Author Archives: creativewoodworkingvt

Bathroom Remodels Improve Your Home Value

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AND, keep your body happy!

Think about how much time you spend in your bathroom and how you spend your time there. We’re cleaning our bodies, brushing our teeth, soaking in a tub after that 5k, grooming, shaving, not to mention the unmentionable. Bathrooms may not be the heart of a happy home but they certainly help with a happy marriage — and a happy family.

“For marriage to be a success, every woman and every man should have her and his own bathroom. The end.” Catherine Zeta-Jones

Do bathroom renos add value?

We know what you’re thinking. Sure, bathrooms need to stay up-to-date, but will that renovation add value to my home? Yes, bathroom renovations add value to a home. No renovation cost is fully recovered, but you should be able to gain about 3.7% or 5.7% if you add a full bath. In the meantime, you’ll enjoy the room that you spend an average of 30 minutes a day in — maybe even more!

“The 2016 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study reports that nearly two-thirds of the respondents spend 30 to 60 minutes a day in their home bathrooms.” Today.com

Tile Shower
Tile Shower by Creative Woodworking of Windsor, VT
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8 Questions To Ask Your Residential General Contractor

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When it comes to choosing a general contractor for your home improvement projects, it’s important to find one that you can work with over the history of your home — not just during one project. So you’ll want to choose a contractor that you work well with. How can you figure this out? Well, there are a few questions we think you should ask.

Eight Questions To Ask Your Residential Contractor 

Here is a list of the eight questions you should ask a residential contractor.

  1. How long have you been in business?
  2. Do you have General Liability Insurance?
  3. Have you worked in this area?
  4. What is your lead time?
  5. Will you be working on my project full time?
  6. Who will I connect with during the project?
  7. How do you bill homeowners?
  8. How will the project be left each day?

Why Do These Questions Matter?

Asking a contractor how long they have been in business is a good way to weed out the fly-by-night contractors. Though rare, they do exist. However, just because a contractor has been in business for a year doesn’t mean they aren’t experienced. The culture of construction — and most trade work in general — is family-centric. Children learn the trade from their parents, apprentices learn from journeymen, and the cycle over generations produces people who are deeply ingrained in construction. It’s trademarked by personal pride, honor, and responsibility. 

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Do I Need a Building Permit for My Remodel?

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Depending upon the extent of your home remodel, you may need a building permit. Don’t worry, any reputable contractor has pulled plenty of permits and likely has fantastic relationships with inspectors as well. 

If you’re adding square footage, for example, your renovation will require a building permit. Major plumbing and electrical work also trigger a permit. And building permits mean that plans need to be submitted and approved by the town. 

“When electrical or plumbing work is to be done, a licensed professional must be added to the permit as well. Permitting offices do this for safety reasons to comply with the state’s department of insurance regulations as well as to calculate taxes.” Divitia Realty

How Much Will Building Permits Cost?

Are you worried about the associated costs for pulling permits? According to Home Advisor, building permit fees can run anywhere from $424 to $2,234. Contact your local zoning department to find out more.

“If you intend to take on a building project or remodel a home, permits are serious requirements upheld by state and local authorities to ensure compliance with building code safety.” Home Advisor

It’s not recommended that the homeowner pull permits, unless they are also acting as the general contractor. You want a reputable contractor to be on record for the construction. Fly-by-night contractors often ask the homeowner to submit plans, but that may indicate a lapse in their license or insurance. Be careful with that. 

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