Tag: Home Improvements
Questions For A Tampa General Contractor
The first milestone in a remodeling project is to choose a general contractor to handle the Tampa remodeling project. This contractor will have a major impact on the overall quality of the project. He or she will also help determine the final cost of the remodeling project, provide potential design concepts and insights, guide you through the entire remodeling project and put their unique stamp on the overall project.
This means that who you hire as a general contractor is a decision that requires some very deliberate thought.
After you have completed initial research on general contractors, you will have narrowed the list of potential general contractors to two or three top choices that you want to talk to. This list will include the credible and qualified candidates from Rossi Construction, Inc., and it is important to structure the substance of your initial consultation around the idea of sharing your first thoughts for your remodel plans. Ask for advice and opinions from the contractor regarding your initial plans for the remodel, and do not be afraid to take into account how personalities will mesh. Do not forget to ask for credentials.
Finding a general contractor can be nerve wracking, most of us worry that we may forget what questions to ask. This article is intended to give you a head-start, an opportunity to stay on the right path as you work your way through the initial consultation with a general contractor.
Never be afraid to ask questions!
Do not be embarrassed to ask any general contractor these questions. Remembering that you are considering entering into a business relationship with any general contractor, and these questions are meant to establish a solid working relationship.
Can you share some written references?
A solid general contractor will have a written list of references easily at hand. The best general contractors have that list in your hand before you even remember that it is the first entry on your “list of questions to ask a general contractor.” If the general contractor is not willing to give you a list of references, really consider what they say as well as how they say it when answering other questions.
Can you provide a proposed timeline and work process?
Most professional general contractors will have this information available for you in writing, and you will want the list to include things like; who will be in charge of supervising the project; work hours and days; length of a project from demo to completion and milestones for payments.
Do you have experience with this kind of Tampa remodeling project?
Strange economic times have contractors looking outside of their area of expertise, finding some contractors from the commercial field in residential remodeling projects. On the other end of the spectrum, residential contractors feeling the pinch are also doing small commercial improvement projects. Satisfy yourself that the contractor you are working with is competent and credible in handling your residential remodeling project.
Keep in mind that these questions are meant to serve as a guide in your search for a Tampa general contractor. The team from Rossi Construction, Inc. will continue to add ideas and concepts to this list but, in the meantime, you are invited to contact our office at 813-436-0177 to schedule an initial consultation for your project!
Enjoy Your Kitchen Redesign Process
Many people enjoy the process of redesigning their kitchen, rarely having had an opportunity like it in the past and likely not getting the chance again for more than a decade. If handled correctly, the design process can be the gift that keeps giving. Here are a few tips that can make the process enjoyable and keep you on a budget that either is all of your own doing, or the suggested budget of a Tampa General Contractor.
- Assess the situation ahead of time by scheduling an appointment during which a professional from Rossi Construction, Inc. can share his ideas and listen to your personal goals for the space. Ask the member of our team to give you a bid on both the overall project, as well as any smaller projects you feel are suited to our project portfolio. As you talk, you will start to get a feel for what’s necessary and what you can do without. Never hesitate to speak to multiple companies about the kitchen design process as well, Rossi Construction, Inc. prides itself on fair estimates but we always want clients to do their homework.
- While estimates on final price for a Tampa kitchen design are always important, you really want to find a Tampa General Contractor who is capable of understanding your vision and creatively working within the confines of your budget. You need someone who is capable of speaking construction as well as layman terms regarding projects.
- It is vital that planning the Tampa kitchen design process is never just a slapdash affair. You need to take the time to look at photos, prepare sketches or at least complete a set of notes regarding your hopes and goals for the Tampa kitchen redesign process.
Keep in mind that these tips and tricks are merely the tip of a very large iceberg associated with the ideas, planning and process of a Tampa kitchen redesign process. Build the idea of a kitchen redesign in your mind, and then feel free to contact Rossi Construction, Inc. at 813-436-0177 to discuss making an appointment with one of our professionals.
Tampa Kitchen Remodeling Projects!
Every home owner who is thinking about undertaking a project to bolster the resale value of their Tampa home always wonders if a renovation will pay off. And in a housing market that remains a problematic equation for most home sellers, and that answer may determine whether the Tampa property sells.
Fortunately for Tampa homeowners, there are a number of remodeling projects that offer a seller potential high return on investment (ROI). Some of the best renovations are those complete on the exterior of the home like siding; windows; making entry points accessible to wheelchairs and even switching out doors. All of these projects improve the curb appeal of a home, they allow the seller opportunity to make a good first impression and give some insight as to the overall care given to the ongoing property maintenance.
Beyond the exterior, certain projects will provide higher returns than others for Tampa homeowners.
One major recommendation from Rossi Construction, Inc.:
While kitchen remodeling projects return roughly two-thirds of the investment, kitchens are one of the first things that potential home buyers will look at right away. The cost of a major kitchen remodel can vary depending on region, and it is important to remember that you do not want to go overboard and price yourself out of the local Tampa market. In order to determine if you are spending too much, you will want to avoid doing something like completing a $60,000 kitchen remodel in a Tampa neighborhood where the average home price is $225,000.
Some Tampa home owners will opt for a facelift for their kitchen in some situations and, if a less-drastic update like refinishing cabinets will work, consider going this route. The important thing is that you not make the mistake of opting for a facelift when the Tampa kitchen does, in fact, need a full-scale remodel of the space.
Contact Rossi Construction, Inc. today to discuss your options for remodeling your Tampa kitchen. Rossi Construction, Inc. can be reached at 813.436.0177.
Is It Time to Add a Garage
A garage is a desirable feature for many home buyers. If a home does not have a garage, adding a garage may increase the value in certain circumstances. When it comes to resale, having a garage will slightly increase the price but will have a greater impact on the ease of selling the home.
The addition of a garage:
If a home does not have a garage, but is located in a residential area where garages are the standard, then the addition of a garage will add to the overall value of the home. It will also help you sell the property faster than would be expected, but the total recoup on the investment will be roughly sixty percent of the cost of the basic garage addition.
Buying a home that has a garage:
Having a garage increases the overall value of a home, but the total increase will depend on the neighborhood and surrounding standards. If the home is in a residential area with limited street parking, a garage can increase value by up to $10,000. Realtors indicate that the benefits outweigh the negatives, as a home without a garage is hard to sell regardless of the price.
If you are adding a garage, consider making part of it into living space:
In some cases, it also pays to consider making a portion of a new garage into a living space. Think of it in terms of purchasing a small home, one that lacks an amenity like a second bathroom or a third bedroom, and using a garage to give you the missing space. Converting to a garage space can help sell a home by adding to the square footage, but it is always best to consult professionals from Rossi Construction, Inc.
If you are preparing to add a garage to your Tampa home, call Rossi Construction, Inc. at 813-436-0177.
Should I Add A Laundry Room
Home improvement projects for your Tampa home will doubtlessly increase the potential resale value of your family home. Certain home improvement projects are going to add to add value to your home in a number of different ways, and it is quite possible that some home improvement projects will never end with you recovering the invested cash. Review a few of our ideas for home improvement projects, and let us know if you think the project is right for your Tampa home.
I really do not have the room for an extra bathroom; please share some additional ideas for adding to the value of my home.
In both Tampa and St. Petersburg, it was once common practice to either build a house with a carport or a single car garage. The addition of a garage to a property without a garage adds quite a bit to the value of the home. The addition of the garage also provides you with a different kind of curb appeal, because buyers frequently form a bad impression about a property lacking the square footage that comes with even a single car garage. If it is possible, you will want to try to add a bonus room to a new garage that you are able to add to your Tampa home with a carport. Adding the bonus room will allow you a better chance of recouping the investment, and giving all potential buyers a little surprise square footage.
An idea that does not necessarily catch the eye of Gulf Coast natives, but will catch the eye of the snow birds from Canada, is the addition of a fireplace to the family room. It can be a kitschy addition some people really find to be endearing about your Tampa home, and a fireplace can come in handy when we get the cold Christmas weather.
One last option you may want to consider is a flip of the laundry room from the garage to a converted room in the house, as long as the addition does not do away with a bedroom in your Tampa home.
As with any improvement project for your Tampa home, you will want to make sure that you find the best General Contractor in the Tampa Bay area. Ask for references from the contractor, and complete your homework to make sure that this person has all of the required licenses and permits.
Tampa Home Improvement Projects
There is no doubt that home improvements will increase the value of your Tampa home. You do need to understand that not all types of home improvement projects will add the same kind of value to your home. Here we discuss which Tampa home improvement projects generally increase the resale value of your Tampa home, and what type of home remodeling projects do not recover their value after the sale of the home.
Here are a couple of great ideas for a Tampa home improvement project.
The first thing that Tampa home owners need to do to increase the resale value of their homes is to add to the curb appeal of the property. Home improvement projects like landscaping you front yard, adding shrubs and smaller carpentry projects to do things like remove rotten boards can cost little but honestly can change the way that buyers perceive your home. Think of it in terms of making the moment special by making a fantastic first impression.
If you feel like the curb appeal for your house is already there, you will still want to want to give some thought to applying a fresh coat of paint to both the exterior and interior of your Tampa home. A fresh coat of paint takes a Tampa home that may have been feeling its age, and gives it an inexpensive bump to its self-esteem.
Once you make it inside the house, you will want to make a trip to the bathroom because the bathroom and the kitchen are both main rooms that potential home buyers weigh heavily in their decision to buy. Adding a full bathroom to your Tampa home is a great idea, unless adding the new bathroom means you will have to give up a bedroom in the Tampa home. If the idea of the addition of a new bathroom, and all of the cash it entails terrifies you, consider switching to the kitchen instead and give the most thought to cosmetic changes to add to the aesthetic value of the room.
When you start working on any Tampa home improvement project, make sure you contact Rossi Construction, Inc. to find the best General Contractor for your project.
Countertop Installation During Your Tampa Kitchen Remodeling Project
In our previous article discussing Tampa kitchen remodeling projects, we discussed the idea of considering new flooring options when changing your kitchen. Our flooring suggestion allowed you to understand the positives associated with the installation of beautiful new laminate flooring, but we would like you to imagine that lovely flooring matched with newly installed countertops. It is a recipe for beauty!
Project Three: Countertop Installation During Your Tampa Kitchen Remodeling Project.
Whereas cabinets are a focal point for a potential buyer of your Tampa home, and flooring is a necessity if you do not want to be considered a savage, your countertops are the star of your kitchen! The right material is what gives you the wow factor when a person first enters the room after your Tampa kitchen remodeling project is complete. More than any other single decision in your Tampa kitchen remodeling project, choosing the correct countertop is a matter of keeping up on trends.
If you are looking to add value to your Tampa home, stick with affordable granites and manufactured stone that is available on the market. Prices will range from $40.00 to $100.00(+) per square foot, and you must be prepared to understand that durability will be an issue in this Tampa kitchen remodeling project.
If you do not understand what any of this means, use the rule that darker granites with consistent patterns tend to be stronger stone. Granites with a more elaborate pattern will result in a higher price tag. You will want to try to stick with dark and durable granite, perhaps a dark brown that is both affordable and very strong. This will allow your money to be wisely spent in your Tampa kitchen remodeling project.
Rossi Construction, Inc. is capable of helping you make the best decision possible about your kitchen countertop options in your Tampa kitchen remodeling project.
Flipping the Floors – Tampa Kitchen Remodeling
In our previous article discussing Tampa kitchen remodeling projects, we shared the idea of executing a project that can add to both the value of the home and the usability of the kitchen. Our first idea covered the value of cabinet upgrades, but there are so many potential Tampa kitchen remodeling projects that change your kitchen structure. The trick is to find the perfect kitchen remodeling recipe for your family!
Project Two: Skipping the Cabinets, and Flipping the Floors.
Laminates, exotic hardwoods, recycled materials, linoleum and even poured concrete can be used for flooring options in a Tampa kitchen remodeling project. The abundance of flooring options make the actual choice of flooring materials a difficult decision, one which must be determined using your tastes; your budget and which flooring option will hold-up for years.
Hardwood is a very popular choice for Tampa kitchen remodeling projects, but many people will also opt to use faux options when budget is a concern. “Floating floors,” or the laminate version of traditional hardwood floors, are highly popular because they maintain the appearance of hardwood and keep the price down. The laminate floors come in a wide range of colors, qualities and pricing but all are able to knock traditional hardwood floors down base upon price of materials and installation pricing.
What makes laminate flooring so fantastic!? The technology allows your regular kitchen contractor to oversee installation of the new flooring during the Tampa kitchen remodeling project, whereas hardwood floors requires the assistance of another specialist.
Rossi Construction, Inc. is capable of providing advice regarding the installation of new flooring materials during a Tampa kitchen remodeling project. If a home owner makes the decision to go with traditional hardwood flooring, Rossi Construction, Inc. will be able to install the new flooring during the Tampa kitchen remodeling project.
Be sure to review our next article regarding Tampa kitchen remodeling, which covers the installation of new counters. 
Tampa Kitchen Remodeling – Working on Cabinets
Do you ever find yourself weighing the pros and cons of concrete countertops in your precious spare time? Do you consider the finer points of walnut cabinetry? Then you must have a Tampa kitchen remodeling project on the top of your mind.
It turns out that you are not alone in your Tampa kitchen remodeling fever. According to information gathered in a National Organization of Home Builders survey, kitchen remodeling projects are up seventeen-percent from the numbers provided by a 2010 survey.
Before you get the tools out, or head to the hardware store, you need to consider what type of Tampa kitchen remodeling project is best for your finances; best for your family and best for the future of your household.
Improvements can be classified into two categories, the first of which will add actual verifiable monetary value to the house. The second category makes the house more appealing to buyers, and a great example would be adding high-end countertops that make an impact on buyers but do not add to overall usable space in the kitchen.
This makes you wonder “what” makes the right recipe for a Tampa kitchen remodeling project. Take a look at this article, as well as our follow-up article for some hot Tampa kitchen remodeling trends that mix appeal and value. If you find the mix that is right for you, Rossi Construction, Inc. can help build a kitchen that is a dream to use!
Project One: Cabinet Replacement of Refacing in your Tampa Kitchen Remodeling Project!
If you are not sure where to begin with your kitchen remodel, the cabinets are a great place to focus your initial attention. Why? The cabinets may feel like they are just a “box,” but they are actually a major focal point for a potential buyer for your house.
Cabinetry costs can range for around $7,500.00 to $45,000.00, depending upon style; manufacturer and materials. This investment means that you will want to carefully consider your options when you are planning your Tampa kitchen remodeling project. You can go for top of the line cabinets, you can go mid-line with higher end features that home buyers are looking for or you can make the project one of refacing solid cabinets to upgrade the look but maintain a budget.
No matter which choice you make for your cabinets, you will want to hire a contractor to properly make any and all upgrades. A contractor will be able to ensure that all hardware is properly installed, all cabinets are aligned and that your Tampa kitchen remodeling project is on track.
Check our follow-up article regarding additional Tampa kitchen remodeling projects that can and will add value to your house. Please remember that we are available for any questions that you may have regarding your Tampa kitchen remodeling projects.
Modifying Your Tampa Home To Meet ADA Standards
A disability accessible home is typically considered a home that any person, either fully ambulatory or in some way physically hampered, is capable of entering and using for either a short stay or a lifetime of living. With young men and women returning from various duty stations severely injured, many of our friends around Tampa have given a large amount of thought toward how it is possible to make their homes accessible to returning friends and family.
How can I modify my Tampa home to meet Americans with Disabilities Standards?
The primary goal in any Tampa home modification is to ensure that the architecture of the house does not lend itself to isolation of friends or family in wheelchairs. While we initially explained this in terms of returning injured veterans, it is important to understand that anyone could be in a wheelchair and this can be either temporary or a genetic disorder that lasts for the entire lifetime.
Your house needs to be accessible to wheelchairs, walkers and individuals who have trouble navigating due to the physical impairments that a stroke can signal. The house can easily be made accessible to all, and the only thing that is required is a few key changes to certain areas of the house.
Which areas need to be modified in the house?
- Rossi Construction, Inc. needs to make one entrance in the household completely step free.
- Entry doors, bathroom doors and all doors in between need to be at least 32” wide for passage.
- At least ½ bath must be accessible on the main floor of the Tampa home. We prefer to see a full bath.
If I make the change, do I benefit?
- Your home will be accessible to everyone from the date modifications are complete.
- If a family member develops a disability through age, illness or accident you are prepared.
- Your home will also be friendly to the elderly, particularly your parents as they age.
Can you explain a few of features to me?
- A ramp will most likely be one of the first things everyone thinks of and, in this case, you want the ramp to be installed on the door that will provide the most convenient overall household access.
- Expect a bathroom door that is hinged to swing outward, rather than inward, in order to allow the door to close when someone with a wheelchair enters the bathroom.
There is definitely more involved in the modification of a Tampa home to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but this opens your eyes to the idea of making your house a “home” for everyone. Please call the Rossi Construction, Inc. team at 813.436.0177 to discuss making your Tampa home accessible to your friends and family with special needs.