Arlington resident Janet OGrady recently had the front walkway and porch steps replaced on the rambler shes owned for 30 years. She also had her kitchen painted.

Now shes planning to upgrade her countertops to granite.

Eventually, Ill sell, but I wanted to do the work when I could enjoy it, she said. Now Ive got this fabulous front walkway and it opens up the world, she added.

Shes in good company.

As the housing market recovers, spending on remodeling is rising. Whether to increase resale value or to simply make their surroundings more contemporary, homeowners spent 9percent more on renovations in 2012 than the previous year, according to an April study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.

Renovation spending is expected to increase again this year, the study says.

The top improvements homeowners make, according to the latest American Housing Survey, are upgrading appliances and major equipment as well as flooring, paneling, ceilings, windows and doors. Garages, at a median price of $15,000, are the most expensive project. Kitchen remodeling, at a median price of $5,000, is the next most expensive one, followed by roofing, at a median cost of $4,559.

Growth in remodeling is fueled by several factors, experts say.

Rising home equity has given owners incentive to resume spending on improving their properties.

Underwater homeowners, whod like to sell but cant, are instead upgrading. Many who arent underwater, drawn by the sellers market, are investing in renovations that can help them get top dollar once they list.

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Remodeling: How to get the most bang for the buck

Hong Sam / Nail Today Show - DIY Remodeling Nail Salon

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Hong Sam / Nail Today Show - DIY Remodeling Nail Salon - Video

FLORENCE, Ore. (AP) Firefighters say things got out of hand last weekend after one of three workers arriving about 6 a.m. for a house remodeling job south of Florence built a warming fire in the carport.

KCST-FM reports the fire spread, so another worker used an excavator to knock down the carport and try to pull it away from the house.

Sean Barrett, fire marshal for Suislaw Valley Fire and Rescue, says that didn't help, and the blaze then spread to a Douglas fir tree.

So, Barrett says, a worker grabbed a power saw to cut down the 120-foot-tall tree, which fell on the house.

Barrett says firefighters arrived but were unable to save the structure, which had been vacant and was valued at $38,000.

___

Information from: KCST-FM, http://www.kcst.com/

2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Oregon remodeling job goes bad, fire destroys house

(Toledo News Now) -

The start of spring usually means the start of the home improvement season. That is when many scammers go on the hunt for their prey: innocent homeowners.

Anyone who is not cautious or informed before paying someone to work on their property can fall victim.

That's why many homeowners are turning to do-it-yourself projects, but experts say the lack of experience can ultimately be just as dangerous when working on major renovations.

May is National Home Remodeling Month. The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Toledo is working to better inform area residents on how to avoid bad remodeling experiences.

According to Toledo HBA Executive Vice PresidentBill Brennan, the key to good remodeling is to hire a trustworthy professional with a good record of success.

"Professionals just do home remodeling better," said Brennan. "They not only bring advanced construction skills, trained remodelers better manage customer service and business management to improve the remodeling experience for home owners."

Brennan encourages consumers to work with professionals who are knowledgeable in the latest building technologies, state building codes and housing trends.

Amanda St. Hilaire demonstrates what professional remodeling looks like, both before and after the project is complete, and has tips on avoiding scams on Your Morning,' starting at 5:30 a.m.

For more advice on home remodeling or hiring a professional remodeler contact the Toledo HBA at 419-473-2507.

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Beware of home remodeling scammers

It's home remodeling season, the time of the year when do-it-yourselfers get ready for new home improvement adventures.

DIY projects accounted for 37 percent of all home remodeling projects performed nationwide in 2010 and 2011, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

You can save money by doing a remodeling project on your own, but before you start knocking down walls around the house, make sure you can handle the project.

Homeowners should consider safety risks, time delays and hidden costs before embarking on DIY home improvements, says the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers.

"Remodeling can be complex and oftentimes full of surprises, even for experts like our members," says NAHB Remodelers chairman Bill Shaw.

Projects involving plumbing, electrical work and any structural changes should be avoided by DIYers, says Paul Hamtil, owner of Hamtil Construction in St. Louis, and a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

"When you start messing with those types of things, you can quickly create a hazard without even knowing," he says. "Do the finishes, smaller surface projects, things like re-tiling."

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Home remodeling: DIY or not?

Chromatin Remodeling in the Breast of Parous Women Affects the Window of Susceptibility to Cancer
Visit: http://www.uctv.tv/) Early pregnancy and multiparity are known to reduce the risk of women to develop breast cancer at menopause. The differentiation...

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Chromatin Remodeling in the Breast of Parous Women Affects the Window of Susceptibility to Cancer - Video

Complete House Remodel in Huntington Beach Ep.1 by APlus Interior Design Remodeling
We #39;re doing a Complete house remodel in city of Huntington beach Orange county. Check out Alex walking the job with the home owner and discussing some of the...

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Complete House Remodel in Huntington Beach Ep.1 by APlus Interior Design

A bathroom remodeling project by a Lancaster County contractor featuring a wheelchair-accessible shower will be included in the new book "Gracious Living: Home Design for Your Future," to be published next month.

The tome, targeted to homeowners and illustrated with more than 200 color photos, is a compilation of ideas and suggestions on how to design dwellings for greater independence as people age.

MBC Building & Remodeling LLC, a full-service remodeling company in Millersville, submitted the project for inclusion in the book. The owner of the business, Mike Blank, is a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist.

What the designation means, he said, is "easier living in your house for a lifetime."

Blank is also president of the Remodelers Council of the Building Industry Association of Lancaster County.

Matt Blank, MBC's marketing director and the son of Mike Blank, said they decided to enter the bathroom project because it fit the criteria of what the book was trying to showcase.

The remodel, done several years ago, involved modernizing a master bath in a condominium and making better use of its space. At the time, the homeowners were in their late 50s or early 60s.

The original bathroom boasted a soaking tub "that nobody ever used" and a "small, tiny, little shower" measuring 30 inches wide, Mike Blank said.

"It was great for someone who took baths all the time" but not for someone who showered, he said.

Walls also divided parts of the bathroom.

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Millersville remodeling firm's work included in book with ideas promoting independence for aging homeowners

Homeowners in Billings are tackling remodeling projects at a faster pace than last year, according to some local builders.

The Billings economy has remained steady through the downturn and this spring consumers seem more confident, said Jeremy Freyenhagen, who runs the one-stop design/build remodeling company, Freyenhagen Construction.

Now the roof has kind of come off, he said. Were getting calls left and right and were having a hard time keeping up with the demand.

Stabilizing or rising home values and lower construction costs are making remodeling projects more economical, according to Remodeling Magazine, which tracks the costs versus the payback when the house sells.

No project ever pays for itself completely, but remodelers can now recapture nearly 61 percent of their costs. That is the first improvement in six years, according to Remodeling Magazine, and is nearly 3 percentage points higher than the low point.

The most cost-effective remodeling projects remain kitchens and master baths.

Some people are getting rid of their dining rooms. There are just huge islands in kitchens for people to gather, said Candi Freyenhagen, who works mostly with color coordination.

Most customers want master bedrooms with custom baths, she said, and some baths even have coffee nooks.

The Freyenhagens just returned from a national remodeling conference in New Orleans, La., where the latest upgrade was pop-up appliances controlled by a button.

The appliances go up and down, so yourcountertopremains flat and clean, she said.

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As home values rise, so does the rate of remodeling

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) May 03, 2013

Rescue Remodeling is launching a new website, to bring home remodeling, renovation and restoration remedies to Plymouth Meeting and the surrounding areas. I am meticulous and clean, I treat any home I work in like it is my own, said Jim Madrak, owner.

Remodeling a home can home can be a messy job. Feeling displaced and inconvenienced is difficult, so finding a contractor who can keep the renovation project tidy helps eliminate the feeling of chaos. Safety is another benefit of keeping the home renovation orderly. Materials that are put away at the end of the day will prevent accidents and environmental hazards.

If a homeowners kitchen or bathroom is less than impressive, it is time to call for help. Rescue Remodeling has the cure for an uninspiring room. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling provides a functional, beautiful and up to date solution. Replacing fixtures, lighting, flooring, paint color, the installation of a new kitchen or bathroom cabinets, countertops, a tile backsplash, kitchen island, storage closet, the creation of organizational solutions, new vanity, tile, tub, walk- in shower and sink can be the transformation a homeowner needs to fall in love with their home again. An art and design background has equipped Jim to remodel a space to match a homeowners design aesthetic.

A cleverly designed floor plan can help the flow of a room and improve comfort. Home renovations give homeowners the opportunity to change the structure of a room to better suit their needs. Removing a wall can create a modern open floor plan, opening up the home so those in the kitchen are not isolated from family or guests. Adding a deck can provide additional square footage while creating livable outdoor space. They can revive a home and update it with their renovation services including drywall, masonry, finish carpentry, tile, paint, and installation of doors and windows. With a background in design, Jim can sketch design ideas as he meets with homeowners to achieve their ideal space.

Jim understands the importance of restoring a home to its former glory, without sacrificing character and details. Restoring a home allows homeowners to appreciate the fine details and craftsmanship in historic homes without sacrificing the charm. With over 30 years of experience they are skilled to repair and restore masonry, finish carpentry, including mouldings and trim, paint, doors, window and decks. Their keen eye for details guarantee restoration is done with high quality expertise.

Maintaining a home requires the time and skill many homeowners do not possess. Rescue Remodeling can help homeowners cross off items on their to-do list. They can handle home repairs like replacing light fixtures, dimmer switches, the installation of ceiling fans, replacing switches and outlets, exhaust fans, bathroom fixtures, sinks, cracked or missing tiles, smoke detectors, closet track alignment, shelves, doors, windows and drywall repair, stair and trim repair as well as other carpentry repairs and painting. Rescue Remodeling can remove the stress of unexpected home repair and general maintenance.

For more information please call (215) 498-4108, or visit their website http://www.philadelphiahomeexpert.com/.

About Rescue Remodeling

Rescue Remodeling offers Remodeling, Renovation and Restoration services. With a background in art and design together with over 30 years of home renovation services, Owner Jim Madrak can provide creative and functional solutions for any design aesthetic. Rescue Remodeling specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels, masonry, tile installation, finish carpentry, painting, window and door installation. Jim is detailed oriented and clean, treating every home like it was his own. Rescue Remodeling happily serves Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Roxborough, Manayunk and the surrounding areas.

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Plymouth Meeting Remodeling Contractor Announces Launch of New Website