Chris Farkas' Bellingham Blog

With spring in full bloom, homeowners are taking advantage of the weather and prepping their outdoor living spaces for the upcoming summer season. One main hangout for many is the deck. While there are a handful of different low-cost deck trends for 2013, homeowners can freshen up their existing space without breaking the bank by highlighting a few key elements.

The following updates are as easy as they are wallet-friendly.

Rock the railing. The railing is often the first thing guests see when they take a look at your deck from the yard or street, so it’s important to realize that this is more than just a safety feature—although functionality is important, too!

Make a statement and allow your railing to stand-out by switching up building materials. If you have a wood deck, it doesn’t mean you need to have wood railings. In fact, glass railings are a popular option today. Want to pass on glass? Look into composite or aluminum.

Pump up the posts. Your deck posts can get a quick revamp with post caps. Additionally, planter pots are becoming increasingly popular: Plant an herb garden or your favorite perennial right on your deck post. You can also look into posts with built-in lighting—some are solar!

Add spark to your spindles. The spindles between your rail posts, also known as balusters, can also be updated. Get a unique look by mixing and matching materials.

Love the lights. If you’re already proud of your outdoor space, spruce up your lighting to show it off at night. Look into recessed lights for the stairs, ornamental post lights, soft illuminating floor lights or eco friendly solar options.

If you want to take on a bigger project and give your deck a major facelift, consider redoing the base. Natural wood continues to be popular, but if you don’t have the time or money for wood, you can consider composite decking. Lots of consumers favor composite because it’s durable and low maintenance. And, many designs closely mimic real wood so you still have the aesthetic appeal.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Having the flexibility to turn your home into your dream house is an amazing feeling, and remodeling can be fun. But imagine being halfway through your kitchen remodel only to realize the money you budgeted isn't enough to cover completing the project! This is a perfect example of why proper home remodeling planning is so important. Below are five steps from handymanconnection.com that everyone should follow before the remodeling process takes place.

1. Draw a plan to define a clear idea of what you want the end result to look like. Write down any and all thoughts you have in regards to the desired room design. Draw where you think furniture pieces may go; describe how certain elements will be incorporated. The plan can change throughout the remodeling process, but having that visual at the start will help guide the project as things progress. If you are having difficulty formulating a remodeling plan, call a professional handyman or designer to help with direction and give you more ideas.

2. Research the various elements involved in your plan. Oftentimes, other people have carried out the same projects themselves and can offer valuable advice. Save time by learning from others' experiences, rather than by your own trial and error. If you find your kitchen remodeling, for example, is beyond your capabilities, a skilled handyman may offer expertise that can enhance your plan beyond your expectations. Once you have done your research, you will have a better idea of how much money and time are required to complete the plan.

3. Create a budget that you are comfortable devoting to your project. Before you begin purchasing materials and securing labor, you need to set a limit to ensure that spending does not get out of control. At this point, your plan may need alterations to fit within your budget restraints. Proper budgeting ensures your plan can be carried out to completion. 

4. Gather help from experienced craftsmen to ensure your success. While some handy homeowners may opt to remodel alone, having others help will make the process a smoother experience. In some cases, that can be as simple as collecting friends and family to share the labor. Unfortunately, this type of help does not always give you the professional results you hope to achieve. Sometimes it may be best to bring in a professional. In order to complete kitchen remodeling, for example, you will most likely need some professional help.

5. Get the appropriate permits required by your local government to make sure your project complies with local building codes. Make sure to apply at your local town office for any necessary permits involved in your remodeling project. If you are unsure of how to go about this or which permits you require, handyman services can be extremely helpful.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

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