Kitchen and bathroom solutions

Home improvement has become one of our country’s biggest hobbies. Americans spent an estimated $214 billion on home improvements, maintenance, and repairs in 2001, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies research report published in February 2003. How and where that money is spent can make a big difference. when it comes to investing in your home.

Of all the rooms in your home, bathrooms represent the biggest and fastest return on your remodeling investment. According to Remodeling Magazine, more than 80 percent of your bathroom remodeling expenses can be recouped within a year of resale. Not all rooms in the house offer such a return. Surprisingly, kitchens are sixth on the list with just over 60 percent of costs returned. Only bathroom additions outperform bathroom remodeling with returns greater than 90 percent.

Despite the remodeling craze of today’s homeowners, you need to weigh the pros and cons of taking on just an entire bathroom project. Knowledge, including admitting your strengths and weaknesses, is the key to successfully completing any project on time and within budget. Ask yourself the following remodeling questions to ensure you’re making the best decisions for your investment.

Is it a remodel or a makeover?

“The first consideration should be the scope of the work,” says Rick Peters, remodeling expert and author of “MoneySmart Makeovers: Bathrooms.” He asks, “Do you understand the plumbing systems in your house, like where the sink/vent stack is?”

If your remodeling project involves more than cosmetic fixture replacements or surface redecoration, it may be time to call in an expert to evaluate your home’s plumbing and plumbing. Peters suggests the following checklist:

Call a remodeling contractor when:

* Move a toilet, sink, bathtub or shower

* Remove or add walls

* Installation of ventilation that runs through the roof

All of these projects require specific skills and knowledge of local building and plumbing codes.

Try the following makeover projects for yourself:

* Replacement of a faucet, sink or toilet using existing plumbing

* Installation of shower or bathtub combination doors

* Installation of new accessories, such as shelves or lamps

* Paint, tile or wallpaper

These projects require some skill base, but even a first-time do-it-yourselfer can complete them in a reasonable amount of time.

What’s the real deal on what you want?

Tempted by what looks good? Check the quality. Does that new faucet have rubber washers or plastic valves? A client of mine bought a faucet with plastic valves five years ago and it lasted exactly four and a half years. Cheaper versions of the real thing cannot be repaired and must be completely replaced. This means you are spending twice as much in 10 years as you would once in a lifetime on a better faucet.

Look for quality accessory manufacturers like American Standard. Featuring America’s best flushing system, the company’s Champion toilet includes a worry-free decade warranty that covers the entire toilet inside and out. American Standard faucets come with a lifetime warranty on washerless tight seal, function and finish. Most of their sinks and toilets are made of vitreous china that resists dirt and bacteria. Even acrylic tubs are made stronger with a fiberglass bond for added strength.

Bottom line: “Your bathroom takes a daily beating,” says Peters. “Buy quality.”

Is there a big cover-up waiting for you?

Several times, I have ventured into bathrooms that have been renovated by covering damaged tiles or walls with acrylic panels. “Sure it looks better, but the problem is still there,” says Peters. “Panels like these actually trap moisture and mold, which was the problem in the first place, and now it’s going to get worse. Make sure leaks and damage are repaired and not just covered up.”

Peters also suggests using mold-resistant drywall. “Standard drywall can’t hold up to moisture in the air, even with proper ventilation,” she notes.

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