How to Determine if You Can Afford to Remodel

Posted on February 20, 2020 by admin

When it comes time to seriously consider a home remodeling project, the key and communal question is, “can I afford a remodel right now?” If you are asking yourself whether or not you can fit a remodel into your current budget, you are not alone. For this reason, it is helpful for you to become more familiar on all that is required of you financially for your particular remodeling goals. This will help you develop a rudimentary cost estimation, which will tell you if you can afford to remodel or not.

Continue reading to learn which factors you will need to consider in order to achieve an accurate cost analysis for home remodeling.

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Financing Aid and Loans

When you are sweating the upfront investment of a home remodel, don’t. Because many companies offer flexible financing programs and incentives that help homeowners afford to upgrade and add value to their properties. Whether interior or exterior, financing can be the answer to your home renovation woes. But keep in mind that not all general contractors offer financing. In this case, you still have other financing options.

Re-Financing Your Home

Today, it is easier than ever to re-finance your home. And don’t forget about home equity lines of credit, home equity loan, second mortgages, and even contractor loans. to your mortgage company or bank about your options for refinancing or applying for a loan. They will be able to examine your financial portfolio and make full-informed and educated recommendations with your best interests in mind. You may even want to consider a separate company for a home equity loan or lines of credit.

Professional Advice

Talk to a licensed general contractor to determine how they can best meet your needs within your budget. An experienced and knowledgeable contractor will be able to help you find affordable alternative and budget-cutting ideas so that you can get the upgrade and improvement you seek, and at a price you can afford.

Contact Our Trusted Indianapolis General Contractors

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for affordable home remodeling services in Central Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our Indianapolis general contractors provide a wide range of services for both commercial and residential properties, from general handyman services and home remodels, to full-on renovations, additions, conversions, and more. Request an estimate, today!

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How to Remove a Stuck Screw

Posted on December 26, 2018 by admin

If you are close to giving up on a repair project because you can’t remove stubborn old screws from wood, you are in the right place! Whether your screws are painted over, rusted in place, or simply screwed too far, these nifty tips and tricks will give you the knowledge and ability to finally unfasten old, stuck screws from wood.

Continue reading to get started!

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What You Will Need

You do not want to use a power drill when attempting to remove old, stubborn screws. Not only can this quickly strip the head of the screw, it can potentially damage whatever item you are working with. Instead, rely on your good, old-fashioned screwdriver for the best results. Overall, the materials you will need to successfully remove an old screw will depend on the method you choose to use, which might depend on the circumstances of the particular screw in focus.

~ Rusted Screws

Rusted screws are particularly challenging to remove since they are essentially cemented into place. But sometimes a little lubrication can help loosen them just enough for you to pull them out of their spot. Try applying some standard WD-40 or similar spray-on lubrication product directly over the top to break up the rust, and then try again.

~ Painted Screws

For screws that are glued in place with old paint, you can solve the problem with a chisel or a razor. Simply scrape away the paint until you reveal the screw head. Be sure to start on the outer perimeter of the screw, and then work your way to the center where the screwdriver slot is located. If this still doesn’t work, you can move onto other methods.

~ Screws That Won’t Budge

For those screws that won’t seem to move no matter how much force or traction you provide, rely on your trusty hammer. Being very careful and controlled, hold your screwdriver in the slot, and while slowly turning it, tap the screwdriver with the hammer. This can widen the hole and dislodge the old screw.

When the Job is Too Big

Call Restoration By L&B LLC at 317-454-3612 for Indianapolis home remodeling and handyman services at competitive prices. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, is happy to answer all your questions about home remodel planning, prices, and process. And don’t forget; we guarantee to BEAT any prices quoted by our competition!

Suggested Maintenance for Wood Decks and Patios

Posted on March 22, 2018 by admin

One of the most anticipated pastimes of spring is all the backyard fun and relaxation you finally get to enjoy. Springtime barbequing, badminton, croquet, or simply enjoying the view of everyone’s smiling faces from an attractive patio or deck is what the season is all about! But if your wooden patio or deck is not well-maintained, it isn’t such a charming place to spend time. Things like warped boards, wood rot, and moss infestations can not only make a deck unattractive, it can make it unsafe to use.

Continue reading to learn how to properly maintenance and repair a wooded deck so that you may enjoy your little piece of paradise all spring and summer long, and for many more springs to come!

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Wood Deck Problems

It is important to regularly inspect your deck for problems so that you may solve them before they get out of control, become a hazard, or wind up being very costly to repair. A small problem can evolve into a major one over a short amount of time, which is why you must stay vigilant when it comes to routine deck maintenance and repair.

Here are a few common issues to look for:

☑ Loose Nails – Replace damaged or corroded nails on floorboards, posts, sills, joists, railing, stairs, and more. Hammer down any protruding nails until they are even (or below) the wood surface. You may also replace protruding or loose nails with deck screws.

☑ Warped Floorboards – Cracked, warped, splintered, or protruding floorboards are hazards. Replace them as needed.

☑ Dry Rot – This type of fungal growth digests wood, rotting it from all over. Signs include soft or moist floorboards, musty odors, discoloration, or shrunken floorboards. Replace immediately upon discovery.

☑ Mold and Mildew – Additional types of fungal growth, like mold and mildew, are hazardous for wood decks and patios. Also, mushroom growth, moss growth, green or black algae, lichen, and more make for dangerous patio conditions.

☑ Debris – Leaves, twigs, branches, grass clippings, and more are examples of debris that needs cleared regularly from decks and patios. Accumulation can provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth, and more.

Wood Deck and Patio Care

All of the above problems, and more, should be addressed right away in order to maintain a safe and enjoyable deck or patio this spring. Nails should be hammered in or replaced with deck screws, organic growths should be sprayed with an eliminating solution, rotted or damaged floorboards should be replaced or patched, and debris should be swept away on a daily basis. All of this should prevent costly and hazardous wood deck problems.

In order to preserve your wooden deck or patio, it is important to implement certain strategies and chores that will safeguard it all year long. For example, dry rot can be prevented by painting a layer or two of wood preservative underneath the bottom of the wood deck.

Also, applying a quality sealcoat and deck protectant is vital for safeguarding against natural wear and tear. It is helpful to know that replacing boards with dry rot right away will evade the potential for it to spread to other boards. And last, continue to retreat your wood deck with fungal protection to keep it mold and mildew free all year.

Consult a professional general contractor for advice, information, and assistance with deck maintenance and renovation. They retain the experience, knowledge, and tools to get you and your patio ready for spring!

Looking For Professional Deck Repair?

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Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional deck and patio repair services and information. We provide home remodeling, renovation, repairs, and more for homes and commercial properties in Indianapolis and throughout the Metro Indy areas. Request an estimate, today!

Suggested Home Remodeling Ideas for New Puppies

Posted on June 5, 2017 by admin

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Whether it is something you’ve wanted for a long time but you never had the right space, or you’ve finally given in to your kids’ incessant requests for a pet, adding a puppy to your household calls for some serious preparation. Not only do you need to set up and delegate a care plan among your family, you need to think about puppy-proofing the home. This is necessary for both the puppy and the structural integrity of your home. Continue reading to learn some remodeling ideas to consider when bringing home a new puppy.

Install a Doggy Door

There are many reasons why it is beneficial to install a doggy door in your home. You can teach a dog to tap at doors when they need out, but this tapping often leads to scratching, which leaves behind scrapes, marks, and other structural damages to the wall or door. Not only does a doggy door deter this action, it allows a puppy to freely let themselves out when they need to go, all without disrupting you or waking you up in the middle of the night for a potty break. It is simple to train a dog to use a doggy door, especially when they are still young. It requires professional installation, so be sure to use a trusted handyman for the job.

Replace Carpets with Laminate Flooring

Carpets retain stains, odors, dander, and more. With a new puppy around, it is wiser to replace carpets with something that is easier to clean and maintain. Laminate flooring is a cost-effective alternative to higher-end materials like hardwood, and it is low maintenance. It comes in a wide variety of colors, designs, textures, and styles, so finding a match for your home would be simple. To avoid pet messes, unraveled carpet fibers, lingering stains, and more, replace carpets with laminate before you bring home your new pup.

Indianapolis Handyman Services

Home Remodeling
317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L&B LLC at 317-454-3612 for Indianapolis home remodeling services at competitive prices. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, is happy to answer all your questions about home remodel planning, prices, and process. And don’t forget; we guarantee to BEAT any prices quoted by our competition!

How to Remove Furr Down Over Kitchen Cabinets

Posted on December 6, 2016 by admin

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If you are currently knee-deep into a kitchen remodel, or even in the planning stages, then you have probably heard a thing or two about kitchen cabinet furr downs. “Furr down” is simply the enclosed area that sits between the ceiling and the kitchen cabinets. It looks like it is part of the cabinet system or wall, but it is in fact a hollow, enclosed area that serves no purpose in modern interior design. This is why so many homeowners choose to remove furr downs; it gives kitchens a more open and brighter feel. If you are interesting in learning more, continue reading for a brief introduction to removing furr downs over kitchen cabinets.

The Run Down on Furr Downs

It is not always a good idea to remove furr downs. That is because you are never entirely sure what lies behind them. Sometimes you get a blank wall space, and other times you get exposed plumbing, duct work, and electrical wires. To avoid surprises, it is best to contact a licensed general contractor for professional advice and assistance. Otherwise, the only other way of finding out is to open it up.

Furr Down Removal Tips

⚒ Use a utility knife to cut the caulk lines along the areas of trim that bond the joints with the cabinets and ceiling. Softly pry off the trim to expose the seams. Furr downs made of plywood are much easier to pry off. Furr downs that are covered in drywall are more difficult to remove (and messier).

⚒ If there is no exposed plumbing or wiring, you can go ahead and remove the framing that supports the furr down.

⚒ Procure and install matching crown molding in the newly exposed space if the rest of your kitchen has crown molding. Use butt joints for precise cohesion between new and old crown molding.

⚒ Many homeowners with kitchen crown molding also choose to install trim along the top edge of the cabinets.

⚒ If there is no wiring or plumbing, but a vent exposed under the furr down, hire a general contractor to install an enclosed and painted plywood box around it. Then install crown molding above to blend it with the rest of the wall.

⚒ If you have a textured ceiling but there are left over flat spots from the installation process, use a small paint brush and ceiling paint to stifle the flat areas and blend them into the rest of the ceiling.

Indianapolis Home Remodeling Contractors

Indianapolis Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional kitchen remodeling in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Owner and licensed general contractor, Lee Elliot, is happy to provide on-site written estimates, and will answer all of your home remodeling questions with care. We manage a wide range of remodels, renovations, and repairs for all residential and commercial properties. Call 317-454-3612 to get in touch with our trusted Indianapolis home remodeling contractors, today.