Friday, June 26, 2015

Weekend Home Projects

Looking for a Weekend Project?
Sometimes you need a change, but just don’t know where to start. That full kitchen remodel is still over a year into your future, and you don’t have it in your budget to re-floor. But you do know one thing: You need to make an update! Here are some ideas of low-cost updates you can make to your home this weekend:
Paint the Trim
This is a great project for those who just need an aesthetic lift to an outdated room. You may not have the time, energy or funds to repaint your entire space, but for significantly less you can redo the trim. Choose a room, then sand and either paint or stain the trim, including floorboards, doorframe and window sills. This will give an instant, subtle upgrade to almost any space! Estimated cost: $50
Redo the Closet
Maybe the space that has become a headache for you is a more intimate one. Redoing your closet can allow you to be more organized, feel as though you have a little more control in the mornings, and be more pleasing for your eyes. Empty your closet, clean out what you don’t need, and update your closet’s shelving and organization. You can keep it simple and invest in wire shelving for less than $100, or find an organization system you like. Major home centers will sell a variety of closet organization systems, so you can find one that works with your budget and lifestyle. Estimated cost: $100-$400
Dco intrieur
Change out your Hardware
You’re not ready to redo your kitchen cabinetry? One easy step that doesn’t need to cost more than $100 is to update the hardware. Pick out a style you like, and give your cabinetry new handles. You can even take it a step further by updating your sink’s faucet. This is a great in-between update, as the hardware you choose can be kept if you decide to give your entire kitchen a makeover. It is a small investment that will make a big difference in your kitchen! Estimated cost: $100 – $200
Wallpaper or Paint One Accent Wall
If you need more of a dramatic change, but only have one free day, you may want to add an accent wall. There are many decorative paints on the market to choose from. If you want to be a little more dramatic, you can even find a wallpaper you like! Accenting a wall in the living room, bedroom or dining room makes a huge difference in your home’s overall design. Estimated cost: $100 to $250.
Give your Bathroom a Mini Makeover
Your bathroom gets a lot of use, why not give it some TLC? For under $500, you can give it a makeover. From new lighting, to a new vanity, to updating the sink and hardware, there’s a lot of ways to redo a bathroom. Granite vanity tops can cost as little as $150. A new sink and faucet together can cost as little as $200. In addition, there are mini updates you can make, such as a new shower curtain, bathroom accents, even rugs! Give yourself a budget, decide what you want to change the most in your bathroom, and work outward from there. In 2-3 days you can have a transformed bathroom! Estimated cost: $400-$500
We know you don’t always have time or money for the big projects. That shouldn’t stop you from being able to make updates to your home! These are great ways to begin making changes to your home that will encourage you to make the larger investments down the line. Can’t do the labor yourself? Inspired to take on a larger remodel? We know people who can help! Remember, if you aren’t completely confident you can do something without incident, it’s always best to call in professional help. A job done wrong isn’t worthwhile. To see a list of contractors we trust to get the job done right, visit us online atresponsiblecontractors.com.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Spotlight on: Capitol Duct Cleaning

There are a lot of moving parts to a healthy home, and some of those parts go unnoticed until a problem arises. Parts of your home like air ducts, vents, and furnaces work from behind the scenes to keep your home comfortable and clean. But, who can you trust to take care of cleaning your home’s HVAC system?
We recommend Capitol Duct Cleaning! Based out of Olympia, and serving Pierce and Thurston counties, they can be at your doorstep ready to help when needed! For many homeowners, they don’t realize the significance of having your airways cleaned until they see the before and afters. The truth is, a lack of maintenance can lead to severe air contamination, which is recognized as a serious indoor air quality issue. This can lead to even more pressing issues such as mold growth, and can impact your family’s health. Other advantages to having your air ducts regularly cleaned include energy efficiency and a better room temperature. You’ll end up spending money either way - wouldn’t you rather spend it on good maintenance, than higher electric bills?
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So when do you need to have them cleaned? Anytime renovations happen dust is circulated through the air, and it’s a good time to clean them out. Your lifestyle will have an impact on this too. Anything that impacts your breathable air will impact your airflow systems, including smoking, pets, and illness. At a minimum, if you haven’t had it cleaned in a couple years, you should!
But wait: Airflow is a big deal, isn’t it? How can you know which company to trust? A good air duct cleaning company will be fully licensed, fully insured, a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, certified with NADCA and HVAC systems, and come recommended by previous clients. Why do we recommend Capitol Duct Cleaning? Because they meet all these criteria!
The question to ask is: Are you confident the air you’ve been breathing is clean? If not, it’s time to give Capitol Duct Cleaning a call! At Responsible Contractors, we aim to bring you the best in each industry. We proudly recommend Capitol Duct Cleaning for all your air duct cleaning needs! To read more about them, and see other companies we recommend, visit us online at responsiblecontractors.com