By Louise Gomez Burgess on February 14, 2012
There is something seductive about a gleaming kitchen with new floors, cabinets and fixtures. I look at magazines and yearn for the look only to see a price tag that makes my heart break (and that is not even mentioning what it would do to my budget). We understand that at Hardline Design and Construction and we know there is a way to work towards the bathroom of your dreams while working to stay within budget.
Resourceful homeowners know that first and foremost, nothing is a good deal if it isn’t made correctly, installed correctly or built correctly. Make sure you have a great team to pull your dream kitchen together. A good contractor and design team will also work with you to help you find fixtures and materials within your means.
Cabinetry:
Custom made cabinetry is built to fit the exact measurements of your space. What is great is you will have cabinets that should reflect your exact tastes and should be built to last. Because a kitchen usually has many cabinets the wait time could be 1 to 2 months for your cabinets to be finished. For custom cabinety think about areas where a custom built piece will have the most impact. We are currently working on a home where we are building a large custom entertainment center built-in. It makes sense putting extra resources into this type of cabinet because it essentually is furniture that will be used and looked at on a daily basis.
Research stock cabinetry for quality and price. Ikea has stock cabinets that actually rate very well and are made from the same materials as many stock cabinets. Sometimes stock cabinets are not always cheaper than custom so do your homework.
This Ikea kitchen image was found on the DigsDigs website.
Tile Backspash:
Beautiful tile is like the jewlery for the kitchen. Colors can sparkle or stay understated but no less dramatic. Beautiful tile can also be costly. Then, if it isn’t installed correctly it wont fulfill it’s potential for glammour. Adam at Hardline Design and Construction is a master at tile installation and will help you make any chosen tile a star.
We in Portland, Oregon are lucky to have Pratt and Larson Tile Company in the center of town on the East side. They also have a range of price options for tile for the kitchen. They key is to know how to shop.
The show room of Pratt and Larson is nothing short of stunning. Their tiles are hand made by artisans and are as unique as they are durable. You can have an exact color match made for the tiles you want
Pratt & Larson also has an outlet and this can be quite the treasure trove. Some of their items are overstock, some are 2nd but keep looking and you will find true gems. I once found enough honey quartz 4x4s to do my small bathroom (very small since it is 3′ x5′) and paid only $40 for enough tiles for the room. You can also mix and match pieces from the outlet and the showroom to get the quantity you may need.
I’m not going to lie…I love the look of a Wolf range. A beautiful range is the heart of any kitchen. If one fits into the budget you have and you love to cook this very well could be a splurge worth having. Even so, January clearance sales when appliances often go on sale could help ease the sticker price a bit.
The first consideration is gas or electric. Electric has an advantage of holding a steady heat but personal tastes and the type of energy source you have will be the biggest factors. Also look for ranges with a lot of rack placement options so you will be able to control your foods proximety to heat.
Pratt & Larson Tile. Image is from Pratt & Larson.
I’m not going to lie…I love the look of a Wolf range. A beautiful range is the heart of any kitchen. If one fits into the budget you have and you love to cook this very well could be a splurge worth having. Even so, January clearance sales when appliances often go on sale could help ease the sticker price a bit.
The first consideration is gas or electric. Electric has an advantage of holding a steady heat but personal tastes and the type of energy source you have will be the biggest factors. Also look for ranges with a lot of rack placement options so you will be able to control your foods proximety to heat.
Sears’ Kenmore Ranges often rate very well as to it’s performance and they have versions that are scaled-down compared to their super-high-end cousins but are still high functioning.
This is the Sears KenmoreElite 40" Dual Fuel Self-Clean Range with Sealed Burners. Image from Sears.
Posted in Home Improvements, Kitchens, Money Saving Tips | Tagged Design Services, Design Services in Portland oregon, Hardline Design and Construction, Money Saving Kitchen Design Ideas, Money Saving Tips, NE Portland Oregon Remodelers, Portland Oregon Construction, Portland Oregon Design, Portland Oregon Remodeling, Sustainable Design, Vintage Home Remodel Portland Oregon
By sarahanncox on January 23, 2012
A few weeks ago we were contacted by Street and Downey, a lovely couple in Milwauke, about their 1968 kitchen. They found Hardline Design and Construction through Angie’s List and have asked us to help them utilize the space in their small kitchen more effectively. The images below show the BEFORE pictures and we will be adding more once the job is complete. In the meantime, take a look.
BEFORE: Enter into the Street-Downey home. The bi-fold doors leading into the living room will be removed for a more open and welcoming feel.
BEFORE: The unfinished closet to the left will become much needed kitchen space.
Into the 1968 kitchen!
BEFORE: The homeowners are a couple who love to cook together so every inch in this tiny kitchen become precious. The new design will open up space to allow more than one person behind the counter.
BEFORE: The stove will get a new and more functional location.
BEFORE: Our clients love color. Their kitchen and dining room floors will be in an aubergine marmoleum. If you know French you can figure out the color. If not, wait for the After photos to see the changes made.
Before: The existing vinyl patio sliding door will be relocated.
BEFORE: The bi-fold doors only this time they are in the dining room. When these doors are closed one would never know a living room even existed.
Just like a good mystery novel, I am going to leave you in suspense about the changes that will happen to this kitchen. Good changes are on the way!
Posted in Blog
By Louise Gomez Burgess on December 16, 2011
Carrier Furnace
Last year during the coldest days of our Portland, Oregon winter, our furnace died. It was a total, no resuscitation, no nine lives kind of death. We knew it was inevitable. We had an energy audit done on our home a couple of years before by the Energy Trust (they provide free energy audits if you live in the Portland Metro area and are serviced by certain energy providers) and were told the end was approaching. It didn’t help us feel any better when the guy doing our energy audit stated that the furnace was older than he was, by at least five years and almost half the age of our 1947 home. But we were hopeful because furnaces are 1) expensive and 2) not the most showy/fun of expenses someone can make around the holidays. But then she died on a cold cold winter day leaving us freezing and frustrated.
I’ve mentioned before that I do marketing for Hardline Design and Construction and have been for the past year. Sarah Cox and Adam Lucas, owners of Hardline are very knowledgeable and gave me a contact that they used for their construction jobs but at the time he was currently serving our country in the military (Thank You!). We needed to find another company and what I discovered was what I have written about so often in these posts. It is important to do your research in the very beginning to find a company who will work the best for you and with you.
Keep in mind it was very cold in our house. We had purchased space heaters and borrowed others to keep warm but we were determined to find the right company that would provide quality work with a product that would last. My husband gathered a list of questions for each of the SIX companies he interviewed. Each came to our home and inspected the site. And of course, for us the job wasn’t a quick and easy deal. Our old furnace was installed over a gaping hole with a dirt floor underneath and another air return needed to be installed to help remedy the Sahara Desert we had on one side of the house.
We asked question, we read reports and we checked references – not only for the different companies we were asking to give us a bid but also for the different models of furnaces. We discovered we wanted a Carrier furnace because they rated well and they would be less expensive to operate in the long run because their filters were less expensive then the other furnace manufacture we were looking at. In the end, we went with Climate Control because their bid was fair for the amount of work they would be doing and their bid was very detailed about where all the costs were coming from. Their crew also kept our house very clean and they were very professional but also just plain nice to work with. Plus (and a major plus at that) their referrals and also their ratings on the Energy Trust website were very good.
What have been my lessons learned? It has been a year now with the best heat I think I have ever had in a house in my entire life. But what I take away from the experience is the value of checking references and comparing apples to apples when you get a bid from a contractor. Other bids we received looked great because the dollar amount was a little smaller but what they were providing was not the same. If you don’t know what something means, ASK and don’t be afraid to ask until you understand. What made me even more happy was when the city inspector came for the inspection our furnace installation passed the first time. The city inspector said that doesn’t always happen with furnace installations and that the company did a great job.
For the first six months or so after our furnace purchase my husband would take any guest to our home into the garage to see the furnace. I admit this is kind of nerdy (sorry) but it is a really great furnace and it is great to be warm.
Posted in Blog, Home Improvements | Tagged Build, Choosing A Furnace, Deciding on a New Furnace, Design Services in Portland oregon, Energy Efficiency, Hardline Design and Construction, Home Design, Portland Oregon Construction, Portland Oregon Remodeling, Remodel Portland Oregon, Saving Money on Heating, SE Portland Oregon Remodlers, Vintage Home Remodel
By Louise Gomez Burgess on December 7, 2011
Though stores and malls start thinking about holiday music and decorations long before Halloween, (I think my local Target started putting out Christmas lights after they cleared out Back-to-School merchandise) I like to wait until December starts. This weekend my family and I are finishing up the work we started by getting the tree and designing our house. My favorite part: making new ornaments or decoration pieces with our daughters. I though I would share with you some ideas that caught my eye that I may be trying out this weekend.
Amassing enough globes for this project can be tricky. Especially if you are trying to be cost effective. My suggestion is to make a plea for your project on Craig's List and set an amount you are willing to pay. I have 3 globes so far! This quirky yet so fun idea is by HGTV's Emily Henderson. She gives step by step directions on her blog http://www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/holiday-special-behinds-the-scenes.html
The Joy to The World wall art is also from HGTV's Emily Henderson. On her blog she also mentions "Peace on Earth" could work just as well. She used stencils to form her letters then painted the entire letter in so the font would not have that blockish stenciled look. You could look for other fonts and make your own stencils to personalize this even more. Large frames can be found at Goodwill for cheap and world maps almost anywhere. Find directions on her blog: http://www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/holiday-special-behinds-the-scenes.html
I love the look of vintage photography. If you have an Iphone there are a number of apps to choose from to create that vintage vibe. After you take your photo simply upload the photo to your computer or take your flash card to a printer to have them print your one-of-a-kind wall art you created yourself. This image was created by DearlyDevoted for her blog iPhone camera app, Toy Camera. From the same maker of the QuadCamera (which I reviewed), this photo app lets me play with color contrast filters, vignetting, square photo formats, etc. If you like lomo photography, retro photography, I would highly recommend checking it out. For the price, there's no real harm involved! Available iTunes for $1.99. http://dearlydevoted.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-post-holidays-folks-was-quite.html
This idea was on the Elle Decor website but created by Jane Schouten from All the Luck in the World. It is a huge wall tree that is simply made by collected object that have been hung on the wall in order to form a tree. I think this can also be done in a more permanent way by getting some plywood, painting it in with a color that works with your decor then creating this tree on the plywood. It doesn't have to be this massive and then can be put in a large shadow box frame. Use hot glue to hold the items in place and Voila! An instant heirloom item that can be passed on. Family members can even add their own handwritten stories and tokens. Okay, I'm convinced. I will start this project this weekend and let you know how it goes! To look at this photo on Elle Decor go to: http://www.elledecor.com/interior-design-blogs/savvy_chic/wild_and_wonderful_christmas_trees
Posted in Blog, Family, Holiday Design Ideas, Home Interior Design | Tagged Cheap Holiday Design Ideas, Design Services, Design Services in Portland oregon, Green Design, Hardline Design and Construction, Holiday Design Ideas, Portland Oregon Design
By Louise Gomez Burgess on November 17, 2011
Have you ever been left out in the rain searching for your keys, maybe even balancing a bag of groceries at the same time? Or a small child? Imaging having to do that on every rainy day here in Oregon. Bryan and Susan were renters for a number of years before recently purchasing their beautiful 1940s home. Their Tudor style home came with plenty of curb appeal but lacked a covered front porch. When Bryan and Susan found Hardline Design and Construction on Angie’s List, they came ready with examples of what they wanted for a porch addition. Prior research on their part regarding the things they like helped make the bidding and design process easier for Hardline Design and Construction because we knew exactly what the homeowners wanted.
BEFORE: Bryan and Susan's home as it was without a covered front porch.
Adam Lucas added the front porch with concrete stairs and pathway tie-in to fit the scale and period of homes in the neighborhood. The result is a front porch that makes an already charming home into something fantastic. Amazing what one may think of as a small addition can actually do for the entire home.
AFTER: New and very improved! A porch that will give shelter from the weather and welcomes visitors.If you look closely to the roof of the porch you can notice two things: 1) the fir underside of the porch roof and 2) the continued design from the original gable end extending to the front of the new porch. This matches with the other gable end on the right side of the front of the house.
New Porch with original porthole window .
The porch style is traditional for this era of home which makes it look like it has always been part of the house and adds value to the home.
Thank you Bryan and Susan! You were a fantastic couple to work with. We hope you enjoy your covered porch for many, many years (especially on rainy days like today).
Posted in Blog, Home Improvements, Porch Addition | Tagged Arts and Crafts Remodel Portland Oregon, Design Services, Design Services in Portland oregon, Green Construction, Green Design, Hardline Design and Construction, Home Design, Mid Century Modern Restoration, NE Portland Oregon Remodelers, Old Home Renovation, Porch Addition, Portland Oregon Construction, Portland Oregon Remodeling, Sustainable Design, Tudor Style Porch Addition, Vintage Home Remodel, Vintage Home Remodel Portland Oregon, Vintage Home Restoration
By Louise Gomez Burgess on November 10, 2011
Choose the right team of designer and contractor and they will see to it your dream home becomes a reality. Image from the Apartment Therapy article: Best Decisions and Biggest Regrets.
As the writer and photographer for Hardline Design and Construction I come with my own set of skills. I love interviewing clients who have begun and or completed their renovation projects. I love sharing their photos with you and telling you their stories.
I have always been a big Do-It-Yourselfer. I grew up in a family with 7 generations of girls – no boys except those that married in – and because of this we learned to do a lot of things on our own. I have tackled a number of home improvement projects because I thought I could. Does that mean everything I have ever done ends up looking like the pages of magazines I so admired and so wanted to emulate? Hell No! And I say it like that because that is how I felt after some of my projects were completed. Especially after I painted my kitchen Mango Orange. Not only was it such a very wrong color choice but the walls couldn’t dry fast enough for me to paint over them -and that is with every fan I owned going at high speed.
That was before I worked for Hardline Design and Construction. Since those dark days I have learned how the right team of people do save you money and frustration because you will be completing a job the right way the first time. I tell you this because I have been in the same situation as many of you: torn between if you think you are up for a challenge and wondering if contractors and designers are cost effective.
The right designer will select, arrange and navagate all the fixtures and materials in a way that will flow with your family. The right contractor will build, install, paint and plumb those materials so the function right and will last. The best contractors also make sure permits are in order and will do your construction to code to keep your family safe.
This article by Apartment Therapy is a very well thought-out review of someone’s kitchen remodel. The writer is candid about what she loved about her remodel and what she wished she had done differently. Though this speaks specifically towards kitchen remodels, the information here applies to any remodel a homeowner may consider taking on. An underlying theme in this blog: hiring professional and reliable contractors and designers do end up saving you money and headache. Read and learn a few tips from someone else’s experience. Reading this article is a wise choice before heading into your own remodel or renovation.
Also take a moment to read the VERY EXTENSIVE list of comments. They add as much insight and wisdom as the article.
Posted in Blog, Home Improvements, Kitchens, Money Saving Tips | Tagged Design Services, Design Services in Portland oregon, Hardline Design and Construction, Money Saving Tips, Portland Oregon Bathroom Remodel, Portland Oregon Construction, Portland Oregon Design, Portland Oregon Kitchen Remodel, Portland Oregon Kitchen Restoration, Remodel Portland Oregon, Renovation, SE Portland Oregon Remodlers, Sustainable Design, Vintage Home Remodel Portland Oregon
By Louise Gomez Burgess on November 3, 2011
I will confess. I was a little miffed when I got an email the day after Halloween on the beginning of the once-a-day holiday cookie recipes. I love cookies but when I wasn’t even down from my Halloween candy sugar high, I saw this as an offence on beginning the Christmas cookie season.
That said, the busiest cooking day of the year is just a few weeks away. I do know that people will be coming over to our house. I do know that the time it takes to spruce things up takes more than making a batch of choco-peanut butter chip cookies. And I do know that if we will be needing help with some of the tasks, now is the time to make that call.
That is where Hardline Design and Construction comes in. If you are looking for ways to liven up your kitchen but don’t want to do an entire remodel, there are select projects you can choose that will have a big impact. Adam Lucas is a master at tile installation and can quickly turn an outdated backsplash into a work of art. He has even created one-of-a-kind tile installations, backspashes with a variety of period looks and contemporary/modern kitchens. A backsplash is a simple way to add color or the sophistacation of clean lines to a kitchen without having to do an entire renovation or remodel.
The organic shape of this tile pattern came from a homeowner's photo. Adam Lucas reinterpreted that design in stone and glass tile for the homeowner's master bathroom.
The Jensen Kitchen: This vintage home kept period details while the use of white and darks adds an updated feel without losing those vintage qualities. Adam created the backsplash behind the stove to add visual interest to the room.
Kitchen flooring repair or installation is another way to make a huge impact. Your floor surface is the largest surface you have in the kitchen -something we tend to forget because it is underfoot. Flooring impacts the sound quality of a room, the amount of reflected light, the amount of time it take to clean and even your comfort level. There is vast range of flooring materials to choose from that can fit in almost any budget. Vinyl is the least expensive but also has the ability to come in a lot of fun patterns and colors. Linoleum, marmoleum, rubber, ceramic, bamboo, wood and stone are all options to choose from. Shop around and you may score some great deals. Pratt and Larson, one of the best quality tile companies around is located in Portland, Oregon on the East side. They also have a seconds departments, however, not all the items in there are seconds and sometimes you find great prices on overstock materials. I was able to find a modern looking, commercial grade, porcelain tile for a quarter of the normal price. Having someone like Hardline Design and Construction install your flooring score will turn your bargain into show stopper.
Remodeled kitchen with stone flooring.
These are just two ways you can make your kitchen sparkle for the holidays. Keep in mind that though a project may be small the impact can be mighty.
Pratt and Larson is located at:
1201 SE 3rd street
Portland, Oregon 97214
Posted in Blog, Home Improvements, Kitchens, Money Saving Tips | Tagged Beaverton Oregon kitchen remodel and restoration, Design Services, Design Services in Portland oregon, Hardline Design and Construction, Home Design, Kitchen Backsplash installation, kitchen flooring installation, Kitchen Restoration, Money Saving Tips, Mt Hood Oregon Kitchen remodel and restoration, Portland Oregon Design, Portland Oregon Kitchen remodel and restoration, Sustainable Construction, Vintage Home Remodel Portland Oregon
By Louise Gomez Burgess on October 31, 2011
I have mentioned in a number of my posts that I shop Craig’s List for some of my furnishings. I do this because 1) it is economical 2) it is environmently friendly and 3) I can be creative with my findings without the guilt that I could ruin something new.
A few months ago I found this post on Flor’s Blog on Design called Musing. It is for a reverse stencil dresser and it is nothing short of AMAZING. The dresser that was created is for a boy’s room but pick any large graphic stencil and you can create a unique, custom look for any space. In addition to having a one-of-a-kind piece, you will save big on what a custom piece of furniture would cost.
The entire set of directions (which are very detailed and easy to follow) can be found on the Flor Blog on Design website. A link is posted below.
Doesn’t this image just make you think, “WOW!” ? The designer of this dresser, Miriam Bradford, used simple tools and paint. The one thing she did do that is an extra (but very well-worth-it ) step is to have a decal made for her using an image she purchased from Veer.com. The blog posting on Flor’s website gives very detailed instructions and sources. This is really one of the best described art projects I have seen.
Flor’s Reverse Stencil Dresser Directions
I did a quick search for other reverse stencil dressers but found few. Here are some of the better examples I saw out there.
Beautiful, vivid color - dresser was painted by Lena Corwin. She has a book called Printing by Hand and a Etsy site. This image was found on the Ohdeehoh blog.
Simple with an Industrial edge. This image was found on the My Simple Home Blog. The dresser was painted by Red Hen on an Anthropologie dresser.
If you do decide to try this project, please share your photos with us! At Hardline Design and Construction we know there are many elements that make a house a home. Adding your own personal touch and creativity is a big part of setting your space apart from any other.
Posted in Home Improvements, Home Interior Design, Money Saving Tips | Tagged Custom Furniture for Less, Design Services, Design Services in Portland oregon, Green Design, Hardline Design and Construction, Money Saving Tips, Portland Oregon Design, SE Portland Oregon Remodlers, Sustainable Design
By Louise Gomez Burgess on October 20, 2011
I have always loved furniture. So much so that when I ran way from home at the age of 6 I took my Mickey Mouse blanket, my very large book about dinosaurs and a child-size, walnut rocking chair. I dragged these items about three houses down the street because that was as far as I could go without getting in even more trouble. When a neighbor ratted me out, I dragged everything back home in despair.
As an adult, I am still dragging furniture home with hopes of bringing new life to a forgotten piece. I especially seem to gravitate towards chairs. I justify this by telling myself it is okay because chairs are easily reupholstered.
For my first upholstery project however, I was a bit over zealous. I found an Empire sofa in Bend (my father-in-law brought back to Portland for me -Thank you, Otis!) with great lines but a little ratty on the fabic. The fact that it was still stuffed with horse hair and straw didn’t exactly scream comfort either. At the time we were living in a 1910 vintage home and we wanted the sofa to be compatable with the woodwork and built-ins the home already had. While looking for fabric stores that had a wide variety of fabrics I came across Mill End. I went to their flagship store in Portland and have been a loyal fan ever since.
Mill End Fabric Store in Portland, Oregon
Mill End Fabrics is one of the largest fabric stores in the country. They carry everything from bridal to children’s to upholstery fabrics and every thing else you can think of. On a recent trip for one of my other projects, I found Calvin Klein fabrics that I have seen in recent ads for some of their furnishings. I also saw fabric that just the other week I saw in an episode of HGTV’s Color Spash. Not seeing what you like? You can also special order fabric from high end designers like Kravet.
HGTV's Color Splash is one of my favorite shows. The owners of this home wanted a bedroom with the feel of a European cathedral. I spotted the exact same fabric that is used to make the bed spread at Mill End. It also comes in a beautiful blue and a soft and subtle yellow.
This is a display at Mill End. The retro-look fabric gives a youthful playfulness to the more traditional Victorian headboard.
Guaranteed, this is just a small section of the store.
About a month ago I discovered Mill End accepts Joanne Fabric coupons for 25% your purchase. Joanne Fabric coupons found in the Sunday paper are good for one coupon per person, per day. If you have a larger project such as a large chair, sofa or drapes, this adds up to real savings.
Now that I am in a much more modern home (1947), I have been searching for items with a vintage vibe that I can mix with modern furnishings. These 1940s chairs by Howell Furnishings were covered in a moth-eaten and cat hair covered wool when I purchased them. I made new cushions and covered them with this circular chenielle fabric that I found at Mill End. I love the repitition of pattern in the fabric, the arms of the chairs and the curves of my $6 Craig’s List coffee table find.
One of my latest upholstery projects. The grey fabric gives a Mad men grey flannel suit vibe.
The two sofas were some of my early upholstery projects using Mill End fabrics.
Mill End Has two location on both the West and East sides.
Portland Flagship Store: 9701 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland Oregon, 97222
Beaverton Store: 4955 SW Western Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97005
<a href=”http://millendstore.com/”>Mill End Fabric Store</a>
Posted in Blog, City Secrets, Home Interior Design | Tagged Design Services, Design Services in Portland oregon, Designer Fabrics, Green Design, Hardline Design and Construction, Mill End Fabric Store, Money Saving Tips, Mt. Hood Remodeling Services, NE Portland Oregon Remodelers, SE Portland Oregon Remodlers, Sustainable Design, Vintage Furniture Reupholstery, Vintage Home Remodel Portland Oregon
By Louise Gomez Burgess on October 17, 2011
Choosing the right contractor is a serious decision. Make sure to check references and places like Angie's List.
In a recent Angie’s List magazine, there was an article about projects that give the highest return on their investment. With the economy as it is, many people are choosing to renovate their current homes instead of moving. Or, people are finally able to afford a new home but need to pick updates for their home wisely. Which ever the situation, renovating or remodeling your home with the best return for your money is always smart no matter what the economy chooses to do.
Hardline Design and Construction have been members of Angie’s List for many years. We work with our clients to not only have a beautiful and well completed product but to maxamize the client’s budget. We have an A-listing so if you or someone you know has a project coming up, please give us a call.
In the meantime, here is a list of four home projects that will give you the most bang for your buck. These are quoted from the Angie’s List Magazine.
Remodeling projects with the highest return on investment
Angie’s List surveyed top remodelers and real estate professionals to determine which remodeling projects result in the best return on investment when it comes time to sell your home.
“Well-planned and executed home improvements make your house more livable while you live there, and they boost your home’s resale value,” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, the nation’s premier provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.
“If you’re investing in your home specifically to help sell it, focus your dollars on the things that will really wow a potential buyer.”
- The Kitchen – Whether it’s a major overhaul or a simple makeover, putting a fresh face on your kitchen is your best investment. Maximize your return, by limiting your project cost to no more than 20 percent of the value of your home. Expect an 85 percent return on your investment.
- The Bathroom – An outdated bathroom can spoil a sale. Current trends have homeowners installing large showers instead of garden tubs. A major update could cost less than $20,000, but it should yield an 80 percent return.
- Decks – A new deck can cost a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on size and materials used. Before you build, look at other homes in your area and build accordingly. If the deck is in good shape, your return could be more than 80 percent.
- Siding – If your home’s façade is siding and it’s not in good shape, replacing or repairing the siding can bring instant freshness. You’ll likely spend at least $10,000, but you should get at least 80 percent back.
“Don’t settle for a company without a great local reputation or references you can verify,” Hicks says. “Wait for the right contractor.”
Visit Angie’s List for consumer reviews on highly rated contractors, builders and other service professionals.
For the entire article, please visit the Angie’s List link below.
<a href=”http://magazine.angieslist.com/remodeling/articles/5-remodeling-projects-with-highest-returns.aspx?cid=ALD20111005&ReflID=EML:998 /”>Angie’s List Projects With The Highest Return Article</a>
*image from Angie’s List
Posted in Home Improvements | Tagged Design Services, Design Services in Portland oregon, Green Design, Hardline Design and Construction, Home Design, Light Commercial Remodeling, Mt Hood Remodel, Mt. Hood Home Restoration, Mt. Hood Vacation Home Remodel, NE Portland Oregon Remodelers, Portland Oregon Construction, Portland Oregon Remodeling, Vintage Home Remodel Portland Oregon, Washington Remodeling
