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    10 Bathroom Mistakes to Avoid in Remodeling

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    What avoids in bathroom remodeling
    Things to avoid when renovating a bathroom.

    When planning a bathroom renovation, everyone wants everything to go perfectly. We dream of getting exactly what we have planned, without any complications. But unfortunately, sometimes we are faced with troubles that we did not even know about. On Point Remodeling tells you about 10 bathroom mistakes to avoid in remodeling.

    • Hiring Trades without License
    • Selecting Materials mid Process
    • Using too many Different Tiles
    • Buy Furniture from Unknown Brands
    • Experimenting with Paint and Colors
    • Overstocking or Over Decorating in Bathroom
    • Focusing Mostly on Fixture Light
    • Setting Low Budget for Remodeling
    • Installing Shower Area Next to Window
    • Features for Moisture Accumulation

    1.Hiring Trades without License

    The choice of a contractor or company for the renovation work is very important. Most of the final result will depend on who you turn to. Experience and teamwork of a team of specialists are the main criteria when choosing a company for the bathroom remodeling.

    Each professional worker is licensed to perform work. The presence of a license is a guarantor of the qualifications of employees and the work they perform. It is worth asking a company representative about the availability of these documents before concluding a contract.

    Hiring unskilled workers to renovate your home can have negative consequences. The work may be performed poorly or not meet the required standards. This can lead to unnecessary rework costs or the result will not correspond to the original plan.

    By choosing professional workers for repairs, you guarantee yourself peace of mind in these aspects.

    2.Selecting Materials mid Process

    It is advisable to select materials for repairs before starting. The importance of this is due to the savings in time during repair work. If you choose materials directly during the renovation, you will encounter delays.

    The material you need may simply not be available, and its delivery will take some time. This will entail some problems such as delayed repairs and downtime. Companies schedule all stages of work and if there are unforeseen delays, everything may be disrupted. We do not think that you would like to extend the renovation for an extra couple of months.

    3.Using too Many Different Tiles

    Tile selection principles
    Choose a color for your bathroom tiles.

    We’ve all seen slick bathroom tile designs in pictures on the internet. This is true, the masters of their craft can complete a masterpiece using different types of tiles. Still, it is worth treating this with caution.

    Using many different types of tiles can lead to undesirable results. Different shapes and colors of tiles may not be compatible and will not look comfortable.

    Talk to your designer to determine the optimal number of tile types to use. Many bathrooms use a maximum of two different types of tiles, for walls and floors. If you harmoniously choose the style of the bathroom, this will be enough.

    Remember that a bathroom is a place of relaxation in which you should be cozy and comfortable to spend time.

    4.Buy Furniture from Unknown Brands

    The variety of manufacturers in our time is very great. For example, there are hundreds of different brands of faucets and sinks. On Point Remodeling recommends choosing appliances and bathroom fixtures from well-known brands.

    The main reason is that these brands are very common and have quality assurance. The second reason is the availability of replacement parts that have an operational life.

    You can use any brands of your choice. But remember that unknown brands can’t often replace individual parts. You will have to completely change the given thing, be it vanity, sink, or something else.

    5.Experimenting with Paint and Colors

    Experimenting with paint and colors very common bathroom mistakes to avoid. The appearance of the bathroom is immediately striking and can be both pleasant and repulsive. Colors play an important role in this. Choosing a certain style in which the bathroom will be made, it is worth choosing the right colors.

    The choice of paint for walls in a bathroom is not based solely on color. The quality of the paint used is also an important factor. When taking a bath or shower, a lot of steam is generated, and water constantly gets on the walls. Because of this, paint is used that has increased resistance to moisture.

    Moisture is also a favorable condition for the development of bacteria. We recommend using silver-mixed paint in the bathroom, which has antibacterial properties.

    6.Overstocking or Over Decorating in Bathroom

    Decorative elements play an important part in every room, no matter what style it is made in. In the decor, as in everything else, a sense of proportion is very important. A bathroom can be unwelcoming and repulsive with little or too much decor.

    We recommend that you approach this process responsibly. If you do not want to do it yourself, then contact the professionals. An experienced designer will help you choose the right style for the bathroom and select all the necessary decor elements. He will be able to offer you several variations and you just have to choose what you like best.

    The second option is to do everything yourself. Studying different styles and choosing the necessary decor can take a lot of time. In any of these options, it is important to respect the proportions, and it’s up to you to do it yourself or use the help of a specialist.

    7.Focusing Mostly on Fixture Light

    Focusing on fixture light
    Take care of enough light in the bathroom.

    Good lighting is an important part of any room. You should take care of enough of it in the bathroom. In the daytime, windows that let in a lot of sunlight can help you with this. Evening routines will require better lighting in the room.

    Since every corner in the bathroom is dedicated to something specific, general lighting may not be enough. You should take care of additional light sources near the sink and mirror. Proper control of the lighting in the bathroom will save you discomfort while taking a bath or hygiene procedures at the sink.

    8.Setting Low Budget for Remodeling

    A poorly planned budget leads to many problems in the renovation. Lack of money can drag out the work over a long period. On Point Remodeling advises approaching this issue very responsibly. To avoid such problems, it is worth completing several important steps before starting bathroom remodeling.

    Determine exactly what the bathroom will look like with all the details. You must understand what is worth replacing, how everything will be located, and what kind of furniture will be present. To do this, you can use 3D modeling of the room, which will allow you to see the final result even before the start of the repair.

    Explain to the renovation company representative what you want. Having seen the exact plan, the company will be able to draw up the budget necessary for all the work and the purchase of materials. It is worth remembering that additional costs are possible, as the budget may increase if additional work is needed. For example, after removing the bathtub and flooring, you will find that you need to completely change all the plumbing.

    Always count on this and do not spend the last money on repairs. The company advises keeping 10% of the total repairs in reserve besides if unforeseen expenses arise.

    9.Installing Shower Area Next to Window

    Installing shower area
    One of the right ways to install a shower area.

    There are several reasons why it is not recommended to install a shower near a window. The most commonplace of these is privacy when showering. You can install special windows or blinds, but you will still feel slight discomfort.

    The more important reason is that the shower area should have as few horizontal surfaces as possible. The thickness of the window is much less than the thickness of the wall in the house. This leads to the fact that the window will have a window sill made of tiles or solid stone surfaces.

    When taking a shower, water will fall on this window sill and cannot easily drain into the sewer hole. This is hello to the fact that there will be residual moisture in the bathroom. Excessive dampness contributes to the development of harmful microorganisms that are harmful to humans.

    10.Features for Moisture Accumulation

    Ways to get rid of excess moisture should always be considered when designing a bathroom. Installing a high-quality ventilation system is one of them. Ventilation is installed in the bathroom with a built-in cooler for better extraction.

    The floor in the shower room is made with a slight slope so that the water flows smoothly into the drain. Heating also plays an important part in keeping the bathroom dry during the cold season.

    At first glance, these little things are very important when repairing. They will make your bathroom more comfortable. You can get these details from the repair company. They will be happy to advise you on the necessary solutions based on the layout of your home.

    Conclusion

    Everyone is capable of making mistakes, especially where they have no experience. Don’t give up if you have any problems and bathroom mistakes to avoid.

    Each of the ten points above has been a problem more than once during or after renovation. We can say that this is information for those who are just thinking about repairs or have just begun. We hope you find this information useful when remodeling the bathroom.

     

    Walkway and Driveway Radiant Heating Systems

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    Walkway and driveway radiant heating systems
    Renovated house with heated driveway system installed.

    It has been a problem for decades to shovel snow off your driveway during winter season. Having car is not a luxury anymore and maintaining safe driveway has always been on our inconvenience list.

    All of us have experienced with a snow surprise and early morning snow shoveling before going to work. The cheapest and easiest way was always to pay $20 to neighbor kid for cleaning all the snow from driveway but now there are more comfortable ways.

    Today we are going to talk about radiant heating systems for driveway and walkway and here are the topics to cover:

    • Types of Heater Systems Under Driveway
    • What Other Benefits Does It Have
    • Installation of Driveway Heaters
    • Heated Driveway Costs Explained
    • Maintenance Throughout the Year
    • Lifespan of Heating System
    • Hiring Contractor of Walkway Heating System
    • Where to Purchase Driveway Heating Mats

    This invention is definitely making life more luxurious for those of us who already have a house with a driveway and a car.

    Types of Heater Systems under Driveway

    Generally speaking there are two types of heaters systems that can be used for driveways and walkways of your home. They are both installed under the surface and radiate heat through few layers installed on top.

    Water Heated Driveway or Hydronic System – plastic water pipes are installed under your driveway or walkway in loops. Each section (run) should cover maximum 400 sq ft, otherwise heat will not spread properly.

    Water is filled inside these pipes and it constantly circulates from one end to another. Pipes are connected to manifold with several sections or single switch for shut off.

    Water is getting heat up by water heater or boiler system that is installed inside the house.

    Electrical Heated Driveway – prewired mats are connected together and installed under the pavement similar to water pipes.

    Low electrical charge is sent through the wires and they warm up. This process increases temperature of surrounding materials (concrete and asphalt).

    Electrical heated driveway system is connected to one power line that meets at thermostat or other controller and continues into electrical panel on dedicated breaker.

    Both systems are relatively similar in process and function. Only difference is one has hot water running through that is heated up from boiler and electrical system gets heated up by electrical current and uses direct energy.

    What Other Benefits Does It Have

    Aside from being luxurious addition to your house, driveway radiant heating system has few other benefits that we would like to point out to our readers.

    Safety – accumulation of snow and ice on driveway becomes dangerous issue for your family and anyone who walks on it. Especially businesses may sometimes have unfortunate slip and fall law suits. Heated systems prevent from such incidents and have you stop worrying about falling on ice.

    Smart System – as new technology progressing, the whole world can be controlled from your phone. Driveway radiant heaters can also be connected to smart system that works on phone application. Imagine driving from airport and turning on driveway melting system and having all snow gone by the time you arrive.

    Saving Money – by spending money on installation of electric or water heated driveway you can be saving in long run. When doing new driveway adding heaters is not that expensive and you will be not spending any money through the winter for salting bags and hiring someone to shovel the snow.

    Selling Point – when you have driveway heaters installed, it is easier to sell the property or even increase the selling price. This feature will stand out from other properties on market and puts you ahead of competition. High end homes require as many unique features as possible and this is one of them.

    Installation of Driveway Radiant Heating Explained

    Installation of driveway heaters explained
    Pipes installed before concrete for heating.

    Home owners that are interested in process of installation can see below On Point Remodeling Step by Step guide. Either trying to complete DIY project or monitoring contractor that you hired for driveway radiant heating installation, you can learn how it should be done here.

    Demolition and Removal of Existing Driveway Surface – You can’t just install heating system on top of existing driveway. First step is removing the layers all the way to the ground/soil. This is done with specific machinery or excavator.

    Preparation of Soil and Gravel with Leveling – To make sure your driveway does not sink in few years, we recommend stabilizing the ground by method of compaction. Gravel is leveled on top of stable soil to make subsurface even.

    Running Tubes or Wire Mats – Next step is relatively similar for electrical and plumbing tubes installation. Specialists install heat transmission material along the perimeter you want to heat up. Matts come in sections that are connected one to another and plumbing tubes run in loop sections no more than 400 sq ft each.

    Connection to Main Heat Source – The whole system is connected to main heat source that is usually placed inside the house. For water pipes it is either boiler or hot water tank, while wires are connected to electrical panel or breaker system.

    Testing how Heating System Works – Before you close up thousands worth of work and material and install heavy construction on top we strongly recommend testing entire heating system several times.

    Installation of Top Surface – Now it’s time to select what material to use for driveway and install it on top of heating mats or radiant heating system with pipes. Most preferred surface materials are poured concrete or asphalt.

    Heated Driveway Costs Explained

    Before any luxury feature is added to your home the number one question that gets asked is how much will it cost? Our idea was to break down several steps of the installation and give approximate costs for driveway heaters.

    This way home owner can see how much it can cost to hire contractors or to do some of the work by themselves. For calculating purposes we took average size driveway being 500 square feet.

    Demo and excavation – $3 per square foot or on average $1500 per regular driveway.

    This includes ripping old part of asphalt or concrete with excavator and completely disposing it. For home owners who start building their new home, this expense will never show up. On new lot or after home demolition, there will be no more driveway to demolish.

    Purchasing materials – Electrical heater mats cost $10 per square foot. Radian heat water pipe loops cost $4 per square foot with Styrofoam boards.

    Heat from water is cheaper comparing to electricity and materials used are much cheaper.

    Installation of heating system – For electrical system its $3 per square foot, while pipe loop system with water will cost you $6 per square foot.

    Now electrical connections are cheaper than water. Matts simply connect together and within few hours the job is almost done. The last step is to connect it to main power unit. For heated system with water pipes, installers drag and bend loops of all cross the driveway. At end connection all pipes are attached to manifold which goes to either boiler or hot water tank system.

    Redoing surface of driveway – We are going to consider only Asphalt which costs $5 per square foot and concrete driveway surface at $8 per square foot.

    There is no average number simply because there are at least 7 different driveway materials you can use.

    To sum it all up for an average size driveway home owners are looking to spend $10500 for new heated driveway system installation.

    Maintenance Throughout the Year

    Hydronic system with pex tubes does not require specific maintenance. The water mix inside the pipe has nonfreezing components that prevent it from completely freezing during the winter.

    However the heater or boiler is recommended to have annual inspections for proper heat supply and other details.

    Electrical heated driveway mats can be inspected at connections for rust and damage that could break the circuit and shut down entire system.

    Breakers and main cable is also to be inspected annually by master electrician.

    Lifespan of Heating System

    There is a big debate on how long driveway radiant heating system can keep on going. Electrical matts on average serve around 15 – 18 years if installed properly and maintained. Small defects and bent cables can overheat and burn out.

    Hydronic heat system with pex pipes tends to serve much longer and our research shows that average lifespan is 25 – 30 years. This is due to very strong pex pipes that don’t break even if bent.

    In reality, heated driveway has not been around for very long time to properly test their lifespan. On Point Remodeling suggest ensuring careful installation, annual maintenance and not allowing heavy duty vehicles on driveway that can damage surface with system underneath.

    Lifespan of driveway heating system
    How long does driveway heated system work.

    Conclusion for Walkway and Driveway Radiant Heating System

    Upgrading you home or business driveway with a function to heat up and melt the snow is luxurious. It is not for everyone, but those who do install in have not been complaining.

    For new home construction we definitely recommend installing heated walkways and driveway at discounted price. New builds do not require tear up, and will surfacing driveway cost. You simply add the material and installation of heating product.

    On Point Remodeling can help find trusted and experienced contractors for installation of heated driveway and walkway.

    7 Optimal Kitchen Layout Positions and Ways to Place Cabinets

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    7 Layouts of Kitchen Cabinets Positions
    Types of cabinet positioning popular for kitchens.

    There are many details to consider when building a home. Particular attention should be paid to the layout of your future kitchen. There are many types of locations and it is worth knowing about them before making a choice.

    • L-Shaped Kitchen
    • G-Shaped Kitchen
    • U-Shaped Kitchen
    • One Wall Kitchen
    • One Wall with Island
    • Round Shape Kitchen
    • Random Positions

    Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of these types of kitchen furniture positioning so that you can decide what suits your needs and desires.

    1.L-Shaped Layout of Kitchen

    L-shaped kitchen layout
    White cabinets located in the kitchen in L-shape.

    L-shaped is an optimal kitchen layout that the most common in America. This positioning has gained its popularity for its functionality and convenience, which is suitable for almost all types of kitchen styles. With this type of kitchen positioning, you will have a lot of free space and you will not have to huddle, being shackled between countertops.

    One of the advantages of this layout is the division of jobs. Zones for washing, cutting, and cooking are separated from each other, which makes it convenient to work in the kitchen, allowing you to control all processes.

    In addition to the workspace, this design includes a variety of cabinets for storing all the necessary kitchen tools. This arrangement is great for medium-sized kitchens, allowing you to save space.

    Among the inconveniences, one can single out the fact that this type of kitchen is not suitable for joint cooking by several people. Also, since the work surfaces are located along two walls, you will have to constantly move around making additional movements.

    2.G-Shaped Kitchen Cabinets Position

    The G-Shaped Kitchen is a modern take on the U-Shaped Kitchen with the addition of a peninsula to create more work surfaces. This location is great for those who want to use every fit in the kitchen to their advantage.

    You can fully immerse yourself in the cooking process, and everything you need will be at your fingertips. Being surrounded on three sides by working surfaces, cooking will be much more efficient without spending extra time on movement.

    Even though such planning separates the kitchen from the guest room by a peninsula, it is not blocked by a wall, so you can easily maintain a dialogue with guests who are not involved in cooking.

    Of the disadvantages of this kitchen position, one can note that there are one entrance and a small amount of free space, which will not allow several people to effectively use the kitchen at the same time. A design like this is best used if you like to cook a lot and use a lot of kitchen utensils.

    3.U-Shaped Style Kitchen

    U-Shaped Kitchens were very popular in the 20th century in homes with limited space. The economical placement of all kitchen utensils and work surfaces was an important part of this style. Nevertheless, this style is also used in modern houses with several advantages.

    The U-Shaped Kitchen has three walls along which work surfaces and cabinets are located, but it also has enough space for several people on it. This contributes to the convenience of cooking together, making food preparation easier.

    This design is perfect for people who don’t like modern fashion for open kitchens. You can even install a door, for optimal kitchen layout. That will be a full-fledged separate space where you only enter when needed.

    The disadvantages of this kitchen can be a small amount of free space. You should design the dimensions correctly during the construction phase to avoid such problems. This style is not recommended for people who experience discomfort in enclosed spaces.

    4.One Wall layout of Kitchen

    Spacious one wall kitchen
    Spacious bright kitchen with dark cabinets.

    One wall kitchen is a great solution for small families. The simplicity of such a kitchen is that it does not take up much space and for the most part complements the dining room. If you don’t plan on spending a lot of time cooking, this might be a great choice for you.

    This design does not include an installed island, which allows it to be more flexible in use. In these kitchens, I use tables that can be easily moved or removed after cooking, which will save a lot of open space.

    One wall kitchen style has gained its popularity in modern lofts that are full of minimalism with a minimum of fixed furniture.

    The disadvantages of this style are the small amount of workspace. Also, since you only use one wall for the kitchen, you will not have much space to store kitchen utensils.

    5.One Wall with Island Cabinets

    One wall kitchen with Island is an improvement over the previous style. With the addition of a layout of kitchen with island, extra space appears in the form of work surfaces, which avoids the inconvenience of steam cooking.

    Since the kitchen island can be used as a table for dining and gathering with friends and family, it can be a great addition to your kitchen. With this addition, the disadvantages of one wall kitchen are almost eliminated, which makes this type of kitchen style more popular than the one described above.

    6.Round Shape Kitchen

    Round shape kitchens have gained their popularity in homes with large kitchens. The essence of this style is that in the center of the kitchen there is a round island, around which kitchen furniture and appliances are located along the walls. This style can be combined with both the L-shaped kitchen and the U-shaped kitchen, the main thing is the correct and optimal kitchen layout.

    In addition to a large number of work surfaces and cabinets, this style is convenient because everyone who is currently in the kitchen is opposite and you can comfortably keep up a conversation while performing the cooking processes.

    The rounded shape of the island is safer, without sharp corners that you can catch or bump into. It will be very convenient for families with small children running around the house.

    The disadvantages of the round shape kitchen are that the round island has significantly fewer seats, which can be inconvenient if many guests come to your house. The second drawback is that this style takes up a lot of space and is not well suited for small kitchens.

    7.Random Positions

    Kitchen with many cabinets
    The luxurious table in a furnished bright kitchen.

    There are cases when your non-standard shape and the usual types of furniture arrangements do not fit, in such cases random positions are used. The essence of this method lies in the fact that the furniture is placed without a template version, but it is planned exclusively for this kitchen.

    The second option for using this type of arrangement maybe when a person does it for the first time and simply arranges everything as he pleases. Most often, this is done by the owners of the house, who do not want to contact the designer.

    Inexperience in design can have a negative effect. It may happen that after placing the furniture, you will feel some discomfort due to the small amount of free space or inconvenience in cooking.

    Any project should be approached wisely, and if you want your kitchen to have a special shape, then you should take the time to plan it.

    Conclusion for Optimal Kitchen Layouts and Cabinet Positions

    When planning kitchen renovations, it is important to understand in advance in what style the design will be made. It is worth considering all the available options for placing kitchen furniture for maximum comfort and functionality.

    A description of the main advantages of On Point Remodeling basic kitchen utensil positioning styles will help you make the right choice. The main thing is to remember that there is no clear standard and something is suitable for everyone.

    Ask for advice from a designer, try experimenting, and bring something new to established standards for maximum results.

    List of Needed Bathroom Remodel Materials

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    Materials needed for bathroom remodel
    Materials that can’t be dispensed with when renovating a bathroom.

    The bathroom is a part of an essential place in the house and you need to know what to purchase for your bathroom. If you need to set up your new bathroom or you want to renovate the old one, there are things to consider or put into consideration.

    But the challenge often time is that most house owner does not know where to start from making a list for bathroom renovation for the purchase before starting..

    This guide will help you through planning and knowing the right materials to choose for quality and durable bathroom construction material that will in turn compliment your house.

    • Tools (if it’s DIY remodeling)
    • Construction materials
    • Electrical Fixtures
    • Plumbing Fixtures
    • Tiles
    • Lights
    • Cabinets
    • Paint

    A checklist of what you need to purchase for new a bathroom.

    1.Tools (if it’s DIY remodeling)

    When planning a repair with your own hands, it is very important to take care of the availability of all the necessary tools. Each stage of work requires different tools and you should take care of their availability in advance. The list of bathroom remodel materials depends on what stages of work will be carried out, for example, a drill for curing drywall and a roller with trays for painting walls.

    The tools you need can be expensive and you should try to rent them. This can save you a couple of hundred dollars and you don’t have to think about where to store a tool that you no longer need after repair.

    2.Construction Bathroom Remodel Materials

    Building materials are the basis of every renovation and you cannot do without them. When drawing up a project, they calculate the required number for each stage of work.

    The purchase of building materials can be done in two ways. The first option is to buy everything on the budget in one go from the store by hiring a truck. This will save you travel costs, but you should take care of where to store all of these materials.

    The second way is to buy the necessary materials for each stage of construction. In this case, you do not have to worry about having enough storage space for all materials. It is also worth understanding that in the process of work, the number of required materials may change slightly, and this will allow you to buy only the required amount of building materials.

    3.Electrical Fixtures

    Electrical fixtures for bathroom
    Small bathroom with electric towel dryer.

    The installation phase of the new wiring is a very important part. You cannot complete this process without a specialist and he will choose the necessary wires and all the materials associated with them, but this does not mean that you will not have anything to do.

    You can take on a selection of sockets and switches that will go well with your bathroom style. Many electrical appliances are installed in the bathroom for convenience. These include Bluetooth speakers, bathroom TV, shaver socket, and more.

    4.Plumbing Fixtures

    The choice of bathroom fixtures depends on your preferences. On Point Remodeling advises you to choose bathroom accessories according to your capabilities and needs.

    Before starting the renovation, it is worth deciding what should be in the bathroom, whether it will be a sink, toilet, and shower, or you want to install a stand-alone tub and a jacuzzi. Base your choice on our list of bathroom remodel materials and your budget.

    Aside from basic plumbing, you also need to select and buy smaller fittings such as sink faucets and showerheads to match your bathroom style.

    5.Tiles

    Tiled bathroom in the house
    A styled grey bathroom covered with tile.

    The tile is used as the main floor and wall covering in bathrooms. It has excellent moisture resistance and is not damaged by constant contact with water. The tiles can be made from different materials, which include ceramic, porcelain, concrete, or natural stones.

    Each type has its differences and is combined with different styles. Ask your designer for help and they will help you with a choice based on your preferences and budget.

    6.Lights

    As in any room, there are two types of lighting in the bathroom, natural, when sunlight enters the room through the windows and artificial, for which lighting fixtures are used.

    If the design of windows is carried out at the time of construction, then many types of lamps are used for artificial lighting, which almost always changes during the repair. What type and style they will decide for you.

    Pot lights and LED lights are most often used in the bathroom because of their resistance and moisture resistance, but you can also install pendant lights near the sink and mirror for convenience and beauty.

    7.Cabinets

    Cabinets in the bathroom
    Different kinds of cabinets are used in the bathroom.

    Planning cabinets, shelving, and storing can be challenging finding a way of fixing them in a small place like the bathroom however, they need to be functional in other to accommodate your stuff for easy reach whenever you require it.

    In actual sense, there is a need for the furniture and storage necessarily needs to fit into available space and match the style of your bathroom. Most of the furniture is made to order, according to the dimensions you provide, which will take some time and it is worth ordering furniture at the beginning of work so that at the time of installation it is already ready and does not delay the progress of repair work.

    8.Paint

    With the use of colors to create a comfortable atmosphere in your bathroom it brings out the irresistible feeling color can evoke right within you. It is, however, pertinent to buy paint that fits into your design. Painting your bathroom is bringing about a whole lot glamour that is top-notch, however, when making your selection carefully choose your color so that it blends very well with other interiors in the bathroom, this is very important to avoid a costly mistake.

    When choosing paint, its composition is very important. For example, for a bathroom in which excessive moisture is considered the norm after taking a hot shower, it is better to use paint with the addition of silver to the composition. This type of paint has additional protection against the development of bacteria harmful to humans.

    Conclusion for List of Materials Needed to Remodel a Bathroom

    It is easier to forget the simplest things whiles planning your budget what you need to get for your new bathroom while the challenge of balancing priorities might rigorous. Thus it is advisable to have a checklist and you need the service of a hired company to do the job for you.

    There are quite a numbers of factor that will, however, influence the choice of what and what to buy for you new bathroom which ranges from wide areas of peculiar difference to your house, some of this factors range from purchasing power (money), size or space area (how big or small your bathroom is), family members that will be using the bathroom together with needs to be considered for instance young children and aged people should be considered in the choice of flooring tile to buy to prevent chaos and how trendy the homeowner is will determine the choice materials to purchase for the new bathroom.

    It is however very important to make sure you have a list of bathroom remodel materials before starting work and do your best to make all construction material ready as well this will help in not slowing down the speed of the work.

    Building Spec Home vs Custom home vs Modular Home

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    Spec Home vs Custom Home vs Modular Home
    Difference between custom, spec and modular homes.

    Intro for Spec Home vs Custom Home vs Modular Homes

    We all live somewhere with large family or alone. Some people prefer to be in high rise condos in the middle of the city and some want to live in their own home with part of land.

    There are tons of options to purchase houses that were built in any city and in any area, but today we are talking about options to build new home on purchased piece of land.

    This can be done on empty lot or on land that has older home that needs to be demolished. In this article On Point Remodeling discusses three types of homes that you can build. These types will be Custom Homes, Spec Homes and Modular homes.

    Building New Custom Homes

    Custom home construction costs and timelines
    New home constructed near mountains in Seattle.

    First we would like to explain what new custom home actually means. Let’s say you have land on which you can build from scratch or demolish old existing place with idea to construct something new and awesome.

    At this point you would contact local architect or new construction builder to come up with a plan and design something that you would really like. The idea is to go nuts and make something that no other person has. There is no showroom or limit to what type of materials you can chose from. You literally can order tiles from Europe with the most unique pattern, toilets from japan and hardwood from Belarus.

    Before construction starts designer and architect work with client to get all details right. There can be up to 50 finishing details to finalize and set your approval on. Examples of these are: flooring, paint, exterior stone, stairs and many-many more.

    Pros

    • Complete freedom of choices – There is no spot to custom selections for your new home when its build. Home owners or clients can get items in local stores, online sellers or even ship them from different countries.
    • Home will be unique – For those who like to be unique and have one of a kind, this option will definitely satisfy their needs. Both exterior and interior designs are made from scratch during custom home construction.
    • Return on investment – Resale value is much higher when it is new build home with custom builder and designer. After living in this place for years it will still be appreciated on real estate market.
    • Extended warranties – Paying big bucks will get you different warranties. Unlike other types of homes, all the work is done to perfection and every trade and stage of work will be warranted for more years.

    Cons

    • Tons to choose from – Unless you are working with experienced designer, who will decide for you on many options there is a lot of work for clients to do. There is endless list of selections to make for home.
    • Costs are high – Premium work and materials come at high price. This type of home construction is obviously most expensive and hard to afford for everyone. The sky is the limit for amount you can pay.
    • Long time to design and build – Because everything is custom and clients can change their mind before project even starts. Every trade needs to learn the project from start and adjust schedule as it goes.
    • Finding right builder – Everyone seems to be the best builder ever, but there are tons of horror stories. Difficulty finding the right match starts during estimate and consultation stage. Ask us for suggested builders.
    • Additional expenses – When building custom homes the idea is to construct bigger, higher and something that doesn’t fall within city bylaws or regulations. Custom constructions have additional city fees, committee of adjustments and many other expenses.

    Summary for Custom Home Construction

    For home owners with deeper pockets and time availability for construction we definitely suggest exploring new custom home option.

    You can fulfill all your desires and needs for new home to have with top quality materials that you can personally select literally from any supplier in the world. New home will be original and stand out from all other homes in the area.

    Budget from $250 per square foot for new custom home and sky is the limit with luxury items and finishes for interior and exterior of new home

    Spec Homes Constructed on Your Property

    Builders and construction companies can be contacted for new spec home on the property that you own. You obviously need to have piece of land with adequate elevations for the house to be built in.

    They would already have examples of homes to choose from with options on extensions and different materials to be used for finishes. If company is large enough, they can have a show room where you can see how the house would look inside with their supplied materials.

    Once the concept has been selected and everything signed, spec home construction can start. They would not look back and change details that you agreed upon like custom home construction company would.

    The process is faster than custom home, because trades know the concept by heart and don’t need to stop for questions or inspector approvals.

    Pros

    • Fixed prices – The costs are agreed upon with everyone who is interested. There is no debate or bargaining as construction companies for spec homes have set prices and they do not change.
    • Easer financing from banks and landers – Because companies are normally large and have history in construction of homes, banks are willing to work with better conditions. Tactics of spec home vs custom home, speed of construction and detailed premade contract is almost preapproved by landers.
    • No worries about mechanicals – Designs have thought out inner details of the home and you do not need to “invent the train” with bulkheads and other tricks. Structural, plumbing and HVAC runs have perfect positions.

    Cons

    • Same as all other spec homes – What they build is what they get and you cannot adjust floor plans or exterior look. There are normally few options for tiles, counters and kitchens but overall it will look same as others.
    • Lower quality materials – Target market for spec home builders is for people who don’t want to spend that much money, therefore materials are purchased in bulk from lower quality suppliers.
    • Subdivision or near construction areas – Because spec homes vs custom homes are normally built in large quantities, there is a huge chance you will live next to construction site for several more years.

    Summary for Spec Homes Construction

    For those who don’t mind living in community of same new homes and have average finishes On Point Remodeling suggest spec home construction with local trusted builders.

    This is still new home typically with good sizes for interior and exterior space. Neighbors should be within similar income bracket as most of the homes are the same. You can without a problem get mortgage for spec home and completely new place for fraction of custom home.

    Spec home vs custom home is more popular in suburbs and should cost from $100 to $200 per square foot and it largely depends on area and Development Company.

    Buying and Installing Modular Homes

    Modular home construction costs and timelines
    Set up of rear wall for modular home.

    With technology expending exponentially we are now able to build entire homes or large parts of home in warehouses and bring on site for installation and setup.

    Just like in our discussion about spec home, modular construction starts with selection of choices. Some companies stick to several layouts and options for the finishes, while others specify their limits on height and size, but the rest can be complete custom design.

    If your choice falls on modular home to be constructed on your lot, you can save even more time than you would in spec home vs custom home construction. It saves not only overall project time, but also time of actual work on site, which can be crucial in some circumstances.

    Pros

    • Prebuild already – The time spent on site for construction is decreased to absolute minimum. Your home or parts of house are made elsewhere and transported to site just for set up and installation.
    • Costs are less – Home owners will be saving a lot of money by getting modular home instead of any other option for home construction on their lot. For those on tight budget but still with a dream new home this option is ideal.
    • Proven concept – Companies that sell modular homes have worked on concept and layout for years with professional developers and engineers. Their suggested homes will have close to ideal layout for average person giving within range of size.

    Cons

    • Transporting to far places – Transportation can be a negative factor if your lot is hard to reach or very distant from place of manufacturing. Manufacturer has to agree to transport modular home before you sign a deal.
    • Limits on sizes, selections – There won’t be unlimited options on what you can make out of modular construction. Usually company has a selection to choose from with size limits on manufacturing and transportation.
    • May not have inside finishes – The problem people who select modular homes may run into is that manufacturer provides construction without final finish details such as tiling, flooring, kitchen cabinets and many more.

    Summary for Modular Home Construction

    If you don’t mind limitations on home new home design and struggle with completion dates for this project than Modular home is worth pursuing. You can live or have renters at this property and without wasting a year for development the house can be delivered and installed in few weeks.

    It works perfectly for cottage homes and rental properties as investment. The finishes inside can be not the best, but in no time you can start making money back.

    Modular new homes are the cheapest category you can select and range from $65 to $100 per square foot.

    Conclusion

    Market of new home construction has been growing for centuries and now almost every property owner can find suitable option for his needs and within the budget in mind. Now you can compare spec home vs custom home and vs modular home with details and costs.

    Every city has company or contractor with experience and knowledge on some type of home construction that is popular within your specific area.

    On Point Remodeling works with many home builders and manufacturers that can be suggested for your specific project. Email us with ideas for new home construction with details and approximate budget and we can refer professional team.

    14 Steps in New Home Construction – Explained by Builders

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    14 Steps in new home construction explained by builders
    Beautiful modern house in south region.

    Many of us see new custom homes getting build in our neighborhoods with all sorts of architectural designs and modern features. On Point Remodeling team recommends hiring only experienced professionals, but at the same time we want to educate all readers of process involved in home construction.

    In some regions houses are a little different and may have slight difference in materials used due to weather and location, but we try to include most similar stages in construction from beginning till end.

    Here are the steps for building new home:

    • Documents/Permits
    • Preparation
    • Demolition/Excavation
    • Footings and Foundation
    • Framing
    • Exterior finishes
    • Rough ins
    • Insulation
    • Drywall
    • Stairs and flooring
    • Finishes
    • Final Electrical/Plumbing
    • Painting/staining
    • Inspections

    There may be additional stages and steps in new home construction with complications of soil, distance to services like water and electrical lines, but overall you should get a good idea of how home are built in America.

    1. Documents/Permits

    Before any projects start you need to plan the house layout with all structural details. In simple concept you would hire an architect or structural engineer to create drawings for you that can be later submitted for permit.

    Normally you work with this person or company for several months explaining your desires of how it will need to look and absolute necessary details for your home. For example a good start would be to provide several images of homes you like, with overall details like 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms totaling 3000 square feet.

    There are obviously tons of work and designing involved, but to sum it up the plan gets created and forwarded to municipal authorities for approval.

    2. Preparation

    Can you just start work when city approves your drawings? Technically yes, but there are several requirements that are set up for home builders.

    These requirements are established by safety associations and local bylaws. Preparations are mostly safety precautions and information packages that can be used by inspectors or other authorities.

    Good examples of preparation for home construction would be putting up a fence around the lot and ordering temporary portable washrooms. Building permits may be required to be posted somewhere on jobsite with details of builder.

    Other things like first aid kit, fire extinguisher or even map to nearest hospital could be needed on the job.  Contact your municipality for details of what is required to be posted on site for construction projects.

    3. Demolition/Excavation

    On day one of actual work the excavators move in to demolish existing house on the lot. The process can take several hours and up to few days, depending on size of existing building.

    Now you have to understand that not all projects will require demolition step. On some lots there will only be excavation for new home footings and foundation walls.

    On property lots that don’t have adjacent neighboring houses and lots are rather large there should be no problem with sloping soil and easily working with all sorts of excavators.

    Downtown areas and neighborhoods that have houses literally next to each other, shoring system may be necessary to protect soil from caving in and other houses piling together.

    4. Footings and Foundation

    Different houses may have different structure, but all of them have some sort of footing system to hold the weight without sinking in. Slab on grade homes simply have same level main floor as your outdoor height.

    Footings may be even poured with entire concrete slab together.  Surveyors are often used to help mark the boundaries of your lot and exact location of footings as specified on approved building permit. The height survey is also used to properly measure depth of homes with basements and lower levels.

    Foundation walls are different across the country. Some home builders use cinder blocks, other pour straight concrete and some prefer to make structural walls with bricks. All of them work, but be sure to confirm with structural engineer before proceeding.

    5. Framing Walls and Ceiling

    The house box as we call it usually is made from wood, but other materials like metal, block, brick and concrete can be used for construction. These days most of the builders tend to use wood materials. It is easy to work with and changes can be made throughout the process and later on.

    Exterior walls are made with what we call 2x6s. It’s pieces of wood that span out for 8 – 10 feet in height with thickness of 2 inches by 6 inches. Interior walls are smaller.

    Structural loads may be carried down with metal beams and LVLs (laminated veneer lumber) which is higher in strength than regular wood planks.

    6. Exterior Finishes of House

    Exterior finishes of house step 6 in new build
    Designing house exterior and selecting materials.

    They said the exterior of the house makes the overall look and style of your home. It’s not only the material that will be attached on the walls, but that’s not it. The exterior of the house is made of façade, roof, windows, doors and eaves.

    Normally windows and roof are installed right after the framing is completed to isolate the interior and protect from weather conditions. This step of new home construction is very crucial in home construction to keep going with inside work. The actual outside façade work can be done parallel to next steps like rough ins or even drywall and has no effect on interior work.

    The exterior work may take from few weeks to months to complete. It depends on materials used and style proposed by designer.

    7. Rough ins – HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical

    When the box of the house is complete you can proceed with interior work and start mechanical work. Rough ins means connection of all pipes, wires and ducts for the house.

    These types of work require very specific plan. The rooms have to be carefully laid out in order for technicians to properly locate positions of your plumbing fixtures like tubs, faucets, sinks and dishwasher, for electrician to calculate required wiring needed for each room or floor.

    HVAC or other heating system is calculated by mechanical engineer and positioned inside the walls to avoid unnecessary bulkheads and parts of wall that stick out. All steps in new home construction are extremely important, but rough ins are by far #1 priority.

    If the framing is skeleton of the house, rough ins would be the veins and nervous system that controls the home from inside.

    8. Insulation of Walls and Attic/Roof

    Within exterior walls you need to put some sort of insulation layer. One of the most popular materials for insulation layer is spray foam. It is literally sprayed inside wall cavities to provide insulating barrier. Make sure that attic, flat roof and all the cavities between floors are insulated as well. Think of it as a box that you have to protect everywhere from outside cold or war air.

    There are other materials for insulation such as rockwool, fiberglass and cellulose insulation. Those require extra vapor barrier to be installed on top for stopping the air.

    Ask your local building authorities for required R-Value for insulating walls and ceiling for new home construction.

    9. Drywall Installation and Taping

    The interior walls in most of the house are covered with drywall. Installation of drywall is popular because the material is very good for fire separation, sound separation and overall looks. Drywall hides all previous steps in new home construction and finishes start from this point.

    Drywall sheets somewhere from 4 feet by 8 feet and can go as large as 4 feet by 16 feet in length. It takes several people to hold the sheet of drywall next to the stud wall and screw it to the wall.

    The drywall is followed up by mud and tape work. The joints of drywall sheets are taped with special tape and muddy material is put on to make the wall look continuous. Drywalling looks like heavy and dirty work as it actually is, but it requires enormous professionalism to make your wall perfectly even and smooth. When finished drywall and tape process, the walls are called – ready for paint.

    10. New Stairs and Flooring

    In home construction during the first stage of work we recommend using temporary stairs. This prevents from major damages to your final stairs. They can be easily dented with drywall while carrying up or down, with electrical outlet or switch that falls down, with sharp duct corner.

    Stairs and floor are installed right before all other interior finishes are put together. Entire hardwood floor with stairs should be covered with proper material. On Point Remodeling recommends ramboards or similar thickness carton/paper for new home construction steps flooring stage.

    Do not cheat on covering floor, go from every corner to corner and tape each side with paper tape that does not leave marks when taken off.

    11. Finishes – Tiles, Carpentry, Cabinets, etc.

    Interior finishes and carpentry step 11 in new build
    Open kitchen and dining area done by professionals.

    Now its time to shine with interior finishes. They are made of tiles, carpentry, kitchen cabinets and other attributes that create overall theme and design inside of your place.

    There is a debate of flooring before tiles and otherwise, and we recommend finishing hardwood floors first and installing all tiles afterwards. Although in sensitive areas where designers came up with exact pattern that have to fit and cannot be cut, you may want to install tiles first and start floor from the edge.

    Kitchen cabinets are installed on your new floor and all other carpentry follows up to finish gaps like baseboards, crown moldings and casings. The house is almost complete now, only we have to bring mechanical trade to complete their part.

    12. Final Electrical/Plumbing Installations

    On last days of technical work when tiles are installed and cabinets are looking gorgeous, electrician and plumber come back to finish what they started few month ago.

    Electrical wound normally come and within few days finish all lights, switches, under cabinet lighting, smoke detectors and any other outer connection.

    Plumbers get in to install and connect faucet fixtures, showerheads, dishwasher and fridge water connections.

    Nevertheless this work has to be done very carefully without damaging or scratching all newly installed items in the house. They can work together without interrupting each other’s work. Do not forget the house and water sprinklers on your front and backyard.

    13. Painting and Staining

    The last trades that walk in your home construction project are painters. Sometimes painting work is broken down into few stages and first time they prime the walls with first coat of paint is right after drywall is installed. This makes painting process easier from them.

    Stairs and other wooden surfaces like doors, moldings and custom wood panels are stained very last. In perfect world you do not want anyone to walk on finished stairs at the time of completion of project.

    It is very important to clean and vacuum before painting and staining is done inside of your house. Dust particles may end up on walls and when covered up with paint create bubbles on surface.

    14. Inspections

    Home inspection last step in new build project
    Checklist for home inspection after home is built.

    All construction jobs end with inspection or at least they should. Even though throughout the stages there will be inspections from local authorities to check structural completion of the house, rough ins, insulation of your home and foundation, the last inspection from city inspector will be to close the permit for the job.

    They would already have notes on the layout with initial building permit application and now it is the time to close the job and officially finish it.

    The other final inspection at the end of the job is either for yourself or for you client who is the new home owner. During this inspection you would expect a walk through the house with explanation of everything that was completed, how everything operates, warranties and equipment that comes with the house.

    Conclusion for New Home Construction Steps

    We do no encourage any readers to build new homes by themselves. There are training and licensing centers in your states or cities that have specific requirements for becoming builder.

    You can ask local building companies their procedures and compare to what we have outlined in our article. This list helps prepare for long process and not miss anything keeping the timelines as short as they need to be.

    On Point Remodeling can recommend best home builders in your area for all sorts of houses.

    We have reviewed work of many companies and are glad to help you with their contact information.

    Complete Guide – How to Build a Shed with Steps and Costs

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    Complete guide how to build shed
    Details and steps on how to build shed.

    Some homes are already purchased with shed and if not, home owners may look for extra space to put their tools and materials for outdoor work.

    If you are used to keep everything in garage and you have plenty of space there, you may not even need a shed. Homes with limited spaces and lots that are limited to smaller garages are looking to build something for storage.

    Sheds are simply put small houses that do not need heating and water lines. They are not meant to be occupied, but rather to store your belongings.

    If you are a very handy person and have proper tools, building a shed will not be super difficult to do. For those home owners that want to hire a contractor for the job, we wanted to explain the process of work.

    Here are the steps for building new shed:

    • Demolition
    • Excavation
    • Footings
    • Walls
    • Roof
    • Doors/windows
    • Electrical
    • Insulation
    • Finishing Touches
    • Exterior Finishes

    Find suggested suppliers and installation contractors for how to build a shed estimate and full details. This is very simple structure that can be built by small contractor company. Take several estimates and see who is more reasonable on timing and explanation how they will proceed with work.

    1. Demolition Starts First

    Demolition of old shed to build new
    Man taking down old shed to replace with new.

    Just like any other construction process, if there is anything on the way you need to demolish it. It’s a simple process to clear off the area where you are planning your new shed to be placed.

    In 90% of situations there will be absolutely nothing on your way and you will not spend a dime on demolition. Or because the shed is not that big anyways, you can place it strategically so that no demolition is required.

    Demolishing something on the way can be as easy as few hours’ work with hammer or can be complicated procedure with excavator and dozer. For more information on demolition process read an article that was posted by On Point Remodeling writers. Demolition is always the first step before discussing how to build shed at home with all costs.

    2. Excavation For New Shed Positioning

    You can never get absolutely flat and hard enough surfaces naturally to build something on top of it. The common practice in construction is to take top soil and dig down for foundation to be inside the ground. This way foundation will be held on all four sides by ground.

    The good thing is that you do not need to dig deep at all. The width and length of excavation will depend on size of the shed you are planning to build. Depth should not be deeper than 6 to 10 inches.

    This work can be easily done with a shovel within one day. To save some money on construction shed you can do it on weekend and substitute workout with digging.

    3. Footings and foundation

    The pad on which your entire shad will sit on is made of concrete footings and foundation. In some situations it’s poured together with rebar attached for strength. It is called slab on grade, which means your slab will be just above ground level.

    Before pouring concrete into excavation you made, the ground has to be prepared. Usually we suggest tamping and evening the bottom of the whole. Lay down few inches of gravel and set up rebar.

    This is the last mandatory step in how to build a shed. If you don’t want to build afterwards, there are plenty of options on prebuilt products. Be sure to make up your mind before concrete is poured, because the sizes have to match.

    4. Walls Construction/Framing

    On top of slab you can start framing or building exterior walls. Shed typically does not have any interior walls because of relatively small sizes.

    The easiest and by far cheapest material for putting exterior walls is regular wood. You can buy it literally in any city at any hardware store. Some stores will even help you with exact material count.

    Do not be afraid to ask for discounts, because there are ways you can save money and it does not cost to ask. If you have friends or family members in any construction or remodeling business they may already have account with suppliers that give contractor discounts.

    You can build shed with blocks or poured concrete, but it does cost a lot more. It does not make sense to spend extra $5000 – $1000 just for exterior walls on small shed.

    5. Roof Installation for Shed

    All new structures need roof to protect interior from water coming inside with rains and snow during the winter.

    You almost always want the roof of the shed to match with the roof of your house for the purpose of overall design.

    Simple way to install roof on structure is with large siding panels or asphalt shingles. Make sure that whoever is working on roof is properly secured and trained to work at heights. Falling of the roof is the most common life threatening incident.

    Do not forget the flushing, eaves and downspouts to divert the water from rains. Every drop that comes on roof should end up going through eaves and away from foundation of construction.

    6. Doors/Windows/Skylight

    At the time of framing you will be deciding where your doors and windows will be. Same goes for the windows and skylight if you plan to install any of those.

    To save cost purchase very standard door and window from Home Depot or Lowes. They should always have windows and doors in stock with attached frame. Standard exterior door is 32 inches in width and 80 inches in height. Unless you want to spend tons of money, you should not look into custom doors and windows for new shed.

    It is relatively easy to install new door and window for the shed. With screw driver and simple tools you should be able to install them in few hours. Skylight can be installed by roofers that will do your shingles.

    7. Electrical Wiring

    In new shed you will rarely need electricity in your shed. It will be very expensive to drag electrical line from house electrical panel towards how to build a shed overall costs.

    First reason to have electricity line is for the lighting. It will be hard to see stored tools in all corners even during the day without proper lighting. To avoid these expenses we can suggest purchasing lighting that works on batteries.

    Second reason to have electricity is to charge tools and equipment that you will be storing inside this shed. Once again you do not require electrical line if you can potentially get extension cord from your house.

    8. Insulation of Walls and Roof

    Beautiful built and decorated new shed
    Completed construction of new shed and painted on exterior.

    In colder regions there could be need to insulate the walls and ceiling of your shed. Normally home owners do not go through these expenses and extra work because there is no legal requirements and they plan to store inside the shed only things they barely use.

    In reality insulation is very cheap and you can easily install insulation batts within few hours without even using any tools. It will make big difference if you are storing many liquids and materials that can easily freeze.

    Otherwise you do not require insulation for shed. It’s only purpose is to keep interior slightly warmer then outside.

    9. Finishing Inside the Shed

    Inside of the shed is rarely finished, but some home owners go extra distance to make everything look pretty. Just like garage or similar storage space it interior could have tons of different finishes.

    Installation of drywall, painting, polished concrete or even installation tiles can be considered as interior finishes of the shed.

    Keep in mind that during the winter it will get cold and there is no internal heat source inside shed. Some finishing materials may get ruined with temperature change. In warmer states you can blow your mind and go crazy on decoration and finishes.

    10. Exterior Finishes Details

    On the outside of your new shed we recommend few types of finish options. If shed is built with concrete or block structure, there is not much you can do but to paint it on top.

    In northern part of the country the main purpose of exterior finish is to protect everything from weather. Also installed materials on the walls will prevent from animals getting inside and making your shed their new home.

    On Point Remodeling suggest installing cost effective siding or full metal sheets that are easily attached to walls. Beware that metal gets very hot and will create sauna effect inside the shed.

    Costs for Building New Shed

    Purchasing new shed is very easy and fast these days. Very small sheds can be bought in store for $600 and large is up to $2000.  Transportation and delivery will cost several hundred dollars. Building concrete pad to install new shed on top can cost up to $1000 In total.

    Building new shed with contractor will cost double the money. Despite tested prefabricated materials and set on market, new constructed shed is more stable and can be definitely more attractive in design. Expect to spend $3000 – $6000 for building your shed.

    Conclusion on How to Build a Shed

    There are other options for storage without building a shed in your backyard. You can use spare rooms, basements storage area and car garage. Also instead of completely building new shed, there is an option to purchase prebuilt products from store.

    The only problem is it will not be that steady and large enough. Also purchased shed may need to be put on concrete foundation, which means that first three steps have to be completed even if you buy it and deliver already finished shed.

    Outdoor In Ground Pool Installation Cost For Average House

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    In ground pool installation with costs involved
    Get new inground outdoor pool for your home.

    Average in ground pool installation cost for regular backyard home is $37 000. This includes preparation, construction and additional items for service and cleaning. More expensive options with high end materials and equipment can be as high as $65 700 based on our calculations. See below table with full breakdown.

    An outdoor pool at home is definitely a luxury item. To add a pool you first of all have to have large enough property and enough money to actually build it. Once the pool is completed your expenses do not stop. You need to clean it and maintain throughout every season with changing water, closing pool in areas where winter comes with snow and low temperatures, add chlorine and many more.

    Here are the steps for installation of outdoor pool:

    EconomyAverageHigh End
    Demolition$0$2 000$8 000
    Excavation$5 000$7 000$11 000
    Stabilizing Ground$0$500$1 500
    Concrete/Block Foudnation$9 000$13 000$17 000
    Plumbing and Electrical Lines$3 000$4 000$6 000
    Heating$0$2 500$6 700
    Waterproofing$1 500$2 000$2 500
    Finishing Touches$3 000$4 000$7 000
    Filling up and Testing$500$1 000$2 000
    Additional Equipment$700$1 000$4 000
    Total Cost For In ground pool$22 700$37 000$65 700
    In our example we provide national average costs for 15 ft x 30 ft pool installation.

    We certainly do not recommend attempting to build new pool by yourself. This work is very complicated and should be handled by professionals in pool industry.

    1. Demolition by Hand or Machinery

    Normally this step is skipped, because outdoor in ground pool installation is in backyard, where nothing else exists but land and grass. On Point Remodeling decided to include demolition for those home owners who have some sort of structure on the way that needs to be demolished before digging for pool starts.

    Tool to be used for demolition depends on what exactly is there to be destroyed. If it’s a small deck or shed, you can get away with a saw and sledge hammer. Larger structures with concrete footing or foundation can require excavator to be used for the job.

    Demolition is part of construction and you can spend several thousand dollars before any excavation even begins. Those of us who have nothing on our backyard are lucky to save the money in process.

    2. Excavation for Outdoor Pool

    The actual pool will be in the ground. You do not want to build it on standing platform, because it will not be as stable and it has to hold the entire weight of the water of the pool which can be tens of tons.

    Depending on the project size and intention, you may use different methods to excavate the area for the in ground pool installation cost.

    The easy way is to hire a company with excavator to do it for you. This is obviously the most expensive way, but professionals can do it fast and safe.

    If you know how to operate excavator you can just rent it and dig by yourself. This should not take more than one day and you can save the money.

    Excavating by hand is the third option for digging out for outdoor pool installation. It will take so much longer, but If there is not rush, you can save money on this step of process.

    3. Stabilizing Ground and Compacting

    The soil will be different everywhere. Even in one small city one neighborhood can have clay soil and another can have sandy ground. Once excavated, you will be looking to have your structure on that specific soil and it was disturbed in previous stage when excavation took place.

    The best way to stabilize ground in excavated area is to use plate tamper. This mechanical machine is pushed along the surface with constant tamping by flat plate.

    You have to be very careful with walls while doing this. Vibration can cause walls to collapse or some soil to move.

    Plate temper can be rented in construction equipment stores or in rental sections of home depot or lowes.

    4. Concrete Outside Walls for Outdoor Pool

    Bottom of the pool and walls have to be made with water resistant material and strong enough to withstand pressure from water.

    Most popular way to build these walls is to pour concrete into forms and base slab. What contractors would do is they set up forms for footings and walls where concrete is poured. Rebar are added for reinforcement of walls.

    We have seen the walls being made with cinder blocks, which do save costs a little, but the walls would not be as strong. Make sure that your sides and walls do not have sharp edges. Normally the exterior of outdoor pool box is rounded up with extra material to make it smooth.

    Concrete pool walls and base complete
    Finished concrete and purging inground pool outdoor.

    5. Plumbing and Electrical Lines

    Pools have different water and electrical features with designs from very simple pump system to waterfalls and fountains.

    Electrical is the same way, you can either have no lines or something very simple, while luxury outdoor in ground pool installation cost can vary and have complicated electrical underwater lighting, connection to fountain lines and many more features.

    On Point Remodeling team recommends hiring only licensed professionals for this part of work that have knowledge and experience with pool installations.

    All lines should be pressurized and water sealed at this stage. Make sure to test everything several times before moving into sealing and hiding all lines.

    6. Heating of Water and Base

    Installation of heating in the pool is definitely a luxury add on. For fortunate home owners that spend tens, if not hundreds of thousand dollars for pool, heating option will be a must.

    In colder regions we see heating system for the pool more often, but there are those who want them even in southern cities, where temperature is always hot.

    There are two ways to heat up your outdoor pool at home. Most common way is to use electrical or gas heater to worm up the water in the pool. Other option which is more popular in colder states is radian heat in tubes.

    The way radian piping works is before concrete is poured, plastic water tubes are installed inside the walls and floor (in concrete deck near the pool too). They get pressurized and tested before concrete is installed on top. The water in tubes is connected to water heater which warms concrete walls and floor from inside.

    7. Waterproofing and Leak Protection

    Sealing up the exterior of the pool is very important for leak prevention. Walls may have tiny cracks, which can expand in time and leak water if walls are not waterproofed.

    One of the problems that can arise if you do not water seal the pool is the filled in water may leak out and you will need to constantly refill it again.

    The other issue, which is even more serious, is the water from soil may leak inside of the pool. This is a major problem, because all water will be always dirty.

    Water sealant is wrapped on the outside pool wall and on laid on the floor before concrete is poured. This material has many brads and types. Ask local suppliers for information on water sealant matts for outdoor pool installation.

    8. Finishing Details In Ground Pool Installation Cost

    When the box of your new pool is complete with necessary plumbing and electrical lines it is time to finish it up and look pretty.

    The material you can use for decoration and finish can go as far as your imagination. You an find different types of stone, tiles, plants, lights, fountains and other decorations to brighten up new pool.

    The most cost effective way to finish pool is decorative painting and few liens of tiles closer to the top edge, where water lines meets the top of pool.

    Modern finishes can be more expensive and if your budget allows you to spend more money than average new car, you can get very fancy pool finish job.

    9. Filling Up and Testing

    Filling up and testing pool features
    System is checked and pool filled in for testing

    When everything is finally complete there is one more thing to do and that is to fill it up with water. Get a hose into your new pool and fill it up all the way up. It will take a long time but be patient.

    Before you can use, you have to test everything. This step is crucial because if something is wrong you want to catch it right away.

    For first 48 hours we recommend testing the pool for any possible leaks. Measure the level water on the side wall of your pool with something like a marker or water resistant tape.

    Compare it next day and the following day. Obviously the water goes down just a little because of evaporation, but you should be able to spot a leak. Check weather network and make sure you are not doing this on rainy days.

    10. Protection and Extra Equipment of Outdoor Pool

    For maintaining new pool and having it clean all the time you will need to get some equipment. The cover is one of the first thing people think of getting and they are not wrong.

    Cover your pool from falling leaves, snow, storm or during high winds that can drag dirt into the pool. Simple cover would do the trick, but you can find high tech automatic coverings that expand with a push of a button.

    Very cool and popular item for pools is automatic robot that cleans pool underwater. It literally goes from one side to another collecting waster that is accumulated on the bottom of the pool.

    Extra equipment you may need for casual cleaning such as telescope pole with net at the end, underwater cleaner (works just like vacuum cleaner), chlorine, brushes to clean walls and many other things that you can find online or in hardware store.

    11. Combined Cost for New In Ground Pool Installation

    Most popular questions On Point Remodeling subscribers ask are always cost related. We understand that before building something you would like to understand how much it costs and what to expect.

    All projects are different and all home owners have different budgets they want to spend while committing to this job. And it all comes down to how complicated the pool is and are you hiring someone or doing part of the job by yourself.

    Standard in ground pool installation cost in average home backyard is $37000 from demolition to finishing stage with extra equipment for cleaning.

    If you are trying to do it by yourself you can save ton of money, but you have to know exactly what to do and how to do it. DIY project can cost on average $18000 for rental equipment, materials required and finishing details. Even in DIY pool project we recommend hiring licensed electrician and plumber.

    Conclusion

    Before signing contract for installing an outdoor pool at home we suggest interviewing at least 3 companies in your area and getting quotes for exactly the same scope of work.

    You have to compare apples to apples because one company may include extra features and have overall cost slightly higher than companies that don’t include it.

    Pool projects may require architectural drawings and building permits, depending on complexity and your local building codes.

    Extra material can be found on our website and if that’s not enough, our staff can always be reached by email for more detailed information and suggested contractors or materials.

    Exterior House Fence Cost with Installation Process

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    Exterior House Fence cost with installation process
    Modern home fence with wood, stucco and metal finish.

    If you own a home or any other property you may already have a fence.  For those of us who do not have fence or thinking of putting one up, we want to explain the process of installation for house fence cost.

    Fence may be a security purposes or simply distancing yourself with some privacy from neighbor. Also there are interior fences or fences within your property lot that are used for separation of area.

    If you are very handy and have your ways with tools, you should be able to put a fence up by yourself. For others that do not have time or any intent doing the job with their own hands, we wrote this article in order to prepare and know the process and costs of fences.

    Selecting Type of Fence

    First is first and you need to figure out what type of fence you require and which materials to build it from. We wrote an article already with 8 types of fences to select from with explanation of purposes they serve and costs associated.

    There are tons of different brands and materials that can work for you in setting up new fence. It can be as simple as regular pressure treated wood that you can purchase from almost any lumber store to complicated metal wire fences that can be ordered from specialized suppliers.

    Marking / Outlining Project

    Set up the boundaries and where you want the fence to be placed. Keep in mind that some specific types of fence come in sections, therefore your overall distance may be changed to fit exact number of sections.

    For example you want to put exterior house fence along 45 feet of your property and fence has 8 feet long sections. In this situation you would either do 5 sections by 8 feet to make it 40 feet long or extend it with 6th section to make 48 feet.

    Regardless of the footage, before any construction mark on the ground where you need the fence and it will help calculate materials required.

    Purchasing Materials for the Job

    This step only makes sense if you are doing the fence by yourself. If you hire contractors the materials should be purchased and delivered by the company. They would be able to get better price directly from supplier because they purchase it on regular bases. Also regular contractors usually get free delivery.

    Some stores provide material count and even design draft for free only for you to purchase materials from them. Ask for this service in local Rona or Home Depot stores.

    If the material is on special order, get extra pieces just in case you miscalculated and there won’t be enough to finish right away.

    One more trick we recommend is asking contractors for their discounts when purchasing materials or just asking where you can buy it on discounts. Usually companies will not have any problem just sharing this information.

    Digging or Excavation for Posts

    Digging and Excavation for fence posts
    Preparing structural foundation posts for new fence.

    The actual work of building exterior house fence starts with digging or excavating for posts. Usually you are looking to dig 4 foot deep whole every 8 or 10 feet for concrete to be poured. This step is very time consuming and heavy labor if done by hand.

    So remember that you have already outlined where the fence is going to be build, not the posts have to be exactly on the dot for placement. Contractors charge on average $100 per post. We suggest leaving this part for professionals that do post digging every day.

    Foundation – Posts – Secure

    The fence structure will be held on so called posts. Regardless of type of fence it will be residing on something solid, in most situations on concrete foundation.

    You always want to avoid actual post touching soil. The proper way to set up fence post is to pour concrete down the whole you dug out and when it gets solid to bolt or anchor fence post on top.

    Of course you want to wait a day until concrete gets hard and post is placed on it. Make sure that concrete does not get too high or you will have to cut it accordingly. House fence cost starts with purchased materials and digging holes for foundation

    Installation of New Outdoor Fence for House

    Now that the posts are set up we will connect everything else together. Wood fences would have vertical or horizontal planks which are normally 1 inch in thickness and 6 inches in width. The material must be pressure treated for withstanding all sorts of weather.

    Wooden fence is fastened together by screws and attached to posts. If fence plans are horizontal, you would connect them with 2 vertical pieces of wood, and if the fence is vertical vice versa.

    Glass or metal fence can come as one piece panels just connecting at each post.  It can be fastened or have specific connection system, depending on manufacturer.

    Gate or Entrance Door

    Some fences have the entry point with a gate installed. The gates are made with same wood put together. Make the opening in the fence and make the door separately before installation. The gate is smaller than actual opening to allow for the swing and closing mechanism.

    Attach hinges to one side of the gate and to the opening for installation of door. The gate for wooden outdoor fence is not complicated, but other materials will require a lot of custom work.

    The easiest way is to simply purchase the gate. Hardware stores should have wooden doors for your fence and other material fence manufacturer usually provides options for the gate too.

    House Fence Cost Finishing Details

    Finishing details for exterior fence at home or office
    Stained wood fence that was just built.

    There are many interesting ways to finish newly installed fence. The simplest way to enhance the fence is to add caps on each post.

    To differentiate the style from your neighbors you can stain or paint it. There are many colors and shades you can select, but do not forget to use exterior paint material.

    Metal and concrete fences can have tons of in-depth lines and ornaments. You can do literally anything to design these exterior fences.

    Glass fence is very hard to enhance with who idea of it being see-through. What we have seen popular is adding shade to glass and adding chrome edges.

    Costs to Build Exterior House Fence

    The main question is how much is house fence cost and it obviously depends on tons of factors.

    First thing you will be figuring out is to hire contractor or do the fence by yourself. If you have not done this before, we suggest hiring professional to have the final product come out better looking but in some cases cheaper as well.

    The other factor is material and it matter quite a bit. The cheapest exterior house fence is pressure treated wood and you can get it done for $30 – $50 per linear foot. Concrete and glass fences are much more expensive and can cost you as much as $150 – $300 per liner foot.

    Conclusion

    To find out what type of exterior house fence you need for your place you can read more articles on our website or do additional research somewhere else.

    Different material will have house fence cost types that can differ by a lot. If you require more information on materials, contact our team by email and we can help you figure out best scenario for your specific purpose and budget.

    Also we can provide helpful information on trusted contractors in your region that build fences.

    Stay tuned and subscribe for more information to On Point Remodeling with fresh articles posted almost every day.

    Complete Guide on 6 Types of Railings Explained

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    Complete guide on 6 types of exterior railings
    What type of railing material is better for your project.

    To get around outside of your home you need railings, especially when there is change and elevation or separation of properties. Each deck, staircase and low fencing system needs to have railing and we want to break down each type with details on costs, pros and cons.

    Building and construction regulations in all regions have minimum requirements for railing system as a protection and our guide can help you select the perfect match for your property.

    Our guide has 6 types of railings, which are made from:

    • Glass
    • Stainless Steel
    • Iron
    • Wood
    • PVC/Vinyl
    • Aluminum

    Market is always growing in exterior renovation and construction, therefor different types of railings and materials can be used for manufacturing and installing new railing system. If you have detailed information on popular products, please email our team and we will update the guide on railings.

    1. Glass Exterior Railings

    Improvising with materials and different looks, we have reached the era for open looks and modern design. Our current modern ideas consist of making areas looking bigger and more open than they really are and glass has been contributing to it. Using glass as separation barrier and railings is very likable by new designers.

    Pros:                         

    a) As we already mention above, glass railing has the cleanest and most modern look of any other types and materials in this guide of exterior railings. Glass attracts more people with its cleanliness.

    b) There is no better material than glass for maintenance. There is no painting, staining or refinishing required for years. What you will need to do is clean it from dust and fingerprints from time to time.

    Cons:

    a) When we say glass railing, we actually mean glass separation barrier with no railing. The biggest problem of glass railing that in most cases there is nothing to grab on when walking by.

    b) Small damage to glass will be considered as major issue. You will have to replace entire glass section even if small piece has chipped. Breaking glass railing can create massive safety risk with tons of glass.

    Cost: Every project is unique and custom glass railing cost around $200 per linear foot for manufacturing and set up by contractor. You can find prebuilt sections of glass for easy installation at $100 per foot.

    2. Stainless Steel Type of Railings

    One of our favorite railings there are on the market by the functionality and looks is stainless steel. They are installed in new commercial places and in homes around the globe. The color of stainless still is winning the market and they are as durable as cast iron material.

    Pros:

    a) First five start rating stainless steel railings get for their modern look. You can literally see them everywhere. As shower hold bars, on new custom stairs, in condo elevators and even public transport.

    b) The material and top layer of these railings make your life easier in maintaining them in good condition. Simple cloth cleaning will do and your railings will shine for many years ahead.

    Cons:

    a) Having steel raining outside is not ideal for winter weather. Metal gets very cold and unpleasant for touching by hand without gloves.

    b) Custom railings will be your only option. There is no chance for DIY after buying stock material in hardware store. Contractors will take very long time to manufacture and install it for you.

    Cost: residential and commercial stainless steel railings cost on average $100 – $150 per linear foot of installed product. Very large one piece railings can cost much higher.

    3. Iron Exterior Railings

    Iron exterior railing system pros and cons
    Welder finishing iron entrance railings.

    Custom iron railings are hard to find in stock. They are usually specially made for each project as one piece with iron fence. We almost never see DIY projects with iron railings, therefore you will need to find contractor or company for manufacturing and installation.

    Pros:

    a) The biggest benefit installing iron railings is it will last for decades and even centuries if you take care of it properly with paints that protect from oxidizing and rusting.

    b) Because custom railings are always unique, it creates a variety of options for your project. Professional company will be able to do almost anything with bending and shaping iron for types of railings.

    Cons:

    a) This type of exterior railing is very expensive and would not work for budget projects. We see it beings installed mostly at luxury estates and high end offices.

    b) Installing cast iron railings is not easy. It takes a team or a company to measure, manufactures, delivers and set it up with welders at your property. The process is very time consuming and complicated.

    Cost: New cast iron fence with outdoor railing can cost as high as $500 per linear foot. If you require specifically railing without anything else, you are looking to spend somewhere around $100 per linear foot.

    4. Wooden Exterior Railings

    Previously most used material is now fading away. We still see it largely in private homes as choice of exterior railing, but in commercial wood railings is no longer the best option. It is still widely available in all popular hardware stores or you can purchase it online with easy installation manual.

    Pros:

    a) If you are handy person and have basic tools at home, you should be able to install wood railings by yourself. They are very easy to work with and even hiring contractors is not going to be an issue.

    b) Wooden railings can be stained and re-stained again in different colors. It does not need to have one basic color all the time. The shades can be redone with other exterior changes.

    Cons:

    a) Railings that made out of wood wear out faster than other materials. Their lifespan is maximum 15 years. With constant weather change wood material gets worse and worse every day.

    b) Wood railings require more maintenance than any other railing type. You will be working on it every year to keep the looks and condition. This includes staining, sanding and painting work.

    Cost: You can purchase section of railings made out of wood for under $100, To hire contractor for installation and staining your cost will be $40-$50 per linear foot with material.

    5. PVC/Vinyl Exterior Railings

    PVC and Vinyl exterior railing system pros and cons
    Deck on backyard finished with Vinyl white railings.

    The budget version of all railings comes with material that does is not hard to manufacture and transform into shapes of railing. There is wide range of selection for PVC products and you can get many different colors to match the rest of outdoor space.

    Pros:

    a) Tight budgets will still allow you to purchase vinyl or PVC railings. If you simply want to install rail system but want to spend as little as possible than this type is definitely for you to proceed with.

    b) This material can easily bend and if you need to twist it slightly without making cuts around, you can surely do that. Flexibility makes vinyl rails work better in tight spots where glass or cast iron can’t be used.

    Cons:

    a) What we don’t like about this railing is how it fast it can get damaged. The material itself is not durable at all and can be dent, scratched and broken without lots of effort.

    b) Other down side of PVC and Vinyl materials is the actual looks to them. You get what you pay for and there is nothing you can do to customize the rails. All of the products are prebuilt and sold in sections.

    Cost: low costs is why people select these rails and with installations they can cost $10-$15 per linear foot on the wall or fence it gets put on.

    6. Aluminum Outdoor Railings System

    Number four on our list aluminum material. These fences have been around for decades and can be seen on every second house. Aluminum railing quality and cost ratio is preferred by most home and property owners around the world till this day.

    Pros:

    a) When there is demand there will be high supply. Aluminum types of railings are liked by many people, and suppliers make sure that their product is widely available in most hardware stores around the country.

    b) Other benefit that originates from large supply of aluminum railings is the amount of companies on the market that you can hire for installation. There is no shortage of them and you can select the one you feel can perform better.

    Cons:

    a) If you prefer to have different approach on things and design something that stands out, than aluminum outdoor railings are not for you. Buying product from local store already means that hundreds of people in your area already have exactly the same railing.

    b) Aluminum naturally is very soft, comparing to iron and glass. You can easily dent it by accidentally hitting railing with something. Because of this most aluminum railings or parts of them are changed regularly.

    Cost: Online stores and local hardware shops sell aluminum type of exterior railings for $15-$25 per linear foot and you can find installer for same amount as cost of material. Your total will be $30-$50 per foot.

    Conclusion for Types of Railings Guide

    With information On Point Remodeling provides for exterior railing syetems each property owner or manager can select the type and material they prefer for the installation. You can evaluate your own situation and select contractor based on your budgets to spend on railing system.

    We can always suggest where to purchase type of exterior railings for DIY installations or contractors that can take on your job from measuring to ordering and placing the railings.

    There are products available for easy installation and can be purchased in sections. The manual is provided with all the products when purchased through our recommended suppliers. For custom inquiries contact us directly and receive quotation for the railing project.

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