As the economy continues to recover, one place that people seem comfortable spending is on their homes — after all, money you put into home improvement is essentially an investment rather than an expense. This year we’ve seen a few new trends in home design.
You’ve turned your clocks forward, so that means it’s time to take advantage of the extra sunshine and warmer temperatures, and give your home the TLC it’s been missing over the winter months. Before the spring rains, warmer weather and bugs hit, there are a few easy things you should do for your Greater Boston area home to keep it energy efficient and performing at and looking its best. As a top Boston home builder, we know just what you need to do to keep your home in tip top shape, and we’ve offered some suggestions below:
Updating your kitchen? House Beautiful asked designer Mick De Giulio — who designed his first kitchen when he was 19 and has 3,000 projects under his belt — to give them a list of what he thinks are the essentials. We reposted this article, as we thought this was great food for thought. Check it out!
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Many factors affect the price that sellers ask for their properties. (Not all are logical) It is important to understand what motivates a Seller to establish the listing price. Here is a list of some of the basic considerations:
Once you’ve made the decision to move forward and buy land, the next logical question is “How much can you afford?”. To answer this, first you need to understand the difference between “Pre-Qualified” and “Pre-Approved”.
Whether modular construction, stick-built, or panelized, building a new custom home is most likely the largest single purchase you will ever make. If you are embarking on buying land for your new home, it makes sense to hire a realtor who will best represent your interests. But before you do, it is important to understand the various types of agency relationships.
In addition to windows, replacing your homes’ doors is one of the best home improvements you can do. Replacing doors can add value to your home, increase curb appeal, and saves you financially on heating and cooling costs. More importantly, doors provide necessary security and, in turn, make your home comfortable for you to live.
Choosing the right door can be an overwhelming process once you have decided that a new door is needed. Here are answers to the top five question regarding replacing doors.
The big question on everyone’s mind before a kitchen remodeling or renovation project is “how much is this going to cost me?” This Kitchen Budgeting Tool can help.
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." There’s something extra special about a fireplace. It doesn’t matter if it’s wood-burning, gas or electric, a fireplace adds ambiance to your home especially during the winter.
Whether you have already lit your first fire of the season or not, here are a few important fireplace safety tips to remember:
The October snowstorm has got all Greater Boston residents thinking of the long months ahead. Before winter really sets in, you should evaluate the condition of your roofing to determine if it can handle the pressure!
So the October Nor-Easter left a lot of us without power, cable, and all the creature comforts! To be ready next time, take a look at the following tips to “weather the storm”! Also, check with your insurance provider about coverage on storm damage. This USAA site provides some good info on typical coverage.
Many of our customers come to us wanting to remodel their outdated kitchens. Here are some important considerations to think about before you take on this type of project.
This is an excerpt of a Q&A about green building that recently appeared in Wellesley/Weston Magazine. I thought it would be a good one to share with our readers.
If you’re looking to do a kitchen remodel and want that designer look and feel – not to mention the added bonus of extra storage space – then it’s time to add a gorgeous island to your kitchen.
When it comes to kitchen remodeling ideas, the choices can often seem overwhelming. However, working your way through these choices boils down to a deceptively simple question: Do you prefer traditional or contemporary kitchen designs?
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August is here, and some of the Sterling Homes team will be heading off on summer vacation. That got us thinking… Whether you are still trying to sneak in a summer getaway, or going away later in the year, home security is always an important consideration.
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Step 5: Obtain Estimate & Contract
The last step in preparing to build your custom home is to obtain a cost estimate and sign a contract. To find out what the average price is for a project, most homeowners opt to get at least three quotes from different builders.
The last step in preparing to build your custom home is to obtain a cost estimate and sign a contract. To find out what the average price is for a project, most homeowners opt to get at least three quotes from different builders.
When it comes time to develop the plan for a custom home, many of our clients come to us and ask – do I really need an architect? The answer is – probably. A custom-designed home is created specifically for the family who will live there. In most cases, custom-designed homes require the services of a licensed architect. Architects are licensed professionals. Like doctors and lawyers, they have completed university programs and lengthy internships, and they have passed a series of rigorous exams. Their training covers many areas, ranging from landscape design to structural engineering.
Step 3: Choose your Team
You'll need a team of experts to design and construct your house. Key players will include a builder, an excavator, a surveyor and a home designer or an architect. Many homeowners begin by selecting the builder or contractor. That professional then selects other members of the team. However, you may also opt to hire an architect or designer first (more on this in Step 4!).
Step 2: Choose your Lot
Whether you are building your home in a suburban development or a site with beautiful ocean views, you will almost always need to choose the land before you select floor plans or other details. You and the professionals you hire will need to investigate factors such as soil condition, drainage, zoning and building codes in the region.