The Importance of Keeping Your Home Up to Date

Pure Coziness

As a homeowner we often overlook our own comfort which is a huge mistake when renovating your home. Before you begin construction on your home ask yourself if this is what you want your home to look like for the next few years. If the answer is not an immediate YES then it may be time to rethink the current renovation idea.

The remodeling that you have done around your home should not be done solely because you want to increase the value of your home. If this is the sole reason for renovating, then you will be stuck living in a show piece that you aren’t enjoying, and it will not feel like a home at all. Home renovations should not be done based only on how the renovation affects the things around you but instead on a combination of things including your comfort and enjoyment of the space.

Update the Outdated

When homeowners fail to renovate their homes, they can quickly become outdated and less appealing. It is important to keep your home up to date but to do so in a timeless, classic manner that is not based on what is trending at the time. Trends tend to go out of style as fast as they come in. Just as a classic black suit or simple black dress never fades out of style, renovations around your home can be the same. A perfect example of this is the installation of hard wood flooring.

Affordable Financing

Sometimes people fail to keep up on maintenance and renovations due in part because they don’t have liquid cash to do so. Homeowners may need to rely on financing options to ensure their homes stay up to date. Borrowing against your home’s equity is a fairly common practice especially when using the money for renovations that will help increase the value and equity in their home.

Enhanced ROI

Home renovations completed by a professional contractor may return a greater return on your investment when you go to sell or rent out your house. When renovating a rental home, it is important that then renovations are done with the greater appeal in mind. The home improvements that are done should be focused on drawing tenants in. Improvements in rentals that draw tenants are private laundry facilities, increased storage, and open spaces. When renovating to increase the value of your home it is important to concentrate remodeling efforts on big ticket areas such as curb appeal, kitchen remodeling, and updated bathrooms.

Renovations allow homeowners to keep their homes up to date and well maintained. This all works to increase the value of your property while making sure that your home is ready when you choose to move on.

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan. Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services. More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

Increasing the Value of Your Home Through Renovations

Selling your house is a big deal. To most sellers it is important to get top dollar for selling their home especially after they have put money into it through updates and renovations. The problem that most sellers run into is that they sink money into renovations that do not offer the type of return on investment that they think it will. Some renovations are just aesthetic and really don’t get sellers a ROI however others are not only pretty to look at, they add functionality that didn’t previously exist. In this installment we will discuss several projects that not only increase the functionality of your home but bring added value as well.

Siding Replacement – Manufactured Stone Veneer

Curb appeal, curb appeal, curb appeal… you will hear this over and over again when you are selling your home. When you improve the appeal of your home upon first glance it naturally draws people in. To create a high-end look to your home’s exterior consider replacing the siding on your front porch or the front of your house with manufactured stone veneer. This offers the appeal of real stone without the weight. Even updating a small area on the front of the home’s exterior can make a huge difference. An industry average of this type of renovations shows that homeowners will receive about a 92% ROI.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

When buyers enter your home, they are looking at certain areas in particular to ensure that the home is suitable for their family’s needs. The kitchen is one area within the home that gets more scrutinized then any other. The kitchen space has become known as the heart of the home. It is a central area to bring your family together to start or end their day. Kitchen spaces can easily make or break the sale of a home.

When speaking with other real estate professionals we have found that even the most basic kitchen upgrades turn the impression of a seller’s kitchen from bland to exquisite. Consider new flooring, updated countertops, replacing cabinet doors and hardware, add a backsplash, replace outdated appliances, and/or replace the sink and faucets. All of these will make a large impact on the homes space. Kitchen remodeling, even just minor updates can net a solid 82% ROI.

Bathroom Renovations

Second to the kitchen a bathroom is another highly scrutinized area in the home when buyers are viewing a home. Bathrooms are an essential piece of any home and therefore high on the list of considerations that can make or break the sale of a home. Consider replacing flooring, updating fixtures and cabinetry, increasing storage, as well as updating lighting. Bathrooms are smaller areas that renovations are more easily accomplished. The normal return on investment for bathroom renovations is upwards of 71%.

There are a lot of things to consider while living in a home. The return on your investments doesn’t always play a role until you go to put the home up for sale. By taking time to evaluate your family’s needs, along with the ROI, before prioritizing renovations you will be able to maximize both your family’s comfort and profit you are adding to the (eventual) resale value of your home.

The Ultimate Guide for Kitchen Remodeling

Home remodeling takes a lot of your time, energy, focus, and money. Whether you are renovating your bedroom, bathroom, lounge, kitchen, or even the entire house, you must plan everything from your budget to the color schemes and how to make it all work together.

In home improvement, kitchen remodeling is the most lucrative as well as painstaking. It is the center of every function in your house. It is especially difficult when you must live in the house as it is being renovated. Contractors do their best to work with families throughout this stressful time to ensure that homeowners can still use parts of their kitchens.

To simplify the predicament, we have made a list of top 5 tips to help while you are having your kitchen space remodeled.

Budget

Before you start remodeling, you must determine that how much money you are willing to spend on home remodeling. In the case of remodeling a kitchen, you must decide that you want a low-end, medium-end or high-end kitchen. For that purpose, you can scan the market and your residential area that what type of kitchen designs are being adapted there. From that you can decide for the optimum choice that you want to consider for your kitchen. Kitchen remodeling contractors will often help homeowners with this process.

Changing or Keeping the Existing Floor Plan

If you are on a budget, home improvement plans can be a tricky situation and in kitchen remodeling changing your plumbing and/or your kitchen layout can be even trickier. As a rule of thumb, if you change one section of your plumbing or move the position of your appliances, it adds an extra $5000 to your budget. It looks very easy to change your plumbing and floor plan, but in fact it is not easy at all. Whatever you decide to do, you should always keep in mind the triangle shape between your stove, refrigerator and sink for the optimum use of the workspace and traffic flow in your kitchen.

Bring Focus to Your Cabinets

New cabinets, new flooring, and new appliances are not the only solutions to consider when having your kitchen remodeled. Refacing existing cabinets, adding splashes of color, updated hardware and accessories can make a lot of difference.

Incorporating Color

You can add a new life and buzz into your kitchen by incorporating contrasting colors in it. It will give a visual interest to your kitchen. It is important in all home improvement projects that you choose a color pallet that accentuates all the good features within your home. Similarly, in your kitchen you can make a contrast of a bold and a neutral color or if you are going for a monochromatic look, you can choose contrasting tones.

Small Changes Make Big Impacts

There are many ways to renovate your home and kitchen. When deciding what and how you want each space done consider why you are remodeling. Are you remodeling spaces to add functionality or mainly for aesthetic purposes? If it is for functional purposes? If yes, then many times your renovations will be a bit costlier as they may require moving walls, electrical outlets, lighting, and plumbing. If you are remodeling mainly for aesthetic purposes and a change in the look of your space is desired then changing the color of paint, updating accessories, and some modified lighting may be more than enough.

We hope that the tips that we have mentioned above will give you the idea on tips and tricks required while remodeling your kitchen. JFC Remodeling, out of Howell, Michigan, offers a variety of construction services for the home including: kitchen and bath remodeling, flooring renovations, and home remodeling. You can find out more information at http://www.jfcremodeling.com or by reaching out to our home renovation specialists at 810.923.1123.

Preparing For Renovations

Are you preparing for a new construction project? Have you hired a licensed contractor? Whether it’s a small or large construction, managing a project can feel like a full-time job, and you are on the right track if you’re looking to hire a licensed general contractor to take up the responsibility for every aspect of your new construction build, from the footers to the roof.

Hiring a licensed contractor can ease your mind knowing that they will ensure all aspects of the project are up to code. Hiring a contractor that has a worker’s compensation policy and a liability insurance policy to protect themselves and you against any unforeseen mishaps that may occur on site.

Working close with a licensed contractor will also guarantee that you have access to high-quality materials for every aspect of the job, which they can get at a more favorable rate and save you quite a bit of pocket change. Now that you have that covered, there are a few more things you need to do when preparing for a home renovation that will make the whole experience stress-free and perhaps a bit enjoyable.

Ask the licensed contractor you are considering to work with to let you see one or two of their project sites to determine that they are indeed good at what they do and most importantly, they are in good standing with their existing clients.
Be realistic when it comes to the scope of work that will go into your new construction by having a realistic timeline, budget, cost of material and equipment, as well as labor. Prepare yourself for the unexpected.
Invest in quality items or materials that will serve you longer, especially when it comes to common room items such as appliances or high-quality flooring and cabinets. The items you purchase should withstand years of use and cost you nothing to in the way of maintenance.
Determine some tasks that you can do yourself during the construction period to not only save time and labor costs but also to make you part of your new construction project.
It’s also prudent to consult with a few contractors who can give you a different approach to some designs on your board and advise you what is feasible and financially sound to avoid being entirely disappointed in your new construction project when it’s all done, and you can’t do anything about it.

JFC Remodeling, out of Howell, Michigan, offers a variety of construction services for the home including: kitchen and bath remodeling, flooring renovations, and home remodeling. You can find out more information at http://www.jfcremodeling.com or by reaching out to our home renovation specialists at 810.923.1123.

Professional Kitchen Renovations Can Increase Your Home’s Value

A kitchen renovation is one of the smartest ways to add value to your home and you can achieve this by hiring a licensed contractor. Real estate experts agree that a well-designed and updated kitchen attracts buyers. Whether you are doing a complete kitchen remodeling or simply making a few updates, homeowners can improve the appeal of their home and increase the value with a professional kitchen renovation.

According to the industry, a homeowner can expect to recoup about 95% of the cost of a major kitchen remodel. This makes it one of the best remodeling choices for homeowners looking to increase their home value. A modern kitchen makes your home more valuable and more attractive to buyers when the time comes to sell.

The kitchen is the heart of a home. It is a place to gather as a family, visit with friends, and share meals. Because it is one of the most popular rooms in the house, kitchens tend to suffer a lot of wear and tear over time. Countertops, appliances, and flooring can get worn and damaged, decreasing the style and appeal of the room. Below are some common areas of interest that are addressed in remodeling.

Kitchen renovations may include knocking down walls to add space or redesigning the layout to improve functionality. Homeowners have the chance to design the room they have always wanted. Make the most of it by increasing storage space and improving traffic flow.
Consider upgrading your appliances to high-efficiency models. Not only can they save you money in energy costs, you may be eligible for tax rebates. Be sure that your electrical wiring and plumbing are properly installed by a licensed contractor to prevent damage and ensure that your appliances will work correctly.
Your existing cabinets can be re-surfaced, or you may decide to replace them entirely with new ones. A licensed contractor will help choose a countertop surface that will blend well with your cabinets. Stone, especially granite, used by a licensed contractor when doing your kitchen remodeling gives your kitchen an up-scale and classic look that will last the lifetime of your home.
Hardwoods and ceramic tiles are the most popular choices for kitchen flooring. Both materials are attractive to buyers and need very little maintenance to look good.
Lighting is extremely important in the kitchen. Ambient lighting will keep the room bright. Task lighting illuminates the food prep and cooking area. Under cabinet lighting can accentuate the beauty of your room.
A wall color that will accentuate your new cabinets, flooring, appliances, and countertops. Consider the addition of a colorful backsplash or accent wall to create a focal point in the room.

Kitchen remodeling is a large project and can take months to fully complete. Discuss a timeline and a specific budget for your project with a licensed contractor so you will know what to expect. Not every homeowner is willing or able to complete a large-scale kitchen remodeling. Even minor improvements can change the entire look of your kitchen and make it more appealing to potential buyers. Whether you are selling your home or simply want to improve the room’s appearance, small projects like painting or replacing outdated appliances with a licensed contractor can make a big difference to the value of your home.

Kitchen Remodeling: Find Top 5 Kitchen Designs That Last the Test of Time

When homeowners are considering renovations, it is always important that they consider three things:

Will the renovation fit our families current and future needs?
Is this design on the renovation universal? Will it appease future buyers if we consider selling the home?
Does this renovation offer a good ROI? Can this renovation stand the test of time or is this trend one that will be outdated quickly?

Kitchen remodeling can be quite the venture both in time and resources. It is crucial that when meeting with a contractor regarding your new kitchen design that you have a meeting of the minds regarding different elements that are incorporated. For a kitchen design to work over time it must be function while combing trendy elements with elements that have proven to “age” well. True professionals will be able to blend elements that allow you to have the kitchen of your dreams today that will easily integrate updates and trends that come and go within the next ten to twenty years.

Elements That Withstand the Test of Time in Kitchen Design

Invest in Natural Elements

When planning your new kitchen consider adding in natural elements such as marble, hardwoods, brick, and stone. These are all components that make a design timeless and add to the aesthetic value of a space. These elements can be seen in kitchens and homes from the 70’s that can be used in current renovations without hassle in uniting them in the overall design.

Natural Lighting

Consciences contractors will always take into consideration the placement of the kitchen within the home to maximize the amount of natural light within the space. Kitchens that are bright and well light always appear cleaner and more inviting. Natural lighting can be combined with light fixtures within the kitchen to accentuate the space to give the allusion of openness. An open kitchen concept is one that has been and will remain popular throughout time.

Indoor Plants

In order to create a timeless design within your kitchen it is important to blend two elements: simplicity and function. Indoor plants have always been popular amongst homeowners. One way to incorporate this into the kitchen space in the form of an herb garden. This is a practical, functional way to bring greenery into the kitchen without it looking out of place.

The key element when it comes to any renovation in your home is ease of use. Simplicity is always in style. Homeowners want a space to be functional, stylish, and comfortable. The best feeling ever as a homeowner is to have guests walk into your home and feel content being there. This is what contractors aim to do in all of the renovations that they have the privilege of being a part of.

2018 Trends In Kitchens and Bathrooms

It appears that more and more homeowners are shifting the design perspective to hiring contractors that can handle the design and building all in one. Many problems can arise when homeowners have to communicate with two different professional parties, designers and contractors, so it is a special era of home construction when one contractor does it all.

Designers often blame contractors when problems occur while contractors return the blame to designers when the job goes sideways. It is a better situation for homeowners to get the best contractor and designer for the job from the same spot.

2018 Trends in Kitchen Design and Remodeling

Decades ago, the kitchen was hidden in the back of the house. It was a place where meals were prepared and dirty dishes were washed. Fast forward to 2018 and the kitchen has a much different role. Today, the kitchen is the focal point of the home, the place that brings everyone together at the start of the day or after a long day way. Now instead, the kitchen is paraded in all its beauty and warmth at the very center of the house.

Kitchens have changed a lot over the decades and planning for your kitchen remodel is very important. Technology advances and changing social dynamics have contributed greatly to the rise of the modern kitchen. There is a far bigger focus on open concept homes that revolve around the kitchen so everyone can be together. As with any modern design trend, clean and simple styles have become favorites for homeowners with natural light becoming an essential aspect of the overall look and function of the kitchen space.

With advice from design experts, here are the top trends in kitchen design we expect to see in 2018:

Kitchen Cabinet Colors: White, Gray, and Dark Paint Colors are Elegant and Beautiful
Streamlined Designs, Materials, and Textures
Effective Storage Solutions and Additional Cabinetry
Kitchen Appliances: New Styles and Preferences
Hardwood Flooring is Popular as well as Ceramic Tiling
Single Level Multi-Purpose Kitchen Islands for Storage Solutions
Pet – Friendly Kitchen Spaces

Top Trends in Bathroom Designs and Renovations for 2018

For most people, the bathroom has become a personal sanctuary. It is not just a place to wash off the grit. It is your personal spa, where you relieve the stress of the day and relax. So, when you are renovating your bathroom, you are not just creating a practical bathing space; you are creating a place when you can get away and be yourself. Every aspect and component has to come together towards this goal while also meeting the practical needs of bathing.

If you are building a new home or planning a renovation, the following list of the hottest upcoming bathroom design trends in 2018 should get your creativity going.

The Bathroom Needs to Be Efficient and Comfortable
Toilets are More High Tech Including Seat Warmers, Automatic Lids, Slow Close Features, Adjustable Dryers and More
Brass and Gold Tone Fixtures are Making a Comeback
Lighting Style Including Light Bars and Wall Scones
Under-floor Heating Systems and Under the Counter Appliances
Unique Bathroom Flooring Such As: Hexagon, Arabesque, Diamond, Moroccan Fish Scales, and Chevron Patterns in New Colors and Textures.
Bold Accent Walls & Floors Including Ceramic and Porcelain Graphic Tiles

Conclusion

One common thread has been evident in all home design trends for 2018; homeowners are looking for ways to break from the mold and be unique in their styling. In the bathroom and kitchen designs, they are relying on technology, tiles, and bold accents to make the home more interesting.