• Extending the home – This is expensive and needs careful consideration. For it to add value, you should ensure that the new created space brings in additional utility and conforms to the overall home design.

• Loft and cellar conversion – Convert the loft into an extra bedroom. Another option is to convert the cellar to increase the total living area of the home. However, these involve heavy construction work and homeowners are advised to ask experts.

• Adding bedrooms – Extra bedrooms add value to a home. Research shows that an extra bedroom can increase its value by over 11%. Though this home improvement can add value, one needs to ensure that the home does not get crowded by this addition. Moreover, homeowners should consider the potential buyer for their homes.

• Opening up space – Almost all people prefer homes that have natural air and light. Nevertheless, it is equally essential to have closed spaces for privacy. Therefore, homeowners who choose to break down some walls in their homes should consider both these aspects. Taking expert advice is vital as one may choose to demolish a wall that may be important for load bearing.

• Central heating systems – Not many owners consider central heating and modern boiling systems essential. However, these additions increase the value of your home, so you may opt to upgrade your existing system or fit in a new one.

• New parking area – Many potential buyers require a parking space within the property. This is especially true for those neighborhoods where parking on both sides of the road is common. Homeowners again need to consider the target buyer while choosing this improvement.

• Fitting up a new bathroom – Bathrooms tend to look old and soiled quickly. While executing home improvements, owners should consider new fittings for the bathroom. Another option is to redesign your space to accommodate extra bathrooms.

• Improving the garden – Owners tend to neglect the outdoors while improving their homes. However, potential buyers get a first impression from looking at the outdoors and therefore, owners should consider sprucing up the garden with lighting, furniture or plants.

• Painting and redecorating – To bring in a premium on your property, you need to freshen up the look of your home while putting it up for sale. Owners should opt for a new paint job with neutral colors to make it look fresh.

• Refurbishing the kitchen – The kitchen is one area of the home that sees a lot of wear and tear over the years. Modernized kitchen fittings are becoming popular and can become good home improvements that surely add value to one’s home.

Small improvements like clearing the frontage for major extensions can be done as well. Careful planning and a realistic outlook are two essential factors for a successful home improvement project. With these in mind, there’s no doubt you will come up with a great new home that buyers will clamor for in no time.

There are many modifications that can enable you to stay living in the beloved family home.  Hallways may need to be widened, ramps installed and kitchens and bathrooms redesigned.  Evaluate your current living environment by examining all of the major areas of you home including entry ways, bathrooms, bedrooms, and the kitchen.  In addition to modifications discussed below, proper lighting is the key to avoiding accidents in and around the home.

Entry Ways

No-Step Entries
An accessible walkway leading to the front entrance should have no steps and very little, if any, slope to accommodate someone who uses a wheelchair or has trouble climbing steps.  A ramp is another type of no-step entry.

No-Step Thresholds

Garage Lift

Bathroom

Bedroom

Kitchens

West Long Branch Mark Of Excellence Remodeling Inc., based in West Long Branch, is proud to announce their participation again in the  HGTV show Home Rules.  The episode is scheduled to air on Tuesday, May 2^5th at 9 p.m.   Each week the program introduces a new family with an untenable living situation. The Home Rules experts sort out what changes need to be made in their lifestyle and home, and they assemble a team to tackle the unique challenges and reconstruct the perfect home.

Mark of Excellence was selected as general contractor for the remodeling of a home in Middletown that is the focus of the twelth episode of Home Rules.   They had just four days to complete all the necessary demolition, construction and finishing, while the homeowners were sent to stay elsewhere.  The work was quite extensive, and the family was unaware of exactly what changes were being made.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling has been in business for over 20 years, and has developed an outstanding reputation for home improvements.  The company has won a number of both trade and consumer awards and offers customers unique design and build services, green remodeling and professional handyman services.   For more information about Mark of Excellence, please visit www.markofexcellence.com or call 800-734-3737.

On April 22^nd, the EPA has announced it is eliminating the “opt-out” provision that currently allows a homeowner to “waive” the use of lead safe work practices by a renovation firm.  At this time the change has not been published in the Federal Register, so the legal specifics of this modification are not yet available. We hope some reasonable time period has been allowed by which the opt-out can be phased out of practice by contractors, perhaps allowing continued use for at least a 2-3 month period.

At the moment, we are waiting for the actual regulatory text which will have a major influence on the manner in which contractors are expected to address this change.

The EPA has also announced it will require remodeling firms to provide a copy of their records demonstrating compliance with lead safe practices to the owner (or occupant, if different) of the building being renovated.  In addition, the EPA announced its intention to propose lead safe regulations for remodeling/renovations on the exteriors of public and commercial buildings.

Mark Elia

Mark of Excellence Remodeling,  Inc.

Your EPA lead safe certified contractor

Consistent with NARI’s core purpose to advance the remodeling industry’s vital public purpose, protecting the safety, welfare and housing of homeowners is included. Thus, NARI supports the EPA in its effort to protect the public from the hazards of lead poisoning. There is serious concern, however, that the remodeling industry is not nor can be prepared for an implementation date of April 22, 2010. The request for delay was made based on the following:

* The number of trainers is insufficient to certify the agency’s very conservative estimate of 200,000 contractors required.

* Only 14,000 individuals have been certified to date, and seven states reportedly have no trainers.

* The opt-out provision is a significant component of the rule and is under continuing review.

* The EPA has not commenced its planned public awareness campaign; the general public and the majority of contractors are not even aware of the rule.

“Issues like this which affect the remodeling industry and our members cause NARI to become more involved in the government arena” Carter said. “The government does not understand our industry and we must enable that understanding. The leaders with whom we met were receptive and keenly interested. We are hopeful that these key visits will result in a meaningful and necessary relief.”

Until the EPA or Federal government officially announces a delay of the LRRP rule, NARI members who work on homes built prior to 1978 must become certified by the April 22, 2010 deadline. Right now, there is no other alternative.

NARI Chapters are holding training sessions, and members can find additional information on all EPA LRRP-related information at www.nari.org/leadsafety.  NARI will remain active on this issue, and continue to keep members informed of developments.