Tearing down walls to create an open floor plan layout is a popular trend nowadays, but experts on home additions strongly advise homeowners that these kinds of projects should be handled with utmost care and attention. Older homes that rarely feature separate rooms, for example, aren’t usually setup to be like this. However, many modern properties, especially older ones, are being converted into open floor plans to accommodate the need for large, spacious and comfortable spaces.
Read MoreHow to Execute a Luxurious Bathroom Remodel
The bathroom is one of the most important parts of your home. After all, it’s a space where you can relax after a long day of work. Converting it into a luxurious space can literally change your home’s entire vibe. Here’s how you can properly execute a luxurious bathroom remodeling project.
Read MoreHow to Build a Good Relationship With Your Remodeler?
Building and maintaining a great working relationship with your home additions contractor is key to having a successful renovation project. However, what are the things you need to do to create a great relationship between the two parties? Find out more in this post.
Read MoreHow Remodeling Affects Your Home Insurance Rates
Working on home remodeling and improvement projects is more than just replacing your windows and choosing the right materials. Homeowners are also urged to consider the impact that renovations will have on their insurance. Depending on the work you’re planning to do, you may need additional coverage.
So, whether you’re planning for an upgrade or you recently finished a project, immediately inform your insurance company to ensure you have the right amount of coverage.
Understanding Home Upgrades and Coverages
It is certain that any kind of remodeling project will likely increase the value of your home. However, depending on the type of work done, a home upgrade can raise or lower the cost of coverage for your property. This makes it a good idea to contact your insurance agent and ask questions before the actual construction commences. The last thing you want is to be underinsured for a worst-case scenario like a house fire.
According to remodeling and historic renovations experts, features that strengthen your house can lower the likelihood of damage and get you a discount on your insurance. On the other hand, improvements that enhance your property value may require a higher dwelling coverage limit, resulting in higher rates.
Is your property covered during renovations? There are multiple scenarios where your remodel may or may not be covered by your insurance policy. Keep in mind that adjusting your coverage limits isn’t the only reason to inform your insurance company of renovations prior to the start of your building activity. This is because you have to ensure that the remodeling process itself is covered.
On the other hand, your insurer must offer coverage enhancements to add to your policy. An extended replacement cost, for instance, provides an automatic increase of at least 25% of your dwelling coverage limit in the event of property damage. This can be beneficial if you aren’t sure of the accuracy of the suggested coverage limit adjustment.
What You Can Do
Home additions pros say to ensure a smooth home remodeling process, ask your prospective contractors for a copy of their insurance policy. They should have commercial liability and workers’ compensation insurance to cover potential property damage and worker injuries. By taking these measures, you can rest easy knowing all of your bases are covered.
Home Upgrades That Increase Your Property Value
Generally speaking, you can expect the following home renovations to increase the value of your home as well as the cost of your insurance:
- Building a pool: If you’re planning to build a pool, there are two things you must keep in mind. This project can easily increase the rebuild value of your property and can also be a liability hazard. If someone is injured in a pool-related accident and decides to press charges, you’ll likely be responsible to pay out the damages. An insurer may however recommend that a pool owner opts for higher liability coverage than what is standard. Homeowners can consider purchasing an umbrella insurance policy, which provides additional liability coverage.
- Deck installation: A new deck is another improvement that can add value, but also risk, especially if the deck is attached to a second story or higher. Although extending your living space outside can be a great idea, you should never forget to let your agents know that you’ve added a deck so they can adjust your policy as necessary.
- Finishing the basement: For this one, yet again, you may need more homeowners coverage. Flooding can be a concern, especially for the lowest floor in your house. It is important to note that most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover damage caused by floods. Do not hesitate in asking your agent to review your coverage, and look to see if there are steps you can take to help prevent future damage.
- Home additions: Adding extra square footage to a home is a great way to accommodate a growing family. Whether you’re building a whole new addition or simply adding a deck, your insurance will need to be altered to account for the value of the new space.
- Home office: While working remotely has become more common, this project is a great addition for most families. The same requirement for updating your insurance policy or purchasing extra coverage also applies when adding an office to your home. No matter what type of business you’re in, you need to let your insurer know of any business risks to ensure proper coverage.
- Kitchen or bathroom upgrade: While these tend to have a big positive impact on home value, it’s a good bet that they will come with a corresponding increase in insurance costs. The good news is, if your bathroom or kitchen remodeler makes safety upgrades, such as updating your electrical or plumbing system, this may help you qualify for an insurance discount.
- Roof replacement: A new roof adds value to your home, so your coverage limits will likely be recalculated, but you also may qualify for a discount. Many insurance companies offer discounted rates if your roof is under a certain number of years old. You may qualify for further discounts if your roof is made with stronger material to withstand windstorms, hail and leaks.
The Bottom Line
Most renovation projects that are worth doing increase how much insurance you’ll be paying. People are urged to understand that the added cost is still worth it because you’re also gaining property value, not to mention improving your quality of life and your enjoyment of your home. Hence, there’s really nothing to worry about as long as you’re with the right insurance company and contractor.
Looking to transform your space? Cottage Industries is a full-service residential design and construction company offering home remodeling and historic restorations in Philadelphia and the Main Line. Our services include creative architectural design, sound structural engineering, efficient and supportive project management, and fine craftsmanship in all the trades. Call us today at (610) 590-9474, or fill out our form here. We look forward to working with you on your next project!
2022’s Biggest Interior Paint Color
Cannot wait to welcome the new year with a change? It is best to start with your interior’s colors! If you’re planning to get home additions or renovate your property, it is important to prioritize the shades you will use inside your space to ensure a comfortable setup for yourself and your family. While color affects our experience of the world greatly, it should be known that amid the pandemic, soothing neutrals and bright tones have been a great choice. Here are sample hues you can choose:
- The Color Green
While most brands are all going green, the searches for green kitchen accents and cabinetries have increased in recent months. With Breakfast Room Green No. 81, apparently, you can easily make your room seem bigger.
Bath and kitchen remodeling teams say a dusty or grayish-green like Laurel Leaf gives off a rejuvenating appeal of eucalyptus leaves that are natural and cozy. On the other hand, the selected color of the year by PPG called Olive Sprig PPG1125-4 will remind you of aloe vera that represents regrowth and resiliency of the environment.
- Classic Tones:
Although green is the highlight for the coming year, you can still consider white, citrus hues and shades of blue. School House White No. 291, for example, has a familiar and comforting vibe. Babouche No. 233 is that kind of yellow that brings you the warmth of sunshine. Meanwhile, Stone Blue No. 86 adds a sophisticated accent, making it ideal for your walls and even doors.
Looking to transform your space? Cottage Industries is a full-service residential design and construction company offering home remodeling and historic restorations in Philadelphia and the Main Line. Our services include creative architectural design, sound structural engineering, efficient and supportive project management, and fine craftsmanship in all the trades. Call us today at (610) 590-9474, or fill out our form here.
How to Transform Your Bathroom Into a Hygge-Inspired Getaway
Professionals in home construction and historic restorations can agree that the bathroom is more than just an average room. It’s a place where people freshen up after waking up as well as relax and wind down after a long day. And in your home, it’s also a sanctuary for your family wherein they can collect themselves at any time as they go about their daily activities.
But with the weather getting colder this fall and winter season, it’s more important than ever to provide a sense of warmth and coziness to make the most out of your bathroom experience. While there are different ways to make your bathroom more comfortable this fall and winter season, why not take it a step further and take a few points from a popular design trend? More specifically, the Danish hygge concept.
A Hygge-Inspired Bathroom Design
The word “hygge” doesn’t have a direct English translation. However, the term itself describes a certain mood, a design style or a way of life. It’s a concept defining the simpler pleasures of life and creating a relaxing space to wind down. It’s also a year-round custom in Danish culture, but you can also apply this concept not just in your bathroom, but also in the rest of your home’s interiors!
Hygge Remodeling Tips for Your Bathroom Design
If you’re planning to add a little more warmth and comfort to your bathroom space, there are different ways to do this. But if you’re planning a more hygge-inspired design, you’ll need to work with experienced contractors in bathroom remodeling and home additions. To help you out, Cottage Industries shares some useful remodeling tips to consider:
- Choose a Neutral Palette
Part of the hygge design language is having different elements work together to create a peaceful and harmonious space. The best way to do this is by choosing a good neutral color for your bathroom design. We recommend choosing a backdrop of creams, tans and light greys for your flooring and wall.
The bathroom design may seem dull and plain as of now, but it’ll pop out more when we add more detail and texture later in the process. Just make sure to avoid loud colors and patterns as you build around your neutral color palette! Your shower walls and countertops should also be considered; subtle patterns that evoke an organic feel like marble or quartz heighten the hygge bathroom experience.
- Add Some Plants
As experienced professionals in interior remodeling and home additions, we strongly recommend having plants in your bathroom space especially if you’re a plant person. The presence of greenery will help make you feel more grounded and at peace. Whether you choose a single potted plant or several hanging plants, it can make a difference in how your bathroom design will feel. Not only will these natural plants help you feel rooted as you start or end your day, but they’ll also provide a livelier feeling. This is because the greenery adds more color to the neutral color palette! - Install a Heated Towel Rack
This is a necessity when planning a warm and cozy bathroom design. Not only is it a simple and inexpensive upgrade for your bathroom, but it also comes with a few benefits. It helps dry damp towels as well as keep them warm, replicating the spa experience! - Add Soft Lighting
A hygge-inspired bathroom design won’t look good under harsh overhead lighting. If you want to maintain a sense of warmth and coziness in your bathroom space, you’ll need to consider adding softer lighting. Instead of relying on a single bright light at the center of your bathroom’s ceiling, consider installing multiple points of light around the space to evoke a softer ambiance. For instance, wall sconces on each side of the shower and over the vanity for better illumination.
You can even use different candles to enhance your relaxing bathroom experience! Candles help set the tone for your bathroom design as they provide just enough light with a bit of warmth that wraps around the space. And if you’re going for perfumed candles, make sure to choose a scent that won’t be too overpowering as it wafts around the bathroom.
- Install an At-Home Spa
Keep in mind that the hygge concept is all about calm and relaxation. One of the best ways to achieve this is to incorporate spa elements into your bathroom design and create a space for rest and rejuvenation. For instance, you can consult with your bathroom contractor and design your shower area in a way that makes it feel like you’re under a waterfall. This will make you look forward to your otherwise mundane shower time at the start or end of your day! You can also consider adding a full tub for soaking afterward so that you’ll get a more luxurious experience every time you use it.
Other Design Tips to Consider
- Textured Bath Mats
To help keep your feet warm as you use your bathroom during the colder months, invest in thick high-pile rugs and bath mats. Doing this will also add more texture to your hygge-inspired bathroom space while keeping the design visually relaxing on the eyes. Also, consider adding an opaque tub curtain that matches your bathroom’s décor for more privacy and visual appeal! Consider installing thermal-insulated curtains by your bathroom windows as well since they can keep the space warmer for longer. - Additional More Shelves and Storage
You can never go wrong with adding more shelves and cabinets in your bathroom design as long as you have the space. Although you can always discuss with your hired contractor about what type of storage solutions can fit into your hygge-inspired bathroom, some of the most common ones include freestanding shelving units, over-the-toilet shelves and even wall-hanging shelves.
Whether you’re planning a hygge-inspired bathroom remodel or need a professional in historic restorations, Cottage Industries is your best choice for the job. Contact us today at (610) 293-9750 or through our online request form, and let’s talk about your latest remodeling project!