Category: Tampa Remodeling
Five Signs it’s Time to Remodel Your Bathroom
When you first buy a home, your focus is typically not on the bathroom. No matter how many times you’ve claimed you were going to fix it, you never did. But, as time goes on and the more time you spend in there, the more you begin to see all of its imperfections. How do you know when it’s time to remodel your bathroom? Below are five signs your bathroom may need a makeover:
1. A New Lifestyle
Your bathroom will always be going through a cycle of changes. Many times it will need to be renovated to accommodate new members to a family, or to make it just right for a new married couple. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to remodel your bathroom to fit your individual needs. Many times this will include adding a bathtub, two sinks, double vanities, etc.
2. Old Décor
Often you’ll buy a house and plan on making changes later down the line. When it comes to a bathroom, it may take longer to become outdated. If you find yourself in a position where you aren’t in love with the décor of your bathroom, its time to design one that matches your taste. No matter the room, when you start to dislike the way it looks, you won’t want to spend much more time there!
3. Damage
Plumbing is the most important part of your bathroom. When it starts to deteriorate, it will become more and more obvious as the days go on. When there is damage to fixtures, tiles, or other miscellaneous materials in your bathroom, it is most definitely time to give it the new look you’ve been dreaming of.
4. Not Enough Space
Families grow, and items begin to pile. Your once “beautiful” and “cozy” bathroom becomes a pig pen that is in desperate need of a cleaning. The more people you add, the less storage is available, and more clutter forms. A knowledgeable designer will work hard to ensure there is enough space for a family of any number, so that you can minimize clutter and keep the countertops clean.
5. You Aren’t Energy Efficient
As technology is constantly changing, there are numerous ways to have your home be more energy efficient. Updating your bathroom with new lighting will not only make your space brighter but it will also help the environment and many times lower your utility costs.
From master bathroom remodeling to guest bath remodeling,Rossi Construction is the unparalleled leader in bathroom remodeling throughout the Tampa Bay area. Our team of professionals will make sure that your bathroom remodeling experience is an enjoyable one. For more information about your bathroom remodel, feel free to contact us: (813) 436-0177
How to Budget for a Renovation
Preparing for a home construction project is a big task. There is a lot of planning from both a financial and technical standpoint. It is important to have the right team on your side to help you plan accordingly and execute everything within budget.
Before you get started trying to plan your budget, it’s important to ask yourself these questions:
- What do you want this project to accomplish?
- What details are needed to make it happen?
- What are you willing to compromise on?
- What are you willing to splurge on?
With those questions in mind, these are some important budgeting considerations we tell all our clients:
- Expect to spend at least $100 to $200 per square foot on any renovation.
- It’s easier, and potentially more affordable, to prioritize projects by room and build a budget around the cost of each individual project.
- Before you set your budget, decide how you will finance the project (cash, credit, loan, etc.)
To get an estimated idea of what your remodeling budget should be, consider the value of your home as a whole. You don’t want to spend more than 10 to 15% of your home’s value on a single room.Additionally, we always tell clients to set aside 10 to 20% of your available funds for unexpected expenses. While we try to plan for all situations, sometimes things come up in a project that is beyond our control. We’ve also found that sometimes homeowners choose to upgrade certain aspects too. We’d rather have extra funds allotted for these instances rather than being stuck and unable to complete the job.
If you’re currently planning a home remodeling project, we’re here to help. With our experience, we can guide you early in the planning process to help make decisions that will stay within your budget while still accomplishing your desired design. Reach out today and let’s discuss how we can create a plan for making your remodeling dreams a reality! Call today at 813-436-0177.
How Much Should You Spend on a Home Remodel?
There is a saying often coined on home remodeling tv shows like HGTV’s Fixer Upper– “buy the cheapest house in the best neighborhood.” The reasoning for this is simple and proven time and time again. The cheapest house in a desirable neighborhood has the largest opportunity for growth or “expansion potential”. Simply put, the remodeling investment made in homes that fall into this category tend to see the greatest ROI and resell faster when the time comes!
Maximizing Your Home’s ROI
Even if you are not on the hunt for a fixer-upper, spending the right amount on a remodel can be the difference between a highly sought-after home when on the market, and a home that is overpriced for the neighborhood. You tend to see the best return on a medium remodel project that will in turn appeal to the widest range of potential buyers in the future. You might have heard hard and fast numbers like $10,000 remodel for a bathroom and $25,000 for the kitchen. However, these numbers are meaningless if the value of the home is not taken into consideration. To account for this, the best method is to consider your remodeling budget as a percentage of the cost of your home overall.
As an example, let’s imagine you are considering your kitchen. Should you remove the countertops, cabinets, and floors and completely remodel? Is anything salvageable? What should you spend? One website uses the following as a detailed example.
“Let’s say you bought the house for $1,000,000. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, 1,800 square feet of living space, and a 5,000 square foot lot. A property’s value is made up of land value and building value. In your case, the split is 50/50. If you include the kitchen, living room, and laundry room, the house has a total of eight rooms. The value of each room is therefore around $62,500 ($500,000 building value divided by 8 rooms). You can consider $62,500 as the max you would ever spend doing anything to a room.” (Financial Samurai)
While this is useful information, not all rooms are equally worthy of the investment. Generally, the kitchen is the first place people look to remodel, and this is because there are costly appliances, plumbing, and materials used within this space. Further, many home buyers regard a remodeled kitchen as the #1 must-have when on the market for a home. The master and guest bathroom in addition to the master bedroom are other rooms that rank highly on the list of home buyers when deciding which house they will purchase.
It is also worth mentioning that the kitchen and bathrooms do generally cost the most to remodel and other rooms like family rooms and bedrooms can appeal widely to buyers simply with a fresh coat of paint, updated flooring, and light fixtures! Be sure to consider, as mentioned, the percentages involved in your remodel to ensure your remodeling projects best align with the value of your home.
How Rossi Construction Can Help
We have years of experience in construction, from crafting blueprints, sourcing quality materials to helping establish budgets to maximize the resell value of your home. Reach out to us today to learn more about what we can do for you and your home!
Essential Things to Consider Before Hiring Your Contractor
If you are looking to remodel your home in Tampa Bay or St. Petersburg, finding a reliable and experienced contractor can be the difference between peace of mind and sleepless nights. Our team at Rossi Construction have put together a list of the top things to consider and look for when hiring a contractor.
Have a Solid Vision for Your Space
Spend time researching trends and timeless touches you would like to incorporate into the remodel. Explore what kinds of looks and architectural elements you might be interested in adding as well. By have a solid grasp on what you are looking for in your remodel, you can then compare the work of the contractors you will meet with later.
Compare Rates as Well as Quality
A general number is to compare at least three local contractors before deciding on one to renovate your home. Your goal with this tip is to determine how they stack up against one another. This will give you a clearer idea of the costs and budget required, as well as the caliber of work each contractor can produce. As an example, one contractor might bid a low rate that might equate to low quality work, while a higher bid usually suggests top notch quality. Use this information and your research to determine where you fall on the spectrum, and what will meet your project’s needs as well as your standards.
Do Your Research to Determine if the Contractor is a Good Fit
While contractors of all specializations use the title of contractor, there are subcategories within the industry. Some are considered specialists and some generalists. So, seek to ensure their experience and abilities align with what your goals are for your renovation. The top things to look for when reading reviews and looking over their business website are: Do you see a similarity in their past projects and what you are looking for in yours? Do they exhibit quality workmanship and use quality materials? Do their reviews reflect consistent high levels of client satisfaction?
Be Sure to Read the Fine Print
From establishing a start and completion date, detailing information about building fees and required permits, an explanation for what services are covered (demolition, labor, equipment, etc.) and the consequences of a default by their business – the fine print holds the details. Noting the fine print is especially important for the terms of default as it can include things such as the unexpected departure of a subcontractor or an array of other unforeseen challenges. Be sure you are clearly excluded from liability in these instances and look for contractors who have their terms laid out in a fair and easy to understand manner.
How We Can Help
Rossi Construction has proudly served Florida’s Tampa Bay area for almost two decades. We have helped homeowners create or re-invent their space into one they are proud to come home to. Feel free to reach out and request a consultation to discuss the topics mentioned above! If you are interested in more home remodeling inspiration, head over to our gallery to check out some of our recent work. We look forward to speaking with you and seeing how we can make your home remodeling dream a reality.
Tips to Stay Within Your Kitchen Renovation Budget
It’s no secret that your kitchen is a fantastic choice when deciding where to upgrade your home. From a mini-make over to a full-scale revamp, not only does a kitchen remodel improve you and your families lives, but your resale value will dramatically increase. But where to start when planning and designing your kitchen renovation? We are here to help. Since 2000, we at Rossi construction have been helping folks throughout the Tampa Bay area create the kitchen of their dreams – and we have learned a few things along the way. Here are the top 5 things to consider before taking on the exciting endeavor of renovating your kitchen.
What is Your Budget?
A common first consideration when taking on a large home improvement project. It is easy to start out with good intentions, but there are commonly overlooked considerations that come into play drafting your expense list. The first step to ensuring you stay within your budget begins with planning your renovation. The surest way to spend more than is necessary is to make changes after construction and remodeling gets underway. This in one reason why is it considered best practice to consult with and professional, because we can ensure all aspects of the remodel are detailed and priced out beforehand.
Secondly, another common expense is unforeseen structural or electrical damage that requires upgrades to complete the renovation. Our team of professionals can help you budget for the unexpected and help with a pre-renovation inspection to determine the likelihood of these sorts of challenges.
Finally, consider the overall value of your home. A kitchen remodel is considered the best investment when it comes to reselling your home. A recent study found that an average $15,000 renovation saw a return value of roughly 93%. Further, a kitchen generally accounts for 10-15% of a home’s value. With this information in mind, you should seek to prioritize what changes will have the largest impact on the space and maintain or even increase the value of your home.
Establish Your Splurge-Worthy Investments
Have you been eyeing that side-by-side refrigerator? Or envision marble countertops in your upgraded kitchen? Start researching the big-ticket expenses for your remodel and look into customer reviews. This will help you get a feel for not only the quality of top items on your list, but the price. Pricing out appliances is another area where having an experienced professional on hand can be helpful. From evaluating energy costs to planning out how the space will look cohesively, we can help keep with in your budget while still building out the kitchen to your specifications.
Do You Know Who You Are Hiring?
As mentioned, your contractor will play a huge role in ensuring you stay with in your budget and that your kitchen vision is realized. For this reason, is it essential that you are hiring someone who clearly understands your hopes for your remodel. From ensuring your contractor is insured to establishing a realistic and feasible budget and creating a workable timeline the right contractor can make all the difference. Finally, check out their previous work. What better way to determine if a contractor is a good fit than letting their work speak for itself? From residential, to commercial, we at Rossi construction have designed, managed and built out kitchen renovations in the Tampa Bay area of all kinds.
Let’s Get Your Kitchen Renovation Plans Underway
To learn more about how we can help you begin your kitchen or home remodel, feel free to contact us for more information about our services. If you are searching for some renovation inspiration, have a look at few of our previous projects. We look forward to working with you and turning your kitchen into one you’ll never want to leave!
Is a Home Addition Right For Me In 2017?
“Do we opt for a home addition, or simply buy a new home?” This is a question many homeowners face. No matter the decision, both courses of action will ensure a sizeable amount of work and disruption to your daily life and can be costly.
Homeowners who opt to purchase a new home are usually looking for a fresh start, and have no qualms about leaving their current home behind. However, some homeowners are not as keen to start over with a new home and forego the home buying process for something different: Adding onto their existing home.
By opting for a home addition, a homeowner can reap many of the advantages of a new home, without sacrificing the existing home’s comforts that they have lovingly created over the years. For example, an addition will give a property a ‘new’ feel and create additional living space for a growing family; which is often the chief motivator behind the purchase of a new home, to begin with.
And, to top it off, a home addition also provides several other benefits.
Custom Designs
New home additions give some you the freedom to create the room(s) of your dreams. Because let’s face it, no matter how far you search, it’s unlikely you’ll ever find a new home that matches your specifications to a tee. When adding or renovating your home, you have the freedom to tell your contractor exactly what you want and in most cases, they can deliver on your vision.
With television channels like HGTV and social platforms like Pinterest dominating the mainstream, many homeowners are realizing that they too can have the home of their dreams and are looking to add additions and complete renovation in the coming year. In a recent study, it was found that homeowners are looking to ramp up home improvement projects next year. And, kitchens remodels continue to be the most sought after renovation.
Here are some other popular home additions and renovations for 2017:
- Guest rooms
- Finishing basements
- Updating exteriors
- In-law suite
- Converting garages
- Covered/screened outdoor living
- Bathroom additions
- Adding a second floor
- Pools
Saving You Money
Renovations can also be cost-effective in long run. Some investment specialists even say that a home addition can increase the value of a property dollar for dollar, thus recouping the entire cost of the addition and renovations when the owner finally decides to sell. But even if the market is such that an addition doesn’t completely increase a property’s value by its construction costs, it can pay for itself in several other ways.
An addition will increase the square footage of the property, adding valuable living space that has a worth all of its own. Then, there are the aesthetic properties of an addition or renovation such as adding beauty as well as function to a home.
An addition it can be just as pleasing from the outside as it is on the inside, and a skilled, custom home builder and contractor will design and create an addition that compliments the existing lines of a property so that the finished project looks cohesive and professional.
If you feel that you’ve outgrown your current home and are thinking of buying something new, perhaps it’s time to think again.
Building a sports themed man cave
With fall now in full swing, baseball season is almost at a close, and college and pro football are now broadcast multiple days each week. This leaves a lot of men watching pregame, the game and postgame for their favorite team with their friends and family. While there are some commonalities in man caves, like a comfortable sofa; a well-stocked supply of beverages; and a pool table, the cave can be as unique as its owner. Here are a few essentials for a Florida sports themed man cave!
Men enjoy sports, and they enjoy relaxing while watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Enter the sports themed man cave! While the local Tampa Bay sports bar is a nice option from time to time, bringing the feel of a sports bar home is a better way to have the same atmosphere whenever you want.
Multiple mounted television screens
There is seldom just one game on that you would like to watch in a given Sunday afternoon. Make an effort to install at least two televisions with one of them being HD. This will make it possible for you to watch two games at once with only having to move your head.
Bring your favorite sports bar home
Bring your favorite Tampa Bay bar home! No matter if it is a custom shelving and a recessed refrigerator, or a full bar with a tap and specialty seating, a bar designed by Rossi Construction ensures that you will have a good time. To keep people visiting, be sure to ask us to include a sensible spot for a popcorn machine or a place for plugging in a couple of slow cookers.
The seating needs to have character
All ideal seating for a man cave has one thing in common: they are conventional places to sit comfortably. The separation point between an “okay” chair and the “ultimate” chair is character. You need seating that says something about you and works well with the room features. Perhaps you will repurpose old stadium seating or you might look at having us design a custom seating section. This is the time to show your friends you are cool!
Rossi Construction is prepared to help you learn all you need to know about adding an ultimate man cave to your Tampa home. With help from our team of professionals, the new man cave will be the selling point that turns you into the king of the block!
Five Reasons Why You Should Remodel Your Home
They say home is where the heart is — but what if you’re not so proud of your home these days?
It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Home remodeling is a common industry, generation approximately $45 billion in the United States alone.
If you are on the fence about embarking on a home renovation project, here are five reasons why you should take the plunge:
Reason No. 1: Increase Your Home’s Real Estate Value
Whether you’re thinking about kitchen remodeling and design or complete construction on the exterior of your home, home renovation is a great way to up the real estate value of any property. Steel front doors, for example, have the potential of bringing in a long term return of investment 97.2%. In a recent Cost Vs. Value report in Realtor Mag it was similarly reported that converting your attic into a bedroom space boasts a 84.3% return of investment.
Reason No. 2: Increase Energy Efficiency
The best home remodeling projects have four similar qualities: they’re low maintenance, cost effective, excellent quality, and most importantly, energy efficient. Remodeling construction provides homeowners with an opportunity to update their home’s appliances, heating and cooling systems, and weatherization practices. For example, by adding insulating windows and doors to your home, it’s possible to significantly decrease your monthly utility bills.
Reason No. 3: Why Buy When You Can Remodel?
When a home feels out of date, many homeowners look to moving for a change of scenery and an increase in comfort and convenience. But why go through the stress of selling your home and buying a new one when you can just remodel the home you already have? Not all remodeling jobs have to be expensive; whether it’s a DIY project or via a residential renovation contractor, even the smallest of home renovation projects can increase one’s quality of life and enhance the aesthetics of any living space.
Reason No. 4: Flex Your Creative Muscle
Home renovation and construction provides homeowners with an opportunity to make their design dreams come to life. Not everyone is a designer at heart, but with the help of a resident contractor, it’s possible to bring anyone’s renovation dreams to fruition.
Reason No. 5: Feel Proud of Your Home
A beautiful, newly renovated home is not only comfortable, but a source of pride to any homeowner. Host parties with pride and bask in the compliments that your friends and family shower you with. Even better, home renovation enables spaces like the kitchen to become more welcoming family spaces, creating even more memories for the future.
3 Questions You Need to Ask Yourself About Remodeling
Home renovation tips are fairly easy to come by with a simple search. However, those can often be generic suggestions, rather than unique and helpful pointers. Chances are, if you’re doing any kind of remodeling construction, you’re going to want to know things like how you should choose a home remodeling service, or how you can tell if something has quality design and construction. For tips on these, read on!
Choosing the right residential renovation contractor.
Different companies boast different talents. While one business may be a general contracting company, they may be especially good at one particular service. Maybe the person they have employed for kitchen remodels is amazing at what they do, and that’s exactly what you need. Check their website and ask around before you make any concrete decisions. Bathroom remodels are the most popular among homeowners, making up 78% of renovations. That make sense, considering the return on investment (ROI) for that type of remodel is 63.6%. This means that many contractors are likely qualified. If this is your choice of remodel, and you can focus more on our next tip.
Does this company utilize quality design and construction?
Unfortunately, some companies follow a business plan that values quantity over quality. Beware of these types of contractors! They may be cheaper and faster, but it will show in their work. Chip in the few extra dollars so that you can take pride in your new room or update, and avoid the frustration of incompetent workers. Check on their portfolio, and ask about the products and tools they use. As long as you do some digging around, you’ll be fine!
What type of renovation are you doing? Can it be done on your own?
Many times, someone’s first instinct is to call someone for help, rather than attempt the project on their own. Obviously if you’re remodeling your entire kitchen, or transforming your basement or attic (which has an ROI of 84.3%), you need to hire a contractor. But if it’s something smaller, like repainting a room, or installing new fixtures, you can probably find step by step directions online. Just keep in mind that what may take a contractor 20 hours, could easily take you 60 — and that’s a lot of Saturdays.
How do you find home renovation tips? Were these helpful? Give us your advice and thoughts in the comments!
Which Room Should You Renovate?
When beginning the remodel of any home, it is important to discuss your goals with local home renovation service providers. Whether you are replacing your kitchen cabinets, installing a master bathroom, or finishing a basement, you should be sure to prepare for the renovation with a list of your family’s wants and needs as they pertain to the renovation.
In a recent survey, the most requested home remodeling service was bathroom remodeling, accounting for 78% of all projects. With an average 63.6% return on investment, bathroom remodeling is a logical home improvement choice. Many homeowners choose to expand their bathrooms, adding large, luxurious tubs and flattering lighting.
While bathrooms are always a popular remodeling choice, residential renovation contractors state that kitchens are a close second, especially for historic home renovations. Updating appliances and cabinet face lifts are an easy way to give a kitchen a whole new appearance and help homeowners cook and bake more efficiently. The 2012 Remodeling Market Index found that 69% of all home improvement projects could be accounted for by kitchen remodeling and design.
If kitchens and bathrooms aren’t your ideal home renovation services, don’t worry. There are many other ways to customize a home to your specifications. Basements and attics can be finished to add extra recreation, storage, or living space without building another room. Even new flooring or the simple addition of a fireplace or updated windows can dramatically change the appearance of a room. If you prefer exterior renovations, consider adding vinyl siding, a new porch, or investing in landscaping to improve your home’s curb appeal.
While no two home renovations are alike, consider sitting down with family members and looking at home decor magazines and websites to get an idea of what you like and dislike. Once you know what type of renovations you like, it is time to speak with a contractor and get started on building the home of your dreams.