Elders and the Strange Gravitational Effect of Final Mystery

Please follow the link above and read! What a great post! I wish I could express myself so well.

We are Certified Aging in Place Specialist and would love to help you or your parents too.

“Aging in Place” adjustments include both small and large modifications to your home. Small alterations include installing lighting in your closets or a pull-out spray faucet in your kitchen. Larger projects include installing lowered windows or non-slip flooring in various parts of your home.

Preparing for your Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Potomac remodeling project

Preparing For Your Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase Remodeling Project

Having the right budget for your remodeling project is important. Unfortunately many people rely on the he said she said approach. There is a better source. According to the Remodeling 2011–12 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), following is the link to the pricing data for Washington, DC Metro area, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac and Rockville

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2011/costvsvalue/division/south-atlantic/city/washington–dc.aspx

What the numbers mean.

Although the costs used in the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report are based on itemized estimates (see “Methodology”), the projects are imaginary. When comparing the data in this report to actual remodeling costs in a particular geographic area, small differences in the size or scope of a project, or in the quality of finishes and accessories the homeowner chooses, can dramatically affect the price. Although the distinction the Report makes between “midrange” and “upscale” projects provides a range of pricing, it cannot account for extreme variations in pricing that many markets have experienced in recent years. Some of this variation is due to the effects of the deep recession and the continued slow recovery. High unemployment among construction workers has glutted the market and available labor far outstrips demand. Material costs, on the other hand, have not retreated and in some cases have dramatically increased. The result is a volatile business climate exhibiting unpredictable pricing within markets and between one market and another.

Smaller Projects

Another factor to keep in mind when comparing costs in the Cost vs. Value Report to local costs for specific projects is that homeowners continue to scale back their remodeling plans, choosing either to reduce square footage below that specified here, or to perform the work in phases to spread the cost over time. Also, homeowners continue to be conservative when choosing fixtures and finishes. They continue to trade the savings on lower-priced items for the ability to afford higher-priced items they deem more essential or more desirable.

Subjective Value

The “value” of a project at resale is always subject to forces that are difficult to predict. Changing how a space is used may meet the immediate needs of the current homeowner but may be at odds with what prospective buyers are looking for. Converting a small bedroom into a grand master bath, for example, may be perceived as the loss of a bedroom rather than the gain of a bathroom. Similarly, adding square footage may solve immediate space needs, but it also adds to maintenance costs and it increases heating and cooling bills, something that may not be welcomed in this era of heightened energy awareness.

How the value of a remodeling project is perceived also depends on a variety of factors that traditionally affect home values, including the condition of the rest of the house, the value of similar homes nearby, and the rate at which property values in the surrounding area are fluctuating. Comparable values are still difficult to judge due to the persistent presence of foreclosed properties and short sales. Until potential buyers are convinced that housing prices have hit bottom, they will not experience any sense of urgency, further contributing to the downward pressure on house prices.

The Cost vs. Value Report provides an accurate snapshot of the national housing market but it cannot be applied accurately to an individual remodeling project for a particular address. Resale value is one factor among many that a homeowner must take into account when making the decision to remodel. At the local level, the best course of action is to obtain construction cost estimates from reputable local remodelers and to talk with an experienced Realtor about home prices in the neighborhood.

Very High and Very Low Values

A number of cities in this year’s Report show cost recouped averages that are above 100% for some remodeling projects. This indicates that, on average, those projects are worth more in resale value than the owner spent to construct them.

This may seem impossible, particularly to homeowners in areas where property values are stalled or still dropping, and it certainly is the exception to the rule. When it does occur, however, it is usually tied to a particularly hot real estate market or to specific projects that are either in high demand from buyers or make a big difference in how buyers perceive a property. If a remodeling project helps a house to meet buyers’ expectations — adding a deck to the only house in the neighborhood without one, for example, or adding a second bathroom in an area where every other home already has two — the homeowner can expect a good return either in the form of a higher selling price or a quick sale or both (assuming everything else about the house is up to standard).

Projects that have been losing resale value in recent years are typically victims of the economic slump, as has been the case with many higher-cost, “upscale” projects. A low ranking may also reflect lack of demand, but this can be misleading at the local level. A backup generator, which historically is near the bottom of the rankings in resale value, may have much more appeal — and higher value to a buyer — in areas where damaging storms are common, or where the local power utility is prone to service interruptions. Similarly, a particular type of project, such as a home office remodel, may appeal to buyers who intend to telecommute or run a home-based business but will have little value to other buyers who would prefer to have an extra bedroom or an exercise room.

Preparing For Your Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase Remodeling Project

Here is the link again:

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2011/costvsvalue/division/south-atlantic/city/washington–dc.aspx

Custom Design and Remodeling, Finished basement with Home Theater, Wet Bar, New Master bathroom and Exercise room, Lighting, Pool Table, Foyer, Play room

We are proud to be #1 Top Rated General Contractors in Greenbelt. Check the link below!!

<a href=”http://www.thumbtack.com/md/greenbelt/general-contractors/#sort=rating&hilite=TYR70vuskfSFgA“>General Contractors – Greenbelt, MD</a>

Please call or email us, we would love to be of service to you:

202-684-7979

info@aadesignbuild.com

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 6,900 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Interior Decor in the New Year: How To Start Fresh

Well, 2012 is finally here, and we’re ready to give our home decor a facelift. Here are some easy ways to change the look of your home and start fresh, helping you keep your new year’s resolutions and make 2012 a great year:

1. Integrate Color

The easiest way to drastically change the look of a room? Pick up a paintbrush and get to it. There are plenty of changes expected for the interior design world in 2012, including a shift from a dull color palette to vibrancy and show. If your new year’s resolution is to be more optimistic, it couldn’t hurt to integrate bright colors into your home. Bright colors are especially wonderful in bathrooms or around bathroom vanities. Don’t be scared to experiment with bold yellow, raspberry, and coral tones. Paint isn’t permanent–if you don’t like it, just change it.

2. Out With the Old

If you want to start fresh, some spring-cleaning might be in order. Go through your house plan and get rid of all your old junk, from unused or chipped coffee mugs to paintings and prints you just don’t like anymore. Many homes cram their houses with stuff they don’t need or superfluous furniture. A clean and clear home is much more relaxing and tranquil. If your new year’s resolution is to minimize your stress, this could be the perfect solution.

3. Execute the “Maybe’s”

We all say, “Maybe I’ll clear out that room and make a little gym” or “Maybe I’ll clean the garage.” Stop stalling and take action! If your new year’s resolution is to lose 5 pounds, make the gym you’ve always wanted in the garage, bringing in rowing machines, Pilates machines, free weights, kettle bells, and an old TV to play work out videos.

Who knows? Simply changing your interior decor up may help you keep those New Year’s resolutions.

Lisa is a writer on the subjects of storage, eco-friendly living, and interior design for both Boston and Austin homes for sale.

For those of you that have been considering an update for your home but aren’t sure which areas will give you the best return, here’s an idea: start with the kitchen. Some of the highest recoups are occurring in Washington DC kitchen remodeling.

In a 2009/10 survey conducted by Remodeling magazine, results showed that a major kitchen remodeling project in Washington DC would repay between 64% and 74% of the total investment. That’s higher than a garage or deck addition and even slightly more than a bathroom remodel.

As for the Washington DC area, where returns for kitchen remodeling are higher than the national average, the major differences came down to the complexity and scale of the project.

Typically, homeowners elect for midrange or upscale jobs coordinated through an experienced kitchen remodeling contractor. Here’s how these jobs compare for Washington DC kitchen remodeling:

 Midrange Major Kitchen Remodel [Cost – $53,900; Return – 74.6%]

Includes: updated layout with semi-custom wood cabinets, 3’ x 5’ island, laminate countertops, standard double-tub stainless-steel sink, energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, custom lighting, resilient flooring, painted walls, trim and ceiling.

• Upscale Major Kitchen Remodel [Cost – $107,430; Return – 64.9%]

Includes: custom cherry cabinets with built-in sliding shelves and interior accessories, stone countertops with imported ceramic or glass tile backsplash, built-in refrigerator, cooktop, commercial grade range and vent hood, built-in warming drawer, trash compactor, built-in combination microwave and convection oven, high-end undermount sink with designer faucets and built-in water filtration system, general and task lighting including low-voltage under-cabinet lighting, cork flooring, and cherry trim.

As you can see, the cost for upscale Washington DC kitchen remodeling is nearly twice as much as that of a midrange project, when comparing major kitchen remodeling. Of course, the number of features and quality of materials vary greatly.

If you’re not in the market for either of these categories, you might fare better with a project that covers just the basics. A midrange, minor kitchen remodeling job in Washington DC can save you nearly $90K compared to an upscale remodel and offers the highest return of all three.

The cost for midrange minor kitchen remodeling in Washington DC is a more affordable $20,504 with a 77.7% return. Here’s what you can expect to get for your money:

• New cabinetry – Leave cabinet boxes in place but replace fronts with new raised-panel wood doors and drawers
• Energy-efficient wall oven and cooktop
• New laminate countertops – Replace old laminate surfaces
• Mid-priced sink and faucet
• New paint for trim
• New wall covering
• Removal and replacement of resilient flooring

Need help determining which type of project will accommodate your personal taste and budget? Contact a Washington DC kitchen remodeling expert that can assist you with planning and executing a financially savvy renovation program.

The shift to more professional remodeling firms, however, necessitates a change in how homeowners should best select a contractor. Specifically, the old practice of collecting three bids for the work and using the low bid to select a contractor no longer makes much sense.

The three-bid rule appears to work because it assumes everything to be equal except the cost estimates (or bids) from the three competing contractors. In other words, the underlying premise is that the three bidders have assessed and calculated the scope of work, blueprints, and specifications in exactly the same way so that the owner can compare ‘apples-to-apples.’

In reality, however, such assumptions are dangerous and rarely accurate. Every contractor, professional or not, analyzes a project and estimates costs differently. As a result, the three bids are not apples-to-apples comparisons. Some differences are subtle, but their existence means that bid comparison is deceptive regarding costs.

Even if all three contractors based their bids on precisely the same interpretation of the project, the three-bid rule still reduces each remodeler to a number, when the most relevant factors for the owner’s satisfaction are the builder’s skill, experience, personality, record of success, and ability to do the work.

For this reason, an increasing number of the best remodeling companies simply refuse to bid competitively, opting out of such opportunities because they know they will be evaluated only in terms of cost, rather than whether they are the best firm for the job.

Such remodeling contractors prefer a different approach: the negotiated contract. In that scenario, a remodeling firm is selected based on its abilities and its personality fit with the homeowner. Considering how closely contractors interact with homeowners during a typical remodeling project, these criteria are the best predictors of client satisfaction. The negotiated contract also takes the guesswork out of the project’s cost.

In this process, each of two or three contractors receives a budget from the homeowner based on what the homeowner wants to spend, not on what the remodeler thinks the project will cost. Sharing the homeowner’s budget not only removes assumptions and misleading comparisons of cost, but also builds trust and facilitates honest communication about actual costs. If necessary, the builder and homeowner can then negotiate choices and prices in order to match the project’s scope with the client’s budget.

Not only does the negotiated contract process result in a more accurate estimate of cost, it is also far superior to the three-bid rule in matching the personalities of the client and the remodeler during the negotiation process. The process also reveals the best match between a particular project and a contractor’s skills and experience. By first narrowing the field, and then by selecting one remodeling firm based on everything except the cost of the project, a homeowner can better ensure that the project will remain on budget and schedule. Both homeowner and contractor are on track for a finished project that meets or exceeds expectations.

As the remodeling industry continues to evolve into a recognized profession, it is adopting new and more effective methods of conducting that business. The negotiated contract reflects the new age of home remodeling to the benefit of every homeowner.

The Benefits of a Well-Designed Space

When contractors and private homeowners consult architects and designers for a building project, the value of a well-designed space is often overlooked. However, a well-designed space can have a significant impact on the occupants of a home, office building, school, or other public space. As discussed in the report, The Value of Good Design, from the UK Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, numerous statistics show that a well-designed space improves quality of life for all individuals.

1. A well-designed house will have higher real estate value.

Homes with well-designed exteriors and interiors have more appeal on the real estate market and often sell quicker and at higher values. A well-designed home will also make you more likely to have guests over and will provide a space where you can relax and escape from outside stress. Living in a well-designed space also increases one’s own feeling of self-worth, since they are living somewhere that has clear value to them and others.

2. A well-designed offices leads to more productive employees.

Several studies have shown that businesses that invest in high-quality designs for their buildings will see more success in the long run, mainly because the employees enjoy working in an appealing space. Offices can also be designed in such a way as to increase open communication, organization, and functionality.

3. A well-designed hospital or clinic can have an impact on patients’ recovery time.

A study performed by Sheffield University in England found that patients in a newly refurbished ward required less medication and were discharged sooner than patients staying in a ward designed in the 1960s. Another study performed by the University of Nottingham compared various healthcare environments before and after renovation. Improvements such as better views, more space between beds, more lighting, and better seating. The renovations caused patients to have lower heart rates and was perceived as more pleasant by both patients and staff.

4. A well-designed neighborhood has lower crime rates.

Well-designed neighborhoods tend to have increased public support for development, higher levels of rent and regeneration. Such areas can also see increased outdoor public activity, especially in neighborhoods that include an intentional shared space like a park. Features such as street lighting and integrated spaces for pedestrians increase the safety of a neighborhood, thus decreasing the crime rate.

5. A well-designed school improves children’s education.

Various U.S. studies have found that students test scores improve in well-designed buildings (with other socio-economic factors controlled). Classrooms with more natural lighting, more space, and effective integration of information and communication technology has also been reported to improve students’ performance.

Dawn Lovett has worked in engineering for over 20 years. She also owns the site <a href=http://www.onlineengineeringdegrees.org>Online Engineering Degrees</a> for students interested in getting an online degree in engineering.

Custom Design and Remodeling, Master Bathroom, Corner Shower, Corner Tub, Corner Window, Heated Floors, Pendant Lighting, Granite Counter Top, Custom Tile Design, Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Potomac, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Maryland, Washington DC

As energy costs rise and the notion of conservation begins to take hold, people are taking the chance when they remodel their homes to increase their water and energy efficiency.  It may not pay for the entire remodel, but it is certainly a good way to subsidize the expense, help save the environment and increase the value of your home in one swoop.

Bathroom updates are the best way to conserve water in 2012 and beyond.  If your toilet is from before 1994, then it’s probably a water waster.  Update the look of your toilet and reap the benefit of a lower water bill.  A new showerhead is also a very quick, easy, and cost-effective way to save on water usage as well as improve your shower experience.  The difference between a good showerhead and a bad one is pretty significant.

Ceiling fans come in an array of styles, stains, colors, shapes and materials.  They are another relatively easy and inexpensive way to update the look of your home.  Remote controls can replace the dangling pull chains for a sleeker look and no matter how nice of an area fan you buy—it still looks like clutter.  Cut hefty A/C bills in the summer and stave off mustiness with a little circulation instead.

Doors and Windows are the biggest energy wasters in the house.  Warm air escapes in the winter and invades in the summer.  Exorbitant energy bills, even for a 4-bedroom house, are usually the result of a lack of proper barrier between the outside elements and the indoor haven against them. A new front and/or back door can be a great facelift for the façade of your home and this change can increase security and lower energy bills.  Windows are in the same boat with doors, especially if you have several.

Lisa is a writer on subjects of eco-friendly living, Boston storage, the housing market, remodeling trends, and the Red Sox.

Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase bathroom remodeling carries one of the highest returns on investment, so it’s a smart way to add value to your property, get more on resale, and give your home a deserving facelift.

Knowing how to budget for renovations will help you establish priorities for your project and set reasonable expectations. Bathroom remodeling in Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase will cost slightly more than in some other parts of the country, such as the south or Midwest.

According to Remodeling magazine’s 2009/2010 Cost vs. Value Report, the differences between a mid-range and upscale remodel are considerable. For example, Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase bathroom remodeling could look like the following:

• A mid-range remodel costs nearly $15K and will recoup just over 71% of its cost at resale. This type of renovation updates an existing 5-by-7-foot bathroom with all new fixtures, including: porcelain-on-steel tub with ceramic tile surround, temperature and pressure-balanced shower control, standard white toilet, solid-surface vanity counter with integral sink, recessed medicine cabinet with light, ceramic tile floor, and vinyl wallpaper.
• An upscale version will run around $48.5K and is expected to recoup about 64% of that on resale. Upscale renovations include the expansion of the existing bathroom and relocation of all fixtures. Common features include ceramic-tile shower with body-spray fixtures and frameless glass enclosure, customized whirlpool tub, stone countertop with dual sinks, ceramic tile flooring, custom cabinetry and lighting, HVAC system extension, in-floor heating and heated towel bars.

Now, apply this knowledge to your current budget for Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase bathroom remodeling. If you don’t have enough to spend on an upscale project, here are five major areas that you can prioritize for a project that accommodates your situation:

• Construction zone: Compare the cost of a general contractor with doing the project on your own. For bathroom remodeling in Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase this includes the demolition, buying materials, and the time it will take to get permits and oversee the work. If you decide to employ a contractor, be sure to check the company’s experience of successfully delivering similar projects.
• Labor: In the case of Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase bathroom remodeling, changing the layout of the room will cost more money than sticking with the original plan. Switch the plumbing, lights, or other fixtures of the bathroom and you’ll drive up costs. However, by making even small layout adjustments, you can have a better looking and more comfortable bathroom.

If you must move some things, pick and choose which are most important.

• Fixtures: It’s tempting to upgrade all of your fixtures to high-end models, but try to compromise. That must-have spa shower is much more affordable if you go with a lower-end sink or toilet.
• Tiling: There are two costs associated with tiling in bathroom remodeling, especially in Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase: the tile itself and the amount of labor it takes to install it. Consider using expensive tiles as accent pieces, or limit tile to the tub surround and floor. This will give you the look you want, but at a lower overall cost.
• Countertops: The choices in modern-day countertops are enormous, which means there are some exquisite materials at affordable prices, too. If you’re smart about it, you can cover a lot of surface for much less than you would be able to do in a larger area of the home, such as the kitchen.

Bathroom remodeling in the Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase area can be a fun and exciting experience, but you must plan for it financially. Be honest with yourself about how much you can spend, arrange your priorities, and then speak with a knowledgeable, Washington DC contractor that can not only design a beautiful bathroom but orchestrate a successful project.