Home Remodeling: A Good Idea for You?

Depending on how you approach and carry out the project, tackling a home remodeling project can either be one of the wisest decisions you make or a decision that wasn’t given the proper thought. Which one it is for you, however, will be decided by your circumstances or motivations. As one article noted recently:

If you are considering home remodeling as a temporary solution because you either can't afford to move right now, your present home won't sell, or it just doesn't make sense in today’s real estate market, then you need to be a bit more choosy in what kind of projects make sense.

You shouldn't tackle a remodel or hire St Louis Park remodeling contractors because you’re unable to sell your home. Remodeling your home is a long-term investment that will pay off in the long term. It shouldn't be an investment made just to gain in hopes of gains overnight.

Read the entire article: “Home Remodeling: Wise or Foolish?”

Remodeling Contractors Guide Project Design

When it’s time to make serious changes to your home, a remodeling contractor can help you determine the best way to accomplish the task.

Perhaps you've decided you would like to have a home theater. You probably have an idea of how you want it to look, but there are a number of considerations that a remodeling contractor could bring to your attention.

Your basement might be the ideal location for your home theater. It has really good sound insulation because it is mostly or completely below ground level. But you may want to consider insulating the ceiling.

On the other hand, if your basement is prone to having water enter during really wet weather, it might not be the greatest place for all of that electronic equipment. You may want to use another room in the house for your theater.

Once you have decided on the location, you need to consider the seating arrangement in relation to the TV screen. Each TV has a recommended range as to how close and how far away a viewer can comfortably see the screen. Also, you need to know the maximum angle at which the screen can be viewed.

A good home heater will have a good sound system. The placement of speakers will have an effect on the viewing experience. You’ll want the wiring for those speakers to be inconspicuous.

It’s likely that you will want to connect your TV to the internet as well as a TV signal source. In some cases they will be the same connection.

Other areas to think about are room darkening and lighting. You don’t want sunlight or street lights producing distracting glare, and you don’t want to have the room be completely dark. You’ll want the lighting to be ideal for comfortable viewing.

These are just a few of the types of things you need to consider when doing a remodeling job. A qualified, experienced Eden Prairie remodeling contractor should be able to guide you in determining the final design of your project.

Ideas for Home Additions

Does your house not seem big enough? Maybe, when you bought the home, you saw it as a starter house where you would eventually add more square footage. Whatever the scenario, you are looking for ways to get more out of your home. If this is you then perhaps you are considering a room addition of some sort, but are not sure what.

For some people, figuring out what to do with their home’s space is a challenge. Either they have no ideas at all, or they have more ideas than they have space. So, if you are trying to decide what you want to do with that extra space, then here are a few suggestions for room additions or Minneapolis home remodeling projects to get you started.

• A sunroom - These are particularly nice if you love to garden and want a place to keep your plants in the off-season. Of course, they also work well as a place to entertain guests. Just remember that they need to be treated like any other part of the house and will typically need electrical wiring and insulation-even if you aren’t concerned with plumbing.
• Master bath – Many older homes were not built with master baths, consequently, this is a great room addition-especially if there is a room where the wall can be knocked out rather than having to build the entire space.
• Refinishing a basement or attic – This is a tried true room addition plan, as it allows you to make good use of an area that is often overlooked.
• Kitchen expansion – If you love to cook and entertain, consider adding on to your existing kitchen to make it more conducive to this activity.
• Library or office- If you can’t seem to pass up a box of books, then why not add on a room to serve as a library. Add a desk or two to the design and you can also have a home office.

Room additions can be a lot of fun and not scary at all. If you are not sure how to go about remodeling your home’s space or perhaps want a room addition, be sure to give Dean Johnson Remodeling a call. We would love to help you.

Home Remodeling Projects To Think About ...

Did other projects demand your time this summer, not letting you get to that home remodeling project you really wanted to? With summer nearing the finish line, now is the time to get started if you really, really want to have that improvement ready for use by the time leaves begin falling to the ground.

In an article a few months back, we discussed home remodeling projects to consider for this (almost over) summer. Projects we discussed included room additions, basement refinishing, adding a deck or patio, and work on your kitchen and/or bathroom. Did you not get to any of these, or did you end up deciding to bring in a professional Minneapolis home remodeling contractor?

We noted that with room additions:

Room additions are especially popular among growing families. Are your kids getting too big to share a room, or have you recently added another member to the family? Adding another bedroom can alleviate issues. If a parent or in-law will becoming to permanently stay with you, adding on will give them the privacy they desire while having them close by.

Another option, although more involved, is to put another story on your home. Second-story additions add more than just necessary space: they greatly increase your home's resale value.

That's the beauty of home remodeling: it can expand your space and you won't have to look for another home if quarters are becoming too cramped. All the projects mentioned can do wonders for your home's resale value.

Read the entire article: "Home Remodeling: Home Remodeling Projects To Think About for Summer 2012."

Basement Remodeling Idea: Workout Room

For many homeowners who include a workout as part of their daily routine, options can be limited in terms of where to put equipment in the house. If a spare room isn't available, some might just opt to purchase a gym membership. There is one other way you can get your workout in without leaving the home, and it's the subject of today's remodeling idea post: a basement workout room.

If your basement is unfinished, you can contract with a Minnetonka home remodeling company, such as Dean Johnson Remodeling, to finish your basement and transform it into a home gym. Many basements are large enough to fit a couple of different workout machines, such as weight benches, treadmills, stationary bikes, and more. With this space, you could also have spare weights on weight holders, and other perks like mounted TVs. Mirrors can be installed on the walls to further create the look and feel of a real gym.

Do you like the thought of working out in your basement? If you have all that space available, you can put it to good use by turning it into a workout room. Not only will you bring all the benefits of a gym much closer to your home (in fact... in your home), you could also increase your home's value by finishing your basement.

Ready to get started on your basement remodeling project? Get in touch with Dean Johnson Remodeling today by calling (763) 479-4820.

Remodeling Project: Basement Arcade

Looking for a unique way to remodel that unfinished basement of yours? If you want to make the basement fun and inviting, and don't mind springing a bit for the game cabinets you'll have to buy, you could consider building your very own basement arcade, like game enthusiast Jeff Kinder did. Included below are a few shots from Jeff's finished arcade.







Construction of Kinder's basement arcade was done in seven phases, and led to the great-looking setup you see above. It just goes to show you that, with a lot of hard work and some imagination, you can transform any space into your home into something incredible.

Ready to build something equally great for your home? Get in touch with Dean Johnson remodeling, a company providing Minnetonka home remodeling services, by calling (763) 479-4820.

Home Remodeling: Attic Bedrooms

One of the big remodeling trends these days is the attic bedroom project, a transformation that can turn your dusty old attic into an extra bedroom for a family member or a guest. It's a great way to re-purpose space that is currently being used for storage, or perhaps for nothing at all. While there may be some additional steps that need to be taken to ready the room for an inhabitant -- piping your heating and air conditioning into this room, for example -- this home remodeling project can add to your home's value should you decide to put it on the market later.

Of course, if you're not up for adding a new bedroom, the attic can serve many other purposes, too. You could remodel it into a home office, where you'll have quite a bit of privacy when compared to home offices in other homes. You could also create an art or music studio in the attic, and give yourself a quite place to create, away from the hustle and bustle that other areas in the home might have.

You can make your Minnetonka home remodeling ideas a reality by calling Dean Johnson Remodeling today at (763) 479-4820.

Home Remodeling More Popular than Homebuying

More people are now remodeling their homes instead of buying a new residence. HouseingPredictor.com reported last week. The recession knocked down home values, but homeowners are getting some of that back with renovating rooms and other areas in their homes.

 From the article:

A new remodeling trend has emerged as a result, with bathrooms and kitchens being the two areas of a home that receive the largest number of upgrades. Homeowners are also opting for more hot tubs, exercise pools, art rooms, yoga studios, dog spas and wine tasting rooms to add to homes.

Another survey by the National Association of Homebuilders released just a week ago also shows home remodeling projects have increased over 2010. Almost half of contractors report seeing an increase in the number of homeowners who undertake remodels to avoid moving compared to 2010. Kitchen and bathroom projects are up 17% over two years ago, with bathroom remodels cited as the most common job by 78% of those surveyed.

If you're one of those who want to stay in your Twin Cities home, but are running out of room, get in touch with Minneapolis home remodeling company Dean Johnson Remodeling by visiting www.DeanJohnsonRemodeling.com. 

Most Popular Home Remodeling Projects

If you had to guess which type of home remodeling project is the most popular among Minneapolis homeowners, what would your guess be? Bedroom? Kitchen? Bathroom? If you said bathroom, you nailed it right on the head.

The National Association of Home Builders' Remodeling Market Index survey found that bathroom remodeling was the most common remodeling job in 2011, taking 78% among companies who completed remodeling jobs. Kitchen remodeling, which led the way for quite some time, came in second at 69%.

Other big projects that homeowners are finding important are window and door replacements, as well as projects that repair damaged parts of the property.

If your home is in need of a change, talk with Dean Johnson Remodeling. We're a trusted leader in the Minneapolis home remodeling industry, and have been serving the region for over 35 years. Get in touch with us today at (763) 479-4820.

Home Remodeling on a Budget

Home remodeling doesn't always have to be an expensive proposition. There are a few projects that can work for those on a limited budget. Even though these home remodeling projects are low on the dollar side of things, they still deliver an upgraded look to your home.

Give your cabinets a new look. Add some new trim to these very important parts of your kitchen, and consider a fresh coat of paint, too. Another way to change up the look of your cabinets is to add new knobs or handles.

Add new lighting.
Some newer, brighter lighting can definitely give any room a new look. The best part -- lighting is relatively inexpensive compared to other types of remodeling projects you could start on.

Spice up your floor. Sometimes, the way to really transform an area isn't to add anything to the walls or the ceilings, but to remember the part you're standing on -- the floor. Adding an oriental rug or another type of area rug can sometimes be all the change you need.

Want to talk more about transforming your home? Call the Minneapolis home remodeling company that residents in the Twin Cities area have trusted for years -- Dean Johnson Remodeling.

3 Kitchen Remodeling Tips

The kitchen is one of the more frequented rooms in a home, and rightfully so. It's where all of the meals are prepared, and, in some cases, where they're eaten, too. That's why some homeowners place a great deal of importance on the kitchen in terms of Minneapolis home remodeling priorities. If you're going to spend so much time in one room, after all, you might as well have it designed the way you want.

If you're looking to upgrade your kitchen and add some of your own ideas to the mix, here are three tips to keep in mind.

Sink location.
It's best to keep your sink in between your refrigerator and your burners/oven, since it is the most-used appliance out of the three. Having it in a central location will help you shave a few seconds off of regular food preparation tasks, which can add up over time.

Cabinet space.
It's a good idea, for storage purposes, to include a minimum of 10 linear feet of cabinets -- both upper cabinets and lower cabinets.

Pull-out storage.
Consider changing out your plans for reach-in cabinets, instead opting for pull-out drawer storage. These types of drawers are much more convenient to use and don't require you to bend down as much.

We hope you've found these tips to be helpful! If you're ready to get started on a home remodeling project for your Minneapolis home, get in touch with Dean Johnson Remodeling today at (763) 479-4820.

Increase Your Home's Value With These Remodeling Projects

In the video below, Annie Woods of Caprika Realty takes you through a few home remodeling projects you can do that will boost the value of your home.

Ready to get started on a home remodeling project of your own? The professionals at Dean Johnson Remodeling would love to help! Call us today at (763) 479-4820, or complete our online form for a FREE home remodeling quote.

How to Find a Great Burnsville Remodeling Contractor

The home remodeling industry is highly competitive. There are a number of different companies in any given area, ranging from "very experienced" to "brand new to the industry," and everywhere in between. So how do you know which company to go with? If you're a Burnsville home owner, which home remodeling contractor will do the best job and give you the best bang for your buck? Here are a few steps you can take to select the right home remodeling company.

Ask for references. You'll want to see projects completed by a home remodeling company before you bring them on for the job, and you'll especially want to talk to past customers to see how representatives and workers from the company acted while working on your project.

Contact the Better Business Bureau. If the company has had any problems with past customers who have lodged complaints with the BBB, this will help you find out about them and see if the company resolved the dispute in a satisfactory manner.

Conduct an interview. You should be as comfortable with the company remodeling your home as possible. Sit down and talk with potential contractors, and make sure the company is one you can trust to complete a safe, high-quality remodeling job.

Dean Johnson Remodeling has been the premiere remodeling contractor for Burnsville residents since 1976. It's over 35 years of quality work and great customer service that a lot of other companies just can't touch. Why trust any other company with your remodeling project? Call DJR today at (763) 479-4820.

Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget

One of the most popular home remodeling projects is a bathroom renovation. Many older homes lack the space and hardware needed for some of the newer bathroom features found in newer homes, so a remodeling project is sometimes the only way to bring a bathroom into the modern era.

But what if you're on a budget? If you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on a complete overhaul, there are still some things you can do to add new life to your bathroom.

Tile is one of the most expensive parts of a bathroom remodel; especially having someone lay the tile for you. One way to get around this cost is to cut down on the amount of tile you use in your project. Instead, spend your money where it can take you the furthest in terms of cosmetic changes for your bathroom. New coats of paint and new fixtures are great avenues to go down.

Another area you can save money on is the counter top. Granite is extremely popular right now, but can also get expensive. One way to cut down the price here is to look for counter tops that have very visible imperfections. If you use such counter for your sink, you may very well cut the imperfections right out when making room for your sink basin! You'll pay less than someone else will for the same look.

Lastly, buying used items can help you save a great deal. Thrift stores and websites like Craigslist are great places to find items like mirrors, stools, and more, at a big discount. Now that the weather's getting nicer, you'll also be able to pick up discount items at yard sales.

Learn more about how Dean Johnson Remodeling can help you with your next bathroom remodeling project. Give us a call today at (763) 479-4820, or visit us online.

Smart Home Remodeling Project #2: Basement Remodeling

Another great investment you can make in your home is to remodel your basement. Insulate, add drywall, and install some kind of flooring over the concrete. Once you've done that, your basement can take the shape of anything your imagination can dream up.

For instance, your basement could become a spare bedroom, a home movie theater, a second living room, a workout room, a dance studio, or one of many other possibilities. Whatever the case, potential home buyers will appreciate the hard work you put in to finish the basement, and you'll likely gain between 50 and 100 percent of the cost back when reselling your home.

One of Dean Johnson Remodeling's specialties is basement remodeling. We understand that you might want to reclaim that otherwise underused space in your home and transform it into something special. Call us today at (763) 479-4820, or complete a free basement remodeling estimate request and we'll be in touch as soon as possible.

Smart Home Remodeling Idea: A Deck

When thinking about a home renovation or addition, it's important to not only consider the use you'll get out of the new space, but also the return on investment you'll receive. After all, you may want to sell your home one day, and you'll want the renovation you spent money on to increase the value of your home.

One smart home remodeling project to undertake is the addition of a deck.



According to Jerry Levine of the Levine Group, prospective buyers see a deck as "offering a seamless transition from inside to out." A deck makes it easier to spend time outdoors, and gives you a great spot for reading, tanning, barbecuing, and more.

Get a free deck estimate for your own today, and start spending more time outdoors! Call (763) 479-4820.

Bathroom Addition Ideas

Want to add another bathroom, but not sure what kind of look to go for? Here are some one-of-a-kind bathroom addition projects we've found:

(From Hit-Décor.com)

(From JDHuntConst.com)

(From HKRemodel.com)

(From DutchValleyHomes.com) 

Attic Remodeling Ideas

Not sure what you want from your attic remodeling project? Here are some unique attic conversions we've found:

 

Playhouse for the kids. (From CalFinder.com)

Relaxation areas. (First picture from DigHomeDesign.com, Second Photo from AllDoing.com)

Loft space. (From Omahku.net)

Recreation room. (From TitusBuilt.com) 

Successful Home Remodeling Project in Apple Valley MN

The Dean Johnson Remodeling staff loves when a home remodeling job comes together. And when we see the customer is satisfied, that makes us feel all the more better.

We recently completed a home remodel in Apple Valley MN, and the customer was so pleased with the job, he started a blog to showcase the project, and will be hosting an open house to show the job to friends and family. 

See the pictures by clicking here. Below are a few of the house plans the Dean Johnson staff put together:

Kitchen Remodeling Projects

The kitchen in your home should not only be functional and efficient -- it should also inspire you to cook up something wonderful. It should look good so that you want to be in the kitchen, not just feel like you have to be there.

If you don't like your kitchen the way it is, it might be time to call Dean Johnson Remodeling.

Dean Johnson Remodeling has been helping Twin Cities homeowners transform their kitchens for over 35 years. Whether you're adding a center island, removing a set of cabinets, or totally gutting your kitchen for a full remodel, Dean Johnson Remodeling has the experience and craftsmanship to finish the job right the first time.

Give Dean Johnson Remodeling a call today at 763-479-4820.

Spare Room Remodeling Idea #1: Home Movie Theater

If you have a spare room in your home and it doesn't already have a designated use, it's probably become your everything room -- a little bit of storage, perhaps a desk, and maybe a treadmill and some other items that won't fit anywhere else. Not the best use of the space.

Remodeling the space for a particular use helps you feel like you're getting more out of the room, and it can ultimately increase your home's value down the line. Today's Spare Room Remodeling Idea? A home movie theater.



Whether you opt for theater-style seating is up to you, but the basics of this setup usually include:

• A projector (hooked up to a computer or DVD/Blu-Ray player of some kind)
• Wall-mounted surround sound system
• A wide projection screen

You can obtain these items yourself and combine them to create a makeshift home movie theater, but it might not have the same feel as being in a real one. If you want to go all-out on bringing the full theater experience into your home, call the remodeling experts at Dean Johnson Remodeling. You can also request a free remodeling quote from Dean Johnson Remodeling.