Month: December 2018

While it can sometimes be a good idea to take on the title of “weekend warrior” and enter the wide world of Pinterest and DIY magic, there are a few home renovation jobs that are best left to the pros. So how do you know which jobs should be done by professionals and which projects you can proudly complete yourself? Well, that’s why we’ve created this quick guide.

Knowing Your Limits

Before we go any further, we want to state that some projects can be done at home by individuals with certain skill sets. Are you an electrician by trade? Then, by all means, re-wire that breaker and start installing that new HVAC system! If not, we recommend calling a professional. Likewise, individuals with in-depth landscaping knowledge can probably install their own sprinkler systems, plumbers can fix piping, and architects can draft design blueprints. However, if you feel out of your element, don’t stress.

Also consider, even if you have the required skill sets, some jobs are either too unsafe, too expensive or require specific tools that you just don’t own. It’s also smart to sit down and weigh the value of your time against the potential expense of hiring a professional. There’s an entire industry of professionals who can save you time, money, and effort on any number of jobs. Our point is, don’t undersell yourself. If you feel like you can do a job, you should! On the other hand, if you find yourself hesitant, stressed, or overwhelmed, hiring a professional is a smart and efficient option.

Jobs for the Pros

Even the most skilled DIY renovators may find themselves in a bind with some of the following projects. The following list contains some of the most difficult jobs to accomplish without some kind of professional assistance.

Industry Specific Jobs

Wiring, plumbing, and roofing all have specific industries built around them. There is a legitimate reason for this. These jobs require advanced sets of skills, expensive equipment, and lots of real-life experience. This doesn’t mean that you can’t install your own ceiling fan or fish your wedding ring out of the drain, but if you have a suspicious leak, wiring issues, or other large fixes, take a step back and consider calling a pro. If a job has an entire profession built around it, and you aren’t a professional in the industry, you should probably save yourself the trouble and just hire out.

Big Structural Changes

If you need to renovate a lower floor, have foundation issues, or have decided it’s time to make amendments to the structure of your home, it’s definitely time to hire a pro. These jobs are large, time-consuming dangerous, and sometimes pretty risky. The margin for error with structural changes can be pretty wide. When it comes time to make structural adjustments, it’s probably also time to look toward the professionals.

Unforeseen Property Damage

Generally, most types of property damage will require the intercession of a professional. This is because damages can create complicated issues that may bleed into multiple areas of your home. Tree removal, water damage, large-scale roofing repair, and fire damages are all areas where the professionals can really help. Hiring a good contractor for repairs can save you from a lot of frustration in the long run. After all, if your property has become damaged, you probably don’t have the extra time and energy to drop everything and make your own repairs. It’s not like you can schedule fire damage into your day. Additionally, when catastrophe strikes, the last thing you want to accidental more accidental damage to your home, or worse, yourself.

ReBLDing Can Help!

Did your home renovation project make the list of jobs best left to the professionals? Don’t fret! ReBLDing has an extensive array of local contractors for you to choose from. You can find the professional assistance you need with minimal effort at record speeds using our user-friendly platform. Search for contractor services, read in-depth profiles, see the accolades and certifications of the specialists that pique your interest, and more.

ReBLDing is able to walk you through the entire renovation process. We even securely track the communications between you and the local contractors you choose so that you have everything on record. This is just one way that ReBLDing takes the guesswork out of complex projects. If it’s time to tackle a daunting job and you feel out of your element, let ReBLDing get you in touch with the experienced professionals that you need.

Our local contractors love home renovations. After all, seeing those before and after shots of a gorgeously renovated space is simply smile-inducing. With 2019 fast approaching, many people have begun to plan their home renovations and updates. In a competitive housing market, it never hurts to stay well informed on the latest trends and styles of design and interior aesthetics. As you dive into 2019, you may decide that it’s time to do something innovative, creative, and fresh. We want to help! Below, we will take a look at some of our favorite home renovation trends for 2019.

Our Four Favorite Home Renovation Trends For 2019

Open Concept Kitchens
For 2019, open kitchens are an obvious go-to. As the world becomes more open, honest, and connected, family units seem to be following suit. An open kitchen allows for a casual dining experience combined with better sight distances and greater family interaction. These kitchens also create spatial flow and an enhanced feeling of expansiveness within your household. A few examples could be: large kitchen islands, half walls, and spaces that flow from room to room.

Floating Shelves
Open shelving can give you more floor space, better organization, and a feeling of composed style. A wall fitted with floating shells can take a room from ordinary to contemporary instantly. You can display photos, place vases and decorations, stack books, and so much more on these convenient and trendy shelves. Additionally, floating shelves can be painted in contrasting colors or made of unique hardwoods for an updated and appealing look. These shelves can be configured to make spaces feel larger or spread out to give a feeling of coziness. They are an extremely versatile option. Floating shelves can also replace nightstands and kitchen cabinets to give a room greater versatility.

Bold Ceramic
Bold ceramic tiling can make a room feel more interesting, exciting, or luxurious. It all depends on the tiles that you choose. Additionally, ceramic tiles are durable, easy to clean and give any space a high-end feeling. Another great thing about ceramic accenting and tiling is its cost. If you play it right, you may be able to save some money on your renovations. Accenting with backsplashes in the kitchen, adding ceramic tiling in a bathroom, or replacing dated laminate flooring with ceramics are all easy ways to add value to your home.

Back To Basics
In 2019, trends are honoring the past while looking to the future. Many interior designers are putting their focus on classic simplicity, clean elements, and creating a comfortable and calming atmosphere within the home. Copper, reclaimed wood, exposed grain, columns, and other similar materials and elements add to this bold and timeless style with rustic charm. Natural colors, sturdy high-quality materials, and clean designs are becoming increasingly popular. It seems that quality is the new quantity and the smart and versatile neutrals have replaced overstated the fluorescents and oversaturated hues of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. This throwback styling is less of a trend and more of a direction that the industry is taking. This is good news because renovations are more likely to last and stay current in the long-run.

ReBLDing Has Your Back
If you’re looking to freshen things up around your home in 2019, we’ve got you covered. ReBLDing grants you fast access to limitless local contractors, design specialists, and industry professionals, all at absolutely no cost! Not only that, but we can help walk you through the entire renovation process from the beginning to the end. Fully licensed and state approved, our local contractors know that transparency is the name of the game. We’ll give you access to a multitude of contractor profiles, keep you posted about job status updates, assist in your secure communication tracking, and provide you with documented estimates. You’ll be able to remove the stress and guesswork of your renovations and finally get down to business. You can make 2019 your year; we can help. Let ReBLDing assist you in achieving your dream home!

Home and family go hand in hand. Your house is where your children play, grow, and find a safe haven. However, your home and property may not be as safe as you believe. Many homeowners are unaware that an alarming number of childhood accidents actually happen within the parameters of the standard American household. This is because within the house children are more likely to go unsupervised, but that can be fixed with contractor services. Below, we will go over a few things that you can do to make your home safer for your children, your family, and even yourself.

Most Common Household Dangers

Knowing where common dangers lie is the first step you can take toward a safer home environment. The 8 most common household accidents are as follows:

8. Poisoning
Children are particularly prone to poisoning. Colorful chemical substances like antifreeze and laundry pods are particularly alluring.

7. Choking
Marbles, candy, and other rounded objects are usually responsible for choking. Other choking hazards include small toys, pieces of toys, and flexible rubbery objects.

6. Burns
Burns from the stove top, oven, electrical sockets, and even light fixtures are common injuries within a home.

5. Cuts/Glass-related Injuries
Concrete can cause scrapes while broken glass pieces from mirrors or windows are usually the main culprits when it comes to cuts.

4. Drowning
While the first thing that comes to mind when you hear drowning may be the family pool, don’t forget that bathtubs and toilets are other danger zones.

3. Trips and Falls
Falling down the stairs, off of a bunk bed, from a trampoline, or even tripping on a loose rug, can cause a great deal of harm.

2. Outdoor Injuries on the Property
Children playing in the yard or driveway of a home tend to fall victim to injuries as well. The exterior of your home may leave children vulnerable to loose dogs, insect stings, vehicular accidents, and more.

1. Falling Objects
So what’s the most common household danger for children? Falling objects. Televisions, bookcases, wardrobes, and other large objects are a legitimate danger within your home.

Ways to Make Your Home Safer

So how can you mitigate these potential disasters? It’s easier than you may realize.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent injury and make your home safer.

Identify Problem Areas
You need to identify the problem areas specific to your home. Each household is different. Some common dangers to look out for are:

• Corners – Sharp corners can cause head injuries.
• Rugs – Loose rugs can cause tripping.
• Railings – Railings that are too short, wide, or lose, can lead to falls.
• Balconies – Balconies and other areas tend to draw rambunctious kids.
• Furniture – Large unanchored furniture can fall on children.
• Water – Pools, toilets, and full bathtubs are dangerous to toddlers and babies.
• Other – Look for other dangers that are specific to your home. Think critically so that you can stop accidents before they happen.

Install Preventative Hardware
Making your home safer doesn’t mean padding the rooms. You just have to take some extra precautions. These days, many impressive products are available to make things safer and easier.

• Child Safety Locks – These should be installed on cabinets containing anything dangerous that you don’t want your kids getting into.

• Outlet Covers – Today, new outlets are designed with child protective measures built-in. If you have older electrical outlets, consider upgrading them, or getting safety socket plugs.

• Corner Guards – Small pieces of rubber can be easily attached to sharp corners.

• Security Cameras – If you won’t be able to monitor your children all of the time, live security cameras are now available that can stream to a monitor or even your Smartphone via WiFi.

• Furniture Anchors – Taking the time to properly anchor tall cabinets, bookshelves, and your television to your walls can prevent some serious injuries.

• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – These are essential to the safety of your entire family.

• Door Alarms – Inexpensive door alarms will tell you when young children are entering unauthorized areas.

Repair Damages and Make Alterations
It may be wise to take the time to repair damages, make the necessary alterations, and renovate certain areas of your home. This is especially true for new parents, or parents moving into a new home that isn’t child safe.

ReBLDing Can Help

Sometimes, repairs and renovations can get overwhelming. This is especially true if you’re trying to make immediate time-sensitive safety adjustments to your home. If it’s time to call in the professionals, we want you to know that we are here to help. Whether you need a professional childproofing specialist, contractor services for repairs, or other industry experts, ReBLDing has you covered.

Here at ReBLDing, we’ll help you find the contractor services that you require. Not only that, but we will stick with you through repairs or renovations from start to finish! We provide secure communications, job progress updates, quote and estimate tracking, and much more. You have enough to worry about with keeping track of your children and protecting your family. That’s why ReBLDing takes the guesswork out of hiring contractors of any kind. With access to thousands of professionals with fully descriptive user profiles, ReBLDing can get you in touch with the people you need.