CalFinder Remodeling / Home Improvement Blog
Recent posts
Homeowners often find that window replacement has a substantial impact on home energy efficiency, not to mention major heating and air conditioning savings. But with the race to go green and cut costs, too many homeowners fall into pitfalls along the way. Here are the five most common mistakes when buying replacement windows. 1. Buying the cheapest replacement windows you can find When you view window options, the prices of top shelf items may shock you, causing you to select something that is cheaply made and not durable for your climate conditions....read more
Posted 19 hours 50 min ago.
Don’t be deceived. Just because your bathroom is small doesn’t mean it will necessarily be a smaller task to remodel. But don’t be disheartened, either. Bathroom remodeling brings one of the best returns you can get for a home remodel. Especially if your small bathroom is outdated or slowing things down for your house, a simple remodel can revolutionize the entire home. While a bathroom remodel seems overwhelming in all of its details and technical elements, it can be simple and straightforward with a little renovation jump start. Here are some tips to getting your small bathroom remodel on track: 1. Hire a budget-friendly contractor The bathroom requires such technical skill to replace appliances and check into the plumbing—you want a great pro on your side....read more
Posted 1 day 17 hours ago.
If you’re researching window replacement for your existing home, you need to carefully consider your options. Mounted within the existing frame of your home, a new window has to be the right fit—literally. You want to consider not only your window climate, but how a new window will give your house a facelift while still honoring the original style and spirit of your home. The wrong kind of window can do more harm than good. But when you get it right, new energy-efficient windows can save you hundreds every year as they help seal in your home’s heating and cooling and reflect or absorb sunlight. According market search firm Freedonia Group Inc., the demand for replacement windows in the U.S. will rise 6.6 percent annually to reach $31.2 billion by 2014....read more
Posted 6 days 19 hours ago.
I have a story. A builder went to work renovating a 1939 bungalow house that he owned, to possibly rent out then sell. He put in shiny hardwood flooring, repainted the rooms, even majorly gutted some of the interior to open it up to a more modern layout. On first glance, the house is lovely. But in focusing on which color paint to choose, he overlooked majorly important details, like the home’s energy efficiency and curb appeal. The result? He’s had some lovely renters come through, but no one is interested in buying the house. No one even notices it above the other houses on the street, despite the nice interior changes. Well, who wants to be that guy?...read more
Posted 1 week 4 days ago.
Mistrusting your contractor can be the most stressful element of home remodeling. How do you find a great contractor? How do you know who to trust? If a home renovation is the design equivalent of surgery, then consider your contractors and professionals the surgeons....read more
Posted 1 week 6 days ago.
Your remodeling dreams are sky-high, but your budget’s a little slim? Take a look at our insider’s guide to remodeling on the cheap. Without looking cheap. 1. Shop around. A lot. As a part of your preliminary research, spend a great amount of time shopping for materials—and for a contractor, if you need one. Know what products and professionals are out there and how they compare in cost and quality. For pricing on any remodel, click here. 2. Don’t shy away from repurposed materials When shopping around, consider looking at materials other than shiny new options found in regular retail stores. Some of the coolest remodeling done today employs quality materials, such as repurposed wood and steel, for a unique, lasting, and often inexpensive home improvement. 3....read more
Posted 1 week 6 days ago.
If you’re frustrated by a small bathroom, you’re in good company. The average size of American bathrooms is less than 50 square feet, leaving many homeowners facing the challenge of making a small bathroom work as if it were much bigger. Getting the most out of a small bathroom remodel takes careful planning, highly functional fixtures and space-saving design strategies, as well as skilled bathroom remodeling contractors to put it all together. For pricing on a bathroom remodel, click here. Here’s a remedy for the small bathroom blues. Why Planning Matters Tiny bathrooms require enormous efficiency. You’ll need to know just how much space you have to work with. Building codes limit how closely you can set fixtures near each other....read more
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago.
Whether your remodeling plans are big or small, you’ve probably heard that these plans often get interrupted or derailed altogether. There are lots of reasons people get off track during home renovations, causing delays that last for months or even years. Many people find the remodeling experience frustrating because there’s a high likelihood that something will go wrong. Items not fitting correctly, untimely deliveries, irresponsible workers, faulty or mismatched items, and unexpected disasters are just a few examples that cause renovation delays. It All Comes Down to Reliable Contractors How can you get back on track if these delays occur? One of the best ways to ensure that your project is completed in a timely manner is to hire a reputable contractor....read more
Posted 2 weeks 4 days ago.
Bob Vila. That good old home remodeling expert. Think of how many renovation tips he’s bestowed on America throughout his television career. Surely you garnered needed information from his time on This Old House from 1979 to 1989, among his other shows. He’s a classic, a master, one of the most trusted names in home improvement—for decades. What are the top 8 tips that Bob would say about a great kitchen remodel? If you’re looking to renovate your kitchen and want to either get the best bang for your buck—or want to complete much of the project yourself, consider these hints that Bob himself has given a nod to. For kitchen remodel pricing, click here. 1. Know Your Countertops Be aware of basic concerns and kitchen countertop spacing issues....read more
Posted 2 weeks 5 days ago.
Feeling that winter draft seep through the slits in your windows? Sick of looking at that outdated bay window? Wanting to open up your living room to a sunnier view? You’re the prime candidate to replace your home’s windows this spring—even if you need to save a lot of money in the process. You can save. Without sacrificing the quality of your window replacement, you can save up to $5,000 on your window project. This isn’t even considering the savings you’ll see in the long run for a much-needed window replacement. With better windows and more efficient framing around them, you can majorly improve the efficiency of your energy bill. The sooner you start, the sooner you save money on those leaky windows....read more
Posted 2 weeks 6 days ago.
Recent posts
Homeowners often find that window replacement has a substantial impact on home energy efficiency, not to mention major heating and air conditioning savings. But with the race to go green and cut costs, too many homeowners fall into pitfalls along the way. Here are the five most common mistakes when buying replacement windows. 1. Buying the cheapest replacement windows you can find When you view window options, the prices of top shelf items may shock you, causing you to select something that is cheaply made and not durable for your climate conditions....read more
Posted 19 hours 50 min ago.
Don’t be deceived. Just because your bathroom is small doesn’t mean it will necessarily be a smaller task to remodel. But don’t be disheartened, either. Bathroom remodeling brings one of the best returns you can get for a home remodel. Especially if your small bathroom is outdated or slowing things down for your house, a simple remodel can revolutionize the entire home. While a bathroom remodel seems overwhelming in all of its details and technical elements, it can be simple and straightforward with a little renovation jump start. Here are some tips to getting your small bathroom remodel on track: 1. Hire a budget-friendly contractor The bathroom requires such technical skill to replace appliances and check into the plumbing—you want a great pro on your side....read more
Posted 1 day 17 hours ago.
If you’re researching window replacement for your existing home, you need to carefully consider your options. Mounted within the existing frame of your home, a new window has to be the right fit—literally. You want to consider not only your window climate, but how a new window will give your house a facelift while still honoring the original style and spirit of your home. The wrong kind of window can do more harm than good. But when you get it right, new energy-efficient windows can save you hundreds every year as they help seal in your home’s heating and cooling and reflect or absorb sunlight. According market search firm Freedonia Group Inc., the demand for replacement windows in the U.S. will rise 6.6 percent annually to reach $31.2 billion by 2014....read more
Posted 6 days 19 hours ago.
I have a story. A builder went to work renovating a 1939 bungalow house that he owned, to possibly rent out then sell. He put in shiny hardwood flooring, repainted the rooms, even majorly gutted some of the interior to open it up to a more modern layout. On first glance, the house is lovely. But in focusing on which color paint to choose, he overlooked majorly important details, like the home’s energy efficiency and curb appeal. The result? He’s had some lovely renters come through, but no one is interested in buying the house. No one even notices it above the other houses on the street, despite the nice interior changes. Well, who wants to be that guy?...read more
Posted 1 week 4 days ago.
Mistrusting your contractor can be the most stressful element of home remodeling. How do you find a great contractor? How do you know who to trust? If a home renovation is the design equivalent of surgery, then consider your contractors and professionals the surgeons....read more
Posted 1 week 6 days ago.
Your remodeling dreams are sky-high, but your budget’s a little slim? Take a look at our insider’s guide to remodeling on the cheap. Without looking cheap. 1. Shop around. A lot. As a part of your preliminary research, spend a great amount of time shopping for materials—and for a contractor, if you need one. Know what products and professionals are out there and how they compare in cost and quality. For pricing on any remodel, click here. 2. Don’t shy away from repurposed materials When shopping around, consider looking at materials other than shiny new options found in regular retail stores. Some of the coolest remodeling done today employs quality materials, such as repurposed wood and steel, for a unique, lasting, and often inexpensive home improvement. 3....read more
Posted 1 week 6 days ago.
If you’re frustrated by a small bathroom, you’re in good company. The average size of American bathrooms is less than 50 square feet, leaving many homeowners facing the challenge of making a small bathroom work as if it were much bigger. Getting the most out of a small bathroom remodel takes careful planning, highly functional fixtures and space-saving design strategies, as well as skilled bathroom remodeling contractors to put it all together. For pricing on a bathroom remodel, click here. Here’s a remedy for the small bathroom blues. Why Planning Matters Tiny bathrooms require enormous efficiency. You’ll need to know just how much space you have to work with. Building codes limit how closely you can set fixtures near each other....read more
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago.
Whether your remodeling plans are big or small, you’ve probably heard that these plans often get interrupted or derailed altogether. There are lots of reasons people get off track during home renovations, causing delays that last for months or even years. Many people find the remodeling experience frustrating because there’s a high likelihood that something will go wrong. Items not fitting correctly, untimely deliveries, irresponsible workers, faulty or mismatched items, and unexpected disasters are just a few examples that cause renovation delays. It All Comes Down to Reliable Contractors How can you get back on track if these delays occur? One of the best ways to ensure that your project is completed in a timely manner is to hire a reputable contractor....read more
Posted 2 weeks 4 days ago.
Bob Vila. That good old home remodeling expert. Think of how many renovation tips he’s bestowed on America throughout his television career. Surely you garnered needed information from his time on This Old House from 1979 to 1989, among his other shows. He’s a classic, a master, one of the most trusted names in home improvement—for decades. What are the top 8 tips that Bob would say about a great kitchen remodel? If you’re looking to renovate your kitchen and want to either get the best bang for your buck—or want to complete much of the project yourself, consider these hints that Bob himself has given a nod to. For kitchen remodel pricing, click here. 1. Know Your Countertops Be aware of basic concerns and kitchen countertop spacing issues....read more
Posted 2 weeks 5 days ago.
Feeling that winter draft seep through the slits in your windows? Sick of looking at that outdated bay window? Wanting to open up your living room to a sunnier view? You’re the prime candidate to replace your home’s windows this spring—even if you need to save a lot of money in the process. You can save. Without sacrificing the quality of your window replacement, you can save up to $5,000 on your window project. This isn’t even considering the savings you’ll see in the long run for a much-needed window replacement. With better windows and more efficient framing around them, you can majorly improve the efficiency of your energy bill. The sooner you start, the sooner you save money on those leaky windows....read more
Posted 2 weeks 6 days ago.