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What not to do when remodeling bathrooms

Renovating a bathroom is one of the most important rooms potential home buyers want to see when inspecting a home. It can be a make or break the sale. Here are 3 common mistakes homeowners make when remodeling the bathroom.

1. Ignoring proper spacing and layout.

Most homeowners overestimate their bathroom design and space is needed when renovating their bathroom. Just because you can fit a function into the bathroom design does not mean can function appropriately within that space. There are specific factors to consider as rooms come in all shapes and sizes. A bathroom should have plenty of space with extra additions such as outlet, cabinets; shelves will help boost attraction.

2. Choosing the wrong materials.

Before you shop for vanities and choose the material for the countertops, be sure you have done your research as adding quality details to your bathroom project can quickly add up without you noticing it. Think about priorities that need to be completed first before exploring various bathroom designs and layouts.

3. Lighting.

Lighting is an essential piece that can really add the mood and personality to a room. But do you need to spend a good fortune on it? Maybe not, however, it is something to plan ahead at the beginning of the renovation as you can always adjust to how the design will look during the process.

How to decorate a modern style kitchen

We all want that sleek looking kitchen we can show off to our guests when hosting a party or gathering. But where do you even begin? When decorating the kitchen, there are so many things to take into consideration. Here are a few tips on how to decorate a modern style kitchen.

Sleek and shiny.

If you’re looking to make your kitchen stand out from the other rooms, you may want to consider changing out the kitchen cabinets. With the right hardware and polished nickel finishes add a little shine to space.

Lighting.

With so many lighting choices in the kitchen design to make your modern kitchen shine. Which one will you choose? Fixtures that are small and sleek can highlight certain little details in the kitchen that compliments the kitchen as a whole. Whereas, large in scale really make a statement in the space.

Color.

Don’t be shy of taking a risk and go with a color that pops instead of the traditional black and white. Or, if you really want to be different, try picking bold colors like gold for your sink or appliances that will make the room stand out.

Be green.

Modern kitchens with an organic element in the room create a rich feel around the cutting boards along with the countertop. Adding green plants can help reduce space and make the kitchen appear full.

Your Buying Guide for Kitchen Appliances

Upgrading your kitchen does not necessarily mean splashing out on the latest state of the art technology. Spending wisely on appliances that will improve your day to day kitchen use will significantly improve the look and feel of your kitchen. Here’s what to consider.

Trends worth considering:

Appliances that look stylish or blends in.

With stainless steel becoming a mandatory requirement, homeowners are quickly looking to spruce up their kitchen by adding more space and invest in cabinet fronts or panels to create a seamless look for the kitchen.

Energy efficiency.

Did you know that appliances that are energy efficient can add value to your kitchen? As appliances use a lot of gas, this translates to high utility bills. Invest in eco-friendly, and you will save money in a long run.

Upgrade your functional features.

There are many features to include in your kitchens such as flat-top cooking, water filters, and temperature controls. Homeowners are even going futuristic electronically that controls their appliances with a quick of a button to cut time.

Our expert tips.

It really comes down to your budget. Homeowners who are looking to renovate their kitchen need to think about the priorities first before looking into the design. If you’re looking for some assistant on your project, consider speaking to the team at Ipswich Bay Builders, where we will take care of your budget and find the best solutions for your kitchen needs. Call today to learn more!

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Demolition and Removal Contractor

If you’re planning to build a new home or renovate your existing property, you may want to consider hiring a professional demolition contractor to get the job done correctly. You should never underestimate how much skill and experience a demolition requires. Removing any wrong structure of the house can turn into a disaster. Here are reasons why hiring a professional demolition contractor can benefit you.

Efficient.

Professional demolition contractors should have the equipment, skills, experience to take down any structure efficiently and effectively. Hiring a contractor will save you the hassle and time to get the job done a lot quicker.

Safety.

Removing large items or structures is a difficult task to do, and quite frankly, very dangerous for the inexperienced. Without knowing how to tackle specific materials or structures can cause injuries to your family or occupants. Don’t put them in a hazarded situation. Demolition contractors will provide you all the safety precautions before starting the project, especially when cleaning up any dangerous remainings.

Removal and cleanup.

Did you know that there several laws when it comes to disposing of any construction debris? When you hire a demolition company, they will know where to remove large items such as bathtub, appliances, countertops etc. so you don’t have to.

Protection of property.

A demolition job needs to follow strict boundaries to avoid damaging any other part of areas of the property. Not knowing your boundary can cause more headache if any materials encroach on your neighbor’s space occurs.

For more information about our demolition and removal services, please get in touch with the experts at Ipswich Bay Builders, who would be more than happy to walk you through everything that you need to know.

Designs To Make Your Kitchen Appear Bigger

If we could, we would love to expand our kitchen as it is considered one of the most important rooms in the house. But in reality, remodeling your kitchen can be expensive and might not be an option for us. Thankfully, there are ways to maximize your kitchen; The team at Ipswich Bay Builders has written some helpful tips to consider.

Reduce your hardware

This is a no-brainer, but you will be surprised just how much-cluttered hardware that you have in the kitchen. Keeping it clean and organized is key to create more space. Another great tip is installing cabinet doors with touch-activated latches which will give your kitchen a bigger feel.

Light Colors

Have you ever looked at your kitchen and thought it needs some sprucing up? Opting for brighter colors will definitely make the room appear larger and more inviting.

Large Tiles

Why not mix it up a bit and cover kitchen countertops and floors with large tiles for visual attention. If your kitchen is looking a little dull, try investing in tiles with a pop of color as this will bring out some liveliness and personality to the room.

Single Sink

One of the popular demands from homeowners is installing a large sink to the kitchen. If you have space, it’s great to have but for those with a small kitchen may have to compromise and choose a single sink (or even a one-and-a-half sink) which can create storage and break up your countertop space.

Glassdoor Cabinets

Installing glass doors will create an illusion to the eyes by making the kitchen seem more expansive. They can also brighten the look of your cabinetry and rest of the kitchen.

Ready to get started with your kitchen? Consider speaking with the experts at Ipswich Bay Builders for a free consultation at (978) 356-5050

Small Remodels that Make a Big Difference to the Kitchen

It is not necessarily true that you must spend big to have a more luxurious kitchen. In fact, we have come up with some helpful tips that you can invest that will give your kitchen a brand new look.

Lighting.

By adding a few more fixtures can break up the mood and feel of the kitchen. If you have countertops you want as the showing point of the kitchen, consider installing lights from above. Lighting requires some attention to detail, but the results are worth investing.

Colors.

When was the last time your kitchen had a makeover? A fresh new coat of paint can make your kitchen stand out.

Countertops.

Countertops can be slick, modern and now affordable to invest in that can add value to your kitchen. Whether you are looking to upgrade your countertops to stone, marble or granite, keep in mind on the budget as it is easy to get carried away!

Upgrade the cabinets.

If your kitchen looks decent, but your cabinets look worn out, you may need to replace your cabinets to give your kitchen a fresh look. We like to recommend homeowners to go for darker tone cabinets as this creates a modern and stylish appearance to your kitchen.

Add an island.

If you have space, an island it the perfect way to gather your friends or close ones to join you while you eat or cook. It is a great entertainment space that is highly demanded by homeowners

Design tips to make your bathroom look better

If you have a super small bathroom, it can be very challenging to not clutter the room by making everything fit in the available space. However, it is possible to change things around, here are some renovation tips we recommend you to consider.

Install a corner sink.

A sink cause traffic when entering the bathroom, having the sink installed in the corner can provide that extra space that you need and can change the bathroom appearance within an instant.

Float the vanity.

Adding a vanity that appears floating above the floor will free up a little space for small items. It also looks more modern, which is a plus!

Round the vanity.

Speaking of vanity, instead of having square edges, why not opt in rounding them? This will cut sides and create a little space.

Install a trough sink.

If you are looking for a sleek and modern sink. You should consider having a trough sink installed in the bathroom. They take up little space and bring an aesthetic appeal to the room.

Remove bathtub.

If you are not one to use a bathtub, consider installing a shower area which does not require taking up much space. Since you have the waterworks in the same area, it will need less work when making changes.

Place Towel bar behind a door.

When space is limited, mounting a towel bar on a shower door will keep towels handy. Keep your towels limited in the bathroom. Minimalism is essential.
By following some of these recommendations above can create a new feel and mood to your bathroom. If you are looking for more guidance, we are here to help you. We have designed and remodeled small bathrooms for many years; we don’t think there are any projects we have not handled before. Get in touch and call us at (978) 356-5050

Why Winter is the Perfect Time to Start your Remodeling Project

Winter in Massachusetts can be brutal. But did you know, some homeowners we’ve worked with have found that winter is the perfect time for home remodeling projects? Here are a few reasons why we think winter can benefit you.

1. Convenient Project Scheduling.
During the winter time, you may find your contractor may have more free time to work with you in planning and designing your project as there are higher demands in the spring season.

2. Finding Good Deals.
We highly recommend homeowners to start looking around for great winter deals for appliances and materials before manufacturers increase the price.

3. Permit Approvals.
Government agencies are usually less busy in winter, which makes it convenient to obtain necessary permits a lot quicker.

4, Outside Projects.
If you’re looking to have your construction done, now would be the best time to work with your contractor to get it ready for spring. A professional will provide suggestions on how this is possible without disrupting your daily activities.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make Before Hiring a Pro

As much as we want to save extra money by going DIY with home improvement projects, there are many downfalls you may encounter which can cost you more than you first anticipated. Here are the top mistakes homeowners make.
1. DIY on advanced projects. There are many renovation projects that you are capable of fixing, however, some are just better left to the professionals. Major kitchen or bathroom remodeling consist of electrical, HVAC, or plumbing projects which looks doable, yet, professionals are trained for many years to make sure the job is done right without any hassle.
2. Reporting the problem late when they come up. When it comes to home improvement repairs, you should make sure to have the issue resolved as soon as you can. Any roof or HVAC system damaged, will only get worse as time goes on. Reduce your home repairment costs in the future and fix it now.
3. Hiring a pro over the phone. Believe it not; this still happens. With little research and no interview, would you be able to trust the contractor in your home for a couple of months? Are they qualified for the job? Can you work out a schedule with them? These are just some of the essential answers you need to find.
4. Hiring the cheapest contractor. Investing in home improvement projects can be expensive, but hiring the cheapest contractor can result in lower quality of work. When remodeling a room, you want to make sure the results will pay off. Get your job done right the first time.
5. Lack of communication. The key to an efficient and successful relationship with your contractor is to be clear right from the beginning. Excellent communication ensures all necessary details are aligned in the contract. You want to be on the right page with your contractor from start to finish.
6. Warranty. When making a significant investment, you should always make sure the warranty is written on the paperwork before signing anything. This will protect you if a problem occurs down the road.
7. Forgetting about the add-ons. If not researched properly, materials can easily add up and exceed your budget without you noticing. At Ipswich Bay Builders, we will walk you through step by step of our process, ensuring any necessities are manageable within your budget.

5 Fall Maintenance Must-Do List

Fall is finally here, and if you’ve not yet started, now is a good time to think about preparing for the winter. At Ipswich Bay Builders, we have come up with 5 helpful checklists for your home maintenance for Fall.

Check for peeling paint. Inspect for any peeling paint of blistering on the house exterior. This is a sign of the existing paint film is failing and it needs to be repaired. Failed to do can be costly in the future.

Clean the gutters. Check for leaves in the gutters and downspout and clean thoroughly. If neglected, the leaves will eventually clog the downspouts which could damage the roof and siding of your home.

Caulk Windows. Make sure to refresh caulk by sealing over the window and door frames. This will help trap any hot air coming out when the weather drops.

Inspect the Roof. Your roof is the first defense of your home. Be sure to be proactive by repairing any broken shingles as soon as possible. We recommend hiring a professional to take a look and provide any solutions for possible damages when winter arrives.

Seal the driveway. One of the easiest work many homeowners forget. Sealing your driveway with filler and with a commercial sealer will help extend the life of the asphalt through the winter.

If you’re looking for a professional contractor for home exterior or interior work, consider hiring Ipswich Bay Builders for a free consultation based in Newburyport MA.

 

Call: (978) 356-5050