5 Home Improvement Projects for the New Year.

It happens every January. Motivated by the sense of a fresh start for tackling those home improvement projects that never got done the year before, many of our clients come to us with a wish list of to-dos--primarily inspired by the latest trends in design and remodeling. This year I thought we would beat them to the punch and compile our own list of what I think contractors will be called upon to do the most in 2016.

1. Install Garage Organization Systems

Why it’s popular: Getting organized is probably the top New Year’s resolution of home improvement enthusiasts. What’s great about starting out with the garage is that the area can then serve a workshop for other projects. Our trade partners at Palm Harbor Kitchens have helped many of our clients design functional spaces for their garages. I myself am restoring a 1949 Mercury in my garage and already have plans myself for the new year for making a truly workable space.

Expert tip: It may sound obvious, but remember to leave room for car(s).

2. Update Lighting

Why it’s popular: Again, because there are so many great options to select from. Home owners can add recessed lights, spotlights, ceiling fans (with light fixtures), under cabinet lights… the list of interesting styles of lights available looks to continue to grow in 2016. My personal favorite for really making an impact fast is the addition recessed LED lighting. You will find with a lot of the homes around Tampa Bay either have fluorescence lights or traditional recessed lighting or 'high-hats'. We have seen a trend toward recessed LED and continue to see it move in that direction.

Expert tip: Be warned, when you add or modify lighting in your rooms, be prepared for drywall repairs and painting.

3. Open Spaces

Why it’s popular: Everyone needs more room for entertaining and one of the easiest things you can do is open up your living spaces to give it a more modern look. We get so many requests from clients wishing to make half walls where full walls are currently at and take half walls and completely remove them to open up the space. No matter what you choose, this will only add value to your home.

Expert tip: Before embarking on this type of project, make sure the walls in question are not load bearing. This could add thousands of unexpected costs to your project.

4. Replace Windows and Doors

Why it’s popular: Fresh start. The beginning of year always has people thinking about ways to make their home more energy efficient. Air leaks from your old windows and doors are taxing on your central air and expensive on your utility bills. Replacing the old with new materials and solid seals will save you money in the long run and improve the look of your home. This will take from a weekend to a week to complete, depending on the size of your home, but the benefits will last for decades.

Expert tip: In Florida, make sure you consider the differences between impact and non-impact glass as this could add a generous cost to your project, but could also lower your insurance rates.

5. Renovate the Kitchen and Bath

Why it’s popular: With simple solutions like just adding trim molding and cabinet pulls or adding a backsplash, to larger projects like gutting whole kitchens and baths, these two rooms are without a doubt the first to be focused on when planning out a year in home improvement. We have teamed with the experts at Palm Harbor Kitchens to be able to bring you the kitchen of your dreams. They have a plethora of cabinet designs and styles to choose from and also have over 30 years experience in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. With DCI Home Improvements and Palm Harbor Kitchens, you have a winning combination.

Expert tip: Plan well in advance before you make any changes to your kitchen. You might be without the use of your kitchen sink or appliances for a short period of time.

Room Addition in Tampa

Our team recently completed a small room addition for a young couple in Tampa.  This is their "starter home" and they needed just a little more space in their master bedroom to use as office space.  The new addition, while accessible from the master bedroom, actually presents as a separate room all together, allowing them to have the office area removed from the bedroom.  This new room is accessed through a sliding barn-type door, giving it a cutting edge appearance and giving the option to completely close off that portion of the space.  The addition of this space will greatly add to the value of their home, while allowing them to remain there for a good long time before having to move to a larger home.

Kitchen Remodel in Largo

As we finished up a project for this client, she let us know that she wanted to remodel her kitchen next.  She provided us with some of her ideas and we began to work up a plan for the space.  The layout of the existing kitchen posed some design challenges, but together, with our cabinet supplier, we came up with some very innovative ideas.  We added a small linen closet to an adjacent bathroom, thereby resolving the issues with the layout.  The result is a very functional and beautiful kitchen.  The client was thrilled to get the added bonus of the closet.  She purchased all high-end appliances that added the perfect finishing touches to the space.  Return clients are the very best!

Hidden Closet

Choosing the right kitchen cabinets.

Cabinets form the backbone of the kitchen. Configure the cabinetry to make the most use of your kitchen’s size and floor plan. Consider different layouts and looks.

Base cabinets get the most attention, whereas hanging wall cabinets are sacrificed for aesthetic features—windows, dramatic backsplashes—to create an atmosphere of a living room appeal in the kitchen. That said, base cabinets are moving away from doors and toward drawers. Drawers make storage more accessible for more people.

Ergonomically, it brings contents to you rather than you having to bend over and dig through layers to get what you need. Hardware accessories neatly organize plates, pots, pans and lids, plastic-ware, you name it. The choices are almost endless nowadays when it comes to kitchen designs and accessories you can use to build your perfect kitchen. As long as we are talking American Made. 

You are going to find many, many more options when it comes to kitchen cabinets when you buy American made. Looking for that unusual small cabinet to fit just right in that space, you are probably going to be able to get it. Not so much the case when you buy Chinese made cabinets. Now, before we start criticizing Chinese made cabinets just because they are, well, Chinese made cabinets, lets consider a few things. 

Things that we have noticed over the past few years is that the quality of Chinese cabinets are on the rise. These cabinets are being manufactured to very high quality standards across the board. Self-closing drawers, seamless cuts, etc. If you were to take the least expensive American Made cabinet and hold it next to a standard Chinese Made brand, I'm telling you, the Chinese cabinet will make you want to rethink everything you think you have learned.

The drawback of course with Chinese Made cabinets is choice, there isn't much. For the most part, these are ready-to-assemble units that only come in a handful of different shapes and even less styles. There is no doubt their fit and finish is good, but you are extremely lacking in choice when it comes to these types of cabinets.

By sticking with American Made manufacturers, you are going to get a plethora of more door choices, you are going to get the options of real wood boxes, and you have the ability to customize the kitchen to your liking, instead of making certain cabinets try and fit your space.

Things to consider before undertaking a bathroom remodeling project.

A renovated bathroom is no small undertaking. It could be a large investment for you and it makes sense to get it right the first time. So, before you start tearing up your tiles and ripping out your vanity, here is a list of some things to consider:

• Tile Flooring - If you want an easy to clean tile, go with porcelain or glazed and avoid porous stone such as limestone. Porous tile will absorb water and stain over time. If you are looking for a more slip resistant surface, think about going with smaller tiles with lots of grout lines, textured surfaces, or matte finishes.
• Caulking - Make sure your contractor uses a good quality caulk that contains mildewcide as this will help prevent mildew in those hard to reach areas.
• Half-Bath Considerations - If you are thinking about putting in a half-bath, consider this: Theoretically you can fit a toilet and vanity in an 11 square foot spot and still meet national building codes. Many homes built in the late 1960's and early 1970's around the Tampa Bay Area have half-baths located generally in the garage area and they are extremely small. For comforts sake, look to build a space that is at least 3-4 feet wide by 6-8 feet long. 
• Wiring - If you have a home that was built in the mid part of the last century or earlier or doesn't have dedicated circuits, you are going to have to consider the fact that you are more than likely going to have to upgrade that tired 15 amp line to a more powerful and dedicated 20 amp circuit.
• The Right Height - Your contractor will generally mount items on walls such as medicine cabinets at standard heights.  If you are thinking about adding items to your bathroom after you are done with a remodel, there is nothing wrong in asking your contractor to install extra blocking in the walls before they are sealed.
• Whats the Niche - It might be a good idea, if not a necessity, to add some niches in your walls for various toiletries. If a niche is not necessarily in your budget, consider a small marble shelf.
• Toilet - Don't go cheap here. If you are going through the trouble of remodeling your bathroom, make sure you purchase a low consumption, high-efficiency model. Look for models with a MaP score of over 500.
• Sinks and Storage - A traditional vanity will offer you as much storage as the size of it will hold, but if you want a clean look, you might want to consider a stand-alone pedestal sink.  The trade-off is obviously the loss of storage.
• Vessel Sinks - Though this new trend looks really neat and might suit you needs just fine, the bowl on the counter has its drawbacks. Though you will pick up storage space with an extra possible drawer, you will loose functional counter space.
• The Right Countertop - While natural stone like marble look fantastic, they really are for the homeowner that is diligent with cleaning. Marble must be sealed regularly and even with this will show stains if certain hygiene products aren't cleaned up immediately. New composite counters are great if you are dealing with an odd shaped room and they come in all sorts of colors, they just might not give you that top-notch feel. Laminate is a good entry level countertop that is good for the budget, easy to work with, and is somewhat scratch resistant. Cons with a laminate is they can de-laminate over time.
• Lighting is Key - The look today is for side mounted lights on either side of your mirror or vanity. If you don't have room for side sconces, make sure your lighting fully spans the distance of the width of the mirror.
• The Right Grout - This is an area we suggest leaving to your contractor to decide. There are the obvious two different type of grout, sanded and non-sanded, which are used in different areas depending on the traction needed. There are various colors available in both. Choose a color that will work for you but let your contractor use what he knows.
• Getting in Hot Water - If you are upgrading your bath to a soaker tub or something larger than what you are used to, you might want to consider a larger water heater or tankless.
• A Room for Two - If you and your significant other are planning on using the same bathroom at the same time, take these options into consideration. A water closet to close off the toilet from the rest of the room. A separate shower stall from the bathtub so they can be used at the same time. A dual-sink vanity so you can both do your daily hygiene at the same time; this might include dual mirrors or vanities. And the last thing would be wide passages, if you have a room that is going to have traffic from two individuals, you will want to consider hallways at least 36" wide.
• Skip the Wallpaper - Besides being outdated, wallpaper in the bathroom isn't always the best idea. Think about a smooth painted finish with wainscoting instead.
• Proper Ventilation - We understand that a lot of homes in this area were built without proper ventilation.  Now its time to upgrade. Splurge on this. Consider a quiet running unit that won't make a lot of noise in the middle of the night.

Now that you have these crucial things in mind, it is time to start planning your renovation. We at DCI Home Improvements are dedicated to giving you the right job at the right price. We help our clients during the entire process suggesting things as we have outlined above.  Don't let this be a scary process, enjoy it.

How much is that room addition going to cost?

Sometimes its hard as a homeowner to truly understand what goes into adding extra living space to your home.  We are finding that the average price for a room addition in the greater Tampa Bay Area is running around $200-$250 per square foot depending upon the type of room and how it is going to be finished off.  What does this mean? Well, that 12' x 12' addition that you have been contemplating could cost you up toward $36,000.00.  Why so much you might ask? There is a lot that goes into the planning and construction of room additions.  I want to give you a little run-down of the items that need to be taken into consideration when estimating a job:

• Architectural design services to ensure that new addition is housed in a structure in a style appropriate to the existing house, and up to code for the neighborhood or area in which the home is located. This could require as much as 10 - 17% of the total building budget;
• Arrange any required demolition, excavation, or site preparation - Average costs are going to vary according to the level of work necessary;
• Pour concrete footings and slab if no crawlspace foundation exists - Average price of concrete could run $75 per cubic yard.
• Build roof trusses and support beam system and tie into existing structure - lumber prices will vary as will the design used in the new space. 
• Asphalt shingles with galvanized metal flashing - A separate roofing contractor is hired that will provide their own warranty.
• Install siding and trim - Whether you go with vinyl siding or a Hardie Board, this is a time consuming process.
• Finish ceilings and walls - Generally today we use drywall to finish walls and ceilings. 
• Fiberglass wall and attic insulation - Depending on the type of construction of the home, whether it be traditional framing or concrete block, you might need values as low as R-4 or as high as R-30.
• 1 - six-panel primed hardboard door - Average of $200 each plus four hours of installation;
• Three new windows - Average price of $300-$1000 per window, plus installation time of two to five hours per window. The good thing is that most new impact windows will get you a tax deduction.
• Carpeting, Laminate, or Tile Flooring- General rule of thumb is just this, Carpet is usually the cheapest, then Laminate, & Tile is generally the most expensive.
• New moldings - Don't forget all of the new floor, door, and crown molding you will need.
• Tie into existing HVAC or New AC System- Average cost will vary according to pre-existing system or new units.
• Provide electrical wiring and lighting to code - This is going to depend upon the amount of work required. This project might be priced on a per item basis, or the we might simply base it on the square footage.
• Provide carpentry to code - If you are investing this kind of money in a project, you want the job to be completed by someone that is an expert in their field.  Leave this part to the professionals.
• Painting - Painting is one of those things that can be left up to the client to finish on their own to save money.  On a room of this size, you could see a savings of a few thousand dollars.

Now that you have a better understanding into everything that goes into a room addition, you will not be shocked at the price of the estimate when you receive it.  

What is that? Trellis, Arbor, or Pergola?

It always seems like we procrastinate with our home projects. Never quite getting around to getting things done. One thing to consider going into fall and colder months is adding a fire pit to your back yard. This can be easily achieved by purchasing many of the shelf products available on the market. But is adding that fire pit the completion of your outdoor space, or could it just be the finishing touch? We highly recommend finishing your patio or outdoor lanai area with a trellis, arbor, or pergola. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, trellises, arbors, and pergolas are actually quite different structurally. A trellis is typically lattice work that is intended to support climbing plants or vines. It can be a simple structure attached to the side of a home or on its own in a planter or garden.  An arbor generally incorporates a trellis into its design creating  a tunnel-like passage for climbing plants.  Arbors tend to have a continuous run of lattice work running from one side to the other creating an arched shape.  Pergolas, too, are designed to support climbing plants and vines, but instead of creating a tunnel-like walkthrough or path, they are traditional roof-like structures supported by posts generally covering a deck, patio, or garden area.  No matter which form of structure you choose, all will add a unique look to your outdoor space.

Column Repair & Siding Makeover - Lutz, FL

We received a message from a client that their home was in need of some much needed repairs to their existing structural support columns on their stilt home.  They also wanted new siding to replace older T1-11 that had started to show its age.  DCI Home Improvements assessed the situation and gave the client suggestions as how to proceed with the repair.  We came to the solution that we should replace the rotten wood columns with cement block.  There were struggles with this job as one of the rotten columns had all of the electrical services attached.  With the help of our electrical contractor, we were able to replace the column without having to remove any electrical.  For the siding, the customer chose cement Hardie Board with a 7" reveal.  It gave much needed life to the side of the home.  As a finishing touch, we installed a new 30" side entry door to replace the one that was rotten.  Our electrical contractor also installed two new motion sensing lights to the outside of the home.

Bathroom Remodel in Weeki Wachee

We received a request from a customer to update their existing master bathroom.  They had purchased the home a few years back and it had sat vacant in foreclosure for a few years.  The shower area had some rot where the water had found its way behind the walls because of improper installation of materials years before.  We listened to the customers request and remodeled their bathroom to their specifications. We feel the finished product turned out absolutely amazing.

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Custom Ramp in Brooksville

In August, we received a request from one of our customers located in Brooksville. Their mother had just taken a rough fall and was in the hospital for a short stay. They wanted to add an accessibility ramp to the side of the residence.  Space was an issue being that it was a pre-manufactured home. We designed a ramp that would be able to ramp downward from the side door through the lanai door with minimal changes to the existing structure.  This is the finished project.