A designer provides an objective review of your ideas and if necessary will introduce alternative options that suit your space, budget, and timeline. Contrary to popular belief, not all designers are uber-expensive and not all projects are suitable DIYs. Designers can save you money, time and add the “oomph” you are looking for. Day 1 is the best time to bring a designer into the project.
Designers:
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Let's be blunt, a professional can remove a Popcorn ceiling faster, but if you have time and want to save money, this DIY project is simple and does not require the purchase of any expensive tools. Once done, it will significantly improve the look of any room.
STEP 1 - TEST FOR ASBESTOS
STEP 2 - GATHER YOUR TOOLS
3 - PREPARE THE ROOM
STEP 4 - WET THE CEILING TO SOFTEN THE PLASTER
Step 5 - SAND, PRIME, AND PAINT THE CEILING
Ensure your house's foundation is in good shape. Basement leaks and termites are more common than people realize and will lay waste to your property and renovation dreams, if left unchecked. Fortunately, both problems can be easy to detect and fix. Read below to learn about leaks and termites.
Leaks - 4 signs your foundation needs attention:
TIP - If water is entering the basement from outside the house, the solution must address the problem on the outside, typically by digging a trench around the foundation and sealing the entire underground portion of the foundation with sealant and a protective barrier. It might also be necessary to replace a damaged footer drain, weeping tile, etc. If someone tells you he/she can stop this type of leak by sealing the inside wall, get another opinion/quote. About Termites In established neighborhoods, termites are more common than people realize. These white, rice size pests thrive in most parts of southern Canada, especially along the coasts, and are in most US states. Termite nests can be 18’ to 20’ below the foundation of your house. If termites are present in your home, it's because they found a good food source, they will NOT leave until you force them out. How to detect a Termite problem! Check the house for Shelter Tubes and blistering wood. The basement is a good place to start. If you see a shelter tube (see photo), break it open with a metal object. If you see little white insects approximately the size of rice, you have termites. If no termites are seen, wait two weeks to see if the tunnel is rebuilt, this indicates you have termites. Having said this, termites move around, so unless you know the house was treated within the last 10 years or so, there is a strong possibility the termites are still present but have simply built other tunnels. Keep looking and tear open some spaces if you have to. Remember, as long as they have a steady food supply they are not leaving voluntarily. If you see blistering wood (see photo) or wood with unusual holes examine it closely. Is there any remnants of a "mud tunnel". Termites typically eat wood from the inside out, so you won’t see them until they have eaten their way to the surface. Wood that sounds hollow when tapped often signifies a termite infestation. How To Treat a Termite Infestation The only effective way to remove the problem is to hire an experienced exterminator. Typically, the exterminator will dig multiple holes through the floor of your basement around the entire perimeter of the house, some will also do the exterior of the house. The chemical they use varies from region to region. Step 1 - It is important you identify and write down your objective(s) for a new space. When a house is your home, emotions can cloud your judgement. Writing down your thoughts helps you remain objective when deciding whether to renovate or buy new.
Step 2 - Review "Some Things to Consider" - see below. Step 3 - Speak with an Interior Designer to learn what can be done with the space you have. After completing the above steps, you will be in a better position to make a decision about Buying New or Renovating. Some Things to Consider Costs
Your Living Environment
What Is Your Long Term Plan For the Home
Don’t let the following issues scare you away from a property you really want. However, do due diligence to understand the root cause of the issue, the extent of the issue and cost to address it. Once you have answers to these questions, you can decide if an issue is a showstopper or an opportunity to negotiate a better final purchase price.
NOTE - the tips below are for you to reference when comparing properties. Before purchasing the final property, we encourage you to use a qualified home inspector to provide an assessment of the property's current state before you purchase the property. 1. Pests Termites, mice and other such pests can be eliminated for a price. If the house has termites, don’t be freaked out by a little bit of damage. Point this out to your home inspector to ensure he/she does a thorough job of uncovering the extent of the damage. 2. Heating and Cooling Devices Look for stickers on these items to learn how old they are based on the install date. The average life expectancy for a Gas Furnace and a Central AC unit is approximately 20 years. If the house has an oil furnace, plan to replace it with something more modern before moving in. The average life expectancy for a water heater is approximately 12 years. TIP - if any of these items are leased, consider buying new versus taking over the lease from the previous owner. If for budgetary reasons you prefer to lease, call the provider to enquire about them swapping out an old unit for a new unit, do this BEFORE you take over the lease. 3. Roof For obvious reasons you want the roof to be in good shape. From across the street, do your best to see if any tiles are missing or look as if they are “blistering”. Missing or blistering shingles/tiles is an indication that the roof needs work. The extend of the damage will determine how much work and consequently the increase your costs. While a home inspector will be able to tell you, generally, how sound your roof construction is, you also want to know if it is leaking heat. Try to access the attic to see how well the insulation is laid out and how much is present. Wear a mask and gloves. If the house has asbestos this is a big deal. 4. Fireplace & Chimney Homes with fireplaces are romantic, but a clogged flue or a leaky chimney is a fire hazard. From the outside check to see if the chimney is leaning in any direction. If it is leaning, like the leaning tower of Pisa, it will eventually fall, and if it falls on someone ... 5. Air Quality If a house has a funky smell when you walk in, you need to uncover the root cause. Don't assume it is some odd spice. If you can't ID the source of the odor, it might be best to take a pass on the property. 6. Electrical A switch that does not work is no big deal, but if the house has knob and tube wiring (started to be phased out in 1940), this is a big messy deal. Typically, you should not live in the house while the work to upgrade the wiring takes place. Also, keep an eye out for houses that only partially updated the wiring to make it look as if Knob and Tube has been eliminated. 7. Foundation Essentially you are looking for cracks and warping, and paint that bubbled. If you are visiting the house in Spring or after a heavy rainstorm, touch the basement walls to see if they feel damp. 8. Mold This is a red flag. Moisture issues might be the cause, if so moisture from leaking plumbing or cracks in the foundation typically get worse with time and should be immediately addressed. 9. Clean Insurance History Ask your real estate agent for help getting insurance claims that have been filed on the house in the past five years. Seeing the nature of the claims is great information for your house inspector to have and too many claims can impact the price you will pay for house insurance. 10. Over Hanging Branches Tall trees with branches that hang close or over a property are bridges for squirrels and raccoons to access your building unseen. |
DISCLAIMERThe information provided here is intended to help you reach your own conclusions. We assume no responsibility for how you interpret or apply this information. |