Whether you are starting on a simple one-room remodel or a whole-house gut, the resources to successfully navigate your way through the process are below. From budgetary concerns to finding qualified contractors to Do It Yourself information, you can find the info here.
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- Karendelac Karendelac Aug 22, 2007 @ 11:04 pm
- Hello Scott. You have created a 5 star lens, thank you. I found your ability to market here well above the average lens. All the Best, Karen at Karen's Kinkade Art Store
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Recent Articles
- Top 10 Home Maintenance Questions
- This Old House put together a list of the most frequently asked home maintenance questions... and more importantly, the answers.
Included:
1. Drywall Nail Pops
2. Asbestos Siding
3. Mildew on Exterior Paint
4. Truss Uplift
5. Popcorn Ceiling
6. Wet Basement or Crawl Space
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9. Peeling Exterior Paint
10. Rotted Beams, Joists, and Sills - 2007 Design Trends
- Check out these design suggestions as we enter 2007: Where to use bold colors, new materials for countertops, elegant fencing, glass tiles, furniture like kitchen equipment, and exotic woods.
- Fixing DIY Disasters
- Short article on what happens when a DIY remodeler gets in over his/her head.
- Fads: In and Out
- Which design fads are fading, and what's coming up? Here is a brief overview of some new space design concepts that people are looking for... and a few that at on their way out.
- Is Your House a Teardown Candidate?
- First things first, should you be spending money on renovating if you house is a teardown candidate? Read this article to see some of the tell tale signs.
- Remodeling School
- We all learn from mistakes... but nobody says they have to be our own. Learn a few quick lessons from the recent remodel that this family undertook.
- Remodeling Guide
- How not to get burned during a remodel... by This Old House
Remodeling on a Budget
There are tons of ways to perform a quality remodel without breaking the bank. Below are some links to articles which will help you save a bit on your journey.
- 5 Small Projects that Pay Big
- These DIY projects, which you can accomplish with minimal time and expense, will add a lot of value to your home:
Tile a foyer, upgrade kitchen cabinets, add bookshelves, replace old fixtures, and upgrade your shower. - This Old House's 21 Tips to Save on a Remodel
- 21 thrifty tips to save on your remodel from THE best known remodeling group, the guys at This Old House. There are tons of ways to perform a quality remodel without breaking the bank.
- High Style on a Modest Budgest: Tip Sheet
- From the folks at BusinessWeek, these short tips hit the highlights that you need to keep in mind as you begin a remodel endeavor.
- Financing Home Improvements: Tip Sheet
- Another good one from BusinessWeek, a few tips on financing options. Sometimes the way you pay for the work is just as important as how much you are spending.
- 2006 Cost versus Value Report
- This article runs through some costs versus value for a few common projects. The one thing to remember is that the article separates each out as an individual project, performing multiple projects and/or sprucing your place up in general will increase the added value. For example, remodeling a kitchen when the rest of your place is a shack overgrown with weeds will add little value, but tidying up the rest of the property and fixing other areas will increase the value gained from the kitchen project.
- Little Ways to Save Big
- A few helpful tips from CNN.com and This Old House on some places to save from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. It all adds up!
Remodeling on a Budget Books
How to Increase the Value of Your Home: Simple, Budget-Conscious Techniques and Ideas That Will Make Your Home Worth Up to $100,000 More!
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/22/2009) 
DIY General
- HGTV Pro
- Pro: The Professional version of HGTV, includes many videos, articles, pictures, as well as discussion boards. Great resource.
Con: The discussion boards are extremely pro-contractor and anti-DIY. Just remember that caveat and do not be scared off if the regulars jump on your post. - DIYnetwork
- Pro: Provides good directions with pictures for many of the DIY projects you might take on in your house.
Con: This site is broad and does not concentrate on home improvement. But I guess that could be handy if you need to work on your car or boat too! - Lowes.com project center
- Pro: Good resource with short powerpoint style directions. Also conveniently lists the tools required to complete the task... and it just so happens that they sell tools too.
- DoItYourself.com
- The title says it all.
- Let'sRenovate.com
- The title says it all.
- Houseblogs.net
- Learn from other DIYers.
Personal Recomendations for DIY Books
Here are the books which I have personally bought and have found extremely helpful in my DIY projects. These will definitely help you as you attempt to gain hands-on experience. Consulting an accredited professional is always a good idea, but if you intend to do the work yourself, these resources are a great place to begin learning.
Home Improvement 1-2-3: Expert Advice from The Home Depot (Home Depot ... 1-2-3)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Complete Plumbing (Stanley Complete)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
2006 International Plumbing Code: Softcover Version
Amazon Price: $54.57 (as of 12/22/2009)
National Electrical Code 2005 Softcover Version (National Fire Protection Association National Electrical Code)
Amazon Price: $74.25 (as of 12/22/2009)
Finding Contractors
First and foremost, I must say the best way to find a contractor can not actually be found online. Go ask your neighbors who they have used, look around your neighborhood and see if someone has ongoing similar work. Ask to stop by and see the progress, ask them if the contractor shows up regularly, gets the work done, and only seeks payment for work complete. These personal references go much further than anything online. That being said, here are some resources that can help.
- Contractors.com
- Helps locate contractors in your area for almost any task you have.
- How to Spot a Crooked Contractor
- This Old House sets you straight on how to spot Contractors who don't make the cut.
- How To Hire a Kitchen Conctractor
- Article on HGTV that helps you find the perfect Kitchen Contractor. Many of these rules can be applied to contractors in other areas too!
The Possibilities
- Remodeling magazine
- Check out the galleries and articles to see some possibilities for your own home.
Kitchen and Bath Articles
From Remodeling.com
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byKitchen Resources
- Virtual Kitchen Designer
- Might as do your trial and error virtually. Use this tool to get the perfect kitchen flow for you.
- Kitchen Design Trends
- Hot products, machines, materials, and designs. Check out this resource to get new ideas for your new kitchen.
- National Kitchen and Bath Association
- Great ideas, advice, course information, and resources.
- Favorite Kitchens
- This Old House's picks for favorite kitchens which combine great looks and good use of space.
Kitchen Remodeling Books
The Kitchen Consultant: a common-sense guide to kitchen remodeling
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Kitchen Remodeling for Dummies
Amazon Price: $15.59 (as of 12/22/2009)
Bath Resources
- Virtual Bathroom Designer
- A pretty good visual provided by HGTV's virtual bathroom designer. They even provide "helpful" ads to direct you to products which will fit your bath.
- National Kitchen and Bath Association
- Great ideas, advice, course information, and resources.
Bath Remodeling Books
Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/22/2009)
Finishes and Paints
- Interior Paints Lens
- Really good resource put together by a Squidooer about picking colors for the interior of your home.
Miscellaneous Resources
- BuildIQ.com
- Good site for increasing your homebuilding IQ. Shows some best practices and safety techniques.
Other Helpful Lenses
- Color Trends
- The colors set the feeling for the room, this lense helps you pick out the tone for you want to set.
- Architectural Guide
- From How to Work with an Architect, to How to Build Green, this lens provides a basis for design.
by ScottHoward
My DIY interests started in woodshop class in highschool. I love working with my hands and really enjoy the sense of accomplishment when I've co...
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