Welcome To Kitchen Remodeling Explore Series

Today's Home Improvement News

Explore Kitchen Remodeling Beginnings

The inspiration for this website came from a friend when she asked me to visit Lowe's building suppy store with her to explore the possibility of remodeling her kitchen.  In particular she was interest in replacing her kitchen cabinet and counter tops with newer improved materials now available at building suppy stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot, and building supplies sellers.  Listening to the questions asked the store personnel concerning kitchen remodeling caused me to think that there must be a lot of people who were seeking similar information on the same subject.  Thus, the first in the remodeling explore series, Explore Kitchen Remodeling, came to be.  I hoped that the information and links provided in this website www.ExploreKitchenRemodeling.com will make it easier for you to plan and accomplish your remodeling home improvement projects.

For the 1990s television show, starring Tim Allen, see Home Improvement.

Home improvement is the process of renovating or making additions to one's home. Often, a professional handyman is hired to perform the improvements but, typically, most improvements are done on an amateur DIY basis by the homeowner.

Bob Vila is a well-known author and television host in the home improvement field. Also, the sitcom Home Improvement uses the home improvement for comedic purposes.

Professional versus do it yourself (DIY)

A homeowner can hire a general contractor to oversee a home improvement project that involves multiple trades. A general contractor acts as project manager, providing access to the site, removing debris, coordinating work schedules, and performing some aspects of the work. Sometimes homeowners bypass the general contractor, and hire tradesmen themselves, including plumbers, electricians and roofers. Another strategy is to "do it yourself" (DIY). Several major retailers, such as Home Depot and Lowes, specialize in selling materials and tools for DIY home improvement. These stores even host classes to educate customers how to do the work themselves.

With the rise of residential re novation [aka Home Improvement or  Home Remodeling] has come the rise of the renovation disaster.  The search for a reputable contractor or trades person is daunting for most homeowners and can be filled with stress.  Here is a short checklist that may help homeowners to make better hiring decisions:

-Slow Down! Finding a good contractor takes time and research.
-Avoid the Yellow Pages! The Yellow Pages doesn't make sure a contractor has a license or insurance
-Ask to see Proof of Liability Insurance. Don't accept a contractor's word, require the documentation
-Ask to see a Renovator's License. Many cities require this license so ask for it.-Ask if your project needs a Building Permit. -Let your home insurance company know. More renovation how-to and best-to-do information can be found at eRenovate.com

Types of home improvement in addition to kitchen remodeling

• Wall papering and painting walls or installing wood paneling.
• Adding new flooring such as carpets, tiling, linoleum, wood flooring, or solid hardwood flooring.
• Upgrading cabinets, fixtures, and sinks in the kitchen and bathroom.
• Repairing or increasing the capacity of plumbing and electrical systems.
• Upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
• Roof tear-off and replacement.
• Concrete and masonry repairs to the foundation and chimney.
• Waterproofing basements.
• Soundproofing rooms, especially bedrooms and baths.
• Replacing siding and windows, both as a cosmetic improvement and as a way to save energy.
• Turning marginal areas into livable spaces such as turning basements into recrooms or attics into spare bedrooms.
• Reducing utility costs with:
  • Energy-efficient insulation, windows, and lighting.
  • Renewable energy with biomass pellet stoves, wood-burning stoves, solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal exchange heat pumps (see autonomous building)
• Extending one's house with rooms added to the side of one's home or, sometimes, extra levels to the original roof.
• Improving the backyard with sliding doors, wooden patio decks, patio gardens, jacuzzis, swimming pools, and fencing .
• Emergency preparedness safety measures such as:
  • Home fire and burglar alarm systems.
  • Security doors, windows, and shutters.
  • Storm cellars as protection from tornados and hurricanes.
  • Bomb shelters especially during the 1950s as protection from nuclear war.

References

• Litchfield, Michael (2005). Renovation 3rd Edition. Taunton Press. ISBN 1-56158-588-2.  

See also

Home improvement Portal

• Home repair
• Refurbishment
• Repair and maintenance

External links

• DIY, Home Improvement and Building
• DIYinfo.org's 
• HomeImprovementShare.com 
• National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council
• DIY information and resources.
• eRenovate.com | Canada's most trusted source for home remodeling articles,  tools and expert answers

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia