Bath Accessories

Bathroom accessories have undergone a revolution with regards to design and the level of comfort that they provide. There ar1C84e hundreds of bathroom accessory manufacturing companies which produce quality products for today's modern bathrooms. These products are available in the market and online for a large number of customers. There is such a large variety of accessories that you have a hard time in deciding in what to have and what not to have. Lets see some of the must have accessories which your bathroom must have and which if installed will take the comfort in your bathroom to the highest level.

1. Smart toilet are one must have accessory for any modern bathroom. This is an interesting product. The lid automatically opens and closes as you approach and leave. The flushing is also carried out automatically. It also gives added features such as heated seat and front and rear washing.

2. Bidets are installed in traditional and modern bathrooms and they are an important bath accessory. They are available in different designs. You can match it with your bathroom color and texture.

3. Urinals are an important accessory and are available in different exquisite designs. The designs make it easy and faster to use and add to the beauty of the bathroom.

4. Electronic faucets are used in modern bathrooms which are a symbol of ease and comfort. All you have to do is wave your hand and it will turn on.

5. Spa baths installed in the bathrooms provide heated water and massage facilities. It has a number of air jets and is a luxurious addition to the bathroom.

6. Tanning showers are also a luxurious addition to the bathroom inventory. It has a bronzing system which provides the tan and then it is washed by warm water.

7. Modern bathrooms have an ultra modern accessory known as spa showers. They are an important addition and help a person revitalize in the bath after the days routine.

8. Dry sauna is also an important gadget for the modern bathrooms. It helps in relieving different aches and makes a person feel comfortable and relaxed. It is available in the market in different styles and colors.

9. Towel warming drawers add to the luxury of your bathrooms by heating the towels you use. It gives a refreshing feeling to the person using the towel and the warmer is very easy to use.

10. Bath multimedia keeps you involved and entertained during the period you are in the bathroom. You can listen to MP3 songs, enjoy videos and also receive message either SMS or emails.

Modern bathrooms are place where you have a lot to install and all that you install add to the comfort you will enjoy in the future. The above mentioned are only a few things which are must in a bathroom. There are thousands of other things which you can place in your bathroom to make it a place of tranquil and peace. The more you add the more comfortable would be your bathroom.

Bathrooms Accessories are little treats that can make your life nicer, more about Bathrooms at http://bathroomscentral.com

Get The Most For Your Money With Home Remodeling

Every homeowner has a laundry list of improvements they'd like to make on their home. The problem most homeowners run into is that they aren't thinking ahead to the improvements that will provide the best return on their investment. Whether you plan to stay in your home a few short years or you're in it for the long haul, it's still a good idea to recognize the issues - positive or negative - that affect your home's resale value. A recent "Cost vs. Value Report" completed by Remodeling Online divides homes into two major categories (mid-range and upscale) to help homeowners determine where best to spend their money. This article focuses on those mid-range improvements that will bring you the best return on investment (ROI) in the Rolla/St. James, Missouri area.

Replace your Siding

With an 80.9% average rate of return, a phenomenal return for the Midwest, siding replacement was the overall winner for this region. This should be your first indication that buyers really do focus on curb appeal. As with any business, first impressions in real estate are important. You'd be surprised how many people rule out a home just by driving by. I have been on my way to show countless homes, only to find that once the buyer sees the outside of the home, they don't even bother looking inside. They may never see the remodeled bathrooms or new carpet you just invested all your time and energy in, so be sure that your first impression is positive and sticks with them.

Add a Deck

Wooden deck additions came in a close second with a 78.4% ROI. The great rate of return on decks stems in part from the fact that a wooden deck addition is extremely cost-effective. If your home is lacking a deck or similar outdoor space, consider adding a simple wooden deck to spice up the entertaining aspect of your back yard.

Replace Outdate or Inefficient Windows

Exhibiting a 73.7% ROI, vinyl window replacement came in strong as well, with wooden windows not far behind at 70.2%ROI. Window replacement continues to support the importance of curb appeal, and it also shows that bD58uyers are interested in lower energy bills. So, not only do windows increase a home's external appearance, they also help cut down on rising energy costs.

Spruce up the Kitchen & Bath

Any Realtor will tell you that new updates in the kitchen and bath sell a home extremely quickly. Kitchen remodels were categorized as major or minor, with minor remodels edging out major remodels 71.5% to 70.9%. Close behind were bathroom remodels with 68.8%, and bathroom additions came in at 61.8% ROI. Overall, these numbers are fairly strong, which proves that there is truth to the idea that buyers will walk away from a potential home that is lacking a quality kitchen and/or baths.

The Bottom of the Barrel

Roof replacement and office remodels finished at the bottom of the pack. Roof replacements are something that people address when they need to, but not usually because they want to, which brought this remodel in with 59.3% ROI. Few buyers are likely to replace a functional roof for aesthetic reasons, which factors in to its low ROI. However, the office remodel finished even lower, with 53% ROI, probably because most people don't view a home office space as necessary. Buyers are more likely to value rooms important in their everyday living, like kitchens, bathrooms, and family rooms, and see an office space as more of a bonus than a necessity.

This list is by no means a cut-and-dry order of areas you should remodel, but it does give you a general guideline of the remodels that might have greater benefit when it comes time to sell your home. Remember, though, that the location of your home, construction costs, and time frame are constantly changing and uncontrollable variables that can greatly affect these percentages.

Special thanks to: 2007 Hanley Wood, LLC for most of the statistics. Reproduced by permission. Complete city data from Remodeling Online 2007. Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded for free at www.costvsvalue.com.

Justin Renaud is a REALTOR working in the Rolla Missouri Real Estate market. He has been working with buyers and sellers full-time for the last three years. His website http://www.justinrenaud.com is a resource for buyers, sellers, and homeowners to find helpful advice as well as resources discussing the areas of Rolla, MO and St. James, MO.

The information for this article uses statistics for the St. Louis, MO region according to http://www.costvsvalue.com

Building a Home Addition

Besides providing your home with more living space, a home addition can be a terrific investment. However, before embarking on such a project the homeowner should first consider several important items. These items include: home market values in the neighborhood, financing, size and scale of project, architecture, timetable for completion, personal disruption/inconvenience threshold and the sweat equity commitment level.

Size of Addition and Market Value

Prior to actually breaking ground on a home addition, it is best to first determine what you are looking for in terms of additional living space. For example: How many square feet? What types of rooms? Once this is understood, it is then important to find out the market value of homes in the local area with similar size and features to the new and improved home. With this information the homeowner can then calculate the difference between their current home market value and the new and improved home market value. This difference should represent the maximum budget for the new addition if a positive investment is desired. For example, a homeowner would not want to spend $50,000 on a new home addition that provides only $25,000 in increased market value to the improved home.

Financing

The next important question involves how to fund the home addition. Unless the project is being funded via cash/savings then financing will be required. If current mortgage rates are higher than the existing mortgage, then a home equity loan will probably make the most sense. If current mortgage rates are lower than the existing mortgage, then refinancing the entire home, including the cost of the home addition project, may make the most sense.

Architectural Considerations

Once the financial items have been addressed it is then time to focus on the size and scale of the project, as well as the architectural and aesthetics of the new addition. The addition should be of size and scale such that it aesthetically melds into the original house. It should not be too small or too big. Frequently, homeowners get carried away and add large amounts of new living space without sufficient thought on the outside appearance. From a market value, there is more to a home than just pure living space. A home needs to maintain its exterior aesthetics as well. It is important to consider such items as siding, doors, windows, rooflines, and elevations. All should meld into the existing home exterior seamlessly and aesthetically.

If an architect is not planned for the project, then the homeowner should at least make some sketches of the home exterior with the new addition. The building inspector will probably require them anyways during the permit process. Also, there are many Home Design software packages on the market today that can help create such drawings.

Schedule and Sweat Equity Commitment

The next two items that should be considered include the timetable for completing the project and the homeowner sweaty equity commitment level. Many homeowners assume they can do a lot more than they are either skilled to do or have the time to do. From personal experience, I would suggest contracting out the site/ground work, rough framing, Roofing, siding, heating/cooling, and the drywall. All of these tasks require skill, time and brawn. If local laws permit, electric and plumbing may be tackled by the homeowner. However, both require skill and can be life threatening if not performed properly. Other tasks that a homeowner could tackle include installing interior doors, finish trim, painting, cabinet installation, tiling and hardwood flooring. Prior to a homeowner signing up to any specific task however, they should first honestly assess their skill and available time, and compare them to their project schedule. If they dont match, hire the contractor.

Threshold of Inconvenience and Disruption

Finally, a homeowner should consider their threshold for inconvenience and disruption. A home addition, particularly if it involves the kitchen, is very disruptive to todays busy lifestyles. It is also a dusty, dirty and noisy endeavor. In addition, dealing with subcontractors can be challenging at times. For a typical addition anticipate several months of effort and inconvenience.

If after assessing all these issues you are still willing to move forward with the project, contact your subcontractors, pull your permits and get ready for an exciting time. For most homeowners tackling a home addition is a positive experience that provides both new living space and a great investment.

Me_Donovan@comcast.net
http://www.homeadditionplus.com
http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. Mr. Donovan's formal education and profession have been as an Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager.

Be Your Own General Contractor and Save Money

If you are like most people your home is probably your greatest asset. With this said, it is natural that you would want to increase its value, keep it appealing and enhance its livability. Most homeowners would also like to be able to save themselves thousands of dollars by doing work on their own home and not having to hire a professional trades person. The value you add to your home by improving it yourself is called "Sweat Equity." The idea is that the less you pay to improve or enhance your home, the more profitable your home will be at resale time. Before attempting any project yourself always consider the scope of the project and what your real skills are.

What is a General Contractor?

Homeowners are sometimes not skilled enough to do their own projects so in order to save money some take on the role of general contractor when they are faced with a large project. By doing this they can often save 10-20 % of their total project cost.

So what does a general contractor do? They are usually hired to manage and oversee large home improvement projects, act as the main contact for the homeowner, help to ensure that the project goes smoothly and that the work is completed on schedule to the homeowner's satisfaction. Many homeowners feel that they could handle the role of a general contractor - and some of them have.

Let's find out more about the typical responsibilities placed on the general contractor's shoulders.

Responsibilities of the General Contractor

The general contractor is in charge of the home project start to finish-and everything in between! Here are some key elements of a project that a general contractor needs to be trained or skilled in.

- Ability to Get the Required Permits for the Project - local permits are required before any structural work can take place. A good general contractor knows which parts of the project will need a permit. He will also know how to apply for them and how to properly complete the paperwork. CF2Some projects may require approval from the local Board of Appeals and/or Planning Board. Be prepared to attend some meetings.

- Communicates With the Project Designer - the general contractor and project designer will normally work together reviewing the homeowners' ideas and final plans before work begins. If problems arise, the general contractor is the one who will normally be looked upon for suggestions by the designer.

- Receives and Evaluates Project Estimates - most general contractors have a network of quality sub contractors they rely on. For each trade needed good general contractors will get at least 2 bids to compare pricing. This can be the most time-consuming part of the general contractors' job. What he may be able to do in a few days could take the homeowner many weeks.

- Schedules the Different Trades - this can be very confusing and extremely frustrating for the homeowner. The general contractor knows what is happening all the time and what needs to be scheduled next. Like they say, "Timing is everything". This is so true in the construction industry.

- Responds to Questions and Problems - even with the best general contractors something is bound to go astray. Major delays can occur if issues cannot be resolved in a timely manner.

- Ability to Arrange for Inspections - throughout the project inspections will be needed in order to proceed to the next phase. The electrical and plumbing parts of the project need to be inspected at specific points. A good general contractor will anticipate when an inspection will be needed and plan accordingly.

Do You Have What It Takes?

If you feel confident that you have the SKILLS and TIME to be your own general contractor - go for it! Maybe you know someone who has been his or her own general contractor before. Ask them about their experience and learn from them. Most importantly, be honest with yourself - if you have ANY doubts, call a professional!

Paul Lawrence has owned and operated Home Project Partners, a free Maine-based contractor referral service, since 2002. He helps bring homeowners together with reliable, quality-conscious, pre-screened home contractors skilled in numerous trades.

For more information contact Paul at info@HomeProjectPartners.com or visit online at http://www.HomeProjectPartners.com

Basement Finishing Ideas You Should Consider

Coming up with basement finishing ideas is the first step to utilizing the space in your home. Whether you are thinking about finishing your basement on your own or you want to hire a professional you have to decide how you want to use the space before you can get started. There are many different aspects you have to look at when you are coming up with basement finishing ideas. Not only do you have to decide how you are going to use the space and what rooms will make the best edition to your home, you also have to decide on the dcor.

When you are finishing your basement you need to make sure there aren't any moisture problems. Sealing the walls and floor so that you have no seepage before you put up your walls is important, if this step is forgotten you will not only have more work to repair the problems, but you will have the huge expense of replacing the materials that were ruined as well as starting the project over.

One great basement finishing idea is to use the space as an office or workspace. Basement offices are great for starting your own business or keeping up with your work at home. A basement library is also a great idea when you are looking into finishing your basement. If there is space that you can place book shelves, add good lighting, and keep warm and quiet you have a perfect home library. Families with teens and preteens can use a library for a study area before important tests.

Basements are also a good place for an entertainment room. When you are coming up with basement finishing ideas you need to look at costs. If you decide to make an entertainment room you not only have to look at the cost of building materials and the construction crew (if you hire professionals) as well as remembering the cost of the furnishings for the entertainment room. It is not very entertaining to have a large empty room. Keeping your ideas within your budget is important.

When finishing the basement you will want to think about the floor coverings. Carpeting is an effective way to cover the floor and keep the room looking nice while adding warmth and personality. If you choose to carpet the area you may want to double pad the carpet. Unlike the other levels in your home the basement is on a concrete floor. If you don't add to the padding then standing on the basement floor for long periods of time can cause leg and back pain.

While you are coming up with your basement finishing ideas there are several things to think about. Keeping in mind what your budget is and what you want to use the space for will help you to be able to meet your goals. Once you have come up with the basement finishing ideas that you find appealing you can then move forward with your remodeling plans.

If you're looking for more basement refinishing ideas or some really creative basement ceiling ideas then visit us to learn more about the Owens Corning Basement System

Developing a Garage Addition Building Plan and Estimating Garage Addition Costs

The decision to add on a garage addition to a home is one of the best home improvement projects a homeowner can make. A garage addition provides great utility and can significantly increase the value of a home. Prior to actually breaking ground, however, a garage addition plan and garage addition costs estimates should be developed.

A garage addition plan starts with making initial sketches of the garage addition concept and evaluating how it will tie in with the existing home structure. Though most homeowners prefer a large garage, it is very important during this phase to consider proportions between the existing home and the new garage addition. To aesthetically look appealing from the road the garage addition length should not exceed two-thirds the length of the existing home. Otherwise the garage addition could overwhelm the existing home structure. The depth or width of the garage addition is less critical from an aesthetic standpoint, as it is usually less visible from the road.

Once the initial sketches have been completed, detailed garage addition Building Plans should be generated. Depending on the complexity of the garage addition either the homeowner or an architect can develop the actual garage addition Building Plans. In either case, the plans will need to include scaled drawings with dimensions, and cross-sectional construction views with constructional materials specified. The cross-sectional views should include from the concrete footings all the way to the peak of the roof. Each new transition from the footings up should be carefully drawn. Examples include: the footing/Foundation transition, the Foundation/sill plate transition, and the wall/roof rafter transition. The plans should also include a comprehensive bill of materials for the project. In addition, all property lines and appropriate setbacks should be clearly shown in the drawings.

Estimating the garage addition costs depends on who is building the addition. If the homeowner plans on acting as his or her own general contractor and performing some of the work (e.g. the framing) then costs will need to be calculated starting with the bill of materials generated during the planning phase. With a comprehensive bill of materials a homeowner can provide much of the list to any home improvement store where they can fill out the pricing information for the specific items for the project. For specialty items such as garage doors, garage door openers, and in some cases lighting and plumbing fixtures (if required for the garage addition) the homeowner may need to contact specialty stores for pricing. The subcontractors may also be able to provide some unit pricing (e.g. garage doors).

If the homeowner is acting as his or her own general contractor and will require subcontractors, then it is important that they identify early the subcontractors and review with them the plans and development schedule. Each subcontractor should provide a firm fixed estimate for the particular job based on the plans and bill of materials. In addition their bid should also include start/complete dates for the particular job.

With garage addition plans and costs estimates in place the homeowner can then proceed with pulling permits and developing a fairly accurate building schedule.

Once permits have been approved, construction of the garage addition can begin. It is important to note, however, that even with the best plans in place things happen and schedules slip. To mitigate schedule slips a homeowner acting as his or her own general contractor should factor in some buffer to the schedule and always be looking ahead several weeks during the entire project. They should regularly check with suppliers to ensure building material will arrive when required and should occasionally check with subcontractors to ensure that their schedules are still in line with your garage addition project.

With these simple planning, budgeting and scheduling issues addressed prior to the start of the project, building a garage addition can be a positive experience both pre and post construction phase.

For more information on building a garage addition see the Garage Addition Bid Sheet from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Garage Addition Bid Sheet includes an extensive questionnaire (Request for Quote) that a homeowner can provide to prospective general contractors and subcontractors for bidding the garage addition. In addition, the Garage Addition Bid sheet also includes estimated costs and time intervals for constructing a garage addition as well as a list of key home material manufacturers. Finally, the Garage Addition Bid Sheet includes an extensive set of helpful tips and advice on making sure the garage addition is built properly and on time and budget.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.

Choosing A Walk In Bathtub

Walk in bathtubs are becoming increasingly popular, not only for those who in their senior years find themselves wanting to remain independent, but also for those who are approaching the baby boomer years and preparing for retirement.

With so many models and options now flooding the market, choosing a walk in bathtub can be difficult. Walk in bathtubs are sold on the web under a variety of names and2238 website addresses. If you want to be sure of what you are buying, contact the manufacturer for information about the product. Look for upfront answers to the following questions:

1. How long have you been manufacturing walk in bathtubs?
2. What is the price?
3. Can my local plumber or installer do the installation?
4. Where can I see the bathtub?
5. What is the warranty?
6. Does the bathtub hold more water than a regular bathtub?
7. Does the tub have CSA/UL certification?
8. What options are available?
9. How does your tub differ from other walk in bathtubs on the market?

Beware of companies who try to sell you a walk in bathtub whether it is the right choice for you or not. Walk in bathtubs are not for people who are wheelchair bound and cannot transfer. People who suffer from Alzheimers; someone who could not be left alone to use a stove, should not be left alone to bathe. If you have concerns about the ability of an individual to use the walk in bath, express those concerns. A credible manufacturer will be honest about who the users of their product should be.

It is wise to remember that convenience, comfort and safety should be the main objective you are purchasing a walk-in bathtub.

For more information:
Visit: http://www.safetybath.com
Safety Bath Inc.
504 5th Ave NE
Ituna, Saskatchewan, Canada

Author
Pat Krushen
Phone: 1 877 826 6666 Ext: 22
Fax: 1 306 795 3533
Email: Pat@safetybath.com