CHARLOTTE Remodelmate, a home renovation technology company serving Charlotte and the surrounding areas, is changing the landscape of bathroom remodeling.

With an emphasis on transparency and efficiency, the companys revolutionary approach to remodeling consultation provides unrivaled convenience, along with the peace of mind, to homeowners and contractors alike.

The companys goal to eliminate in-home consultation is brought to life through their virtual options. By visiting Remodelmate.com, homeowners can engage in a live chat, receive estimates on standard projects, and set up a video consultation, if needed.

Logan Phillips, head of operations at Remodelmate, said that through their formal consultations can occur at practically any time on any day. Phillips described the many benefits that Remodelmate provides to both homeowners and contractors, including helping homeowners to file permits, decide on proper materials, and design renovations, in addition to the inherent convenience of a virtual consultation. Phillips said that Remodelmate helps contractors to save time and money on advertising, pursuing leads, and giving quotes, by acting as a connection between contractors and clients.

If a video consultation, or one of the standard projects offered by Remodelmate, doesnt meet your needs, the company has begun to roll out a 3D scanning mobile app, allowing for the most accurate representation of the specifications of your project. Despite the companys impressive technology, its most revolutionary implementation could be its pricing structure.

Traditionally, Phillips said, homeowners will pay roughly one-third of a project cost at the beginning of a project, one-third at the halfway point, and one-third upon completion. Remodelmate, instead, uses a payment structure referred to as Milestones, breaking down payments based on individual aspects of a project, such as a vanity installation, lighting installation, tile installation or anything else to be remodeled, and acquiring payment only upon completion of individual tasks.

Through this structure, Phillips said, a full remodel will consist of roughly 15 to 20 payments over the course of a project. Phillips said that the Milestones format provides more control with less risk for all parties involved, as either party can walk away without loss if satisfactory outcomes are unachievable. The Milestones format provides other inherent benefits as well, particularly in the realm of cost transparency, as a customer knows exactly how much and when they are paying for each piece of the project. Contractors, as well, know exactly how much money they will receive for each task that they perform. As Milestones are paid for upon completion, the only upfront cost for starting a project is a $100 booking fee.

The company, Phillips said, believes in brevity and clarity, and from their offerings, that is evident. For more information on Remodelmate, to receive a quote, or to book your consultation today, visit remodelmate.com.

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Remodelmate: Eliminating In-Home Consultation for Bathroom Remodeling - The Weekly Post

In How to Remodel a Life, reality makeover shows become the innovative model for helping a person find a sustainable path to long-term recovery from both destructive drinking and mental illness. A graduate of Wellesley College (B.A) and Yale Divinity School (M.A.R.), Hope Andersen came back from the brink to publish her first novel at the age of 60. Moving beyond her struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder, she found a way to put her life back together and express her inner voice.

Wanting to help others struggling with the same challenges, Andersen constructs her new memoir as a how-to guide that looks at the recovery from a hopeless, three-fold disease as if a run-down house were being remodeled. The key is to return to the house's bones and find the beauty of the original build. After putting herself and her family through years of hell, Hope Andersen found the faith to put her life back together.

In the epilogue to How to Remodel a Life (PipeVine Press), Andersen expresses a vibrant sense of hope when she writes, Whatever your path, remember: you are never too young to start the journey; you are never too old to ask for help; it is never too late to start remodeling your life.

After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her early forties, Andersens life went off the rails. The chaos of the diagnosis sent her into a tailspin, and she began drinking hard and popping pills. Despite being in a loving marriage with grown children, she jumped into a maelstrom of sexual promiscuity and abusive relationships. Looking for anything to quiet the fear rising within, she came to the brink of suicide.

What brought Hope Andersen back from the brink? Strangely enough, it was her husbands brush with death that opened her eyes. Despite being given little chance to survive when he was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer, he received a new liver that came to them like a medical miracle. She was so grateful not to lose her beloved.

Realizing what she almost threw away and what she could still lose, she chose to ask for forgiveness and remodel her life in a loving fashion. Embracing recovery and sobriety, she realized that she needed to rebuild her life. Stripping everything down to the bare bones, she had to look at herself honestly. It was time to take the reins of moving forward away from fear and rely on hope and faith.

As Andersen writes in her new guide to recovery, When you remodel a home, you must reach the point where the old structure simply does not fit your needs anymore. In rehabbing a life, the same is true. The first step to changing your life is recognizing that your old way of being is seriously flawed, non-functioning; you need help from someone, somewhere to create this new version of yourself.

Although recovery memoirs have become a dime a dozen in the 21st century, Andersens book stands out for two essential reasons. First, it speaks to older people in recovery that are finding a new path after middle age in the second half of their lives. There are not enough resources out there for these people as they embrace the path of recovery that often comes with more responsibilities and more complex avenues of shame. Hope Andersens volume is valuable because it is such a resource.

Second, rather than being focused on just substance use disorder, including alcoholism, or just mental illness like bipolar disorder, How to Remodel a Life is a perfect example of the newfound memoir thats entrenched in co-occurring disorders. Once referred to as dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders are as common as apple pie in the church basements of 12-step programs and rehabs across the country. Smoothly moving back and forth between her dual challenges, Andersen shows that recovery from both is possible at the same time. Its a crucial message that is needed.

And Hope Andersens challenges are only just beginning. After publishing this latest book, she found out that she has third-stage kidney disease. Most likely, her doctors believe it was caused by the lithium she takes daily to manage her bipolar disorder. She realizes the only outcomes for her moving forward are dialysis, a transplant, or death. Suddenly, she has to apply the lessons she offers in her book to her health crisis.

When the Coronavirus hit, she came to realize that her challenge was a reflection of the challenge being faced by the world. In the end, we all come together and remodel the microcosm of our individual lives and the macrocosm of the greater world, or we are doomed to perish sick and alone. Bravely, she moves forward, a spiritual warrior queen fighting for her life, family, and community. We wish her success and good health.

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New Memoir Explores How Recovery Is Like Remodeling a House - TheFix.com

WILMINGTON In 2009, popular cooking show host Rachael Ray brought her show and an HGTV remodel team to Wilmington and transformed the kitchen at Sugartree Ministries.

Now, 11 years later, the ministry is sending heartfelt thanks to the cooking show host after learning that Rays home was devastated by fire earlier this month.

The Associated Press reported that Ray and her husband and two dogs were safe after a fire engulfed her home. Flames could be seen shooting from the ceiling in photos of the blaze.

I was so sad when I heard the news. I couldnt believe it, said Al Willoughby, who was the ministrys director when Ray came to Wilmington. She is a wonderful person and she showed so much love and care for our community.

Willoughby recalled how in 2009, hed received a surprise phone call from Rays crew, telling him they would be at Sugartree the next morning.

I went in the next morning and camera crews followed me into our building. Then around 10 or 11 a.m., I had a live call with Rachel, and thats when she told me she wanted to remodel our kitchen so we could more easily take care of people and receive people, Willoughby said. I was totally surprised. It was really pretty cool.

For a few weeks, an HGTV team commissioned by Ray worked with Lowes to remodel the kitchen.

When they talked to us about our needs, they asked how many people we were serving and how they could set it up just for our needs, Willoughby said. The whole crew was just phenomenal. It was very encouraging.

Eleven years later, the ministry has used the kitchen to serve thousands of hot meals to those in need in the community. Since then, the ministry has expanded to include a food pantry, mens emergency shelter, 12-step program, blanket closet, coffee shop, warming and cooling shelter, grocery delivery program, community garden, counseling, and emergency services such as hotel rooms for domestic violence survivors and payment of bills for struggling families.

Current director Lee Sandlin said he was immediately saddened to see the news of Rays house fire.

It caused me to reflect on how much she did for our community and I started to think about her impact on Sugartree. In our greatest time of desperation, to have someone with that much influence take notice of us and choose us, it was so impactful, Sandlin said. Coming in and seeing that new kitchen, it was just beautiful.

After learning of the house fire, the staff at Sugartree commemorated Rays visit to Wilmington this week with a framed photo from her visit to hang in the kitchen. Each of the staff members were sending well wishes in a card for the cooking show host as well.

We love her and well never forget what she did for our community, Willoughby said. Eleven years later, its still quite a facility she set up for us.

Even more than a decade after the remodel, the kitchen is still beautiful, Sandlin said.

This building is so much more than just a structure. Its so many of the people who have given their love and their time to make it what it is today, he said. Were still caring for and helping others and fighting for them because of people like Rachael Ray who created a beautiful place for us to serve out of.

Sugartree Ministries Director Lee Sandlin speaks to staff members and volunteers about Rachael Rays visit.

Lee Sandlin shows a commemorative news story to staff before hanging it in the kitchen.

Learned of TV hosts recent house fire

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Sugartree reflects on Rachael Ray remodel; ministry commemorates visit after learning of TV host's house fire - Wilmington News Journal, OH

Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. USA TODAY

Light poured through the empty windows and lit up the exposed wooden beams inside. The home on the lakefront property in Fort Gratiot was being remodeled. Almost the entire thing had been gutted and was being prepped for new drywall. Among the new amenities will be a shower with hookups for body jets on the walls in the master bathroom.

The project is just one of many that home remodeling businesses like LaDuke Construction are working on since restrictions related to the coronaviruspandemic were lifted earlier in May.

COVID-19 and the associated stay-at-home order had paused all services deemed non-essential, putting a stop to construction projects big and small across Michigan. Now, the projects are back on.

Kirk Harms, a field supervisor for LaDuke Construction, walks through a home in the process of being renovated Monday, May 18, 2020, in Fort Gratiot. The coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdown paused all services deemend non-essential, which put a pause on construction projects across the state.(Photo: Brian Wells/Times Herald)

The original stay-at-home order prohibited construction work except for those related to the safety, sanitation and basic operations of a home. This left remodelers with some work to do, but there's not that many emergency calls out there, Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan CEO Michael Stoskopf said.

"Most of their activity had to come to a standstill," he said.

During this time, remodelers were able to do some back-end work like ordering materials,speaking with clients, and developing safety plans. But since restrictions relaxed on May 7, contractors have had plenty to do.

"You've got clients who've been living in the house with maybe a partially remodeled bathroom or kitchen," Stoskopf said. "You know they're eager to get that project done."

Stoskopf expects remodeling businesses will operate under some kind of directive from the state until the pandemic is declared over, whether that comes through executive orders,laws passed through the Legislatureor revised OSHA regulations. Jobs will likely take a bit longer due to social distancing requirements, which Stoskopf said is likely the most lasting impact.

More: County extends due diligence period for developer hoping to buy former Art Van building

"Where you might be able to put a painter and a trim carpenter and a tile guy all in the same house at the same time on a remodeling project, you can't do that anymore at least not under these social distancing requirements that are in effect currently," he said.

Prices should stay relatively the same, however.

"While the amount of money spent in projects may be the same as it would without this occurring, it's going to take longer for that money to be spent," he said.

"A lot of things we had ordered pre-lockdown had been put off, and we're just starting to hear back from our supply chains now to get material," he said.

With restrictions being eased, the business is seeing a slight influx of exterior work such as deck work or painting.

LaDuke Construction owner Craig LaDuke said the business has many projects in the works, and is also waiting for suppliers to gear up for some other projects.One open project had to waiton a truss manufacturer to start back up. Others are unaffected.

"We have to be careful if we're going to start a new project that we're able to obtain the materials and supplies needed in a reasonable time frame," he said.

LaDuke said he hasn't seen an increase in demand for any particular kinds of renovation jobs, mostly a normal slate of kitchen, bathroom and other improvements. Overall, LaDuke said, the restart has been going pretty well.

"We've got a lot of work, which is great," he said.

While the regulations surrounding the pandemic change over time and could potentially tighten again, LaDuke said he plans to move forward and not worry about the "what if."

"I'm looking at what we can do now, hoping that everything's going to move forward," he said.

HBA of Southeastern Michigan maintains a COVID-19 resources page atbuilders.org/covid-19-resources.

Support stories like these. Find our subscription offers here.

Contact Jeremy Ervinat (810) 989-6273 or jervin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErvinJeremy.

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Home remodelers find there is plenty of work now that pandemic restrictions have been eased - The Times Herald

Contractors are less busy and material costs are lower

If youve done the hard number-crunching and are confident you can afford to stay put in retirement, your home likely needs a few tweaks to make it safer for an older you.

If your household finances are not under stress due to the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis, now can be a smart time to start tackling age-in-place renovation projects.

A slowdown in the remodeling boom means contractors and architects are likely more motivated to return phone calls. For the past few years, spending on remodeling grew at nearly triple the rate of inflation. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard recently issued a downside update to its remodeling forecast that projects spending growth will turn negative into early next year due to the economic impact of the coronavirus.

A slowdown in business should make contractors more willing to negotiate price, and timing may be more flexible, as their backlog and waitlist on projects may have already shrunk.

Material costs are also lower. The National Association of Home Builders reported a record 4.1% decline in material costs in April. The -5.4% year-to-date decline eclipses the previous record slide of -1.3% in 2009.

Appliance costs should also decline amid reduced consumer demand.

And though some banks are making it harder if not impossible to qualify for a home equity line or loan, there are still lenders out there (hint: Check out credit unions) willing to make deals with qualified borrowers. If you have $400,000 in equity and are looking to borrow 10% or so of that to polish off an age-in-place project, you could get a more receptive greeting than if you have $100,000 in equity and want to borrow more than half of that.

Heres how to create a sensible age-in-place renovation game plan:

Focus on needs, not aspirations. Sure, aesthetics matter, but so too does cost. Reworking the bathroom so there is a level-in shower that wont require an older you to climb over a bathtub rim is a valuable age-in-place project. But its on you to decide if youre going to spend $20,000 for the bathroom you need or $40,000 for the HGTV-ready bathroom you want.

And keep reminding yourself that every dollar you spend will never be fully recouped by you, or your heirs. A quick web search of remodeling cost v. value will land you at sites that show the typical payback can range from 65% to 75% for many projects, such as a kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Polish off the low-hanging fruit first. Age-in-place renovations fall into two camps: smaller less expensive projects, such as installing grab bars in bathrooms and replacing trip-tastic rugs with carpet, to big-time construction, such as a new full bathroom on the first floor.

What you always want to avoid, especially right now, is stretching your renovation budget. If you have any queasiness about household income as we work our way through the coronavirus crisis, focus on affordable projects first.

Get three line-item bids The standard advice to get at least three bids is especially useful now. Quality and reputation remain paramount especially for big projects but having multiple bids gives you valuable intel to negotiate the best rate with the best contractor for your project.

There is never a good reason to accept a bid that does not carefully line-item every expense, but right now, with demand expected to be weaker, contractors should be more than eager to provide this breakdown to you.

Drill down on materials. Carefully reviewing the bid is essential before you hire anybody. Is the estimate based on using the materials and appliances you want? A low bid can be based on using cheap materials that you dont want. Conversely, you may find that your contractor has assumed a higher quality material than you deem necessary. Make sure you are comparing apples-to-apples bids that use the same materials and assume the same quality of appliances and mechanicals. For instance, does the bid include the cost of the most energy efficient new HVAC system which might cost more upfront or is it based on a more middle-of-the-road model?

Discuss subs. If you ask, you can often learn there are a variety of qualified subcontractors your contractor can use. Again, work quality is important, but there can be a wide range of rates among providers for certain projects.

And if your contractor suggests sticking with a certain sub, dont be shy asking if there is any give in the cost. In a slower market a smaller profit margin is better than having no work. But youre not going to get a break unless you ask.

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Planning to Age in Place? A Recession Can Be a Good Time to Remodel - Guaranteed Rate

Lennie Omalza, Special to Courier Journal Published 6:40 a.m. ET May 28, 2020

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Taking an old bathroom from drab to fab is about more than having a pretty powder room. A properly designed washroom can improve functionality in any home,making everyday experiences more efficient and comfortable while providing a clean, calming space to make your bathroom feel like an at-home spa getaway.

These three Louisville interiordesigners break downtheir experiences in building a better bath.

On the East End of Louisville, the bathroom in a midcentury-style ranch house was spacious, but in desperate need of an overhaul.

The home was built in 1959 with essentially no updates since then, said Dani Harris, principal and designer at Knot & Company Interiors.

This east-end bathroom remodel features a dual sink, marble-topped vanity with gold faucets, black mirrors, Shaker cabinets, and floor-to-ceiling wainscoting.(Photo: Provided by Knot & Company)

Harris utilized the ample amount of space by adding an extra sink and updating the room with gold fixtures, a marble-topped vanity, black mirrors, and shaker cabinets. She also added floor-to-ceiling wainscoting, as well as mixed metals and slate floors, creating an interesting architectural touch.

The best part of this project, Harris said, is that although we didnt move any walls or really even change the layout, the remodel is so drastic! We were able to add a sink, include better lighting, as well as create a simple but beautiful atmosphere for children and parents alike.

Home of the Week: A tale of two homes. Interior designer brings warm, cohesive flow to two Louisville homes

In Old Louisville, marvelous mansions require equally breathtaking bathrooms. Bethany Adams, principal of Bethany Adams Interiors, said her work on thisGeorgian homes washroom remodel was exactly that.

The goal of this project, she said, was to create a functional and modern master bathroom that complements the grandeur of my clients' historic home and its unique architectural features.

This Old Louisville bathroom remodel features book-matched Carrara marble slabs in the shower.(Photo: Courtesy of Justin L. Jordan)

While making a home from the 1910s functional for life in the 2000s, Adams still managed to respect and maintain certain historic details, such as original millwork and tile wainscoting.

We took a very sad space into this century, she said, describing the modern chrome vanity from Restoration Hardware and fixtures by Delta. The bathrooms shower glass and mirror, as well as the storage unit under the Palladian window, were all custom-made for the space.

My favorite aspect of this bathroom is how the Palladian window is reflected in the mirror, she said. There's a big tree outside the window, so every morning my clients get to walk into their bathroom, look in their mirror and experience the stunning architecture of their home, as well as be bathed in light and nature.

Home of the Week: Step inside the 'heart of the home' with amazing kitchen renovations in 3 Louisville homes

The bathroom in Cortney Hoeses colonial home in Holly Springs hadnt been updated since its construction in 1987 and her family was ready for a redo.

Functionally, it didnt do it for us, she said. And aesthetically, it definitely didnt do it for us. It was a combination of form and function.

The Kohler jetted soaker tub in this Holly Springs bathroom remodel features deck-mounted hardware, including a hand sprayer.(Photo: Courtesy of Bill Worley Photography)

A self-proclaimed design hobbyist, Hoese came up with the bathroom redesign herself, then enlisted Bailey Remodeling and Construction to execute the plans. Certain aspects of the renovation were set in stone: the color palette was predetermined, and Hoese was firm on adding a freestanding tub. With other parts of the remodel, Hoese just went with the flow.

Some of the tile choices were spur of the moment, she said (and) designing the countertop vanity that was an experience. That was a labor of love.

Hoese said that vanity was always long, but it used to be much lower all the way across. The biggest difference is the height. It was really hard to use.

The sinks were brought up to a higher level for ease of use, and a makeup counter placed slightly lower was added in the middle. Hoese also replaced the built-in Whirlpool tub with a freestanding tub and updated the shower to include a bench, two-tier shampoo niche, and three showerheads.

Home of the Week: This renovated Northfield ranch-style home is a modern, craftsmen-focused dream house

Her favorite aspect of the remodel, however, is the new heated floors. With the bathroom located directly above the garage, the flooring used to get cold very quickly and was unbearable during winter.

I love my heated floors, she said. We (used to have) rugs everywhere. Now its comfortable.

Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalzaataloha@lennieomalza.comor Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory atkgregory@gannett.com.

Bathroom 1: This was a full bathroom remodel in a midcentury ranch home in East End Louisville that was built in 1959.

Bathroom 2: This was a full bathroom remodel in a Georgian revival home in Old Louisville that was built in 1910.

Bathroom 3: This was a full bathroom remodel in a two-story colonial home in Holly Springs that was built in 1987.

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From heated floors to marble countertops, these bathroom renovations will make you swoon - Courier Journal

Across Chicago and the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting everyone. Every business is in jeopardy of shutting its doors for goods. Every employee is in danger of losing their job. Every family is concerned about their health and wellbeing. And every single person in America is hoping to stop the spread of this deadly virus.

One thing that isnt stopping, however, is home renovation projects. Since everyone aside from essential workers are remaining in their homes almost 100% of the time, now is the perfect time for homeowners to improve their properties and begin (and hopefully finish) some important projects.

There is some concern over whether its even advisable to work on your home during this pandemic or not. Though there are some cons to beginning home remodeling projects due to the shortage of supply, potentially higher costs, and general feelings of being overwhelmed; there are plenty of advantages, too. For the most part, the costs are actually much lower right now. Several remodeling companies have come up with great deals and substantial discounts. Plus, if youre hoping to sell your home in the next few years, taking advantage of all this downtime and upgrading your home is a great option!

Here are some important things to consider whenever starting, or even thinking about starting, home remodeling projects:

There isnt a project on earth that wouldnt benefit from some diligent planning beforehand. Still, so many homeowners jump right into specific projects without an actual plan in mind, which can subsequently lead to a messy home, costly remodeling expenses, and high stress levels. Even skillful do-it-yourselfers need to plan out every step of their remodeling project. Without planning, chaos will certainly be the end result.

If you have a four-to-five-month timeline, you can talk to friends on who they used and look at Angies List reviews on their performance, said Kermit Baker, project director at the Harvard remodeling program. You can do your due diligence as you prepare to get the project ready.

Its important to have plenty of tools around the house, as well. If you just need a few things for a couple of quick projects, you can take advantage of tool rental programs. However, its best to own a legitimate set of tools so you can be fully prepared to take on any kind of home remodeling project. Here is a list of tools that every homeowner should have:

Every home improvement project will cost more than you think it will and will take more time than you planned, added Bob Harkson, a chief financial planner at Phase2 Wealth Advisors.

Remodeling contractors everywhere advise the same thing: the more thorough you are during these crucial planning stages, the more likely you are to stay under budget for each project.

Another great idea is to keep a detailed journal documenting every aspect of your home remodeling project. This can be helpful for all sorts of reasons! For instance, if youre working with home builders or a team of professional contractors and something goes wrong, you can use your journal in court or arbitration. Write down things exactly as they happen so you arent being charged for unnecessary costs down the line. Its best if your remodeling journal includes at the very least the following: project start date, major milestones, inspection dates, contractor work schedules, change orders, and all financial information.

Planning is one thing but budgeting can make or break not only your remodeling project ideas but your financial stability, as well. If you arent properly budgeting especially during these wild COVID-19 times, you are putting your entire future at risk. You need to carefully determine exactly how much you can afford to spend on every facet of your remodeling projects. Take, for example, home flooring projects. Your budget needs to account for everything, not just the final tiles. If you know what youre doing, you should still keep a strict budget and plan for spending on tools, materials, and everything else. If you are completely lost when it comes to flooring jobs or other potentially complicated projects like residential siding or plumbing repairs, consider hiring a team of professional contractors. But be aware, doing this will likely significantly increase the amount you spend on each project, which should be reflected in your budget.

Be realistic as you tour your homes interior and look at it as a buyer would with a very critical eye, said Gina Wolter, Broker/Realtor with The Real Estate Group. Determine projects that need the most attention. Some things on your list may require just a little elbow grease, while others may require assistance from a professional. Whichever the case, set your budget and work from there.

If youre working with a contractor, its important to ask as many questions as possible. This way, youll actually learn whats being accomplished. You wont have to hire a contractor for that specific project next time. Instead, youll be able to handle it all on your own! There is no better feeling than that. But dont be afraid of asking questions to the professionals. Even ones that might seem like are obvious its best to get the right answer than wing it on your own down the line. Plus, its your money that youre spending on these projects. You should know why youre spending that much and whats exactly taking place!

It might seem like a scary thing to do during these uncertain times, but there are loans out there available that are designed to help you and your family upgrade your home in a financially responsible way. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 203(k) loan or a Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation loan, for example, are great options.

An FHA 203(k) loan offers flexibility because you can finance up to 97.75% of the improved home value, said Catherine Holtman, operations support manager for Embrace Home Loans. Theres a streamlined version for improvements up to $35,000 that are nonstructural and a standard version for major renovations including structural changes.

Additionally, taking out a home equity line of credit will provide you with the necessary flexibility to take advantage of remodeling projects. Youll only have to pay interest on the actual line of credit being used and not on everything else. Plus, closing costs are using pretty affordable! Cash-out refinancing, personal loans, credit cards, and 401(k) loans are all great options, as well just beware of high interest rates.

Upgrading your home is exciting but it can also be quite stressful if you dont know what youre doing, arent properly budgeting and planning, or you make mistakes. Some mistakes are minor and are just a little annoying. However, some mistakes even the minor ones can lead to catastrophic issues and ruin your home and your bank account.

Here are some of the most common home remodeling mistakes that homeowners across the country make:

So, in short, the best way to prepare for these kinds of home renovation projects is to save as much as possible, do plenty of research beforehand, make sure youre acquiring all the necessary tools, think about taking out a renovation loan,

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Home Remodeling and Repairs: Everything You Need to Know - Skyline

Home of the Year is proudly presented by The Redbud Group, creating great real estate experiences. Browse featured listings to find your own Charlotte dream home.

We know coronavirus brought a lot of unexpected change to our city, but Charlotte is still a place filled with architectural beauty and some of the best designers in the country.

We created theHome of the Year Award to celebrate the best of the best in new residential real estate. We want to honor that.

The home must be a new build or remodel within the past 12 months. Any remodel qualifies the home interior and/or exterior. Condos and apartments also qualify, so it doesnt necessarily have to be a traditional home.

Can I nominate my own home? Yes, of course! We love hearing directly from homeowners and we anticipate the majority of nominations to come from directly from homeowners.

Can I nominate a clients home?Yes, of course! If youre an architect, builder, or designer wed love to receive nominations, and when we profile our winner and finalists, we will credit all the people who touched the project.

Will there be finalists?Yes, we will profile a group of finalists. We will also select one overall winner. Heres our2019 Home of the Yearif youre looking for an example of the format.

Email your nomination(s) to brianna@charlotteagenda.com using the subject line Home of the Year nomination. Please include the address, up to three sentences on the home, and up to two photos of it. If selected as a finalist, well follow up for more information.

The deadline is Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Thank you for your help, and we look forward to celebrating the Home of the Year Award this summer!

Cover image: 2019 Home of the Year winner, The Providence Dream Home by brillhart architecture.

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Nominate your favorite new build or remodel for our third annual Home of the Year Award - Charlotte Agenda

An artist's renderings show what Regal Cinemas at River Park will look like after a renovation starting next month. Photos via River Park

published on May 21, 2020 - 2:36 PMWritten by Gabriel Dillard

River Parks Regal Edwards Fresno movie theater is headed toward a major remodel and an apparent rebranding, according to an announcement from the shopping center owner on Thursday.

A news release lists the theaters name as Regal Cinemas in River Park, a departure from the Edwards moniker that has remained with the 22-auditorium movie theater since it opened in the late 1990s.

A rendering of what the theater will look like after the interior and exterior remodel of the entire building also doesnt include the Edwards name.

A message left for officials with Lance-Kashian & Co., owner and manager of the River Park shopping center, were not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.

The remodel also comes with a new 15-year lease for the theater, which will be modernized and upgraded with all new seating as well as VIP lounge areas, concession stands, restrooms, lobbies and the entire facade.

Construction is expected to begin by June 1. The theater has been closed since March due to Covid-19 emergency orders. It is not clear if, once California movie theaters are allowed to reopen, Regal Cinemas in River Park will operate during the remodeling effort. No timetable was offered in a news release from Lance-Kashian.

The news follows the recent addition of 4DX and ScreenX technology at the theater. 4DX features in-theater special effects such as motion-synchronized seats, scents and other sensory effects. ScreenX technology surrounds audiences with an immersive 270-degree panoramic screen.

The first step in the complete renovation will be the addition to IMAX inside the main theater building, according to the news release.

This is truly a step into the next millennium, and we are excited for movie goers to return to our center to experience something magical, said Tracy Kashian, VP of marketing and public relations for River Park.

The release adds that all proper Covid-19 precautionary measures will be taken once the theater re-opens its doors.

River Park & Regal look forward to welcoming back our Central Valley families, concludes the release.

See the article here:
Major renovation coming to Regal theater at Fresno's River Park - The Business Journal

Added to that is a higher demand for cleaning supplies, security systems, safety gear, sidewalk chalk and activity kits for youngsters, said Randy Rusk, national spokesman for Do It Best, a cooperative of hardware, lumber, and building materials stores in 50 states and more than 50 countries.

But analysts and marketing experts in the home and hardware industry are cautious. They predict a mixed bag in spending through the end of this year, dragged down by little or no construction in some states and nagging uncertainties surrounding the economic toll from the pandemic.

Smaller, in-home projects have been the bright spot in the sector. During the past two months, as unprecedented restrictions sent workers home and consigned people to work in bedrooms and at kitchen tables, the home services industry saw consumers flip their attitudes about their surroundings.

At first they were scared. Then, they began looking around their homes and decided they needed to get on projects they'd put off for years, said Larry Janesky, a Connecticut-based contractor with 300 dealers and 700 employees refurbishing attics, basements and roofs across the U.S.

Basement waterproofing and refinishing projects took off in the past month or so because people realized they needed to upgrade space for a home office. Roofing also has shot up, Janesky said.

Before the outbreak, spending on home remodeling was expected to post annual growth of 3.9% by the first quarter of 2021. But the latest data rolling together actual and forecasted impacts of the economic shutdown have led to predictions of declines this year, with more of a drop off into 2021, according to Harvard Universitys Joint Center for Housing Studies.

The uncertainty has analysts offering a mixed forecast for what will happen in the category later in the year.

Whether confidence returns to undertake large projects could be dictated by the depth and duration of the economic and housing market decline, wrote Wedbush analysts led by Seth Basham in a note about Home Depot, MarketWatch reported earlier in May.

Read more:
What a surge in decks and paint sales in the midst of a pandemics says about economic recovery - Oklahoman.com