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Can an Architect Help Your Renovation?
Have you ever wondered what exactly an architect does and how engaging one could help your home renovation? We interviewed Danielle Berwick, of Berwick Architects, on our podcast All Things Renovation to find out more about her role in the renovation process.
What Does Insurance Have to Do With Renovations?
Everyone hates paying for insurance when it's not needed but they're super grateful when something does go wrong. However, most people wouldn't think about insurance when they're going through a renovation. On our podcast, All Things Renovation, we interviewed Sonja Blackburn, a local insurance broker, to find out what you need to consider from an insurance perspective when renovating your house. Here is a summary of what we learned from her.
Lighting Your Kitchen
I have a thing for light fixtures, the more unique and unusual the better. My kitchen style is warm and timeless with traditional roots and we went with repurposed conversation inducing red Edison gramophone horn lights over our dining table. They are a bold statement-type of lighting choice. They provide the lighting we need and I love love love them.
Backsplashes
After discussing countertops for the last two weeks, it's only natural that we move on to the topic of backsplashes today. They originated from the need to have a surface that could be easily cleaned or sterilized in a hospital or public space. The Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 was a tipping point for this. It took another decade before backsplashes were adopted into kitchens.
Kitchens are the Hearts and Souls of our Homes
Kitchens are where ALL the action is. They are where all the parties start and end, where late night chats happen with your teens and where the tantrums of the little ones happen. They are where a family creates traditions, celebrates, and has those laughs that you have where you don’t know why you’re laughing. Kitchens are the hearts and souls of our homes. They are where the love is.
Your Role in Your Renovation
As the client you have certain responsibilities too. So what exactly is YOUR role in your renovation?
A Few Final Questions for Your Contractor
The adage of assumption applies here. Experienced contractors will know things that you don't, and while some things are obvious, others are not. Here are a few final questions for your contractor.
The Anatomy of Hiring a Contractor
Who should you get to do the work? This is the crucial question. You could have an amazing design and an appropriate budget, but still have an awful experience if the contractor you are collaborating with has terrible workmanship, poor communication, or lacks integrity.
Should You Hire a Contractor or Do It Yourself?
A quick google search for DIY fails can provide laughs and social media sharing, but in reality, what you see can be dangerous or destructive and it's clearly not the correct way to repair things. When I looked this up myself, I found everything, from duct tape holding up a toilet tank to a ceiling fan whose blades were installed too close into the corner of a room. So should you go ahead and hire a contractor or do it yourself?
5 Professionals to Hire When Building a Custom Home
Whether you’re building a custom home for retirement or to raise a family, how well you prepare will determine how good your experience is. Creating a dream home is no easy task, and it doesn’t happen overnight. However, it can also be a thoroughly rewarding experience that results in the home you’ve always wanted. Along with having an idea of what you want, it’s essential to assemble the right team to make your dreams come true. This article will discuss the five most important professionals to work with while building your custom home.