Elderly parents are staying in their homes longer than ever before, which is creating new challenges for adult children who want to keep their parents safe and comfortable. If your parents want to stay in their home, it may be time for renovations to make sure they live comfortably. Below are tips for remodeling your aging parent’s home for safety and comfort.
Aging in place is becoming more popular
Aging in place is when a person lives and ages in their residence of choice, for as long as they can. It means a person being able to live in the place of their choice without losing their quality of life when they reach senior age. But ideally what aging in place should be addressing is not just to maintain the quality of life that the person is used to, but also to make it better whenever possible.
Remodeling bathrooms for older parents
One of the most common areas in a home where elderly parents fall is in the bathroom. With slick surfaces and sometimes tight spaces, it can be hazardous unless upgrades are made for safety and comfort. Here are a few ways to remodel a bathroom to make it more age-appropriate for elderly folks:
Shower seats
If your parents prefer taking a shower over using a bathtub, shower seats are a great way to safely shower.
Shower grab bars
Grab bars a fantastic way to provide stability in a shower.
Low or no shower curb
Nowadays, there are many low and no-curb showers to choose from. Ask a remodeling professional for recommendations.
Non-slip bathtubs
Non-slip bathtubs come in a variety of styles and help elderly people safely get in and out of a bathtub without the risk of slipping
Bathtub grab bar
Many people don’t know that grab bars are available for bathtubs too, but they’re a smart addition for any home looking to increase safety for aging parents.
Walk-in tubs
These tubs have been around for years and are getting more and more stylish. As a bathroom renovation professional about options.
Creating a safer kitchen for the elderly
For self-sufficient parents, cooking doesn’t go away with age, but safety becomes an even bigger concern for elderly cooks. Care.com put together a great list of ways to remodeling a kitchen for elderly parents:
- Install a pull-out pantry
- Round the edges
- Keep the sink close to the stove
- Opt for a shallow sink
- Place the microwave at or below counter height
- Choose standard counter-depth appliances and cabinets without any frills
- Make corners accessible
- Pick drawers, not doors for easier access
- Focus on clearance space
- Ensure that floors are slip-resistant
Other useful ideas for remodeling homes for aging parents
While the kitchen and bathroom are the two more challenging rooms for elderly parents, here are a few ideas for other rooms in the house, depending on their level of mobility:
- Widen doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers
- Install lever-style door knobs that are easier to grip for arthritic hands
- Replace flooring with slip-resistant material
- Add a wheelchair ramp
- Adjust kitchen countertops heights
- Install a chair lift or elevator
Most expenses for home renovations will need to be paid out of pocket. However, Medicare or private insurance may cover the cost of medical equipment that’s installed in a home, but they generally don’t pay for home remodel projects. Do your homework to see what renovation costs may be covered. The answer is always “no” if you don’t ask! Some seniors may qualify for a limited number of home improvement grants, based on their income and where they live. The Department of Health and Human Services’ ElderCare.gov website has more details.
Staying at home as long as possible is usually the desire of most aging parents. To make sure they’re both safe and comfortable, try these ideas for remodeling your aging parent’s home.
Whether you’re doing a complete kitchen remodel, or simply looking to update the look of your current kitchen, cabinets are a great way to add style and personality to your kitchen. With so many choices, it’s difficult to know how to choose the perfect cabinets for your kitchen. We’ve pulled together a few tips to help make the process easier.
Choose a cabinet door style
Cabinet doors are the most visible design elements in your kitchen, so your door style is one of the most important decisions you will make. There are various styles of cabinet doors available, and since cabinetry doors are so prominent in kitchens, it’s a good idea to start by looking around your home in general. What is your style overall? Modern? Traditional? Do you prefer a more ornate style, or do you like basic, clean lines? While your style doesn’t have to exactly match your overall décor style, it helps to make sure whatever style you pick doesn’t stand out for the wrong reason. Here are the basic cabinet door styles to choose from:
- Mission
- Raised panel
- Beaded
- Shaker
- Arched cathedral (single arch)
- Double arch
- Flat panel
- Mullioned
Take the time to not only look at the style, but what kind of maintenance each will require. The more ornate, the more nooks and crevices there is to clean, yet more decorative cabinets add a very distinct design style to a kitchen and can really make a statement!
Consider your budget
Kitchen cabinetry can vary widely when it comes to cost. Try to work with a cabinet company that offers a wide range of cabinet styles and budgets. Try to narrow down your 2-3 favorite styles, then look at the cost for each. You’ll be surprised how some of the most beautiful cabinet doors can actually be affordable. Work with a designer to help you determine style and budget if you’re unsure; this is a big choice to make!
Know what color you’re looking for
Are you looking for a deep, rich, elegant-looking kitchen, or something more bright, fresh and sleek? Not every cabinet style may come in the wood finish you want, so having an idea ahead of time may help narrow the choices a bit.
Understand the flow and function of your kitchen
If you’re keeping the existing cabinetry footprint in your kitchen, this is an easy step to check off the list. If you’re doing a full kitchen renovation, you need to consider the overall flow of the kitchen and how that works with your family’s lifestyle. What kind of kitchen do you want? Consider how you currently use your kitchen and what would make your life easier and more functional. Maybe it’s adding or expanding an island. Perhaps it’s additional storage. Where should these items be and what’s the overall flow of the kitchen area to best suit that? Do you need more drawers, less shelves, a pullout spice rack? These decisions will impact cabinet choices. This is one area that definitely requires a kitchen remodel specialist to help you with. Space planning when you’re doing this kind of remodel is critical to get just right. A functional, well-organized kitchen is the most important feature, so you want to choose your cabinetry wisely to accommodate this. You want to maximize your space as much as possible to talk with a professional cabinet designer about shelf, drawer and pullout options.
These tips will help you choose the perfect cabinets for kitchen and help you create the kitchen of your dreams!
Remodeling your home to suit your lifestyle can be exciting when it’s all said and done. Living through a remodel can be a bit more challenging, especially if you’re living in the house while the remodeling is being done. Depending on what you’re having done, there are a lot of moving pieces which can cause quite a mess during the project. Here are 6 ways to protect your home during renovation to ease the process for you on the way to the home of your dreams.
Protect corners and handrails
Even with the most careful renovation specialists, when you have workers in and out of your house, up and down the stairs, moving equipment from room to room, removing debris, and working with tool belts, your corners and handrails are going to take a beating. While it’s easy enough to fix this dings, dents and scratches, you can keep them to a minimum with a little prep work. Corners in high traffic areas can be protected with cardboard. Handrails on stairs can be bubble wrapped or protected with a material heavy enough to protect rails against scrapes and dents.
Cover your blinds, shutters and window treatments
If your renovation includes any kind of demolition, there is going to be dust. A LOT of dust. No matter how careful your workers are, that dust is going to go everywhere, and one of the hardest places to clean dust off is your window treatments. Here’s what you can do to protect your home during renovation: Take a piece of plastic wrap that you can find at any home improvement store, and literally tape the plastic wrap over your window during demo. Be sure to use painter’s tape so you don’t take off the paint when you take off the tape! Most window openings that will be exposed to dust should be entirely covered with plastic, but for windows you need to open, cover the window treatments in plastic instead of removing them.
Cover your furniture and any countertops in plastic
You might be doing renovations in another room entirely, but dust travels. Unless you want to spend the next month after your project is complete dusting your tables and countertops, as well as vacuuming all your furniture, you should cover all of it in a loose plastic. It may not be very attractive during renovation, but you’ll save yourself a lot of clean up time afterwards by doing this before renovation starts.
Turn off the A/C or cover your vents
Dust travels fast through air vents to if you can cover them, it’s a great way to keep dust to a minimum. If possible, turn you’re A/C off altogether to keep dust from traveling from room to room.
Cover your traffic areas to avoid damage
If you have workers going up and down your stairs, regardless of whether your stairs are wood or carpeted, it’s a very good idea to cover the stairs to keep staining and damage at bay. Be sure to pick up a paper that is appropriate for walking on and doesn’t create a trip or slip hazard. For those high traffic areas in the house, put down a similar cover, as well as the main pathway in and out of the house.
Beyond the dust: protecting from damage and theft
You may be forced to temporarily relocate during large-scale home renovation or construction projects. When the construction crew leaves each day, your home and belongings are left unsupervised and may be at risk of theft. In-home cameras can be a good way to keep an eye on things and of course, always ensure the home alarm system is set when workers leave. Construction projects often involve new electrical wiring and highly combustible materials throughout the house that can lead to a devastating fire. Keep working fire extinguishers on each level of the house and throughout the work site. Consider installing a sprinkler system and a UL-listed (Underwriters Laboratories) water flow alarm if you don’t already have one.
These are just a few ideas to protect your home during renovation to make sure your experience during the project is a good one!
Remodeling your existing home can be an exciting opportunity to add those features you always wanted in your home. The usual checklist usually includes updated lighting, new appliances, better cabinetry, etc. but what about upgrades to accommodate your pets? Believe it or not, features that cater to family pets is high on the list for many homeowners looking to improve the living condition for ALL family members. If you’re interested in making your house a home for your fur baby, check out these home remodeling ideas for pet owners and discuss how to incorporate these designs with your home remodeling professional.
Custom feeding areas
You can create a built-in area for pet bowls to keep your kitchen looking neat and tidy. This option prevents you from tripping over bowls and spilling food everywhere. You can also install a faucet near the ground in that area to make it easy to refill water bowls. Many homeowners feed their pets in their kitchen or laundry room, so this is a great way to add convenience and make the area neat and tidy!
Pet food storage areas
If you keep your bags of pet food in a closet or out in the garage, you’re going to love this idea! If you’re installing new kitchen cabinets, think about putting a deep drawer near the pet bowls to use for pet food storage. It’s easy to access the food when you need it without lugging bags of food back and forth. You also gain back that closet or shelf space that you were using to store those bags. Win win!
Bathing and grooming areas
If you bathe your own pet, you know what a big pain it can be! If you bathe them outside with a garden hose, your back will remind you of your good deed the next day….and maybe the day after that! Bathe your fur baby inside but hate trying to get them in and out of the bathtub? Replace your old tub/shower combo with a walk-in shower to make it easier to get a larger dog in and out. You may also consider an open-concept shower without any door at all to give you plenty of room to wash your dog. You can even install a handheld showerhead closer to the ground which makes bathing your dog easier when you need to rinse muddy paws.
Pet gates
Lots of pet owners use baby gates to keep their dogs out of places they’re not supposed to be. Functional, but not the most appealing décor addition! Try installing a swinging gate or half door. These can keep pets out of the kitchen when you’re cooking without making you feel shut off from the rest of the house.
Cat features
Are cats more your thing? Or perhaps you have both cats and dogs. Either way, cats provide a few extra challenges that remodeling upgrades can help. Again, a nearby storage bin for kitty litter is great, and keeps dust to a minimum. For many pet owners, the litter box is a challenge since you want it out of site. Whether you keep your litter box in the laundry room, mud room, or bathroom, here’s a great idea: If you’re replacing your cabinets, you can leave a nook to slide the box in. The other challenge with cats? They like to climb to high places so they can see things. Consider installing a series of cat perch floating wall mount shelves dedicated to your adventurous cat, or an accommodating window ledge where they can enjoy the sun without being bothered.
No matter what kind of pet you own, these home remodeling ideas for pet owners will make your four-legged family member happy!
We spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It can either be a pleasant experience or a trying one, depending on how your kitchen is designed. Believe it or not, there are several ways to make your kitchen more functional without breaking the bank. Check out the suggestions below to see what might help you get the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Add a kitchen island or butcher block
Look around your kitchen: is there a lot of wasted floor space? Do you feel like you’re walking back and forth across an empty floor to go from refrigerator to sink to stove? How about your surface area? Could you use a bit more space? It may be time to add a kitchen island or butcher block. Many kitchens are built in a perfect square with a whole lot of nothing in the middle. What a waste! You can easily add more surface area, storage, and functionality to your kitchen simply by adding an island or butcher block. Depending on the size of the space, a simple portable butcher block may due but if you have the space, adding a kitchen island is a fairly inexpensive renovation with a big payoff. Find a professional designer that can advise you what will work best in your home.
Drawers with a purpose
Especially in older homes, drawers were made to be multi-functional but nowadays, you can take those drawers to better suit your needs. One of the most popular upgrades is spice drawers. You’ve been there: peering into a dark cabinet with spices 5 layers deep on a shelf. You can’t find anything, so you use the same five spices over and over again. No more! Keep all your spices organized and right where you need them with a spice drawer under your cooktop. It’s a great way to keep all those small containers organized without wasting any counter space!
Add another sink
People are surprised by this suggestion but it’s nothing short of brilliant if you think about it, especially if you can put that second sink in a kitchen island. If you share kitchen time with another cook, you’re going to love how convenient this is. One sink for food prep, another for the dirty dishes. Heaven!
Repurpose deep cupboards
Are there some cabinets so deep that you only use the front half? Think about repurposing a few deep cupboards with bench space, power points and lighting in them. Store your appliances here so you can use them then close the door and forget about them.
Maximize your cabinet space potential
Maximize your vertical space by having wall cabinets reach to the ceiling. That big space above your cabinets? Dust collectors. Go vertical and make your kitchen more functional! Increase the depth of wall cabinets from the standard 12” to 15”. There are several affordable lines of cabinetry that allow you to do this.
Kitchen upgrades that don’t require remodeling
Here are a few additional lower-cost ways to make your kitchen more functional:
- Hang pots and pans
- Add hooks inside cabinet doors for measuring spoons and measuring cups
- Always use your corner space and utilize Magic Corners or a Lazy Susan to access the space.
- Utilize the seldom-used cabinet above the refrigerator
- Store your cookie sheets vertically on shelves
- Group like utensils
There are many ways you can make your kitchen more functional, regardless of size. Try some of these and see how much your kitchen experience will improve!
As our population continues to live longer and seniors are looking to be independent as long as possible, more and more families are looking to the idea of building a mother-in-law suite so that their aging parent or parents can live independently yet be close at hand to family should any issues arise. To add an addition like this, there’s actually a few things to think about first to plan for the renovation. Here is everything you need to consider before building a mother-in-law suite.
What is a mother-in-law suite?
A mother-in-law suite is another way to describe guest quarters in a home. It can be as simple as a bedroom and private bath that has a door giving the suite privacy from the rest of the home, or it could be more elaborate like a small guest house with a kitchenette on the property. Some are additions to an existing home while others are detached suites with a shared courtyard or breezeway. Of course, these “mother-in-law” suites can be used for parents, grandparents, in-laws or anyone who you’re looking to create a dedicated space for. Some people create them in anticipation of someone living with them full-time while others are created out of need when a house becomes too full and more space is needed.
Multi-generational living is on the rise
More and more Americans are keeping it all in the family these days, as multi-generational living—where three or more generations share the same household continues to rise, according to Realtor.com. The number of multi-generational households is growing in the U.S. The Census Bureau says they were up 30 percent between 2000 and 2010, making nearly one in six households a multi-generational household. In 2014, a record 60.6 million people, or 19% of the U.S. population, lived with multiple generations under one roof, according to a recent analysis of Census data by the Pew Research Center. That number continues to grow as we move into 2019.
There are several options to create more space
As you ponder your options to create an in-law suite, here are a few potential areas of your home you could consider renovating to meet your needs:
- Convert a garage
- Convert a basement
- Convert an attic
- Convert a sunroom or exterior patio area
- Convert a dining room or other unused/underused room
Depending on how large these existing spaces are (or if you even have any of these!) they may serve as an option for converting into a mother-in-law suite in lieu of a new build and may save some money versus creating a new structure altogether, attached or free-standing. If you’re building the space for someone in particular in mind, it might be a good idea to converse with them to see what they need and want, including:
- A dedicated kitchen or kitchenette
- A dedicated bathroom
- A separate entrance
- A separate alarm system
Not all existing spaces can accommodate these needs, so it might be a good idea to have that conversation first to avoid issues in the future.
Check with your city zoning laws to find out what is allowable
Many municipalities zone neighborhoods as single-family residential, thereby making additional units illegal unless they are occupied by a member of the family. City planners often discourage the entire concept, as they know that once the apartment is created, it will often evolve into a general rental unit after the original occupant/family member has moved on.
A newer zoning concept is the “accessible dwelling unit,” which encourages increasing the density of certain neighborhoods. This type of zoning allows the creation of a secondary residence even within an area zoned for single-family residences. Neighborhood eligibility is determined by several mitigating factors such as proximity to public transportation.
Consider the financial aspect of adding a mother-in-law suite
Mother-in-law suites present some financial challenges. Because many cities don’t have a lot for comparison (“comps”), it can be harder to get financing for their construction. Be prepared to jump through extra hoops potentially to get the cash for the project. Depending on the scope of the work you plan to do and where you live, in-law suite additions or renovations typically cost anywhere from $10,000 for a converted space to $300,000 or more.
Planning and building a suite are best left to the professionals
Between determining if you can renovate an existing space or have to create a new one, understanding what accommodations you can include in the design, understanding city ordinances and so much more, these renovations are definitely best left to professional renovation specialists who know how to size up an existing living situation, take into account the “must haves” versus the “nice to haves”, design the space from a structural standpoint, and then provide the finishing touches through professional design services. Find a reputable one near you who can work with you to make your vision a reality.
Mother-in-law suites can be a great addition if done correctly. Be sure that you take into consideration all the above before building a mother-in-law suite.
We often showcase the latest colors, décor,etc. when it comes to bathroom remodels, but for this article, we’re going to look at bathroom renovation trends: major changes that homeowners made to their bathrooms in 2018 and how that might impact any remodeling you might have in mind for the upcoming year.
Age Appropriate Bathrooms
Many homeowners spent a good portion of the master bath remodeling budget to make their bathrooms more age-friendly. What does that mean exactly? Homeowners are becoming aware of aging-related needs when it comes to master bathrooms as older homeowners plan to stay in their own home longer. Homeowners ages 55 or older represent 52% of renovating homeowners today, with a majority planning to remain in their homes for 10 years or longer (59%). Many are planning on upcoming needs, though the majority are still reacting to needs,such as safety or accessibility, that already arose. Here are some of those aging-related renovations:
- Shower seats
- Shower grab bars
- Low or no shower curb
- Non-slip bathtubs
- Bathtub grab bars
- Walk-in tubs
A small portion of homeowners went further in their renovations to change the floorplan completely for better access, such as handicap access.
New home purchase, new bathroom
A good amount of bathroom renovations wasn’t spurred by current homes needing an upgrade. In 2018, most renovations for master bathrooms came as a result of purchasing a home where renovations were needed or desired by the home purchaser. Homeowners were looking to personalize their master bathroom to better suit their needs or tastes. Upgrades and renovations were as follows (in order of popularity):
- Faucets
- Wall finish
- Flooring
- Lighting
- Shower
- Countertop
- Sink
- Cabinet
- Toilet
- Door
- Bathtub
- Window
Creating a “suite” living space
Master bathrooms and master bedrooms became more recognized as a master suite in 2018, with many renovations pairing the master bath and master bedroom together to create a master suite. According to a Houzz study, nearly one in two master bathroom renovations (46%) is paired with a master bedroom renovation. Here’s an interesting trend: one in 10 master bathrooms is the same size or even larger than the master bedroom; a signal that master bathrooms have moved beyond being simply utilitarian.
Most homeowners hired professionals to do the job
Considering the types of renovations done in 2018, and the fact that more homeowners are looking for a master suite as an overall living space,it’s no surprise that most hired bath interior design professionals for the design and actual renovation work.
The reasons for remodeling stayed about the same
Except for the growing trend of taking aging-related needs into considering, the top reasons for a bathroom remodel stayed about the same for 2018:
- Style and beauty
- Adding to resale value
- Personalizing to tastes
- Spa-like atmosphere
- Energy efficiency
- Functionality
Bathrooms became high tech
2018 saw a surge in new technologies for the bathroom including:
- Self-cleaning toilets
- Built in night lights for toilets
- Self-deodorizers
- Mood lighting for showers
- Digital controls
- Sound systems in showers
- Heated backrests in bathtubs
- Built in sound and vibration in bathtubs
Top décor trends in 2018
Here are some of the more popular décor trends in 2018:
- Nickel - matte (brushed or satin) for faucets and other metal accessories
- Gray on walls and cabinetry
- Brick tile patterns
- Undermount sinks, though vessel sinks gained popularity
- Built-in vanity
2019 is looking to continue many of the trends we saw in 2018.If you need assistance with a master bathroom remodel or renovation, be sure to work with a reputable bathroom renovation specialist to get the results you want.
It’s no secret that fabulous window coverings can really make a room look polished and pulled together but with so many options to choose from, how do you decide which window treatment is right for you? We’ve created a room by room guide to choose the right window treatment, so you can pick your treatments with confidence.
A quick overview of window treatment options
Before we dive in to which window coverings work best in which room, here’s a quick overview of what your window treatment options are:
- Blinds
- Shades
- Shutters
- Curtains
- Drapes
Of course, within each of these categories are varying types of window coverings, but these are the basics. Ready? Let’s look at each room to see what kind of window treatment makes sense.
Living Rooms and Family Rooms
Depending on the style and orientation of the house (north, south, east or west) you might need to treat your windows differently. In general, curtains, drapes, and shutters are your best bet here. When considering curtains, consider any problems that you require your curtains to solve. Too much light? You will need a heavier or lined curtain rather than something light or sheer. Are you looking to dress up a formal living or dining room? Velvet or heavy silk might be a good option though consider your lifestyle too: homes with kids or pets may require easy washing cotton or rayon curtains. Shutters are a wonderful option that really let you control how much light you want in a room. More allergy-friendly than curtains or drapes, you can choose shutters in different slat widths, real wood or manufactured wood, and in numerous colors. Keep in mind that shutters typically require a frame, so you’ll lose some light when they’re installed. If your room is already fairly dark or lacking bright sun, you may also consider shades. Looking for just a tad bit of light protection and privacy? Sheers might be a good style for you as well. Plenty of light, the ability to look outside, and they can stay in place most of the time; no need to open, shut or adjust.
Kitchen
Most people don’t have a need for complete privacy in a kitchen, so choose a window treatment that makes sense for your lighting and overall functionality. Some people want constant light and bright, with no obstruction of their view at all. Valances are a nice option here, and can be made from materials, wood or metal. It’s the next best thing to no window treatment at all for a full unobstructed view! Need to control the lighting? Shades are a wonderful option here. Depending on your needs and what direction your kitchen window faces, you could opt for pleated shades, honeycomb shades, or even roman shades. These are also great options for glass doors to help with sunlight and privacy. Cafe shutters are designed to allow plenty of light but not too much by covering the lower half of a window, typically at table height. This makes them perfect for kitchens.
Bedroom
More than any other room, bedroom window treatments need to provide light control, temperature control, and privacy, which means you also have a LOT of options to choose from! Here are just a few:
- Shutters
- Vertical blinds
- Pleated shades
- Curtains
- Drapes
People struggle with choosing window coverings for bedrooms more than any other room. Why? It’s the balance between functionality and style. Working with a good interior designer can help here. They can help determine exactly what the room needs based on style and functionality. Panel drapes are nice as they can be easily moved around based on light and privacy needs. Wood blinds can provide more nuanced protection and privacy. Plantation shutters are actually not an ideal choice for bedrooms. They are not designed to be light-tight and can disturb your sleep.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms, like bedrooms, need privacy. Light is up to the individual person, though more natural light is always idea. Depending on where your bathroom window faces, shutters, blinds and shades would be best. While you may be able to put a curtain in there, the damp environment may not be ideal. Best to stick to a material that can hold up to moisture.
Hopefully this short article provided insight on which window coverings are best for which room. Still not sure? Contact an interior designer near you to help find window treatments.
Nothing is more exciting than when you’re doing a major remodeling project on your home. Whether it’s a kitchen, bath, bedroom or all the above, it’s thrilling to anticipate how your home will have fresh, new, updated look when the remodeling is done. Except for a few very brave homeowners, most people who are having their home remodeled will likely work with a licensed contractor, who should know what is required regarding pulling permits and city approvals. However, it might be a good idea to brush up on the basics yourself, just to be safe. Here’s what you need to know about home remodeling and permits.
What is a building permit?
Building permits are written authorizations issued by a city or county to construct a project. They are required for most construction or remodeling projects, to ensure the safety of the work and its compliance with building, construction, and zoning codes.
When do you need a permit for a remodeling project?
Seems like a simple question, but there are no easy answers! There are some projects that almost always need a permit, while others may, and still others do not. An article by The Spruce does a great job listing what may or may not need a permit, but here’s a partial list from that article:
You need a permit if you’re:
- Building an addition
- Moving or removing a load-bearing wall
- Any kind of major demolition
- Garage conversion
You may need a permit if you’re:
- Moving a sink
- Removing or moving a non-load bearing wall
- Replacing doors or window
You probably don’t need a permit if you’re:
- Putting in flooring
- Replacing an existing sink
- Doing minor electrical work
How can you find out if any portion of your remodeling project needs a permit?
Not all construction requires a building permit. Whether your remodeling project needs a permit depends on what is required by your local building code. Each municipality is governed by its own building code, which has its own permitting requirements. Your contractor should know which items require a permit and which don’t but to be safe, it’s best to contact your city building and permit office. Most have information online that you may review. It wouldn’t hurt to share that information with your contractor as well so you’re both on the same page about remodeling and permits.
Should contractors get building permits?
The short answer is that it’s up to you. If you hired a contractor for your project, they’re usually responsible to obtain or “pull” the permit. Keep in mind that the person who pulls the permit is responsible for construction following code, so the responsibility is on them. If you pull the permit, you are typically liable if there is a construction problem. Most opt to have their contractor deal with permits for a few reasons:
- Contractors know what does or doesn’t require a permit
- Contractors are familiar with the process and the city’s inspectors
- The contractor’s preexisting relationship with the city may work to your benefit to not running into issues
How do I pull a permit myself?
If you feel it’d be in your best interest to get a building permit on your own, here are the basic steps though again, each city is different so do your due diligence to make sure you check all the boxes:
- Complete a permit application
- Create a site plan for what you’ll be doing during the remodeling
- Obtain an appointment for the plan approval
Don’t forget that you can’t start any construction until you have received your approval!
How long does it take to get a building permit?
This varies by city and of course, it also depends on whether the application process was done correctly the first time. It’s not uncommon to have to revise the application or site plan before it’s approved. A plan review can take up to two weeks for residential construction. Review times vary, depending on the complexity of the project and the level of information you submit with your application. You want to plan and build that time into your overall remodeling timeline.
The process can be overwhelming, and many people are concerned that their contractor may not follow the process correctly. For kitchen or bath remodeling projects, finding a company that offers comprehensive design services can help manage the process. These companies can guide you through the complexities of kitchen and bath design, overseeing your project from concept to completion.
However, you choose to proceed, it’s a good idea to know about home remodeling and permits to help your project go smoothly.
It’s so exciting when you buy a new house! Whether it’s your very first home or not, the anticipation of new, even it’s an older home that’s new to you, brings visions of remodeling nirvana. Knock out this wall…move that stove…. maybe a bay window perhaps? As they say nowadays: “Slow your roll!”. While you want to make your new house the home you want to live in, there are a few remodeling and renovation mistakes to avoid when you buy a house. Read on to learn more.
You didn’t create a budget
Remodeling is the adult version of a kid in a candy store. Sure, you may start by thinking you’ll just change up a few things in the kitchen, but it’s a slippery slope of “I want” that can only be controlled by having a budget. Creating a budget will help create a solid plan so you have a very good idea what is involved in the remodel, and what it will cost; a good way to avoid “scope creep” where services change and shift, and costs usually rise as a result. If you create a budget then run across a MUST have or a “oh no, I didn’t plan for that” moment, you have the opportunity to look at your budget and perhaps reallocate expenditures versus simply increasing costs.
You didn’t work with a design professional
Unless you’re a design professional yourself, it’s a very good idea to hire one to help with renovating a new house. Why work with a design professional? They can save you time and money. They can help project manage a large remodeling project. They can present you with style options you may not have considered. They can often get you materials, accessories and furniture at their industry cost. They will make your life easier by making sure all aspects of the renovation are done correctly the first time. It’s a no-brainer to hire a professional for any remodeling you do. Its budget line item must!
You never lived in the house before you started renovations
We get it. It’s so much easier to do major renovations before you move into a house. No muss, no fuss, no mess. But hear us out. If you’re doing major remodeling, let’s say a kitchen, how can you truly determine what’s going to work if you’ve never cooked in the kitchen? You want your kitchen to be beautiful and functional. First, what kind of kitchen do you want? An eat-in kitchen? One built for entertaining? The ability to accommodate your mad baking skills? Consider how you currently use your kitchen and what would make your life easier and more functional. Maybe it’s adding or expanding an island. Perhaps it’s additional storage or the absolute must-have double oven. Where should these items be and what’s the overall flow of the kitchen area to best suit that? And what about storage? Unless you’re completely tearing down the kitchen and recreating the form, function, flow and footprint from scratch, perhaps a short test drive around the kitchen will help you remodel more effectively.
Not sticking with the plan
A design professional is going to help you not only create a budget, but they’ll create a functional plan overall and avoid renovation mistakes. Sure, there will be surprises along the way, but overall, you need to stick to a plan. Not doing so is not only costly but can sometimes results in a mismatched design that doesn’t flow. A patchwork of add-ons can really undermine the style of a remodel overall. Make a plan, stick to the plan.
Other new home buyer mistakes
Here are a few more mistakes that new home buyers make when they remodel or renovate their new home:
- Not creating a timeline
- Not checking references of workers and designers doing the remodel
- Not understanding measurements and scale (if you have a design professional, you’re covered here)
- Splurging unnecessarily
- Going cheap on foundational items like appliances
Buying a new home is thrilling! Make sure your bliss remains after all the dust settles by working with an interior designer to make the process easier and avoid renovation mistakes. Enjoy our new home!
