Owning a home means having a hundred potential projects. As years go on and families grow, finding the right time for these projects can become daunting. But it’s best to look at home upgrades as fun things that will benefit the whole family. And some can even improve the value of your home in the long run.
Here are a few examples of home upgrades in Washington state that the whole family will enjoy and appreciate.
Adding a Deck
When you add a deck to your home, you’re expanding your living space with endless entertaining possibilities. A grill and outdoor table can mean great summer barbecues. A raised fire pit can mean evenings roasting marshmallows and telling stories around the fire. You’ll have a go-to destination for outdoor dinner parties, birthdays, and hangouts for you and your family.
Adults will often enjoy a quiet place to sit and enjoy the outdoors, and the kids will often enjoy having a place to hang out with their friends. A deck is truly a home upgrade everyone loves.
In addition to the practical uses that decks offer, they can also maximize a home’s exterior appeal. Depending on which home upgrade specialists you work with, you can end up designing and creating a really beautiful space that will make your home look great. This can increase your home’s property value significantly.
With the help of a good decking company, installing a deck can be a fairly easy upgrade that the entire family will enjoy for many years to come.
Most homeowners think about how they would renovate or improve their home, sometimes even before they move in. There’s a lot of home improvement work you can do on your own, but these 6 renovations would greatly benefit from the help of a professional.
Home improvement TV shows and online DIY videos can make it seem easy to do major renovations, but what they don’t show could cost you. What those TV shows and videos don’t show you is how quickly things can go wrong, and how expensive those mistakes can be in the long run.
If you’re considering a home renovation project, these are six projects that you should hire a home improvement contractor for. They include roofing, siding, windows, decking, bathrooms, and kitchens. Everyone wants to design and build their dream home, but don’t let that dream turn into a nightmare. Let the professionals get to work on a job you can trust to be satisfied with.
Roofing
A well-built roof will last a very long time, but not forever. Damage or deterioration to your roof can lead to serious problems if left untreated. Roofing is a complicated job, and one of the most dangerous parts of home renovation — especially for amateurs. It’s also not as routine or cut and dry as you may assume. Tons of unexpected issues can pop up that a professional would be able to recognize immediately, but would slip past untrained eyes.
Roofing requires lots of expensive tools and attention to detail. Don’t risk your life by trying to do it yourself. If you hire a home improvement contractor, you can rest assured that the job was done correctly and that the pro did everything they could to optimize the longevity of your roof.
2.Siding
Replacing old siding can seriously improve a home’s overall curb appeal. It’s a great project that all homeowners should consider eventually. Doing it yourself, however, is not as simple as it looks. Siding takes lots of tools, equipment, and manpower to execute. On top of that, there are tons of technical aspects to the job that look easy, but are very complicated to implement correctly. You need to have background knowledge on mold, water damage, and pest damage if you come across it, and how to properly fix it.
It’s best to hire a professional home improvement contractor to get the work done for you, especially if you’re not an expert. You will not just save time and money — potential buyers can often recognize work that’s done professionally, and work that’s done DIY. Take great care in finding who to hire for home renovation before getting started.
Windows
New window installations don’t just look good, they will also make your home more energy-efficient, lowering overall costs. Many newer brands of windows are also built with UV ray protection that protects you and your things from the sun’s harmful light, making them a great long-term investment. Installing them yourself, however, is not as simple as it seems. Underlying issues surrounding your window frames are likely to occur, and you’ll need to be equipped for them.
It’s not just a matter of taking one out and putting another in. Ensuring that they’re properly and safely fitted and sealed is critical and takes professional craftsmanship to execute. Let a home improvement contractor take over to save you the headaches.
Decking
A deck is a wonderful way to better enjoy your property outdoors, spending summers with an outdoor barbecue or sipping drinks. While decking may seem like a fairly straightforward DIY job, there’s a lot that can go wrong. It’s not just ‘design and build in a weekend’ — you will potentially face ground issues, safety concerns, and everything will need to meet the right building codes. Even if you’re an expert DIYer, you’re not likely to finish the job within a reasonable time frame without the manpower.
No one wants to end up with a half-finished construction zone leading from their backdoor. Hire a home improvement contractor to ensure the job gets done efficiently and professionally.
5.Bathrooms
Remodeling a bathroom gives you the chance to replace old pipes, tiles, and fixtures that have run their course. They are perfect home improvement investments because they look great and can significantly increase a home’s sale value. There are tons of bathroom DIY videos online, but don’t be fooled — bathroom remodels take time and it’s easy to make mistakes cosmetically and structurally.
You need to ask yourself, do you really want to devote your weekends to work on the bathroom? Installing beautiful, new tiles is a tedious job that requires focus and craftsmanship. It can easily turn into a sloppy rush job if you need to hurry up and finish it to get your weekends back.
Pipes and fixtures are also tricky to install and easy to screw up. Hiring a professional home improvement contractor can save you time, as well as the potential of causing bigger issues than were already present.
Kitchens
Everyone can picture their dream kitchen. They’re the rooms we spend most of our time in, and are often considered the heart of the home. Remodeling an old kitchen can be one of the biggest home improvement projects a homeowner takes on, but also one of the most rewarding. Kitchen upgrades are some of the most valuable renovations you can make to a residential home.
We don’t need to tell you that kitchen renovations are complicated projects. Unless you’re a professional contractor yourself, taking on a kitchen DIY job is likely to be more trouble than it’s worth. It’s highly likely that you’ll mess something up and need to hire a professional home improvement contractor to fix things, so it’s best to just use one in the first place.
Planning your Home Renovation
Every homeowner should consider renovating at some point. Renovation projects increase curb appeal, sales value, and are an incredibly rewarding experience. DIY projects are fun ideas, but you will quickly realize that the details involved are not so simple. Not only can tackling your own home projects be dangerous, you can make costly mistakes that will set you back further than where you started.
Consider hiring professional contractors for your next home improvement project. Do your research when looking for who to hire for home renovation to find the perfect one.
Home improvement is a significant investment which—if handled properly—can improve both the value and the appeal of your home. However, if the job is done poorly, it can lead to years’ worth of headaches, exorbitant repair costs, and even lawsuits. You can spare yourself a world of frustration by ensuring that you work with reputable, reliable home improvement companies capable of completing the job to perfection.
1. Work Quality & Oversight
When you’re dealing with the best home renovation companies, the results speak for themselves. You can look at their past work and confirm that they’re capable of premium home improvements.
The first thing to consider is their level of experience and years in business. For example, Evergreen Home Exteriors & Remodeling hires master-level craftsmen who have a minimum of 10 years’ experience and a minimum of 5 years of home improvement leadership experience. That’s the kind of expertise you want when scouting home improvement companies.
Ask questions, read third-party reviews, and inquire about case studies and past jobs. The more you learn, the more confidently you can proceed.
2. Transparency & Communication
The best home improvement companies treat you as a partner and keep you in the loop throughout every phase of the project. You should have easy access to the project manager at all times, and they should be able to clearly articulate the status of the job at a moment’s notice.
If your home improvement team is slow to respond to calls and emails, if they’re not upfront about challenges or delays, or if they have long gaps in communication, these are serious red flags.
3. Material Selection
Some contractors will use cheap materials to cut costs, but these materials tend to degrade much sooner and never offer the level of stability that you need. The top home renovation companies are diligent about using premium-grade materials.
For example: if you’re having an extension built on your home, a cheap contractor might use 1/2-inch drywall sheets instead of the much stronger 5/8-inch sheets. While the difference might not be noticeable at first, it will become painfully apparent when the ceiling starts to sag or the wall takes some unexpected damage.
4. Trustworthy Estimates
While a home improvement company may not get your estimate exactly to the dollar, they should at least be in the ballpark. An experienced company will account for every factor that can influence the cost of a job, from the materials to the hours and the challenges that can potentially lead to delays.
Less reputable home improvement companies might give you a lowball estimate in the hopes of enticing you to sign on—knowing that the actual costs will be higher. A reputable company will give you an honest estimate every time.
5. Financing
If a company is hesitant to offer financing, it could mean a number of things. They might not be established or financially stable enough to manage financing, or they might be looking to collect the money upfront because they’re not officially licensed. At any rate, it’s potentially problematic for the buyer.
You want to work with a company that offers flexible and convenient financing. Not only does it ensure an easier transaction for you the buyer, but it’s an added vote of confidence that you’re working with an established, trusted business.
Go With the Home Improvement Experts
If you’re looking for a home improvement company that offers all of these qualities, we invite you to contact Evergreen Home Exteriors. We offer financing for 100% of our projects, we’re experienced and transparent, and we only use premium-grade materials.
Call or text us at (253) 313-7943 to schedule a free price estimate.
Whether it’s wrought out of boredom or the need to update your 1970s style kitchen, home remodeling is a part of almost every homeowner’s life. It may seem like a daunting task, but it’s one that millions of homeowners take on each year. Whether you’re just doing some siding repair or a whole home remodel, knowing where to start will save you time and money in the long run.
Your home remodeling process should be fun, creative, and exciting! It doesn’t have to be filled with complicated paperwork, difficult contractors, and months of endless construction. When you take the time to lay a solid foundation for your project, you’ll be able to relax and get the most out of your whole home remodel. So, where’s the best place to start?
Build a Detailed Plan
It’s easy to get lost in the complexities of home remodeling, but a little research goes a long way. Your first step should be to build a detailed plan of exactly what you want. Look up samples, blueprints, and find inspiration so you can effectively communicate your vision to your contractor.
If you’re doing a whole home remodel, you might want to look into the local permits and ordinances you may need to know before contractors start doing any work.
Create a Budget
This one may seem obvious, but home remodeling can get out of control…and fast too. Whether it’s uncovering new problems — like a roof that needs to be repaired — needing more materials, or even extending the project deadline, expenses can add up quickly. When you’re creating your budget, here are some helpful tips to keep you on track:
Lock in on how much you want to spend and don’t exceed it unless you absolutely have to
Set aside at least 10% of the budget for unexpected costs
Research and request estimates from professionals
Count the cost of all the necessary materials
Locking in the financial aspect of your home remodel or renovation will help the process go smoothly and help you determine what you can realistically get done.
Hire & Research Contractors
It’s easy to want to do it yourself, but at the end of the day, hiring the people who make a living doing home remodeling is the best way to go. That being said, you have to hire the right team. References, years of experience, certification of insurance, and payment plans are some of the things to keep an eye out for while doing a whole home remodel and figuring out where to start. While this step may seem like a lot of work, it’s well worth it. Plus, companies like Evergreen have already done all the research and leg-work. We have a broad network of licensed contractors who specialize in each aspect of home remodeling, from kitchens to decks, bathrooms, and more.
Ready to get going with Evergreen? Call or text (253) 320-5383 to learn about financing and schedule your free price estimate today!
The outside of your home is often just as important as the inside, and one feature sure to impress is a deck. If you’re looking for home decking ideas or have already picked out your favorite home deck designs, there are many ways you can make your outdoor space the special place you want it to be. After all, your deck is a place that will add value to your home and your life.
Whether you’re looking for a spot to relax after a long day or a great space for entertaining, these home decking ideas will give you the inspiration to take your deck to the next level.
Materials
One of the first things you need to think about when designing your outdoor space is what material you want to use. There are many options to choose from when looking for home decking ideas. Wood, composite, vinyl, plastic, and even aluminum are all materials you can work with when you’re coming up with your home deck design.
Wood
Wood is the most common material for home decks. Whether it’s pressure-treated, an exotic wood, or softwood, this material is attractive and inviting. A wood deck does require some care though: pressure washing, restaining, and annual maintenance are very important to keep your deck in tip-top shape.
Composite + Other Materials
Composite materials are made of wood combined with plastic fibers, usually recycled. This material is strong, durable, and easy to maintain. Other materials like vinyl, aluminum, and plastic are options for your home deck designs, but they may not have the same feel as composite or wood.
Design
After nailing down your material, you can start thinking about the layout and design of your deck. From outdoor brick ovens to hanging lights, feel free to get creative with your home decking ideas. Your deck should speak to who you are. For example: you’re not limited to having only a grill and seating in your space, so why not make it a full kitchen?
Living Wall
For those with a green thumb, a living wall is a great way to add privacy to your home deck designs. Adding planters provides you with life and some natural vegetation. Succulents and flowers will keep the deck lively, and herbs will be ready-to-go for any grilling you do.
Pergola
A pergola is another feature you can add to your home decking ideas box. This trellis-like addition provides shade and an opportunity for a little extra privacy. You can create this by using wood beams, a lattice, and columns to elevate your deck and give you a taste of Tuscany.
Get Started Today
Getting started may seem daunting, but there are many home decking ideas out there–these are just a few to help you get going. At Evergreen, we know how important your home is to you, so we provide you with the necessary tools and resources to get you the home you want.
Reach out today to learn more about our financing options!
