Spring is quickly blooming and the boredom of winter is coming to an end. You’ve been trapped in the house all winter thinking about all the home improvement projects you could be doing if it were warm. On that first warm sunny day, check out this list and break out of the winter blues.

1. Check out the roof – The winter can be harsh on your roofing materials including the gutters, flashing, vents and chimney. You should inspect all of these for some kind of damage that can lead to damage of the internal structure of your home.

2. Inspect your Windows – Windows tend to be overlooked, but they are important for the beauty and integrity of your home. The freezing and thawing through the winter could damage the window in even minor ways. Start by checking your windows for proper caulking and any cracks or improper operation. You may also want to check for mold and mildew that may being to grow as a result of failing weather proofing.

3. Replace Windows – You may be surprised that your windows need an upgrade. Don’t skimp here. A less efficient window could cost you more in the long run. Keep your home cool in the summer by swapping out older windows with new low-e coated and UV coated windows, and double or triple pane versions.

4. Examine the Siding – Vinyl siding can crack with the temperature fluctuations in some areas. Check for cracking on your siding. For the many other types of siding check for pealing or cracking paint and touch up as needed.

5. Check your Foundation – Ground can shift and settle during the winter and become saturated as the snow melts, causing the soil to sink further and hang on to excess water. Check the foundation around your home and the direction of water runoff. Ensure that water can still plane away from your home and that it’s not pooling near your foundation.

6. Check your Ceiling – Look for water spots in remote areas of the house such as in closets. Sometimes ice dams on the roof at the gutter line can cause water to back up and seep into your attic. If you find water damage, look for the source and correct the issue then repair the damage structure and ceiling.

Your attic is the barrier between you and the outside world, protecting you, your loved ones, and your investments. Work with a local contractor if you are thinking of home improvements in your attic. He or she can help you decide to install a radiant barrier. This is a type of foil insulation that is used in conjunction with typical insulation and blocks over 90% of heat that can be lost through your attic. These small projects can keep you happily busy while providing some loving care to your most treasured place.

Whether you want a simple design or custom Virginia Home Improvement, we work closely with you to stick to your dream designs. Consult with a contractor today to talk about your next remodel – from windows to a newly remodeling Washington DC Basement. Paragon Remodeling – 8000 Towers Crescent Drive – Vienna VA 22182

There is something special about your home. It is you, and it is your family. If your family is growing out of your home you could consider moving to a larger home, but then all those memories in that house will be missed. Consider a cheaper and happier option like a home addition. The extra room(s) can add just what you need to make your home completely yours and give a little extra elbow room.

Home improvement and home additions are intensive jobs. In the end you can certainly be much happier with your home. There are many things that you can do, where you can have control, when someone else is working on your treasured home. Here are a few tips for planning your home addition or large scale home improvement project:

1. Don’t skimp on the General Contractor – You get what you pay for. How many times have you heard this line? It’s because the saying is true. Find a good reputable contractor in your area, and don’t be shy about interviewing and getting estimates from multiple contractors. You want to know how they are going to work and see their portfolio or before and after photos of previous work.

If something goes wrong during the build, or code isn’t followed, you’re the one that is responsible and you have to answer to city officials. Not to mention the amount of time and money that’s involved in correcting a permanent build out that was done wrong. Simplify the process by interviewing contractors, asking the right questions, checking referrals and experience, etc.

2. Start with Your Budget – Figure out what amount of money will be the maximum that you would be willing to spend on your project. Discuss with your spouse or financial planner how you plan to have the funds available, and be sure to secure a pre-approval is you will be using a bank for financing. Knowing what you have to work with will make it easier for you and the contractors that you are interviewing.

Plan first and consider all the angles and aspects of your project. Determine how much money you have to start with and try to calculate the total cost of the project. Add around 10% more than the estimated cost of labor and materials so you have some room for change orders and issues that might come up. Home additions definitely require a budget because you’re opening up your home. You don’t want to get half way through and run over-budget when there’s a gaping hole in the side of your home or in the roof.

3. Get Advice – There is a wealth of advice available on the web. Likewise, consider taking the time to get a professional opinion from licensed contractors, from friends and family that have done remodeling before, etc. Anyone that has had their hands in a home addition project can be a source of great information to let you know what worked, what didn’t work, and how to proceed from the starting point with your home improvement.

Paragon Remodeling specializes in providing you with Home Additions Virginia that are safe and built to last. For any project – from windows to Basement Remodeling Washington DC – hire the contractors dedicated to delivering quality. Paragon Remodeling – 8000 Towers Crescent Drive – Vienna VA 22182

Tis the season to jump on board for a home remodeling project. Like many homeowners you might be looking for a way to improve the overall living space within your home. One of the best choices is to go with home additions. While it’s the most effective way to improve your overall square footage, the cost of a home addition averages out at around $10k. That number can turn off some homeowners but with a little forethought and some planning you can find ways to reduce your spend. Here are some tips to reduce the cost of building out home additions:

1. Skip the Architect – Go right to the general contractor and skip working with a specialized designer or an architect. You can save a lot of money on the front end when it comes to simple additions like a workshop, bedroom or family room. One room additions are easy and your general contractor should be skilled enough to handle the job. On complex jobs however, like adding another level to your home, it safer to work with an architect.

2. It’s Demo Time – Complete the demo yourself to save a lot of time and dough. Generally speaking, knocking down walls and cleanup is a pretty simple task that requires little more than time and some careful planning. If you’re willing to get dirty and sweat a little then there’s no need to pay for it. Inspect the demo space so that you know the location of electrical and plumbing as well as load bearing walls. Seal off the rest of your home to prevent dust and debris from traveling and start swinging that hammer.

3. Be Your Own General Contractor – If you’re willing to manage all the aspects of the project then you can act as the general contractor to handle and coordinate all the sub-contractors. This eliminates the fee of the general contractor but make sure you’re savvy enough to inspect the work of the contractors and you’ve got contacts within the industry. Remember that general contractors typically get discounts on supplies and network with some of the best local contractors. There is a benefit to using a professional

4. Leverage Your Skills – It doesn’t matter how complex a construction project is, there are always simple projects you can do with minimal skill – or no skill at all – that can save you money on the final cost. Leverage skills you have to save money by doing things like sanding, clean up, painting, insulation installation, hanging doors, installing the trim molding, etc.

5. Use Cheaper Materials – It might be nice to have it, but not every home needs to have the most expensive materials. Price does not always equal quality. A laminate floor can look and perform as well as some expensive wood floors and you can get it for a 1/4 of the price. Likewise, save money on things like cabinets by purchasing from places like Ikea instead of having custom cabinets made. Think about all the places in your home addition where you can save money by using cheaper materials.

Now you can get the Home Additions Maryland of your dreams with plans following your designs closely. Paragon Remodeling will provide you with Contractors Northern Virginia ready to get your project moving, be it a new home addition or a sunroom in Washington DC. Paragon Remodeling – 8000 Towers Crescent Drive – Vienna VA 22182

The number of homeowners that want to improve their living space during the spring season is staggering, especially such considering the cost of the average home addition; most homeowners spend $10k on average when they’re updating their home. While that’s a small price to pay for more comfortable living and a lot more square footage, the downside here is that you wind up paying more for heating and cooling with that added space. Here are some tips to help you reduce your HVAC costs once the addition is in place.

1. The easiest thing to change are your current habits when it comes to cooling your home. If you rely mostly on your AC, and you’re a windows-shut-AC-n-70 kind of person then it’s time to call it quits. That’s a great way to double your electric bill in the summer months. Shut the AC off and open your windows. It’s a beautiful day outside.

2. Put a few ceiling fans in your home in strategic locations where they can help circulate the air. The best places in most homes, depending on the layout, is in either the kitchen or the living room. If you can afford it you should do both, just remember to shut the fans down on low or turn them off when you leave the room for extended periods.

3. If you’re still fighting with comfort in your home then support the ceiling fans and AC unit in your home with pedestal fans or box fans that can sit on the floor. Fans placed in doorways throughout the home can help to circulate the cooler air near the floor and push cool air up while cycling warmer air down, overall giving your room a much cooler feel by several degrees.

Having your fans in the windows can strategically move the air to create that wind tunnel effect, with some fans pulling in while others are pulling out. For homes that seem to get warmer than usual, pointing the fans out can help eject the warm air from home as it’s heated by the sun.

4. Close of Rooms that aren’t being used. If you’ve got a lot of rooms that don’t get heavy traffic, like upstairs bedrooms and the bathroom(s) then shut the doors. If you close vents in those rooms, your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the rest of the home. If you’re cooling your home with fans then this limits the amount of space the moving air has to cover in order to circulate.

5. Depending on the layout of your home, some of your windows are likely to have a lot of exposure to afternoon and evening sun which can dramatically heat a room up hotter than the rest of the house. If this is the case for you, then install some black out curtains in these rooms to reduce light levels and act as a radiant barrier for that section of your home. You’ll see a dramatic change of several degrees when you’re able to completely block the light within a room.

Now you can get the Home Additions Washington DC of your dreams with plans following your designs closely. Paragon Remodeling will provide you with a skilled contractor ready to get your project moving, be it a new home addition or a Sunroom Washington DC. Paragon Remodeling – 8000 Towers Crescent Drive – Vienna VA 22182