All Posts in "The Upgrade"

Cost-Effective Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for Small Homes

Remodeling a kitchen can be a daunting task, especially if you have a small home and a limited budget. However, with some creativity and strategic planning, you can transform your kitchen into a functional and aesthetically pleasing space without breaking the bank. In this article, we will explore some cost-effective kitchen remodeling ideas specifically tailored for small homes.

1. Paint and Update Cabinet Hardware

One of the simplest and most budget-friendly ways to give your kitchen a fresh look is by painting your cabinets and updating the hardware. A fresh coat of paint in a light color can make the space feel larger and brighter, while replacing old hardware with modern designs can instantly upgrade the overall appearance of your kitchen.

2. Maximize Vertical Storage

In a small kitchen, every inch of space counts. Utilize vertical storage options such as floating shelves, pegboards, and wall-mounted racks to keep your countertops clutter-free and maximize storage capacity without taking up valuable floor space.

3. Consider Open Shelving

Open shelving not only creates an illusion of a more spacious kitchen but also provides a practical and stylish way to display your dishes, cookware, and decorative items. Swap out upper cabinets for open shelves to achieve a more open and airy feel in your small kitchen.

4. Upgrade Lighting Fixtures

Good lighting can significantly impact the ambiance and functionality of your kitchen. Consider replacing outdated light fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights, pendant lights, or under-cabinet lighting to brighten up your space and highlight key … READ MORE >>>

Summer Kirby by — January 14, 2025 in Home Remodeling
Cost Breakdown Of A Bathroom Remodel

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, one of the first things to know is how much it will cost. You don’t need to be an expert on renovation costs, but knowing what other people have paid for their projects can give you some ideas. It’s also important to make sure that you have enough money saved up in case something unexpected pops up during construction—like when your contractor discovers that your new flooring wasn’t installed properly and needs to be ripped out entirely. That pesky thing called reality can come into play if you’re not prepared for it!

Cost Breakdown of a Bathroom Remodel

The average cost of a bathroom remodel is $20,000. However, this figure can vary widely depending on the size and scope of your project. For example, a small 2-toilet bathroom could cost about $8,000 to renovate; while an expansive 5-toilet master suite could run up to $30,000 or more (not including fixtures).

Here’s how we arrived at these numbers: We looked at several recent home improvement projects across the country and found that their average price tags ranged from $13k-$40k based on square footage alone! But then when we dug deeper into what made those projects so expensive–things like countertops, sinks and faucets–it became clear why some homeowners paid more than others for similar products: finishes matter!

The average cost of a bathroom remodel is $20,000. The total costs will vary depending on the size and scope of the project.

You can expect to spend between … READ MORE >>>

Summer Kirby by — October 11, 2023 in Bathroom Remodel
Budgeting Tips for a Bathroom Renovation

If you’re considering a bathroom renovation, you’ve probably heard that it’s one of the most expensive home improvement projects. It can also be one of the most rewarding — if you budget wisely and choose materials carefully. Consider these tips to help save money and make sure your bathroom renovation stays within budget:

Start with a budget.

The first thing you should do is create a budget. A good one will help you prioritize what needs to be done in the bathroom and how much money you have to spend on each item. It will also help keep track of where all that money is going, which can be helpful when it comes time to make decisions about whether or not something is worth spending more money on or if there are other ways around it.

Finally, having a budget means having less chance of overspending during renovations because every decision has been made by looking at how much each option costs before moving forward with any ideas for improvement or change (or even just cleaning).

Consider your needs.

When you’re planning a bathroom renovation, it’s important to consider your needs. You need to know what kind of lighting will work best for you and your family. Do you want a walk-in shower or tub? Do you have any mobility issues that would make access difficult? What kind of flooring would be most comfortable on your feet?

Once you’ve taken stock of all these factors, it’s time to start thinking … READ MORE >>>

Summer Kirby by — August 29, 2023 in Bathroom Remodel
Estimating Bathroom Remodel Costs

If you’ve ever wanted to remodel your bathroom, you’re not alone. Indeed, Americans spent $36 billion on home improvement projects in 2018, according to the Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of Realtors®. That’s a lot! But even though many people want to improve their homes and get more value out of their investments as renters or homeowners, they don’t always know where to start when it comes to estimating their costs—especially if they’re doing an entire gut renovation or adding a steam shower. The good news is that there are some simple ways that most people can estimate how much they’ll spend on any given project before they begin work (and after). In this blog post we’ll cover how much it costs to renovate an existing bathroom and how different types of renovations will affect your budget (and timeline).

Budget for a bathroom renovation

Budgeting for a bathroom renovation is much like budgeting for any other home improvement project. You’ll need to estimate the cost of materials, labor and other expenses like permits and inspections. You also need to factor in unexpected costs that can come up during the process–like replacing your water heater when it breaks down during demolition work or finding mold behind your shower wall that no one noticed before tearing out the old tile.

Budgeting is an important part of planning any kind of renovation project because it helps you make decisions about what upgrades are worth spending money on (and which ones aren’t). … READ MORE >>>

Summer Kirby by — July 19, 2023 in Bathroom Remodel
The Average Cost to Remodel A Bathroom

Whether it’s for cosmetic reasons or to make your home more handicapped-accessible, a bathroom remodel is a major investment. If you’re considering installing new countertops, replacing the vanity or tub, or just giving your space a facelift in general, it’s important that you understand exactly how much these renovations will cost you. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that affect bathroom remodeling costs and how they impact your budget:

The average cost to remodel a bathroom varies widely by region.

The average cost to remodel a bathroom varies widely by region. The following are some factors that can impact the price of your project:

  • The size of your bathroom and how much space you need to make it functional for you and your family.
  • The scope of work (ie, what do you want done?)

You can expect to pay between $2,000-$10,000 for most projects depending on how much work needs to be done in order for it to meet current standards for safety and functionability.

The size of your bathroom may influence the cost of remodeling.

The size of your bathroom may influence the cost of remodeling. Larger bathrooms tend to cost more, but how much more depends on what you want to do with it and how much space you have available.

If you’re considering adding a shower or bathtub in an existing room, for example, consider whether or not there are any structural limitations that would prevent such an addition from being built out. If … READ MORE >>>

Summer Kirby by — June 24, 2023 in Bathroom Remodel