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Taking in a Parent: The Challenges and Solutions to Caring for Elderly Family Members

August 6, 2018July 24, 2018Bruzzese Home ImprovementsHome Improvement Tipshome improvement, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

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When the economy sours, global stability shakes, wages stagnate, and health costs soar, it’s not uncommon to see many younger families taking in their aging parents. Many elderly are priced-out with rising living costs. This creates a tough spot for families as they must make the decision on how best to deal with their aging parents.

There are several options to take care of aging parents, like hiring an in-home caretaker or moving them into an assisted living facility. A third choice is to have them move in with you. Their moving in may become a mutually beneficial decision for their well-being and the family’s financial security.

Here’s what you should know about the challenges (and solutions) to caring for elderly family members.

Injecting New Capital into Building Family Wealth

You can no longer claim a parent as a dependent if they’re living with you. However, there is a $500 tax credit for each non-child living in your home. This, along with their social security acting as contributions, can lead to many opportunities to build family wealth.

Now is the time to explore home improvements and upgrades to improve quality of life while raising the home’s value in the same stroke. This extra financial stream could afford the home services for a home addition acting as a mother-in-law suite.

However, it’s best to discuss financial obligations before accepting them into your home:

Is there an expected rent?
Will they contribute to groceries, utilities, and regular expenses?

Weigh their contribution to costs for caregiving services, senior communities, or facilities. Outline the finances and agree to terms so this doesn’t become a major stressor with their companionship.

There are Ways to Make Their Stay Enjoyable and Safe

Their safety is one of the utmost importance especially if they’re showing their age. It’s easy navigating your home due in part to your youth. But, this may pose a problem for your aging parents. In fact, many minor items can lead to very dangerous situations like trips, falls, abrasions, and worse.

What are some ways to “parent-proof” your home?

Install mobility items like ramps to the front/back door, railing along stairs, or a home elevator
Add more, bright lighting throughout the home improving their visibility — this includes nightlights
Declutter the best you can removing items they may bump and bang when wandering the space
Consider converting bathrooms opening its space for mobility and safety via walk-in showers and grips
Develop an organization system as they bring medications and possible health aids into the home
Redesigning an old room into their space or adding accessibility like lowering cabinets

Parent-proofing your home is very much like making the space home for toddlers. The goal is to improve home safety while giving them freedom of movement ensuring a healthy/quality stay.

Boundaries are Tested but Managed through Communication

There are many questions you, your spouse, children, and parent(s) need to consider:

Expectations
Concerns
Realities

These are your parents but you’re welcoming them into your (and family’s) home. There are times when the relationships are tested by exploring boundaries. This may happen with their discipline to your children. Their helicoptering. Or, how they contribute to the home and whether they’re attempting to assimilate.

Communication is essential for the wellbeing of all parties.

Set expectations including how they’ll contribute while setting boundaries
Relieve their concerns by giving them space but aligning goals
Face the realities of finances, privacy, and authority

They’re your parent(s) but it’s your home — stand your ground and draw the line.

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Taking in an aging parent is a monumental decision — this can turn out quite rewarding for all parties. There will be items to discuss and goals to align. Use the combined finances to make the appropriate upgrades. And, work together building stronger relationships and family wealth.

Need help planning home upgrades and expansions for an expected parent moving in? Get in touch!

3 Things Every Home Owner Should Consider Before Remodeling

July 30, 2018August 3, 2022Bruzzese Home Improvementshome remodelinghome remodeling, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

If you are like many families, you may have outgrown your existing living space, leaving you with a conundrum. Should you move or consider remodeling?

If you consider the latter option, there are endless opportunities including: in-law suites, a refinished garage, adding a dining room, finishing your basement and so on.

So many exciting options! But with each option, comes many questions and needs. That said, we’ve included a few considerations below to help you navigate this decision.

1). Define the Need

This step may seem a bit basic, but it is essential. What problem are you addressing with this building project?

Are you looking for more storage space? An extension to your living space? Something else?

These questions are critical to cover upfront because they will determine the scope of the building project.

If you are looking for more storage space, you may be able to go with a much simpler route than the in-law suite which will likely require heating and cooling, electricity and possibly plumbing needs.

2). Establish Your Budget

Before you get overly excited about that major remodeling project, it’s probably best to think through your financial situation.

Have you saved for this project? Do you anticipate any major life changes? How much debt to you already have?

Walking through these questions before starting any major projects can help reduce anxiety and tension between couples.

As you work through your budget, make sure you’re educated about the funding options. There are many types of loans available for home remodeling.

3). Find a Quality Contractor

Home remodeling projects are a major commitment and the last thing you want is to work with someone who is not qualified for the work.

As you start your search for a contractor consider asking these questions.

Is the contractor licensed in your state?
How long have they been in business?
What do their past clients have to say on sites like Yelp, Facebook and other online review sources?
What is the quality of their work?
Do they take the time to listen to you as you present your needs and budget?
Is remodeling homes what they do full-time, or is it something they do on the side?
How quickly can they get the work done?

These are just a few starter questions as you search for someone to do the work. Usually, you can get a good feel for their level of service based on personal interactions and past client feedback.

As you dream about your next home remodeling project, be sure to plan carefully and have realistic expectations for all that is involved.

If you have any questions or would like to get a quote on a project, please contact us!

Can’t Reach? 3 Home Remodeling Ideas Shorter Individuals Will Appreciate

June 25, 2018June 12, 2018Bruzzese Home ImprovementsHome Improvement Tipsremodeling tipsLeave a comment

If you’re shorter than 5’3”, then you’re typically considered “short”. Any lower than 5’, and life can get a whole lot more challenging. Whether it is while driving, retrieving items from the top shelf at the supermarket, or even at home, there can always be an issue related to your height waiting to jump out at you.

While the environment outside of your home can’t always be controlled, you can take action by changing your living space. In this article, we will go over three home remodeling ideas that shorter individuals will appreciate.

Lower Your Kitchen Counters

This is first on the list, and for many folks, it is the most important. We spend a great deal of our waking time in and around the kitchen. Whether you are frying up some eggs, chopping shallots, or just pouring a glass of orange juice, it is important that your kitchen is adapted to your height or the height of those that live with you. That is why lowering your counters might be beneficial and may help to make it easier for you to go about your culinary tasks.

By doing so, however, you may need to consider other changes that will need to be made—such as the height of appliances (stoves, dishwashers, etc.) and seeking out plumbing services if the piping connected to the sink would need to be altered as well.

Keep in mind, though, that not everyone is as short as you, and so you shouldn’t lower the counters more than two or three inches. By lowering it that much, using the space will be more comfortable for you while still making it practical to be used by taller individuals. Any lower could also make it hard to sell your home in the future as taller buyers might need to remodel the kitchen to adjust to their comfortability.

Replace Higher Shelving & Cupboards

If you’re short, then you know that retrieving items that are stored higher up is a huge obstacle. You might even keep a stool in your kitchen to help you get things but that might not always be enough. Perhaps you even find yourself getting up onto the counters to help you with such tasks. If so, then it’s time to get rid of higher shelving and find other storage options.

Instead of cupboards in your kitchen, make use of your wall space by having lower shelves installed along any usable wall space in your kitchen/dining area. The same could be done in your closets, storage rooms, and bathrooms.

Install Steps in Necessary Areas

If lowering your kitchen counters or replacing shelving seems like too much of a remodel, then you might want to consider installing steps or raised platforms around your home. This is especially ideal if only one or two people are short and the rest of the household is taller. These steps should be about four to six inches tall and the same measures for width as well. These steps can be installed around the kitchen and bathroom areas at the base of the lower cupboards. Doing this will give shorter individuals the increased height that they need without being too much in the way of taller individuals.

Remodels are always tough, and when you throw lowering and raising levels into the process it gets even more complicated. However, with some planning and hard work remodeling for the benefit of shorter people is a definite possibility.

Everything That You Should Know About Laminate Flooring

February 24, 2018August 6, 2023Bruzzese Home Improvementshome improvement, Home Improvement Tips, Home Maintenanceflooring, home improvement, home maintenance, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Hey! Are you looking for all the reasons for being satisfied with the decision of getting laminate flooring at your home? Nowadays people opt for flooring solutions that look good and are easy to maintain. Laminated wooden or laminated floors are the best way to make the aesthetic value of any property higher and they also last long to give a better flooring finish. To give you a better understanding about the laminate flooring, we have given all the details about the advantages as well as disadvantages. Take a look.

Have a Look at The Advantages!

If money is one of the things which is making you think twice about getting laminate flooring at your home, then let us inform you that the laminate flooring is one of the best and the most affordable flooring options available in the market. The money you would spend on the laminate flooring is even less than the cost of hardwood. The flooring is even less expensive than the carpet. Therefore, if you want something suitable and reliable flooring for your house which would last long, then laminate flooring is the best choice.
Laminate flooring is one of the most durable floorings available in the market. It can last for really long. Also, unlike other flooring options available in the market such as marble, hardwood, and carpet, this type of flooring doesn’t lose its shine and freshness in the sunlight. Laminate flooring is also scratches and stain resistant. The reason behind this is the presence of melamine plastic layer which gets used by most of the laminate flooring manufacturers.

Laminated flooring is easy to install and maintain on daily basis:

Apart from the properties and the advantages, the one thing which sometimes becomes a tough task for most of the people is the installation process of the flooring. Well, the good news is that in laminate flooring, the installation procedure is nothing less than a bed of roses. It is quite easy and quickest things you can do. Also, the quality of sub floor is also not given that much attention to because this type of flooring doesn’t need to be glued on the surface.
After the cleaning process, there comes the cleaning part. When you invest money on such flooring, you would definitely want them to last for a longer time which is why the maintenance and cleaning of this flooring is much needed. Some flooring requires a lot of cleaning but in the case of laminate flooring, you don’t need to go through any headache because cleaning of laminate flooring is also not less than a piece of a cake.
Laminate flooring also doesn’t absorb the dust and debris just like other flooring such as carpet does. So, for all the people who are allergic to dust, the laminate flooring is one of the best options available in the market.

Laminate flooring must be installed and maintained with much caution:

One of the disadvantages is that this kind of flooring can be very noisy especially for your neighbors. The vibrations through the floors can create a lot of noise.

In most of the flooring, if they get damaged, they can get repaired but with laminate flooring, you don’t get the option of repair. If they break or get damaged, you would have to get the new one. However, when it comes to repairing and reinstalling the floors, you can get a whole lot of floor specialists and room renovation experts from the market, who can take care of the floors and also allow you to chalk out some customized designs and plans for making the floors sturdy and to make your property look good.

Window Wonder: 4 Reasons to Replace Your Windows This Year

January 29, 2018Bruzzese Home Improvementshome improvement, Home Maintenancehome improvement, home maintenance, remodeling tips, replacement windowsLeave a comment

Windows need to be replaced just like any other equipment in the house. You know that repairs are necessary, but it is not always clear when you should tend to your battered windows. You should not wait until there are cracks or seams present to take action. It is, instead, essential to be proactive in all home repairs including window maintenance. Here are four good reasons to replace your windows this year.

You Get Better Energy Efficiency

Heating and cooling costs are not coming down in the near future. You stand to lose hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars every year by not tending to old windows and broken seals. Energy efficient windows provide insulating features such as low-E coatings that deflect instead of absorbing heat on sunny days. You position yourself to save as much as 25 percent off your electric bill by just replacing your home’s windows.

Noise Is Reduced with New Windows

The eyes of your home do not do well to keep out the noise from school children and airplanes flying when they are old. New windows with fresh panes can block out some of the sounds outside so that you can be alone with your thoughts more often.

New Windows Keep the Weather out

You love rain and snow, but you are not a fan of mold and mildew. Many homeowners do not realize that windows are the first defense to guard against the harmful substance forming in the home. Replacing these vital components closes open areas where moisture could come in and creates a healthier environment for you and the family.

Safety Increases When You Replace

There is no absolute way to keep yourself from tragedies. You and the family may gather around the fireplace for a night of fun and find yourselves in the middle of a blazing fire. It is during such time of crisis that you need to know that all exits work. How horrendous would it be to run to the window, which may be the only exit, only to find that it is not functioning correctly? This is why you should not put off replacing your windows.

Many home repairs do not require your immediate attention. New windows, however, is not one of these fixes. Work with a contractor like Pella Windows and Doors of Wisconsin or someone similar to get your window replacements taken care of as soon as you can. You need to maintain excellent glass and panels to ensure the safety and energy efficiency of your home. You do not want to wait until it is too late to focus on overdue repairs.

How to Properly Paint High Walls and Ceilings

December 27, 2017December 11, 2017Bruzzese Home Improvementshome improvement, interior paintinghome improvement, painting, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Ceilings have become an important part of home décor with various creative ideas how to make them look more attractive. Nowadays, homeowners prefer well-designed and decorated homes, where not only walls, door, windows and furniture are styled, but ceilings also need to be classy and fashionable. They are decorated and styled with exposed beams, embedded lights and chandeliers and the trend is to go higher. In that way, rooms appear more spacious, open and bright.

However, when it comes to painting those same ceilings and high walls, nobody is eager to do it. It may seem like a daunting and overwhelming task, but if you follow these tips, it doesn’t have to be so.

Room preparation

Every successful project starts with good preparation and organisation. Firstly, make sure that you’re painting in a well-ventilated area, with open windows or with box fans placed in windows and doorways. Next, protect the floors and furniture from splatters and spills with drop cloths or tarps. If you can, remove as much furniture as possible to other rooms. Secure the drop cloths on the floors with painter’s tape. Also remove all wall decorations, ceiling fans, and light fixtures.

When all is cleared, for the best end result, wash the walls and the ceiling with a clean cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to remove any stains and to even out the surface.

Ladders and scaffolding

In most cases, you can paint high areas on walls and ceiling using simple and appropriate ladders. They must be multi-functional, articulating with a platform, and at least 6ft high or more. Be careful not to stand on the top three rungs and never on the top step. Also, check the weight limit on the label to make sure it can handle your weight plus that of your equipment. It’s imperative that you stay focused and safe as you work standing on it. Don’t try to move position while on it and make sure they are positioned firmly on the floor.

Another option is to use scaffolds. They make a sturdy base and their platform offers plenty of space to keep your tools and painting supplies. However, they’re quite expensive and complicated to assemble, so it’s best to rent them at the local hardware store. One of the highly recommended types is the aluminium modular scaffolding system, which is the most durable, lightweight system on the market. As your final precaution, make sure it is completely and correctly assembled and locked into the position.

Painting

It’s best to start painting with the ceiling first and walls afterwards. Start with priming, so that the actual paint adheres better and lasts longer. Be sure to mark the surface with painter’s tape where it meets the walls so they don’t get stained. Use a roller with extension pole to reach really high places. After the primer has dried, paint over it with the colour paint of your choice.

To avoid excess spraying as you move the roller, roll it well back and forth in the shallow end of the paint tray. Paint the ceiling by moving in series of W overlapping strokes so you get even coverage. And “feather” the edges of each section with less pressure so there are no overlapping lines visible.

Cleaning up

When the painting is done, it’s time for the least favourite part – cleaning up. After closing tightly all the paint cans, disposing of the used ones and removing all drop cloths and tarps, it’s important that you thoroughly clean all your paintbrushes and roller because otherwise, they will harden up and you won’t be able to use them again. They can be easily cleaned with warm, soapy water and rinsed with clean water. For oil-based paints, you’ll need to use the paint thinner. When dry, hang your brushes and rollers on hooks.

As difficult as it may seem, painting your high walls and ceiling is not an impossible mission. With some extra effort, good planning, careful choice of paint and equipment, you can do it without professional help and enjoy the fruit of your work.

Family Home Remodeling: 4 Features Your Teen Will Love

November 13, 2017October 27, 2017Bruzzese Home ImprovementsHome Improvement Tips, home improvement, home remodelinghome improvement, home remodeling, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

When remodeling a family home, you understandably may think about dressing up the interior décor in your space, but adding functionality is also important. You may have great ideas about how to make the space more functional and comfortable for you, but you may also think about your teenagers. Through a remodeling project, you may be able to add some thoughtful features that they will love.

A Garage Conversion

If your home currently only has one living area, you could consider adding another living area that is specifically designed as a teen hangout space. Rather than spending money adding more square footage to your home’s existing footprint, you could convert the garage. This garage space could even be used for your teen’s band equipment, hobby items and other things that may be taking up too much space in your home currently. A garage makes for a great teen-friendly hangout space as you can open the garage door when it is being used and have an indoor/outdoor space.

A Private TV or Media Room

Teens and adults rarely agree on what they want to watch on TV, and this holds true for movies as well as television shows. You may be able to convert an unused formal dining or bedroom into a private TV or media room for your teens rather easily. In fact, if the space is already enclosed, you may simply need to add some insulation to the walls and dimmer switches to the already installed lights.

A Private Bathroom

If your teens are currently sharing a bathroom with others in the home, you may regularly hear about messes that others have left behind or about someone spending too much time in the bathroom. These are common arguments, and you may be able to eliminate them entirely by giving your teen his or her own private bathroom. This is a seemingly minor convenience that can make your home a happier and less stressful place to be in.

A Gaming Nook

Many teens love gaming, and they often take up the TV when they are on their console. You may even have consoles and games cluttered up around the TV creating an eyesore. You do not need a large space to create a gaming nook. For example, you can choose a small area of the home to carve out a space for two to four gaming chairs and moderately-sized TV. A few storage features may also be beneficial for storing games, controllers and consoles.

Each teen is unique, and each family deals with unique challenges based on the current layout of the home and the interests or needs of teens. Consider how these or other thoughtful ideas can be implemented through your upcoming home renovation project.

Modern Design: How to Revamp Your Home’s Style & Get It Ready for the 2020s

October 13, 2017October 11, 2017Bruzzese Home ImprovementsHome Improvement Tips, home improvementhome improvement, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

One of the biggest Investments that most people will ever make is buying a new property. While properties are typically owned for decades, those that own a home will still need to update them on a regular basis. For those that are looking to have a modern design for their home for the upcoming decade, there are four key improvements that should be considered.

Replace Carpet

One of the first ways that you can modernize your home and prepare it for the next decade is to replace your existing carpet with Tile. Carpet is quickly becoming a type of flooring that is outdated and not in style. By working with a leading tile company, such as the Monterrey Tile Company, you can have your carpet replaced with tile that is more stylish, easier to clean, and extremely durable. This can also help to improve your home value if you are looking to sell.

Open Up Rooms

Another way that you can revamp the style of your home and get it ready for the next decade is by opening up more space. If you live in an older home, there is a good chance that you have many small rooms located throughout the house. While this was the style in the past, more homes today and buyers are looking for properties that offer an open floor plan. By converting your home and opening up some walls, you could make it into a much more modern place that will appeal to buyers in the next decade.

Outdoor Space

The third way to revamp your home is to create and improve outdoor living space. Many homebuyers today are looking for homes that have a stylish and comfortable space to relax outside. This trend is only expected to continue in the future. If possible, you should look to add a patio, deck, garden, or even a pool.

Natural Elements

When you are looking for a way to modernize your home, the fourth tip would be to look for ways to add natural elements to your home. In recent years, many home builders have been incorporating natural elements into properties as they have been very popular with buyers. Some great options for this would be include having stone tile, granite or other stone countertops, and finding ways to incorporate more natural lighting into your key living spaces.

When you are looking to enjoy your home more or increase its value over time, it could be a great option to modernize it with renovations. When you are looking to renovate, you should focus on making improvements that will be popular in the coming decade.

Not Up to Code? How to Get Your Home in Line with Legal Standards

September 25, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, home remodelinghome improvement, home remodeling, home renovation, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

You don’t have to update your home to reflect every code change, but if you’re planning major repairs, additions, or remodels the work has to meet the latest codes. If you’re planning to sell the property, it’s also important to satisfy local building codes. Since these codes are intended to improve the safety of the occupants, it’s always a good idea to keep them updated. Here are some ways to make sure your home is in compliance.

Get a Home Inspection

Building codes in the U.S. generally stick to the latest International Residential Codes established by the ICC, or International Code Council. However, they may vary from state to state, and from county to county. It’s a good idea to have a certified home inspector in your area go through the house. They’ll do a visual inspection and provide you a report of anything they find wrong.

Upgrade Electrical System

There are some common requirements that you can check for yourself. For instance, you should have smoke-alarms hard-wired, because battery-powered units are useless if you forget to change the batteries. There should be one alarm in every bedroom, the kitchen, and over stairwells at the least. You should also ensure that you have ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in the kitchen and bathroom to protect your family against the possibly deadly combination of water and electricity.

Overhaul Plumbing

Bad plumbing is mostly found in older homes that might have lead pipes or fixtures. Replacing these is a priority. Modern updates might include things like a pressure-balance valve in the hot water line that prevents scalding water when, for instance, someone else flushes the toilet. More water-efficient products like low-flow toilets, faucet aerators, and modern appliances help satisfy water conservation needs. Have your home’s water quality checked, and if you have problems with installations, water pressure, slow drains, or leaks, call a licensed plumber for help.

Know the Codes

Check with your local building inspector. They may have quite specific requirements for certain things. For instance, some localities may require double 2x6s as floor joists rather a single one. You will find that there are well-defined requirements for stairs, decks, garages, roofing, sheds, and more. A responsible contractor will ensure code compliance, but if you’re a DIY type of person it’s your own responsibility.

Residential building codes are defined for a good reason. If you fail to follow them, you may be endangering your family, and could be forced to remove or rework non-compliant projects.

Remodeling the Right Way: How to Get the Dream Kitchen You’ve Always Wanted

September 5, 2017adminKitchen Remodeling, kitchen renovationshome improvement, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

It doesn’t take thousands of dollars and months of remodeling to create your ideal kitchen. In fact, a few simple changes can transform the look and feel of the entire room. Here are just a few ways to liven up your kitchen during your next renovation project.

Improve Your Lighting

There are four basic types of kitchen lights that can be installed and arranged depending on your existing architecture. For example, if you have a large kitchen island where you host company while you’re cooking, you can hang “task lights” directly above it. You can also find shades and covers in every style imaginable, so there’s always something that will match the theme of your interior design. If you have a sleek, contemporary kitchen, buy metallic orb covers. If you have a country, kitschy kitchen, use rattan shades.

Lay Your Tile

Kitchen tile comes in many different types, including porcelain, ceramic, clay, cement and natural stone. You also have your choice of shapes, colors and patterns if you’d like to add a little personality to your floor. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and choose something different than your neighbors. A professional, like those from the Monterrey Tile Company, can lay mosaic pebble tile just as easily as plain white squares, so it all comes down to what aesthetic you’d like to see in the space.

Upgrade Your Appliances

You don’t have to shell out big bucks to completely replace all of your kitchen appliances. A few tasteful and well-placed items will raise the atmosphere of the entire room, especially if they’re everyday appliances like the fridge or the coffeemaker. No one really pays attention to another person’s blender, but they’re much more likely to notice a elegant French press acting as the centerpiece of your countertop.

Improve Your Storage

The invisible parts of your kitchen are often just as important as the visible ones. For example, while your wall-mounted, solid-oak cupboards might be beautiful to look at from the outside, the cabinet risers on the inside are how you’ll really maximize your vertical storage space. The pantry might have a colorful door, but the Lazy Susan’s attached to the shelf corners are the real heroes. Don’t neglect the boring organizational elements of your kitchen while you’re picking out fun new countertops and backsplashes.

These are just a few ways to cultivate your dream kitchen without renovating the entire space. With a little creativity and a lot of planning, you can turn your visions into reality much sooner than you might think.