Category Archives: remodeling

Test help consumers sort out home paint price and quality – are expensive, trendy paint brands worth it?

Choosing paint colors is hard enough, but these days consumers have to decide among dozens of paint brands — plus different quality levels within those brands. And then there’s price. Will paying $100 a gallon get you a better paint than if you pay $30 a gallon? It’s almost as maddening as choosing between Paper White and Whisper White. Here’s help.

You may think of Consumer Reports as a resource for buying cars and electronics, but the nonprofit magazine also tests paints, grading them on the traits consumers say are most important. Exterior paint is judged on its appearance after tests that simulate multiple years. Interior paint is evaluated for factors including its ability to cover old colors in a single coat, whether it can withstand scrubbing, and its mildew and fade resistance.

In the most recent rounds of testing, a remarkable four out of the top five interior and exterior paints were hardware store brands. So, right away, we know you don’t have to buy a premium brand to get great paint. On the other hand, the very cheapest paints, those that cost between $17 and $27 a gallon, didn’t make it into the top five. “Generally, spending more money does not always equate to a better paint,” said Rico De Paz, paint-testing program leader at Consumer Reports. “But it’s probably a good idea to stay away from the most inexpensive brands at most retailers without checking our ratings first.”

read more at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/are-expensive-trendy-paint-brands-really-worth-it/2017/10/30/f314f592-b2b5-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Remodeling – Small items that will impact your final costs

tile

Tiles
Choosing several different tiles for your floors and walls can really add to the cost of your bathroom, especially if you’ve opted for unusually shaped or intricately patterned tiles. The tiler will need to spend more time getting the pattern and positioning right, and instead of charging you by the metre, they will charge you an hourly rate to lay the tiles, which quickly adds up. There is also the potential for wastage as some tiles may need to be cut to fit the space. Multiply this by several bathrooms and the cost can soon blow out.

Tip: If you love a patterned tile, choose a simple shape, which will limit wastage and laying time. Also consider giving this royal treatment to just one bathroom in your home.

Choosing a single tile shape and colour for both walls and floors will give your bathroom a luxurious feel, plus it will reduce wastage and cost. Use the same tile in all the wet areas of your home and you may get a bulk discount, saving you even more.

Tip: Natural stone, ceramic and porcelain are the main tile materials. Ceramic tiles will give you the same look as expensive stone, but are far cheaper to buy and lay.

read more at: https://www.domain.com.au/advice/build-budget-discover-tiles-flooring-paint-can-quickly-add/

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Should you renovate before you sell?

kit

Should you renovate before you sell your home? The definitive answer is … maybe. The truth is, it’s not as black and white as it seems, and it all depends on several factors.

First up, are you considering a renovation because you think it’s going to result in a greater sales price? If so, then you need to do some research and be smart about what you choose to change or add.

Take a look at the houses for sale in your area. Is there something they all have that you don’t have? Are you able to add that element to your property without vastly altering the existing footprint of the house? A good example would be if all the properties in the area have solar panels or an en suite, then you might need to add it so you are on par with the other houses on the market.

read more at: https://www.domain.com.au/advice/should-i-renovate-before-i-sell-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-start-20170707-gx58bl/

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only