of step-by-step projects that are designed to help people improve their home. It also provides valuable advice on buying the right tools and choosing the right building materials.

Collins Complete DIY Manual – Albert Jackson & David Day

The book is regarded as one of the most comprehensive guides on the subject. It’s also a great resource for both experienced and novice home improvement professionals. It features a variety of topics such as plumbing, electrical, and decorating. Despite its numerous features, some readers find it lacking in step-by-step instructions on how to properly perform each project. This issue could be because the book is over 20 years old.

This article was originally published on ChuckSchmalzried.com

DIY Home Projects for the New Year

There are many things that a homeowner can do to create a new look for 2021. Creating a new look in their homes can help them to feel better about their homes and add value. The more improvements that they do, the better the home will look and feel.

Lighting

Having warm light in any room can help make it better. There are many different lighting options that homeowners can install to help their rooms look better. Adding fairy lights to the bedroom can create a magical appearance. Adding cabinet lighting in the kitchen can help improve the kitchen aesthetic and help to allow you to see better when preparing food on your countertops.

Adding a Bookshelf

Adding a bookshelf can create a place for the homeowner to display their favorite books, pictures and can create an added storage space. For example, if the homeowner has artwork that needs to stand up, a bookshelf is a great idea.

Adding a Corkboard Wall

A corkboard wall is easy to install and can create a unique look. A corkboard wall can be used to display fun photographs of family and travels. This can be done in a small area of the wall or the entire wall itself.

Accent Wall with Removable Wallpaper

Accent walls are very popular and can add to the color of the room. However, a homeowner may not want to paint the wall. A good idea is to use removable wallpaper. This can create a unique look on the wall without having to do any painting.

Make A Headboard for the Bedroom

Adding some things to the bedroom can make a real difference in the aesthetic of the home. If there is no headboard, one can be created easily out of wood and fabric. There are many ideas online about making a headboard.

Create New Window Coverings

Adding a pop of color to the windows can help brighten a room greatly. Window coverings can be changed out to better fit the home’s aesthetic. For example, if the homeowner is going for a light and bright feeling, sheer window coverings that allow the light in will help.

There are many things that a homeowner can do themselves in their home for 2021. These things will help make the home brighter and feel more like home to the homeowner.

Originally published to chuckschmalzried.com.