An enterprising homeowner in the Portland, Ore. area set out to do a luxury kitchen remodel for $10,000, according to his blog (which is anonymous, so we have to take this story with a certain amount of skepticism). He did go a bit over budget at $12,040, he writes, but that’s not bad. He made…
Richard Gomez was on a mission to build a contemporary 2,250-square-foot home in Long Beach’s East Village Arts District for less than $280,000, which is less than $80 per square foot, including the land. That is half to one-third the norm. As you can imagine, Richard’s budget required cutting costs at every possible juncture (though…
Why do we elect politicians who pass legislation to benefit the rich? My theory is that we all think we could be rich someday (most of us won’t be!) and we want the laws set in place when we get there. I mean, isn’t that one of the main advantages of living in the United…
As wind slams against the old, rattling, leaky, single-pane windows in my house (not pictured here), a tempest brews inside about the merits of keeping the curtains closed in the daytime to keep the house warmer (which is about the most depressing idea I’ve heard in a long time). And so getting new, snug, dual-pane,…
As you may have heard, the federal government has a plan to stimulate the economy, and that could mean: Six hundred bucks coming at ya! Well, 117 million of us would get that. Or more. Or less. And probably starting in May. Details to be worked out. But the big question is: What would you…
According to the annual Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling magazine, three projects will actually bring more money when you sell the house than the projects cost. They are: Wood deck additionCost: $12,812, Resale value: $13,836, Cost recouped: 108% Minor kitchen remodelCost: $22,698, Resale value: $23,494, Cost recouped: $103.5% Window replacement – woodCost: $13,120, Resale…
A woman in Ontario has been locked out of her historic home — which is being foreclosed upon — for selling historic items in the house on Craigslist. She says she added the items, like antique light fixtures, herself and therefore has a right to sell them before she loses the house. The city, which…
In my 17 years writing about remodels, I’ve been fairly insistent on one issue: The cost of the remodel must be revealed. After all, what value is a feature on a lovely kitchen remodel if you don’t know whether it cost $20,000 or $120,000? Why should I pour carbon into the environment to travel out…
Remodeling contractors can be infuriating, especially when they stand in your house and respond to your ideas by saying things such as: "That’s really going to cost you." Or: "There’s going to be maintenance issues with that." You might reply with a simple: "Thanks for stopping by," but what you’re really screaming inside is: "You’re…
A reader asked good question recently, one I’ve heard the likes of before: Who needs a Sub-Zero refrigerator? Who needs a $10,000 Viking range? Who needs to spend so much on appliances? This reader said he got a kitchen full of good-quality appliances — refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher — for less than $2,600 at Sears.…