 (256) 343-5192 Whether you've been planning your remodel project for quite a while, or disaster has struck and thrust remodeling upon you, people often aren't prepared for what remodeling entails. Jeremy Shaddix from Pate's Painting and Remodeling talks with our project manager, Chip Jancsek, on what people need to know before they begin a remodeling project.
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 You’ve decided it’s time to update your floors. Getting new floors is exciting, and it adds style and value to your home. If you’re a consummate DIY’er, you may decide to install your flooring yourself. Before tackling such an undertaking, there are several things you should know and prepare for.
Start by really examining your décor and think about what style you want to achieve. Take into consideration the size of your space, color scheme, and level of traffic your floors will endure. Once you have an idea about which flooring you want, it's time to measure your floor plan and create your budget. Be sure to get correct measurements and include installation materials and tools in your budget. With your budget in mind and measurements in hand, you’re now ready to purchase your flooring. The next step is preparing your home and family for the project. Any space in which you plan on installing new flooring must be thoroughly cleaned and the furniture removed. If you have no place out of the way to store your furniture, you may need to take your installation room by room, moving furniture out of the space as you go. Some people elect to rent a storage building if they’re anticipating installation to last more than a few days, but this can be costly. When resurfacing the kitchen, you may want to have other meal arrangements for a few days, allowing time for removal of the old floors, installation of the new, and curation if needed. If you’re resurfacing the bathroom, make a schedule with the members of your household, informing them when temporary removal of bathroom fixtures will take place. When installing your own floors, installation waste can be an issue, so be sure to make arrangements for cleanup. You may want to rent a dumpster and check with your local municipality to determine the proper way to dispose of the old flooring. If you’re facing a deadline, be sure to get your flooring in early so it can acclimate for the appropriate amount of time before installation. Plan your installation project carefully, giving your project a large window of time in case of any problems or setbacks. If you’re having to rent tools this can be costly if the installation runs longer then you were expecting, so be sure to include wiggle room in your budget. When installing your flooring yourself, preparation and patience is key. Have your budget and flooring choices in mind and be ready to be flexible in your home as daily living activities will be altered possibly longer than you expected. If your flooring is properly installed, you can enjoy your home’s new look for years to come.   Joey Crews People selling their homes all want to know what they can do to help it sell quickly. Today on the blog, we’ve got some excellent advice from Joey Crews, Listing Specialist with Keller Williams Realty in Anniston. From general maintenance to removing clutter and increasing curb appeal, learn to approach your home with a buyer’s eye so you can give them what they’re looking for.
We all know the importance of first impressions, and it’s no different with your home. Make that first impression count by amping up the curb appeal. Create an inviting front porch with a nice front door, potted plants, one or two pieces of furniture, and a newly stained or painted floor. Keep the lawn cut and free of debris, trim the hedges, and wash the windows. Stage outdoor areas like patios and decks with cute chairs, tables and flowers so that potential buyers can envision themselves utilizing that space. Remember, the outside of your house is the first and last thing people will see. Once the potential buyer has gotten in the front door, it’s just as important to continue that good impression. Your home must be cleaner than it’s ever been yet still strike a balance between clean and “lived in.” You are essentially selling the floors, walls, and ceiling of your home, and they must be in great shape! For wood floors, consider having them refinished if they’re in poor shape, or place rugs strategically to cover any blemishes. If your floors are in good condition, don’t cover them up; showcase them! Polish your tile, grout, and countertops till they shine, and hire a professional carpet cleaning service or have your carpet replaced if needed. Clean and clear floors, surfaces, cupboards, and closets of all unsightly items and clutter. Clearing clutter and keeping a sophisticated, neutral décor are paramount in attracting buyers. You want your home to be remembered for those gorgeous hardwood floors or those amazing light fixtures, not that weird color of purple that’s in the living room. Rich, mid-tone neutrals like khaki and tan with red undertones create a polished backdrop that pulls everything together. Neutrals also make your home move-in ready and will not discourage the buyer who doesn’t want to paint before they move in. Pull your furniture off the walls and arrange it in pairs or around a coffee table so rooms look inviting and conversational. Neutrals are also important for staging your master bedroom. Create a room that is gender-neutral that will appeal to everyone. Remove personal items and rely on clean, crisp linens, tasteful artwork, and a folded blanket at the foot of the bed. Also remember to clean up those closets and leave the doors open. Buyers love to peek inside closets, and closets can be a make-it-or-break-it selling point! Aim to have 20 to 30 percent of open space in each closet. In keeping with a neutral décor, use only perfect personal accents, especially in the bathroom. Bars of soap and towels must be pristine. You can showcase that amazing, white fluffy bathrobe, but not that nubby one you’ve had for ten years. The same goes for the dining room. Make sure your table is clean, and accent it with a simple runner and small vessels down the middle. A large center piece can look too stiff and formal. It's also important to keep children’s rooms and “extra rooms” neat and tidy. Clear away toys and messes so that buyers can see it’s possible to have a neat, organized kids’ room in your home. Stage extra rooms you’ve been using as storage so they don’t look like a dumping ground. Each room should have a clearly-defined purpose, whether it’s a bedroom, office, or playroom. A big factor in selling homes is pet odor. If you have pets, get all rugs steam cleaned and be extra vigilant about vacuuming and washing surfaces. Keep pet toys and doggie bones hidden when house tours are scheduled, and try to conceal that a pet has ever been in your home. Hide food, water bowls, beds, etc. Some buyers will never buy a house that a pet has lived in. Your pets may be family members, but they’re not the buyer’s family members! Lastly, make sure to keep up general maintenance on your home. Clean, repair, or replace all doors and windows. Replace all burned out light bulbs, dust fixtures, and turn off ceiling fans. Touch up chipped wall paint and remove scuffs or discolorations, or repaint your walls with neutral colors. Most importantly, make any heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and built-in appliance repairs so that all systems are in normal operating condition prior to showing. The most important thing to remember (aside from hiring Joey Crews to market your home) is to create a lifestyle people are looking for. Approach your home with a “buyer’s eye.” Would you buy your home if you were the buyer? You want other people to be able to see themselves in your home and imagine the possibilities! You can contact Joey Crews and his team on his Facebook Page or by visiting Calhoun-Homes.com.   Ethan Young Is it necessary to have your carpet professionally cleaned? Think of it this way: if you never washed your clothes they would get very dirty and even ruined. Your carpet is the same way, and it must be professionally cleaned regularly to get the dirt and stains out that vacuuming cannot.
In this post, we're talking with Ethan Young, owner of Quick Dry LLC carpet cleaning company in Weaver, AL. Ethan has some helpful tips for choosing the right cleaning method for your carpet. What cleaning option do you recommend for most homes? The preferred option is hot water extraction cleaning, also called steam cleaning. How does your quick dry hot water extraction cleaning work? Unlike other methods, Quick Dry’s hot water extraction combines steam cleaning and dry cleaning. Dry cleaning focuses on the agitation, and steam cleaning focuses on the heat to clean. We have combined both to get a much deeper clean. The first thing I do is the high-efficiency vacuuming, then I apply a preconditioning cleaner and agitate it in. Next, the carpet is hot water extraction cleaned. This rinses out any solution or residue left in the carpet. Lastly, we groom the carpet and allow it to air dry. This method is the same concept as the washing machine for your clothes. It combines hot water, agitation, and cleaning solution to clean all the way through. How long does it take to dry? Only about three hours How often should you have your carpet professionally cleaned? Most carpet manufacturers recommend that you have your carpet cleaned at least once every six to twelve months. This will likely be a requirement for your warranty. Can you damage your carpet by having it cleaned too often? Yes and no. It can be damaged if the cleaning process is applied incorrectly. For example, if the water was not completely extracted, or too much cleaning solution was applied, this could damage your carpet. When having your carpet cleaned, there are a couple of important points to remember. Your warranty will likely require you to have your carpet cleaned, so keep your receipts from your cleaning company. Also, Quick Dry carpet cleaning is certified by the Institute of Inspections Cleaning and Restorations Certification (IIRC) which sets the standards for cleaning companies. Many carpet cleaning companies are not IICRC certified, so be sure to verify if they are. By following the proper cleaning and maintenance guidelines, you will be sure to extend the beauty and life of your carpet.  Despite the rise in popularity of hard surfaces, many people still love the coziness of carpet in their homes. While flooring trends come and go, carpet is still a favorite. Let's look at some classic and trendy carpet styles.
Before choosing a style, you need to consider the use and abuse your carpet may take. If you have an active family or pets, make sure to get a strong carpet made from a resilient material like Nylon and that is outfitted with pet stain and soil resistance. Carpet with level loop pile is a durable choice that resists crushing and matting because the bristles are uncut loops. Cut pile is the most popular choice and is durable because of the type of fiber used, the density of the tufts, and the amount of twists in the yarn. When people think of carpet, they generally picture a low pile (height of the bristles) carpet that is a classic, neutral color that coordinates with pretty much any décor. Carpet can be a neutral backdrop or a focal point for your space. Beiges, light browns, and even some grays are great neutrals. If your room décor doesn’t have too many textures, you can also choose a neutral colored carpet with mixed colors to help hide stains. For those that want carpet to speak up a little more, colors and patterns are back in style. Subtle hues in earthy greens and blue tints can give your room a pop of color. Textured and patterned carpets speak volumes in large or open rooms and are effective ways of adding style. Patterned carpets can be beautiful focal points for neutral or contemporary décor and are great for hiding stains. Adding a patterned carpet runner to stairs not only provides traction but also elegance and style. When using patterned carpet throughout a room, it's best to choose more neutral colors and simple patterns so the room doesn’t feel busy. Carpet tiles were once relegated to commercial buildings because they are very durable and easy to change out if stained or ruined. But now, they have become a popular choice for the home and can be found in many colors and patterns. Carpet tiles are very good choices for basements or play rooms. It’s easy to get creative with fun looks, and they’re easy to replace if damaged. A popular design choice with carpet tiles is to border the room with hard surface flooring and cover the rest of the floor in carpet. Carpet is still a favorite for comfort in the bedroom. Frieze (or shag) carpet with its high pile fibers provides excellent softness underfoot. Now you can even make your frieze carpet the focal point in your bedroom because you can find this style of carpet with subtle patterns! Keep in mind how your carpet will function in your home, the traffic flow it will endure, and the style you’re looking for. Color is important to your overall décor, but so is pile length and feel. For more information on selecting carpet, visit our website or come by our showroom to talk with a flooring specialist. |
