Increase Your Home’s Value Through Exterior Home Improvements

Chances are your home will be the single largest investment you will ever make in your lifetime and because of this, you will want to be sure that you are doing everything to prevent it from losing value. One way that a home’s value can be maintained or even increased is to pay close attention to the exterior of the home.

When it is time to consider exterior improvements, you should look for reputable exterior home improvement contractors in your area. These companies have the expertise in planning and carrying out most any type of exterior work that you could ever need. Be sure that do your due diligence when it comes to selecting the best contractor so that you feel confident that they will do all of the work you that are asking them to do.

Curb appeal is one of the primary motivators when it comes to planning any exterior home improvements. Making the outside of your home and the surrounding areas will go a long ways in making it more appealing from a visual standpoint. We have come up with 7 ways that you can easily spruce up the exterior of your home that will add value to the property.

Entry door replacement

The front door of any home is absolutely the first thing that most people notice about a house when they are looking at it from the street. That is why it is essential that you pay extra attention to how attractive your front entry door looks from the street. You also will want to be sure that it is up to date, but not look out of place with the rest of the exterior.

Adding architectural stone accent

Architectural stone and rock will add an extra bit of character to the outside of your home. This is one way to really spruce the outside of your home if it looking kind of blah. You may want to reconsider if you have any brick veneer on your home currently, if so the two may clash and not really look good together.

Garage door replacement

If you have an attached garage and it faces the street, chances are it might be the largest single feature on the front of the house. If this is the case, then you might want to consider replacing or even repainting the entire garage door. This will help to add a really nice touch to your home and quite possibly may add some value to your home.

Siding replacement or refinish

If you still have the original wood siding on your home from when it was first built, you may want to consider looking into one or more of the newer siding materials that are being offered by contractors today. Vinyl siding gives you really good looks, amazing durability and extra insulation can be added for additional energy savings in your home.

Adding a deck

Outdoor entertaining is really popular these days and having a deck off the back door can really add quite a bit of value to your home. With so many material options and colors to choose from, you should easily be able to find what looks best for what you can afford.

Replace the whole roof

A good-looking roof is very important when it comes to curb appeal and the elements can easily take their toll on the look and effectiveness of a shingle roof. You may want to get a professional opinion about the condition and look of your roof from a professional inspector.

Rework the patio

There is so much that can be done on a patio these days which can easily add some much desire value to your property. If you find one of the top exterior home improvement contractors, you can be assured that they will help you make it look its best.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

5 Reasons Homeowners Should Enhance Their Home’s Exterior

For most homeowners their home is their biggest source of pride and joy. You’ve spent hard-earned money to buy it and keep it up, so why wouldn’t you want it to look great on the outside. Your home’s exterior is the first thing people will look at, so you obviously want it to look amazing and considered one of the best-looking houses in the neighborhood! Here are some reasons why homeowners will want to work with a full-service home improvement company when it comes to enhance your home’s exterior:

Create a More Modern Look

Even the smallest updates done to a homes exterior can create a look that is no longer dated. Older homes appear fresh with simple additions like a color change, freshly painted trim, and a few fresh accessories in the yard can completely enhance the homes modern look.

Enhance Curb Appeal

The first thing that people see when they are driving by your home is the exterior. Your homes exterior curb appeal will send a signal about how they feel about your home within the first seconds of seeing it. This is especially crucial when looking into selling your home. Prospective buyers will judge your home by its exterior which will then either lead them to view the interior or skip it in favor of something that is more appealing to the eye. A full-service home improvement company can offer you suggestions that will benefit your homes curb appeal be it fresh siding, new window, adding a porch, or even upgrading parts of the siding with natural masonry stones.

Increased Value

When you want to sell your home, some exterior enhancements will get you more money than if you left it in a state of repair. Getting more money for your home is always the goal when you are looking into selling your home. A good-looking exterior will get you that!

Increased Neighborhood Value

If the homes within your neighborhood all look like a million bucks and your home is still harboring an old dingy, outdated look, your home will decrease the overall value of the homes within the space. Don’t let your home get the “worst on the block” wrap. Whether you make major changes or minor ones keeping your home up to date.

Fewer Complaints from Your HOA

When you live in a community with an HOA it is important that your homes exterior stay in line with the rules of the neighborhood. Many HOA’s will fine you if you fail to keep with the homes look and overall appeal. Unused cars or RV’s, unkept bushes, faded mulch, worn out fences, and more can all lead your HOA to fine you as a homeowner until updates are put in place to fix the issues at hand.

Turn Your Bathroom into An Oasis Through Bathroom Renovations

When it comes to creating a space where homeowners renovate for the sheer purpose of relaxation look no further than the bathroom. Bathroom remodeling, in the last few decades, has come a long way in creating an oasis that can be thoroughly enjoyed in a different manner for each member of the family. Bathroom contractors have complete knowledge on implementing various designs and strategies into your bathroom renovation to create an oasis for your family.

Bathroom Renovations Using Mirrors and Clear Glass

The bathroom is a space within the home where families migrate to relax and escape free and clear from the stresses of the day from work, kids, and more. One strategy that contractors use to help create a unique, oasis like bathroom space is through the strategic use of mirrors. Using large mirrors in the bathroom renovation design helps to create the sensation of a more substantial room. Mirrors make smaller rooms appear less cramped. Another option in bathroom renovations to enhance the size of the space is to use clear glass partitions.

Remodeling Bathrooms Choosing the Best Sink Styles

Instead of using a traditional white porcelain sink in your bathroom, contractors specializing in bathroom renovations choose copper handmade vessel basins, natural stone, ceramic, or glass. These sink vessel materials when used in conjunction with proper fixtures, tiling, paint, and more can provide you with am undeniably serene vibe.

Maximize Natural Lighting During Renovations to The Bathroom

Natural light is not easily replicated. When a bathroom doesn’t have outside light entering the space it is important that the soothing, natural feeling it offers is replicated. Certain lighting elements can be used to emulate natural light while other contractors will suggest bringing natural light into the space through the addition of windows and/or skylights.

Increased Light Features in Your Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom contractors use lighting to brighten up bathroom spaces making them appear clean, sleek, and modern. Bright lighting, with the ability to dim, create an oasis atmosphere. Light fixtures, as well as the type of bulb that is used can change the entire vibe of the space. Crystal lighting often enhances the crisp, clean lines that contractors emphasize within the bathroom space.

Proper Bathroom Flooring, Accessories, Fixtures, and More

Bathroom contractors really pull a space together through proper flooring, accessories, and fixtures. Little elements used together and arranged properly create a clean look that emphasizes comfort and size. All the choices from the floor to the vanity, from the toilet paper roll to the towel holder, each helps to create a soothing retreat while maximizing your bathroom space.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

5 Ways Kitchen Renovations Increase Your Homes Resale Value

If you didn’t build your current home from scratch, but instead bought it, chances are you have had to put up with someone else’s idea of a kitchen layout that does nothing to impress the eye. As we approach the hottest selling season, with billions of potential homes expected to change hands, there never has been a time like now, that you can use cost-effective strategies to help you leverage all you can against the competition.

If you shudder each time you waltz into your kitchen, then it’s time to take the plunge to upgrade and refresh one of the most important spaces in your home, the kitchen. According to contractors specializing in kitchen renovations, a professionally remodeled kitchen will not only improve and add value to your home, but when the time comes to sell it, you can command a higher price without batting an eyelid.

Quick Resale

One of the main reasons that homes stay on the market for too long without receiving any offers is because the last thing a home buyer wants is to move into a home that they must renovate right away. No one wants to buy a home with an outdated kitchen where appliances aren’t working, or the cabinets and countertops are falling apart. It is easier to attract prospective buyers when the kitchen is in pristine condition and compel them to pay a premium price for the home.

Energy Efficiency

Anything that can save a potential homebuyer some money is a prime motivating factor for purchasing a home. Installing modern appliances and solar panels will not only increase the energy efficiency of the kitchen but adding skylights in place of artificial lighting will flood the kitchen with more natural light without spending any energy, therefore, contribute greatly toward energy savings, and who doesn’t want to save a buck or two?

Lifestyle

According to contractors specializing in kitchen renovations, your kitchen’s design not only needs to meet your current needs but those of future buyers. Some basic concepts to keep in mind during your project design is open space, easy to access cabinetry, and accessible storage. These are trends that are good for meeting most family’s needs.

Modernity

Provided a space doesn’t feel cold or clinical, remodeling your kitchen to bring it to the 21st century will yield great results in increasing the value of your home and making a big impression in both the young and old homebuyers. Choose colors and styles that create a space that is clean, comfortable, and allows people the ability to relax and stay awhile.

Return on Investment

If your kitchen is too outdated, consider spending about 15 to 25% of your home’s value for new cabinet doors, appliances, countertops, sink, faucet, paint, and hardware. According to contractors specializing in kitchen renovations will increase your homes resale value and yield a higher return. Especially if you are going to be in the house awhile and enjoying the renovation. A kitchen renovation is a terrific way to add value to your home while enjoying the new space.

Increase Your Homes Curb Appeal

In real estate, a good looking exterior of a home isn’t just memorable, it’s key to brokering a deal. Hence it is pertinent to give maximum attention to the basics of how increasing your homes curb appeal. The first impression of your home is what makes buyers pick interests in it, your exterior home improvements should be top notch in terms of quality and beauty.

Front entry, sidewalks, driveway, and yard serve as a summary of what to expect on the inside. Potential buyers pay attention to little details that define your home’s exterior outlook – your replacement windows should be perfect. You can’t leave anything for granted when it comes to what can make or break your home sales.

Here some few ways to get it right:

Buyer’s instinct

Put yourself in the position of the buyer and walk around to examine your home by yourself. This opens your mind and you start to notice so many imperfections in your home which you have not been noticing before or paying attention to.

While doing the walking, take proper and critical notes of those things that need repairing, those that need to be updated and don’t forget to keep an eye on the windows and the roof as well. There are a lot of replacement windows for those that need replacement. You roof condition is critical to the overall exterior outlook of your home. If need be, give it an exterior home improvement.

Get an expert opinion

If you have tried to improve your home’s curb appeal using the above method and you are still not sure of your decisions, get an expert view. It might be a siding contractor or a flooring expert, all you really need is someone who understands what it means to improve your home’s curb appeal.

Their responsibility, in this case, is to critically and construct active point out other places that need improving that you have not been able to see. Somethings you might be wrong with your judgment, say you decided to repair what is supposed to be totally evac and replaced.

Under Pressure

Pressure-washing the dirty siding and deck, as well as the stained driveway and faded walkway in a highly cost-efficient way to improve your home’s curb appeal. This is a good option for some budget-conscious homeowners. You can rent a pressure washer from a local home improvement store near you if you don’t own one.

These are just some helpful options that would have you achieve your goal of increasing your home’s curb appeal. Remember to add some colors, light up the landscape, and add some polish to make them see it as beautiful as you do.

Four Reasons To Plan Exterior Home Remodeling During The Winter

Many homeowners do not consider the winter season as a good time for home improvement projects and repairs – and this is understandable. Although several factors could determine the ideal time for your exterior home improvement project, the winter presents a perfect time for several reasons. Here are four big factors.

Contractor Availability

The spring and summer season months are usually the busiest seasons for building contractors. Engaging in an exterior home improvement project during this period can be difficult as well as frustrating. On the other hand, contractors are usually more available during winter as most people prefer not to invest in major home remodeling projects during the winter. This makes it convenient for you to schedule a timeline that suits both parties – you and the contractor, for the completion of your project.

Another big advantage of the winter season is that building contractors usually give more attention to little details. Although it is normal that every experienced and reputable contractor will go to any length to satisfy a client, there is more time to focus on your project during the winter.

Accelerated Permit Approval Process

Depending on the scope of your home remodeling project, you may require some sort of permission from local government agencies or homeowner associations. During the summer seasons, these agencies and offices receive a lot of requests and this could delay your approval. However, you can rest assured of an expedited process when you send your request during winter as government agencies receive fewer home improvement/addition requests.

Cost Effective

Summer months are usually peak seasons for building manufacturers. As more homeowners renovate or remodel homes during this period, the prices of certain building products and materials will increase. However, during the winter off-season, these manufacturers offer product specials and promotions. This will save you lots of money on items such as windows, doors, flooring, and tile. Scheduling your home improvement project during the winter will allow you take advantage of the available opportunities and save lots of money in the long run.

Vacation

People often seize the opportunity that the winter season presents to travel to warmer climates. Planning your home remodeling project during this season allows you take off for your much-needed vacation as you have little to nothing to do once you have everything well planned out with your contractor. The vacation also helps to limit your exposure to the noise pollution and demolition hazards.

It is very important that you plan your exterior home improvement project well on time, so you can have your home ready during the winter, ahead of the summer when you can invite friends and family to the house.

Factors to Consider before Hiring a Commercial Roof Contractor

Hiring a roofing contractor, especially when it comes to commercial roofing, is a decision that must be taken after thorough consideration. Proper research needs to be done before selecting one. The major reason behind this recommendation is that commercial roofing is a costly affair. If a company has hired inexperienced commercial roofing contractors, it can add to their woes and prove to be even more costly for them.

Let’s have a look at some of the factors to consider before hiring a commercial roof contractor.

Licensed and Insured

To begin with, you must ensure that the contractors you are hiring have obtained the license to offer their services. Moreover, they must also be insured. This ensures enhanced peace of mind of clients.

Committed to Excellence

Look for the commercial roofing contractors who are committed to providing exceptional services. You must do a background check and read reviews on their services. This will give you an idea of their expertise.

Extensive Experience

It is important to know about the experience of a particular contractor before hiring them. Relying on new contractors in the market solely because they are charging less than others may prove to be even more costly for you.

Proven Techniques

Ask about the techniques and strategies that will be used by contractors before hiring them. Make sure they are in accordance with the international standards. Furthermore, you must also be aware of the material used by contractors for efficiently performing the job at hand. It should be of high quality if you want to attain better results. Inferior quality results will do the opposite effect and you will have to frequently spend on money for roof repair services.

Qualified Employees

Employees hired by contractors must be qualified. Moreover, they must follow workplace health and safety standards in order to avoid landing in difficult situations.

Use of Cutting-edge Technology

Hire a commercial roof contractor that make efficient use of state of the art technology for repairing or building a commercial roof. Use of the cutting-edge technology increases efficiency, reduces cost, and produce reliable results.

Cost

While it is important to consider cost but it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when it comes to hiring a contractor for the commercial roof. The best idea is to compare prices of different top rated commercial roofing contractors before taking the final call. This practice will help you to get the best deal.

As mentioned above, the selection process of a roofing contractor can prove to be a daunting phase. To take a decision that is in the best interest of your organization, it is recommended to go online and check profiles of different contractors that offer services you require. Shortlist the profiles of companies that meet the criteria you have set, compare their prices, and communicate your requirements to them. This whole process will help you to select the best roofing contractor.

Types of Materials Used In Commercial Roofing

Commercial roofing is a specialty that’s a bit different than what is done for houses or other types of residential properties. Commercial roofing contractors will work with the commercial building or property manager to repair issues with a roof, replace a worn-out roof or build a brand new roof on a new commercial property.

There are many choices in the commercial roofing industry. To begin, there are many types of materials that are commonly used in commercial roofing. Let’s narrow them down to help you choose the one that’s most pertinent to your project.

EPDM Roofing

This type of roof has excellent durability and can be used for a wide range of buildings. It lasts much longer than any of the other options. EPDM roofing is much easier to install, and is easier to maintain and repair than the other types of commercial roofing available today. It involves a single-ply membrane.

Green Roofs

This type of roofing has increased in popularity over the years and is commonly used in big cities. Basically, the roof is covered with vegetation implanted into soil. Beneath it is a waterproof membrane. This reduces the urban island heat effect by soaking up heat before it enters a building. It also works as additional insulation. It can increase the lifespan of a roof by as much as three times longer, and save on energy bill costs.

Liquid-Applied Roofing

This is created by applying high-tech polymers in liquid form that dry to form a moisture-free barrier.

Metal-Sloped Roofs

These are commonly used on high-rise buildings and last a long time.

Modified Roofing

This utilizes redundant layers of roofing to create a weather-resistant top. Built-up roofing is also similar and takes into account the roof’s slope and intricacies. Some forms are coal tar, asphalt, gravel, and modified bitumen.

Photovoltaic Solar Panels

This type of commercial roofing serves a dual purpose—it protects the building and provides solar power to it. These PV solar panels are installed on the roof and can be used with different types of roofing, including glass and roof-mounted tile. They can absorb the sunlight and convert to useable energy. This type of roofing isn’t commonly used yet, but can be a way to save money on energy down the road.

Thermoplastic Roofing

This is also known as TPO and it’s becoming one of the most popular types of commercial roofing today. It’s created of a durable material that is flexible, but has high endurance to heat or cold. It’s also resistant to the sun’s rays, and chemicals in industry. These types of roofs can last for up to twenty years or more. They’re also resistant to fires. They involve a single-ply membrane.

There are many choices in commercial roofing that can be confusing. Have a conversation with your commercial roofing contractors, as they are the best experts to help you choose commercial roofing based on the type of commercial building you have.

10 Tips on Choosing a Commercial Roofing Contractor

When it comes to getting your commercial roof repaired hiring a commercial roofing company is often the best option. However, make sure you get the best company for the job. Here are 10 tips on choosing a commercial roofing firm.

Ask Those You Know

Referrals and word-of-mouth advertising are two popular ways for contractors to get business. Start by talking to other members of the business community about the contractors they’ve hired in the past. Find out about scammers or those they’ve had issues with. While you may not get one single contractor, you can cut down the number of contenders on your list.

Check with the Better Business Bureau

The BBB will give you a score of all the different commercial roofing contractors in the local area. Look out for those with good scores. They’re more reliable and recommended.

Check for Designations and Accreditations

There are certain manufacturer designations and accreditations within the roofing industry, especially when it comes to commercial roofing. Find out more about them and the ones that contractors should aim to reach. There are strict requirements for contractors to gain the accreditation, and the contractors need to continually meet those requirements.

Find Out About Training

Does the commercial roofing company have official training for their contractors? Have they been through a safety program? Look out for those who have a good track record for safety and professionalism to make sure the job on your roof is going to be done to a high standard.

Check for Insurance

Always make sure the contractors have insurance and licenses. Any employee or subcontractor should be covered by this insurance. If they have it, they will have no problem showing you a copy to set your mind at ease. Insurance is essential to avoid being held liable should an accident occur while the contractor is on your property.

Ask for Recommendations to Your Roof

When you talk to contractors, ask them about their recommendations for your roof. What’s the best way for them to repair the damage? What would the best materials be? Ask a few commercial roofing contractors the same questions to make sure they’re trustworthy and not just after as much money as possible.

Get Estimates and Quotes in Writing

Always ask for estimates and quotes for the job. Get these in writing and in as much detail as possible. Good contractors will help you compare quotes easily. When it’s all in writing, they are also held to them in courts, meaning they are more likely to work out the total costs better. You lower the risk of a surprise bill at the end.

Make Sure You’ll Get Options

While the commercial roofing contractor knows their job, you should still get a choice. These choices will be about the color, material, and durability of the materials available. Color and material can affect more than your current budget. It can cause your resale value to drop.

Find Out About Cleanup

Does the company leave their mess behind after a job? You want to find someone who will look after your home and take care of their own mess!

Check about Extended Warranties

A commercial roofing company who is certain about their work will offer a warranty or guarantee. No guarantee at all suggests that the job won’t be great. It can take years for some damage to show if the roof wasn’t installed properly. Make sure you’re covered for this.

Don’t just look for a commercial roofing company within your budget. Do your research and find someone offering the best value for your money.

Hiring a Contractor Verse Remodeling On Your Own

There is so much plumbing involved in kitchen and bathroom remodeling contracts that it can represent a problem for most do it yourself homeowners. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, hooking up pipes and rerouting them, you can end up with quite a disaster. This is where professional contractors for the home come in to play. They know the intricacies involved in full service home remodeling including how to connect and route plumbing correctly.

If you are not used to dealing with circular saws or other types of machinery needed to do the job, they can be dangerous for a novice. Many people have been hurt using these over the years. Proper operation is a must. Think about that before ever taking on a home improvement job on your own. It is best to be safe and hire a professional for renovations around the home.

Many times what contractors find is that a do it yourselfer will begin a project and end up hitting a snag. They will not understand how to work out the problem which will lead to another project around the home that goes incomplete. Then a professional has to be called in anyway. Does this sound familiar?

Calculating Cost Mistakes

You could easily calculate the cost of a kitchen and bathroom remodeling project wrong. There are lots of little things that can be forgotten and not correctly accounted for when pricing out a project of this magnitude. These mistakes are easy to make; measuring too much pipe, not enough tile, or buying insufficient hardware to complete the project are all problems novice homeowners run into when attempting renovations on their own.

Benefits of Hiring a Contractor

A contractor is trained to handle all the pitfalls that come in full service home remodeling. They can work promptly to finish your project. There is typically a guarantee offered in case something is not right after they are done. Contractors will come back and fix it to your satisfaction.

It is best to hire the right contractor to do all kitchen and bath remodels to guarantee the job is done right. This will give you some backup in case there are problems that arise during the process.

Tips on Kitchen and Bathroom Artistry

It is important that homeowners take their time when looking to find a contractor. Most homeowners will seek out three professional estimates and meet with each contractor before deciding on who they wish to hire. When it comes to your home yellow pages roulette will just not work. Homeowners need face time to get to know the contractor and develop a relationship. Intuition plays a big role in who ends up getting hired. Some homeowners say they simply feel it when they finally decide who will perform with the level of artistry you deserve.

Another thing to look into is a contractor’s portfolio. A company’s website is a great place to begin but also ask to see projects throughout the entire time the company has been in business. It is also important to speak with the companies references. Contractors with sufficient experience will have several references of jobs performed recently and in the past. Be bold and call the references that have been given with the contractor. Watch their reaction and you will get a sense of who they are. Even if this makes you uncomfortable it is necessary to see how the contractor reacts in this situation. Also, it is a great way to hear both sides of a conflict, if there was one and how it was resolved.

Obtain everything in writing. A written documentation, signed by you and the contractor, is really the only thing that guarantees can be based off of. All kitchen and bathroom contractors will readily supply homeowners with a detailed written agreement that describes what work is to be performed, materials to be used, and time frame in which the job is to be completed.

Final Thoughts On Hiring a Full Service Home Remodeling Company

These key points should help during the journey into the unknown of remodeling. The goal is to achieve quality craftsmanship at a price that you are comfortable with. Listen to your intuition as it often provides the answer to the hardest of questions when it comes to hiring a contractor and more.

Kearns Brothers is a full service home remodeling company that specializes in customer satisfaction with guaranteed results in bath and kitchen remodeling, commercial and industrial roofing, siding, and more. For more information check out our website at https://www.kearnsbrothers.com or call our experts at 888.355.6700.