Remodeling resources
Where to start?
Bathrooms have gained an important status within the household, and instead of just being a functional room they are now as interesting and decorative as the other rooms within a household. To determine where to begin, answering some of the following questions may help.
- Is it a powder room or a full bath?
- Or is it a main bathroom that's used by guests and family, or a private master bath?
- Do you feel that it is dated and showing its age?
- Is your bathroom too small?
- Do you find the arrangement of your current bathroom inconvenient?
- Is the lighting inadequate?
- Does your bathroom lack adequate storage?
The answers to these questions will greatly influence how minimal or extensive your bathroom remodeling will be, and give you some pointers for beginning your bathroom design.
Begin developing your bathroom design
1. Research
Evaluate your space, do some research online and in magazines, to help you develop your new bathroom design. Think about which fixtures you will want, and what style pleases you. Do you want a vintage vanity or something more contemporary? This will lend more clues to your final design. The vanity and your new bathroom flooring may have the most impact on your bath design. Don't be in a hurry, take the time needed to design a bathroom remodel that will be a pleasurable addition to your home for many years.
2. Make a list
Begin your bathroom remodeling plan by making a list of what currently does not please you about your bathroom. Then make a list of features you would like to add and any changes you would like to make in its arrangement when you begin remodeling.
3. Make a budget
Decide how much you can budget for your remodel. It may be possible to do some or all of the remodeling on a do-it-yourself basis. This will depend on your level of skill.
Remodeling a bathroom will increase the dollar value of your home, and this is one home improvement that will be a good investment. Aside from the pleasure your new bathroom will give you, having remodeled your bathroom will both increase your home's value and its selling appeal should you decide to sell.
4. Check permits and buildings codes
You may need electrical, plumbing and building permits depending on the size of your project. Visit our Bloomington Building Codes and Permits page.
Ideas
Shower curtain: Changing your shower curtain is the easiest step in remodeling your bathroom. It can set the new tone and is a jumping off point for further ideas and colors for your bathroom.
Paint: This is another easy way to transform your bathroom. It gives your bathroom a fresh look and is a good stepping stone to further remodeling.
Ventilation: As long as you are updating the aesthetics of your bathroom you should update your ventilation. An updated exhaust fan in your bathroom is important whether you have one of the newer air tight homes or an older home. Having bathroom ventilation will keep your bathroom smelling fresh, will help reduce the damaging effects of moisture, and make it a more healthy environment by reducing the possibility of mold and mildew.
CFM (cubic feet per minute) and RPM (revolutions per minute or speed at which the blades turn) are the two most important things to look for in a fan. You will need to take measurements of your bathroom to calculate CFM requirements. Click here for more information about how to calculate the CFM of a bathroom fan.
Second to RPM and CFM measurement is noise level or decibel rating, followed by the next qualification of vibration. Look for fan noise levels rated in sones or decibels. Check these if the CFM or RPM still leave you undecided about your fan choice.
Tiles: Moldy grout? Tiles dating back to the initial construction of your house? Then you might want to retile. You can retile the floor or shower/tub area. Tiles can cost from $3-30 per square foot. Check out your local home improvement store for tiling classes.
Vanity/Sinks/hardware: Replacing one of these is a simple step in improving the look of your bathroom. It is as easy as going to a store and picking out what you like the most.
Toilet: Your bathroom toilet may or may not need replacing during a bathroom remodel. Toilets are very durable, and usually inexpensive to repair. If you are replacing a bathroom floor and your toilet will have to be temporarily removed, this is an opportune time to replace your toilet.
Most older toilets require more water for flushing. In a household with several people that is a lot of flushes, and a lot of water. Newer toilets don’t use as much water as the old ones.
There are also toilets that are specifically low-flow, and there are dual-flush options. Before making a decision, read reviews on each type to make a comparison.
Basement finishing
Many basements in Bloomington are cold, plain, cement holes with utilities such as furnace, water heater and washer and dryers. These areas have a great potential to expand living, entertainment or work spaces.
Design options
If your basement is unfinished, then you will have a wide open area to work with. Depending on what you would like to do with your basement, the design is totally up to you.
The basement finish design plan displayed here is an example from our Basement Refinishing Information Sheet. It shows the potential of a basement that was originally just an empty square or rectangle. These are just examples and ideas for your basement.
Depending on your project and wants, permits and requirements could be different. These are just a guide and are not intended as a set of requirements. Please consult this Code information and Handouts page for specifics on your project. Because of the technical nature of many of these ideas, you may want to speak to a professional such as a general contractor.
Basement bedrooms
A bedroom in the basement is a great option. The requirements in creating a basement sleeping room are:
- There must be an egress window. An egress is a window that is big enough to be used for escape or rescue should there be a fire or other emergency in your home. For more information on specific size requirements, see our Egress Escape Window Information Sheet.
- All bedrooms must also have a smoke detector. To learn about the requirements, visit our smoke and CO2 detectors page.
- In addition, electrical outlets are required every 12' along walls and 6' from door openings.
Basement bathrooms
A bathroom in the basement is nice if you have entertainment or sleeping areas. It is recommended to keep the bathroom near the utility room to try to conserve plumbing. Using less plumbing pipe also conserves energy by minimizing the distance water must travel.
Requirements include (and please see our Basement Refinishing Information Sheet):
- A bathroom fan unless there is window that can be opened.
- A dedicated GFI circuit in each bathroom.
Family / recreation / entertainment room
The basement is a great spot to include one of these rooms. You may want to finish the cement walls and floors, and include more outlets. But beware of carpet in the basement as some basements are prone to flooding or water damage.
The following topics are things that many people forget or do not fully understand when starting a major remodeling project. After reading about these topics, you should look at our Bloomington permit applications and forms page to see if your project will need any permits.
How to hire a contractor
See our Hiring a Contractor Information Sheet.
Getting bids
Once you have done your homework and feel comfortable working with a few contractors, it is time to get your bids. Below are items to be aware of when getting bids.
- Be as detailed and itemized as possible on your bids. This will ensure that all the work you have envisioned is actually included in the scope of work and price. This will leave no guessing up to the contractor.
- Be sure that each bid is similar. This means that you have to be careful to tell each contractor the same information and don't assume that they "know what you mean."
- Try to get multiple bids for each project whether it is from a general contractor or individual trades people. This will help you make sure you are getting a competitive price for your work.
- Get all estimates in writing.
- Carefully compare bids. The lowest bid may not be the best bid. Make sure that all the details are written out in the bid. Also make sure that the contractor has not added anything to the bid that you did not ask for.
- Do a line item comparison of each bid to make sure that each bid has the same materials and scope of work included in it.
- Ask questions.
Entering into a contract
When entering into a contract, you want to make sure there is as much detailed information in it as possible. Some contractors use a contract form, but you can still make sure that all the information is present. Following are items that should be in all of your remodeling contracts:
- A detailed list of materials with model numbers, styles and colors.
- The names of all subcontractors and material suppliers.
- The contractor is to obtain all required permits. This makes them responsible for all the work, not you.
- Starting and completion dates.
- Payment schedule.
- How often a site supervisor will be on your job site.
- Cleanup. What type of cleanup will the contractor do?
- If there are any changes after the original contract is signed, be sure to get them in writing and have all parties initial them.
- When the job is completed, make sure the Bloomington inspectors approve the final inspections and sign the permit inspection card. Then make sure the contractor gives you lien waivers from themselves as well as all the subcontractors and material suppliers (lumberyards, etc.) who worked on, or provided materials for, your home.
Contractors - the players
Before you can decide to undertake a remodeling project, you should become familiar with the different types of contractors.
- General contractor: This person will act as the project manager. The General is responsible for hiring all the different trades people, scheduling the work, getting building permits and scheduling inspections.
- Subcontractor or specialist contractor: These people are responsible for a very specific portion of the job. It might be the plumber or the floor layer.
- Architect: The Architect designs homes and additions and could help if you are planning major structural changes to your home. (Architects are not required for all residential remodeling jobs.)
- Designer: This person specializes in specific projects such as the kitchen or bathroom.
For more information see the State of Minnesota's
Home calculators
Slim your dollars on household costs. These calculators can show you how much you are spending on those old appliance and what you could be saving on!
Energy audits
- CenterPoint Energy currently provides two tests for homeowners for a fee. Check the website for current pricing.
Furnace
- The Energy Star furnace information is available on the Energy Star website.
HVAC
Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) are systems in your home that contribute to the efficiency of your energy consumption. The type, installation and age of one of these systems affect the efficiency of the system. One of the easiest ways to improve your homes’ efficiency is to update your HVAC system.
Insulation
There are all types of insulation and many places in the home to install insulation. The following link can help you know where to put insulation and what type:
Windows and doors
Other than the symptoms listed in the Window and Door Replacement there is no other self calculator to know how well your windows and doors are working.
You can get a professional to do a Blower Door Test. This test uses a high powered fan to see how much air leakage your house has. For more information about blower door tests, visit the following link.
Insulation is essential in keeping your home dry and warm. It provides resistance to heat flow. The more heat flow resistance your insulation provides, the lower your heating and cooling costs.
Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In the winter, this heat flow moves directly from all heated living spaces to adjacent unheated attics, garages, basements, and even to the outdoors. Heat flow can also move indirectly through interior ceilings, walls, and floors – wherever there is a difference in temperature. During the cooling season, heat flows from the outdoors to the interior of a house.
To maintain comfort, the heat lost in the winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in the summer must be removed by your cooling system. Properly insulating your home will decrease this heat flow by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.
This resistance of the insulation is measured by the R-value.
Where to insulate
Many older homes have less insulation than homes built today. Adding more insulation in attics, walls, or the foundation can reduce energy bills.
- Information from energysavers.gov about adding insulation to an existing home
- Information from energysavers.gov on selecting insulation for a new home
Also visit our home calculators page to see the insulation calculator.
Types of insulation
Source: Department of Energy's Types of Insulation page
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Blanket – batts and rolls
- Where: Unfinished walls, including foundation walls, and floors and ceilings.
- Installation method: Fitted between studs, joists, and beams.
- Price:Depends on size, R-value and installation methods.
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Foam board or rigid foam
- Where: Unfinished walls, including foundation walls; floors and ceilings; unvented low-slope roofs.
- Installation method: Interior applications must be covered with 1/2-inch gypsum board or other building-code approved material for fire safety. Exterior applications must be covered with weatherproof facing.
- Price: Depends on size, R-value and installation methods.
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Loose-fill
- Where: Enclosed existing wall or open new wall cavities; unfinished attic floors; hard-to-reach places.
- Installation method: Blown into place using special equipment; sometimes poured in.
- Price: Depends on size, R-value and installation methods.
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Sprayed foam and foamed-in-place
- Where: Enclosed existing wall or open new wall cavities; unfinished attic floors.
- Installation method: Applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure sprayed (foamed-in-place) product.
- Price: Depends on size, R-value and installation methods.
Simple ideas to transform your kitchen
Sometimes a total remodel is a project you don’t have time for or it is something you simply cannot afford to do. But that doesn’t mean you should live with a kitchen you hate. Here are a few simple things you can do to spice up your kitchen.
- Paint: Easy, can be done in a weekend, most bang for your buck. Talk to your local home improvement store paint specialist in picking a color.
- New appliances: Replacing that olive green refrigerator circa 1973 will not only update your kitchen but increase your energy efficiency. Stainless steel is the most popular look right now as it is sleek and easy to clean. Visit the Energy Star website for information about energy efficient appliances.
- Cabinets: The cleaner, less complicated and simpler, the better. If choosing a wood cabinet, a light colored wood finish with minimum details. Avoid moldings and other elaborate details. Don’t want to replace your cabinets? Changing your cabinet hardware can give them a fresh new look.
- Lighting: Use halogen and track lighting. Overhead fluorescent lighting is a thing of the past. Another useful idea is to install under cabinet lighting. Adding under cabinet lighting can give you extra task lighting. This will make working in your kitchen easier.
- Flooring: Replacing that grungy floor is a relatively simple activity to spruce up your kitchen. These easy flooring types are ones you can investigate for your own kitchen:
- Floating floor – Looks like a traditional wood floor but the installation is easier. A floating floor is not nailed down but glued or snapped into place.
- Cork floor – Installed like a floating floor. Advantages of a cork floor are its cushion and ability to stay warm!
- Vinyl tile floor – Has many colors to choose from, easy to clean and crack resistant. Laying a vinyl tile floor can be finished in a day
Total kitchen remodel
If you’re going to do a total kitchen remodel chances are you might need to get some permits. Visit our Bloomington building codes and permits page to see what you will need for this kind of project.
Visit our Home Improvement Guide for help with hiring a contractor, getting bids and other big project necessities.
Essential elements in your new floor plan
Work triangle: The basic tenets of the work triangle theory are:
- Each leg of the triangle should be between 4 and 9 feet
- The total of all three legs should be between 12 and 26 feet
- No obstructions should block a leg of the work triangle
- Household traffic should not flow through the work triangle.
The diagram above of a work triangle is not limited to U-shaped kitchens. The work triangle can be applied to all styles (L-shaped, , U-shaped, parallel, etc.)
Congregation: If the space allows, incorporate a place for people to congregate. Many kitchens today are designed not only to prepare food, but it is an integral part of the home where friends and family can come together. Think of a space where your kids can do their homework, place a small laptop to do some work, and pay the bills. A good idea is to tear down the wall that separates the kitchen from the family room or dining room.
Plan examples
Designing a new kitchen is a big task and you might want to seek a professional to help you with the design. Before you meet with a professional make a list of all the things you (not what your mom, grandma or contractor) want in your new kitchen.
If you live in a rambler, check out our examples of floor plans for that type of house in our sample remodeling projects page.
Not only can landscaping beautify your yard and increase the value of your property, but proper environmental design can also prevent crime. The basic elements of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) are natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, natural access control, maintenance and avoiding entrapment areas.
To learn more about these features, click on the following link:
The above handout pertains to commercial properties and is not required for residential properties. But the basic ideas are good to implement at the residential level, too, if you can.
Here are some ideas to incorporate in your landscaping project.
Passive solar design
Try incorporating passive solar design in your landscaping design. Passive solar landscaping uses windbreaks and shade.
- Use dense windbreaks to protect the home from cold winter winds. Evergreens are good windbreaks as they have year round foliage and can block wind high or low. These should be placed on the north side of the home to block those chilly north winds in the winter.
- Allow the winter sun to reach south-facing windows.
- Shade south and west windows and walls from the direct summer sun, if summer overheating is a problem. Deciduous trees are best as they will block hot summer sun but let in winter sun to naturally warm your house.
Driveway and walkway
If you're looking to boost your home's curb appeal, look no farther than your driveway and walkways. These are major surfaces that can make or break the exterior design of your home. Here's how to add some pizzazz to your driveway and walkway.
The first consideration is the type of building material. Driveways typically are made of asphalt or concrete, which is the least expensive hard surface material. If you have a little extra money to spend, a brick driveway can add a spectacular look to any home. A less costly option is to use asphalt and line or apron-in the border with brick..
A permit is required before you install, replace or overlay a residential driveway. Visit our Building and Inspection Division's Information sheets and handouts page to learn more. If you are not looking to replace your driveway there are a few simple things you can do to dress it up. You could reseal your asphalt driveway; if you have a concrete driveway, removing those pesky weeds in the cracks would improve its overall appearance. Creating end-of-the-driveway planters is another way to spruce up the driveway. Perennials like hostas or daylilies are easy plants to grow.
What about the walkway?
The walkway material should blend with the driveway and the exterior materials on the house. They can be made from different materials, so long as the colors, textures or tones all blend together. This means that the brick on the driveway can be a few shades lighter than the brick or siding on the house, but it should be in the same color family. The walkway could be made of a complementary brick or concrete with a brick border.
It’s all about curves. Curves make your walkway interesting and lead your eyes through the yard to your entrance. When paired with curved flower beds or groups of shrubs, the curved walkways seem to flow with the landscape. This creates a more natural setting than the hard edges of a rectangular walkway.
Deck or patio
A deck or patio can increase the aesthetics of your backyard. A deck or patio is a great outdoor congregation space for relaxing or entertaining. If you are going to build one, a permit is required.
- Visit our
handouts-b&i-adeck.pdf to learn more about the City of Bloomington’s requirements. - Visit our Building Codes and Permits page to learn how to get a permit.
There are many types and you should investigate which one suits your home the best.
- Pressure treated wood is still inexpensive and widely available. Some wood in the past contained arsenic, but that has been discontinued by the EPA. Wood decks can last up to 30 years, but they need to be power washed and sealed annually.
- Wood composite is made from plastic resin mixed with sawdust. It comes in wood-like planks in various colors. You can cut it like wood, but it won't rot, shrink, warp, or splinter. Wood composite decks contain no toxic chemicals or preservatives; therefore they are considered to be environmentally friendly. They can be cleaned with a power washer and don't need sealing..
- Plastic lumber–Today's plastic lumber can look and feel just like real wood, but it won't absorb water or mold, twist, or splinter. It can be cut with woodworking tools and only needs periodic cleaning with water. It does need to be supported by real wood supports. A plastic deck should last 50 years. Eco-friendly versions can be made of 90% recycled plastics and are 100% recyclable.
- Concrete– You don't have to have a great off-white slab of concrete. Today, concrete can come in a wide variety of colors and textures. Some can even save you the cost of stone pavers while mimicking their look.
- Interlocking pavers are popular in patios. Pavers can come in a variety of colors or shapes and can look like stone. They are easy to install, inexpensive, and unlikely to mildew.
Trees and other vegetation
The addition of trees, shrubs and flowers can add a pleasant look to your yard. When using all three, there should be an overall design that can blend trees, shrubs and flowers best attributes.
- Flowers – This is the easiest thing, you as a homeowner can do, to spruce up your yard. Flowers and small plants are relatively easy to grow, they’re somewhat inexpensive, and they mature quickly. Planted around the house and/or trees or planted as a border for driveways and sidewalks, flowers can significantly beautify your existing landscape. If you are a beginner gardener, research plants that are easy to care for. Keep in mind that annuals are only good for one season, whereas perennials will come back year after year, with little or no effort on your part. Biennials bloom for two seasons in a row.
- Shrubs and bushes – Shrubs and bushes are especially good plants to include in Minnesota because they can be used as a snow buffer. They can block snow from sidewalks, driveways or your house. Other uses for shrubs and bushes is outlining boundaries, privacy and screening, foundation planting, aroma and simply for look.
- Trees – Trees are great for protection against the elements, privacy, and the aesthetics of your yard. There are many different types of trees to use in your yard. There are deciduous, accent, ornamental and conifer trees. To choose which ones, you should research their maintenance, growing attributes and look. Remember: Transplanting and planting trees should be done in either spring or fall and never during the summer (too hot!).
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping, also known as smartscaping or drought-tolerant-scaping, is a systematic method of promoting water conservation in landscaped areas. It refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental water from irrigation.
There are seven principles to xeriscaping:
- Planning and design – Provides direction and guidance and includes mapping your water and energy conservation strategies, both of which will be dependent upon your regional climate and microclimate.
- Selecting and zoning plants appropriately – Bases your plant selections and locations on those that will flourish in your regional climate and microclimate.
- Limiting turf areas – Reduces the use of bluegrass turf, which usually requires a lot of supplemental watering.
- Improving the soil – Enables soil to better absorb water and to encourage deeper roots.
- Irrigating efficiently – Encourages using the irrigation method that waters plants in each area most efficiently.
- Using mulches – Keeps plant roots cool, minimizes evaporation, prevents soil from crusting, and reduces weed growth.
- Maintaining the landscape – Keeps plants healthy through weeding, pruning, fertilizing, and controlling pests.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs): A direct energy efficient replacement for the incandescent lamp due to greatly improved color, long life and very good payback. CFLs are 75 per cent more efficient and last 7-10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
- Deciduous trees: Trees that lose their leaves during part of the year.
- Green roof: A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane.
- Heating, Ventilating, & Air Conditioning (HVAC): The general industry term encompassing a variety of home comfort equipment, including air conditioners, furnaces, thermostats, filters, ductwork and filters. Mechanical systems that supply or remove heat, supply or remove humidity, and supply outdoor air as required.
- House wrap: A polyurethane barrier applied to the outside of a house before the siding is applied. It is also known as a weather resistant barrier as it allows moisture to escape but keeps the elements out.
- Passive solar design: The conscious orientation, layout, window area and position, and thermal mass (the use of building materials that store heat in winter and cool off in summer). This kind of design seeks to use the least amount of energy possible by using natural resources through the design.
- R-value: A measure of resistance to the flow of heat. Higher R-values indicate a material's greater ability to insulate.
- Tax credit: an allowed deduction for a behavior in return that can be subtracted from your income tax. If you are entitled to a $1,500 credit because of a weatherization program, and your income tax would otherwise be $10,000, the credit would reduce the tax due to $8,500.
- Weatherization: Weatherization or weatherproofing is the practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements, particularly from sunlight, precipitation, and wind, and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency.
- Work triangle: The distance between the three primary work centers (cooking surface, clean-up/prep primary sink, and refrigeration). Ideally between 12 and 26 feet in total length.
A popular housing architecture style in the United States between the 1940’s-1970’s. Ramblers are noted for their long, close-to-the-ground profile and minimal use of exterior and interior decoration. Other names for ramblers include ranch-style houses, American ranch, California ranch and rancher.
Many ramblers in Bloomington look like this one: rectangular and simple.
Ramblers in Bloomington
In the 1950s, Marv Anderson was a prominent rambler builder in Bloomington, along with Orrin Thompson and Vern Donnay. During a time when thousands of new homes were constructed in the city and the demand for quality homes was high, Marv Anderson was prolific, staying ahead of the curve by designing quality, affordable ramblers with more than 1,000 square feet.
Marv Anderson ramblers have stood the test of time. As they turn 50, ramblers are once again gaining popularity – a testament to the expert design, quality of materials and good workmanship that went into building these timeless classics
Changing ramblers
Much of Bloomington’s housing stock is made up of these ramblers; in fact you might live in one. The reason these ramblers have stood the test of time is because of how easy they are to renovate, remodel and update. At the time of their construction, ramblers fulfilled the American dream of home ownership, increased the standard of living and gave birth to a new way of live.
Ramblers have a kind of beauty in their simplicity, efficient design and creativity of design with inexpensive materials. In short, ramblers have helped shape many American neighborhoods.
Restoring ramblers is gaining popularity in the United States. You can find many books and magazines dedicated to these restorations. Many Americans dislike these kinds of homes because they lack the pizzazz of today’s McMansions; but these homes should be celebrated in their historical value and importance to America.
Your rambler can be remodeled to fit your needs and tastes because its simple design allows you to do that. Need more bedrooms? ... Have you recently become an "empty nester"? ... Or do you just desire to improve the layout of your home? Visit our sample remodeling plans page for ways to update your rambler.
How to know that you need a new roof
Leaking – If you have a two story house and you find yellow water marks on your second floor ceiling or on your one story house ceiling it means your roof is not doing its job and needs to be fixed!
Shingles cupping or curling – (asphalt shingles) This can only be explained with a picture (see photo at right). Again, water can get under the shingles and cause leaks, material deterioration or mold.
Attic inspection – Inspecting the attic is a great way to learn about your roof. You do not want to see any light peeking through or discoloration on the rafters.
Types of roofing
There are many kinds of roofing that you can choose from. A little information first: a "square" in roofing terminology is a 10-foot by 10-foot section of roof. Roofers determine this by calculation, and always add a certain percentage for cutting and replacement. The type you pick is based on your personal tastes, house style, and climate.
Materials
Here are a few common types of roofing that you can look at:
- Asphalt
- Advantages: Most common and least expensive.
- Disadvantages: Vulnerable to wind and ice damage.
- Est. price: $55 per square.
- Clay
- Advantages: Resistant to insects, mold, decay and fire.
- Disadvantages: Expensive and heavy. Should not be walked on.
- Est. price: $150 - $400 per square.
- Slate
- Advantages: Nearly indestructible – can last up to 100 years.
- Disadvantages: Heavy, expensive, and needs skilled stonemason.
- Est. price: $1,000 per square.
- Wooden
- Advantages: Resistant to rot and decay.
- Disadvantages: Can catch on fire easily.
- Est. price: $70 - 100 per square.
- Metal
- Advantages: A properly installed metal roof may last a very long time (50+ years), with little maintenance costs and may help to reduce energy bills.
- Disadvantages: Cost.
- Est. price: $750 to $1500 per square (10' x 10" area) installed. Prices will vary based on the simplicity or complexity of the roof.
- Green
- Advantages: Becoming popular. Aesthetically pleasing and in the long run cheaper.
- Disadvantages: Needs to be installed by a knowledgeable person. Requires maintenance.
- Est. price: $800 - $2,000 per square.
Chances are you have thought about a remodeling project that you would like to do on your home. Below are several common remodeling projects showing what could be updated or changed and the related costs for that job. Costs vary greatly depending on the type of materials used. All cost estimates are in 2010 dollars.
Refer to our kitchen and bathroom pages for more in-depth ideas.
Sample projects
Family room addition
Add a 16' x 20' addition over crawlspace.
- Wood siding
- Shingle roof
- Drywall
- Insulation
- HVAC
- Electric
- Windows
- Exterior door
- Approximate Cost: $36,000 - $45,000
Two-story addition
Add a 24' x 16' two-story addition over crawlspace.
- First floor family room and second floor bedroom with a 3/4 bath
- Miscellaneous windows and doors
- HVAC
- Wood siding
- Electric
- Shingle roof
- Insulation
- Drywall
- Approximate Cost: $66,000 - $80,000
Attic bedroom
Convert unfinished attic space to 16' x 16' bedroom and a 5' x 7 3/4' bath.
- Add a 15' shed dormer and windows
- Retain existing stairs
- Insulation
- Wood siding
- HVAC
- Shingle roof
- Electric
- Drywall
- Miscellaneous
- Approximate Cost: $27,000 - $35,000
Master suite
Convert two existing bedrooms into a suite.
- Ceramic tile walls and floor
- Wall in closet Separate tile shower
- Master bath dressing area All fixtures and faucets
- Corian vanity tops Electric
- Custom vanity and linen HVAC
- Approximate Cost: $42,000 - $50,000
Deck addition
16' x 20' cedar deck.
- Concrete footings
- 4 x 4 posts
- Built in bench and planter
- 2 x 2 rail
- Approximate Cost: $6,000 - $11,000
Bathroom remodel
Update existing full bath.
- Wainscot walls
- Custom vanity
- Mirror
- Corian top
- New lighting
- Standard fixtures and faucets
- Ceramic tile tub/shower walls
- Ceramic tile floor
- Approximate Cost: $10,000 - $14,000
Minor kitchen remodel
- Refinish cabinets
- Sink and faucet
- New drawers and doors
- Linoleum floor
- Laminate countertops
- Electrical upgrade to code
- Approximate Cost: $10,000 - $13,000
Bathroom addition
Add a second full bath within existing floor plan.
- Standard fixtures and faucets
- Cultured marble vanity
- Lighting and mirror
- Custom vanity
- Standard tub/shower
- Ceramic tile and wainscot walls
- Ceramic walls in tub shower area
- Approximate Cost: $13,000 - $15,000
Bathroom remodel
Update existing full bath.
- Wainscot walls
- Custom vanity
- Mirror
- Corian top
- New lighting
- Standard fixtures and faucets
- Ceramic tile tub/shower walls
- Ceramic tile floor
- Approximate Cost: $10,000 - $14,000
House remodel diagrams with cost estimates
- Plan 1 – Empty nest remodel, rambler
- Plan 2 – Empty nest remodel, rambler
- Plan 3 – Four foot kitchen addition and 12 by 16 foot deck addition, rambler
- Plan 4 – Eight foot kitchen addition with deck, rambler
- Plan 5 – Second story addition, rambler
- Plan 6 – Kitchen and basement remodel with deck addition, rambler
- Plan 7 – 12 by 14 foot family room addition and deck
- Plan 8 – Family room, kitchen addition and deck, rambler
- Plan 9 – Finish upper level of Cape Cod
Resource worksheet
Replacing your siding is like giving your house a facelift. It does wonders to the physical look and increases the longevity of your house. Because it can do so much, replacing your siding is another project that you want to put time and thought into it.
Where to start
Take a long look at your current siding. Is it worn? When was the last time it was replaced? Is it peeling, curling, rotting or chipping? Do you like it? The answers to these questions will help you begin looking for the right kind and contractor.
Process
When replacing siding, remembering the following two major requirements will make your project successful.
- Siding requires a building permit.
- You will need to apply for a building permit because you are replacing a structural element.
- To learn more about permits visit our building codes and permits page.
- You must replace your house wrap.
- A new house wrap must be applied before your new siding is applied.
- An inspection of this newly applied house wrap must be completed by the City. Pictures are not accepted as a substitute to an inspection.
- For more information about house wrap requirements, see our House Wrap Information Sheet.
Materials
- Wood
- Advantages: Natural, easy to install or repair.
- Disadvantages: Requires maintenance. If left untreated, can deteriorate.
- Est. price: $4 - 7 per square foot.
- Vinyl
- Advantages: Lowest priced option out there, installation known to all.
- Disadvantages: No installation value.
- Est. price: $2 - 3 per square foot.
- Fiber Cement
- Advantages: Look of wood but less expensive.
- Disadvantages: Professional installation.
- Est. price: $3 - 5 per square foot.
- Stucco (EIFS)
- Advantages: Low maintenance and many design options.
- Disadvantages: 3 layer process, Must have good water protection .
- Est. price: $4 - 9 per square foot.
- Brick
- Advantages: Distinctive appearance, long lasting and low maintenance.
- Disadvantages: Professional installation.
- Est. price: $6 - 12 per square foot.
- Stone
- Advantages: Distinctive appearance, long lasting and low maintenance.
- Disadvantages: Professional installation, expensive.
- Est. price: $15 - 30 per square foot.
- Metal
- Advantages: Durable, fireproof.
- Disadvantages: Limited colors, poor insulation value.
- Est. price: $3 - 5 per square foot.
Did you know that water heaters should last between 10-15 years? An old water heater is less efficient and if it breaks can be a hassle to replace. Think a head and start researching your options now.
Buying
Buying a new water heater can be a daunting task. Should you buy storage water heaters, tankless on-demand water heaters, or instant hot water dispensers? How much hot water do you need? What is a good brand?
To get answers to these questions and more, do some research on your own. Start by doing a little research online. Then visit at least 2 stores and ask the sales staff the same questions. Use the information as a starting point to narrow down the options that fit you the best.
Visit our home calculators page to learn about usage of certain systems and what your current usage might be.
Types
Here’s a little information to get you started on the most common types of water heaters:
- Storage water heaters are the large, familiar white tanks that heat water with natural gas or electricity and hold that heated water until it’s requested.
- Tankless on-demand water heaters are fairly new to the scene—and a popular alternative because they save energy by heating water as it is delivered, eliminating the need for storing water at a high temperature
- Point-of-use water heaters, or instant hot water dispensers, are typically employed in the kitchen or bathroom. They are installed right at the source of hot water need. For example: under your kitchen sink.
Maintenance
Because each water heater is different, the best maintenance tip is to follow the user’s guide of your water heater. There it will tell you what you need to do to make your water heater run smooth and for a long time.
Why replace windows and doors?
Windows and doors are important elements in the performance, energy efficiency, maintenance and aesthetics of your home. Older window and doors can cost you more in keeping up with your homes thermal comfort. Drafts are common with older windows and doors which is one of the biggest reasons for high energy bills. Older window and doors can be more difficult to maintain especially in cleaning. Newer window and doors can give your home that ‘curb appeal’ which is necessary if wanting to sell your home or just enjoying it.
How to know when you need to replace windows or doors
- High energy bills.
- Drafts.
- Windows panes cold to the touch.
- Windows difficult to open or close.
- Windows rotting or paint peeling.
- Blower door test.
Do I need a permit to replace windows?
A permit is required for all window and door replacements.
Visit our permits and building codes page to learn more about the specifics of permits and codes.