If you’re a homeowner, there may be times when it makes sense to consider remodeling your home. For example, a new addition to the family may require an addition to your home. Some homeowners who want to invest in long-term savings decide to get a renovation of their home to switch to a Smart Home system. These eco-friendly solutions will reroute all your home’s devices through a smart hub, which can help save energy usage and costs.
Your home remodeling project must comply with local construction guidelines. You’ll need to find a contractor you can trust for your remodeling project. If you have neighbors or friends who have recently completed a remodel project, ask them if they can recommend the contractor they used.
If you’re planning a complete remodel, you may wonder where to start. According to the Spruce, most contractors recommend beginning with your home’s ” bones, ” such as the walls, floors, and support structures. After those have been constructed, work on the electric, HVAC, and plumbing systems. If those systems are changed during your home remodeling process, it’s best to begin with that remodeling phase.
A home remodeling session that covers first floor renovations can do a lot to make your home the perfect space for your family as well as any pets that you may have. For the best outcome, you may want to have a remodeling consultation with a professional. For a bathroom retrofit, you may be wondering about what you can get for just bath accessories or something similar. Whatever you intend to do, remember that prior planning is important as it can help you avoid a number of pitfalls.
If you want to find a professional to work with online, you can search for things like “one day bathroom renovation reviews.” These may help you to find an expert who’s expertise has been tried and tested and that can give you an amazing end-result. Shop around to make sure that you find the best professional in terms of pricing, expertise, and more. This way, you can be proud of the job that you have done for you. Keep in mind that planning can save you a lot of headache. That said, do as much research as possible to make sure that you know exactly what you want and how to get it.
Are you unhappy with your home? Do you wish it looked a lot differently and functioned better? If so, you may need to find an award winning builder to come out and remodel your home. Changing a few things in your home can greatly alter the way it’s used and the way it looks. Around the house, remodeling is perfect for when you have many changes that you want to make throughout your home.
Getting at-home repair is also important when things aren’t working the way they should. A remodeling company may not be able to do the type of repairs that you need, so you may need a contractor to come in and repair things before you get your home remodeling done. To begin with your remodeling, start looking at home designs so that you can get some great ideas for your own home.
Home renovations are great, but they can come at a very high cost. To pay for the changes, are there loans for home renovations? Yes, there are home-improvement loans that are available. You can get a second mortgage to cover the expenses and not have to come up with all of the money at once.
The phrase home remodeling is used interchangeably with home renovation to refer to the process of altering your home’s structure with the aim of improving its utility. A full remodel enhances your home’s comfort and value. When planning a full home renovation, it’s critical to budget for the project, since it may be rather pricey. Create a comprehensive home renovation strategy to avoid overpaying while funding home renovations. To ensure the success of your total home remodeling, you must confer with the contractor at each stage of the process.
Updating your kitchen will eventually pay off, especially if you intend to sell your home in the future. A kitchen renovation may improve your daily life, especially if you seek architectural service in remodeling the kitchen. Plan all structural projects before you spend money on any cosmetic changes. You can get more ideas from free kitchen magazines to learn about various modern designs you can incorporate into your design. Establish the project’s timescales by specifying the start and end dates. Discuss the duration of different phases of the project with the contractor.
If you want to remodel your home, you need to plan everything ahead of time. The average cost to rehab a house can get very expensive and you don’t want to waste any time or money during the process. Before you begin, decide what you need to do. Does everything need to be repaired? Look at all the specific work you’ll need done, then find the approximate price you can expect to pay. The average cost to completely remodel a kitchen should include everything you’ll need, such as appliances and woodwork. Then, the average cost to redo floors in a house should include both hardwoods and carpeting. Make sure you don’t leave anything out. This will help you get a better idea of what to expect.
Once you know what you need, talk to home builders in your area. Many of them will be able to help you with the interior work during your home remodel. Use the information they give you to calculate the average cost per square foot to remodel a home. Compare this to your budget and you’ll know what you can do and how long it’ll take.
UPDATED 9/10/20
More than 43 million homes have at least one dog in residence, and 37.7 million have at least one cat, according to the Los Angeles Times. What’s more, nearly all pet owners — or between 72% and 90% — consider Fido or Fluffy fully part of the family. Another third regularly let their pet sleep in their bed, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) reveals.
Even so, many of us do not necessarily think about our pets’ comfort when it comes time to remodel. Remodeling with pets and doing it without subjecting them to undue stress is entirely and completely possible with some planning and careful consideration.
That means before tackling home improvement projects — before scheduling an appointment with roofing contractors, for example — it is wise to do a little preparation first. Familiarize yourself with these tips and tricks to keep your pets safe and at ease.
1. Board Especially Anxious Pets
First and foremost, consider your pet’s temperament and do it honestly. Avoid assuming that he or she will be fine, only to have to call several different places in order to board them the same day.
Remember, home roof repair will likely entail a lot of noise. Contractors will be walking back and forth on the roof. There will be a lot of noise, and a lot of noise coming from an unfamiliar source. Chances are, your pet is not accustomed to hearing any clamor of disruptions coming from your roof.
Weigh the pros and cons. Will your pet be more stressed out if you board them or if roofers are walking in and out of your home?
If renovations will take days or even a full week, it may be wise to board animals during the process. Remember that there are all kinds of facilities to accommodate boarding needs when remodeling with pets. Having pets stay overnight does not have to mean keeping them in a cold cage or crate all day.
Doggy daycare, for example, typically comes with a fair share of amenities. Staff walk dogs several times per day. Plus, dogs may have a play area or playground, a dog park to roam, a pool, and a cozy bed to temporarily call their own. Depending on the facility, you may have even more options. Some doggy daycare centers offer puppy training or obedience lessons for the duration of your pup’s stay. Others give your dog a gourmet, nighttime treat and read them a bed story. Really.
Rest assured, many boarding facilities spoil cats, too! These upscale boarding facilities offer cages with calm lighting, working TVs, and miniature sofas to keep cats calm and entertained.
2. Ensure Proper Cleanup
Whether you are just putting in new plumbing or renovating an entire room, it is essential to prioritize cleanliness when remodeling with pets. Items and debris that may not strike you as hazards can be very dangerous to dogs and cats.
Dust, nails, screws, wood, splinters, and wet paint are just a few things to look out for. If possible, make sure to keep pets in a separate room until paint is completely dry. That will prevent cats from rubbing up against surfaces with wet paint and keep dogs from licking paint before it dries. Section off areas while contractors are working and sweep and vacuum thoroughly after they leave. Sweep stray nails and screws to prevent choking hazards, and vacuum dust to prevent inhalation.
If you have any large pieces of metal, jagged wood boards, or any other awkward or oversized debris remaining from your remodel, contact a disposal service about bulk or special pickup. With adequate notice, most will pick these items up right from your curb.
3. If You Keep Pets Home, Be On The Look Out For Signs Of Stress
If you choose to skip boarding your pet for the duration of home improvement projects, keep an eye out for any signs that your pet is unduly distressed.
First, remodeling with pets can be a challenge as it is sometimes difficult to predict noise levels and the likely disturbance from any given project or repair. For example, all burnishing tools are not created equal. Some are just about completely silent, and others make a considerable amount of racket. If circumstances end up being wildly different than you imagined, reassess the situation before proceeding.
If you are confident that your experience remodeling with pets can go smoothly with your pet or pets at home, keep an eye out for any of the following signs of stress. If you see any of these red flags, take action to calm your pup’s or feline’s nerves.
If your cat is hiding, refusing to eat, going to the bathroom outside of the litterbox, showing unusual signs of aggression, being excessively vocal, or grooming near-constantly, he or she may not be handling the stress of the situation particularly well. Panting, rapid breathing, flattened ears, and shaking may also be signs of trouble.
Watch for these telltale signs that your dog is stressed. A dog who is feeling exceptionally stressed out will avoid people and self-isolate, skip meals, become uncharacteristically aggressive, experience digestive issues, and/or sleep markedly more than usual. They may also refuse treats, pant heavily, tremble, or continually lick their nose and paws.
To help mitigate stress in cats during remodeling, keep their water bowls, food bowls, and litterbox or litterboxes in the same room as usual if at all possible. If that isn’t an option, move the items one at a time, several hours before contractors arrive. This will give your cat time to adjust to the change before introducing strangers and loud noises into the mix as well. Make sure your favorite feline has plenty of spots to hide if he or she wishes. If there are no suitable spaces around, get some cardboard boxes to put in the room. Finally, if your kitty is particularly prone to stress, consider purchasing a special diffuser to help keep them at ease. These diffusers are available at most vets and contain a natural, safe, and synthetic feline pheromone that soothes and calms them.
To keep dogs calm, make sure they have a favorite item with a familiar scent — a favorite toy or a security blanket will work wonders! Regularly check in with your dog and give them plenty of pets and attention. If remodeling gets especially noisy, use that opportunity to get out of the house and take your dog on a walk. A game of fetch can also be a welcome distraction during this time.
4. Keep Your Pet Inside
It may be difficult to predict just how anxiety-provoking remodeling with pets can be. Kitchen remodeling may entail plumbing repairs as simple as silently tightening pipe fittings to remedy leaks or garishly sawing pipes to make room for new fixtures, with the loud and jarring sound of metal grinding on metal. Take extra precautions to make certain your pets stay safely inside.
To keep cats calm and safely inside your home, designate a separate entrance for family members and contractors if at all possible. If it’s feasible, have contractors use the front door to move in and out of the house. Designate the backdoor for family members. For example, if you are installing new windows, glass contractors may be walking around with large panes of glass. Leaving the door open will be a necessary and inevitable measure for contractors to carefully and reliably carry glass panes into your home. Keep cats out of the way and closed off from the front rooms. Family members who will be opening the door and shutting it again can use the backdoor or garage door.
If you own a dog or dogs, consider crating them during construction and remodeling. Once again, if it’s possible to designate a few rooms for your pup during these projects, that is a great option, too. Make sure to seal or block off doggy doors to prevent stressed dogs from bolting out the door.
For both dogs and cats, it is important to make sure to microchip them. If you haven’t already, remodeling with pets is the perfect opportunity to ensure that your favorite furry friend is microchipped and all their microchip data is up-to-date. Microchips are a convenient and reliable way to identify and return your pet should they take off. Remember to update your pet’s microchip information whenever you relocate or get a new phone number. Unfortunately, one-third of pets go missing at some point in their lives and stress and anxiety can encourage them to wander off. Your pet is much more likely to be safely returned to you if they have a microchip. A microchip increases the chances of dogs being returned by 238% and cats being returned by 2,000%, according to Pet Finder.
5. Introduce New Toys And Give Pets Plenty Of Treats
To keep your pet’s mind off in-progress bathroom remodeling, don’t be afraid to spoil them a little. Now is the best time for a distraction.
In addition to comforting pets with a favorite security blanket or another item with a familiar scent, purchase a few new toys and treats to introduce to your dog or cat at convenient intervals during your remodel.
Purchase new catnip-filled toys for cats or breathe new life into old toys by placing them in a large Ziploc bag with catnip and shaking the contents until the toys are thoroughly coated in fresh catnip.
Purchase new toys for dogs to introduce slowly, whenever dogs appear especially anxious. Remodeling with pets provides the perfect opportunity for the occasional treat, like a raw meat bone or a rubber dog toy filled with peanut butter. Follow safety guidelines or ask your veterinarian if you have questions about giving your dog raw meat bones. “Most raw bones that have not been cooked are edible for dogs. Raw chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef bones are soft enough to chew, eat, and digest,” DogTime.com writes. To encourage your dog to chew slowly and safely, give dogs bones after meals if possible. Supervise your dog whenever he or she is chewing or gnawing on a bone, and discard bones that are gnawed-down. If there isn’t much marrow or soft tissue left for your dog to chew, there is an increased chance of the hard, brittle parts left splintering. Peanut butter-filled toys are safe for your dog as long as you avoid using any peanut butter with the artificial sweetener xylitol. Check the ingredients before preparing treats for your pup.
6. Be Mindful Of Toxic Fumes
A critical thing to remember when remodeling with pets is that dogs and cats have a much keener sense of smell than we do. If something smells pungent to you, chances are it smells even stronger to your pet.
Avoid leaving paints, varnishes, and stains out in the open around your pet. Let paint fully dry before giving cats and dogs the run of the house. Never use paint thinner or turpentine around animals — and do not let your pets near contractors using these chemicals.
Remember that power tools and chemicals, like drills and spray paint, may leave behind dust and other caustic irritants. Close doors and section off areas of your home where dust, paint and spray paint, varnish, and finish maybe. Keep windows open for ventilation and if contractors have an industrial-style fan to help circulate air (many do), encourage them to use it! Sweep and vacuum up after not only to remove any remaining dust, but also to clean up the stray glass, broken tiles, and nails.
According to The Independent, “Owning a pet increases your chances of being happy and successful.” Plus, “Pets bring laughter to six in 10 owners, and seven in 10 feel more relaxed in their company.” Simply, pets decrease stress, buoy our spirits, and even improve our physical health and promote longevity. Return the favor. Do your part to make sure your pet is as happy and healthy as possible.
Responsibly remodeling with pets takes some careful thought and consideration. Go through the guidelines above before you get started.
Preparing for a new dog is an exciting time. You are getting your house and life ready for the introduction of your new best friend. Now is the time to think out the routines and responsibilities each member of the household will face. Getting ready for a dog does not just mean you are well stocked in squeaky toys and treats. Getting ready for a dog means each person in the house understands their responsibility to care for the new family member.
So how to prepare to bring home a puppy, or other new pet. First it needs to be determined who will feed the dog and when. Getting on a regular schedule is critical to ensuring your new furry friend can acclimate themselves to the routines of the house. You don’t want the dog crying for breakfast at 6 if you don’t plan on waking up until 10. Also when getting ready for a dog you will want to clear a few days on your schedule. You will want the chance to bond, but also to control the environment. The new dog will need to spend some time alone in order to decompress. It would be a mistake to have the kids rolling around on the floor with the dog on day 1. That’s how you end up with a wet rug.
When preparing for a new dog there will also be some home remodeling necessary. Look at your home for a dog’s perspective. What are the chew temptations? If you don’t want to risk the dog chomping or breaking something, find another place for it.
All in all preparing for a new dog is a time full of possibility. You are about to embark on an adventure with a four legged friend that will be one of the most meaningful relationships you’ll ever have. Taking the time to prepare for pet can ensure that relationship starts off on the right foot (and paw).
Provide Them With Their Own Space
A good way to prepare for a new pet is by creating a space for them to have that is their own. This will help them to feel comfortable in the new environment and help them adjust. A good place you can set up a little areas for your new pet is in the garage. This is because it’s perfect for any messes or accidents that may happen should you be getting a new puppy. Or if the pet you’re getting has more of a stench to it, this keeps the smell of their cage outside the house.
If your garage door doesn’t function properly, however, this will need to be remedied for your new pet to safely enjoy this space. If you need some home garage door repair, be sure to look online for the best residential garage door contractor so that the job goes smoothly. If you’re keeping an area for your pet in the garage, you may want to consider installing an automatic garage door and getting some automatic garage door sensors. This will help so ensure that your pet can’t get out of the garage and wander away. An automatic garage door will also provide another level of safety from those attempting to break into your home. Consider this if you are hoping to provide a space for your pet that is separate from the home.