home improvements Archives - Mother 2 Mother Blog

Home Remodeling Tips For Everyone

June 8, 2021 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing home improvement advise on home remodeling tips for everyone. At first glance, a remodeling project seems like an easy task to complete. Most people who are DIYers or even if you can afford a professional remodel team, you need to be aware of the basics of home improvement endeavors.

To simplify the process of home remodeling, I have prepared a list of the five most important recommendations.

Home Remodeling Tips:

Planning is everything

Choose the materials wisely and allocate your time. This includes time to complete your project and to fix small issues once the project is completed. You never know what emergencies will arise. After all, this is a remodeling project. More likely than not, something unexpected will be encountered.

Furthermore, the cost may drop significantly if you plan properly. Consult with your contractor through each step. If you will be doing the work, put every step of the project on paper. Be as elaborate as possible, even on minor details. Know your exact goal and follow the plan precisely. Set a timespan, budget, consider the possibly of extra expenses, and relocation expense if you have to move out.

Search for the proper contractor

Unless you can do everything by yourself, make sure you hire the appropriate contractor for the job. Look for the following:

Thorough estimates
Licensed and well-trained team of professionals
Great customer service
References of completed projects
Good reviews
Quality service
Proper equipment to complete the job
A good vision of your remodel

When it comes to the right choice of a contractor, residents of Sacramento often opt for the services provided by the team of remodeling specialists from A+ Construction & Remodeling. They have the most permits in the area.

Be present at the remodeling site

Check on the remodel every step of the way. You will want to catch problems early, and make sure they are brought to the attention of the contractor. This includes checking the materials to ensure they are exactly what you selected or will work for the remodel. You can also assess the workers to ensure they are putting in the work they are getting paid to do.

Have a good Understanding of the Contract

Without considering this step, you could end up paying more money for the job. So, ensure the contract contains all the information needed to make it a binding legal document. This includes exactly what is to be remodeled and the end goal. Also, include addresses, phone numbers, dates, signatures, materials and their cost, extra items etc. The success or failure of the home remodeling project depends on you as well as the contractor.

Consider the value of the home

What if you sell or rent out your property in the future? Such things as home remodeling can significantly contribute to the home value. As a result, add some stylish details, enlarge the kitchen, or build arches and passages in the home. These upgrades could increase the amount of rent paid by renters or your home’s appraisal amount.

Put some serious thought into your remodeling project. Even if you are knowledgeable, professionals can help you save on time and ensure everything is done with top-notch quality. Consider these home remodeling tips the next time you are considering a home remodel. They will help you get things done effortlessly.

6 Ideas for Garden Makeovers

September 6, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening advice on ideas for garden makeovers. If you don’t have a green thumb, keeping your garden looking beautiful can feel impossible. However, getting and maintaining a gorgeous garden doesn’t have to be a struggle.

There are a few simple things that you can do to give your garden a new lease on life, without having to put in hours of work.

Ideas for Garden Makeovers:

Paint some flower pots – This is an great way to add a pop of color to the garden. Remove any dirt and residue from the pots. Having a clean base is imperative for the paint to stick. Paint your pots any color that you like. Here’s a suggestion, how about painting the pots in one color and using a stencil with another color to add fun designs? Ask your children to help you. Here’s a kid-friendly garden project. To make your design last, cover them with an acrylic sealant.
Trim back any trees – If you have trees in your garden that are getting out of control, call in a professional. They will be able to safely trim any trees without risk for you. A good trim will make the trees look better and get rid of any loose branches that might fall and cause damage.

Refresh the shed – If your shed is looking worn out and tired, you can simply correct this with a coat of exterior paint or stain. Add another color hit by choosing a treatment in a bright or pastel hue. You could also stencil on fun designs, like plants or birds.
Refresh your garden furniture – While you’re painting your shed, give your wood garden furniture a coat as paint well. Choose a color that makes you smile and goes with the rest of your garden.

Repair your fencing – If you’ve had bad weather over the winter, some of your fence panels may have gotten damage or fallen over. If so, hire a fence contractor to repair or replace broken or fallen panels. You may also need to reinforce your fence posts. If there’s not much rot, you can reinforce the post with a concrete spur. If there is a lot of rot, you might need a new post. When the weather is dry, give the fence a fresh coat of paint or wood stain.

Additionally, you can make garden decorations. This is another place for kids to get involved with the garden. Even during winter, there are things you can do to cheer up the garden. Paint rocks in different and fun shades for the rock or flower beds. If you have stepping stones in a path, paint those. Buy a pretty bird or insect house, and give it to the kids to decorate. The goal is to garden together. A fairy garden, is a great idea. We could all use a little magic in the garden.

Filed Under: Outdoor Living Tagged With: exterior upgrades, gardening tips, home improvements, outdoor home improvements

Home Inspection Tips for Buyers

April 8, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing home inspection tips for home buyers. Home inspections have been known to make both the seller and buyer uneasy. Sellers often feel that the home inspection company will automatically side with the buyer if issues arise. However, buyers feel the opposite.

If you’re in the market for a new home, you need to be aware of the intricacies involved in a home inspection. You should become familiar with the process before purchasing a home. Educate yourself on the before, during, and after inspection processes. It’s important that a home inspection go well for both the buyer and seller.

It’s very common for purchasing contracts to include a provision stating that the home inspection pass or the sale won’t occur. If you don’t like the results of the inspection, that means you can simply walk away. Another option would be to simply negotiate a lower price with the seller . Especially, if the inspection doesn’t go as planned. Having a home inspection go off without a hitch is ideal for both parties.

Here are a few home inspection tips for buyers:

Include It in the Contract

Many buyers make the mistake of not putting an inspection contingency clause in the purchasing contract. Don’t make this mistake. You need to make sure the real estate agent properly includes the inspection. A verbal agreement with the seller isn’t enough. You need the clause included in the contract to make it legal.

Inspections Are Essential (But Not Foolproof)

Home inspections are essential. Using a quality inspection service is important (e.g. Octopus Home Inspections). But, equally as important is realizing that inspections aren’t foolproof. Not every inspection will be perfect. And, there will almost certainly be minor details that are missed. Remember, the inspection report will detail everything the inspection company finds. So, much of that depends on the level of access granted by the seller.

Deciding Between Repairs, Credits, Etc.

If there are issues found during the inspection, this is where strong negotiation skills come into play. Being able to negotiate is important. Especially, when it comes to buying a house. For example, let’s say that the inspection found problems with a brick patio. The buyer can try to negotiate with the seller. The buyer can ask that the seller give them credit for that repair. Or, have the seller hire a contractor to complete the repair. You will want to do this before the sale is finalized.

Getting It in Writing Is Important

If the seller agrees to hire a contractor, have all repairs documented. This also includes any recent/past repairs. Especially, repairs the seller is using to make their home more appealing to buyers (e.g. “brand new floors”). While this isn’t essential by any means it certainly shouldn’t be ignored.

Tips for Finding a Quality Inspection Company

It’s important not to rush into choosing a home inspection company. Make sure the company you choose is experienced, licensed, and is well-reviewed. This is where using Google and other search engines can be handy. Look at the company’s reviews.

What are people saying? Do they have lots of positive reviews? Does the company offer a sample report for potential customers to view before hiring them? These are the kinds of questions you should be asking. You should also look into whether or not the inspection company belongs to any of the major inspection associations (in the United States).

Last, don’t be afraid of asking questions. Also, the inspection company should allow you to be present when the inspection occurs. If you have any questions or concerns, voice them. There’s nothing worse than leaving a question unanswered about a home inspection.

Finally, using the home inspection tips will allow you to hire a qualified inspection company. Keep in mind everything covered above will help you during the purchasing process.

Filed Under: Shopping Tips Tagged With: home buyers, home improvements, home inspection tips

Tips for Creating a Kid’s Bathroom

March 18, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Kids are in the bathroom forever, and they don’t have good bathroom etiquette. For some people, this is handled by giving children their own bathroom. Additionally, children having their own bathroom gives parents a break. So, if you’re considering creating a bathroom for your kids, here are a few things to consider when creating their space.

Make smart remodeling decisions

Sometimes creating a kids’ bathroom means remodeling your house. Sometimes it simply means adding some kid’s décor and calling it a day. If you’re in the first category, it’s important to make smart remodeling decisions. For instance, remember that your child isn’t going to be young forever. As a result, creating a kid’s bathroom that’s equipped with cartoon tiles and a small vanity means you’ll have to remodel that same bathrooms a few years later. So, select tile, vanities, and other permanent items that are neutral.

Get professional help.

If your kid’s bathroom makeover requires any type of plumbing projects, consider a professional plumber to do the job. According to Fix It Right Plumbing, even the smallest plumbing task could put your home at risk of mold, which has a very negative impact on your health. Not only your health, but the structure of your house. Using a professional can help eliminate unnecessary costs and fixes in the future. Installing a faucet or putting in new pipes for the shower should be done by a professional as well.

Use technology to your advantage.

Kids are messy and they don’t pay attention. This means you could end up with running water or bodily fluids sitting unflushed in the toilet. Use technology to your advantage. For instance, a touchless toilet will allow your child’s toilet to flush with just the wave of a hand. Kids will have more fun saying goodbye to their waste. In addition, smart faucets turn on and off automatically with sensors. You can be assured that your child isn’t wasting water while brushing their teeth or washing their hands.

Make it organized.

Bathrooms need organization. Opt for towel racks or hooks that ensure each child has his/her own space. Buy toothbrush holders or find other vanity organization options so your children know where things go. If you have under-vanity storage, use it. If not, consider a small standalone bookshelf or behind-the-door organizer.

Make clean-up easy.

Kids aren’t going to clean up after themselves if you don’t teach them. Invest in sanitizing wipes and keep them under the vanity. Teach your child how to use the wipes to clean up excess toothpaste, water, soap, or whatever may have spilled. Teach them to clean their space every day.

Use easy-to-clean options.

Last, when it comes to picking out the tile, vanity top, paint, and anything else that goes in your child’s bathroom, pick options that are easy to clean. For instance, a semi-gloss or high-gloss paint will allow you to easily wipe down walls. You will be able to remove leftover toothpaste, soap, or whatever your child manages to get on the wall. Bigger tiles with less grout will give you less grout to clean. Also, vanities that wipe down easily and don’t react negatively to water marks (like marble) are always the best option.

Finally, giving your child his/her own bathroom is a great way to have a relaxing place for yourself. If you’re going to make this move, be sure to use these tips.

Filed Under: Life-Thoughts Tagged With: bathroom remodel, bathroom upgrades, home improvements