Minneapolis offers plenty of wonderful things both to its residents and visitors. While it’s true that it seems like everyone just talks about the Mall of America, many people tend to forget noticing the abundance of other beautiful areas scattered around. You’ve got the Stone Arch Bridge and Great River State Park to name a […]
14
Nov
Flipping houses or buying a fixer-upper seems to be a common trend. If you want to join the masses and throw some elbow grease into a space to make it amazing, then you need to err on the side of caution. While you can get a great deal and make a run-down shack an amazing dream home, you should be careful of such a purchase. Your diamond in the rough may have some hidden problems that could cost you big. Here are some things to keep in mind when buying and moving into a fixer-upper:
1. Do Your Research
Sometimes an offer that is too good to be true may be just that. Make sure that before you dump 50 thousand dollars into a home in remodeling fees that you can get that out of it. For instance, if you buy a house for 20 thousand and the neighborhood comps are in the 70-thousand-dollar range, you cannot afford to go over your initial budget.
You want to make sure that your remodel makes sense for the area or you will be on the losing end.
2. Set A Budget and Prepare for Incidentals
Whether you’re buying an old or newer home doesn’t matter. You need to make a budget, and if you watch any of those house flipping shows on television, you know that nothing ever goes according to plan. Add about 10 percent to your budget to cover incidentals and unforeseen problems. Nothing like having knob and tube wiring and not having any money in the budget to fix it.
3. Interview Many Contractors
Unless you’re lucky and can do all the work, you will need to hire a contractor. You want to interview several before you make your decision. Make sure to check references, and ask them to see pictures of work they’ve done. The more legitimate companies are the ones that have permanent addresses and have been in business for some time. Never give any money upfront.
You want to make sure that you have a draw system, and don’t hand money to someone who will run off with it.
4. Don’t Cut Too Many Corners
There are things that you can compromise on and cut some corners to save money. However, there are things that you cannot skimp on too. For instance, it’s okay to go with a cheaper grade of cabinets, but you don’t want to pinch pennies on the structural elements or your central systems like the HVAC, plumbing or electrical. It may seem like a good idea at the time, but it can end up costing you in the end.
5. Expect Delays
Never make goals that you cannot obtain. Even if you are working with the best contractor in town, there are going to be delays. The contractor may be held up because of the painting crew or a custom order that is running behind. You must always add more time to your estimated time-frame to ensure that you have an accurate completion date. It takes time to do it right, and you don’t want to rush perfection.
It’s fun and adventurous to rehab a home from ruins and making it a masterpiece. However, make sure you have a detailed plan, an excellent work crew, and plenty of money. These projects are amazing when they are finished, but it takes a long time to hit the finish line.
22
Jun
While remodeling your home, you will need a place to put all your belongings that are currently in the construction area of your home. One solution to this problem, according to moving companies DC, is to rent an on-site storage unit for all the items you need to store during the remodel. These units come in a variety of sizes depending on your needs and are equipped with a lock to keep your belongings safe. Once your home remodel is complete, you can call the storage company to pick up the storage unit. Check out the four Fairfax moving and storage companies below for some of the best options for on-site storage during a remodel.
PODS
PODS offer storage containers in a large variety of sizes to fit your needs whether you are completing a large or small renovation project. Like other storage companies, PODS will drop off the storage unit, allowing you to fill up the container whenever and however you want to. Once your remodel is complete, you can schedule a time for the empty container to be picked up.
PODS offers the option of keeping your container at one of its Storage Centers if you do not have room outside your home to store the container. The PODS containers are also guaranteed to protect your belongings from drilling, dirt and other elements of the renovating process.
Go Mini’s
To keep the clutter out of your home while you renovate, place all your belongings, including your furniture, in one of Go Mini’s storage containers. Go Mini’s offer even more convenience for last minute homeowners by delivering the storage unit within three days of contact. The containers are waterproof to prevent damage to your items in all types of weather conditions. The unit also comes with a locking mechanism to ensure your items stay secure outside of your home.
SmartBox
Although SMARTBOX only offers storage units in one size, you can order as many units as you need to hold all of your belongings during a renovation. Each unit measures 7 feet high, 8 feet long and 5 feet wide and can hold up to 3,000 pounds. SMARTBOX has an online tool that can calculate how many boxes you need for all of your belongings. These units have ground-level loading capabilities, so you do not have to carry items up to a steep ramp. The canvas covered unit protects against weather events, as well as any temperature or humidity changes, even in extreme cold or heat conditions.
U-Haul U-Box
U-Haul also offers an on-site portable storage unit for storing materials and furniture during a home remodel. Like SMARTBOX, the U-Box only comes in one size, but the website helps you figure out how many you should order. You can also save money with the U-Box by picking up and returning the unit yourself using U-Haul’s trailer. The unit itself does not have a lock, but you can add your lock and key to keep your items safe.
22
Jun
Do you need to store your belongings during a home remodel temporarily? As inconvenient as this may be, you’re in luck if you have a storage unit facility located near your home. In this guide, we’ll explain how to pack up and move your belongings into their new, temporary home without breaking a sweat. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s start packing with tips from professional moving companies!
Reasons to Use Temporary Storage During a Renovation
Although there are plenty of reasons you may want to temporarily store or be requested to store your belongings, below are the two main reasons you should:
Prevent Damage to Your Furniture During a Remodel
The last thing you want to do is damage your furniture during a remodel. A great way to avoid this altogether is to move your furniture to a temporary location, such as a storage unit, in the meantime.
Making it Easier for Contractors to Work in Your Home
You may be requested to move some of your belongings to make it easier for the contractors to work in your home. Similar to what we mentioned before, the reason they may give is to avoid getting it dirty or accidentally causing damage. Considering your odds, it’s better to be safe than sorry and move your belongings to a temporary storage area.
Tips for Packing and Moving Your Belongings
Now that you know why you’re moving your belongings, it’s time to start packing up. Follow our steps below on how to properly pack up and move your belongings:
1. Pick a Unit That Can Fit Your Belongings
No matter what style of unit you’re looking for, it’s important that you choose one that will fit all your belongings. However, this moving service warns, avoid picking a unit that will either be too large or too small. The last thing you want is to overpay for storage or not have enough room to store your belongings.
2. Pack Smart
Since this is only a temporary storage solution, you don’t have up things too professionally, but to the extent that your belongings won’t become damaged. When you pack up your home, make sure that you don’t stuff your moving boxes too much and invest in bubble wrap. This will help prevent your belongings from breaking while transporting them to your storage unit. Other things to keep in mind is properly draining your lawn mower, emptying fuel from gas tanks, removing batteries from electronic devices, and defrosting your fridge and freezer. See here for specific tips on packing the kitchen.
3. Label Your Moving Boxes
As a rule of thumb, you should label every one of your moving boxes, so you know what you stored in them. This can help make unpacking your boxes easier when you remove them from your storage unit. However, it can also make it easier to group and organize boxes in your storage unit as well.
4. Have a Plan
It’s important that you plan out where you want to place every moving box in your storage unit, so you know where it is when you need to bring your belongings back home. Additionally, if you only need one thing in your storage unit, mapping out your unit and knowing where each box is will only make things easier.
3
Aug
In case you want to change the appearance of your kitchen or improve its functionality, a properly planned kitchen remodeling will help you achieve your objectives. One of the areas you will need to focus on is the countertops. With the huge range of options available, you may find it difficult choosing the right countertop […]
26
Jul
