Nanuet, NY

Frustrating home renovations can be avoided by careful planning on the part of the homeowner. Here are some simple tips for keeping your renovation on budget and on time:

What's your reason for renovating?

Begin your renovation with a clear vision of what you are trying to achieve. Do you want to add living and recreation space to your home or are you merely trying to improve its resale value? Having a clear vision will help you plot your budget and timeline.

Budget

Figure out how much you can afford. Once you've come up with a sum that you're willing to spend, determine what materials, fixtures and appliances you want to use for the renovation. Itemize every expense on your budget, no matter how small.

Hint: even the best-planned renovation projects tend to cost more than you anticipated. Be ready to go 10% over budget to cover unexpected expenses.

Do it Yourself or hire a professional?

Are you a handyman? Perhaps you can do your own home improvements. There's no shortage of stores that cater to the do-it-yourself crowd, many of which offer classes on home renovation projects. If you're not a handy person, you can still save money by doing simple jobs such as painting yourself.

Ask potential residential contractors for credentials, references and photographs of previous jobs they have done. Be wary of general contractors who demand full payment up front in cash or pressure you to expand your renovations. Always ask the contractor if your home remodeling project will require any special permits from city hall.

Timeline

Ask the contractor to produce a timeline - in writing - for how long they think the project will take. Get specific time commitments for each stage of your project.

Communication

Check in with your contractor on a daily basis to see if things are working according to plan. Be prepared to go a little bit over schedule (just as you should prepare to go a little over-budget).

Don't go changing

Once you have settled on a budget, contractor, timeline and creative vision of what you want to get done, try not to deviate too drastically from the plan. Major last-minute changes have a way of adding time and cost to your project.

Camp out vs. move out

You can save on hotel and food bills by staying in your residence during the renovation. If your kitchen is being remodeled, move the fridge, stove and microwave into another room and set up a temporary kitchen. For obvious reasons, it's best to do home renovations in summer.

A home remodeling project is never easy, but following these simple steps can reduce your stress-load and keep your budget and schedule on track. Make sure to consider features that will be desirable should you decide to sell your home. Your Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate sales associate can help you determine what projects will help increase the value of your home.

For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me by email, phone or visit me at my office, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com

With relocation costs soaring, more and more homebuyers are choosing to stay put and renovate their existing dwellings to both make them more livable and potentially increase their resale value. If your home was built before the late 1970's however, chances are there may be some health risks looming behind those walls that may pose a threat to you and your family.

In 1978, the government banned the use of lead-based paints. Yet before then, they were used to cover nearly every square inch of most American homes. If you're planning on living in your home while renovating, consider that extensive renovations in older homes could introduce particles into the air that could prove harmful.

If you're home is old, it's never a bad idea to hire a home inspector to identify existing and potential problems. When renovating to sell the property, keep in mind that savvy homebuyers will likely request their own home inspection of your property. A near problem-free inspection is a green light in the sale of almost any home.

Please note - If identified, the removal of potentially hazardous materials is best left to the professionals and large jobs should not be considered a DIY project.

Minimizing risk

There are several things you can do to reduce the risk when renovating where lead paint has been applied in past. Given that it is not always practical to hire a contractor, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in conjunction with the CDC have produced a Lead Paint Safety Field Guide for use by homeowners and professionals alike. While the entire document should be reviewed before taking on even a small project, some of the highlights of this guide includes the following advice;

• Use heavy plastic to cover doorways, windows, floors, and any furniture that can't be removed from the renovated area,
• Always mist or dampen walls before scraping paint.
• Turn off the heating and air conditioning to reduce air-borne particle movement.
• Keep those not involved in the renovation as far away as possible and if you do decide to hire a contractor to transform the space, make sure it's someone familiar with proper handling procedures

Radon

While more rare, radon gas seeping up from a tiny amount of harmless uranium in the soil can seep up through cracks and crevices underneath or around lower levels of your home. It's odorless, tasteless, and difficult to detect. However when released in confined spaces and when exposed for prolonged periods, radon has been linked to incidences of lung cancer. Given that the Surgeon General has stated that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, all homeowners should have their homes tested. If if your radon level is confirmed to be 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, you need to engage a qualified radon reduction contractor and maintain your system. According to the EPA's Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction, the average cost to fix a home is $1,200.00. In addition to these remedies, adequate air exchange in your home (and not over-sealing) will also help limit radon exposure.

Asbestos

Until the late 1970's, more than 3,000 products containing asbestos were commonly used in house construction, including materials for furnace duct insulation, deck undersheeting, and roof and wall insulation. So if your home was built before then, chances are you may stir up a little asbestos if doing a renovation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's "Asbestos in Your Home", asbestos in good condition should be left alone. However, if you find asbestos that is crumbling or fraying, it poses a health risk. Worst-case scenarios of asbestos exposure include respiratory illness, including lung cancer. If you think you have asbestos issues, it can be easily disposed of - simply contact a local professional and have it taken care of before moving ahead with your renovation.

By taking a look around your home prior to a major renovation, you'll be able to spot (or smell) a few potential health hazards that may slow down a costly home renovation. If you're unsure, ask your Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate sales associate for a referral on how best to handle your specific circumstance.

For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me by email, phone or visit me at my office, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com

Basements big and small are notorious catch-alls for unwanted stuff. But given that they already have walls, a ceiling, and some framing - it may be the most cost effective and easiest remodeling project you do to your home. Whether it's a need for extra bedrooms, home theatre, playroom, an office, the ever-popular home gym or a rental unit to generate extra income - basement renovation options are limitless.

Upfront considerations

Before deciding where to hang the big screen, consider work you can tackle yourself. That will have a large bearing on your budget, materials and the space you create. Keep in mind that finishing a basement requires some knowledge of wiring, plumbing, carpentry, insulation and a slew of other skills that you may or may not have.

Next, consider what you want out of the space. What will you be using it for? And how long will you use it? Are you finishing the basement solely for resale, or are you building a home theatre for family and friends to enjoy?

While the answers to some of these questions should be set before plugging in your table saw, the extent of basement remodeling projects should be kept fluid as demand for specific features can change based on market conditions in your neighborhood. It may be helpful to go over design concepts with your Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate sales associate to get a more accurate sense of current conditions in your area.

Determining structural restrictions, permits, contractors, window and ventilation requirements are all next steps on your way to creating your underground Shangri-la.

When the dust settles

In the weeks and months that follow any substantial remodeling, you'll reflect on all the work it took to get you there. More than likely however, you'll be curious to know what your return on investment will be.

According to various Cost vs.Value Reports issued by the National Association of Realtors and Hanley Wood LLC, basement remodeling projects can generate more than a 90 percent return on every dollar spent. Buyers appreciate the added space, something that, depending on the circumstance, will make a nicely finished basement attractive in almost any market.

Perhaps most importantly, consider the changes you've made and how you and your family will enjoy them for the rest of the time in your property. When calculating the return on any renovation project, that's the factor that should often be considered most.

For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me by email, phone or visit me at my office, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com

Be sure to insulate your basement as you finish it. Insulating your basement quickly could help you avoid some problems down the line. This article will give you the basics on how to insulate your basement.

About this Project

As you work to finish your basement area, keep insulation in the plan. You can use a variety of types including rigid foam insulation planks or soft blankets or batts. It all depends on where you live and the space available to add it.

R-values help tell you the degree of insulation. Mild winter climates can use an R-value of 7, while colder areas need to shoot for R-11 or so. To reach these numbers with blankets or batts, you must frame out 2 x 3 or 2 x 4 stud walls over you masonry walls. The insulation is then stapled between those built-in wall studs. Then you can continue on, covering the surface with drywall or paneling. Your walls are nice and snug now.

Rigid foam insulation planks let you keep a new wall's thickness to a minimum because their R-values per inch are higher. Simply line the walls with furring strips, then glue or friction-fit planks between the furring. Because of foam's combustibility, building codes require you to cover it with a minimum of 1/2-inch drywall -- even if you're planning to install wood or hardboard paneling as your final finished surface.

Solve moisture problems before you begin. Seepage or leaks render insulating materials useless. Don't worry about mild condensation; insulation and a vapor barrier usually will eliminate this issue.

Insulation is less critical below ground level. To save money, you might insulate only that part of the wall the extends above ground level -- although insulating the walls' full height will provide additional value. Either way, pay special attention to spaces above the sill. As with crawlspace walls, these insulating techniques could cause frost-heave problems in extremely cold regions. Check your local building codes for approved insulation procedures.

For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me by email, phone or visit me at my office, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com

Chances are, your home is your largest and most important financial asset. Choosing the right contractor can add long-term value to your home that will easily be recognized by both guests and potential homebuyers.

When choosing a contractor, it's important to consider:

• How long they've been in business.
• Their willingness to supply you with references.
• Whether you can see samples of their work.
• Whether they will be using subcontractors. If so, who are they and what are their past experiences?
• Whether they have worked with your architect before.
• Their insurance coverage - if they don't have any, you could be held liable for any and all injuries that take place on the job.
• How many crews they operate and the number of jobs they take on in any given season. (Most good contractors are booked at least one year in advance. Keep this in mind when planning your renovation.)

Before you start any project, get at least three written estimates. This will give you a better sense of the scope and size of your renovation and the appropriate cost.

Telltale signs your contractor is less than professional:

• They only accept cash
• They expect full payment up front
• When digging around the back of their truck, they always seem to have leftover materials that'll be "perfect" for you.
• Instead of getting the necessary papers in order, they expect you to get the required paperwork from the local permit office.
• They're not concerned with a legally binding contract.
• Start and finish times are less than firm

After you make your decision, create an open dialogue with your contractor. In addition to being a skilled tradesperson, manager and people person, you'll want them to be a great communicator and solutions provider. They should be able to demonstrate the ability to think on the fly and give you the information you need to help move the project along.

Most importantly, don't rely on the all-mighty handshake. Times have changed and legally binding written contracts are an important part of a renovation to ensure both parties are satisfied and accountable. Clearly map out what work will be done and what steps should be taken if remediation is required. Also, have a clear start and finish date in the contract with firm project milestones so that there are no surprises when the project is "finished." Save yourself the aggravation by taking into consideration the information above and you'll ensure the work is completed at a price you can afford.

Finally, keep in mind that the vast majority of contractors are honest hard working individuals. However, as with all professions, there are always a few bad apples. As cliché as it sounds, doing the extra work up front will help you avoid them.

For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me by email, phone or visit me at my office, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com