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The short answer is that quality cabinetry will stand up to years of everyday use and still maintain its functionality and beauty, but finding the perfect cabinets for your kitchen is more complicated than that. It’s important to consider a variety of factors, including the material, design, and price. Here’s what to look for when […]

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So, you’ve come home to a flooded basement – or woken up to one – and you need to know what you can do right this minute to limit the damage. If there is water currently coming into your basement, exercise extreme caution before taking any action. Then, follow these steps to prevent further damage to your home and keep your family safe. How to Fix and Clean Up a Flooded Basement Step 1: Make Sure Your Basement Is Safe to Enter The first thing you need to do when your basement floods is assess how dangerous the situation is....

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Open floor plans are a popular home design. Merging rooms together can allow for more light, more space and an improved sense of flow in many houses. If you live in a home with an outdated and closed-off floor plan, you can create more space by knocking out the wall between two rooms. It’s a big job, and it’s not right for every home. But in some cases, learning how to knock down a wall is a clear-cut project that can really open up a home. Use this guide to learn how and when to do this DIY project. Before...

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Most people have fond memories of a tree. Maybe you climbed one a lot as a kid, or perhaps your treehouse was the old neighborhood hangout. But once that tree dies, it becomes a big safety risk for not only your property, but also your neighbor’s. This guide will help you figure out if your tree is dead, as well as what to do with it if it’s time to cut it down. Is My Tree Dead? The simple answer is maybe. It may look like it’s dead, but it could also be dormant. Or maybe only a section of...

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Hiring a contractor for home renovations can be overwhelming, especially if this is the first big project you’ve ever taken on. If you’re unsure where to begin, we have a helpful checklist full of tips that will show you how to find a good contractor, including what questions to ask and how you can protect yourself throughout the process. Hiring a Contractor: A Checklist Start With Referrals The first step in finding a good contractor is to start with referrals from family, friends and neighbors. Beyond word-of-mouth recommendations, researching professional organization directories, references and reviews from past clients is essential....

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Sticking to a budget is always a challenge. Creating a budget for a large project you’ve never done before is an even bigger challenge. When it comes to home renovation costs, building a feasible budget requires a detailed plan and plenty of research. Fortunately, we’ve done most of the leg work for you. Simply follow the steps below to create a remodeling budget that will keep you from overspending on your next renovation. How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a House? According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of renovating a home that is less than 1,000 square feet is...

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  Endless layout options, numerous material choices, and the process of nailing down a budget — it can all feel like a blur when you start planning a bathroom remodel, and it’s no wonder. Like any major home improvement project, bathroom remodeling involves juggling many factors at once, and you want to make sure the […]

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Thinking of removing an old concrete slab or patio? If the concrete is covered in deep cracks, shows signs of settling or is flaking away in large pieces, it’s probably time to get rid of it. Demolishing concrete may seem like a daunting, expensive task but depending on the size and thickness of your slab, you might be able to tackle the project on your own. According to Yuka Kato at Fixr, the cost to have a professional remove a concrete slab varies based on the size and materials it contains. “It’s important to keep in mind that prices can...

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Looking for a rustic window frame to hang photos on in your living room? Or perhaps some weathered barnwood for a shiplap accent in the kitchen? Knowing where to find reclaimed wood that’s affordable and high-quality can be tough. That’s why we’ve put together a list of places to find, or buy, reclaimed wood for your next DIY project, complete with tips from the reclaimed wood experts at Chagrin Valley Custom Furniture. What is reclaimed wood? Reclaimed wood is lumber that has been previously used in the construction of a building or structure. Any wood that is recycled from the...

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The new year is just around the corner, and if you’re planning a remodel, you might be curious about the top remodeling trends for 2019. At Square Deal Remodeling, we always believe in trusting your design intuition and putting your own style preferences first. At the same time, understanding trends and how to implement them […]

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Are home improvements tax-deductible? What improvements are tax-deductible? If you’ve recently renovated your home, it’s important to start asking these questions. And with April 15th just around the corner, it’s the time of year we provide some answers. First, let’s get to the most pressing question. Are Home Improvements Tax-Deductible? Yes, but the answer to this question can be complicated. It comes down to what kind of project you’re completing, and whether it’s classified as a repair versus an improvement. Repair Versus Improvement: Which Is Which? Trying to determine whether a project is a repair or improvement for tax purposes?...

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Living without a kitchen for an extended period of time is a daunting undertaking. As intimidating as it may be, we’re here to tell you that it’s doable and that you’ll come to appreciate making your meals (even if you don’t like cooking). All it takes is planning, patience and a continued eye on your vision. Follow our kitchen remodel survival guide to help you get through to the other side and save some money along the way. How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take? According to Bryan Sebring, the president and founder of Sebring Design Build, a kitchen remodel...

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Choosing the best flooring material for your home is a big undertaking. Each room has a different purpose, there’s an aesthetic to consider, and if there are kids or pets in the mix, that adds another layer of concern. We researched five different recommendations to help you compare flooring types in order to choose the best flooring option for each room in your house. Comparing Different Types of Flooring Why You Should Choose Carpet Carpet can make a space feel cozy while also giving it a formal look. If you’re planning on putting down carpet in a room where you...

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While concrete floors and walls may not scream potential right now, your basement offers a lot of space that can be used for more than just storage and can add a considerable amount of value to your home. If a finished basement is on your home wish list, take some time to learn about what goes into the project and find out if a DIY finished basement is right for you. The basic steps to finish your basement include insulating walls, choosing flooring and adding a ceiling to transform your lower level into an additional living area. Ready to get...

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As you head towards retirement age, you’re probably getting excited about investing more time in your hobbies and spending afternoons with your grandkids. But have you pictured where you’ll be living? Staying at home is a more familiar and comfortable option to most as opposed to moving to an assisted living facility, so we’ve come up with some tips to help you remodel your home with aging in place in mind. Though some seniors still choose retirement homes, more and more people are instead opting to grow old at home, or age in place. In fact, only about 3 percent...

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Do you have a home remodeling project you’re itching to get started on? Maybe your bathroom is outdated or your kitchen needs an overhaul. In fact, entertaining and cooking for guests during winter holidays often highlights the need for home remodels, whether it’s creating more space or giving a room a more functional layout. So […]

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As November comes to a close and autumn gives way to cooler (and sometimes bitter) temperatures, you may be looking to hurry up and finish your fall home checklist before winter hits. Before the cold arrives, make sure to winterize your home with these 12 last-minute fall home maintenance tips. Stay Ahead of the Cold With This Home Winterization Checklist 1. Call a Pro to Repair or Replace Your Roof It may go without saying, but winter is not the best time for roof work. Aside from ice and snow creating a slipping hazard during repairs, asphalt shingles need to...

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Every year, millions of homeowners replace their roof, either because it has reached the end of its lifespan or the last storm really did a number on it. But even though everyone eventually needs to replace their roof, there are several maintenance tips for shingle roofs you can use to avoid tearing it off sooner rather than later. We’ve put together a quick-hitting roof maintenance checklist that will help you identify and prevent the kind of damage that spells doom for your average roof. The Essential Roof Maintenance Checklist 1. Check Your Shingles Regularly So, how do you maintain a...

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Maybe you noticed a soft spot under the carpet. Or maybe your floorboards are squeaking a little louder than usual. Either way, you’re left wondering: “is it time to replace my subfloor?” Subfloor damage is typically caused by overexposure to moisture. This could be from excessive humidity, a leak in your plumbing or a crack in your home’s exterior. While the thought of replacing it might give you a sinking feeling – literally – knowing when it’s time to replace your subfloor will allow you to head off more serious problems. What Is a Subfloor? A subfloor is the solid...

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Are you getting ready to remodel your kitchen or bathroom, or even add an addition to your home? This is an exciting opportunity to improve the space you live in. Unfortunately, delays, mistakes, and miscommunications between designers and contractors can derail even the most well-thought-out remodeling projects. But it doesn’t have to be that way. […]

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If you live anywhere near the Gulf or East Coasts, you’ve seen your fair share of hurricane warnings over the years. But even though storm season comes and goes like clockwork every six months, it’s easy to forget, or simply be unaware of, how you can protect your home from a hurricane. From strapping down your roof to cleaning up your yard, we’ll show you what you can do to give your property the best chance against Mother Nature’s worst. Take a look at the projects below to start hurricane proofing your home. How to Protect Your Doors & Windows...

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From choosing the right flooring to finding curtains that match your style, decorating can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to build your dream home and stay on budget. With so many decisions to make, it’s always good to have a few experts to consult. That’s why we’ve created this list of thrifty home decorating blogs to help you stay on budget. Consult these six DIY experts for home décor inspiration and to find ways to save while designing your dream home. Best Budget Decorating Blogs for Tips and Inspiration In My Own Style Written by Diane Henkler, the In...

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Laminate is a terrific low-cost flooring option for many homes, and modern wood-look laminate flooring looks almost as good as the real thing. The only downside? It doesn’t last as long as hardwood, which means at some point you will need to replace some or all of your floorboards. Fortunately, removing laminate flooring is relatively easy. Whether you need to replace a few damaged pieces, or just want a new floor, our quick guide will show you how to tear up laminate flooring yourself. The Tools You’ll Need: Pry bar Pliers Mallet Dust mask Safety glasses Work gloves Optional: Mop...

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Outdoor playtime is an important part of childhood, but these days, it faces stiff competition from video games – unless you have a kid-friendly backyard, that is. With the right setup, your children can have a yard that’s not only fun, but also helpful to their growth, according to the experts at Voice of Play: “Play is an essential tool in a child’s development. Research shows that outdoor free play gives kids many valuable benefits, including the development of physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills.” Deanna Tomaselli | Voice of Play If you’re looking for a way to get your...

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Your home should be a place of comfort. Yet, if you or a loved one is one of the 40 million Americans living with a disability, building a truly comfortable home can be daunting. Even before you get estimates for remodeling your home around a disability, there is the exhaustive process of identifying all the changes your home needs to accommodate your needs. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources and experts out there who can help you during the planning process. We’ll get you started by guiding you through the most common home modifications for disabled needs, as well...

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The kitchen is likely one of the spaces in your home that you spend the most time in. Transforming this space by giving it an updated and more modern feel that fits with your lifestyle is important and exciting. All kitchen remodel costs are based on the size of the kitchen itself, quality of materials […]

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Do you want to make your home more streamlined and easier to live in? Spend less time on daily chores? Next time you need a remodel, you can make your home “smarter,” so it does more for you, freeing up space and time for you to enjoy your life. Traditionally, a fully “smart home” is […]

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When the temperature is just right, and the neighborhood is quiet, but you can just hear a breeze rustling the leaves of the trees — those are the days when it’s a joy to be outside. Wouldn’t it be great to have a comfy indoor/outdoor space to sit in and enjoy those days? An indoor/outdoor […]

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Looking for a way to grow more flowers or vegetables in your small yard? Consider building a raised garden bed to give yourself plenty of space to grow healthy, hearty plants. Keep reading to learn the benefits of a raised garden bed, as well as a step-by-step guide to build and plant a bed. What Is a Raised Garden Bed? A raised garden bed is a raised box used as a garden plot for growing plants. A raised garden bed is filled with quality soil and placed where there is plenty of sunlight. The Benefits of a Raised Garden Bed:...

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If you’ve decided to take on the Chip and Joanna Gaines rural farm lifestyle – horses and all – it’s important to keep in mind a few horse barn maintenance tips as a beginner. Add these nine maintenance tips to your barn chores checklist to keep your new animals thriving for years to come. 9 Barn Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Horses Happy and Healthy 1. Keep the Barn Well-Ventilated To protect your animals’ health, make sure your horse barn chore checklist includes regular airflow checks and ventilation maintenance. The key is to move moist, dust-laden air out of the...

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