Tom Acitelli -- Boston.com correspondent and Christopher Gavin --- Boston.com staff

May 12, 2020 10:39 am

Windson Honorato is the owner and operations manager for Tewksbury-based JC General Contracting & Cleaning. Honorato said his firm has been taking as many precautions as possible on home improvement jobs since the pandemic hit, including using personal protective equipment such as glasses, masks, and gloves and cleaning spaces and tools regularly.

It seems as though we cant protect ourselves enough, Honorato said via e-mail in early May. Well get phone calls almost every week from colleagues or friends in the business saying that they caught the virus or someone in their company did. Keeping the crew and the clients safe has never been a bigger priority, and its also never been so hard.

Still contractors have continued to take on home renovation and remodeling projects during the pandemic, but not without extensive precautions aimed at protecting their workers and clients and limiting their legal liability.

The City of Boston allows residential construction projects in dwellings with no more than three units, and the statehas issued guidelines encouraging social distancing and local authorities oversight of such projects.

On May 5, officials said the city will incrementally expand the categories of allowed construction projects in the coming weeks.

On May 18, essential construction may resume for permitted projects for hospitals and public schools, roads and utilities, and open-air and outdoor work that have filed a COVID-19 safety plan and are positioned to carry it out. Work on larger developments with safety plans will be allowed to recommence on May 26.

The precautionary steps contractors and subcontractors are taking are a necessary part of salvaging whatever business remains. As with so much else in the region, the pandemic disrupted the home improvement work that had flowed so steadily in a hot real estate market.

Spending on remodeling within the regions owner-occupied housing stock is projected to decline 1.1 percent overall through the end of 2020, according to the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvards Joint Center for Housing Studies. Thats due entirely to the pandemic; the center had predicted an increase in remodeling spending regionally by the same percentage before the novel coronavirus hit.

The workload has dropped dramatically, according to Ray Yehoshua, owner of Boston-based Bay State Refinishing and Remodeling. He said customers have asked to postpone jobs either because of changes in their personal finances, coronavirus concerns, or both.

Yehoshua said the precautions his firm takes now are aimed at easing those concerns and landing jobs and that those steps not only include personal protection equipment and social distancing on-site, but estimates via video when possible.

That is one of the main goals for contractors and subcontractors doing in-house work now: minimizing contact. Who can cross or climb where and when, and when should jobs start and wrap on a given day?

These are the things that people are thinking about in trying to minimize contact, said Glenn Kingsbury, executive manager ofthe Boston chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, which includes more than 100 member firms. He said what little work there is for the associations members comes from smaller projects, as a lot of work on larger ones has ceased due to pandemic-related construction moratoriums.

Protecting themselves from legal action is also a factor.

Contractors have always been legally liable for things such as health and safety on the job, not the property owners, said David Fine, a partner at Mirick OConnell, a law firm with offices in Boston. The pandemic has heightened that responsibility.

The liability they face is more of the same, but its all exacerbated, Fine said.

It is easier to take precautions with some projects than others, the contractors said. Larger rooms as opposed to smaller ones bathrooms, for example make it easier to maintain that social distance. And basement work is even easier, because contact with clients is less likely.

Really, though, its a constant challenge, they said.

On-site, keeping away from one another is quite impossible because many tasks have to be done in twos, Honorato said.

In the end, though, its that falloff in business that may be the main threat to Boston-area contractors (and a boon to homeowners looking for a deal down the road). Honorato said that hes been asked to quote quite a few projects in the past few weeks, including residential elevator installations and basement and bathroom remodels but doing them is a different matter.

Well most likely reach a season where few people have the money to start and finish a construction project, so the companies that can hang on long enough until those opportunities come will get a chance to bid the job, Honorato said. With the demand so low, the prices will have to drop quite a bit to a point of little to no profit, so well be working to hopefully keep the company alive until the economy starts to rise again.

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Hurting, contractors are implementing coronavirus measures to protect their clients and themselves - Home Improvement, New Developments - Boston.com

Dublin, May 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "COVID-19 Economic Impact Report: Cabinets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The US cabinets industry is facing a number of challenges as it deals with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. How has the macroeconomic environment changed and what does it mean for the cabinets industry going forward?

This report looks at how the expected impact of the pandemic on the current macroeconomic environment in the US compares to other major events since 2000, including the bursting of technology bubble and 9/11 terrorist attack, and the 2007-2009 Great Recession. It also provides a historical view of industry sales since 2000, a look at how the industry is being currently impacted, and estimates for sales through 2024.

Product types include kitchen, bathroom, and those installed in other parts of a structure (e.g., store fixture and laundry and mudroom cabinets).

Cabinet markets include new residential, residential remodeling, new commercial, commercial remodeling, and nonconstruction (such as transportation and recreational vehicles).

Materials used in the construction of cabinets include lumber, engineered wood, metal, plastic, glass, and other materials.

Construction methods of cabinets include stock, semicustom, and custom.

Key Topics Covered:

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xipo8z

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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COVID-19 Economic Impact Report on the United States Cabinets Industry - Yahoo Finance UK

I partnered with Home Depot on a DIY small bathroom remodel. This bath renovation included how to install a shower surround with tile, installing a toilet, new vanity and lighting. The shower tile job uses a custom hexagon mosaic set in an acrylic surround. #bathroom #remodel #renovation

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I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this Delta UPstile Program (the Program). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

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DIY Small Bathroom Remodel | Bath Renovation Project

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Tired of your small, dark and uninspiring bathroom? Are you ready to finally give it an overhaul? Well, theres no better time to give your small bathroom a fresh look. Small bathroom design is finally stepping out of the cookie-cutter bathtub, sink cabinet, mirror and toilet combination.

The latest small bathroom design ideas are fresh and revolutionary, rethinking what we all expect a bathroom design to look like. Wall-mounted toilets and sinks defy gravity. Cabinet doors are gone. Bold texture and patterns take over a small bathroom space. Get ready to break some rules and open your mind to what your small bathroom should look like with the following nine concepts.

The first small bathroom design idea for 2017 is a big one: you really dont need more storage, just a more minimalist attitude! Think about this one for a minute. Those large vanities with the deep cabinet space under the sink are really an inefficient use of space. Things get lost at the back of the cabinet. And the scale takes up so much real estate in your small bathroom design that your bathroom ends up looking smaller. So how do you solve the issue?

Shop These Products Now: Washer Sink Faucet Mirror Floating Sink

Once you clear clutter and replace the oversized bathroom vanity with something more minimalist, think of all the useful things you can do with the space. Like adding an all-in-one washer and dryer. Or creating a vanity space.

Shop These Products Now: Towel Bar Sink Faucet Mirror

Some of the most expensive items in a bathroom design are the fixtures, tile and finishes. Since youre working with a smaller space, you need less. Its time to break out of thinking that a small bathroom isnt worth the money. Its time to splurge on making your small bathroom design look like a million bucks! Some ways to add more luxury on a little less budget include:

Heres a small bathroom design tip that may not sit well with traditionalists: tear out the bathtub and add a modern walk-in shower surrounded by seamless glass. Its a great way to save tons of space in your small bathroom. A seamless glass door may be more expensive than a shower curtain, but will definitely be more durable. Not to mention, it will open up the space and add value to your home.

Not ready to give up on the bathtub? You can still add a seamless glass shower or tub enclosure.

Shop These Products Now: Bathroom Tiles Sink Faucet Towels

Most designers tell you that dark colors or busy patterns are not a good idea in a small space. Think again. Strong patterns and textures add depth and play to a space, creating the illusion of more size and life.

Here are some of our favorite tile patterns and textures for your small bathroom

Shop These Products Now: Towel Bar Wall Mount Shelf Towel Holder

The small bathroom design keyword for 2017 and beyond is: floating. Float everything, including the toilet, from your walls. Its a great way to make cleaning easier, when you can access the floor below. Not to mention the space looks bigger, because our eye tends to judge space by analyzing the floor area. You also maximize valuable wall space, which is often left bare. And lets be honest, it looks pretty fresh and cool!

Its time to tear up the walls (or add new ones) for cubbies. The inset wall cubby is an ingenious way to add integrated storage to a small bathroom without sacrificing space. Its also known as an alcove,niche or recessed niche.

Behind bathroom walls, between the studs, is just enough of a gap to create a useful cubby. And nowadays, you can even buy a DIY tile-ready niche at Lowes.

Dont want to tear up the walls? Find new ways to add cubbies to your small bathroom, by adding a shelf, wall mounting a floating cubby shelf or choosing a cabinet with open shelves to store extra items, like the bathroom below.

Mirrors do an incredible job at creating the illusion of more space. Want to add more space to your small bathroom design? Then add more mirrors, like the inspiration images above.

An all-white bathroom does feel brighter and lighter, but it can look a little cold or lack the depth your eye registers as space. Adding black to your bathroom, in the form of black walls or a black-and-white tile design or a black ceiling adds the POW! your small bathroom is begging for.

Which one of these new small bathroom design trends are you ready to try?

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New & Exciting Small Bathroom Design Ideas | Freshome.com

Good bathroom design should elevate a utilitarian space into a place for rejuvenation and self-care. Outdated, cramped or oddly outfitted bathrooms can disrupt the daily personal hygiene activities that lead to wellness. If you find yourself getting in and out of your small bathroom as quickly as possible each morning, it could be time for a redesign.

As you begin your search for small bathroom design ideas, it might seem that decorators only cater to those with the expansive bathrooms normally featured in decor magazines and home renovation television shows. Dont be disheartened! If your bathroom is barely big enough to accommodate one petite person, rest assured that youre not alone. Design divas all over the internet have tackled the problem of cramped bathroom quarters.

Weve selected a variety of the best small bathroom decorations below. Even if you only have a modest space in which to work, you can find ways to open up space and create an aesthetically pleasing respite by applying some inspiration from this collection small bathroom designs. Youll find modern, retro and classic looks in an array of color schemes and mood themes. With a little help from these lovely small bathroom dcor ideas, even a tiny washroom can become your sanctuary.

This is a beautiful, modern design with touches of elegance. It is simple, with a dark grey color scheme and clean lines, but the marble countertops add charm. The wood trim around the white cabinets also adds texture and depth to the area. The bathroom doesnt feel small, especially with all of the innovatively designed storage options in and around the room.

Step into the luxury of a 4-star hotel with this bathroom design. Marble tiling in the tub brings culture into the small space. The marble tile floor follows the pattern of the tub and provides a consistency to the room in a striking way. The deep soaking tub features a rain shower and a hand-held faucet feature, which adds a touch of luxury to your daily routine.The open towel storage solution will let you showcase your fluffiest towels, and remind you of your last stay in a luxury hotel.

This solution is perfect for any person who loves retro-charm. A clawfoot tub provides old-school appeal and is the perfect place to soak or read. The exposed pipes of the pedestal sink complete the old-fashioned look. This bathroom may not look out into a garden, but with plenty of light colors, and elements of nature, it can transport you to your own secret garden.

This modern bathroom is perfect for an in-city loft or contemporary home. The concrete flooring and exposed wooden ceiling provide amazing textures to this simplistic bathroom. These simple elements are mimicked in the designs of the tub and sink, making the space look larger with a cohesive design. Linens on the sink, rug, and shower curtain bring a touch of softness to this industrial design.

This Victorian bathroom design brings the appeal of times gone by. A classic clawfoot tub and simple pedestal sink are contrasted by extravagant brass light fixtures. The sunny yellow and white color schemes are mimicked in the fixtures and linens of the room. A beautiful stained glass framed window brings in light while completing the charm of this old-fashioned bathroom.

Wood textures are on display in this modern bathroom. A ladder leaned against the wall above the toilet adds a practical storage solution, while bringing rustic, farmhouse elements into the room. These elements are imitated in the raised porcelain basin of the farmhouse sink and the wicker baskets that serve as storage solutions under the vanity.

The beach is brought indoors in this ocean-inspired design. Nautical inspired wainscoting lines the ceiling and walls, in an ocean themed blue and white color scheme. The White tile flooring with grainy accents is reminiscent of the sand. Copper fixtures pop against the lighter colors and add richness to the room.

This tiny bathroom packs a lot of style in a small space. The white colors make the room seems brighter and bigger. Crown molding is placed below the ceiling line, which draws attention upwards, and adds height to the room. Rustic wooden shelves add open storage solutions, and a simple, geometric pattern adds texture without cluttering the room.

The over-sized mirror plays a starring role in this bathroom design. With its expansive size, it reflects the bright colors of the room and gives a sense of spaciousness. The plain lines leave the space feeling simple and uncluttered. The sink brings an extra level of interest and acts as an accent piece to the space. Simple metal shelving acts as open storage, providing a simple, but a visually pleasing solution.

Weathered-wood paneling lines the walls and floors of this bathroom, adding exciting details to the space. Contrasted by the dark walls, the white features of this bathroom pop. The white, plain ceiling ensures that the space does not feel too dark or overwhelmed by the wood. The dramatic effects of this bathroom make it the perfect solution for anyone who wants their small space to make a big impression.

You can feel like a regular mermaid in this bathroom. Glittering blue tiles encompass the room, creating an ocean of blue. The mosaic is only minimally interrupted by shining metal and subdued white colors. The antique-inspired vanity is the ideal addition to the mermaids hideaway, and the gently curved faucet is suggestive of a mermaids tail.

This outdoor-inspired bathroom feels like a natural hideaway. The rock-lined shower features a rain-head faucet, making you feel like you are washing in a waterfall. Wood floors extend the natural feel. The sink and toilet are kept simple so they dont interrupt the motif. Potted plants, pillar candles, and lots of natural light perfect the organic character of the space.

If your bathroom is becoming a bit out-of-date, this bathroom solution is ideal. A fresh coat of paint and some hardware upgrades give this basic vanity a modern feel. Painting old lightening fixtures in uniform black updates their look without having to replace them completely. Adding industrially inspired shelves with metal whicker baskets brings the look together and draws your bathroom into this century.

Simple white marble and gentle light make this bathroom the perfect, calming area for your home. The spa-like shower provides you a choice of a rain or hand-held shower head. The uniform look inspires you to quiet your mind, with no signs of clutter or stress in sight. Natural, relaxing light makes the space feel larger.

Cute and pretty accents are the main draw of this classy design. A lovely clear display case makes storage into a statement. The vase-like lamp adds a surprising, and unique lightening element to the room. Potted lavender and a richly textured shower curtain complete this well-appointed space.

This adorable bathroom is perfect for people who love modernist designs but hate boring colors. Pops of bright blue shine through the tiled wall. A unique yellow desk lamp serves as a quirky vanity light. A round mirror adds to the fun design and a free floating pedestal sink gives the illusion of extra space. This design uses unconventional features to create a cohesive, modern, and fun bathroom.

Who says wallpaper is dead? Far from looking dates, this woodlands themed wallpaper adds lines to this bathroom that draws attention to its height, and makes the room seem larger. The simple, geometric sink and clean, white backsplash prevent the wallpaper from making the room look cluttered. The nature theme is continued in the wood flooring and the artwork accents.

This simplistic bathroom uses a monochromatic color scheme to blend shelving into the walls. The shelves allow fully displays of collections of shells in this design, adding to the nautical feeling of the room. This design, however, can be modified to showcase whatever treasures you love. The barebones clawfoot tub, copper pipes, and chair and basin add rustic charm to the space without detracting attention from the highlight shelves.

If stark colors are more your speed, this bathroom is for you. A concrete based shower with metal siding acts as a strong focus of this design. The dark textiles and colors give the space a powerful feel. The distressed wood cabinets also add drama to the area.

Comfortable brown linens contrast bright blue walls in this rich scheme. The light blue walls provide light, while the brown wood vanity and ladder add darker elements. Rich, fluffy towels, and wicker baskets provide warmth. A clear blue vase with woody blooms ties the two looks together.

This gorgeous design brings the peace and tranquility of the spa into your home bathroom. Cedar wrapped ceilings and walls bring warmth and the healing properties of nature. The simplistic, neat lines provide unity to the room and inspire calming thoughts. The high window and white tiles in the shower afford lots of light to the room and add another touch of nature.

This minimalist design is anything but boring. The simple, bright colored room is interrupted by a mosaic pattern of colors. The pattern extends from the bath wall to the vanity, to the floor, and even to the candle holders. The repeated pattern adds a level of interest to the standard design, elevating the standard scheme to a truly unique space.

This bathroom provides a gorgeous upgrade to a standard home feature: the medicine cabinet. Rather than hiding your things behind a bulky, ugly mirror, this bathroom adds glass and paneling to the medicine cabinet. Clear shelves, a glass window, and white paneling turn something homeowners usually hide into a featured piece.

This bathroom is the perfect way to wake up in the morning. An energizing, lime green wainscoting gets you up and going. The green color scheme is mimicked in the potted plants and the natural element is reflected in the wooden toilet seat cover. The green glow is kept from overwhelming the space through simple, white colors.

Elegant, but minimalistic, this design takes its color scheme from the marble countertops. Silver walls and white trim mimic the marble countertops through the room. white storage bins and a rich, carved vanity bring elegance to the forefront without sacrificing the streamlined design.

City apartments can have beautiful bathrooms too. The charcoal greys and black bins in this design give the room an urban feel. The white counters and subway tiled bath give light to the space, and an oval mirror lends length and makes the space seem larger.

This beautiful bathroom is inspired by nature. Pebble flooring is reminiscent of gently flowing rivers, a motif which is mimicked in the gorgeous, blue, mosaic tiles lining the shower. Dark brown accents provide a wooded feel to the room. While the white sloped ceiling draws the eye upward and bathes the room in light.

It doesnt take a fortune to revamp a space, even garage sales can be a source of inspiration and decor for your bathroom. Showcased in this design, garage sale finds can be repurposed and upcycled to provide charm in your bathroom. Old license plate are reimagined as decor, lending a rustic quality to the design. The is complemented by a garden ladder which has been remodeled for towel storage, and a hand-woven wicker basket that is given new life as a bathroom shelf.

This tiny space turns its back on convention and gains space in the process. By forgoing a curtain, the room doesnt feel as divided, and the space seems larger. The uniform tile extending from the floor to the back wall of the shower also provides unity and ties the space together.

This modern bathroom is breezy and light. Large, horizontal tiling draws attention to the width of the space and makes it seem more expansive. Likewise, the clean, geometric lines leave the space feeling simple, modern, and inviting.

This beautiful blue bathroom is flooded with natural light. With gorgeous, white Venetian blinds, light can enter the room without sacrificing privacy. A pop of green on crisp, bright valances brings an element of contrast to the blue. A weathered white vanity affords rustic charm to the room.

One of the first things that catch the eye in this design is the unique toilet placement. This design feature utilizes the natural depth of the tub, and makes sure not a square foot of space is wasted. However, there is much more to see in this design than just the commode. Beautiful pops of orange come through clean white fixtures and gray walls. Chrome fixtures grant a mid-century modern feel to this quirky bathroom.

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32 Small Bathroom Design Ideas for Every Taste - Homebnc

While COVID-19 has created problems worldwide, there still have been a few positive outcomes. For instance, this is a great time to go for a home remodel. There are plenty of remodeling companies ready to go the extra mile during this time.

Of course, you might be questioning if dealing with a home remodel is a good idea under the current circumstances. You have to weigh the pros against the cons. Its fair to say that it all depends on the stage of the remodel you are in.

More Organized Planning

This calm period would give you enough time to plan out the entire project more minutely. You can even visit showrooms or ask for a virtual tour or even hold a meeting with the designer via Zoom or/and FaceTime for home guidance.

Discounts and Discounts

Take advantage of the discounts offered by a number of remodeling companies at the moment to lower the cost of your project.

Make sure that you have the money to afford the project. It doesnt make any sense to get into borrowing, considering the possibility of an economic recession.

If you are in the process of renovating, the situation is very different. Since you already have the required resources with you, along with your plan, to back up the project, you are distinctly at an advantage.

You may face a few hurdles like falling short of a certain material for your home. Also, there is no guarantee if you are going to be able to procure the needed stuff in time, given the lockdown. The solution is to make your contractor order all the supplies right away.

This is the best stage to be in! Since you are already there, theres no reason to look back. Plus, you will have all you need for your project in your possession by now. And even if you go short, your order will be considered a priority as you may have already placed the order long back.

You may have to pay extra for building protection against the coronavirus. Alternatively, you may ask the remodeling company if they plan on providing their crew with all the necessary sanitizing equipment.

Besides, your contractor at this stage will try to finish the task as soon as possible. However, you need to make sure that all the desired precautions are in place to avoid the infection.

In the end, it all depends on the precautions that your remodeling company takes to combat the issue.

If you plan to visit their showroom, find out if all the frequently used items are being sanitized regularly. This applies to commonly used phones, work stations, doorknobs, light switches, computers, all bathroom fixtures and the likes of those. Aside from that, the office personnel should be expected to sanitize themselves regularly before and after interacting with people.

At the job site, plastic must be used to separate the job site from your home. The crew must wash their hands before entering the worksite, while exiting and after using the bathroom.

You should also learn if the remodeling company can provide its workers with Port-a-Jon for sites where there are no extra bathrooms available. Finally, ensure that a sanitization station is parked outside each clients home for the workers to use.

*This article is posted by and in partnership with Dulles Kitchen and Bath, a kitchen and bathroom remodeling store in Fairfax, VA.

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Should I Continue With My Home Remodeling Project Amid Pandemic? - The DC Post

There may be tons of reasons for you to seek remodeling your kitchen. Perhaps your family has grown and you feel the present space can no longer serve the big crowd in your home. Or maybe youre just tired of the old, stale look and want to update your space.

How about some functional changes? For a kitchen to deliver fully, it needs to balance the aesthetic with the functional aspect.

But have you stopped to think if this personalization of your space is going to help when you decide to resell your home? Do not assume that every exorbitant change you bring about in your kitchen is going to pay you back. The point is to strike a balance where every update you make actually makes a difference without breaking the bank.

Relax! We dont expect you to go deep into the details. We are here to make it simple for you. After intense research on the subject, we feel that the following updates are worth considering as they may serve you well, as well as help you get a great return on your investment.

The right color in your kitchen can do wonders. A simple upgrade like painting the walls sometimes can weave the least expected change into your kitchen. Besides, the right shade and texture can make the rest of the elements stand out. So dont miss out on this one.

What do we have at maximum in the kitchen? Cabinets, of course! But if theyre all dull and ready to fall off, they dont do any credit to the rest of your kitchen.

Change their color or if they are in an irreparable condition, replace them.

Fixtures add greatly to the overall ambiance of your kitchen. Consider replacing them so that they fit well in your design scheme.

Although most homeowners find it difficult to think beyond granite for countertop, yet quartz has made a great foray in high-end design today and is considered as good as granite.

The material is stain-resistant, nonporous, durable, and very sleek. It also fits in wonderfully with the needed aesthetic prerequisites and is considered the most lucrative investment today.

Think of mirrored tiles on the walls for a glamorous visual experience or a cool gray marble backsplash that extends from the range to the hood that can be paired with polished concrete floors. Besides, they save your kitchen walls from oil stains easing the cleaning work, which is a massive blessing!

The floors in your kitchen probably take the maximum brunt with all that heavy foot traffic, dropped pans and all kinds of spills.

It means that you better invest in flooring thats durable and ultimately high on ROI. After careful research on different types of floorings that go in a kitchen, its vinyl we give full points to. Its tough and doesnt stain, scratch or fade. However, we dont recommend hardwood flooring in the bathroom.

Buying a house doesnt come cheap and when you present your house to the prospective buyers with the kitchen replete with energy-efficient appliances, they will know that they have hit the jackpot! Besides, the appliances are sure to add considerable value to your home that will serve you well at the time of reselling your house.

*This article is posted by and in partnership with GBC Kitchen and Bath, a kitchen and bathroom remodeling store in Alexandria, VA and Rockville, MD.

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Kitchen Remodeling Ideas With Highest Impact on Resale Value - The DC Post

One of the minor benefits to retailers during the coronavirus outbreak was that there were no strikes during peak selling times, such as during the holiday season. There is one notable exception. A $ 900 billion home renovation unit headed by Home Depot and Lowe.

As people replace bathroom tiles, install new kitchen cabinets, restore driveways at the end of winter, people catch up, home improvement springs are the busiest of the year, and the annual sales of the year. It accounts for about 30%. During the spring season, Home Depot and Rowe Christmas is Macys or Best Buy.

Home improvement retailers were among the lucky ones who were considered essential to enable them to be open. Also, the March business was lively and helped by millions of teleworkers.

People are at home and trying to get the project done in the house, says Sherry Cohan, professor of retail management at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Lowe CEO Marvin Ellison told Fortune last month that customers are using electric appliances such as freezers to store food for long periods of time and buy cleaning supplies. The US Department of Commerce figures also reflect the surge in home remodeling in March. Last month, sales of building materials and garden equipment increased by 7.6%.

But as with other retailers, especially Walmart and Target, the need to stop the spread of the virus has now led to steps to put a brake on that surge.

For example, a small Sherwin Williams paint store on the Upper West Side of Manhattan only allows sidewalk pick-ups to a 100,000-square-foot large box store at Home Depot, with large and small stores holding 100 customers. Restricts shopper traffic. time. Lowe s also monitors store traffic.

Moreover, when Home Depot announced in early April that it would not hold a massive spring promotion to avoid increased traffic to stores, it would be more likely to stay ahead of any other major retailer. Ruining your business. That wouldnt be Black Fridays doorbuster, as Walmart says.

And Home Depot pays the price. For example, according to data from Placer.ai, a technology company that tracks store traffic, for example, on April 14, visits to home depots fell by more than 20% on the same day of 2019.

But the move is in line with Home Depots long-term outlook, analysts say. This allows our customers to feel safe and empathize with their consumers, says Cohan. It builds tremendous loyalty now.

In addition, she adds that her employees are morale.

Loews lag many years behind its rival Home Depot, but they are working differently. Its pulling back some of its marketing, but its not completely dropping sales events, and its probably sensing market share opportunities.

Affordability is more important than ever, said a Law spokesman. Placer.ai has discovered that Lowe traffic is increasing.

Home Depot, which spent $ 111 billion last year, and Loews, with $ 72 billion in revenue, rushed over the past few weeks to curb order automation and automation at nearly every US store, reducing sales losses. Home Depot, in particular, is a strong e-commerce powerhouse, with digital sales up 20% in the last quarter. Loews is far behind, but its completely overhauling e-commerce.

Joel Rampoldt, Managing Partner at Alix Partners, said:

Drive-up and curbside pickups offer shoppers additional options, but although they werent planning on buying one, theyd be better off with the impulsive sales that happened in the store, such as pillows in a cart while walking. It has an adverse effect.

Home decoration is a kind of impulse category. Home Depot recently set out to increase revenue per customer visit. Despite its sharp increase in sales since the last recession, it has not opened many new stores. We didnt need it: Sales per square foot increased 63% between 2009 and 2010 to $ 454.82.

So far, in the six weeks following the pandemic in the United States, analysts say there has been a relative increase in demand for home improvement retailers. Home appliances sell well and people seem to focus on refurbishing, as many other costs such as travel and restaurants have been reduced.

Large do-it-yourself projects will really thrive at the expense of vacation, says Lampot.

Of course, blockades can affect projects that require expert expertise. Restrictions may limit the renovation of apartment buildings or you may not want to invite others to your home. About 46% of Home Depots business is from professionals and 20% is from Lowes.

Still, eliminating the meltdown in the housing market, these stores have a tailwind. A massive wave of mortgages could mean increased maintenance and remodeling activity as historic low interest rates spurred, Bloomberg Intelligence wrote in a report this week in a survey. I am.

So far, FIT Cohan confirms the result that people are investing in their own homes.

-Retailers with the best shopping tech come to the top after the pandemic recedes What kind of refund do you have? This is how the industry handles things-How Starbucks is preparing to reopen US stores-How T.J.Maxx and Ross will [eventually] get even stronger from a pandemic-Listen to Leadership Next, examine the CEOs evolving role in a Fortune podcast. Watch: The best modern design

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How Home Depot and Lowe are preparing for the renovation season of a busy home amid coronavirus uncertainty - gotech daily

Advances in medicine have allowed people to enjoy healthy and active lifestyles well into their golden years, and many senior citizens remain part of the labor force. Importantly, almost 90% of individuals aged 65+ want to continue living in their home for as long as possible, while 80% believe they will never leave their current residence, according to a survey by the AARP Public Policy Institute. To ensure that people aging in place can lead a safe and comfortable life, certain precautions are required, most notably with regard to their home environment. As one of the most important but potentially most dangerous places in a house, the bathroom should be given priority in such considerations, and tub-to-shower conversions have proven an excellent solution to some of the most pressing problems for elderly people who have chosen to remain at home, comments Bath Planet of Detroit, a leading regional provider of bathroom remodeling services.

As defined by the CDC, aging in place is the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. It is hardly surprising that senior-proofing plans for a home often begin with the bathroom as statistics show that emergency units treat an older adult for a fall every 11 seconds, with 80% of incidents taking place in the bathroom. Fortunately, a tub-to-shower conversion can eliminate most of the associated risks, according to the experts at Bath Planet of Detroit. Not only is this type of renovation incredibly fast, but it can also deliver tremendous benefits for people aging in place. With safety being a top concern for seniors, tubs are hardly a good choice given the necessity to step in and out of these fixtures. Replacing a tub with a shower greatly improves mobility while minimizing the risk of slips and falls, the company's factory-trained installers point out.

Some of the benefits of a tub-to-shower conversion may not be immediately obvious, but they are nonetheless quite significant, according to Bath Planet of Detroit. For one thing, showers are associated with improved water usage efficiency, which is quite important for older adults with modest budgets. In addition, the convenience factor should not be neglected compared to showers, tubs require significant effort and quite a bit of time to clean, on top of which they are more likely to cause bathroom damage (for example, mold). Last but not least, many seniors appreciate the perception of added floor space, and sometimes, the conversion can indeed result in a larger bathroom.

Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, Bath Planet of Detroit is an established provider of premium bathroom remodeling services to homeowners in the Greater Detroit Area. Using fully ADA compliant, durable, stylish, and custom-fabricated products, Bath Planet of Detroit is the only company in the industry backed by the Good Housekeeping seal of approval, guaranteeing a refund from Good Housekeeping to any unhappy client. Executing most projects in as little as a day, the company is committed to customer service quality and fair prices. Its areas of expertise include bathroom conversions, tub and shower replacements, walk-in tubs, as well as bath and shower surrounds.

Bathroom Remodeling - Bathroom Remodel - Bath Planet of Detroit https//www.bathplanetdetroit.com

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Bath Planet of Detroit on the Benefits of Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Homes with People Aging in Place #64557 - New Kerala

ADDRESS: 30 Fox Run Road, Topsfield

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 1 full; 1 half

LIVING SPACE: 1,700 sq. ft.

PRICE: $569,000

Built in 1961 on over a rambling acre framed by towering trees stands a classy, classic center entrance Colonial that has been in one family for 57 years. Picture-perfect outside, this lovingly cared for home filled with timeless details like 12-over-12 windows and stunning hardwood flooring adapts readily to any decor.

That practically everything is up-to-date in this home is an understatement and most definitely a budgetary bonus. Consider that the lengthy list of improvements/upgrades and/or replacements all the bases were covered include a new roof in 2015, a new hot water heater a year later, new insulation from Mass Save in 2017 and those beautiful Anderson windows in 2018. Oh, the exterior of the house was painted last year and the inside earlier this year!

Location its tucked into an equally picturesque neighborhood is another plus.

Charm to spare, too

The breezeway as it was once called is an unexpected delight. Fully enclosed and screened, this connection between the house and the oversized two-car garage with access to the front and back of the property, too, has been transformed into very usable and most attractive space. This sizable three-season multi-purpose room with custom wall paneling works for outdoor dining, seating and/or play space.

Incidentally, arched windows on both sides one looks out to the lawn; the other the spacious backyard match those on the garage.

The rest of the house

Traditionally styled with sidelights, the front door beckons visitors, friends and family to come inside and stay a while. The formal entry hall, which is large enough for a table/chest, is also the hub of the first floor with formal living and dining rooms each off to one side.

A wood-burning fireplace with a brick surround and prettily detailed mantel is a welcoming feature in the spacious front-to-back living room but gleaming hardwood flooring does tend to take center stage. Twelve-over-twelve windows enhance the graciousness of this nicely-proportioned room.

With timeless details like a chair rail and neatly trimmed bump boards, the dining room is ready for celebrations of all kinds, large or small, formal or casual. In case you wondered, seating eight or more is very doable.

The adjacent eat-in kitchen, which also has access to the breezeway, is, well, large, and has a charming country ambiance plus a substantial amount of white cabinetry with H & L-style hardware. Exceptionally functional as is, updating/renovating/remodeling this cookery could be a fun project that might even include expansion given its location overlooking the yard. Nice.

By the way, a half bathroom is also on this level.

About the second floor

In keeping with tradition of a four-square, this home has four spacious bedrooms, all with hardwood flooring, each with windows on two wallsthe better for cross ventilation mdear. Closet space as in extra-wide doubles is also generous. One bedroom even has a walk-in closet!

These rooms, however, are anything but Plain Janes. Big and bright, they have interesting architectural features like modified cove ceilings and detailed bump boards.

The master bedroom is especially appealing. Maybe its the enormous amount of natural light, those stunning floors or the scale and proportions that make this room a wonderful getaway.

The full bathroom on this level has a step-in shower and tile flooring.

Contact Andrea OReilly of Keller Williams Realty at 617-827-0532 or by email: andreaoreilly@kw.com.

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HOME PROFILE: Adaptable home has timeless details in Topsfield - Wicked Local Beverly