Questions to Ask Yourself Before A Bathroom Remodeling Project

The tiles are outdated, the fixtures are rusting and you’re tired of caulking around the tub. Sound familiar? It’s the small annoyances that you notice over the years that make you want to rip everything out and start all over again. Before you or someone else starts remodeling your bathroom, consider all aspects of the project before committing to it.

Is It Worth It?                                                                                         

Assess the issues you’re having with your bathrom carefully. Often, homeowners will resort to drastic measures to resolve frustrations – but only suceed in making matters worse. Other times, a full remodel is the only valid option. Builders, in a haste to meet strict deadlines, can easily make mistakes in the construction process, and owners may not find out until years later. If you think the problem is beyond what you can handle, shop around for estimates.

Where Do I Find a Contractor?

In today’s market, homeowners can choose from several resources to help them decide on a bathroom remodeling company or local handy man.  Referrals, however, are still one of the best ways to learn first hand about the quality of work and service levels. You can also refer to governing organizations like the Consumers’ Choice Award, Better Business Buerau and Energy Star for their approved businesses and partnerships.

What Will it Cost?

Home remodeling is a significant financial commitment, even for do-it-yourself projects. If your budget isn’t aligned with your job expectations, you can end up with a half-done bathroom and heavy doses of frustration. Answer the honest questions about your financial security with your family. Some companies offer remodeling financing options that you’ll want to discuss with them in depth. If costs becomes a factor, you may have to break up the project into phases. In some situations a contractor can handle the bulk of the work while you focus on smaller updates and finishing touches afterward.

How Long Will it Take?

You’ve probably heard “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and a bathroom remodel might not be either.  Whether you use a contractor or family and friends, establish a reasonable timeframe to have it completed.  After the financing process, remodeling companies have to work with various outside sources to gather what they need to complete a remodel plan. They also need to coordinate with their other projects and make sure they have enough manpower available. Add a couple of days to the end of your schedule as cushion for unexpected situations. A timely finish to a project is everyone’s goal, but the best plan is to plan for the unexpected.

If you have questions about your bathroom remodeling project, let us know in the comments or ask us on Facebook and Twitter!


Home Designs That You Can Fall in Love With

Valentine’s candy started showing up on store shelves in November, so you don’t need us to remind you the holiday is just around the corner. It is cause for celebration, but after the candy is gone and the flowers are thrown out, the process just starts over – and how are you going to top this year?

Why not give something that will last and add value to your lives?

Our homes are a source of security, comfort and also love. Updating your home’s features can add a private getaway or create an atmosphere for your entire family to enjoy. Take a look at these five ways to turn the house you like into a home you love.

A Bathroom for Two

In most homes, the master suite comes standard with two sinks but can leave much to be desired when it comes to the rest of the area. What many home owners don’t realize is that the amazing bathrooms seen in resorts and hotels are accessible for homes.

Tubs like the one pictured can be inviting for you and your spouse. Take some time to relax with a loved one, enjoy a book or movie on your tablet, or just drift off to the sounds of your favorite music. You can easily revisit this tranquility without having to pay resort prices.

Can’t spend all day soaking? Spacious showers can do the trick as well. Multiple shower heads and jet streams add a modern touch to a home regardless of its age. Open entry platforms provide easy access and add depth.

Private Escape

Women may call these their oases, men call them their man caves, and kids call them hideouts – or maybe they’re something different all together. Whatever you call it, this part of your home can be an opportunity for you to escape into a world that is your own.

Andrea Riley of Happy Chaos has mastered this. Her home has four hidden rooms that act as play rooms for her children. But the house isn’t all about secret gateways – the remodeled attic hosts her husband’s own area.Ever dreamed of having a hidden passage way behind a bookcase? A company called Creative Home Engineering specializes in making this a reality for their clients. Their designs incorporate a variety of building materials that can open up your home in imaginative ways.

What’s for Dinner?

If your family is like most, the kitchen is more than a place to eat. Of course, a lot of that does happen! But it’s also a meeting, study, crafts, planning and entertaining space. With so much that can go on, the kitchen is a place near and dear to all of us.

Creating your dream kitchen is all about working your concept into a real space. Plentiful and sleek counter tops, backsplashes with touches of color, and expansive storage spaces are just a few touches that can add value to your home.

Trends for 2012 are focusing on personality. This will, of course, depend on the homeowner, but consider using contrasting colors and unique fixtures to depict the character of the home and the people who live there.

So, buy something sweet this year and flowers always freshen up a home, but consider making a real Valentine’s Day investment. Make your house your dream home with designs you’ll love.

The Dangers Lurking in Your Bathroom: What You Should Know

If there’s one area in the house where you are often alone, it is the bathroom. This is why it is important to make sure your bathroom is free of danger or of any type of hazard,  especially if it’s an old and worn-out bathroom.  You might want to consider bathroom remodeling in order to correct some of these dangers.

So how do you know your bathroom is not totally safe?  Here’s what you need to look out for:

Slippery bath or shower.  Over time, the original outer covering of your bath and shower become moldy, cracked, chipped, and discolored.  This may cause it to become slippery, and members of your family could fall and get hurt.  So it would help if you install new bath liners, which you can do without having to go through a total bathroom makeover.

Faucet and shower leaks.  A leaking faucet or shower not only means that water is being wasted, but it also means a perpetually wet bathroom.  If your tub or shower area never dries up, then it becomes a slipping hazard.  Make sure you get all the necessary faucet and shower repairs.

Mold.  Mold can be hard to detect, as it is mostly found beneath the surface.  Sometimes mold is only discovered when people take on a complete bathroom remodeling and start to take the toilet, the bath tub, and the floor tiles out.  There are types of mold that are toxic, causing skin rashes, headaches, breathing problems, and even fever and other flu-like symptoms.  Make sure to have the mold removed by professionals and keep your bathroom mold-free by installing a bathroom fan.  Bathroom fans help eliminate moisture, where mold thrives.

These are but the main bathroom problems you will have to watch out for and then take care of in order to ensure your family’s safety.  If you are caring for an elderly person or family member, there are also special considerations.  Elderly people, as we know, have more bathroom requirements and they need better bathroom accessibility.  For instance, a walk-in bathtub is better for older people, as it is more convenient and helps prevent dangerous slips and falls.

Statewide Remodeling has several fresh, safe and affordable bathroom options for you. Be sure to check out our extensive selection and consult with our staff for your choices.

Why Choose a Solar Water Heater?

Getting a solar water heater for your home may be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.  It is an energy-saving alternative to the traditional electric or gas water heater.  But what makes it so?

The answer is simple.  A solar water heating system uses the energy from the sun to heat water for domestic use.  It then uses a conventional immersion heater or boiler to make water hotter or to keep it hot when the solar energy us not available.

Unknown to many, traditional hot or warm water uses around 7,000 kilowatt hours of electricity every year.  That means a great amount of carbon dioxide, too. It only makes sense to find ways to reduce your carbon footprint and then save on your energy costs by going for solar hot water.

Many homeowners opt for home and bathroom remodeling or improvements in an effort to go green and to lessen their energy consumption.  They make their homes environment-friendly and get to enjoy the money-saving benefits of installing energy-efficient products like radiant barrier insulation, vinyl replacement windows, and energy-efficient windows.

However, you can still do more to make your home more resistant to excessive and costly energy loss.  You can invest on solar energy products for your home.  These solar products include water heaters, window films, and carports.  Through solar panels made of conductive materials, these products can generate electricity simply by reacting to the electromagnetic energy that the sun’s rays give off.  Utilizing the renewable energy you get from the sun, you can stop relying heavily on environmentally damaging fossil fuels – like petroleum and coal.

Home remodeling companies like Statewide Remodeling can show you how to utilize the renewable energy you can get from the sun.  It’s never too late to start converting your home into a place that’s easier on Mother Nature and that’s not too costly to maintain.

Bathroom Remodeling for Elderly Care

When you have your parents living with you, you think of ways to improve your home and make it safe for them.  As we have said before, aging in place can bring on a lot of savings but also a lot of challenges with it.  There are so many things that you need to do in order to make your home a safe and accident-free place while caring for your elderly loved ones.

Bathroom remodeling is one.

We know that the bathroom is a top danger zone, especially for the elderly.  This is mainly because bathroom floors can get slippery, and porcelain tubs, toilets, and sinks could cause head injury when you hit them as you fall.

Remodeling your bathroom for better elderly home care may involve a few things.  One is installing a walk-in bathtub.  Designed with low entry step, a safety seat, and a grab bar, a walk in tub would help people with limited mobility and with disability.  It will be easier for them to get inside or outside without help of assistance.

Another is installing or replacing your bath liners.  These are the outer coverings of your bath and shower.  Over time, your old liners will get moldy, discolored, chipped or cracked, and it may become a slipping hazard and could breed germs.  It’s also great that there are liners with anti-bacterial properties now.

You can also change your bathroom or shower to make them barrier-free and to allow wheelchair accessibility, as well as allow safety bars for the necessary support.  If you are worried about not having enough space for all these remodeling or changes, you can just go for a tub-to-shower conversion  to be able to maximize whatever space is there.

When taking on the responsibility to care for elderly or disabled family members, changes to the bathroom are imperative.  It is best if you consult with a home remodeling company and get professional advice and opinion on what your bathroom needs.  They can identify the hazards for you, not only in your bathroom, but also in other areas of your home.

Customer is Pleased with Statewide Remodeling Staff and New Walk-In Tub

Customer gives Statewide Remodeling replacement windows Rave Review DallasWe recently received this letter from Ruth and Leroy Huls who gave high praise for the Staff of Statewide Remodeling during the installation process of their new walk-in tub.

Everyone we expected was here on time and did their job well from the salesperson, the man who did the measuring and the 2 who actually installed. Those 2 guys are exceptionally remarkable, work so well together and are very considerate of the homeowner. When they finished it was hard to tell they had ever been here except for the new tub which definitely looks like it “belongs” there.

Click here to read the rest of Ruth’s letter.

Aging in Place: What Does Remodeling Have To Do with Elder Care?

More and more Americans are now caring for an older relative inside their homes.  Aging in place is a trend that brings both savings and challenges with it.  One of the many things one has to consider when planning elder care at home is remodeling.

Remodeling bedrooms, bathrooms, providing phone access, keeping areas clutter-free, and changing floor coverings, furniture, entryways and lighting.  These constitute some of the basics of elder care remodeling.  Admittedly, it could be tiresome and expensive, but truly worth it.

Why?  Here are some reasons why remodeling should always form part of the plan in the care of older relatives:

1. Accessibility to all areas. Remodeling allows for easy access, making sure that seniors will be able to walk or sit in a wheelchair and navigate through certain areas of your house with ease.  It is a must for a room’s or a house’s door to be wide enough to let a wheelchair through. Providing ramps in lieu of or in addition to stairs would also be a good idea where there’s a cane or a wheelchair involved.

2. Convenience. Seniors have special needs and remodeling helps you address these needs.  It provides convenience, too.  What may be a brisk walk up the stairs for you could be a nerve-wracking experience for them.  Make it convenient for elderly people to get into and out of their beds, while also providing necessary allowances like a phone in their rooms, stable furniture, and adequate lighting.

3. Safety. Remodeling reduces the risks of accidents.  From making sure that you have floors that are not too slippery to bathroom remodeling for better bathroom accessibility, to painting walls in noticeable colors, remodeling saves you from worrying that your elderly relatives would fall or get into an accident.  Side tip: Make sure that you get great new ideas such as a walk-in tub from experienced remodeling professionals!

4. Comfort. Remodeling also helps you provide comfort to your elderly loved ones.  From making sure that their bedroom is well-ventilated and well-lit by installing new windows and HVAC systems, to  avoiding putting up hard-to-access utilities, remodeling can help you ensure their comfort!

Customer Has High Praise for Statewide’s Quality of Service and Products

Customer gives Statewide Remodeling replacement windows Rave Review DallasThank you, Mrs. Araujo, for the wonderful feedback about your recent experience of updating your bathroom:

Dear Mr. Levin,
We want to let you know that we are so pleased with the new bathroom, our house is from the 70′s and our bathroom looked so old and was not working at all (broken floor, falling tiles and not water pressure), now it is so different!! Now we have excellent water pressure, we love the material and the color but what I love the most is that it is so easy to clean and that we have a lifetime guarantee, that talks a lot of the quality of the service and products you provide.

We are looking forward to fix the other bathroom and we won’t hesitate to call you back. Thank you our shower looks beautiful!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Glenda Araujo

We look forward to working with you again, soon!

Statewide Remodeling Review: Helping Elderly Customers

Each month, Statewide Remodeling will be featuring a letter sent in from our customers. This month, we are sharing what Donna of Willow Park, TX wrote on February 8, 2011.

Statewide Remodeling Review Dallas and Austin“Just a note to let you and others know about my experience with the Safe Step Walk-In Tub and the great service from Statewide Remodeling. I found out about the tub in a magazine ad and was impressed with the professional way information was presented. The warranty is excellent and quality of the product impressive.

My goal in purchasing the tub is to be able to stay at home instead of going to a nursing home as my age and infirmities increase…”

On a follow up call to Donna, she stated that she is really enjoying the tub and that it is easy to use. In addition, now that Donna is no longer struggling to get in and out of her jetted tub, she feels more safe and secure in her bathroom.

Thank you Donna, for trusting Statewide Remodeling to come into your home and for your thoughtful letter.  It’s customers like you that make our jobs so rewarding day in and day out!

Small Bathroom Ideas

photo by CJ Sorg from flickr

Who says small bathroom designs can’t look great and be functional? By following the simple guidelines below, you will be well on your way to planning a  bathroom remodeling project  in your home.

  •  Use pedestal sinks rather than large vanity cabinets to save space.
  • Be careful of where you place your door.  The “door swing” can take up as much as 25% of the room.
  • Place toilet, sink, and shower/tub along one wall to lower costs.
  • Lighter paint colors make the room feel larger.
  • Lay ceramic tile at a diagonal.  It will make the bathroom feel less cramped.
  • Put a linen closet just outside of the bathroom instead of taking up valuable space inside the bathroom.
  •  Use trim proportional to the size of the bathroom.

Once you have an idea about your bathroom remodeling project, give Statewide Remodeling a call. With our expertise and quality workmanship, you will have a new bathroom that you will enjoy for years to come!

Next Page »