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Home Improvements as Investment – 2005 vs 2009

In 2005, during the height of the housing boom, you could recoup 90% to 100% of your cost for many home improvement activities....

Home Improvements as Investment – 2005 vs 2009

When is a bump-out really an Addition?

I got a question recently on a post about Remodeling Price Drivers asking: “When is a bump out no longer a bump out but rather an addition? ...

When is a bump-out really an Addition?

How to Avoid Breaking the Remodeling Budget

How to avoid financial pitfalls in home remodeling – part 1

How to Avoid Breaking the Remodeling Budget

Bath Storage Ideas

When you’re remodeling your bath, it’s a great time to build-in lots of storage!

Bath Storage Ideas

Opening Up A 1930’s Brick Cape to the Outdoors

See one approach to opening up a 1930’s Brick Cape. The clients want to take advantage of wonderful park-like views – opening...

Opening Up A 1930’s Brick Cape to the Outdoors

How to cut $20,000 Out of A $85,000 Kitchen Remodel

Learn how to shave thousands of dollars off your upcoming kitchen remodel and still get the kitchen of your dreams.

How to cut $20,000 Out of A $85,000 Kitchen Remodel

6 Tips When You Remodel your Kitchen

Here are some of the areas that are sometimes overlooked but that make a big difference in the efficiency of your remodeled kitchen.

6 Tips When You Remodel your Kitchen

Excerpts of Recent Articles - click title or image to read Article

Home Improvements as Investment – 2005 vs 2009

Home Improvements as Investment – 2005 vs 2009

In 2005, during the height of the housing boom, you could recoup 90% to 100% of your cost for many home improvement activities. And in hot areas – such as Washington, DC where I practice – you could recoup more than 100% of your cost on kitchen and bath remodeling as well as many outdoor rooms. Today the picture is quite different; the national averages show few home improvements return more than 80% of their cost and most return between 60-70%.

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When is a bump-out really an Addition?

When is a bump-out really an Addition?

I got a question recently on a post about Remodeling Price Drivers asking:
“When is a bump out no longer a bump out but rather an addition?  And when doing a cost estimate, is the cost of a bump out the same as an addition, approximately $200 per square foot?”
The short answer is that, for all [...]

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Bathroom Sinks – The Pros and Cons

Bathroom Sinks – The Pros and Cons

This article sorts out the pros and cons of different materials for bathroom sinks.

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How to Avoid Breaking the Remodeling Budget

How to Avoid Breaking the Remodeling Budget

How to avoid financial pitfalls in home remodeling – part 1

Full Story »
Bath Storage Ideas

Bath Storage Ideas

When you’re remodeling your bath, it’s a great time to build-in lots of storage!

Full Story »
Opening Up A 1930’s Brick Cape to the Outdoors

Opening Up A 1930’s Brick Cape to the Outdoors

See one approach to opening up a 1930’s Brick Cape. The clients want to take advantage of wonderful park-like views – opening their home to the back-yard. Also on their wish-list is opening the kitchen to the rest of the house and creating a study.

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How to cut $20,000 Out of A $85,000 Kitchen Remodel

How to cut $20,000 Out of A $85,000 Kitchen Remodel

Learn how to shave thousands of dollars off your upcoming kitchen remodel and still get the kitchen of your dreams.

Full Story »
6 Tips When You Remodel your Kitchen

6 Tips When You Remodel your Kitchen

Here are some of the areas that are sometimes overlooked but that make a big difference in the efficiency of your remodeled kitchen.

Full Story »
Kitchen Lighting – Project #3

Kitchen Lighting – Project #3

This project is an example of good kitchen lighting on a budget.

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