Rising property values and a growing need for more space makes a home addition construction project sound like a keen idea. Yet, renovations involving new additions can be extremely pricey and stressful to boot. Here are some tips for mitigating constructing a new addition in your Erin Woods home without blowing the budget and questioning your rationality.

Evaluate the Home's Structure with a Design Pro

The value of hiring professional contractors, designers and architects cannot be overestimated when planning a home addition. Even if the work will be performed DIY, expert help can prevent serious, costly errors, especially in the initial stages. For example, a home's structure literally dictates what type of additions can be constructed through

A deck can be the perfect addition to a home for a variety of reasons. Backyard parties, improved resale value, a rewarding summer project: a deck can be just what everyone needs to really enjoy the outdoors again. But a deck also comes with its fair share of potential complications, and could even land a homeowner in legal hot water. See why it's time to move forward and when homeowners may want to hold back.

Local Restrictions

When homeowners have their own property, they may think they have the right to make changes to it however they like. But because one home may affect the land of another, there are ordinances that may restrict or even prevent home renovations. Those in HOAs likely don't need to be reminded of this, but people who live in

Home improvements are supposed to drive up your Coventry Hills home value, but not all of them are good for your home. Some home improvements can actually make your home less desirable to buyers, which can make selling your home more difficult. If you're a homeowner and you're thinking about making a home improvement sometime in the next few months, be careful when making the following home upgrades.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

1. Changing a Bedroom Into Something Else

Home buyers like bedrooms. Changing a bedroom into something like a home office or a recording studio only reduces the number of bedrooms in the home. Doing this only

Everyone who lives in a climate where winters get cold has probably heard of winterizing, or the act of preparing a home so it’s protected against extreme temperatures. Winterizing can be done in many different ways, some more intensive than others. Fortunately, busy Conventry Hills homeowners don’t have to spend a lot of time winterizing their home each year. There is a number of different easy ways homeowners can prepare their home for the winter that don’t require very much effort or time. Here are some examples of those winterizing strategies.

1. Run Ceiling Fans in Reverse

When using a ceiling fan normally in the summertime, they force the air in the room to circulate, cooling it down. However, most ceiling fans now have a switch on them

Want to freshen up your Calgary home before you sell it? Painting existing kitchen cabinets is one of the easiest ways to update a tired kitchen, but it's easier said than done. It's not as easy as painting a wall or trim and requires a great deal more preparation.

To make the job mistake-free with less mess and a more perfect job, follow these basic steps:

Put Labels On Each Item

Remove all the cabinet doors and the hinges. Some people paint right over the hinges because its easy and they're in a hurry. But it looks unprofessional and sloppy and that can translate into lower offers. Take everything off and label each door. You might draw a map of your kitchen and match the labels with the position on your map. Put hinges in a clear plastic

The Most Common Pests and Their Entry Points

The walls aren't the only way insects enter your home. Here are the other important points you need to watch out for:

• Ants – if you have trees in your garden, the branches which touch your house become an “insect bridge” to your home. Also, this allows ants and other insects to nest in clogged gutters.

• Squirrels and bats – these creatures like the attic because it’s a cosy refuge. So gaps along dormers, roof vents, and adjoining rooflines become entrance points into your attic.

• Cockroaches – don't store unused cardboard boxes because they are the perfect habitat for cockroaches.

• Beetles – bear in mind that sliding windows, doors, and thresholds provide

For many people, buying a new home means learning to do housework and home repair. To do this, many people need to buy tools. For people who have long been renters, it's hard to know what tools are necessary and useful around the house. Below are some of the most helpful tools that you can buy when making the transition from home renter to homeowner.

Hammer, Nails, Mallet

Every homeowner needs a hammer and nails. Some homeowners buy nails as they're needed, but it's good to have a supply up front. Buy a variety of lengths and gauges, some with wide flat heads, and some with small heads.

Buy a hammer for pounding in the nails, and a mallet for pounding on something that could be damaged by the hard head of a hammer. For example, you might use a

Home renovations, particularly kitchen renovations, can increase a home's value dramatically. The highest ROI kitchen renovations are the ones that are relatively affordable but that make a big impact on home buyers. If you're a homeowner who is thinking about selling your home sometime in the next year, these kitchen changes can increase the value of your home.

Paint the Walls

Painting the walls makes the kitchen look new, fresh and fabulous. In recent years, white has been a very popular colour in kitchens. White brightens the space while making it look larger and cleaner. If white is not a desirable colour for the homeowner, then the best bet is to paint the walls in neutral colours, as these tend to be the most universally appreciated by home

When it comes time to replace roofing materials, homeowners have many options to consider. They must think about how the materials look and function to make the best choice for their homes. The right roofing materials can beautifully complement the exterior home design while offering lasting protection from the elements. Some roof materials can be handled in a DIY project, while others need a professional. Here are just five of the most popular roofing materials homeowners can choose from in upgrading their homes.

Asphalt

Although simple in design, asphalt shingles are very affordable, attractive and durable. These shingles come in organic compounds or as a fiberglass mesh. Both types are easily installed by a skilled roofing contractor in as

Have you ever walked into another person's home and have wished that your home could look just like theirs? Some people have a natural flair for decorating while others need to call in the pros for some assistance. If you're one of the latter here are some design tips for you that the pros use to make homes look stunning, homey and elegant.

Decorating Your Home With Timeless Decorating Strategies

In order to ensure your design decisions have the biggest impact, be sure to follow these design rules that will help your home stay open and welcoming.

Choose Neutrals And Whites

If your decorating flair isn't what it should be, stick to white and neutrals as a base for your decor. Once you start extending yourself into bright colors you'll