Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck On Home Improvement Projects

Example of a replacement project which will
help you save money.

Real estate writer Ilyce Glink offers tips for getting the most of your home improvement efforts in her article, “Make the Most of Your Home Improvement Projects” on  the Equifax Finance blog.

Homeowners too often don’t think about the real bang for their buck that they will get out of a home improvement project. But, like any other major expense, you have to think about return on investment. You may think certain upgrades are a must-have, but when the time comes to sell your home, will buyers be willing to pay more for that upgrade?

Building an impressive bathroom or kitchen may not pay off as much as replacement projects will – replacing roofing, siding, windows, etc. To get a home in “selling shape” the best upgrades are often cabinet refurbishing, new countertops, paint, bright lighting and a clean floor. The experts say avoid luxury upgrades and focus on your market – if you live in an area where outdoor living spaces are hot, add a deck instead of overhauling your kitchen.

Find Amazing Countertop Options at Elite Kitchens

Part of the Elite Home Solutions Showroom.

There’s a new reason to visit the Elite Home Solutions showroom at North Point Mall – a dazzling display of kitchen and bath countertop designs! These showcase just a few samples of what the renovation company can do with its partners, including Decatur’s own Construction Resources.

The inspiring displays are prominent in the front window, where you can see Kilimanjaro granite countertops, a brown material from Brazil that is perfect for indoor and outdoor applications. They continue in the bathroom display, where there is a Bellingham Cambria countertop and an antique chiseled and brushed pewter Travertine shower wall. Crema Marfil Classico wall and shower floor tiles are displayed and you will marvel in wonder at the artistic features, like bands in the shower made of six rows of Cristal Crema Serpentine mosaic with a Crema Marfil honed marble pencil rail on the top and bottom. There is also a Kinetic Khaki glass and stone random mosaic on the wall.

Kitchen and Bathrooms Stay at Top of Remodeling Jobs Popularity List

A recent survey released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows common remodeling projects have increased, compared to a similar 2010 survey. This survey was conducted as part of National Home Remodeling Month, and it describes changes in the remodeling market over the past few years.

According to remodelers, kitchen and bathroom projects remain the most popular remodeling jobs. Home owners are increasingly upgrading and making major repairs to both of these rooms as they choose to remain in their current homes for longer periods of time. Almost 50 percent of remodelers have seen an increase since 2010 in the amount of remodeling jobs completed to avoid moving.

Bathroom and kitchen remodeling projects were both up 17 percent from two years ago, and bathroom remodels were cited as common by 78 percent of remodelers with kitchens cited by 69 percent. However, since two years ago, bathroom remodels have moved into the top slot as the most common type of remodeling project.

The top reasons customers are hiring remodelers is for the repair and replacement of old components and the desire for upgraded amenities.More than half of all remodelers saw an increase in regards to both of these reasons. In contrast, more than 20 percent of remodelers saw a decrease in customers remodeling to increase home values as an investment.

For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel. For complete survey results, visit www.nahb.org/rmi.


For information on remodeling in Atlanta or Atlanta real estate, visit Atlanta Real Estate Forum.

Don’t miss KBIS, opening today!

Buckingham, one of the Cambria Quartz profiles
at the Wellborn Cabinet booth which was
fabricated by Atlanta Kitchen.

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is opening today in Chicago’s McCormick Place and runs through Thursday, April 26. It is a wonderful chance to see the best in the business when it comes to kitchen and bath products, including amazing countertop and cabinet options.

You can see the two combined at the Wellborn Cabinet booth, #2603. This year, Wellborn teamed up with Cambria Quartz countertops to have amazing displays to show off their all new and simplified Elegant Bath Collection, an extensive collection of vanity styles which are available in their most popular door styles and finishes. To compliment this new collection, there are a variety of nine different Cambria color profiles, including: Buckingham, Castell, Cuddington, Dover, Ferndale, New Quay, Snowdon White, Templeton and Waverton.

Enjoy Cambria Counters at Turner Field!

Aragon, one of the two Cambria quartz profiles added to the Turner Field suite.

There’s a new way to enjoy CambriaQuartz countertops, especially if you are a fan of Atlanta Braves Baseball, at the new Georgia’s Own Credit Union suite at Turner Field. This new suite has Cambria that was installed by Atlanta Kitchen and will be ready for opening day’s game between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, April 13.

Cambria quartz countertops, a favorite of interior designers for their vast selection of colors, were a natural pick for the luxury suite. Atlanta Kitchen selected Bellingham and Aragon profiles for this project. Bellingham is from Cambria’s Waterstone collection and is a neutral, varied color with mixed texture and

Make a New Kitchen or Bath Part of Your Spring Cleaning at the Construction Resources Sales Event May 11 and 12

There will be tons of deals at the Construction Resources spring sale on May 11 and 12.

If you have started your spring cleaning, you may have found that your kitchen or bathroom isn’t quite as nice as it used to be. Good news is that there’s a perfect chance to take your spring cleaning to the next level and remodel your kitchen or bathroom at the Construction Resources spring sale on May 11 and 12. There will be a huge stock of items available at reduced prices at our showrooms and indoor slab gallery located at 224 Rio Circle, Decatur, Ga. 30030.

We will be offering a wide variety of products at discount during the sale, including an extensive offering of custom countertops, bath tubs, vanity tops, shower pans, tub decks, shower doors, bath hardware, specialty products, tile, carpet and hardwood. Many name brand products are included this year such as Cambria, Artisan Stone Collection, Kohler, Saratoga Soapstone, Heritage Wood, Caesarstone, Silestone, Corian, Zodiaq, Vetrazzo, Shaw, HiMacs, Viatera, Dal Tile, Artisan Sinks, Coastal, Closet Maid, Atlanta Marble Mfg. and Mohawk.

Wide Selection of Countertops Available at Atlanta Spring Home Show this Weekend

If you are considering options for your next kitchen or bath project, you can’t miss the upcoming Spring Atlanta Home Show. Running this weekend, March 23 to March 25, there will be over 350 exhibitors, including Atlanta Kitchen, a company of Atlanta-based Construction Resources. The booth, #553 in the exhibit hall, is a must-see for any projects involving countertop additions or replacement.
The Atlanta Kitchen booth will showcase Cambria quartz counter surfaces which are gorgeous, highly durable and created in the United States. Cambria is a superior counter surface alternative. It doesn’t require frequent maintenance, is naturally stain and bacteria resistant, and is actually tougher than most now-common stones. Cambria comes in over 90 colors and styles which can emulate granite, marble or be a unique color that can’t be found in nature.

The booth will have five full-size Cambria quartz slabs to see and touch. The slabs will be in the colors of Bellingham, the warm rose quartz Buckingham, the rich mid-tone Canterbury and the white hot marble-style Torquay. There will also be a locally-fabricated kitchen island countertop and 12” by 12” samples of all of Cambria’s 96 colors.

The show is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. If you can’t make the show, visit the giant 20,000 square foot Indoor Slab Gallery to see all that Construction Resources has to offer.