 Wishing all my readers happy holidays and may your home building and renovation dreams come true in 2020. Thank you to the readers of my books and blogs for your support. A special thanks to readers who have posted book reviews, those who have commented on my articles and readers who have contacted me directly. I enjoyed helping everyone in 2019, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you in 2020. Let's make every home building project a success. With good planning and experience there's no reason why you can't have the home you dreamed of. I can help you to ensure your new home doesn't turn into a construction nightmare. Your home building and home renovation project can be a success. You can have your dream home in 2020. Want to learn more about renovating and building houses?
Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook. For under $20 you could save thousands of dollars and avoid time consuming and frustrating mistakes!
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 Image courtesy of phasinphoto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net What to consider before starting your home renovation projectBefore beginning a major home remodeling project, there are many things every homeowner must consider: the budget, a realistic timeline, conflicting design aesthetics, your ability to do the work yourself vs. hiring professionals, the mess and dust in your home, packing away items for months, planning for water and electric shutoffs, protecting kids and pets, and the disruption to your family routine. The one item most people do not consider — and the one that has the potential to do the most damage — is the impact that home renovation can have on a couple’s relationship. While it looks easy on television, home renovation is among the most stressful projects a couple can undertake. Over time, the project can expose or even cause serious relationship issues. You should be aware that most couples who renovate a home together do not agree on every last detail. Whether their relationship survives or falls victim to the wrecking ball has far more to do with the way they communicate than the colours they choose for their new space. Good communication is key to a successful home renovation and a happy relationship Image courtesy of nenetus at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Communication is the key to working together. Below are 10 tips to help couples navigate a home renovation project or new home build. Based on the principles of successful communication, these suggestions are intended to help couples get through the work with their relationship intact. These tips should be read, before, during and even after the project is completed. Don’t let your desire to build the perfect home demolish your relationship! Will a home renovation project leave your marriage in need of repair? Read the following tips before you start — and review them often as you proceed!
Home renovations can stress relationships, but they don't have to 46% of couples building a new living space say the overall experience is frustrating. According to a Houzz survey, 12% of these couples consider separation or divorce mid-project. It's important to know when you need help, whether it's help with your building project, or help with your relationship. Remember, good communication and honesty leads to the best results with any project. Don't let your home building project destroy the relationship with your partner and your family. Author: B. Anne Hancock, PsyD, is a prominent relationship therapist and founder of Wellness Counseling Center. A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist , Hancock specializes in working with couples and families. She has a doctorate in Psychology and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Hancock always works from a wellness-oriented, non-pathologizing point of view — which means no blame, no shame. In addition to couples counseling services, Hancock also conducts personalized two-and-a-half-day couples intensives Want to learn more about renovating and building houses?
Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook. Many people can't afford to build a new house. Can you design an affordable home? Image courtesy of ABC News (Australia) Claudia Jambor Thinking smaller and being innovative and doing some work yourself may just put a new home within reach. Read this article for more ideas. Want to learn more about renovating and building houses?I've written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. ("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.  Click on this picture to read more  Daydreaming about starting on that fancy kitchen upgrade? Need to put on a new roof? Looking to update your bathrooms before you put your home on the market? Homeowners renovate their homes for all kinds of reasons, but there are two questions that are always part of the equation (or should be!).
How much value will my renovation add to my home?Regarding number one, even if you’re planning on staying in your home for decades, it’s important to consider how much money you’ll be putting into your home, versus the value you’ll get out. “Value” can be measured in different ways, of course—if you’re planning to sell and want to spruce it up before listing, value will be measured in dollars and cents. If you’re a new grandparent, however, and you’re finishing your basement to turn it into a playroom, the value you’ll gain has much more to do with the joy of having a home that your grand kids will love visiting. When should you start your home renovation?When it comes to number two, “When should I start?” that all depends on a couple of factors. Are you planning on selling your home in the next year? Many homeowners renovate because they think their home needs work before they put it on the market—and along with that, they believe they’ll recoup their costs or make a profit if they put in the time and money to do those renovations. That’s not necessarily true, however. In fact, it’s a general rule that the larger your renovation project, the less likely it is that you’ll recoup your costs when you sell. For example, a major kitchen remodel will cost homeowners an average of around $66,000, but they’ll only recoup around $41,000 in resale value. On the other hand, smaller projects like seeding your lawn or other outdoor renovations that increase curb appeal are among the home renovation projects that add the most value. With these, you’ll actually recoup more than you put in. If you are selling your home in the next year, then the smartest thing to do is to get to work as soon as you can, so the work will be completed by the time you list. The last thing you want is to have your contractor team show up to do touch-ups 30 minutes before a scheduled showing. What kind of renovation are you undertaking? When you should renovate also depends on the project. If you’re putting in an addition, fall or winter can be the best time to start. That’s because cold, hard ground is actually easier to dig than soft, muddy ground. For outdoor projects, starting in the warmer months makes the most sense. For one thing, many outdoor projects require digging by hand, and softer ground makes that much easier. For another, you’ll actually have the chance to enjoy your new deck, patio, or backyard landscape if you undertake the project during spring or summer! Regardless of the project they’re doing, most homeowners happen to renovate in spring and summer, because the warmer months are when we tend to be the most active and ready for change. It’s also important to be aware that labor costs for contractors and their workers are generally higher during this time of year, simply due to higher demand. ConclusionWhen you renovate depends on a few different factors, but the bottom line? Renovate when you can afford it! That’s especially important if you’re planning on buying a home once you sell. If that means waiting a year or six months—assuming your renovation isn’t an emergency or safety issue—then wait a year or six months. Your bank account will thank you! Want to learn more about renovating and building houses? Click on this picture to read more I've written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.  Image courtesy of everydayplus at FreeDigitalPhotos.net There are many ways homeowners can make small changes to save money. They might install energy-efficient appliances, use programmable thermostats or add weather-stripping under doors to reduce their energy bills. Yet utilities aren’t the only expenses that could break the bank when it comes to owning a home. Maintenance and repair costs can seriously eat into your savings, especially if you have an older house. As your property and appliances get older, they’re more likely to need service. A lot of people believe that these types of repairs are covered under their homeowners' insurance, but this usually isn’t true. This is why many of those who buy a residential property choose to purchase a home warranty plan in addition to their insurance policies. If you’re in the market for a new house, you may be asking yourself, “Do home warranties save money?” Here are some of the best reasons why a home warranty not only can save you money in the long run but also possibly become an investment in and of itself. What Is a Home Warranty? Homeowners insurance often pays for damages that occur due to some type of catastrophe. These could include weather damage or a break-in. What it usually won’t cover, however, is the typical wear and tear you will experience over the natural course of time. An additional warranty plan, on the other hand, will provide service to keep your property and appliances in good working order. It can give you repair and/or maintenance for your furnace, water heater, air conditioning, electric or water lines, or your major household appliances. These warranties are offered with a number of options. You can add coverage to almost any feature you have. This includes outdoor swimming pools, septic systems and ceiling fans. Many times, the previous owner will offer a warranty plan for a year or two after the sale to cover any necessary work that the property may need.  Image courtesy of phaendin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Why Get a Home Warranty Plan The benefits of a home warranty plan are numerous. These plans can take the worry out of maintaining a house for many reasons. This makes them a good supplement to insurance because they provide homeowners with much more coverage than they would otherwise receive. Here are key ways a home warranty plan can help someone who owns a residential property or is buying one:
Purchasing a home warranty does more than make it easier to take care of problems that crop up around the house. It also helps keep everything in its best condition, thanks to prompt, expert care. This can do a lot to protect and preserve the value of your investment for the future. Author Bio: Terrance M., Supervisor of Technical Training and Compliance at Pivotal Home Solutions, has been working in the heating and cooling industry for more than 33 years. He attended Triton College in River Grove, Illinois, where he completed the HVAC program. Terrance holds a Class A1 mechanical license Want to learn more about renovating and building houses? Click on this picture to read more I've written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home. and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home.
("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****) These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook. |
AuthorI’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you. 
Also available from:
Amazon Au, Amazon DE, Amazon ES, Amazon CA, Amazon IT, Amazon FR, Amazon NL, Amazon India and 'An Introduction to Building Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home'
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