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Posts Tagged ‘additions’

The Must Knows Of Kitchen Remodeling

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Are you trying to remodel your kitchen? If yes, we are here to help by providing you information on how to find new remodeling kitchen ideas. Read below to get started.
Kitchen designs are meant to be simple, elegant and effective in function. The Kitchen is now more than a come in and go out area of the home. The kitchen is now a place to spend time with family and friends for entertainment and comfort.

What Do You Want Your Kitchen To Be?

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, a good question you should ask yourself is what do you want your kitchen to be. What are you trying to accomplish with kitchen remodeling? Get out a notepad and make a list about your preference:
Ø      What types of colors do you want in your kitchen design?
Ø      Do you want new appliances and cabinets?
Ø      Do you need new flooring?

Cutting Cost While Keeping Style

If you are worried about the cost of conducting kitchen remodeling, then you should considering cutting cost with the flooring design by using laminate wood rather than real hardwood. They look like the real deal but the flooring is not as expensive. This will give you leg room to add a new paint job, tile back splashes and other accessories to your kitchen.
Fore more kitchen remodeling ideas, read this article from EzineArticles.com.
If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!
T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Green Technology Investment: How To Increase Your Home Value

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Do you know why it is a good idea to invest in green technology for your home? If you are not sure, we are here to help! It has never been a better time to invest in energy saving upgrades for your home. In fact, green features in the home are more likely to increase your home’s value to a higher market value than other properties. Read below to learn how!

The Top Sought Out  Green Features by Appraisers

When it comes to looking for green features in homes, appraisers are now looking closely to energy saving features, appliances and solar panel additions to homes. They call these highly valued homes sustainable homes.

 

Green features are reported and analyzed to help mortgage lenders, homebuilders, real estate agents and insurance agencies assess the true value of a home beyond energy attributes.

 

Ways to Invest in Green Technology for Your Home

You can invest in green technology for your home in many ways. Here are just a few:

 

-         Use sustainable building materials of local, recycled, nontoxic products to keep costs and environmental impact of your home down. Recycled materials are valued because they are low-maintenance and add character to homes.

-         Do green home renovations such as adding a green roof, adding a solar panel or use fiberglass windows and doors.

-         Use sustainable insulation materials for your home such as pre-piped material for solar thermal or airtight material; the materials can tremendously reduce your monthly utility costs.

 

For more information on how investing in Green Technology for your Home can increase your home value, read this article from EzineArticles.com.

 

If have any questions at all, contact T.W. Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

 

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services Maryland’s residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Before You Remodel Your Home

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

You have an idea. That is all you need to start. But without proper planning and organization, that idea may slip away as quickly as it came to you. So before you remodel your home or office, follow these simple steps:

  1. Put your idea on paper: Before you even visit with a contractor or architect, sketch your ideas. But also consider the effects that each addition will have on the functionality of your space.
  2. Research: One of the best ways to avoid mistakes is to see what other people have already done. Ask them what pitfalls they came across and how they rectified the situation.
  3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? If the answer is in another home, then why spend tons of money on a big renovation? Some home improvement projects can increase your home’s re-sale value, but other can actually decrease it. So do a little research and see what makes sense for you and your family.
  4. Can you afford it? Even the best plans sometimes fall apart. Can you afford to go over budget? For must-have items that could wipe out your savings account, explore home improvement loans and other financing options.
  5. The professional touch: Unless you are the do-it-yourself type, you will need to hire some help. Choose wisely. Make sure the team your hire is qualified, licensed, and properly insured.
  6. Sign on the dotted line: Misunderstandings lead to disaster. Do not undertake any remodeling project without a written contract. Make sure everyone agrees on the work that will be completed and how long it will take. Also be clear on the types of materials that will and will not be used.
  7. Permits: The building permit assures that the remodeling project meets local building codes and safety regulations. General contractors will usually take care of the paperwork, but you should follow up with them to ensure that everything is taken care of.

If have any questions at all, contact TW Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click heretoday!

T.W. Ellis, LLC provides the design and construction of outdoor living spaces such as custom decks, screened rooms and unique additions. The building contracting company, which always works with a qualified architect, services both residential and commercial areas throughout Baltimore county, Harford county, Cecil county, Annapolis, Carroll county and Howard county.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Before You Remodel Your Home About.com

How to Enhance the curb Appeal of Your Home

Monday, June 13th, 2011

We are all concerned about the housing market. What is our house worth? The only way to know for sure is to have your home appraised. But if you aren’t happy with the price you are quoted (and most of us won’t be in this housing market), there are ways to increase the value of your home. One way to do this is to enhance your house’s curb appeal, meaning if you want to improve your home’s worth, you will need improve the look of your house.

This article from ThisOldHouse.com explains how you can transform your home and increase its value.

While the cost of houses may have dropped, the return on remodeling investments remains strong. This means that a few quality upgrades can really increase the value of your home. Of these home improvement projects, exterior improvements provide the biggest bang for your buck. Window and siding projects pay you back over 75% of their cost upon resale. But small improvements make a big difference too.

Enhance the Architecture: Adding a window (energy efficient) here and a new door there can greatly improve the worth of your home. Additionally, adding accents around key structural aspects of your home – some lattice work under your porch, some new shutters around your windows, lighting, potted plants, etc. – will add to its overall aesthetic value and curb appeal.

Fence: Adding a fence to your yard is another sure fire way to add value to your property value.

Landscaping: Flowers, trees and shrubbery are a cheap way to really improve your home’s curb appeal.

Porch: A porch is a great addition to any house.

Be Decorative: Add an artistic flair anywhere you see fit. Instead of installing boring lights, find some nice vintage lights. Instead of a regular sidewalk, why not use brick?  Whatever you can do to add to the beauty of you home will greatly improve its value.

If you need any help or have any questions at all, contact TW Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

 

Why We Love Screened Porches

Friday, June 10th, 2011

It’s not quite a room in the house, but its not quite nature. So what is it? Well, it’s a screened porch. And as this article from ThisOldHouse.com explains, it is the ambiguity of screened porches that make them so appealing.

A Screened porch is the perfect buffer between you and nature. You can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors from the comfort of your own home. What could be better? And there are several types of screens to choose from

Screen Selections

Fiberglass screen: This option is by far the cheapest and as long as it is handled with car, it will look great for quite some time. Unfortunately, what fiberglass lacks is strength. A bump here or there could compromise the entire screen. So buyers beware. You get what you pay for.

Aluminum: If you are looking for a good quality screen at a reasonable price, then aluminum might be the way to go. At about 25 cents per square foot, it is not only affordable, but also considerably stronger than fiberglass. Aluminum screen tends to show glare in bright sun, however, so charcoal and the new black aluminum (30 cents per square foot) have gained in popularity, the latter because it’s almost invisible when you look from the inside out.

Bronze and copper screens: If you live by any body of salt water, you better go with a bronze or copper screen. While these choices cost a bit more – 90 cents per square foot – they are not affected by salt spray as much as aluminum.

Stainless steel: The most expensive option at $1 per square foot is also the most durable. However, its shiny design means it will cause glare in the sunlight.

So now that you know your options, assess your needs and pick a screen that fits not only your desired use, but also your budget. If you need any help or have any questions at all, contact TW Ellis by calling 800-852-8335 or click here today!

Size matters with garage additions

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Garages are one of the most worthwhile additions you can make on your home. They help maintain your cars. They increase your home’s storage capacity. They can even become living space if needed. For this reason they add a lot of value to a home. So, as this article poins out, it’s important to make the garage a large as regulations and your budget will allow. Here’s why.

It’s not enough to fit two cars. You’ll want to be able to open doors, trunks and hoods easily. You’ll be storing large items such as lawn mowers, bikes, and other large power tools. You’ll eventually want a work bench area and will always need more storage space.

If a garage is in your future, contact us. We’ll help with both design and construction to make sure you get the most out of your new garage.

Give us your feedback and earn a getaway

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Here’s a win-win proposition that helps both you, our customers, and us.  All we ask is that you visit www.twellisratings.com and submit a review of the work we did for you.  After doing so, you will receive a certificate for a 3-day getaway to one of several U.S. locations.  There will be a $15 processing fee, and you’ll have to use it within a year, but it’s a great way to earn a vacation.

There are many ways these reviews benefit us.  Positive feedback and testimonials help us attract new customers looking for quality remodeling work.  Constructive criticism will assist us in delivering better service to other customers and you for any future work you need.

As you can see, it’s a lot of reward for very little risk.  You can also find the link on our testimonials page. Thank you for your assistance.

Add luxury to your bathroom addition

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

The final topic in our look at adding a bathroom to your home is probably the most fun. When planning your bathroom, take some time to consider what bells and whistles, if any, you want for the fixtures. As this article shows, there are so many more options these days, it’s well worth the time to look at a few of them.

Showers with multiple massaging showerheads are more common these days. There are also sauna features that come with showers now. Simply adding jets to your tub can turn it into a spa so you can enjoy some hydrotherapy.

We can install simple as well as these more unconventional features in your bathroom addition. In fact we can help you through every step of the process from design to construction, so contact us today.

More tips for a bathroom addition

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

There are some more great tips on this page for adding a bathroom addition.  Here are some options for different fixtures.  You have more choices than you probably think.

Sinks
We’re probably all familiar with the old sinks that attach to the wall.  These typically aren’t very attractive, which is why vanity sinks are more popular.  They offer more storage and countertop space.  Pedestal sinks can be very stylish but lack storage space.  A modern trend is a sink basin on top of a cabinet, which achieves both style and storage.

Tubs & Showers
You have a choice of materials for your tub or shower.  Fiberglass, porcelin, and metal are among these.  They can be custom or prefabricated.  You’ll also need to decide between tile for the walls and normal drywall and wallpaper.

To discuss your needs for your bathroom addition, contact us. We can work with you on the design, planning, and construction to give you the bathroom addition that’s right for you.

Planning your bathroom addition

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Following up on our last post on reasons to consider a bathroom addition, we need to give you some things you need to keep in mind when planning such an addition.  This article offers a full explanation, but here are the basics.

  • How much space do you need?  A powder room requires at least 18 square feet of space.  You’ll need 30-35 square feet of space if you want a shower and/or tub. Do you need space to accommodate a handicapped user?
  • Check to see if there are any government regulations that will impact your addition.
  • How much storage space will you need in the bathroom?
  • Make sure the floor and walls will support the additional weight of the bathroom and its fixtures.
  • How will you ventilate the bathroom?  Where should windows and the exhaust fan be located?

If you need help answering these questions, contact us. We can help you with all phases of adding an addition from planning and design to construction and installation.