Appliance Cost Guides

Most homes have several appliances in use at any one time. Refrigerators are the largest and they continue to work 24/7. Others work when needed yet the repair and installation can be an ongoing part of their maintenance. The time to learn about the warranties on your appliances is when you purchase them.

Many businesses require that the customer return the appliance to the factory for repair. That in itself could be more than most people would want to deal with and prefer instead to call a local repairman. The smaller items could be dropped off at his shop, or in many cases the repairman could pick the item up and bring it back to your home repaired.

If you find out when you purchase the product what to do if it needs repair, your problems will be half solved. Instead of trying to repair appliances, many just buy new ones because it wouldn’t be worth it to pay a large repair bill when the new ones may cost near the same. The age of the appliance should also be a factor when considering repairs.

The days when a refrigerator would last for 30-40 years are long gone. The first refrigerators did two things, they kept items cold, and the freezer made the ice. Today refrigerators do many other things. You no longer have to defrost the freezer and there are different temperatures for specific parts, the ice is distributed through the door, and cold water is available at the same place.

Manufacturers make many new features and that alone encourages the customer to replace their old appliances. Energy saving appliances are available in today’s world, and that will increase the cost. When you can save on your utility bills, many people consider that to be worth the cost.

Brand names are popular and they do matter. Top brands cost more and many are better quality and live up to their name. To find the best brands for the best price, consumer reports research the brands and report their findings.

Size is another factory requiring higher prices. It stands to reason that an oversize washer will cost more. When you look for larger appliances than the ones you currently have, be sure to measure the space so you don’t have to remodel your kitchen or laundry room. That would drive up the price as well.

Many manufacturers offer extended warranties for a price. Some may be well worth the price, but on the other hand if no repairs are necessary, the price seems wasted. The repair may cost less than the warranty, no one knows for sure. However if you prefer to pay the price of the warranty, and if that is your choice, buy the warranty.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Orange County contractor services, Coto De Caza home improvement and Orange County remodeling services.

How to Make Wise Hiring Decisions For Your Home Improvements & Repairs

Unless you’re a contractor and you do your own repairs and home improvements; you may not have a clue how to go about finding your own contractor. There are a few rules you need to follow before you decide on the professionals who know and have the ability to do the work you require.

Honesty and reliability are of course required, but how will you even know that they are being truthful with you. There are many scammers out there and they seem to congregate in the home improvement business and that is the one business that gets the most complaints.

So cautious is the word, don’t be in a hurry to hire the first guy who knocks on your door. In other words, don’t hire him at all.

When you make an appointment with a contractor, does he arrive on time? If not did he call to let you know he would be late? If not don’t even put him on your list. He failed before he walked in your door.

Next does he take the time to find out what you want? Does he know more than you? Obviously he should, but unless you tell him what you expect, how will he know what to charge? The word here is communication. If you have trouble communicating, cross him off your list, and go to the next.

Is the price he quotes lower than anyone else? Why? Will he do a poor job or use substandard supplies? Does he really care about your job? Or is he only interested in your money? Tell him goodbye.

Does the contractor have a place of business or does he work out of his garage? A contractor who has an address on his contract will be there awhile. Does he encourage you to pay him in full? Never do that. There are standards set by Workers Comp. and his contract should state what the law says. For instance the down payment should be 10% or $1000 whichever is lower and not a penny more.

If the job is large, then normally payments are scheduled when a certain part of the job is completed. For instance, when material is delivered. Get receipts for every payment, especially if the contractor uses sub-contractors.

Make sure everything the contractor promises is written in the contract and you should receive a copy. The contract should state the date the job starts and an approximate completion date. The contractor’s license number needs to be on the contract and on every advertisement he runs.
Contact several contractors and ask for bids, and references and check them out. Compare apples with apples and understand what is written down.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Coto De Caza home improvement and Orange County remodeling.

Keep Fit With a Home Lap Pool

You’ve probably seen advertisements on TV about the Home Lap Pool. Maybe you thought, well that’s not for me. However please realize that the Home Lap Pool is the best cardiovascular workout that you can invest in. Even better than those home exercise machines that promise the moon, but after a couple of months they become a place to hang your clothes or a real eye-sore.

Just imagine, slipping into a home lap pool, adjusting the water pump and doing lap after lap. When you’re finished, you won’t be sore and you’ll feel like a million dollars. All this in the privacy of your own home. The truth is, the home lap pool works. You’ll feel better, you’ll look better, and you’ll be more healthy than at any time in your life. Like any other exercise machine, you have to do it more than once, and it needs to be done with regularity. You know you can and will swim in the home lap pool.

Like we said, you’ll feel better, without the strain on your joints and muscles. It’s too easy not to go out into the weather to jog, and jogging’s easy to say ‘try again tomorrow.’ Besides that, swimming is a low impact workout, and you know that as you age, (everyone does) your joints and muscles wear out. When you add swimming to your workout, your joints and muscles become stronger.
Many don’t have room on their property for a swimming pool, but the home lap pool can fit anywhere within your property inside or out. Try putting a swimming pool into a room.

Lap pools come in a surprising array of designs. Some prefer a larger outdoor exercise pool, while others want to reduce the size to fit in a small bedroom. It can be adjusted to any size large or small. One advantage of the home lap pool it is ready any time you are and still has the beauty of a built-in swimming pool.

Whatever way you choose to go, visit a pool manufacturer to see what is available. Then hire the professional to install the pool for you. You won’t be sorry and every single time you step into the pool, you’ll feel the ease that comes with the increased laps. You’ll see the results in days and weeks instead of months and years.

The professional who is familiar with the home lap pools will be able to install and adjust the high-powered circulating pumps as well as the pools themselves.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Coto De Caza home improvement and Orange County remodeling.

Living Room Remodeling Tips

Whether you view your living room as a place to entertain guests, or you live in your living room, the tips you receive here will be worth your time to read them. You’ll decide what you want in the room and how to go about remodeling it.

If your living room is small, you may have the option to add more space to it or it may just need a revamping. New paint is a good place to start, and many today choose bright colors for one wall while the remaining walls are painted in off-white or other blending colors. So paint first before you change the carpeting or add new scatter rugs. You can choose to get rid of that big oversized couch by replacing it with a corner unit or even a few new chairs and tables. When you have antique pieces of furniture you may choose to highlight them.

You should never refinish that keepsake because they lose their value when you do. However you can cover them with a pretty tablecloth if they are unsightly, or put them elsewhere in your home.
Replacing window coverings should be easy and cost efficient. Shutters work well in keeping the sun out and the warmth in. New drapes or curtains refresh the room and are easy to change your color schemes. New crown molding always give the room a new look. Wallpaper is rather passé and if moving is in the near future, paint instead after you remove the paper.

When you plan on remaining in your home for a length of time and don’t plan on selling soon, remodel your living room to suit your needs and desires. However, when selling is within the next year or too, remodel with the buyer in mind; so forget the extremes.         

Replacing your old TV with a new flat screen wall mounted TV will give you lots of new space. Adjustable lighting will also be a plus as you remodel.

Remodeling your living room should be an easy and fun thing to do to refresh your surroundings with new or refurbished items. If your budget is small, then visit some thrift stores or yard sales, you may find just what you’ve been looking for.

As you remodel your living room keep in mind that it is the one place where family and guests gather, so make it a happy room. One where you will have pride in your surroundings and let that happiness shine through.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Coto De Caza home improvement and Orange County remodeling.

Budgeting New Kitchen

For the practical person, a budget for a new kitchen is a must. As you research what you want and how much it will cost you’ll find you can go cheap or expensive and all the way in between. If you’re planning on keeping your home for any length of time or selling is within a couple of years that should enter into the equation as well.

Cheap will never help sell your home, and expensive may have the same results. A happy medium may work and one where the basics will win in the long run. So consider what you like, and then look around at model homes, magazines and see what is popular today. A black kitchen with black appliances may appeal to you, but a buyer may not like it at all. The same goes for any off the wall colors, so keep the colors simple and let your new kitchen do the selling.

As you set up your budget realize that many things help to take the costs higher than you budgeted. For instance check out the kitchen faucets. The cheap ones offer no modern features so set them aside and go for quality rather than unusual. The type of wood you choose will figure greatly in the end results.

Real solid wood is rarely used in kitchens today. Many companies use veneers that look and feel solid. If they do the job properly, you can hardly tell the difference, and with a little care the cupboards will last for many years.

Sinks are another area where cheap doesn’t work and quality can be both reasonable and workable without the high cost. The difference in the price range varies wildly but you’ll want something that will last and keep its luster.

There are wide gaps in the price of door handles and there again go for quality not price. You won’t want to replace them anytime soon. Some cabinets have finger pulls, so you don’t even need the handles.

Countertops in the mid price range can be beautiful, and you don’t really need marble do you? Many do, and that will be your greatest budget crasher. Just remember you get what you pay for so choose accordingly.

The contractor you choose to do the job will be another factor. Ask for more than one quote, and ask to see their references. Make sure they are licensed, insured and bonded. They should have a place of business and not work out of their garage. Never pay a contractor in full, but pay a reasonable down payment with payments during the job and the final when you are satisfied with their work.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Coto De Caza home improvement and Orange County kitchen remodeling.

A Lesson in Bathroom Lighting

As many get into the remodeling mode and are in the process of upgrading their entire home, bathroom lighting often falls dead last. More important are the kitchen and living areas, and even the garage takes preference. However when the bathroom has a ceiling light, that’s good enough. But is it? Even in large families, the bathroom is where each member starts the day and ends it there as well.

So as you plan for new showers, bathtubs, commode, toilet, and whatever else is in the room, plan for relaxation too, but don’t forget the light above the mirror. Dads shave there, Moms do their hair, put on makeup and they both plan for the day in that same spot. It may be a place where sharing takes priority so lighting should too.

Leave the light in the ceiling if that’s your choice, but think about lights above the mirror, and install those that give out the proper lighting. You often find fluorescent lights in the room, but they aren’t necessary as long as you have plenty of lighting in appropriate places.

Lighting over the mirror and above the vanity need top consideration. When you place the lights at the side of the mirror they give the best lights without the shadows you receive when the light is above the mirror. However many prefer large mirrors, and the side lighting would be impractical. Recessed lighting is attractive, but may not give the best results in lighting the person in front of the mirror. At the very least the light should be 150 watts.

The lessons learned about bathroom lighting may suit one person, but not all. Remember the one that takes long soaking baths. Their light could be subdued, even candle light can serve their purpose while the bright ceiling light may not. Somewhere in between would be best.

Showers may not require special lighting and as long as you have other lighting over the vanity, a 75-watt light in the ceiling would work well.

When you do the remodeling yourself, decide on the lighting issue before you begin, even if you’re only painting the room. You’ll save work for yourself in the long run. If you’re hiring a contractor to upgrade your bathroom even if everything stays in its original place, you need to discuss the lighting before they get started.

If all else fails, hire an electrician, they’ll give you a lesson on the best use of bathroom lighting.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Coto De Caza home improvement and Orange County bathroom remodeling.

Tankless Water Heaters Can Generate Savings

Standard hot water heaters have been around for so long, you may not even be aware that there is a new replacement. The tankless water heaters have nothing in common with the old type. They don’t keep the water hot, and they don’t store the water. The water is hot when you need it. Otherwise it sits there doing nothing, and you’re not paying for the water to remain hot even when you don’t need it.

No longer will you run out of hot water and have to wait for the hot water heater to reheat the entire tank of water. No longer will you be scalded or frozen because the water is not kept at an exact temperature. The tankless water heaters don’t heat the water until you turn it on. They only heat what you use then they stop working.

Sound too good to be true? The tankless water heater units come in small units and they usually hang them at the side of your home. Inside the unit, a devise is activated by the flow of water when you turn on the hot water faucet. It is heated instantly. You set the gauge and the temperature remains constant.

The units are normally guaranteed for life unlike the standard hot water heaters that need to be replaced every ten years or so. Unlike the old heaters that cycle on and off 24/7, the tankless water heater only works when you want hot water. Think of the savings on your utility bills.

Tankless hot water heaters save between 20 and 50 percent on your energy bills. That isn’t the only advantage though. Unlike the standard heaters that need a large corner in either your garage or laundry room, the tankless hot water heater is small by comparison. You’ll never need to replace it, and because they don’t store any water, they don’t leak. Storing water is expensive.

Because of the high waste factor in the old water heaters, the tankless water heater is environmentally friendly. There’s no waste, and the energy use is low. When water sits for any length of time even in a hot water heater, bacteria grows. Tankless water heaters have no sitting water – so no bacteria.
If you’re like most people who watch their energy bills rise every single month, just think how you’ll feel when you get your first bill after using the tankless water heater. It’s amazing how much water is wasted in our homes each year, but with the tankless water heater, your wasteful days are behind you.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Coto De Caza home improvement and Orange County ca contractors.

Home Humidifiers Balance Moisture and Save You Money

Home humidifiers are commonly used to help keep the humidity level in your home between 35 and 50 percent. By keeping your humidity level at that level it will help the occupants remain comfortable. No more the problems of dry mouth, nose or throat, or dry skin.  In the Western United States many use their humidifiers all year. Elsewhere you will need the humidifier during the winter months to combat the air when the continually running furnaces dry out the air in your home.

No matter where you live home humidifiers have a big impact from improving your health to saving you money. If you are under the impression that home humidifiers help combat dry air, and they do, there are also other reasons where the home humidifiers will help you in your everyday life.
Cold dry air can cause flu and cold symptoms and to prove the theory, that is the same time furnaces go on and those germs thrive in that environment. When you maintain the humidity level in your home, it is a very good preventative measure.

You may not be aware all that low humidity does to your home. Things like peeling wallpaper, and it causes wood flooring to dry out, then it separates and cracks and the same thing happens to your wood furniture. That humidifier will save you from many repair bills in the near future.

There are different types of humidifiers to choose from and you’ll see them all over town. They are portable and come in mainly two types steam humidifiers and cool mist varieties. The portable ones require more maintenance and humidify only one room at a time. Most still work well when the upkeep is ongoing.

The whole house humidifier is the other option. They install the larger units right into your central heating and cooling systems. They deliver humidity to your entire home. If you suffer from dry air common in many homes during the long winter months, you may want to investigate the home humidifier.

If you’ve suffered through many months each year when the cold dry weather hits, you could find relief and you’ll wonder why you ignored it for so long. The first step is to find a contractor who specialize in the installation of home humidifiers, and if possible, talk to more than one to give you a quote.

They can give you advice on the correct humidifier that will solve the problems in your home, and for your comfort have one installed right away.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Coto De Caza home improvement and Orange County ca contractors.

Outdoor Outlets and Faucets 101

We’ve always been aware that electricity is dangerous, but sometimes, we think we can handle it. That’s how some get hurt, and there are a few things to watch out for as you work outside and use electrical power tools.

If your house is older, you may not even have an electric outlet outside. Most homes today have more than one, possibly two, and the codes of today demand that the outside outlets have ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI outlets. They also demand Covers that close off the outlet around water. If your home doesn’t have the GFCI outlet, install one as soon as possible. You’ll especially want to do this if your outdoor electric outlet is near pools, spas, or any kind of water.

It is never a good idea when you’re using power tools to work outdoors during a rainstorm or other wet weather. Water and electricity don’t mix and can cause irreparable damage when they do.
Outdoor faucets may not cause as much damage to you as it does to your pipes throughout your home, but you still need to update them. The reason is to prevent breakage when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. When this happens you could have major pipe breaking problems. You can easily avoid this by installing frost-proof outdoor faucets. Remember when water freezes it expands and expanding water breaks pipes whether they’re outside or inside your home.

One of the easiest ways to prevent pipes from freezing; is to unhook all of the hoses before the freeze hits. It sounds too good to be true, and the reason it works is because the hose prevents the water from draining properly. One other way works as well is to make sure the faucets outside are tightly shut off and drained before it gets cold. Doing this will help to keep the water running freely without freezing.

The GFCI’s and frost proof faucets only work when installed properly. If you’re unable to bring your house up to modern efficiency, contact a plumber or electrician. Have them check that the GFCI and frost proof faucets are correctly installed.

There’s nothing worse when you have problems with your electricity or the plumbing facilities in your home than to find out afterwards that there are problems. It’s better to be safe than sorry as the saying goes.

Reliable plumbers and electricians are readily available during the cold winter months to help fix the problems in your home. What’s that old saying? “A stitch in time saves nine?”

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Newport Beach home improvement and Orange County ca contractors.

Exterior Window Shutters: Perfectly, Practical or Just Plain Pretty

When you go out to see what’s available in exterior window shutters, you’ll find many styles and a wide assortment of materials as well. You may not want to settle for just plain pretty, but you want something that is practical and perfect for your home too. The big box stores and hardware stores often offer window shutters, and many are great for inside, but will they work well on the exterior of your home?

When you don’t find just what you want at those stores, you may want to contact a company that specializes in all types of window shutters. Before you do though, when you study the availabilities and compare one with another you will become one with the expert.

Their first questions will go something like this: “What type of shutter are you interested in? How long do you plan on staying in your home? How do you plan on using your shutters? When you can answer those questions and many more you’ll be ready to make the necessary decisions.

The reason the salesman wants to know how long you plan on staying in your home is because that will tell them if you want a long lasting product, or just one that’s pretty and practical. If you plan on moving in a couple of years and that pretty will help sell your home, that consideration will tell the price and quality of your exterior shutters. In that case, vinyl may work well for you.

Good quality wood shutters that function as they should will be pricier especially if they’re custom. The high-end exterior shutters often come in the natural wood as opposed to painted or vinyl shutters in standard sizes.

The function of the exterior window shutter will be in the open or closed positions with the slats opening and closing too. The person living in a windy area will appreciate the fact that the shutters close easily and are often automated.

Many mountain areas in Southern California buy the exterior window shutters for protection from the weather and also security. Often when a thief drives by a home with shutters, they will keep on driving, because the shutters provide one more layer of safety.

The exterior window shutters are available in many types of wood from pine to mahogany, but cedar is the most popular. Cedar is practical and pretty and contains a natural oil that resists decay and bugs.

Do your homework and find a reputable business that specializes in custom wood exterior window shutters, and your home will take on the pride of the neighborhood. In addition, the curb appeal will be top notch.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Newport Beach home improvement and Orange County ca contractors.

Backyard Landscaping: Transforming Your Backyard

As you contemplate your living situation, there are areas in your home and surrounding areas that shout private or public. You probably don’t share your entire home with strangers and the same is true in your backyard. The front yard is available for everyone’s inspection, even those just driving by. However the back yard is yours and is a place where you can go to sit, study, or play without worrying about others curious stares.

When you’re happy with your backyard, but realize it does need some transformation, there are many things you can do without hitting the savings account. Much of it takes elbow grease and as you clear the weeds and plant shrubs you’ll realize your backyard is now becoming a thing of beauty.

As you consider fencing the entire backyard, decide whether you want privacy and security, or just a hedge between you and the rest of the neighborhood. When your family enjoys eating in the backyard, a patio slab may be the answer. After the installation of the slab you may decide you want a cover, then a closed in room. Then you may want curtains, drapes, or shutters across the windows.

If the backyard still needs something and you’ve saved for a pond or a swimming pool, but those are possibly things for the future. An above ground pool could be a start, and you could still plan for the built-in pool later on.

For now you may be satisfied to just get started to bring your backyard up to the standards of your entire home. By now you understand that some things will have to wait, but that should not stop you from starting the process.

Do a little at first, and as time goes by, as time does, do a little more. Make plans to increase the use of your backyard. Go to the nearest nursery to find the type of plants that are indigenous to your area. Follow their advice and purchase the plants that you can take home and plant. You don’t have to do it all at once, but the satisfaction you’ll feel when it is completed will be tremendous.

If you’re unable or even because of the time factor, you could hire a company that draws out plans for today and for the future. They will help you make the plans, and then they will do the job for you.
Before you settle on one company call several and get quotes for the job at hand and also to keep the yard in good condition on a regular basis. Hire a reputable company with a good reputation, and they’ll be able to claim you as a satisfied customer.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Costa Mesa home improvement and Orange Conuty landscaping.

Choosing Green: Vinyl or Linoleum Sheet Flooring

Many remodeling companies that are in the business of covering your floors have complete lines of floor coverings. However we’re only going to include vinyl and linoleum in this article. The reason is that they claim the two are relatively the same when there is a great deal of difference between them.
Right, they both cover your floors, and they come in attractive designs that pick up the color of your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and any other room that you want to cover the drab cement that was never meant to stand alone.

There are differences between the two, and if for no other reason, possibly you should choose ‘Green.’ In today’s world, green has taken a top position, and the believers claim that unless we ‘go green’ we’ll destroy our planet. Without taking pros or cons on that issue, there are still differences in the products we use. Green is normally better for us as we strive to do the best we can for our families and homes.

The biggest difference between vinyl and linoleum is how they make them. Vinyl from the green viewpoint is a petroleum product while they make natural linoleum from renewable natural materials like linseed oil, pine resins and even cork.

The experts claim that vinyl is not good in hot and humid climates; especially where air conditioning is a constant. They also claim that vinyl, even under normal use, may cause health problems.
Possibly the biggest objection to vinyl is that vinyl does not last as long as natural linoleum. While linoleum is more durable and long lasting because it’s easier to repair, is stain resistant, and can last 40 or so years, vinyl cannot make those same claims.

However, the decision is up to the consumer. If you want a short-term problem solved, vinyl will probably serve your purpose. If, like many people in today’s world, you intend to remain in your home for a longer period of time, and it is important to you that you choose the best product on the market, consider natural linoleum.

You’ll be able to find a remodeling contractor or green consulting firms that will help you make the proper decisions. We all want the best for not only our own health, but our families as well. When we choose a product that we know will not harm us, it should be one that has passed the test of time as well. When you choose green, you’ll have the affirmation that you’ve chosen correctly.

Home Improvement Guide specializes in Southern California home improvement, Costa Mesa home improvement and Orange County contractors.