Things To Consider Before You Remodel Your Bathroom

Regardless if you want to have a small or significantly larger space, your bathroom remodeling project should always be centered on functionality before anything else. This often includes redoing the lights, storage, drainage, and other aspects. If you’re not sure how to go about your project, check out these tips on what to consider before remodeling your bathroom:

Plumbing

Normally, residential plumbing makes use of small 1½-inch pipes which makes clogging likely to happen. All that gunk and residue could line up the pipes and easily create clogs. You should consider upgrading to bigger, more spacious pipes. Increasing the size of your pipes to 2 inches will have significant results in terms of the likelihood of experiencing clogs. What’s good about the upgrade is that you would barely notice the price difference between a 1½-inch pipe and a 2-inch one. The cost factor won’t be much of a problem if that’s what you’re concerned about. Also, be sure that your water supply lines aren’t routed outside your home to prevent them from freezing during winter. But of course, this only applies for regions that experience chilly winters.

Lighting

Don’t go with the traditional lighting fixtures, instead go for the recessed ones. This allows for a brighter room without the annoying glare that you would normally experience with traditional lighting fixtures. You should include at least one or two, but more may be required if you have a bigger area. Also, consider lighting near your mirror. Whether you’ll be using it for touchups or shaving, a well-lit area will be great for any sort of makeover. It also would be great if you could install dimmers which would be great for the lighting of your bathroom remodeling Myrtle Beach project.

Storage space

It’s a good idea to incorporate some storage space in your bathroom for supplies or for a medicine cabinet. If you’ve got the space, it would be better for your medicine cabinet to be recessed. If this option isn’t available to you, make sure that you have around 4-5 inches of space at your vanity for your medicine cabinet to protrude.

Wall-hung toilets

If you’re tight on space, you might want to consider going for a wall-hung toilet instead of the conventional one. This type of fixture has the tank behind the wall, which is quite useful if you’re trying to preserve space. The good thing is that these types of fixtures are no longer as expensive as they were years ago.

Shower floors

If you’re looking for functional, use smaller tiles instead of bigger ones. Although larger tiles tend to look smoother with lesser line breaks, it is harder to slope properly to allow for drainage. Smaller tiles, on the other hand, offer more traction and are easier to slope.

Tub or shower?

This is entirely based on preference and functionality as well. Always think that when you do a home remodel, you’re not doing it for someone else, in case you have plans of selling your home in the future. You’re doing for you and your family. So be sure to consider what you want and how you would like to use your bathroom.

Want to remodel your home but don’t have enough ideas in mind? Call Keystone General Contracting today!

Keystone General Contracting Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 465-0685 https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com

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Tips On How To Get Your Contractor To Do Their Best

It’s a known fact that if you want to get something done – particularly when it comes to dealing with your home remodel contractor – you have to actively participate in the project. Although gaining some autonomy on your project is one of the reasons why you hired a contractor, you shouldn’t solely rely on them to complete the project. This is especially the case if the project is your own home. It may not often happen that the project fails if you don’t have constant communication with your contractor, but these things do happen and you should avoid it at all costs. Here are a few things that you should do to get the best performance from your contractor and construction team:  

Eliminate allowances entirely

One thing that you should avoid is having allowances. If you’re not too familiar with allowances, this is the budget that your home remodel contractor Myrtle Beach will place on items that you haven’t decided on yet like your plumbing. Always do research beforehand. This will eliminate any inconsistencies with pricing and will help you keep on track with your budget.  

Keep good constant communication

It’s important to always communicate with your contractor and keep things in line at all times. Always have the phone numbers of important personal handy. Keep in touch with your project manager, foreman, and etc. Be on the site to inspect their work first thing in the morning.  

Make a project journal

Having a journal will not only remind you of what needs to be done but it will also give you a clear idea of the entire project’s timeline. Always record the progress made, note the things you need to ask your contractor and note upcoming delivery dates. It may sound redundant at times, but a journal will always come in handy.  

All changes must be written on paper

If in case you want some changes or need some structural alterations, you should always have it in writing. If you and your contractor agree on a particular change to the construction, you should have it on paper. This is important in case your project goes unexpectedly in the wrong direction. Not only will it serve as a formality but as a piece of insurance as well.  

Check the work constantly

Part of being on site is being able to check the work on a constant basis. This will let you in on the progress of the entire construction and give you a clear picture of how your home remodel project is taking shape. You’d also be able to check if things are going in line with the plan.  

Only pay for work done

At the beginning of the project, come to an agreement with your contractor that you’ll only be paying for completed work. This will keep you away from the hassle of already spending money for work that’s yet to be done. It’s always best to pay for something that’s already there than what’s yet to materialize.  

Don’t be a drag, be a good customer

If your contractor is doing their part well, do the same. Don’t be a slouch at handing out commendations. Compliments go a long way all the time.  

Need a professional home remodeling contractor? Call Keystone General Contracting today.

  Keystone General Contracting Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 465-0685 https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com

https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com/get-your-contractor-to-do-good/

Tips For Evaluating Your House For A Garage Addition

Perhaps you are one of the many homeowners who are  tired of getting soaked as you make a run to your car during stormy days. Or maybe you dream of having more space that you can use for a home gym, workshop, storage, home office, or kid’s play area. Before you start a garage addition project, you have consider a few important things and come up with some crucial decisions. Zoning and Code Restrictions The first thing you need to do once you have decided to start a garage addition Myrtle Beach project is to find out if it is physically possible to fit a new garage on your lot. Check with your local planning department and find out how close you could build to the edges of your property. Don’t forget to ask if there are any restrictions that are applicable to garages; a few communities need deeper setbacks on the sides with doors, for instance. Local rules may also influence the driveway design, roof or wall height, as well as the percentage or total amount of your property you can cover with roofs, pavement, and other impervious surfaces. Most of the time, builders and architects are always on top of such requirements, as well as lumberyards that offer packages featuring garage plans and materials. Freestanding or Attached One of the biggest decision you have to make is to determine whether you want to attach the new garage to your house or make it as a separate structure. If you are looking for a cheaper and more convenient option, then you should go with an attached garage. You save footsteps, stay dry, and you can use a part of it as your pantry, laundry area, mudroom, and other house extensions. If you are concerned about security, then having an attached garage allows you to simply tap an opener and you can just drive right through in without having to set foot outside your house just to get to your car. However, a detached garage also offers several advantages. A separate garage will keep away exhaust fumes, noise, and dust away from your home. Access and Traffic Flow In case you are adding a garage as part of your home remodel, you likewise need a driveway. Older houses usually have narrow side yard driveways at about 8 feet. In much newer areas, driveways that accommodate single cars have a width of at least 10 feet. Some reach up to 14 feet if there are obstructions on each side that could possibly scrape with a car door that’s open. If you are planning to park infront of the garage, you need at least 20 feet between the garage door and the sidewalk. Although you are not required to have a turnaround area, you should still consider including one in your plan. Relationship To The House A garage must look as if it is an accessory to your home instead of dwarfing it or turning it into what people refer to as a snout house. Where all you can see is the front part of the garage door. It is way easier to get the scale correctly when you construct a detached garage. However, if you need to add a huge garage into a small sized home, there are some ways to minimize its visual impact. For example, you can make the garage look less dominant by setting the front farther back than the home’s main entrance. You should also consider adding the garage door to the side and place the windows as well as other house like details on the front wall.

If you are considering a garage addition, call Keystone General Contracting for more information.

Keystone General Contracting Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 465-0685 https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com

https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com/evaluating-house-garage-addition/

Tips On Remodeling A Kitchen On A Budget

Unlike remodeling other parts of the home, the budget needed by a kitchen remodel is by far the highest. However, this shouldn’t discourage you from giving your kitchen a makeover. It is still possible to remodel your kitchen even under a strict budget. It simply takes time and a lot of research to make it all possible. Here are a few tips to make your kitchen remodeling plans a reality without spending too much:  

Always be keen on lowering costs

  The primary goal of almost every homeowner when they remodel parts of their home is to minimize the cost. Although spending cash is inevitable, you can make the costs far less devastating for your bank account. If you don’t mind using cheaper appliances for your kitchen remodel Myrtle Beach, you may do so. There are a lot of bargain prices that you can hold of. However, it’s not as reliable as one would hope.   The best route to take is the realistic route. You might wish for cheaper prices but price tags aren’t always in your favor. The reality is that you will spend money. Now, the trick here is to spend that money wisely and realistically within your budget.  

Refresh rather than replace

  Your kitchen cabinet or counter might not be so bad that it needs replacement. Chances are, all you need is to refresh them so they would have the same feel the first day you got them. New cabinets can be quite expensive. And if you sum up all the costs, you could well finish an entire room addition just with the cost of your kitchen.   Try looking for different ideas that could give your cabinets a new look. A fresh coat of paint is your primary option.  You’ll be surprised to see that all it takes is a new color to brighten up your kitchen. If replacement are necessary, look into other materials such as MDF. If you have some spare time or have the skills to build your own, there are ready to assemble cabinets that look as good but aren’t as expensive.  

Go DIY if you’re able

  As stated above, you can go DIY and build a cabinet. However, as a precaution, don’t go down this route if you don’t have enough experience or if you aren’t too confident with your carpentry skills. If you’re confident that you have the skills to get the project done, DIY is the path to take. You will save yourself a ton of cash if you make your own furniture and cabinets. However, it will take time and skill. If you’re not sure where to begin, just a hire a professional.  

Re-use old appliances

  As tempting as it is to go shopping for new kitchen appliances, you shouldn’t head to your nearest Walmart just yet. If your trusty oven isn’t broken, have it checked and refreshed. Most often, your old appliance will last longer than you expect. You’ll save more money by using older appliances and you’ll have more leeway in your budget.  

Don’t be too quick with a new kitchen layout

  A major kitchen overhaul will set you back big time. Switching from one layout to another will drive up the costs significantly. If you want to lower your spending, go for the same layout instead. You’re better off spending your money on a home remodel than just on one part of your house.  

Want to make your Kitchen look like new again? Call Keystone General Contracting for all your remodeling needs!

  Keystone General Contracting Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 465-0685 https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com

https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com/kitchen-remodel-on-a-budget/

6 Home Addition Tips That Skips The Hassle

When you’ve finally made up your mind about building that new room addition that took you months of deliberation, congratulations because you’re in the right track. As you might have encountered while doing some research, there are a few gray areas that a lot of homeowners worry about. What will the process be like? How will the construction fair? How long will the entire process take? And, how much will it all cost me? There are some questions that hold back a lot of people on building a room addition Myrtle Beach. Although there is a valid reason to be concerned about the entire endeavor, it’s not something that you should lose sleep over. To point you to the right direction and to take out the hassle in the equation of building a room addition, here are some easy to follow tips:

Plan for the costs ahead

It’s hard to put an exact price tag on your project, particularly as the options of building are without limit. Doing some research beforehand is necessary. If you want to build with specific materials, looking into how much they would cost prior to your build will save you a lot of time later on. Ask yourself some questions. Will plumbing be needed? How will the electric work be? Will this home remodel project requires a new roof? These are a few questions that you’ll be asking yourself that will save you a lot of time when you get to actually build the home addition. Take some time to sit back and think about the possibilities and options to take.

Deal with the right people

You won’t be doing the build yourself. It’s good practice to have a reliable set of contacts for this kind of project. If you haven’t a list of phone numbers to call on, now is the right time to go and make one. Hire an architect for a better design, a construction manager for skilled labor, and more. Here are a few professionals that you should hire:

• A plumber
• Electrician
• Painter
• Cleaner
• Landscaper (if necessary)
• HVAC professional

The list above is just a sample of what kind of trades you’ll be dealing with. You might end up completing your build with only just a few. It’s up to you to do the planning and if you think you’ll be able to DIY some of the easier parts.

Getting to know the local zoning laws and building restriction codes

Each state has its own rules on constructing houses and that also includes any home addition. Before you break ground, consider looking into your local rules and regulations to avoid penalties later in the future. Your home addition must fall into the guidelines of what is legally allowed. This way, you can adjust some details of your build, preventing trouble and problems spiraling out of control later on.

Keeping up with the progress

A home addition doesn’t just magically get done overnight. It will take time and a lot of it depending on how big or how technical your build gets. Regularly inspect when your team of professionals makes any major advancement. Voice out any insights you have so you’ll end up getting what you want. Good communication will always save the day.

Do the prep work in advance

You’ll be taking care of the building area at some point, so better do it as early as possible. This is to prevent any last-minute changes that could stall work and increase your overall build time. Here’s a couple of things that you might want to do:

• Tape on sheeting to entryways that border the construction area and the way leading to your home. This will keep out dust and debris from going in.
• Clean out the construction area. Remove anything you see fit.
• Add plastic sheets or other materials to cover areas that will have heavy foot traffic.
• Move furniture that will obstruct work in the specified area.

Be ready to adapt to the building process

It will take anywhere from a month or more for the build process to be fully completed. The specific time may vary depending on the build. During which, you’ll experience changes with your daily pattern. It will be best for everyone in the home to be aware of the changes and be prepared for it.

Want to add a new room, remodel your home, or have some general construction done? Call Keystone General Contracting today!

Keystone General Contracting Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 465-0685 https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com

https://www.keystonegeneralcontracting.com/hassle-free-home-addition-tips/