Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Chicago Home Renovation: Recreating your Home

If you are one of the residents of Chicago home renovation should never be a problem for you. There are homeowners that are at a loss on what features need to be added or subtracted from their homes. The fact is, not a lot of people have the talent or skills that are necessary in creating a beautiful home. Hence, interior designers, architects and other professionals in the field are better utilized in handling a home improvement. They have the necessary training and experience to give you an excellent job. And if the company they work with happens to have nearly four decades in the field of home renovation, you are really in luck.

Homeowners rarely know that they have more living space in their homes than they realize. The basement for example represents a third to a half of the total living space in a particularA recreation room in the lower level of a Chic...Image via Wikipedia house. If you could renovate it into a living space, you will be utilizing every available space in your house, instead of letting it to become cold and dark. With a Chicago home renovation company, unused or seldom used spaces can quickly become a place for socializing or relaxation. It could be a place where the whole family could get together, instead of something that is feared and avoided.

Various amenities that you never thought possible could be added into your interior such as family room, entertainment or media room. You could also have a home theater where you could enjoy your favorite films or a game room where the entire family can enjoy. You will participate in the selection of the colors, built ins and finishes that will be incorporated in the design so your personal touch on the finished project would not be absent. With such services available in Chicago home renovation would always be an assurance of quality and workmanship.

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Friday, September 24, 2010

What to Look for in a Chicago Home Remodeling Package

Chicago home remodeling can be a discouraging task. Aside from the financial stress, you need to consider a lot of factors just to get the work done. If you want to reduce your worries, ask for the assistance of contractors to help you handle the work. Here are the things you must consider before going to any of them and awarding your most important project.


Qualified Personnel

The qualifications of the contractor should be your primary consideration. Check if they have qualified architects, designers and workers. It is impossible to achieve your dream house if you transact with unskilled people.
Dream House (game show)Image via Wikipedia

Availability of Financing Schemes


Renovation is a costly project. Since many homeowners cannot afford to pay in cash, home renovation loan is the option for those who want to commence the construction but are short on budget. When choosing your contractor, ask if they offer financial schemes. Many of the contractors have linkage with lenders to financially assist you. Just check on the interest rate to find the lowest possible deal.


Guarantee

The best package comes with a longer guarantee. Ask for the duration of the warranty before you close the deal with the contractor. It is a waste of resources if you cannot get an assurance for the quality of their work and the materials they use. You can also check the feedbacks of previous clients to get an idea of the company’s performance.


Assistance for Paperwork

When getting a renovation, you need to deal with a lot of paperwork. These things can add up to your worries. If you do not want to bother yourself about obtaining necessary permits and process all requests from your local authorities, be sure that this will be handled by your contractor.


These are just few of the criteria that you should look for from a Chicago home remodeling package. You may add more conditions depending on your personal requirements.
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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Top Ideas for Chicago Home Improvement

Chicago home improvement is not easy but it is necessary. Many remodeling services provide great ideas for improving the appearance and functionality of your residential space. Here are some top ideas.

Kitchen Renovation

Your kitchen, the so-called “heart of your home”, is the center of most activities involving food – from preparing and cooking to storing. It should not only be beautiful and stylish, it should also be functional and ergonomically designed. It need not be equipped with the most modern and most expensive appliances in order to appear sophisticated. You can try renovating the kitchen of your home to achieve a revolutionized feel to the whole house and affect the way you live.
3D visualization of Bathroom created by FMD 3D...Image via Wikipedia
Bathroom Remodeling

Changing the layout of your bathroom could spell the difference between a bathroom that is cramped up and stressful to a source of relaxation and beauty in your home. To achieve the desired architectural and interior design of your bathroom, you can change plumbing fixtures such as bathtub, shower, toilet and sink, wall and floor tile and hardware to a different shape, color and finish. Choose materials that are impervious to water and are easy to clean. Minimize chances of electric shock by installing appliances as fixtures instead of putting up wall sockets. You can also try making your bathroom bigger by finding some space in the adjoining area. Similarly, you can reduce the size of an impersonally large bathroom to a cozier one.

Basement Modernization

The basement refers to any room which is either partially or completely located below the ground. These spaces are utilized for items like the furnace, water heater, breaker panel, air-conditioning system, or fuse box. Environmentalists say that most exposures to naturally occurring radioactive materials and pollutants occur in old and neglected basements. Cracks on the floors and walls can cause leakage of toxic but odorless fumes. Aside from safety, the basement should also be on top of your list for Chicago home improvement because in this day and age of industrialization, no one
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Friday, September 17, 2010

Essential Questions to Ask Your Chicago Home Builder

BIRKENHEAD, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 05:  Cam...Image by Getty Images via @daylifeBuilding your dream home can be very tricky. If you want to build a home that will serve as your sanctuary and refuge, you will need a skilled Chicago home builder who can make all your dreams come true. A home builder who has proven his worth in the home building industry can lay out the foundations of your dream home without burning holes down your pockets.

Here are three questions that can help you find the best home builder in your city.

How long have you been a home builder?

This question can help you assess the working experience of your preferred home builders. Those who accept and complete numerous projects per year are those who are skilled enough in building custom homes that will satisfy their clients. The number of projects they complete each year can also serve as a proof of their competence in the industry of constructing custom homes.

Do you have a portfolio or website?

Reputable builders who are good at their jobs take pride in the projects they were able to complete. A builder who readily shares pictures of his old projects shows a man who is confident in his line of work. It also signifies his eagerness to give his clients adequate information about the homes he was able to build in the past.

Can you help with exterior and interior home decorating?

Assess whether your preferred builder is perfect for the job by asking him about his knowledge about interior and exterior home designs. Although this is not exactly his profession, he must be competent enough to help you with your home’s overall aesthetics. If he does not have enough knowledge about these things, he must at least recommend a professional home designer who can manage your home’s interiors and exteriors.

Can I contact your past clients?

The best way to learn more about the skills of a builder is to inquire his old clients about his services. Feedback from their past customers will give you an objective view of the builder as well as the projects he was able to complete.

Once you have asked these questions to your preferred home builders, you can easily find a Chicago home builder who can make your dream home a tangible reality.
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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Chicago Basement Remodeling

A modern painter and decorator.Image via WikipediaA Chicago home owner who wants to remodel their basement is obviously in need of more useful space and added functionality inside their home. It is most often said that a properly designed basement is best integrated with a well designed home, enhancing the space and living environment. A Chicago basement remodeling company will help you decide on the kind of basement that is fit for your home as there are practically a million ways to design and configure the living space that you so desire.

Any Chicago home owner will benefit from the services of a professional remodeling company. It should consist of a team of professionals with extensive experience in the home remodeling industry. This will ensure a properly laid out remodeling plan professionally integrated into your home and budget. Remodeling jobs can be quite expensive as the cost of materials has increased over the past year and it would be best to make the most out of the intended endeavor. Basement remodeling is best left to a team of dedicated architects, engineers and designers that will both preserve the beauty and integrity of your house.

There is no shortage of remodeling services for the meticulous Chicago home owner. When looking to avail the services of a Chicago basement remodeling company, it would be best to personally visit the showroom and browse through the portfolios of past and present clientele. Referrals from friends should also be considered as this would give you an idea of the capabilities and creativity of the chosen company. The best remodeling company will offer a more personalized approach towards any construction job and offers a complete line of services from design to actual construction. This will let you choose the materials to be used and how the new space could blend with the overall theme of your home.
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Value and Comfort, Why a Kitchen Remodel is Just What You Need


One of the hardest things to find when buying a new home is the perfect kitchen. A kitchen is a very personal thing for many people. Each of us has our own idea of what the perfect kitchen layout is. If you love your home but can no longer stand the design of the kitchen, a Chicago kitchen remodeling may be just what you need.

A kitchen remodel can offer you many things. The most important thing a kitchen remodel offers you is the ability to design your perfect kitchen. If you currently lack counter or cupboard space, hiring a team to revamp your kitchen gives you the ability to make the changes necessary to give you the space you need. The next time you happen to be making dinner and playing Emeril, take a minute to think about how much easier it would be if you had the perfect setup. A kitchen remodeling project can make that dream a reality.

The other major benefit of a kitchen remodel is the value it can add to your home. Kitchen remodels can be expensive, but they are also one of the biggest value adders to a home. As you know by now, everyone loves a great kitchen. Generally speaking, the more open your kitchen is, the more value you will add.

If you have been considering a kitchen upgrade, let the designers at LaMantia.com show you what they can do. Your Chicago kitchen remodeling project is one of the best ways to add value to your home, and make creating delicious meals easier. We know how important both of those things are to your comfort, and we would be honored to help give them to you.

Friday, September 10, 2010

When Your Family Gets Bigger, a Home Addition is the Solution to Your Problems


As the size of your family grows, you often are left with choosing between buying a new home or adding an addition. A Chicago home addition is nearly always the more cost effective route.

If you have grown to love your home, it can be difficult to move. The memories held in your home are important to you, but when you have run out of space, many people feel like they have no choice but to move into a larger home. The truth is that nearly any home can have an addition built on to it. Instead of spending a boatload of money on purchasing a new home, you may be able to keep all of your memories intact, and get the additional space that you need.

When building an addition to your home it is important to have a reputable and professional staff working on the construction. At LaMantia.com we employ a team of designers with a great deal of experience and expertise. Adding a room or two to your home often means taking down a few of the current walls. To make sure that no damage occurs to your home, experienced designers and builders are necessary. Our firm specializes in making your home bigger and better than you have ever dreamt of.

If you are looking to expand your current house, let our professional staff help you with your Chicago home addition needs.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Stop Using Your Basement for Storage and Start Using it for Living




A basement is a great place for a family or recreation room. Unfortunately, many homeowners never take advantage of all the space their basement could provide. If you are tired of your basement being nothing more than a storage room, you may be ready to take on a Chicago basement remodeling project. Finishing or remodeling your basement can sometimes literally double the living space in your home. If you have an unused basement right beneath your feet, here a few great things you can do to maximize your living space, without having to build an addition to your home.

One great way to take advantage of your basement space is to section it off into rooms. If your kids are currently sharing rooms, a great way to give them more space is to create bedrooms out of your current basement space. Remodeling your basement can provide you with the extra room you need without having to buy a new house.

Another possibility for your basement is to turn it into a recreation area. Finish it off, put a television, the video games and pool table down there and you have a room that can keep you and your friends entertained without having to clutter your upstairs. A basement rec. room is a great way to have a room dedicated only for play.

If you have been thinking of starting a Chicago basement remodeling project, visit us at LaMantia.com to see how our team of professional builders can help. We excel at helping you come up with great ideas and designs to improve upon the space you have available.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Add Value and Comfort to Your Home with a Bathroom Remodel



A homes bathroom says an awful lot about the owner. Bathrooms are a unique room, in the fact that they are often the most private room in the house and at the same time a room that all of your guests see at some point. Your bathroom needs to provide you with comfort and pride, and there is no better way to accomplish that than with a Chicago bathroom remodeling.

Unless you live in a new house, it is likely that your bathroom has fallen out of style over the years. One of the biggest things people living in older homes want is a larger bathroom. In most homes, the bathrooms are small and cramped. Instead of your bathroom being a place to soak in the tub and ease the day’s stress away, you find yourself bumping into something every time you turn around. Remodeling your bathroom to give you more open space can be a great way to turn your bathroom into a room built for relaxation.

The other part of the bathroom equation is when you have guests over. Keeping your bathroom clean simply is not enough. Even if everything sparkles from floor to ceiling, an outdated bathroom can leave your guests feeling dirty. Using someone else’s bathroom is always a bit awkward for all of us, updating your bathroom to a more modern look can help to put your guests at ease when they venture in for that inevitable bathroom break.

If your bathroom is ready for an update, visit us at LaMantia.com and let us show you how we can help you with your Chicago bathroom remodeling needs. A bathroom remodel can substantially increase the value of home and give you a room to relax in. Let our professionals handle your remodel, and let the stress float away in your new bathroom.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Avoiding the Stress of a Home Remodel



Making changes to your home can be a laboring endeavor. Between the costs involved and the construction that will interrupt your life having, a Chicago home remodeling project completed can be a stressful time. By preparing yourself, you can ensure that your remodel goes smoothly and provides as little inconvenience to you as possible. Here are a few tips on how to make your time remodeling pain free and enjoyable.

1. Know what you are getting yourself into – Before hiring anyone, have a plan of what you want to accomplish with the remodel. Knowing what your goals are before consulting with a potential construction team, will help you keep your costs low and make sure your vision stays on point.

2. Do your homework – There is nothing worse than getting ready to have the home of your dreams and finding out that the company you have working on your home was less than honest with you. Make sure to check referrals before deciding on a home remodeling firm. Referrals are a great way to find out if past construction jobs were completed in a timely manner, as well as with accuracy and quality.

3. Finally, make sure that you are comfortable with the company you hire. Home remodeling is a big project, and something that can enhance the value and comfort of your home. During the process, you will likely experience some anxiety. Feeling comfortable with the people you put in charge of giving your home a makeover will help put you at ease.

If you are thinking about a Chicago home remodeling project, keep the above in mind and your time under construction will be free sailing and enjoyable.