All Posts in "Summer Kirby"

The Ultimate Basement Finishing Guide

For many people, the basement is the perfect place for a man cave or a home gym. If you’re lucky enough to have a finished basement, you may wonder how to make it even better. This article will guide you through all of your options from improving the floor plan to adding extra bedrooms and bathrooms.

Use the basement floor plan

Basement floor plans are an essential tool for any basement finishing project. A good floor plan will help you to use your space effectively and stay within budget, while also ensuring that your finished basement will comply with local building codes.

Basement floor plans can be used in a variety of ways:

  • To help determine which areas should be finished first so that other parts of the project don’t get delayed by waiting on materials or labor
  • To show where plumbing and electrical lines run through the walls, so they can be easily accessed during construction (and after)
  • As part of a larger set of blueprints for an entire home or building

Improve your basement’s lighting

  • Use recessed lighting
  • Use track lighting
  • Combine both methods to create a unique look and feel in your basement, or simply use one or the other depending on how much of an investment you want to make on your home improvement project. Recessed lights are great because they don’t require any wiring or installation beyond drilling holes in the ceiling for the bulbs themselves; all you need to do is buy them and
… READ MORE >>>
Summer Kirby by — August 22, 2023 in Finished Basement
How To Fix A Small Drywall Crack

If you’ve got a small crack in your drywall, it may seem like a disaster. But as long as the crack is less than an inch wide (and especially if it’s less than 1/2 inch), you can repair it yourself. Here’s how:

Step 1

  • Prepare the area: Remove all loose drywall, clean it and then apply joint tape to the back of your patch.
  • Apply joint compound: Use a putty knife or taping knife to apply a layer of drywall compound over both sides of the crack. Let this dry completely before sanding it smooth.

Step 2

The next step is to use an awl or screwdriver to make a small hole in the drywall. This will allow you to apply the drywall compound into the crack and around the anchor. A putty knife can then be used to remove any excess compound from around your repair area, giving it a clean look when finished.

Next, use an electric drill with a 3/16″ drill bit attached (or smaller) and press it against one side of your old drywall anchor until it breaks free from its holding power in your wall surface’s masonry layer (usually concrete).

Step 3

  • Apply a small amount of joint compound to the crack.
  • Let it dry completely, then sand it smooth with a fine-grit sandpaper. Repeat for additional cracks if necessary.

Step 4

Step 4: Sand the area with a drywall sander. This will smooth out any rough edges and help to ensure that the patch … READ MORE >>>

Summer Kirby by — August 14, 2023 in Drywall Repair
Possibilities For Home Improvement Loans

Home improvement loans are a great way to fund your home improvement projects. If you’ve always wanted to remodel your kitchen or add an extra room, but can’t afford the upfront costs, a home improvement loan might be just what you need. The money from these loans can be used for exterior and interior repairs such as new windows and siding, or adding additional bathrooms or bedrooms for your growing family. While some people may think that all lenders are created equal and it doesn’t matter who they get their loan from, this simply isn’t true! Choosing the right lender is critical because there are several things that go into qualifying for one of these loans—such as income stability and credit scores—and each one has its own rules when considering who qualifies for their product offerings in general. So before you ask yourself: “What kind of interest rates do home improvement loans have?”, make sure that both you AND the lender are going to be happy with whatever deal comes out at the end…

Enhance the value of your home

  • Improve curb appeal. The front of your home is the first thing that people see when they arrive at your house, so it’s important to make a good impression. Additions like a new porch or deck can help make your property look more welcoming and attractive to potential buyers.
  • Add value to your property by making it more energy efficient. In addition to being more comfortable and convenient for you,
… READ MORE >>>
Summer Kirby by — August 8, 2023 in Home Improvement Loans
How To Get Started Major Home Remodeling

If you want to make your home feel like new, a major remodel is the way to go. It can be an exciting and stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be. With some research and preparation, you’ll be well on your way to having a beautiful new space in no time at all.

Research your options

When you’re ready to start planning your project, take the time to research your options. There are plenty of resources available online and in person that will help guide you through the process. Here are some suggestions:

  • Visit websites like Houzz, Pinterest and Pinterest. These sites have thousands of photos from homeowners who have remodeled their homes–you can learn a lot by looking at what they’ve done!
  • Talk with friends or family members who have recently completed a remodel. They’ll be able to tell you what they liked about their experience, what went wrong (and how they fixed it), and whether or not they’d do anything differently if given another chance at doing so again today. For example: “If I could do it all over again… I would hire someone else.” Or “I wish we had asked for advice from our contractor sooner.”

Think about how much money you want to spend

Before you start thinking about what to do with your home, it’s important to consider how much money you want to spend. The first step in the process is determining how much money you can borrow and afford to pay back … READ MORE >>>

Summer Kirby by — July 27, 2023 in Renovation
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