Nina A. Deerfield Basement Remodeling
Nina needed some work done in her basement after a sewer backup had caused some water to seep onto her floors. We started by ditching the damaged tile, being...
By: Lior Ben Zur
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Nina A. Deerfield Basement Remodeling - Video
In addition to making your life better every day, home remodeling projects will ideally impact your homes value for the better. However, your homes value is at the mercy of the market and, in fact, some home improvements will positively impact your appraisal more than others.
Appraisers look at the basic structure and floor plan of your house, as well as the homes condition. They then compare your house to similar houses in your area that have sold most recently. Comparable houses (also known as comps) in your surrounding area will impact the appraisal of your house. When making these comparisons, appraisers make adjustments in value based on the age, size and condition of the houses, which makes the process somewhat subjective.
Appraisers are more interested in size, function and condition than in style. For instance, a faucet that costs $1,000 is no more functional than one that costs $100. While the more expensive faucet should look better and last longer, no credit is given since there is no comparison showing these advantages.
If you want to focus on home improvements that will increase your homes value, here are few worthwhile investments.
Adding bedrooms and bathrooms
In a home appraisal, a comp is determined by the bedroom and bathroom ratio and square footage. For example: a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house will be compared to other three-bedroom, two-bathroom houses. If the house is a five-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom house, it moves into a different bracket with different comps instantly with higher home values. If you want to increase the appraised value of your home, adding bedrooms and bathrooms is a sure way to do it.
A finished basement
Finishing the basement is another sure way to add livable square footage and drastically change your homes value. If you have a full basement, finishing the lower level could potentially double the square footage of your house. Plus, most basement remodels add bedrooms and maybe a bathroom.
Home repairs
The condition of your house figures strongly into the appraisal value. If you want home improvements that increase your homes property values, invest in the condition of your homes major systems and components. Therefore, a new roof, windows or new exterior siding will be positive factors in the equation of an appraisal. According to Mitra Kalita in a Wall Street Journal article titled, Ten Tips for High Value Home Appraisals, appraisers tend to think in terms of $500 increments when calculating values. Therefore, if there is an obvious repair more than $500 that has been neglected, this will count against the value of the house.
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Renovation Solutions: Three types of home improvements that increase home value
Bloomington Home Improvement Fair: Basement Remodeling on a Budget - Castle Building Remodeling
Are you looking to refresh your home with a budget makeover, but aren #39;t sure where to start? Look no further. Get remodeling tips and ideas that won #39;t break ...
By: CityofBloomingtonMN
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Bloomington Home Improvement Fair: Basement Remodeling on a Budget - Castle Building & Remodeling - Video
Michael J. Kukish Recognized by Strathmore's Who's Who Worldwide Publication
About Michael J. Kukish Mr. Kukish has over 26 years experience in the construction field. He is the Owner of MJK Construction which is a construction agency in New Jersey providing construction services and renovations. He is a general contractor responsible for additions, renovations, kitchens, baths and basement remodeling as well as building high-end homes. Mr. Kukish is affiliated with the B.B.B. He was born on November 15, 1954 in Dunellen, New Jersey. He majored in Construction Management at Union County Vocal and Technical School. In his spare time Mr. Kukish enjoys surf fishing.
About Strathmores Whos Who Worldwide Strathmores Whos Who Worldwide highlights the professional lives of individuals from every significant field or industry including business, medicine, law, education, art, government and entertainment. Strathmores Whos Who Worldwide is both an online and hard cover publication where we provide our members current and pertinent business information. It is also a biographical information source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms throughout the world. Our goal is to ensure that our members receive all of the networking, exposure and recognition capabilities to potentially increase their business.
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Michael J. Kukish Recognized by Strathmore's Who's Who Worldwide Publication
LAS VEGAS -- Nightclub operator Victor Drai considered the roof of the former Barbary Coast and Bills Gamblin Hall & Saloon untapped potential.
Drai, 66, a Los Angeles-based nightlife mogul, operated Drais After Hours in the basement of the small Strip casino. On New Years Eve he would venture to the roof of the 11-story property to watch the annual fireworks show.
It was the best view from here looking up and down the Strip, Drai said of the property at the northeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road.
I knew this for years. I always had a vision in my head, Drai said.
Now, that vision is taking shape.
A Memorial Day weekend opening is planned for Drais Beachclub and Nightclub a 65,000-square-foot rooftop nightclub, day club and pool deck designed by Drai that sits atop The Cromwell, after a $185 million remodeling of the building.
Drai spent Friday afternoon touring the site, which overlooks the Strip. The spacious nightclub adds three floors to the hotel-casino and opens up onto the pool area, which also has a dance stage set aside for a DJ.
At first, Drai was only able to present renderings of the project. He initially brought a ladder to roof and had Caesars Entertainment Corp. executives and property officials to see what the view would be from a platform.
Now, with the pool area and adjoining spas taking shape, along with 24 private cabanas and an upper-level for European-style sun bathing deck, Drai said the space is even more spectacular that he originally visioned.
I think its the most beautiful space and I hope it will be the best location we have ever built, Drai said.
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Gaming G uru
Making a disused hotel roof a striking Las Vegas pool club 26 March 2014
By Howard Stutz
LAS VEGAS -- Nightclub operator Victor Drai considered the roof of the former Barbary Coast and Bills Gamblin Hall & Saloon untapped potential.
Drai, 66, a Los Angeles-based nightlife mogul, operated Drais After Hours in the basement of the small Strip casino. On New Years Eve he would venture to the roof of the 11-story property to watch the annual fireworks show.
It was the best view from here looking up and down the Strip, Drai said of the property at the northeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road.
I knew this for years. I always had a vision in my head, Drai said.
Now, that vision is taking shape.
A Memorial Day weekend opening is planned for Drais Beachclub and Nightclub a 65,000-square-foot rooftop nightclub, day club and pool deck designed by Drai that sits atop The Cromwell, after a $185 million remodeling of the building.
Drai spent Friday afternoon touring the site, which overlooks the Strip. The spacious nightclub adds three floors to the hotel-casino and opens up onto the pool area, which also has a dance stage set aside for a DJ.
At first, Drai was only able to present renderings of the project. He initially brought a ladder to roof and had Caesars Entertainment Corp. executives and property officials to see what the view would be from a platform.
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Making a disused hotel roof a striking Las Vegas pool club
SAC CITY, Iowa | Family members of a Sac City, Iowa, man killed in 2009 are thankful a man suspected in his death has been arrested.
Mark Koster, 58, was found dead in his basement in November 2012. Authorities said Wednesday they believe his friend, John David Green, 54, killed him in 2009 and hid his body in the house.
Green was arrested Tuesday at a dog racetrack in Orange Park, Fla., on afelony charge of first-degree murder.
Were grateful, said Kosters sister Nancy Teasdale, of Edina, Minn., when contacted by the Journal.
State and local police began searching for Green after Kosters body was found hidden in the basement of his home in 2012.
Koster's family reported him missing from Sac City in 2010. He was believed to have left the Sac City area in 2009, and his family was concerned because they hadn't heard from him for several months.
He was declared legally dead in 2011. His house on North Fifth Street was sold in May 2012.
The new homeowner found Koster's remains while remodeling the basement in November 2012.
At the time of the discovery, officials believed they were looking for a friend of Koster's named Tom. Investigators later learned Tomwas an alias Green used, said Mitch Mortvedt, resident agent-in-charge for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
The search for Green led investigators to Kansas City and, eventually, to the city of Orange Park, just south of Jacksonville, Fla. Policeagencies in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida also assisted with the search.
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Fla. man arrested in Sac City murder case
Q: What are some of the new trends in sustainable building?
A: Ductless heat pumps are continuing to gain in popularity. Not only do they not require ducts, they can be the most affordable heating solution up front and also offer the deepest energy savings over the long haul.
Another trend is insulation for the outside of the home. Outside insulation is installed behind the siding and under the roofing. Typical insulation is broken up by the wall studs and the roof rafters.
When you add even a moderate amount of continuous rigid insulation to the outside of your walls or your roof you have a fully insulated structure. This allows homeowners to save significantly on energy costs, and the rigid insulation is capable of lasting for 100 years or more.
Also gaining in popularity is rain-screen siding. Considered a best practice for climates where there is a lot of precipitation, this method involves installing siding on top of battens, which creates a ventilation space behind the siding.
In damp weather, siding will get wet on the front and back no matter how it is installed. In older buildings with no insulation, the furnace or fireplace would dry the siding when it got wet. But now that we insulate our buildings, the siding needs some airflow behind it in order to facilitate a good dry-out between rainy days.
Speaking of all that precipitation, consider creating a rain garden. Many homes have downspouts that pour onto splash plates, and roof rainwater simply flows into soggy yards all winter.
Rain gardens take water away from the house by distributing it safely into the ground. The added bonus, of course, is the beauty of the gardens vegetation.
It may be hard to believe with all the Northwests cloudy and rainy weather, but solar panels placed on south, east and west pitches does work. The region has an impressively long sun arc in summer, and there are plenty of photons bouncing around even on high-white-cloud days.
Fortunately, your home doesnt need a southern-facing roof pitch to take advantage of solar energy.
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Sustainable building trends to consider | HomeWork
Madison, WI (PRWEB) March 20, 2014
With an updated design and fresh content, the owners of Tucker Family Construction recently unveiled a new website that harnesses the flexibility of responsive web design to offer a consistent customer experience across all devices from desktop to mobile. The sites content features an updated portfolio of completed construction projects and easier access to the company via social media.
We are excited to launch and share our new website, said owner Bill Tucker. Now I can point future clients to our website to show past projects and how weve helped many homeowners in the area create the home of their dreams. And they can easily see the photos on smartphones and tablets.
One of the main features throughout the site is the proud showcasing of the companys past projects amongst numerous photo galleries. Future customers can view detailed photos from many different types of home improvement and remodeling projects.
Better integration with social media also played a major role in the redesign. Updated profiles on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter make it easy for potential and current clients to interact with the companys owners.
Tucker Family Construction, LLC is a family-owned and operated company providing Madison, Wis., with bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, basement finishing, and other home improvement services. Tucker has provided various construction services for over 20 years in Wisconsin and in California, where the business started.
In charge of the new website project was The Web Guys, an Indianapolis-based company providing Web design and search engine marketing solutions to businesses across the country. On-staff writers and professional designers worked alongside the Tuckers owners from start to finish.
About Tucker Family Construction, LLC
Tucker Family Construction, LLC serves Madison, Wis., with interior and exterior home improvement services. Homeowners interested in basement, bathroom, kitchen renovations, or exterior remodeling can visit the website or call the company at (608) 862-3641.
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Tucker Family Construction Renovates Website, Goes Mobile
Provided by Networx.com
Basements. They can be dank, sour, horrible holes in the ground, grim utility areas, or...spacious, light-filled, beautiful spaces for lounging, watching movies, hosting guests, playing games, and more. I took at look at five beautiful DIY basement remodels on Hometalk, where people share projects and ideas with each other on an informative public forum.
If you're thinking of remodeling your basement, these might give you some ideas. Need extra incentive? Basement remodels add to home value, which is important if you're thinking of selling. Furthermore, of course, they create more usable space in the home, a critical value for those of you who might be adding to the family or wanting to increase your ability to entertain.
This sleek white basement with recessed lighting features a built-in made from IKEA shelving, a couch with comfortable slip covers, and lots of nice accents like baskets, ornaments, and gorgeous rugs to go with its flooring and panel walls. It's a great lounge area, and the idea could be built upon, too -- a convertible couch, for example, could turn it into a guest room!
Beth Bryan bills this as a "man cave," but it would be great for any gender. It features DIY construction of elements like cabinetry, molding, and more, with tons of great decor -- including a light made from an old electricity meter that really works! And yes, those home theater seats are vintage. Of course, it helps to have a contractor in the family for projects like this, but lots of the skills needed can be learned as you go.
Color! This basement remodel puts paid to the idea that basements are dark, dank, and grim. It's quirky, fun, and chaotic, but note how all the patterns and colors really do tie together, creating a lush, layered look. I love details like the old steamer trunk and the poppy theme (repeated on another wall painted in a poppy design).
By contrast, this basement family room is done in rich coffee and cream tones, for a simple but still comfortable look. The patterned rug adds a splash of fun so the room doesn't feel too formal, and those stuffed ottomans look like a comfortable place to put up your feet!
Whether it's a new bedroom or a guestroom, a basement can be used as a great space for resting weary heads. The use of open shelving as a room divider helps to prevent a cramped feeling while offering privacy; a space like this could be an office/guest room or similarly combined space.
If all this has you thinking about changing the basement, hooray! Consider how you want to use the space in the future, and start sketching out plans before you talk to contractors, Austin flooring experts, and others to develop your dream basement. One thing you may want to think about is how your use of the space could shift. In the guestroom/office example above, an open plan allows the homeowner to move shelving and other elements around to reconfigure the space as needed, and she's not locked into a floorplan that won't always work for her.
Katie Marks writes for Networx.com.
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5 hot basement remodels