Tag: remodeling
Fixes to Make a House Feel Bigger!
It isn’t inconceivable to feel trapped in your home without being underwater in your mortgage.
Now may not be the ideal time to take on a larger debt, halting your plans to move into a bigger home in the immediate future. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck in a home that makes you feel less than “at home.”
For a reasonable investment, you can make your home feel bigger without actually making any major structural changes. It can be called home renovations that make sense for your family and your budget! Maybe it should even be called “creatively thinking inside the box!”
Several solutions for families in need of space.
Make the dining room into a multi-purpose room!
With the eye of a general contractor from Rossi Construction, Inc., and your own plans for expanding your home business, a dining room can be creatively repurposed for office duties without losing its original purpose. It can simply be a door installation, the addition of custom shelves or cabinets, and possibly a recessed nook for your computer. Custom desk options even exist which can be telescoped into a full-size dining table.
A general contractor can help you develop amazing plans for a room that tends to see no more than two or three major days of service each year.
Add a half-bath to the first-floor of your home!
Adding a half-bath to your first-floor is simple if you have a crawlspace for running the new pipes. The half-bath is often a good fit for a room which will not miss the lost space, or even a coat closet that matches the requirements for local codes. Our specialists from Rossi Construction, Inc. will be able to advise homeowners regarding the best location for the half-bath.
Remove the claustrophobia from the equation!
A choppy layout of small rooms can make even a large house feel claustrophobic.
To open your floor plan on your own, you can remove doors from rooms that don’t really need them. A contractor can also advise homeowners regarding the removal of interior walls that don’t support the home or hide pipes. If neither method will work, a contractor can also devise plans which may open at least a portion of the wall for the homeowner.
Think outside the box and make your home feel bigger!
Basic Steps to Budgeting for the Perfect Tampa Kitchen Remodel!
Managing the amount you spend on a kitchen remodeling project can be easy if you follow these guidelines.
Decide what you are willing to spend, and stick to the number you established.
Setting a budget for a kitchen remodeling project and staying within it sounds simple and obvious, but it is harder than you think.
The average cost of a high-end kitchen remodel is upwards of $80,000, but there are factors which will determine whether you want to spend that much. The first is how much you are capable of spending. Review your finances to determine this number.
The second is how long you intend to stay in your home. If you are planning on selling the home within the next five years, then your kitchen renovation should be considered an improvement on a real estate investment. Only spend what you think you will be able to get back when you sell your Tampa home. If you intend on living in the home longer than five years, you will want the remodel to be focused on making your family feel comfortable in your home.
The third factor is the surrounding neighborhood. Are the homes modest? Are the homes upscale? If you put a massive kitchen in a middle-class neighborhood, you will lose cash on your investment when you sell the house. Never over-improve.
Understand how the costs will break down in the remodel.
Labor will always consume anywhere from twenty percent to thirty-five percent of your Tampa kitchen remodeling costs. Cabinets can also eat-up a big chunk of your kitchen remodel budget.
Here is how it typically breaks down:
- 35%: cabinets.
- 20%: labor.
- 20%: appliances.
- 10%: windows.
- 05%: fixtures.
- 03%: fittings.
- 07%: miscellaneous.
Maintaining a clear understanding of your budget allows you to build or remodel a kitchen that satisfies the needs of your family, while still offering a good return on your investment. Our remodeling specialists can help you nail down your “must have” modifications, making it possible for you to develop a kitchen remodeling budget. Call Rossi Construction, Inc. at 813.436.0177 to schedule an appointment for a free kitchen remodeling consultation today!
Are You Crazy? Questions to Ask Yourself Before Beginning a Kitchen Remodeling Project.
You might be crazy!
Unlike any other remodeling projects, kitchen renovation is made up of so many things. From the raw to the beautiful, from the pointless to the important, a home remodeling project can overwhelm even a determined homeowner.
On the other hand, a Tampa kitchen remodel instantly raises the value of your home, provides you with a more effective space to cook, and makes you the envy of the neighborhood. So, before beginning the rough but really rewarding project, you need to ask yourself:
- What are my desires for a remodeled kitchen? Is your kitchen a danger zone where you really do not stand a chance boiling an egg? Is the kitchen in need of a fresh face, perhaps new appliances; floors or cabinets? A need could be classified as: “I need a new refrigerator because my old one no longer runs efficiently.” Desires can be classified as: “I need a new dishwasher because my old one is bright orange.”
- Is it really worth the effort to have my kitchen remodeled? Consider the addition of a work crew to your home life over an extended period. If you can see working around the renovation project, a remodeling project is a good idea that can add value to the home.
- Do you want a kitchen renovation project that goes down to the bones, or do you want to keep it on the surface level? There is no shame in either choice.
Our specialists have years of experience remodeling kitchens in and around Tampa and are all well-versed in the intricacies of what homeowners are really looking for in the perfect kitchen. Schedule a time with a member of our team to run through the basics, and discover if you have what it takes to remodel a kitchen or if you will think the project is crazy. Call us today at 813.436.0177!
Calculating a Budget for Tampa Bathroom Remodeling Projects
Budgeting for a Tampa bathroom remodeling project can be a test of both your time and self-control. It is possible to create a spa retreat in your master bathroom, but does that mean packing a lunch for work for five years? Also, will your bathroom renovation plans cancel out other plans for additional home remodeling projects? Think of a luxury bathroom as an island, if it is set within a home that is in disrepair!
This means you need to approach the bathroom budgeting project with a realistic attitude. Before you get upset, keep in mind that there is almost nothing that is impossible to do on a budget because manufacturers offer a wide range of fixtures and finishes with which you can accomplish goals.
It is time to do your homework!
Begin by researching all of the options currently available on the bathroom remodeling market today. Flip through magazines, visit Pinterest, check local home improvement trade shows, talk to a professional and begin to build a list of everything you are not able to live without. After the wish list is built, revise that to a reality list with pricing.
Ask for the real numbers!
When you are interviewing a professional to do a Tampa bathroom remodel, make sure the number you are being given is both accurate and realistic. Be wary if any professional quotes a project at $40,000 and another claims he can complete the same job for $15,000. You need the hard numbers, something that is only accomplished when a list of materials is chosen before the actual project begins.
Live for the unexpected moments!
The one sure thing about any renovation project is that you will spend more than planned. The key is to keep all of the unexpected overages within reason. There is a fine line between splurging and making foolish mistakes with a budget. Beyond fixture changes, there is also tear-out surprises that can suddenly appear behind the walls.
If it is time to turn your reality based wish list into a Tampa bathroom remodeling project budget, call us at 813.436.0177 to schedule a free consultation. A specialist from Rossi Construction, Inc. will consult with you regarding the realities of a remodeling budget, and put you on the path toward a successful project!
Tampa Remodeling Projects – Rossi Construction, Inc. Sets the Stage for Success
Imagine spending hours tearing the pages from home magazines, weeks getting lost in Tampa remodeling plans, finally choosing the look wanted for a remodeling project and then throwing it all out the window by going with the first general contractor on the internet. No! The question remains: Who will be the right general contractor for the job? To assist with the selection of the right Tampa general contractor, Rossi Construction, Inc. has built the comprehensive list of questions to ask potential contractors and builders.
- Can you tell us a little about the Tampa remodeling projects you have completed?
Rossi Construction, Inc. suggests matching the remodeling job to the right contractor or builder. Some contractors may have a better track record with new construction, while others have the knack to give Tampa homes a facelift with a remodeling project. The specialists from Rossi Construction, Inc. explain that it is also a good idea to explore pricing options, because all projects need to be geared toward the specialty area of the participants.
- May we see examples of completed Tampa remodeling projects?
A credible general contractor will always be proud of his or her own work, and enjoy sharing completed projects with potential clients. Never be afraid to shy away from a general contractor with a style that is vastly different than a proposed remodeling project.
- May we see verification of your license and insurance?
- How long have you been remodeling houses in and around Tampa?
- Who will be the primary point of contact on the worksite?
In preparation for a Tampa remodeling project, it is vital that a homeowner does not hesitate to inform himself or herself regarding the qualification of potential general contractors. The specialists from Rossi Construction, Inc. do not hesitate to answer the questions.
Rossi Construction, Inc. is a general contractor located in Tampa Florida. Rossi Construction, Inc. specializes in residential and commercial construction. Rossi Construction, Inc. has been building excellence by design since 1979. Rossi Construction, Inc. can be found online by visiting http://www.jrossiconstruction.com.
Tampa Remodeling Thoughts and Checklist!
If the itch for a shiny kitchen has you preparing for a Tampa remodeling project, our team suggests you first prepare by creating a home renovation checklist. Do not let a hammer near your home if these steps have not been followed!
Launch a wish list for your Tampa remodeling project!
In a single column, write down all of the luxury items you want in a Tampa remodeling project. The other column must serve as a collection of necessities for the project. This will allow you to have a clear understanding of where priorities must reside, and give you the opportunity to dream of adding some of the other “wants” when the cash is available. A second bathroom may be a must, but a restaurant grade stainless steel range falls into the “it sure would be nice” category.
Determine your budget for a Tampa remodeling project before calling a general contractor.
Before you schedule a consultation with Rossi Construction, Inc., you will want to determine a base estimate of total budget you consider comfortable. This number will allow both of us to talk open and honestly about all potential plans for the Tampa remodeling project, and what can be accomplished for the investment. If you can swing it, try to build padding of roughly 10% into the budget to allow for all of the unexpected expenses that are always a part of a Tampa remodeling project.
Consult the calendar before scheduling your Tampa remodeling project.
What is your timeline for your Tampa remodeling project? If you want a bathroom added for, say, the birth of your first child, do not wait until it is less than a month before the due date. Likewise, it really is unwise to install a new roof when the rainy season is looming.
If you have completed all of these tasks, call the team from Rossi Construction, Inc. at 813.436.0177 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.
Developing a Plan for a Tampa Remodeling Project
Are you looking to breathe new life into an old or poorly functioning kitchen? Wait a minute! Before contacting a Tampa remodeling professional, you will need to do a little researching and soul-searching first.
Planning is the first phase of any remodeling, and sometimes it is the phase that is ignored. The more pre-planning you can do, the more chance there is for your Tampa remodeling project to be a success.
Start to plan by creating a stylebook.
If you are even thinking about a Tampa remodeling project, odds are good that you have been perusing multiple design magazines and watching home improvement shows. Both are great ways to jumpstart the creative spark, but to get the most out of the casual surfing, you will need to do more than turn the pages of a design magazine.
While looking through the magazines, find photos of room remodeling projects that appeal to you and write what you like about the project on the back of the photo or in the margin. Then place the image into a clear protector and insert it into a three-ring binder to create your Tampa remodeling stylebook.
The internet is another great source to remodeling inspiration. If you see room design that interests you, try to find if the photos of the room are available for download. Simply print the pictures and add them to your Tampa remodeling project stylebook. As the book grows, a clear image of your desired style will begin to merge, a fact that is helpful to you and a Tampa remodeling professional.
Define the goals for your Tampa remodeling project.
There is obviously a reason you want to remodel your Tampa home. What is that reason? Perhaps you want a family room that will help with resale in a few years. Maybe you need a kitchen that is built for entertaining or a kitchen that allows several family members to cook at one time. This is the time to make notes, assessing your needs and wants for the remodeling space, then distill the notes into a one or two sentence goal that applies just to your family.
Have realistic expectations for your Tampa remodeling project.
Above all else, make sure that you have reasonable expectations when it comes to your remodeling project. Talk to people who have been through the process before. The project is going to take a certain amount of time, there will be mess and there will definitely be stress. Understanding this from the beginning allows you to smash rose colored glasses, keeping some fun in the project.
If you have had time to develop your vision for your Tampa remodeling project, and feel prepared to speak with a remodeling professional, call the team from Rossi Construction, Inc. to set an appointment for a free consultation. Our office can be reached by calling 813.436.0177.
Adding a Sunroom to My Tampa, Florida Home
Have you ever wondered which type of glass or screen-enclosed space connecting your house with the outdoors would suit your Tampa house the best?
A Tampa sunroom, a room which can also be called a solarium or a conservatory, is a glassed-in living space that will most often be attached to the house and accessible while inside the house. It is designed to serve as an additional living area during mild weather, but may be too hot during the heart of a Tampa summer.
Closely related to the sunroom in appearance and execution, a four-season porch, is designed to be heated and cooled. As a result, the porch can be enjoyed for the entire year.
Featuring the same basic structure and construction as a sunroom or a four-season porch, an attached greenhouse structure offers light; temperature and humidity levels that are designed for plants.
The final option has walls constructed of screen or mesh, rather than glass or another building material. This offers the advantage of fresh air without the introduction of nature into a sitting area. Like the sunroom, it is habitable when the weather is agreeable. It can make a great budgetary choice.
Deciding the optimum location for your addition is the first critical step when planning the right materials for your glass or screen enclosed sunroom. Call Rossi Construction, Inc. at 813.436.0177 for a free consultation to discuss the optimum location for an addition.
Rossi Construction, Inc. Issues Guide to Tampa Media Rooms
PRLog (Press Release) – Oct. 24, 2013 – TAMPA, Fla.
In response to the fall remodeling boom, and a large batch of “which remodeling project is the best project for us” questions, Rossi Construction, Inc. issued a guide to adding a Tampa media room as both their suggestion and a small acknowledgment of their own personal preference.
The experts from Rossi Construction, Inc. decided that a guide to Tampa media rooms would be the best match for folks considering remodeling projects, because the project differs from a typical Tampa bathroom remodel. The Tampa media room is all about making the family a place to escape from the stress of the world, where they can enjoy time together without the distractions of the real world.
The guide to the proper addition of Tampa media rooms covered all of the basics required to make a Tampa media room into an island apart from the rest of the world.
Jason Rossi explained that a Tampa media room should typically be rectangular, with a flat ceiling that is no higher than 12’. Rooms that are square can bounce the sound waves in an uneven pattern. It is important that the media room in an enclosed space.
The guide also covered the topic standing waves, a phenomenon that occurs with parallel walls that are not fitted with any type of sound absorbing material, and it causes sound waves to be canceled out when they bounce back the way they came.
Beyond logistics of room placement, the experts from Rossi Construction, Inc. provided an overview of preparation required for the walls to optimize sound. The best way to properly optimize the walls in a Tampa media room for sound is to cover the walls in open cell polyurethane acoustic foam panels, or fiberglass panels that are at least 2” thick. Understanding the concept of floor to ceiling acoustic walls is not appealing, it was explained that floor to ceiling curtains can accomplish the same goal in a Tampa media room.
Rossi Construction, Inc. indicated the guide will have a follow-up with additional tips and tricks to help in the addition of a Tampa media room.
Rossi Construction, Inc. is a general contractor located in Tampa Florida. Rossi Construction, Inc. specializes in residential and commercial construction. Rossi Construction, Inc. has been building excellence by design since 1979. Rossi Construction, Inc. can be found online by visiting http://www.jrossiconstruction.com.
Tampa Remodeling Calls For Improved Livability
Conventional wisdom, as it relates to your house, is often too much convention and not enough wisdom.
Every year, someone publishes a list of which conventional Tampa remodeling projects will give you the best and/or worst return on your Tampa remodeling investment (ROI).
Remodel a bathroom. Replace the siding. Do not add a swimming pool. Paint it all neutral colors, the kind that appeals to the masses.
It all sounds a bit like advice that your mom and dad might pass along, just applied to your biggest investment.
If return on investment (ROI) is why you bought your home, or why you are planning a Tampa remodeling project, you can stop reading now. This article really is not for someone looking for a return on investment in their Tampa remodeling project.
Are you still there?
You invest in your home to improve the livability first, the quality of life, not the value. If you get more value in the process of your Tampa remodeling project, consider the ROI a bonus and not the primary goal.
If it becomes a matter of return on investment first, you become the person requesting and investing in a Tampa remodeling project that does not make sense for your family. You do not want to be the person thinking of ways for a Tampa remodeling project to make your house less livable.
What are some cost-effective ways to improve the livability of your house?
- Consider foregoing some kitchen cabinets, and adding a walk-in pantry as part of your Tampa remodeling project. A pantry takes up little space, stores a lot and is a relatively inexpensive investment.
- Add a cool shower, the kind that has been designed to meet ADA guidelines as well as one that has bonus comfort features for everyone. A shower does not take up a lot of space, and is a great idea in any Tampa remodeling project.
- Spend more time planning, and less money building when you work on your Tampa remodeling project. If you plan smart, it means you will not spend money fixing mistakes in the near future.
- Spend the money you have on the best products and materials that fit your budget. If granite is not in the budget for your Tampa remodeling project, invest in what you can comfortably afford and put the rest in the bank.
Most of these ideas will never make it to a list of “best ROI for Tampa remodeling projects,” but all will allow you to save money over conventional design strategy. More importantly, all of these ideas for Tampa remodeling projects make your house more enjoyable.
Contact Rossi Construction, Inc. at 813.436.0177 to schedule a consultation for your Tampa remodeling project.
