This is one of the questions we hear most often from our clients. Maybe your children are grown and the tub just does not seem necessary anymore, or maybe you like the look of the walk-in tiled showers. Whatever the reason, we have rounded up some insight from local realtors and our professional experience to give you the tools to make a decision that works for you.
The general answer is no. Troy Miller, realtor for Homestead Realty, says, “The remodeled bath is a plus as bathrooms are one of the renovations where you see a great return on investment (kitchens and baths have highest [return on investment] (ROI))”. According to research conducted by the website Remodeling, which surveyed nearly 1,500 real estate professionals, a mid-range bathroom remodel generally has about a 57% ROI. It’s important to remember that no remodeling project will ever have a 100% ROI, but that does not directly correlate to what a buyer is willing to pay for that investment. “I don’t feel you are actually devaluing a property if you made a bath into a walk in, but what you may do is reduce the number of buyers down the road when you sell as some buyers still feel they need a regular bathtub”, says Miller. The important things to consider is what type of property it is, and also how long you to intend to stay in the home. For example, if the home is a three bedroom, one bathroom home in a family neighborhood, then your typical buyer could be a family with young children who view having a tub as a necessity. If, however, the home has two bathrooms and each one has a tub, then you can feel at ease replacing one of them with a walk-in shower. Kristin Altendorf, a realtor with Coldwell Banker, says, “I find the tub to be more of a visual piece of art, especially the free standing ones. So in the high end $600+, to make a master bath elegant and luxurious I think you need a tub. In the lower price range either a more functional shower over tub or skip it in the master and have one in the guest bath”. This brings us to our second point, how long do you intend to stay in the home? If you plan on moving in the next 5 years, most realtors will tell you that any modifications you make to the home should appeal to the masses. You want to make sure you can get the most out of the property, and the best way to do that is to try to appeal to the most amount of buyers. Miller ads, “If you are not planning on selling, then modify the home to fit your needs. The potential negative impact is outweighed by the enjoyment/convenience you would receive from modifying the home to fit your particular needs”.
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Design-Build is the project process where one team works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services. The other way that a lot of contractors work is called Design-Bid-Build. This involves having one company design the project and another company build the project, forcing the owner to juggle two different contracts and possibly two sets of sub-contractors. What does this mean for you? Gabor Design Build operates as a Design-Build contractor to save you time, money and headaches.
Save Time By working with a Design-Build contractor, you will save yourself time because you have one point of contact that walks you through the entire project. At Gabor Design Build, that person is your Project Manager. They work with our CAD Designers to draw up your plans, hire the sub-contractors to complete the labor, work with the inspectors to move the construction process along and the designers to make sure your project looks exactly how you envisioned it. Your Project Manager takes the time to coordinate all these schedules which means you don’t have to. Save Money Because your Design-Build contractor is the one designing your plans as well as constructing the project, that means they are able to find you cost savings and eliminate issues before a single hammer is picked up. At Gabor Design Build, our Project Managers work hand in hand with our CAD Designers to ensure the plans are realistic and without issue. Reduce Headaches Every remodeling project has issues that come up, it’s just the nature of the business. If a contractor tells you that there will be no complications, RUN. It is virtually impossible to know what you are going to run into when walls are opened up. The important thing is having a contractor who can quickly and effectively communicate the issues and come up with fixes for them. That’s where the single point of contact is most noticeable because you, as the homeowner, are not responsible for calling various subcontractors to eliminate the issue. Beyond the basic perks of a Design-Build contractor, Gabor Design Build has even more. Our Project Managers are all architecturally trained so you can trust their experience and expertise. Our designers work out of our 5,000 SF Showroom and are able to help you pick out every detail of your project from flooring to light fixtures and everything in between. Our Warehouse acts as a staging area for your project so that you are not inconvenienced by cabinets or fixtures taking up space in your garage. Most importantly, our Process can give you the peace of mind that we will always be there when you call and we will carry the project through to a beautiful completion. When it comes to home remodeling tips, information can be found just about anywhere. Whether you are one of the 60% of people planning to redo their bathroom, or one of the 35% looking to redo their entire home, the planning stage can be stressful. Contrary to belief, you don’t have to throw out everything during the renovation process that is being replaced or no longer used. Here are a few things that can be donated instead of tossed out.
Sinks, toilets, and bathtubs Often times, these items find themselves in landfills when they could be put to use elsewhere. Many people like the look of vintage fixtures found at architectural salvage stores for their own projects. Before donating, make sure the bathtub or sink does not have any stains or chips in the porcelain. Cabinets One of the most replaced items in home remodeling are the cabinets. Over the years they can become outdated, but by donating your old cabinets, they can still be used for other projects if in good condition. Some people use donated goods in their own kitchen remodeling. It’s amazing what a good sanding and fresh coat of paint can do. Working appliances Appliances that are still working but are being replaced are great items to donate instead of throw away. Things like refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines in clean, working order are big sellers at most salvage stores. Sometimes, secondhand stores like Goodwill help to find these appliances a new home. Doors and windows Believe it or not, doors and windows are very popular items to be donated and bought from salvage locations. There are plenty of DIY sites that use doors for things like desks and windows for hanging accessories and other crafts. Be sure to check for any holes or damages before donating. Lumber As many people already know, lumber can be used for just about any and all home remodeling ideas that come to mind. The important thing is to make sure that there are no nails or exposed screws attached to the wood. Larger pieces can be donated to a salvage shop while smaller pieces are usually accepted by woodworking classes. More than half of buyers are willing to pay extra for hardwood floors and can install their own using your donated lumber and wood flooring. Lighting Many companies that specialize in home remodeling services say that one of the best home remodeling tips is to donate and find light fixtures from secondhand or salvage stores. The demand for working light fixtures is high but homeowners still save money. Whether you're remodeling to sell or giving your home a new look, you can be sure to find home remodeling tips to help you along the way. One way to feel better about the tons of waste you’ll have during the remodel is to recycle or donate many of those items. Not only will they be out of your way, but they’ll find a new home to thrive in. |
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