Maryland Home Remodeling Tips from the Pros!
Home remodeling in Maryland can increase your home's value, but can often lead to many obstacles that must first be overcome. This article offers tips to help homeowners prepare for both the construction and financial challenges that remodeling can sometimes cause.
After reading this article, Maryland homeowners living in areas such as Annapolis, Bowie, Gambrills, Silver Spring, and Bethesda will be able to confidently face the obstacles of future home remodeling projects, ensuring the entire process runs more smoothly and efficiently than they ever thought possible.
Know What You're Getting Yourself Into
Before you start picking out paint colors and appliances, the first step in any home remodeling project is deciding what you want to do. The options are limitless, and can be overwhelming for some homeowners. For instance, you could:
After you’ve figured out what room you want to remodel, sketch your ideas on paper and determine how you'll use your new space. Do want to use the space to entertain? To relax? Knowing this will help make later remodeling decisions much easier.
Also, consider asking others about their remodel experiences. Take any advice people are willing to offer to help you learn from mistakes they may have made.
Have a budget in place, but be prepared to spend more. A good idea is to add an additional 5-10% for unexpected costs you may encounter, including:
- High material costs
- Increased labor costs
Make sure that you have all of the permits needed to complete your project. Any structural change (such as a room addition) will require permits to ensure that it meets local building codes and safety regulations.
Lastly, be realistic and plan for problems. The larger your project is, the more frustration it is likely to cause.
For a more extensive list of general home remodeling tips, visit the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
As you might suspect, there are certain home remodeling projects that offer a greater return on investment than others. Remodeling magazine lists the following projects as offering the most return on investment:
- Bathroom Addition: 89%
- Kitchen Remodel: 87%
- Two Story Addition: 84%
- Attic Bedroom Conversion: 83%
- Master Suite Addition: 82%
- Bathroom Remodel: 73%
- Siding Replacement: 71%
Perhaps, the best tip regarding home remodeling is: Don't Overimprove. Before you begin, know how much homes on your street are selling for. Consider visiting open houses in your neighborhood to see how others are remodeling their homes. This will ensure that you don’t go beyond what is feasible for your area.
If you're looking for a small, inexpensive project that will add immediate value to your home, think about installing crown molding to make your rooms appear more elegant and formal.
Evaluate All Financing Options
Did you know that you no longer have to rely on the bank to finance your home improvement projects? Some mortgage brokers offer more than 200 loan options to help homeowners like you with financing. Even individuals with less than perfect credit have more options when it comes to financing their home improvement needs.
However, before you decide how to finance your project, you will need to know:
- How much you need versus how much you'll qualify for
- How to make your project match your available finances
- How to choose a lender that will provide you with your ideal loan
The amount of money your lender will allow you to borrow depends upon:
- Your credit rating
- Loan-to-value ratio
- Your income
Do you have more financing questions? Check out this helpful Q&A from Realtor.com.
Know Who You're Hiring
Before you decide which home remodeling contractor you’re going to hire, call your state Contractors Licensing Board or the Better Business Bureau to see if anyone has filed any complaints against contractors in your area.
When your contractor gives you the contract, make sure that it at least lists the following information:
- Contractor's name, address, phone number, and license number
- Start and end dates for the project
- Detailed description of project
- Costs for the project, including any permit fees
- Insurance requirements
Remember to keep an open line of communication between yourself and your contractor. This will ensure that he or she knows exactly what you want from the project and can better meet your expectations.
Why Cunningham Contracting, Inc. is the Perfect Contractor For You
Cunningham Contracting, Inc., an experienced remodeling contractor in Maryland, can manage any job your imagination can dream up.
We work with expert architects who'll take you through the entire remodeling project from start to finish. Whether you're interested in enlarging your home, adding a second floor, putting in a new bathroom or remodeling your kitchen, call us today and we'll be glad to help!
Don't believe us? See what one of our recent clients had to say about his home remodeling experience with Cunningham Contracting, Inc.:
"When my wife and I decided to remodel to our home last year, we searched the Internet and found Cunningham Contracting. Since they were a local company, we decided to contact them. That was the best decision we’ve ever made! Cunningham Contracting was a joy to work with. Their contractors were knowledgeable about their jobs and did everything they could to make the process as efficient as possible. No doubt in my mind that I’d recommend them to anyone in Maryland looking to remodel their home." Lou Marsiglia, Bowie, MD |
Here's How To Get Started
- Contact Cunningham Contracting, Inc. by calling (410) 721-8757 to schedule a free, no-obligation, in-home consultation (or by filling out this form on our website).
- Receive Expert Advice and set up a convenient time for our In-Home Estimator to visit your home to determine the exact specifications and job costs.
- Schedule Installation once you've determined you're ready to move forward.
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