How to Remodel a Home Without Remodeling at All

Home Remodeling and Repair 317-454-3612

Home Remodeling and Repair 317-454-3612

If you wish to upgrade or enhance the look of your home, but can’t afford the money and time an actual remodel requires, there are some easy and affordable alternatives you may want to consider instead! Although home remodeling is a lucrative investment that increases property value, and subsequently, re-sale value, not every homeowner is ready for such an overhaul.

For those who want a change but are not quite ready for a renovation, there are smaller but equally impactful changes you can make without wasting a bunch of personal time or putting a huge dent in the bank account. These ideas are inexpensive and can be done all on your own, even in just one day or over a weekend. Continue reading to learn some quick, simple, and effective ways to give your home the facelift you’ve been dreaming about.

Start with Fixtures and Accessories

Small household fixtures and accessories can quickly go out of date if you aren’t paying attention. Although they seem to get the job done and not cause any problems, changing them out can drastically change the look and feel of any room in your home. These small exchanges are not only inexpensive and easily done on your own, they provide an instantaneous upgrade! Simply visit your local hardware store or home goods store for great deals on household fixtures and decor. Here are some examples of fixtures you want to consider swapping out for newer, more modern look:

Light Switch and Outlet Covers – Get fancier with some chrome or wood-grain light switch and outlet covers. They come in endless styles, designs, and colors, so you are bound to find something you like! They cost around $3 to $4 per plate, so be sure you buy enough for the entire room or home. Definitely consider this upgrade if you still have pale-yellow or white outlet and light switch covers!

Faucets – A simple faucet upgrade can go a long way. And faucets, so long as you are not replacing the entire sink basin, are inexpensive and come in great new designs. Expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $120 for a new kitchen or bathroom faucet. The enhancement they provide is worth the extra little expense, and much cheaper than a full remodel.

Handles and Rack Bars – For bathrooms that have towel racks, hangers, bars, and other wall accessories, a quick swap for newer, modern-looking accessories will do wonders for your home. Choose a new theme, color, or design and instantly change the look of your bathroom. These fixtures, depending on quality and designer, can range in price from $10 to $50.

Rugs and Mats – There are so many fresh new designs and colors of home rugs, mats, and runners. A simple change of carpeting can change the entire feel of a room. Replace old, outdated, or dirty kitchen, dining room, and bathroom rugs to freshen up the feel and change around the design theme of a room! These items are inexpensive, but keep in mind that better-quality rugs and mats last longer and withstand wear and tear better. So don’t skimp in this area, but remember that it is still cheaper and easier than a full remodel!

Décor – Certain décor can not only enhance the look and theme of your home’s design, it can play a more technical role. For example, strategically placing a large mirror in certain areas of a room can give the illusion of a more open space. If you have a room or hallway that you wish you could open up a bit more, try buying an extra-large mirror and hanging it adjacent to the closed wall. This will give the room a more open look and feel instantly!

Other décor changes to consider include curtains, pillow, and blankets. You can buy new throw pillows and blankets for couches and chairs. And even better, you can match them to the new rugs and mats you purchase too! You can change the look of any room with some simple blanket and pillow swapping. Consider this for the bedroom too! The same idea goes for curtains. Curtains go out of style quickly, so changing them can greatly update your home’s design for a great price.

You can also consider changing out lamps, picture frames, and miscellaneous décor (i.e. ornaments, vases, faux flowers, decorative signs, etc.) for some simple and quick changes. All of these ideas can be done all on your own, maybe with some help from the rest of the family, and all within a reasonable budget!

Take it a Step Further

One of the most impactful changes you can make to a room or interior part of a home is paint. Nothing says fresh and new like a new coat of paint or a change in paint color. And with the new advancements in the paint industry, you can achieve professional results from just one paint and primer in one! So long as you do a little pre-planning and research some DIY painting tips, you can change one wall or several walls to a new color, giving your home a new look instantly.

Even if you are looking to remodel on a budget, it may still be worth your while to talk to a licensed general contractor about potential remodels that could be quick and easy to do with professional help. There may be some changes you can make to your home that are not as tedious and expensive as you think. A general contractor can discuss home remodeling options for your property that fit within your personal budget.

Restoration By L & B, LLC

General Contractors Indianapolis IN

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for dependable answers to your home remodeling questions. Licensed general contractor, Lee Elliot, provides a wide range of home remodeling and renovation services in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Not only do we provide expert remodeling services, we guarantee to beat any competitor’s price! With competitive pricing and skilled workmanship, you have nothing to lose if you choose Restoration By L & B, LLC for your home remodeling needs in Indianapolis, IN.

Tips for DIY Garage Door Repairs

Home Remodeling and Repair 317-454-3612

Home Remodeling and Repair 317-454-3612

Garage doors are important components for properties. Not only do they play a role in the aesthetic appeal of a home, they also serve a valuable and useful purpose. Once we get accustomed to having a garage with an operational garage door, it is very frustrating to experience problems with them just as you need them most. When you have trouble with the function or operation of your automatic garage door, considering trying out a few DIY methods to garage door repair, or contact a local handyman
for professional advice and assistance.

Continue reading to learn a few tips and tricks for solving garage door problems on your own, and when to know it’s time to hire a professional garage door repair service.

Automatic Garage Doors

Overtime, natural wear and tear will deteriorate or corrode garage door systems. This is especially true for regions of the country that experience higher levels of precipitation and longer periods of winter climates. Garage doors should be replaced every ten or fifteen years, give or take, depending on the factors mentioned above. For garage doors that begin to show signs of complications, prompt intervention is necessary in order to prevent the need for costly garage door replacements. Here are a few common signs that a garage door is experiencing trouble:

• Failure to Open
• Squeaking
• Rattling, Vibrating, Shaking
• Rusted Hinges
• Rusted Metal
• Discoloration
• Broken Tracks
• Loud Noises
• Crunching or Cracking Sounds
• And More

When any of these signs, or others, are evident in your garage door, consider trying out a few do-it-yourself methods to fix the areas that show deterioration or trouble. Here’s some tips and tricks to try out for yourself:

Check the Garage Door Opener

One of the biggest overlooked quick-fixes to broken garage doors is dead batteries. If your door simply will not open, it may not be the door at all, but the opener instead. If this is your issue, try replacing the batteries in the garage door opener first, before moving on to anything else. Most of the time, this is the needed repair, and it’s an easy one!

Check the Metal Tracks and Mounting Brackets

Once you have eliminated the possibility of having a dead battery issue on your hands, start by checking the metal tracks and mounting brackets for your garage door. First shut the garage if you can, then see if the tracks and brackets are loose, and tighten them if they need it. Also, check for dents in these areas and flatten them out with a rubber mallet. Use a level to see if they are even and aligned. Alignment for tracks and brackets is vital to the proper operation of an automatic garage door. Use a rubber mallet to lower or realign them. You may also lubricate them for better functionality. If the tracks and mounting brackets seem beyond repair, it is strongly encouraged to contact a local garage door repair contractor or handyman for parts replacement services and assistance.

Sometimes, a garage door needs to be repaired by a professional handyman or general contractor. They retain the proper training, tools, resources, and experience to effectively implement the proper repairs and replacements necessary. Do not attempt any DIY garage door repair if you are not 100% comfortable and confident. Professional assistance is only a phone call away!

Restoration By L & B, LLC

General Contractors Indianapolis IN

Tile Floor Repair and Installation 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional garage door repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Lee Elliot, is a licensed and qualified home remodeling contractor that can provide a wide range of affordable handyman services for both residential and commercial properties. You name it, they can do it! Renovations, remodeling, repairs, and restoration projects, large or small, is what we specialize in! Call 317-454-3612 to receive a free estimate for garage door repair services in Indianapolis, IN today.

The Easy Way to Remove Wallpaper

Wallpaper Removal

Indianapolis General Contractor 317-454-3612

Wallpaper removal doesn’t have to be a frustrating and tedious experience. The right tools coupled with the right knowledge can make wallpaper stripping easy and fast! Preparation is key, and understanding how to manage potential obstacles can save you a lot of time and trouble. Continue reading to learn the most efficient and easy way to remove wallpaper, and avoid the hassle that so many face with this type of project.

Wallpaper Stripping Tools and Supplies

First, you will need supplies. Having the right tools and supplies on hand makes all the difference when it comes to efficiency and time. You never want to get caught-up halfway through a project and run out of supplies. For easy wallpaper removal, you will need the following tools and supplies:

• Rubber Gloves
• Protective Eye Goggles
• Ladder/Step Stool
• Bucket
• 2 Gallons Warm Water
• Utility Knife
• 3”- 6” Broad Knife
• Wallpaper Stripper Solution (Or Fabric Softener!)
• Wallpaper Removing Cloth
• Serrated Paper Scoring Tool
• Drop Cloths/Plastic Tarps

Next, prepare the wallpaper solution in the bucket by mixing the warm water with either the stripping solution or fabric softener, whichever you choose. Once this solution is ready, you will need to test a small area of the wallpaper to see what you’re dealing with, since you might not know just how many layers of paper there are underneath the top layer.

Wallpaper Stripping

Wallpaper Stripping

Do this by taking the utility knife and cutting a vertical seam. Keeping your hand firm alongside the seam, attempt to pull the wallpaper downwards to see if it simply comes off into strips. It if does, it is strippable wallpaper and your job just got easier. If not, check to see if there are multiple layers, which only indicate your job will take a bit longer, and test a small section with the mixed solution to see if it’s damaging to the wall. If it seems to work, go ahead and continue with the next steps!

Cover the floors with drop cloths in the areas you intend to work before getting started. Soak the wallpaper removing cloth in the solution and apply it in large sections. Then allow the solution to penetrate for at least 20 minutes. Once this time has passed, use your serrated tool to score the wallpaper in circular motions, followed by scraping with the broad knife and peeling with your hands. Repeat this process until all sections of wallpaper are removed, using more solution as needed.

For large-scale projects, or home remodels, it is more cost effective and efficient to hire a general contractor for help. They retain the proper teams, tools, and training to effectively remove wallpaper without damaging the walls.

Restoration By L & B, LLC

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for home remodeling and repair in Indianapolis, IN. Owner and licensed general contractor, Lee Elliot, provides a wide range of services for home remodels, renovations, restorations, and repairs. Whether your remodeling needs are commercial or residential, Restoration By L & B, LLC is fully-equipped to manage any project at the most competitive price in town. Call 317-454-3612 for a free consultation and estimate for home remodeling in Indianapolis, IN today.