Want a new kitchen but don't want to spend the money or time necessary on a major renovation? Forget the idea of the "right" kitchen and improve your space with some "right now" partial remodeling ideas. In her new e-book Kelly's Kitchen Savvy: Solutions for Partial Kitchen Remodels (available for Kindle on Amazon.com), certified master kitchen and bath designer and certified interior designer Kelly Morisseau shares her advice for how to tackle what she calls a "20 percent kitchen remodel" for maximum impact and minimum frustration. "Take a hard look at your kitchen with all its pros and cons to decide what can be accomplished first, and what can be accomplished down the road," Morisseau says. "Lifestyle, time spent in the home, and future resale are all factors that should be considered by any homeowner looking to make changes to his or her kitchen, while keeping budget in mind."

Check out Morisseau's tips to transform your kitchen right now.

While giving the walls, ceiling, and trim a fresh coat of paint will combat dinginess, new lighting is an even better way to brighten your kitchen, Morisseau says. "Good lighting has the psychological effect of making your kitchen feel brighter, more cheerful, less cavernous, and easier to work in," she says.

Switching out small ceiling-mounted lights for larger or brighter, energy-efficient fixtures will make the room's ambient lighting more luxurious, she says. Task lighting, such as undercabinet lighting, can add brightness to the counters. "While most homeowners don't pay attention to undercabinet lighting, adding it to your kitchen can make it brighter and easier to work in," Morisseau says. While some undercabinet lighting is hardwired behind the wall, for a quick fix use models that can be plugged into the nearest receptacle outlet.

"A contractor once said that he could make any home look more expensive simply by adding better-qualityand prettiertrim, such as baseboards, crown molding, and door and window casings," Morisseau says. "This is true for almost all homes. If you're a handy DIYer, consider adding these to customize your kitchen." If you're a novice, pass on this upgrade until you can hire a pro: your home is likely not perfectly square and it can require some expertise to make sure everything lines up, Morisseau says.

Splurging on a professional range won't necessarily put lesser-quality appliances in the shade. "Today's appliances have a sleek appearance in almost any price category," Morisseau says. "While it's nice to maintain the same quality throughoutand imperative if your home is in the high six- and seven-figure price rangethe same is not necessarily true for low- to mid-range homes. A nice stainless-steel professional range can be paired with a lower-priced stainless-steel refrigerator." Pro tip: Consider buying last year's models or buying in the fall for the best deals, Morisseau suggests. "Manufacturers may also offer deals if you buy all their appliances," she says.

Those easily removed, such as the dishwasher, range, and refrigerator, are the simplest appliances to replace. Make sure the new appliances will fit in the existing cabinet openings and line up with the existing countertop depth before purchasing. "If they won't, hire a carpenter or cabinetmaker to retrofit the openings, especially for refrigerators, cooktops and wall ovens," Morisseau says. "Alternatively, if you're planning on replacing the cabinets soon and your current cabinets aren't large enough to accommodate the new appliances you want, wait until you're ready to order the new cabinets.

"In luxury design, textured glass in a feature cabinet are popular," Morisseau says. Insert plain glass into a couple of cabinet door fronts as a focal point and display your decorative servingware. Or, opt for frosted or etched glass inserts to hide shelves full of non-display-worthy dishes while still adding visual interest and a custom touch.

If your cabinets and drawers aren't functional for your needs, Morisseau suggests considering purchasing after-market items, such as spice or cutlery trays, lazy Susans, roll-out shelving, smooth drawer glides, and pot and pan organizers, from home improvement stores to get custom interior fittings without replacing the cabinetry itself. "Luxury kitchens have great hardware," she says.

Morisseau adds that the same can be true for appliances: If your appliances are old and you can't afford to update them, consider replacing old or worn parts, such as burners on an electric range, knobs on a dishwasher, or shelves in a refrigerator.

"In a luxury kitchen, a tile backsplash usually extends from the counter to the underside of the wall cabinets and may even continue around the sink window and on other walls," Morisseau says. "Custom kitchens usually have either a monochromatic or custom-designed backsplash made of tile, wood, or glass."

Add a bit of luxury to your kitchen by using smaller patterned tiles mounted on a 12-inch by 12-inch mesh to make the installation easier. Or, mix tile shapes, such as a tile liner or dot, or add individual decorative pieces to a standard tile backsplash for an element of individuality, Morisseau suggests. "During installation, adjust the height of any border so it isn't interrupted by switches or outlets, and make sure that all the tile you're using is the same thickness," she says. "Watch for very rough or textured surfaces, as they can be a challenge to clean behind a cooking area."

Most of us have heard that replacing cabinet hardware is one of the easier and cheaper ways of updating a kitchen, but the knobs you choose are important. "Anything below $3 will have to be replaced in less than two years," Morrisseau says. "What you're looking for is heft and weight. How does the handle or knob feel in your hand? is it very light or is it weighty? If you can, select the heavier weight. A lighter knob may be hollow in the middle or it may have been made with cheap metal. There is also a significant weight difference between an acrylic knob and a glass one."

To make installation easier, choose handles or knobs with slightly bigger screws than your existing knobs, if possible. "The existing screw hole will be worn over time and you'll need a bigger screw to get a good grip in the wood," Morisseau explains. If the new handles require new screw holes to be made in the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, use a decorative plate, called a back plate, to cover the existing holes, or fill them in with wood putty if you're handy, she says.

"Staging is what a stylist for a magazine or photo shoot adds to the room: the glasses, stools, artfully arranged plates, decorative items, rugs, and flowers," Morisseau says. Add items like those you see in a kitchen you covet in a magazine to update your space without lifting a hammer, she suggests.

If your flooring, cabinets, countertop, or appliances need to be replaced, or electrical or plumbing lines need professional help, it's important to plan the order of action on each of these items, Morisseau says. Replacing some items may have a domino effect and require other repairs, leading you down a rabbit hole of renovations, or the money you spend now may be wasted when you have to rip it out to replace something later, she says. Replacing flooring requires removing and reinstalling appliances, for example, and countertops usually don't survive relocation. "Each decision affects all the others and, if not made carefully, can result in extra costs, delays, and frustration," Morisseau says. "Stepping back and focusing on the logical order of repairs and improvements will allow you to identify those you can tackle in the short term while saving up for bigger projects that require more investment and can be done later on."

NEXT: 24 Amazing Kitchen Makeovers

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Affordable Kitchen Remodeling Ideas - countryliving.com

Several factors can increase the cost of your air conditioner installation. If you need a new thermostat, for example, or if the design of your house is such that substantial amounts of duct work are required to link with your existing furnace, you'll pay more than average.

The seasonal energy efficiency ratio(SEER) is also a critical factor. This ratio is a measure of an A/C unit's total cooling output (measured in BTU) during a season, divided by its total electric energy input. The higher the resulting number, the better. Currently, allunits sold are over 13 SEER, and some can perform at up to 27 SEER.

The advantages of improved SEER ratings are lowered energy costs and cooling times, but they come with a corresponding cost increase. If your hot season isn't particularly long, the increased price may not be worth it.

It's also possible to quiet a noisy air conditioner. Louder units can run over 80 decibels on a hot day, which is painful up close. Many municipalities have passed laws that require new installations to be under a certain decibel level. At 75 decibels, for example, you'll probably hear the unit from the garage or through a window on the same side of the house, while at 70 it will begin to fade into background noise. Most popular brands offer high-efficiency, low-noise models for an increased price.

Air conditioning costs depend in large measure on whom you hire, what size system you need and your A/C unit's overall efficiency.

Editor's note:This is an updated version of an article originally posted on June 17, 2013.

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Although it is possible to paint your house yourself, there are some substantial benefits that come with having a professional painter do the work for you. A quality paint job is challenging and does require a lot of skill, patience, and finesse.

When you hire a professional painting contractor to do your painting, they will be able to provide you with a high-quality paint job and save you a lot of time and aggravation. The following are some of the significant benefits that come with having your house painted by a professional like our West Chester PA painting company.

1. Save time and hassle by not having to do the job yourself

A quality paint job can take up hours and hours of your time, especially if you dont have a lot of experience. You also need to factor in time for your prep work, choosing and buying all of your materials and clean up work.

2. Greater job safety

In some situations, painting can be potentially dangerous. Breathing fumes and moving furniture are two possible safety issues. You will also probably have to use a tall ladder to do the work. Hiring a professional contractor will ultimately be much safer for everyone.

3. Maintain Higher Health Standards

Specific EPA regulations must be followed when repainting your house. You might not be aware of them or know how to adhere to them. A professional painting contractor, on the other hand, will have experience complying with all of the various regulations and be able to maintain higher environmental and health standards.

4. Dispose of materials properly

Depending on your specific paint job, it might involve leftover paint, having to deal with paint flakes or removing old wallpaper. There will be materials left over that will need to be disposed of properly. A painting contractor will be familiar with the proper disposal procedures that need to be used, and it will be one less thing you wont need to worry about.

5. Prep work will be faster and more thorough

A majority of homeowners dont do a thorough job when it comes to prep work on a painting project. Furniture and other items need to be moved around, you have lay plastic sheeting down, tape up parts of the walls and windows, and more. Professional painting contractors can do this work more thoroughly, efficiently and faster. Our Chester County painting firm prides itself on getting the work done professionally and on time.

6. Higher quality paints can be selected for the job.

Professional contractors are much more knowledgeable about paints than the average homeowner. They can help you choose the best paint for your specific situation and needs. Our painters in West Chester PA only use top quality paints. We will also help you choose the perfect paint color.

7. The work will get done professionally and quickly

If you choose a reputable contractor, then they will be very knowledgeable and be able to get the job done right the first time and in record time at that. Most homeowners end up taking much longer than they anticipated because they dont have the same level of experience that a professional has.

8. Guarantee of Quality

A majority of painting contractors do offer guarantees on their work. If you are not satisfied, most professionals will re-do the job free of charge to avoid negative reviews and keep their good reputation intact.

We provide other quality services like commercial & residential pressure washing by our Chester County power washing & painting company.

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Constructs and sets forms, fabricates steel reinforcements, and pours concrete for footings, foundations, and flatwork; finishes exposed aggregate concrete.

Installs or assists in installing sub-flooring and flooring; constructs inner and outer walls on buildings; installs siding, windows, and exterior doors; installs or replaces roofing; builds rafters and/or sets trusses.

Renovates, installs, or assists in installing plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling systems in buildings; installs sinks, toilets, showers, water heaters, and other fixtures.

Paints buildings and other structures using sprayers, brushes, or rollers; installs paneling, wallpaper, drywall, ceramic tile, and other interior finishes.

Performs finish carpentry such as installation of millwork; constructs boardwalks, stairs, and platforms.

Operates a motor vehicle ; operates heavy equipment occasionally.

Exercises independence in the performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction; assignments may be accompanied by blueprints, penciled layouts, or sketches; work is reviewed while in progress and upon completion through inspections.

Performs other related work as assigned.

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Building Construction Worker I | Office of Administration

You can never completely remove mold from your house; a small number of mold spores will always exist indoors and are a natural and helpful part of our world. However, if water or moisture is left unchecked inside your home and mold begins to colonize, it can pose a serious health risk. Mold remediation can quickly and safely remove a mold infestation from your home or office. Depending on the size of your problem, mold remediation might take anywhere from one to seven days (or more) to wipe out the major sources of mold in your home.

Mold growths (colonies) can establish within 24-48 hours, so it is important to act immediately if you have a water spill or leak especially if you live in a hot or humid climate. If you are past the point of DIY and need professional help, mold remediation teams will come to your location, assess the extent of the mold problem, identify and rectify all water leaks and sources of dampness, identify all mold sources (both visible and hidden), use specialized equipment to contain and prevent migration of mold spores, safely remove contaminated materials, treat infested areas with approved antimicrobial sprays, dehumidify and dry the appropriate areas, and seal areas as needed.

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The 10 Best Mold Remediation Companies in Dallas, TX 2019

Mold Removal and Remediation | HGTV

If you've spotted mold in your home, it's time to fight it fair and square. Use these mold removal tips and kiss that nasty fungus goodbye.

By: Caroline Shannon-Karasik

It's hard to imagine two better friends than mold and water. But like Bonnie and Clyde, when paired together the two partners in crime make a dangerous team, ready to wreak havoc. If moisture has taken your home hostage, it's time to consider the most effective mold-removal technique.

Even though you may have seen your grandmother or mother scrub mold away with a bit of bleach, experts say it's not the best technique for mold remediation. Instead, it's recommended that your take a few basic steps to remediate mold, starting with identifying the source of the excess moisture.

Once that's done, clean up the water and eliminate the source. In order to nix a mold problem for good, it is important to remove mold with a biocide and disinfectant, like OxB biocide. Be sure to open windows and wear gloves, eye protection and a facemask when applying a biocide because of the harsh chemicals that are often used in these products.

After cleaning up, allow the affected area to dry or speed up the process by using a fan.

Linda Cobb shows some natural, inexpensive ways to clean tile and grout.

How to clean stainless steel and bring it back to a smooth, bright luster.

The Queen of Clean shares tips for cleaning window treatments.

Take a look at these tips for getting your bathroom ultra clean.

Whip up a batch of laundry detergent to keep clothes cleaner and greener.

Company is 5 minutes away! Learn how to clean only the things that matter.

Star Hansen creates a storage corner for cleaning supplies.

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Mold Removal and Remediation | HGTV

Mold is all around us. In small amounts, we can live harmoniously with it.

But after a natural disaster or water intrusion, building interiors can become magnets for exponential mold growth, which can lead to serious health problems for some people. When there is visible mold, remediation is essential.

Following an incident of water damage, our preferred method of attack is to properly clean and dry surfaces and materials to prevent mold growth. If thats not possible, our mold remediation teams can make recommendations for removing mold based on the size and scope of the contamination. We may also bring in the services of a Certified Industrial Hygienist to help with consulting and testing to ensure you have all the information you need about your situation.

While there are few laws on the books related to how mold remediation must be done, we follow guidelines for the safe removal and disposal of mold-contaminated items published by the IICRC (Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification), the EPA, and other state guidelines and requirements.

Resources to learn more about the impact of mold include:

U.S. EPACenters for Disease Control and PreventionFEMA

We have the experience and expertise to provide the best mold remediation services for your property. Contact us to learn more call us today at 888.88.BLUSKY (888.882.5875) orsend us an email.

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Home >Learning Center >Information for Homeowners >What is a Home Warranty

A home warranty is a contract covering repairs and replacements on systems and appliances in your home, usually for a period of one year.

Homeowners warranties are designed to protect your home's appliances and systems from breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear. Homeowners insurance pays for damages and loss caused by covered perils like fire and weather damage, but it won't help you if your washing machine simply breaks down.

A home warranty will cover your home's crucial systems and appliances, as long as they are in working order when the contract is entered into with the warranty company. Make sure you have reviewed your contract and coverage before you need it.

Make sure you're clear on:

When purchasing, consider premium and optional coverage to customize the plan to fit your needs. For example, you may want coverage for your second refrigerator or an outdoor pool. These are not typically covered by a standard home warranty.

This is a small fee the homeowner pays to have the service provider come to the home to diagnose a problem. This fee covers the visit and the amount is clearly stated on every contract.

Not all breakdowns are covered. Our contract spells out, section by section, what is covered in each plan and option and what is not. You can view our sample contracts online under our Costs and Coverage areas. Our customer service team is also available to walk you through the coverage details and answer your questions.

Home appliance coverage depends upon the plan you pick and the state you live in. Our home warranty plans can be customized to meet your home's appliances needs.

Homeowners can file a claim online 24 hours a day. Claims can also be phoned in to our customer service representatives. HWA takes service requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

A home warranty can help to minimize post-sale conflict when selling your home by adding an Home Warranty of America home warranty to your transaction. When the unexpected happens, HWA's got you covered.

Gain peace of mind when purchasing a new house, with a home warranty plan from Home Warranty of America. When your appliances break down you'll be protected!

A home warranty from HWA provides security against the unexpected expenses of inevitable home repairs. Whether you're buying, selling, or already in your home, we have a plan to fit your needs!

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A billiard room (or pool room) is a recreation room, such as in a house or recreation center, with a billiards, pool or snooker table. A one-table billiard room requires enough space around the table to accommodate the range of a stroke of the cue from all angles, while also accounting for chairs, the storage rack and any other furniture that is or will be present. Optimally, there should be at least 6 ft (1.8 m) of clearance between the table and any walls, furniture or other objects, on all sides and at all corners of the table.

Lighting is important to the design of a billiards room. Billiard rooms need overhead lighting, and a multi-bulb light fixture specifically designed for illuminating a billiard table is most often used. Such fixtures are available in both incandescent and fluorescent models, and range from crude to highly ornate. Billiard rooms with windows usually employ curtains or blinds during daytime use, to prevent excessive glare.

When designing a billiard room you have endless options. Everything depends on your desire and your home decor. Every color looks great if you use it right.

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Tags: billiard room, billiard room design ideas, billiards, pool room

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Whether you want to lay ceramic floor tile in your kitchen, install hardwood floor in your living room or make tile repairs in your bathroom, "Az Flooring Solutions LLC"can help solve all your home improvement headaches after just one call.

Our professional installers handle carpeting, hardwood flooring, laminates, ceramic, porcelain tile, and even vinyl flooring. We have the experience and the specialized equipment to give you a professional finish, every time.

We provide a full installation service, from the floor preparation, to the undercutting,all the way to the finished article.

We provide the following detailed services:

Hardwood Flooring

Marble Flooring

Laminate Flooring

Vinyl Flooring

Ceramic Tile Flooring

Bamboo Flooring

Cork Flooring

The following standard features are included in our installation service:

Removal and replacement of furniture.

Securing of all existing floorboards, if required, to ensure that your new floor is laid onto a solid cure, even, crack-free surface.

Planning of doors and the trimming of door frames, if required.

The removal and disposal of all the packaging which comes with your new floor.

If youre looking to make your flooring more attractive in your home, business or commercial space, weve got it handled.

Whether you need flooring installation or repair, we will get the job done for you, efficiently and at a reasonable cost. We have a wide variety of Tile, Wood, and Carpet to fit whatever your style or need may be. Please call us at (480) 306-4924 to find out more.

Whatever material you choose, we have people you can trust.

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Flooring Installation | AZ Flooring Solutions