By Camille FurstEditor-in-Chief

As students walked through Armstrong Hall in January when it reopened after a year-long renovation, mixed emotions abounded.

While some students, like junior mechanical engineering major Lauren DeSimone, believe the renovations went really well, others, like senior computer engineering major Paul Brodhead, feel that it was all for nothing.

With the help of an $8 million state bond, the College went into phase three of the STEM complex project and renovated the School of Engineerings Armstrong Hall a building that was constructed in 1961 with few updates since. With the first phase of the project consisting of the construction of the STEM building along with the chemistry and forum additions, and the second consisting of renovations for the existing science buildings, the third and final phase Armstrong Halls remodeling concluded the project in the beginning of the spring 2020 semester.

For as long as Dean of the School of Engineering Steven Schreiner can remember, renovations for Armstrong Hall have always been in mind. Students, faculty and staff feel these alterations were a long time coming with grungy classrooms and overused labs, renovations felt like, for some, too little and too late.

While it was estimated to cost $20 million to do a complete renovation of Armstrong Hall, the College could only request money from the state for asset renewal needs, according to campus architect Lynda Rothermel.

This cut the funding in half for a bond through the states Higher Education Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) and with the state only giving $8 million of that $10-million request, cuts to the budget had to be made once again.

While we were disappointed that the $8.0M budget meant that we could not complete a full renovation, we were appreciative that we would be able to address asset renewal needs, Rothermel said in an email to The Signal.

The increase in students enrolled in STEM-related majors jump-started the cause of the buildings renovations, and, according to the application sent from the College to the state for a $10-million bond, educational opportunities were being adversely impacted by existing space constraints and building system deficiencies.

In 2010, the College conducted a feasibility study that confirmed the existence of deficiencies and the necessity for them to be repaired. This is what led to the application citing needs for asset renewal, which Rothermel describes as renewing an existing asset, not creating a new asset.

In the application sent to the state requesting funds for the remodeling, the College stated that enrollment in the School of Engineering has increased in the past ten years, so there was insufficient space for work to be done and projects to be completed something many students had concerns about previously.

Really the biggest change for me was our lab space, said Hussain Khajanchi, a senior electrical engineering major. Now with this new renovation, all three of them have a combined lab space, so the space is much bigger than it used to be.

This was one of Schreiners biggest hopes for the renovations effects as well, since gaining more faculty-research space in the building was one of his highest priorities.

The glass walls that appeared similar to the recent construction of the STEM complex were apparent, as well as new furnishings for students study space, but most of the renovations took place behind the scenes, and into the walls of the building instead. According to documents obtained by The Signal, remodeling occurred primarily for the mechanical and electrical systems, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning all of which are in line with the Colleges application stating that the funds would be used for asset renewal.

According to Rothermel, 14 labs were renovated in the process, but many of the changes, being under the umbrella of asset renewal, is often unseen and underappreciated.

In the application sent to the state for funding, the College noted eight major aspects of renovation, five of which took place behind the walls, such as reconfiguring the HVAC system. Some students, however, wish they were given more opportunities to add input. But according to the application for funding that was sent to the state, the specific aspects were already stated and authorized by the Colleges Board of Trustees at their Dec. 5, 2015, public meeting.

Schreiner said that discussions involving the buildings specific renovations were already underway before Phase 1 of the project, which consisted of the STEM Complexs construction.

Even back then, we had a basic outline of what Armstrong Renovation was going to look like, Schreiner said.

With most of the $8 million being put toward behind-the-scenes improvements, Schreiner said that the footprint of Armstrong Hall did not change at all during this renovation.

But through a series of emails, Schreiner kept informing the engineering students at the College of the updates involving funds. The renovation of Armstrong Hall essentially lied in the hands of the state and whether or not the College received funds, according to Schreiner. If the College hadnt received a bond, he informed the students in an email from Dec. 8, 2016, renovations would need to take place over a much longer period of time.

Meanwhile, Brodhead feels that there wasnt enough communication from administration on which renovations would be done and when. While he didnt feel misled, he felt uninformed.

I think they did a really bad job at publicizing what they were going to do, Brodhead said.

He also feels that the specific renovations that were completed were nonessential and insignificant a factor that he believes was caused from not including students in the process enough. He equated the new buildings renovations to an unfocused mess.

They took a little over a year to take down some non-loadbearing walls, he said. And when it came to the HVAC system, he didnt feel a difference after the year of renovations. It still feels either way too hot or way too cold.

Brodhead and Khajanchi, along with other students, feel that the specific renovations werent chosen in the best interest of the students. Many wished the bathrooms would get refurbished, but that wasnt high enough on the priority list of the administrators and architects to get completed yet.

Other students, like junior biomedical engineering major Justina Walck, felt that the renovations were an overall success, and that students were well-informed throughout the year-long project. While she feels as though the schematics and drawings that were sent to the engineering students of what the building would look like afterward didnt completely correspond with the buildings actual renovations, she said that thats what happens with any project.

Schreiner, on the other hand, said that the items on the top of the priority list consisted of things you dont see but the students use every day. And, while the bathrooms werent completed yet, its in the plans for future renovations.

It wasnt just a decorating plan, he said. It really was a functional look at what we wanted to have.

But senior computer engineering major Zach Warcola feels that, while there were more aesthetic improvements, the overall functionality of Armstrong stayed the same.

After waiting a while to get into the building again, there was really not much difference, he said.

When Schreiner was informed by The Signal of some negative reactions from students, he felt surprised. He credits some malfunctions with the new HVAC system to the common yet temporary mishaps that occur after a renovation.

Its not quite like buying a computer, opening it, putting it on your desk, and everythings working fine, Schreiner said. Say three four weeks before we left campus, I was unaware of any complaints with temperature. Next fall is where Id like that sort of judgement to come.

But that next fall for Schreiner wouldnt come, as he accepted a position as provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Manhattan College, which he will begin on July 1. William Keep, the interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at the College, announced his job acceptance in an email on April 1.

In a response to the students negative reactions, however, Schreiner said that he feels they will have a different outlook in a year from now. He feels similarly to Rothermel in the fact that the renovations, most of which were behind the walls, can often be left unnoticed.

I think that Armstrong is a beautiful example of that sort of balance (between renovations in front of and behind the walls), Schreiner said. We could have spent all of the $8 million behind the walls, with the important mechanical systems, electrical systems. Maybe thats a bit of an exaggeration but its really not.

And even though the Colleges official news site announced on March 6 that the renovations were officially completed in Armstrong Hall, both Schreiner and Rothermel said differently.

Schreiner said that, while Armstrong Hall opened its doors for students on Jan. 2, spring break was supposed to be a week spent for campus construction to continue work, but the novel coronavirus altered those plans.

Were approaching completion, he said. I dont think its officially closed out.

Rothermel also said that the renovations arent officially finished. According to Rothermel, a plan is underway to renovate the bathrooms and include a gender-neutral bathroom as well, of which the construction is planned to take place in the summer of 2021.

The process is long, involved, collaborative, and often challenging, Rothermel said. There is never enough funding to do everything you want to do and hard decisions need to be made.

Related

Continued here:
Armstrong Hall's renovations receive mixed reviews from students - The Signal

NBA athlete Meyers Leonard is selling the Wilsonville mansion he and his wife, Elle, bought and remodeled. The asking price for the resort-like estate with a putting green, pool and indoor sports court: $3 million.

As The Oregonian/OregonLive reported May 1, the former Portland Trail Blazers drove a hard bargain to buy the residential property four years ago.

The luxury house at 24968 S.W. Quarryview Dr. on 4.81 gated acres in the pricey Portland suburb was listed at $2.975 million in May 2016. The asking price dropped to $2.75 million in June that year. The deal closed in October 2016 at $2.4 million, according to public records.

Leonard, who moved to the Miami Heat last summer in a four-team trade that brought Hassan Whiteside to the Blazers, referred recently to his time in Miami as a breath of fresh air.

In the interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, he also said that he left part of his heart in Portland.

Also left behind: A monster mansion with plenty of places to play indoors and out.

Meyers Leonards Robinson High School, University of Illinois and Portland Trail Blazers jerseys are framed on the wall of the billiard room. Photo by NWVideoTours provided by Harnish PropertiesHarnish Properties

Other perks on the estate include a billiard room and a covered, outdoor living space with a built-in grill and fireplace. Nearby is a full tennis court.

The pool has a tiered waterfall and a curving slide on the deep end. The shallow end is fed by water spilling over from the Jacuzzi. Beyond it is the pool house.

It has everything you need if youre quarantined, says listing broker Justin Harnish of Harnish Properties, who describes the property as an entertainers and sportsmans dream home.

What will a new owner of the sprawling European-style house also find here? Privacy.

From the street, a long road leads to a circular driveway with a stone-pillared porte cochere to the garages or the stone entrance to the house with almost 8,000 square feet of living space.

Garrison Hullinger and Collin Kayser of Garrison Hullinger Interior Design (GHID), a full-service interior design firm based in Portland, were asked by the Leonards to remodel and update the 14-year-old house with a focus on re-selling it.

They approached us knowing that staying in Portland wasnt forever, which is the life of an athlete, says Hullinger. So it was important to make changes that had high impact, value for the money and reflected their style preferences.

Deftly, the design team developed the new look around existing natural stone flooring and architectural features, which would have been expensive to replace. A large area rug at the front entry covers an Old World-style mosaic inlay.

Traditional-style columns, soffits and other ornamental elements are also still there, but they have been painted white to blend with the walls, ceilings, window trim, molding and doors. Dark wood cabinets are also now white.

Beige and brown upholstery, drapery and rugs were changed out for lighter, fresher colors. Traditional chandeliers and bronze light fixtures were replaced with contemporary ones in silver tones.

The large open kitchen its 24 feet long and 18 feet wide went from having brown granite counters to white, marble-like quartz with softer edges. A new butlers pantry and beverage center added storage space while making access easier.

The biggest changes: The kitchen ceiling was reworked to remove the oval detail and rustic beams were installed. The master bathroom and closet were reconfigured to improve function and aesthetics.

Each of the four bedrooms has its own walk-in closet and bathroom, plus there is another full bathroom and two powder rooms.

Garrison Hullinger and Collin Kayser of GHID offer these tips to achieve a fresher look at home:

Lighten up the overall palette: Paint became our friend to create an immediate transformation from dark and beige to light and fresh, says Kayser, referring to the Leonards home.

Upgrade light fixtures: Heavy and oversized chandeliers in the entry, dining room and kitchen were replaced with lighter and more open chandeliers. Bronze tones made way for silver tones to add to the bright feel.

Splurge on new furnishings: Furnishings are an easy way to add function and personality to a space. By keeping the overall backdrop light and simple, it allowed for punches of interest, says Hullinger.

Improve built-ins: Many homes have built-in cabinets for older, larger TVs. Here, GHID designed new bookcases and added a mantel to the large, stone fireplace to give the space more character and provide separation from other parts of the home and block noise from traveling up and down stairs.

Adding elements like a distressed beam mantel helps tie together spaces like the living room and kitchen that were also updated, says Hullinger.

Small fixes, big impact: The team installed a large area rug at the front entry to cover a dramatic mosaic inlay. This allowed us to keep the existing floor in place and save a significant amount on the remodel, says Hullinger.

The existing countertops had large mitered bullnose edges that felt old and dated. By installing new counters with a softened square, or 3cm eased edge, spaces feel more contemporary and approachable.

Enhance the kitchen: The original cabinets have a whole new look thanks to paint and small modifications. Rustic beams were added to the simplified ceiling.

Rethink unused spaces: Many older homes have floor plans that dont support the way a new owner lives. Here, the craft room adjacent to the master suite was used to expand the walk-in closet, which now looks like a boutique. Drawers, shelves and other elements organize wardrobes, shoes and accessories.

Add a spa feel to bathrooms: The master bathroom layout was reconfigured and new materials were installed for the couple to enjoy the space while making it functional for future owners. There are separate vanities, more purposeful cabinet storage and an enclosed shower with new fixtures set at appropriate heights.

Modernized the office: The design team removed carpet from the home office and installed oak flooring. The stained wood was painted white and the marble stone fireplace surround was changed.

It was important to create a more personalized space that was light and uplifting," says Kayser. "But by keeping the existing millwork, we were able to keep costs down.

Design for the future: Counters and other elements were elevated to accommodate the 7 1 basketball player. However, because the owners knew this wasnt their forever home, we made logical decisions about countertop heights that would work for them and feel appropriate for any future owners, says Kayser.

The designers say this is key for any homeowner who is remodeling with the knowledge they wont be in the home longterm. You have to think about how your decisions will be perceived and the value it can bring to someone else, adds Hullinger.

Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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Meyers and Elle Leonards remodeled Wilsonville mansion is for sale at $3 million (see before and after photo - oregonlive.com

Are you sure you want to die?

ngel Hernndez stared at his wife through clear glasses. His face was pallid, haggard, his lip quivering.

Mara Jos Carrasco, 61, and eight years his junior, drooped in a squeaky red armchair. Her body was limp, her face sunken, and her mouth sagged into a scowl. But Carrasco wasnt angry; she was nervous, uneasy even. Uneasy and in pain. She had endured multiple sclerosis for 30 years, and it was ravaging her body.

Would you like it if we do it tomorrow? Hernndez said, glancing into the camera recording it all.

Yes.

OK, he sighed. Well, I suppose theres nothing more to be said.

No, she responded. The sooner, the better.

Silence followed the recording. Part of Hernndez couldnt quite believe what was happening. This was something he had suppressed, considered, accepted and then suppressed again. Back and forth, a wearisome rally in his head, for three decades.

Hernndez knew that what he was about to do probably meant prison. He knew that his face would appear in every one of his countrys newspapers. He would become a momentary lament over breakfast or a boozy debate at a bar. And while some would support him, some would rather see him burn in hell.

There was a time when Hernndez tried to show Carrasco that life was worth living. But as years passed, he began to question everything he had thought was kindness, everything he thought was generous.

Was he trying to keep her alive for her sake? Or for his? Was he selfish?

Carrasco had her own fears, not of death but of what her husband would face after her suicide. Prison? Would he become a pariah? They had never had children because they did not want someone between them. They were for each other. But soon she would be gone, and he would be alone.

That afternoon, on April 2, 2019, as Hernndez peered into his wifes sunken eyes in the couples cramped living room on the outskirts of Madrid, he was still torn. Everything was about to end, and everything was about to begin. He would end her suffering, but he would also open up an abysmal absence.

But personal concerns had to cede to higher objectives. After all, Hernndez and Carrasco had planned it this way. For months, they had given press interviews and shot videos showing Carrascos day-to-day life. Videos that were designed to show Mara Jos's suffering, Hernndez lawyer would later tell the press.

The reality was this: The next day, Hernndez would wake up and help his wife die. And then, he would have to be alone.

::

Hernndez came from a poor family in Madrids Alcala de Henares suburb his father was a factory worker, his mother a homemaker. He was rebellious and had spent the years in prison during Francisco Francos dictatorship. The charge was terrorism, though the action was breaking windows at a bank. He denies it. I wasnt even there, he said.

Carrasco had been born into a family of lawyers. She was from the bourgeoisie, Hernndez said. She found her own path. She dropped out of university and went to live in an artists commune in New York. She spoke languages, read literature and loved to paint and play the piano.

When Carrasco and Hernndez met at a theater workshop in the 80s, both were attracted to each others differences: Carrasco liked that he was tough and streetwise, Hernndez liked that she was whimsical and erudite. They watched avant-garde films, read great works and traveled.

Hernndez remembers they would talk late into the night about anything and everything. We had solidarity, which went beyond infatuation and sex, he said.

They married in 1988, and soon, Hernndez noticed things that he didnt want to see. Small things at first: the missed note on the piano, the errant brushstroke on one of her paintings, and a squiggle too many in her signature. In a matter of months, she was losing her footing on her way to the kitchen or seeing double while watching TV.

It was as confusing as it was terrifying. This was back in the 80s in Spain, and we had no idea what was going on, Hernndez said.

Neither did the doctors. Carrasco went from test to test, hospital to hospital. She was desperate. He was desperate. All my hair fell out from the stress, he said.

Then in 1989, the diagnosis: multiple sclerosis, a disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord that causes the bodys immune system to attack its nerve fibers.

There is no cure, and Carrasco knew it would only get worse. She grew embarrassed; she stopped seeing friends, she stopped going out. She had to quit work as a court clerk. The outside world, which had once so enchanted her, began to taunt her with its possibilities.

One day, in 1996, Hernndez returned late from his job as a technician at the Spanish parliament, where he recorded debates and hearings. It was around midnight, and Hernndez called out to his wife when he entered the apartment. She would normally wait up for me, he said. But this time there was no reply. He shouted again. Nothing.

He scrambled to the room and found her encircled by empty prescription bottles, unconscious but still breathing. As he dragged her from the bed, her limp body thudded to the floor.

The emergency services wouldnt arrive fast enough, he thought. He had to act. I dragged her to the bathroom and shoved my fingers down her throat, he said. She vomited a mush of pills.

When Carrasco awoke, Hernndez told her that though he could not stop her from taking her life, he would do everything to prove that she had a reason to keep on living.

In the following years, he reduced his hours at work. He cooked, cleaned and shopped. He read to her before she went to sleep, and he bought hundreds of films they watched together. Every Saturday, they would travel to villages outside Madrid to lunch and enjoy nature.

They traveled further afield too. We liked to go to the Netherlands, he said. We would go to the coffee shops because marijuana helped ease Mara Jos's pain.

As her health deteriorated in the 2000s, Hernndez started remodeling the apartment. He installed handrails on the walls so Carrasco could drag herself to the kitchen and refitted the bathroom to make it easier for her to wash up. Did she have a phenomenal life? No, she didnt. But did she have enough to keep on going? I think so....

::

By 2010, Hernndez had to take early retirement. He was struggling. He woke Carrasco up, he washed her, changed her diaper, applied her creams. His own health began deteriorating. He had developed an excruciating hernia, which he aggravated the more he cared for her. He also doubted his motives.

Death can be instantaneous, one unknowing step or traffic accident away. But this this was different. Death lurked it was a chronic weight on his everyday thoughts. He could hear its presence in his wifes groans, in the squeak of her wheelchair, in the rattle of her pills.

Sometimes it made Hernndez feel guilty. He often thought he was selfish. Was he obligating Carrasco to stay alive?

He supposed that she had these debates too. He knew she was caught between her love for him and her own suffering. Yes, she had tried to kill herself, but they had spent regular times together, good times, when deaths grip had loosened. In those moments, she must have known what she meant to him. Maybe thats why she held on? For him.

The couple had talked about euthanasia over the years, but it was still illegal in Spain, and, as such, seemed a comforting impossibility to Hernndez. But in 2015, when Carrasco asked him to acquire some sodium pentobarbital, to have just in case, he knew that even the law might not be enough to deter his wifes desires.

In the following years, Carrascos condition worsened. She was on high doses of morphine and fentanyl, and often the withdrawals from these drugs were worse than the problems caused by the disease itself, Hernndez said.

In late 2018, Carrasco lost the use of her hands. Propped up in her wheelchair, she appeared bound by an invisible straitjacket. She could barely see, barely hear; sometimes, she couldnt swallow or talk.

It was around this time that the couple gave an interview to El Pais, in which Carrasco told the broadsheet that she was ready to die. Hernndez said he would be willing to help her if necessary. Spains governing party had presented a bill to decriminalize euthanasia, and polls showed an overwhelming majority of Spaniards favored legalizing la muerte digna.

But, just as assisted suicide seemed possible, it wasnt. Several months later, the bill was blocked by Spains conservative parties and then held up by the ruling partys inability to form a majority government. It was then early 2019, and Hernndez knew he would have to take matters into his own hands so the couple could make a point.

The plan was to record her daily suffering and show the world what it was to live with the burden of this disease. Then they would record the assisted suicide, and the moments before and after. Hernndez would show his face despite the risk of prosecution.

It was only with the last of those points that there was an issue. Carrasco did not want to end her suffering only to propagate his. She worried about me until the end, he said.

But Hernndez was resolute. He had been to prison before, he told her, and during the dictatorship, no less. What was more, he said, he didnt believe in God, or heaven; he believed in life, and that it be lived with dignity. Nothing would prepare him for the void she would leave, but he could no longer watch her suffer, he could no longer justify what he came to believe was just his greed.

On April 3, 2019, Hernndez woke up Carrasco as he always did. He showered her, dried her, changed her diaper and took her back to the bed. Around 9:30 he turned on the camcorder.

Mara Jos, the moment has arrived, Hernndez said, his voice shaky. Carrasco smiled. He handed her a glass of water with a straw, to see if she could swallow.

What do you think? he asked.

Yes, I can do it, she gurgled.

Are you sure you want to do this? Hernandez asked again.

Yes.

OK.

Hernandez handed her another cup, this time with sodium pentobarbital. Carrasco swallowed. She grimaced.

Give me your hand, Hernndez murmured. I want to feel your suffering slip away. Dont worry; you will be asleep soon.

In the hours after Carrasco died, Hernndez handed himself in to the police and admitted he had aided his wifes death. He was released on bail the next day.

After Hernndez shared videos of his wife to the press, he became one of 2019s biggest news stories, splashed across broadsheets and tabloids, as he had predicted. I only did it to help our cause, he said. This year, Spain is consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still faces domestic abuse charges.

Yet, for as much as his life has changed outside his house, inside, nothing has. The living room is still full of books and paintings, many painted by her. The armchair where she used to sit lies empty. He can barely look at it now.

I will change the house only when euthanasia is decriminalized, he said. Thats when my grief will end.

Until then, he says, he will live uneasily with her absence. Alone.

Bremner is a special correspondent.

See the article here:
Condemnation, sympathy after man helps wife kill herself - Los Angeles Times

Dublin, May 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "COVID-19 Economic Impact Report: Cabinets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The US cabinets industry is facing a number of challenges as it deals with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. How has the macroeconomic environment changed and what does it mean for the cabinets industry going forward?

This report looks at how the expected impact of the pandemic on the current macroeconomic environment in the US compares to other major events since 2000, including the bursting of technology bubble and 9/11 terrorist attack, and the 2007-2009 Great Recession. It also provides a historical view of industry sales since 2000, a look at how the industry is being currently impacted, and estimates for sales through 2024.

Product types include kitchen, bathroom, and those installed in other parts of a structure (e.g., store fixture and laundry and mudroom cabinets).

Cabinet markets include new residential, residential remodeling, new commercial, commercial remodeling, and nonconstruction (such as transportation and recreational vehicles).

Materials used in the construction of cabinets include lumber, engineered wood, metal, plastic, glass, and other materials.

Construction methods of cabinets include stock, semicustom, and custom.

Key Topics Covered:

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xipo8z

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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COVID-19 Economic Impact Report on the United States Cabinets Industry - GlobeNewswire

Bathroom remodel cost

Bathroom contractor pricing varies widely depending on the type and complexity of the bathroom remodeling project. Budgets are also impacted by complications, changing orders and increases in project scope, so homeowners need to completely understand pricing before any work begins.

Bathroom remodelers work on specific project deadlines, but their work speed is impacted by several factors.

Bathroom remodelers have different levels of expertise. General contractors and specialty contractors provide homeowners with different levels of service. When comparing brands like Bath Fitter vs. Re-Bath, its important to understand if they can do the type of remodel you need.

Most bathroom remodeling services can create any style of new bathroom, but some specialize in certain distinct styles. For example, some contractors might focus on modern designs, while others are experts on historical restorations.

Most states require licensing for bath remodeling general contractors, subcontractors, designers and other specialists. Avoid hiring unlicensed contractors.

Bathroom remodelers carry commercial or contractor insurance to cover any accidents and problems that may occur during the remodeling project.

To avoid any mistakes or misunderstandings, stay in communication with your bathroom remodeling contractor throughout the duration of the remodeling project.

Read the rest here:
Best Bathroom Remodeling Contractors | ConsumerAffairs

Renovations of any kind are a daunting process. But when it comes to the batha space that needs to be both hyper-functional and serene, practical and, ideally, a little bit luxethe stakes somehow seem higher. There are a million decisions to be made along the way, from mirror to groutand the price tag can be surprising. What to know before you begin? Take our advice:

When youre functioning as the general contractoror even working with a general contractoryou have to spell out every part of the plan, and never assume everyone is up to speed, say the mother-daughter team behind Matriarchy Build inHow to Avoid Rookie Remodeling Mistakes. Someone we know had a contractor demo the wrong bath, they add.

Think of renovations like surgery: to avoid getting the wrong knee replaced, make surethen make sure again, then again, then one final timethat the proper knee (or bathroom) is marked and agreed upon.

Think you can remodel your bathroom head to toe for a couple thousand dollars? We hate to tell you: the average cost of a bathroom remodel was $11,364 in 2016, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). A basic, low-grade renovation with less expensive materials or smaller swaps could run from $1,500 to $5,000, while a top-of-the-line, tip-to-toe renovation could run up to $23,000.

NKBA estimates that, broken down, most of this cost comes from fixtures and plumbing (about 29 percent), followed by counters and surfaces (21 percent), labor (20 percent), and cabinetry and hardware (16 percent). Keep in mind: they advise that, all told, your bathroom project should cost no more than 5 to 10 percent of your homes value.

You may be tempted to upgrade your bathroom with a dramatic freestanding bath. But it might not be the most practical choice going forward, particularly if youre petite, hate cleaning, have an old rickety house, like to take long baths, or take more showers than baths. Read more about the merits of built-in baths (and showers) versus freestanding options in10 Things Nobody Tells You About Clawfoot Bathtubs, as well as inRemodeling 101: Romance in the Bath: Built-In vs. Freestanding Bathtubs.

Dont think you can install a few lights and call it a day: because bathrooms are sometimes small and/or dark and filled with mirrors (which complicates how light bounces around), lighting requires careful thought and placement. The simplest way to light a bath is a single diffuse light in the center of the ceiling. Have a bathroom thats already pretty bright? A pair of wall sconces should be sufficient. Thinking about ceiling-inset downlights? Place with care: avoid installing directly over light-colored countertops (since those will reflect the lights), and place close to the wall over a vanity to maximize light when looking in the mirror. And if you spend a lot of time applying makeup, consider vertical fluorescent light fixtures on either side of the mirror. For more pro tips, seeRemodeling 101: How to Install Flattering Lighting in the Bathroom.

You dont want to get to the end of a renovation and realize youve forgotten to consider the outlets. Think of these outlet errors: you have to plug your hairdryer in across the room, and cant see yourself in the mirror from there. Or, youd like to keep your electric toothbrush charging at all times, but neglected to install an outlet in the medicine cabinet. Or, you share your bathroom with your spouse, but only installed an outlet on one side of the vanity. To avoid these mistakes, readRemodeling 101: Where to Locate Electrical Outlets, Bath Edition.

Forget the endless stacks of tile samples your contractor will show you: you need only remember a few key varieties. The types of tile that are particularly hardy, long-wearing, and timeless in the bathin shower stalls, on floors, and on wallsare porcelain, glass, natural stone, cement, and, of course, subway tile (a type of ceramic tile so popular were counting it in its own category). The options become a lot simpler once you whittle down to these time-tested options; then choose a color and a shape and go from there.

(Need help sourcing subway tile? See7 Favorite Architect-Approved Sources for Subway Tile. And read more about timeless tile options inRemodeling 101: A Guide to the Only 7 Types of Tile You Need to Know.)

Grout may be an afterthought in the scheme of your whole remodel: its a small, andas Meredith points out in Remodeling 101: How to Choose the Right Tile Groutunsexy element of the bath. But, she adds, its hugely important: It seals out dirt and water, compensates for small size differences between individual tiles, and firms up the structural integrity of an installation.

How to choose the right grout for your bath? Answer this series of questions: Do you want the grout to stand out, or blend into the tile? Is the grout in a high splash zone, or a fairly dry place? (If itll be getting wet a lot, as in a shower stall, opt for synthetic grout; go for cementitious grout everywhere else). Will dirty grout drive you crazy? (If so, avoid white.)

See more considerations inRemodeling 101: How to Choose the Right Tile Grout; then learn how to keep it looking new inEverything You Always Wanted to Know About Grout and Caulk (but Were Afraid to Ask).

Toilets are not one size fits all: if you have a small space, consider a petite toilet (see 10 Easy Pieces: Compact Toilets). Or, opt for a traditional or modern floor-standing toilet, water-conserving toilet, or wall-mounted toilet.

So much of creating a bathroom that feels both serene and well-functioning comes down to good storage. Be sure to look for storage opportunitieseven small, simple oneswhen drawing up your plans, to make them feel integrated and not added-on. For example, architect Malcolm Davis says: I like to place a couple of tall shallow cabinets hidden in a stud bay. You dont need deep shelf storage; a shallow shelf can store a lot. I like to put a recess in the shower and I try and integrate towel bars to feel built in. Read more about his tips inExpert Advice: 10 Essential Tips for Designing the Bathroom, and see 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Bathroom Storage over on The Organized Home.

Maybe youve moved into a new house and cant stand the tile in the bathroom, but dont have the budget to replace it completely. Or maybe youre renting andcant remodel (if you want your security deposit back, that is). The good news is you might not have to demo everything and start fresh. If its the tile you want to upgrade, consider tile refinishing, like blogger Athena Calderone did inBefore/After: A Perfectionists $1,000 Bathroom Overhaul in Brooklyn. Or swap out a few basic fixtures (lights, faucets) for a big impact, as inExpert Advice: 10 Tips for Transforming a Rental Bath.

More inside intel on remodeling projects and materials, large and small:

Continued here:
10 Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Bathroom

Tom Acitelli -- Boston.com correspondent and Christopher Gavin --- Boston.com staff

May 12, 2020 10:39 am

Windson Honorato is the owner and operations manager for Tewksbury-based JC General Contracting & Cleaning. Honorato said his firm has been taking as many precautions as possible on home improvement jobs since the pandemic hit, including using personal protective equipment such as glasses, masks, and gloves and cleaning spaces and tools regularly.

It seems as though we cant protect ourselves enough, Honorato said via e-mail in early May. Well get phone calls almost every week from colleagues or friends in the business saying that they caught the virus or someone in their company did. Keeping the crew and the clients safe has never been a bigger priority, and its also never been so hard.

Still contractors have continued to take on home renovation and remodeling projects during the pandemic, but not without extensive precautions aimed at protecting their workers and clients and limiting their legal liability.

The City of Boston allows residential construction projects in dwellings with no more than three units, and the statehas issued guidelines encouraging social distancing and local authorities oversight of such projects.

On May 5, officials said the city will incrementally expand the categories of allowed construction projects in the coming weeks.

On May 18, essential construction may resume for permitted projects for hospitals and public schools, roads and utilities, and open-air and outdoor work that have filed a COVID-19 safety plan and are positioned to carry it out. Work on larger developments with safety plans will be allowed to recommence on May 26.

The precautionary steps contractors and subcontractors are taking are a necessary part of salvaging whatever business remains. As with so much else in the region, the pandemic disrupted the home improvement work that had flowed so steadily in a hot real estate market.

Spending on remodeling within the regions owner-occupied housing stock is projected to decline 1.1 percent overall through the end of 2020, according to the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvards Joint Center for Housing Studies. Thats due entirely to the pandemic; the center had predicted an increase in remodeling spending regionally by the same percentage before the novel coronavirus hit.

The workload has dropped dramatically, according to Ray Yehoshua, owner of Boston-based Bay State Refinishing and Remodeling. He said customers have asked to postpone jobs either because of changes in their personal finances, coronavirus concerns, or both.

Yehoshua said the precautions his firm takes now are aimed at easing those concerns and landing jobs and that those steps not only include personal protection equipment and social distancing on-site, but estimates via video when possible.

That is one of the main goals for contractors and subcontractors doing in-house work now: minimizing contact. Who can cross or climb where and when, and when should jobs start and wrap on a given day?

These are the things that people are thinking about in trying to minimize contact, said Glenn Kingsbury, executive manager ofthe Boston chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, which includes more than 100 member firms. He said what little work there is for the associations members comes from smaller projects, as a lot of work on larger ones has ceased due to pandemic-related construction moratoriums.

Protecting themselves from legal action is also a factor.

Contractors have always been legally liable for things such as health and safety on the job, not the property owners, said David Fine, a partner at Mirick OConnell, a law firm with offices in Boston. The pandemic has heightened that responsibility.

The liability they face is more of the same, but its all exacerbated, Fine said.

It is easier to take precautions with some projects than others, the contractors said. Larger rooms as opposed to smaller ones bathrooms, for example make it easier to maintain that social distance. And basement work is even easier, because contact with clients is less likely.

Really, though, its a constant challenge, they said.

On-site, keeping away from one another is quite impossible because many tasks have to be done in twos, Honorato said.

In the end, though, its that falloff in business that may be the main threat to Boston-area contractors (and a boon to homeowners looking for a deal down the road). Honorato said that hes been asked to quote quite a few projects in the past few weeks, including residential elevator installations and basement and bathroom remodels but doing them is a different matter.

Well most likely reach a season where few people have the money to start and finish a construction project, so the companies that can hang on long enough until those opportunities come will get a chance to bid the job, Honorato said. With the demand so low, the prices will have to drop quite a bit to a point of little to no profit, so well be working to hopefully keep the company alive until the economy starts to rise again.

Subscribe to the Globes free real estate newsletter our weekly digest on buying, selling, and design atpages.email.bostonglobe.com/AddressSignUp. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter@globehomes.

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Hurting, contractors are implementing coronavirus measures to protect their clients and themselves - Home Improvement, New Developments - Boston.com

Dublin, May 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "COVID-19 Economic Impact Report: Cabinets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The US cabinets industry is facing a number of challenges as it deals with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. How has the macroeconomic environment changed and what does it mean for the cabinets industry going forward?

This report looks at how the expected impact of the pandemic on the current macroeconomic environment in the US compares to other major events since 2000, including the bursting of technology bubble and 9/11 terrorist attack, and the 2007-2009 Great Recession. It also provides a historical view of industry sales since 2000, a look at how the industry is being currently impacted, and estimates for sales through 2024.

Product types include kitchen, bathroom, and those installed in other parts of a structure (e.g., store fixture and laundry and mudroom cabinets).

Cabinet markets include new residential, residential remodeling, new commercial, commercial remodeling, and nonconstruction (such as transportation and recreational vehicles).

Materials used in the construction of cabinets include lumber, engineered wood, metal, plastic, glass, and other materials.

Construction methods of cabinets include stock, semicustom, and custom.

Key Topics Covered:

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xipo8z

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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COVID-19 Economic Impact Report on the United States Cabinets Industry - Yahoo Finance UK

I partnered with Home Depot on a DIY small bathroom remodel. This bath renovation included how to install a shower surround with tile, installing a toilet, new vanity and lighting. The shower tile job uses a custom hexagon mosaic set in an acrylic surround. #bathroom #remodel #renovation

BLOG: https://fixthisbuildthat.com/diy-smal...

How to Tile a Floor Video:https://youtu.be/JtqwYrJNCbI

Check out the Delta UPstile wall system at the Home Depot:https://homedepot.sjv.io/k0qz

Tools/Supplies Used (affiliate):Delta UPstile Wall System - https://homedepot.sjv.io/k0qzDelta Bathtub - https://homedepot.sjv.io/eKWrDelta Everly shower set - https://homedepot.sjv.io/JzNRDelta Everly sink faucet - https://homedepot.sjv.io/Vm5ADelta Everly accessories - https://homedepot.sjv.io/ZQAqDelta 28x36 mirror - https://homedepot.sjv.io/1rNRDelta toilet - https://homedepot.sjv.io/AWNjSonoma Vanity - https://homedepot.sjv.io/g1ErHexagon Mosaic tiles - https://homedepot.sjv.io/XYeo24x12 floor tiles - https://homedepot.sjv.io/oq9b3 sconce light - https://homedepot.sjv.io/zNVORIDGID reciprocating saw - https://homedepot.sjv.io/QyR9RIDGID Job Max - homedepot.sjv.io/9gbYISOtunes Bluetooth Earbuds - http://bit.ly/FTBTisotunes

SUBSCRIBE to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/fixthisbuil...

Join the Builder Club on Patreon and get Free Build Plans! https://www.patreon.com/fixthisbuildthat

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I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this Delta UPstile Program (the Program). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

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DIY Small Bathroom Remodel | Bath Renovation Project

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Tired of your small, dark and uninspiring bathroom? Are you ready to finally give it an overhaul? Well, theres no better time to give your small bathroom a fresh look. Small bathroom design is finally stepping out of the cookie-cutter bathtub, sink cabinet, mirror and toilet combination.

The latest small bathroom design ideas are fresh and revolutionary, rethinking what we all expect a bathroom design to look like. Wall-mounted toilets and sinks defy gravity. Cabinet doors are gone. Bold texture and patterns take over a small bathroom space. Get ready to break some rules and open your mind to what your small bathroom should look like with the following nine concepts.

The first small bathroom design idea for 2017 is a big one: you really dont need more storage, just a more minimalist attitude! Think about this one for a minute. Those large vanities with the deep cabinet space under the sink are really an inefficient use of space. Things get lost at the back of the cabinet. And the scale takes up so much real estate in your small bathroom design that your bathroom ends up looking smaller. So how do you solve the issue?

Shop These Products Now: Washer Sink Faucet Mirror Floating Sink

Once you clear clutter and replace the oversized bathroom vanity with something more minimalist, think of all the useful things you can do with the space. Like adding an all-in-one washer and dryer. Or creating a vanity space.

Shop These Products Now: Towel Bar Sink Faucet Mirror

Some of the most expensive items in a bathroom design are the fixtures, tile and finishes. Since youre working with a smaller space, you need less. Its time to break out of thinking that a small bathroom isnt worth the money. Its time to splurge on making your small bathroom design look like a million bucks! Some ways to add more luxury on a little less budget include:

Heres a small bathroom design tip that may not sit well with traditionalists: tear out the bathtub and add a modern walk-in shower surrounded by seamless glass. Its a great way to save tons of space in your small bathroom. A seamless glass door may be more expensive than a shower curtain, but will definitely be more durable. Not to mention, it will open up the space and add value to your home.

Not ready to give up on the bathtub? You can still add a seamless glass shower or tub enclosure.

Shop These Products Now: Bathroom Tiles Sink Faucet Towels

Most designers tell you that dark colors or busy patterns are not a good idea in a small space. Think again. Strong patterns and textures add depth and play to a space, creating the illusion of more size and life.

Here are some of our favorite tile patterns and textures for your small bathroom

Shop These Products Now: Towel Bar Wall Mount Shelf Towel Holder

The small bathroom design keyword for 2017 and beyond is: floating. Float everything, including the toilet, from your walls. Its a great way to make cleaning easier, when you can access the floor below. Not to mention the space looks bigger, because our eye tends to judge space by analyzing the floor area. You also maximize valuable wall space, which is often left bare. And lets be honest, it looks pretty fresh and cool!

Its time to tear up the walls (or add new ones) for cubbies. The inset wall cubby is an ingenious way to add integrated storage to a small bathroom without sacrificing space. Its also known as an alcove,niche or recessed niche.

Behind bathroom walls, between the studs, is just enough of a gap to create a useful cubby. And nowadays, you can even buy a DIY tile-ready niche at Lowes.

Dont want to tear up the walls? Find new ways to add cubbies to your small bathroom, by adding a shelf, wall mounting a floating cubby shelf or choosing a cabinet with open shelves to store extra items, like the bathroom below.

Mirrors do an incredible job at creating the illusion of more space. Want to add more space to your small bathroom design? Then add more mirrors, like the inspiration images above.

An all-white bathroom does feel brighter and lighter, but it can look a little cold or lack the depth your eye registers as space. Adding black to your bathroom, in the form of black walls or a black-and-white tile design or a black ceiling adds the POW! your small bathroom is begging for.

Which one of these new small bathroom design trends are you ready to try?

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New & Exciting Small Bathroom Design Ideas | Freshome.com