Turning Your Bathroom Into a Spa

We’ve all been there, we’ve seen the commercials, we’ve seen the movies. You know, the ones with the masseuse by the poolside and the hot tubs in the bathroom and the perfect weekend getaway but let’s be serious, THEY COST TOOOOONS. Here are some surefire ways to turn any old bathroom into your own personal getaway!

• Install a vanity where you can sit and do your makeup and set up some incense and candles. It’ll give you a vintage feel while being very efficient as well. (If you happen to be doing a full bathroom remodeling in Los Angeles, you can call LA Build Corp for a free vanity this summer.)
• You don’t have to install something as expensive as a bathtub to enjoy a relaxing water treatment. Get some quality showerheads for your shower and you’ll love taking showers after a long hard day.
• If you already happen to have a bathtub add whirlpool attachments for a wonderful Jacuzzi feel for the perfect night to yourself.
• Natural stone flooring not only gives you a nice massage-y feeling when you walk on it, but it gives you a serene spa atmosphere too. It’s only about $10 per square foot.
• Install glass shower doors, they’re easier to clean and give a better overall atmosphere to your bathroom.
• Heated flooring is a fantastic way to spruce up any bathroom and make it feel so much more luxurious.
• Heated towel racks, only about $50, are a great way to keep cozy post-bath or shower. An even better thing to do is to heat some aromatherapy towels or blankets for maximum relaxation.
• Tub caddies keep everything you need within arms reach so you don’t have to struggle too much to get your tea or book while in the tub or shower.
• Dimmer switches to control lighting set the mood of the bathroom to a much more relaxing feel. They’re very versatile and inexpensive as well.
• Speakers! Nothing is better than having a facial in the bathtub and listening to great music at the same time.
• Set up a special basket for spa products like bath salts, aromatherapy candles/washcloths, eye masks, body masks, aromatherapy masks, body lotions, creams, oils, etc.  You can even store a bottle of your favorite wine nearby.
• Lastly for an even better shower, install a wooden or stone shower seat (fairly inexpensive) for a zen vibe and a way to relax while showering.

There you have it, just a few ways to ensure you have the perfect bathroom to relax in, and it won’t cost you a ton of money either! Make sure you do not do major bathroom remodeling without a general contractor because if you mess up plumbing or wreck a sink or wall by accident you’ll risk the safety of you and your home. Happy Bathroom Remodeling Los Angeles!

7 Ways to Easily Raise Home Value

Source: LABuildCorp.com

1. De-Clunk!!
You absolutely need to get rid of junk lying around your home and if need be, your yard too. Bring in a trusted friend or a family member to help you discard anything that doesn’t belong or is trash. You need someone who is brutally honest and will not hold back on telling you that the vase you bought for $3 is really tacky and needs to go.


2. Do a Cabinet Makeover:
The kitchen is the heart of the home and it has huge potential for an ROI. Speak with a Los Angeles home remodeling expert about how you can go about this task and they will help you install and design a great kitchen.


3. Paint!
One of the easiest and most effective ways to spruce up any room or house or whatever really, is a fresh new coat of paint. It can easily liven up or even completely change the look of any room. If you’re already happy with your home’s paint, you can opt for a touch up of the current paint and/or fix anything on the walls that require attention. Once again, Los Angeles home remodeling experts can help you tremendously here.


4. Curb Appeal, Curb Appeal, Curb Appeal!!
Curb appeal is so important for any home because it is what sets the first impression. Homebuyers more often than not, judge a home just because of the appearance. People tend to make up their minds before they actually get a chance to see the rest of the home. A general contractor in Los Angeles can really help you change the outlook of your home and ultimately get you a great ROI. Read up on easy ways to raise home value through curb appeal; click here.


5. Fix Your Outdated Lighting:
I cannot stress how important lighting is and how much it changes a room. It can take a room from dull to exciting in seconds, and you can add a dimmer switch for an even better effect on the room. They are fairly inexpensive and with the help of a Los Angeles remodeling expert, you can easily get a good deal on lighting because of their connections and experience.


6. Flooring:
Throw out that outdated 10 year old beige carpet and opt for something more appropriate for each room. By that I mean, you should generally go with tile for bathrooms and showers, wood or tile for kitchens, and wood is usually better for dining rooms because food and water build up in the carpet and make it dirty really fast. For an office it is simply preference between wood and carpet but for family rooms and sitting areas in general, carpet is a better idea. Bedrooms are also from preference but make sure they all match and make sure that your house doesn’t just look like a giant miss-matched puzzle. There should an overall design and to help you with this a Los Angeles home remodeling expert should be able to help


7. The Little Things:
You know, like door knobs and hinges and leaks and… Well you could name a thousand but you should take the time and tackle all of these important details at once. Fix all the leaky faucets, grease all of the squeaky door hinges, buy newer, more modern door accents, etc. These little things show that your home is not just all show and no substance.

How to Do Green Bathroom Remodeling

In Los Angeles, bathrooms are usually very large in size and relatively easy to make green. Hire a Los Angeles bathroom remodeling company that offers green renovations and you’re good to go. Bathrooms are affluent with opportunities for green remodeling. It not only saves the Earth but it saves you tons on water and power expenses. Here a few steps you can take when planning for a green Los Angeles bathroom remodeling.

Select resilient green resources...

• Begin by mounting low-flow showerheads and spouts. After that, make sure that you fix any leaks as soon as possible. You can try installing a gray-water system; it gathers water from the sink and shower and feeds the toilet and the garden, pretty neat huh? You can leave the work for your Los Angeles generalcontractor to deal with because if they are certified green, they will know exactly what to do. 

• Think about a faucet with a sprayer because that allows you to rinse the sink much easier and you can even wash your hair without having to take a full shower. Next, you wanna think about the inner workings of your bathroom; hospital-plumbing brass sinks ensure paddle handles that enable you to use elbows so you don’t have to touch them with unclean hands. Try to do this with natural ceramic or non-toxic cement.

• Install a solar powered water heater. This should not be hard because many Los Angeles home remodeling companies offer evacuated tube water heaters.

• Bathrooms are warm and humid which is unfortunately a breeding environment for mold and mildew. You can use chemical cleaners and bleaches or you can control the humidity. If you don’t already have one, an HRV is a necessity. Bringing in fresh air requires balance with exhausted air; this guarantees that there’s a continuous stream of air and constant exclusion of surplus moisture. Surge the air current in your bathroom more by exhausting a low power depletion fan with an automatic timer switch. 

(If you need additional help with Los Angeles bathroom remodeling)

How to Fix Exterior Painting Issues

Painting the entire exterior of a home is a huge responsibility but it is a very popular Los Angeles home remodeling. Something that many may not take into consideration as well is that you don't have to paint every part of your home. You can do a few repairs or a few touch-ups to add a quick splash of curb appeal.



First off, you have to clean and arrange the surface, choose what kind of paint you will use, and finally, paint! The best period to paint is in late spring or early fall on a dry day that is not really sunny. Below 40F and hot straight sunlight can decay paint projects. Inspect your house thoroughly before you paint, and take corrective action to prevent the root causes of paint failure.


Mind you though, this post is only about dealing with a sundry of painting problems, if you have questions contact a Los Angeles home remodeling expert.

• Cracking

Cracking is often the result of painting over wet wood. It can also result from moisture within the house pushing its way out. If you cannot control the moisture with exhaust fans, use latex primer and latex paint. Latex allows some moisture to pass right through the paint. Another reason for peeling is a dull or lustrous surface. To undo the harm, all free paint flakes must be scratched off with a wire brush and the exterior must be sanded thoroughly. Naked spots must be primed before painting.

• Alligatoring

This refers to the skin of the alligator, rough and separated. Paint shrivels into singular islands, revealing the prior surface, usually because the top coat is not adhering to the paint below. Either the paint was not compatible or it was painted before the first coat was dried. To purge you from this problem, get the old paint of and sand, prime, paint over it once more.

• Sweltering

Paint that rises from the surface and forms blisters is usually due to moisture or improper painting. If this occurs, scrape off the blisters and if you see dry wood behind them, then it is a cause of moisture. If you catch paint, then it is a solvent blister and it’s most likely initiated by painting with an oil-base or alkyd-base coating in very hot weather. The heat formulates a coating on the paint and gathers solvent in a bubble.

• Crinkling

Fresh paint can run and dip into sequences of loose sags. This happens when the paint you’re using is too dense and it forms a film over the liquid paint below. It can also ensue if you paint in cold weather. To retouch, make certain that the new paint has the appropriate regularity and make sure to brush it out as you paint. Before undertaking this, you have to sand the affected area smooth and if essential, eradicate the paint completely.






For more information on types of issues with painting.

Why Should I Hire a Los Angeles General Contractor?

Planning to do a Los Angeles kitchen remodeling project? If you are, make sure you're not doing it by yourself or with the help of inexperienced friends and family members. Hire a Los Angeles general contractor. If you're still hesitant, here are some factors to help you with your decision.


Interests

A Los Angeles general contractor will be licensed to perform the work they are hired to do. This license means the contractor has sufficient knowledge and experience to work in this field. This gives you some peace of mind when you trust them to do work on your biggest investment. The Los Angeles general contractor might be a little pricey but remember, you're better off spending the money now instead of having to repair the damage later.


Paperwork

Most people don't realize that work being done on their home requires a building permit from the city. If you are doing any type of major work, you need to show the plans to the city government and the work will need to be approved. If you hire a Los Angeles general contractor, he or she takes care of this paperwork on your behalf.


Supplies

With a Los Angeles general contractor you will save money on the materials needed for your project. Most of the stores selling them will offer discounts to contractors who use purchase from them regularly, so you won't have to pay as much. If you're concerned about paying too much for the supplies, add into the contract that you'd like to see receipts for all supplies purchased.


Professionalism

Los Angeles general contractors are in this industry as professionals. They also have the experience to know how to manage the business in a professional manner and doing estimates and writing up contracts. Many times deals you make with people you know fall through and end up in court, all because no one wrote details on paper.


Subcontractors

Most Los Angeles general contractors do not do the construction work themselves, although a few might. Instead, they hire outside help; they will know who to hire to get the job done as efficiently as possible and following all requirements and guidelines.

What is the Cost of an Average Los Angeles Construction?

How Much is an Average Los Angeles Construction?

An average is a little hard to actuate with costs oscillating so severely all the time. Second, there are many factors and several places to look. However, you must know what you are looking for. Use a table for basing permit fees using last years numbers; in order to use the table properly, you need know how many square feet, the type of construction and the occupancy.

For example, say you have a 3000 sq. ft. single family home in need of Los Angeles construction, using Type VB construction.

SQ FT = 3000

Type of Construction = VB

Single Family Dwelling = R3

California Multiplier = 1.0

Building Valuation Data Multiplier = 95.91

BVD x SF x Cal = 95.91 x 3000 x 1.0 = $287,730 as building valuation

You need to acknowledge that this is just an estimate and that the actual costs will vary. This works very well for permits, but the above description is actually building cost valuation and is considered in reference to what the city or county values your project at, and often it has nothing to do with the actual construction costs. The construction costs varies between areas and cities, and depends on the finishes and the details, particularly. You will have the same finishes and details in the average Los Angeles home addition and Los Angeles room addition in let's say Van Nuys or Glendale. So as you can see, the average Los Angeles construction cost varies from city to city.

Los Angeles Kitchen Remodeling

The kitchen is the heart of the home and if it is of adequate size, you can even set up a place to eat as well. It also houses your most important appliances, including your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and even your washing machine. A kitchen requires adequate storage space, i.e. cabinets, cupboards, drawers, shelves, etc. This is why your kitchen needs to be designed very well by professional Los Angeles kitchen remodeling contractors.

So where do you start? What should you look for when looking at different designs?

• First things first: you need to analyze the space that currently have. Measure your kitchen and then take note of the location of the windows and doors. Where are the power points and light fittings? Also, how is the piping? 

• Once you have figured that out try to figure out where you would strategically place your appliances for your Los Angeles kitchen remodeling. Cabinets? Will they fit there? Will you need corner kitchen cabinets? It's recommended that you find the measurements of your current cabinetry and have an idea of your dream cabinetry, in order to have realistic settings.

• What kind of layout you are looking for? Are you interested in an L-shaped kitchen? Or a spacey one will a nice island or two? This will depend on the size of the kitchen, your appliances, and the amount of traffic to your kitchen.

• A crucial part of the kitchen is the flooring; the best kind of materials are durable, resistant to heat and moisture, are easy to clean, and aren't slippery which is a great safety asset for everyone in the home. 

Before you start, budgeting needs to be done. You can take this up with a Los Angeles kitchen remodeling contractor and a trusted banker. If not, would you be able to manage the payments on a loan? If done wrong, budgeting will ruin your entire project. Happy kitchen remodeling Los Angeles!