Smartphone Apps: Making Kitchen Renovations in Perth Easy

"Bringing a creative idea to life without a design plan may be hard for both contractors and homeowners. But thanks to new smartphone apps, planning for home renovations are now easier than ever. An influx of apps available for both Apple iOS and Android now give homeowners the chance to come up with an initial design. From choosing colors to picking fixtures to the placement of appliances and furniture, renovations now rest in the palm of one's hand. Having an idea is the first step in moving forward with bedroom, bathroom or kitchen renovations in Perth. The next is finding a reliable contractor who can bring the idea to life. Whether it's an exterior or an interior remodel, a homeowner can better communicate his home improvement ideas to a renovator with the help of a smartphone app."

http://www.perthrenovationgroup.com.au/ideas/surge-in-perth-renovations-fueled-by-convenience-survey-discovers.html

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Bathroom Renovations in Perth: The Importance of Finding the Right Contractor

"Home improvement projects are often done to increase the value of a home. However, the costs of renovations may cause homeowners to think twice about whether or not to spend so much money on a remodel. More often than not, people had to compromise design and materials to fit everything into their budget. This brings the importance of finding a reliable contractor to do the renovations to light. For homeowners looking to make kitchen and bathroom renovations in Perth, a company like Perth Renovation ensures that the project is within the budget while using quality materials. On top of all that, being provided with full insurance makes the project stress-free for homeowners. A home's value may increase after renovation with a good design making use of durable materials, ultimately protecting a homeowner's investment."

http://www.perthrenovationgroup.com.au/ideas/perth-renovations-experts-can-enliven-your-home-improvement-experience.html

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Home Renovations in Australian Cities

The Great Australian Dream of owning a single-family detached house surrounded by lawns and fencing was big in the 1950s and 60s until problems posed by the formation of urban sprawl later cropped up in the federation's bigger cities.

Even with the numerous problems posed by increasing urbanization, the dream of owning a single-family detached house is still very much alive in the hearts and minds of many Australians. Many Australians still believe that purchasing a house, usually the most expensive investment such individuals will ever make in their lifetimes, is ideal.

In Australia, nearly 70 percent of homes in urban areas are occupied by their owners. The country also has the largest average floor area in the world at 208 square meters. This is slightly larger than the United States' 192 square meters, and more than twice as large as the European Union's 102 square meters.

With the housing bubble over and unemployment rates easing back to pre-recession levels, many Australians are considering home renovations. Home renovations can make living spaces habitable again, and improve a residential property's resale value and curb appeal. In the Economist Magazine's annual ranking of the world's most livable cities, Australian cities consistently rank high, with Melbourne beating every other city in the world. Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide all show up in the Top 10 yearly.

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Wheel and Deal: Why Some Renovations Pay Off

New is often equated with unspoilt quality. However, those planning to buy existing homes shouldn't expect their properties to be fresh as the day they were made. Most such homes were once under the ownership of another family or individual, and despite what a real estate agent may say, there can be a couple of rough edges to the property in question.

Leaving behind a house in disrepair can be a poor gesture to the next owner. Even worse, it might not even convince the buyer to get the property. This is why renovations are in order for shoddy homes soon to be vacated. The corresponding changes, when done properly, should be able to increase the property's desirability on the market, and thus raise its resale value as well.

Parts of the home that could really use renovations include the kitchen and bathroom. These two areas, after all, are often used and receive heavy foot traffic, thus susceptible to a lot of wear and tear. In addition, these spaces will collect a lot of filth and stains, and certainly nobody wants to buy a home with a dirty kitchen or a frightening bathroom. A tasteful remodeling project should be able to restore the looks of these areas, or even imbue upon them with a completely different look that can refresh every tired soul.

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Size, Color, Design, and Sturdiness: What Makes a Good Front Door

A door welcomes your family members, friends, and guests to your home, so it makes perfect sense if you take some time in choosing one that looks inviting.  Of course, security is a primary concern, too.

One of the factors you should consider is the size of the door and the number of panels. Will it be a regular-sized door with a single panel for your humble abode? Or a two-panel, customized door for a grand entrance to your mansion?

Door design and color also matter. For example, rustic designs may not complement a modern home, while an artsy metal or carved wooden door may not fit a country-themed house. Pick a color that can give a nice accent to or blend well with your home's windows and exterior, keeping in mind that you don't have to stick to neutral colors.

The most important aspect of your door is its durability. A front door serves as the entry and exit points to your sacred ground, so it's vital that it keeps your home secure at all times. Remember that your door must be made of strong materials and has sturdy knobs, locks and hinges to ensure your safety at all times.

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Assessing Your Kitchen for a Renovation

Renovating your kitchen can be a tasking job, particularly if you don't know how to optimize its efficiency. However, in thinking about a renovation job, there's an aspect which many people seem to take for granted: knowing the must-haves in every kitchen.

If you plan to renovate your kitchen, have a budget and stick to it. Sure you can splurge on one or two fixtures, but never give in to the temptation of spending too much on the non-essentials like a new refrigerator, if you still have one and it's still relatively new. Moreover, if you think you can't afford to have a total renovation, just parts of it, better to put the project on hold until a more appropriate time.

Make sure that the budget for your renovation project is focused on the most important parts of your kitchen. These include the sink (and the plumbing that goes with it), countertop, cupboards, and pantry, also a separate preparation table, if you often cook in large quantities.

Ask your remodeler to maximize the functionality of your kitchen by setting the countertops and island kitchen with enough room for traffic and easy movement. Remember,  a great kitchen is a functional and practical one with all the basics accounted for, not purely aesthetics.

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How to Save on Your Home Renovation

As simple as it may seem, a home renovation project can drain your savings if you don't plan it carefully. Luckily, you don't need to spend an inordinate sum of money to turn your home into a veritable sanctuary. Here are some ways you can cut down on your remodeling expenses.

First, do the math. If you have sufficient knowledge on basic construction, you can estimate the cost of the project yourself; after all, some remodeling service providers charge their clients for the cost estimate. Additionally, if you have an idea of how much the project may cost, it will be easy for you to decide how much money you can fork out.

Next, learn about the materials you will need for the renovation. This way, you will know which ones to pick as soon as the contractor lays down your options. However, be careful not to compromise quality when choosing materials so you can avoid costly maintenance and repair works in the future.

If your home is in dire need of a total makeover that is sure to cost a lot of money, you might want to take out a home construction or renovation loan. Like other financing programs, this loan is intended to provide instant funding at desirable terms. In any case, to get the ideal loan program, you must first meet the criteria set by the loan provider.

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When is the Right Time to Renovate Your Home?

After walking around your house, checking on the condition of certain structures, perhaps you wonder whether or not it's time to renovate. Before you do, think about the last time you renovated your house? If you come up with a number that's close to 15 years, then it may indeed be time to overhaul things around. Below are certain areas of the house that you need to renovate before others.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are the most heavily used parts of the house. These rooms are also the ones most exposed to water damage, prone to mold growth and rot.

Kitchens

The kitchen area is considered the heart of the home, and is usually the second most used room in the house. Kitchens set the tone for the whole house so if a home ever needs a facelift, start with the kitchen as a way to keep up with the changing times and trends.

Laundry rooms

Modern laundry rooms are not just a place to do laundry anymore; they have become a place were items are stored, and a room where people come and go. They take a lot of abuse, especially if a family has kids and pets.

Renovating your home allows you to enjoy your home for another 15 years or so. Aside from the freshness and excitement the rooms provide when they're done, a home renovation project will also increase the value of your home. Given these benefits, projects of this kind are always a worthy undertaking.

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