It’s the new year and a great time to make the dream of updating your home a reality — but how can you ensure a successful project?
The expert team at The Board Store Home Improvements, voted La Crosse’s No. 1 home remodeler, provided an insider’s view of what homeowners should know before they begin.
How long do you plan to live in your house?
Many important decisions will depend on whether you want to sell your home within the next two years or plan to remain there.
“If you’re going to sell the house in a year or two, go with what’s most popular now,” said designer Anna Krause. “But if it’s more than two years, don’t try to guess what the next person is going to want — you’ll probably guess wrong — so do what you really want.”
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If you intend to stay in your home and age in place, consider what your future needs will be, like a walk-in shower and grab bars, which now have a modern look and come in a choice of beautiful designs.
Your budget — and how to stay within it
Be sure your budget is proportionate to the value of your home. Some guidelines suggest a range between 5% and 15%, depending on how long you plan to remain there.
To stick to your budget, it’s also important to understand your priorities.
“What are your needs and what are your wishes? When it comes to a budget, you may have to start knocking things off for reality’s sake,” said designer Kami Evans. “So what are the things you just love but are not necessary?”
Design decisions — trends and inspiration
From the overall style to cabinets and countertops to tiny details like the color of grout — there are many decisions to be made and The Board Store’s experienced design team is there to help. These tips can make the process easier.
“Before you meet with the designer, it’s good to have some inspiration to work from, maybe something you’ve seen online,” said designer Ashlynn Senn.
As for trends, designer Brandy Nohrenberg observed that in the Midwest the newest trend is no trend at all — it’s timeless design.
“Woods are coming back, real wood, because they make our homes warm and inviting,” she said.
At The Board Store Home Improvement’s 15,000-square-foot showroom, you can see, touch and experience their enormous selection of colors, textures, materials, appliances and accessories that include the newest, high-tech innovations.
Selecting your contractor
Ask questions. Is the contractor licensed and insured? Do they have a brick and mortar location? Are they paying attention to your needs or pushing their own ideas? Are the people doing the electrical and plumbing licensed?
“Just because a company says they have a licensed plumber on staff does not mean they are always the ones doing the work — ask if that plumber actually comes to the job site,” said Evans. “Some companies will just have their carpenters do all the plumbing, but they can say they have a licensed plumber.”
At The Board Store Home Improvements, that work on your home is done by their own experienced full-time staff of carpenters, licensed plumbers and licensed electricians.
When comparing multiple quotes from different contractors, don’t get caught up in all of the promotions and discounts offered. Compare the bottom line cost of the contract and details of work to be completed.
“If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said Krause.
The Board Store Home Improvements prides itself on delivering exceptional customer service, which is why they earn consistent ratings on the GuildQuality’s list of top 100 contractors nationwide.
Whether you’re looking to add a sunroom, update your bathroom or remodel your kitchen, The Board Store Home Improvements can help you achieve your winter goals.
For more information, visit theboardstoreonline.com.
This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact [email protected].
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