Does Home Improvement Still Make Sense In A Housing Slump?

Last night I watched a home improvement show in which a Florida couple had spent $50,000 updating their home. Now they were asking their realtor for a home appraisal. Amazingly, the realtor told them their renovation had increased the value of their home by $120,000 - more than a two-to-one return on their investment!

Cable TV is filled with shows like this that inspire homeowners to take on kitchen remodeling, bedroom makeovers or similar projects.

But many of these shows were filmed two or three years ago during the height of the housing boom.

As we enter 2008 we fa2234ce a very different housing market in which nationwide home prices are stagnant and even declining in some markets.

In this sort of environment, does home improvement still make sense? The answer depends on what sort of home improvement you want to tackle.

Avoid Style Makeovers

First, it's time for a reality check. Even during the peak of the housing boom, the idea that remodeling your home produced a high return on investment was simply a myth.

According to 2004 survey by Remodeling Magazine, the average home renovation returned only 80% of its value at the time of resale.

So for every dollar you invested in a major renovation, you could expect $0.80 back in your pocket. And that was in 2004, when home values across the country were climbing at an unprecedented rate.

If you want a style makeover to make yourself happy, by all means you should do it. But you shouldn't expect it to dramatically increase the resale value of your home.

In fact, your taste could well end up driving away potential buyers. Personal tastes can be tricky. You may love red and gold walls in your living room, but some buyers will see this as a liability that needs to be fixed.

Even if your tastes are in step with current tastes, styles will change over time. Your choice of kitchen tile and countertops may be in line with current fashion, but if you don't plan to sell your home for another ten years, the style may well be dated when you sell.

Keep in Step with Your Neighborhood

Your home's location is still the biggest factor determining its value. With that in mind, renovations make the most sense if they bring your house up to the norm for the neighborhood.

If your 3,000 square foot home has only two bathrooms, adding a third bathroom makes sense. If all other homes in your neighborhood have a deck, then adding one to your home makes sense as well.

But this rule only applies to major items. Just because your neighbor added solid gold faucets and a sunken marble bathtub doesn't mean you should remodel your master bath to keep pace.

And if you are already the biggest house on the block, further home upgrades will do little to increase the value of your home.

Invest in Home Maintenance.

Home repairs and preventative maintenance are the best investment you can make in your house, and they make sense regardless of whether the housing market is in a boom or a bust. They won't necessarily raise the value of your home, but they can prevent your home from loosing far more value due to damage and wear.

Putting off repairs simply means they will cost more when you do get around to fixing them. A crack from a settling foundation will expand over time. Water damage from a leaky gutter will only cause further wear to your exterior walls.

When you sell your house these issues will almost certainly come up in the home inspection, and you may need to discount your home's price to allow the buyer to make repairs. Worse, too large a repair bill may simply scare a buyer away.

The Bottom Line:

Overall, the best advice is to invest in sound home improvements that keep your house in good shape and up to the standard of your neighborhood.

If you still want to make a style upgrade, that's fine. But do it for aesthetic reasons, not financial ones.

Local Kitchen Remodeling Help

The first way to make a good impression is by having a good looking floor. Even if you have dishes in the sink and junk on the strove, with a good flooring, you'll have your guests divert their eyes from the mess and praise your kitchen. For those who are looking for linoleum, you will be able to have a cheap renovation, however, if you go all out for the hardwood flooring or even clay tiling, you will be able to create a wonderful look for the kitchen.

Keep in mind that when you place a new floor down, you may not be able to just stop and cover up the old floor. It is only acceptable that you place new vinyl, clay, and so on, on top of a sub-floor. The sub-floor will not only make the new floor look smoother than ever, but it will also hide the imperfections of the first floors. You will need to consider this when it comes to remodeling. It's hard to get away with out the added costs when it comes to something like this.

If you would like to make the job go more quickly you will want to remove everything that isn't glued down or nailed to the floor. You will be able to place the sub-floor down very quickly and then the new floor down with ease when you aren't wasting your time moving things. Keep this in mind 2234when you are paying someone to come to your home and install any type of flooring.

You will also want to make sure that everything is measured twice before you make the cut. This is one of the reasons why it is always better to get a professional to do to the flooring. Flooring costs so much that it doesn't leave room for screw ups. You will want to consider the fact that if you purchase more than you need by ten percent (especially with tiles) you will be able to have a little bit of insurance with the cutting and measuring, however, you need to make sure that everything lines up just perfect. Keep in mind that there are some machines that you may need to rent in order to do your cutting. Materials like clay tiles and so on demand certain tools that will allow you to make the cuts without cracking. You will need to consider this when you are remodeling.

Finally, you will need to allow the floor to settle before you use it. This means at least a full day should go by before you begin to step on the new floor or before you begin to move furniture back onto the floor. It is very important that you allow the flooring to settle, even if it is glued down. You need to allow the floor to adhere before you go ahead and use your new kitchen.

The columnist Kurt Schefken is very interested in subjects associated to kitchens cabinets and kitchen cabinets things. You can find his writings on new kitchens over at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com and different sources for new kitchens news.

Little Giant Ladder System - Upsides and Downsides

You want safety and security. You want strength and stability. And of course you want versatility and a cos1C49t effective ladder. That is why millions around the world have chosen the Little Giant Ladder System. You will be getting everything from a Little Giant Ladder that you expect a ladder to have. Little Giant Ladder has a firm grip and can stand on any uneven surfaces giving full protection to you. The little giant ladder company also provides you with the accessory called little giant ladder leveler to provide improved balance during working on soft or muddy ground.

Safety: On our earth no other ladder is as safe as the Little Giant Ladder. The little giant ladder can be used safely on ramps, stairs, curbs, docks or other uneven surfaces since it is so adjustable. Little Giant Ladder is now available with the 'triple-locking' hinge. In the extended position it is sturdier than ever.

Strength: '6005-T5' grade thick-wall aluminum, which is used in aircraft manufacturing is used for Little Giant ladder. Therefore little giant ladder is light and portable while remaining as ultra-strong. The Little Giant ladder can hold up to 300 pounds of load, but it has been tested for up to '1200 pounds' of tensile strength.

Versatility: The Little Giant Ladder provides you the amount of user-friendly facility that no other ladder can give you. A recently concluded market survey has predicted that in near future two third of the ladder market share will be captured by the magic little giant ladder.

Little Giant Ladder Configurations:-

'A-Frame Ladder': With a simple click of the 'patented hinge', the Little Giant can be used as a traditional 'A-Frame ladder'.

'Staircase Ladder': Little giant is adjustable in one-foot increments, so the Little Giant ladder allows one side of the ladder to be extended allowing safe use on uneven surfaces like staircases, curbs or docks. Provision is made to work against any vertical surface also.

The little giant is a multipurpose ladder. It can be used as extension ladder as well as scaffolding mechanism with the use of little giant work plank.

Find more about Ladders on http://www.LeanderNet.com/Ladders/Little_giant_ladder.php. More useful content on LeanderNet - http://www.LeanderNet.com

Frequently Asked Questions About Fireplace Design

Here are some frequently asked questions, and answers, about fireplaces.

1 - How high should a fireplace chimney be with respect to the height of the house, and what feature1C84s of design affect its efficient operation?

ANSWER: A chimney should extend at least three feet above flat roofs and at least two feet above the ridge of a peak or hip roof. Solid masonry is the most commonly used material. Satisfactory performance of a chimney flue is determined by its size, direction, shape, height, tightness and smoothness.

2. Is there a particular kind of mortar that should be used in fireplace construction? How is it mixed and where is it used?

ANSWER: The brick around a fireplace and flue should be laid with cement mortar, since it is more resistant than lime mortar to the action of heat and flue gases. The best to use, except on firebrick, consists of one part portland cement, one part hydrated lime, and six parts clean sand. Firebrick is best laid in fire clay.

3. What is the purpose of a damper, and how is it constructed?

ANSWER: A damper affords a means of regulating the draft and prevents excessive loss of heat from the room when the fire is out. It consists of a cast-iron or steel frame with a lid hinged so the width of the throat opening may be varied from a closed to a wide-open position.

4. What is the proper procedure for connecting the chimney to the roof so as to guard against fire, and to allow for expansion due to temperature changes, settlement, or slight movement of the chimney during heavy winds?

ANSWER: Where the chimney passes through the roof, provide for a two-inch clearance between the wood framing and the masonry. The chimney must be flashed and counterflashed to make its junction with the roof watertight. Corrosion-resistant metal, such as copper, galvanized metal, zinc, aluminum, or lead is best for the counterfiashing. When tin is used, paint it well on both sides.

5. Is it necessary that a flue be lined, and if so, what are the advantages in lining it?

ANSWER: Chimneys can be built without linings, but those with linings are more efficient. When the flue is not lined, the mortar and bricks directly exposed to the action of fuel gases disintegrate. This disintegration and that occuring from changes in temperature often cause cracks in the masonry, which reduces the draft.

6. What is the proper way to build the smoke shelf?

ANSWER: The smoke shelf should be made by setting the brickwork back at the top of the throat to the line of the flue wall for the full width of the throat. The depth can vary from six to twelve inches or more, depending on the depth of the fireplace.

7. Does the kind of fuel to be burned have anything to do with the selection of a fireplace design, and does the size of the opening affect the operation?

ANSWER When a fireplace design is being selected, the kind of fuel to be burned should be considered; also, the design should harmonize with the room in proportion and detail. Years ago, when cordwood was plentiful, fireplaces seven feet wide and five feet high were common, but they required large amounts of fuel and were often smoky. Where cordwood is cut in half, a 30-inch width is desirable for a fireplace, but where coal is burned, the opening can be narrower. Thirty inches is a practical height for the fireplace where the width is less than six feet. The higher the opening, the greater the chance of a smoky fireplace. In general, the wider the opening the greater should be the depth.

Following these guidelines, a satisfactory chimney may be selected.

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Building Your Own Kitchen Cabinets

If you have ever considered building your own kitchen cabinets and aborted the idea by convincing yourself that you have no woodworking tools, or I know nothing about wood staining and finishing, or little about cabinet making in general, then read on and believe me when I say it can be done with minimal tools.

With the rising price of lumber and plywood on the market today a set of kitchen cabinets bought pre made, or custom made is becoming an unreality for some home owners. Consider building your own and saving money.

Now it would be nice to have a complete woodworking shop all ready to just punch out a set of kitchen cabinets on demand, but that is probably not the case and here is the alternative to the solution.

You can measure and layout on paper the design of your kitchen using the existing kitchen as a example of how things are constructed then break it down into a parts list forgetting any doors, drawers, or hardware for the time being. Just concentrate on the shell.

When you have your parts list ready you can buy the materials and hire a cabinet shop to cut and mill the parts for the boxes and what your left with is assembling the boxes. This is not uncommon practice in cabinetry now days as more cabinet manufactures are farming out there work so they can produce more. The cabinet shop will package the order for each box making it easier to identify the cabinet and understand the assembly.

When your kitchen cabinets are assembled you measure the door and drawer opening and take your list to a company that specializes in building just doors and drawers.

Once the cabinets are assembled and the drawer slides installed to cabinet box and drawer it is a good idea to dry fit all parts before installing your kitchen cabinets.

At this point you need to decide what type finish and top coat you want to use on your kitchen cabinets and how it should be done. We are not going to discuss in detail how to finish your cabinets in this how to because it is a separate issue altogether, but suggest you install the cabinets and hire a professional painter to do the final step.

Another alternative to save money, labor and error factors is to buy Ready to Assemble cabinets from companies that specialize in this area. The savings may not be as great as doing it all yourself, but Ready to Assemble cabinets cost less to ship than pre made kitchen cabinets and usually provide professional assistance in design.

You can read more detailed information on Building Your Own Kitchen Cabinets at our website in the Interior Home Improvement section.

Chet Holcomb of Home Improvement Handyman is a experienced carpenter and contractor with many years doing home repair and specializing in cabinetry and considered an expert in the field of home improvement.

Remodeling Porches Can Add More Fun to Your Home

Homeowners in Atlanta, Georgia found a way to enjoy the spring and summer without being disturbed by mosquitoes. They turned a plain porch into a screened-in palace of enjoyment.

Of course, a screened-in stump is not attractive or appealing. Creating a screened in porch that is enjoyable and eye catching takes a little more effort and the right tools. The environment also needed to be taken into account. The humidity and high temperatures of Georgia and the exterior of the house had to be considered. The first task the homeowners knew was necessary was cutting the inside of the frame to accommodate a slope in the porch.

These are the steps they followed:

1. They started with sheets of pre-primed 4x8 foot beadboard ceiling paneling was trimmed to fit.

2. Next they installed the ceiling panel and fan. Instead of holding the paneling in place they used a nail gun. Next they wired the ceiling fan and panel. The light and fan made the porch even more accessible by providing illumination for night time and dropping the temperature by up to ten degrees. Two people will be needed to install the fan. One to hold it and one to connect the wires and make sure the it is in place.

3. The 2x4 frame of the porch was measured to fit the screens that were installed later on. The vertical braces were nailed to the crosspieces.

4. A staple gun was used to connect pine and plywood beadboard interior paneling. The panel was level across the top but trimmed at the bottom because it needed to slope to handle rain runoff.

5. The hardboard exterior panels were put up one at a time, beginning at the bottom and moving up. The first panel had to be custom-cut due to the shape of the ground. The homeowners worked hard to match a pale yellow paint with the weathered color of the house.

6. The final step of the project was finishing off the screen. The vinyl grids had channels in them that were screwed right into the wooden frames. Aluminum or fiberglass screens can be put in to create a seamless look. Use a mallet to close the caps on the vinyl channels.

For homeowners that are searching for ways to renovate their porch, there are plenty of different ways to do it. Porch renovations can spice up a dreary backyard. They can also add value to your home if they are done properly. Find out what other homeowners are doing to improve their porches.

Vince Paxton's news stories can be found on countless web pages linked to kobalt tool boxes and kobalt tool box. His publications on kobalt tools are found on http://www.insidewoodworking.com/topto/kobalttools.html.

Keys to French Property Renovation

French property renovations are quite different from the average home renovation. These properties are often period pieces that have distinct and unique features that need special care and attention. But before grabbing your air tools and air compressor you should understand in order to covert an old property into a modern property without losing that period feel, a person needs to understand the key points of renovating a French Property.

Many FrenB65ch homes were built quite a while ago and are now on sale. These homes will require renovation because they have either been neglected or not lived in for many years. They are most likely going to be a place that is fine to live in, but the new owner will probably desire some renovations to give it the modern feel desired in a home today.

Before a person buys a French property they should have it inspected in order to authenticate the period property. Additionally, the inspection should include a check of the waste system, general structure, including the foundation, and electricity to ensure all are still in good condition and useable. This inspection will help the buyer to understand the renovation work that will need to be done and help them decide it the purchase is reasonable.

Before renovations start, the buyer should establish an idea of the total renovation cost. The estimate should include factors such as delays or unexpected problems that could arise. When doing renovations on French property, a buyer needs to make sure they are staying true to the period of the piece. It is best to hire an architect that is familiar with French period homes to oversee the renovations.

How to Choose the Right Architect

The architect is going to make sure that all building codes are followed and that the renovations stay true to the design of the home.

Choosing the right architect is going to be very important to making the renovation process a success. The architect should be able to handle the needed building permits and the preservation order, if any. A preservation order may be necessary if the home is included in the Inventaire Supplementaire des Monuments Historiques, which is the inventory of Historic Monuments.

The architect should also be registered in France, which can be verified by asking for the Siret number. A Siret number is issued by the France Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the buyer should ask for a Decenel Insurance or a Responsabilite Civile. Both of these are insurance coverage for the architect that will cover any damages to the property made by error.

Overall, the architect should have experience working with period homes and know what he or she is doing. It is very important that the architect is knowledgeable enough to know what to do and what not to do during the renovation and that he or she can warn the buyer should any problem arise.

Jerry Blackburn's publications are found on a lot of online publications linked to air compressor systems and use of air compressors. With his documents, the reviewer improved his capability on areas associated with compressor and air compressor systems.

Benefits of a Sunroom

The sunroom is a beautiful addition to your house. Building a sunroom in your house can give you a natural atmosphere within your territory. While having considering which plan to actually install, there are certain things that need to be considered beforehand.

The largest benefit of having a sunroom plan installed is that it provides you with the warmth of sun all around the year. Not only that but it ensures the production of vitamin D in your body, which is only produced in the presence of sunlight. Vitamin D being an essential part in the growth of your bones also prevents one from different diseases. However, there are certain things that ought to be considered and carefully evaluated before having a plan installed at your homes.

As it has been already discussed that either you can get one of those do-it-yourself kit and install the sunroom plan or else hire a contractor to do it for you. Most of the contractors have an assortment of plans already developed and ready fo5B4r installing. Having discussed it with one such person gives you a fair idea of how things will work along with the total cost estimation. The only possible hurdle can arise if you have your mind set upon having something unique for you. This the pre-developed selections of the contractors do not offer and you will have to consider an architect then to work on your plans.

With the advent of technology now there are a number of websites that provide you a platform to generate your dream sunroom by using different online available options and acquiring those at the very instant too. However, this one can have a major disadvantage. In case of online building you are asked to make measurements yourself and if by an chance your measurement waver even by an inch that can ruin the whole constriction process altogether and the planning of your sunroom plan can take ages before it is completed.

The sunroom provides you with the natural joy which you can't experience in an ordinary living room. That is why when making a plan it is important to choose the best plan so that the sunroom not only adds beauty to your house but also give you the level of comfort you deserve.

There are quite a lot of things that you need to consider while drawing plans for your sunroom, from the selection of materials to the process of construction. And each of this detail must be monitored closely as it is your home that matters after all. It is vita40Dl to think about every step of the process while working on your plans and having it installed.

Adam Peters loves writing for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com - A focused website that offers the best articles on outdoor staircase and patio rooms.