Things You Should Pay Special Attention to When Updating Your Garage

If you're like most homeowners, your garage probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when it's time for a home renovation project. However, updating your garage can be a great way to improve your home's overall functionality and aesthetics. Here are some things you should pay special attention to when updating your garage.

Security

For most homeowners, a garage door is the largest moving object in their home. A typical single paneled garage door weighs upward of 45 kilograms and requires a lot of force to move. That's why you should update your garage door with stronger parts that prevent the possibility of break-ins. For security purposes, the most common updated parts include the garage door track, the hinges, and the cylinders. Of course, security parts also come in a wide range of colors and designs to allow you to personalize your home's exterior appearance. Consult a company offering garage door services, one like JTM Garage Door Service LLC, to advise you on updating the door’s parts to your needs and wants.

Appearance

In addition to updating your garage door with stronger features, you should consider how it will open and close when designing any new opener or security system. When it comes to colors, most garage doors are typically painted the same color as the home's exterior, but there are some exceptions where homeowners will paint their garages with bold or contrasting colors. Depending on what type of vehicle(s) you own, you may want a one-piece door that folds upward as a traditional door would, which is better suited for larger vehicles such as minivans or SUVs. If you often park smaller vehicles inside the garage - such as camrys or mini coopers - you may opt for a larger, two-piece door that folds down.

Functionality

You should also consider the functionality of your garage concerning storing your vehicle(s) and other belongings. Garage storage options include cabinets which are ideal if you don't have a lot of space and need to store away smaller items such as sports equipment or gardening tools. Larger garage storage can be achieved by installing garage flooring designed to hold large items such as sports cars or even a boat. Another option for adding extra space in your garage is a suspended ceiling which includes a removable panel. This allows you to store things above the roof of your garage without having to worry about the ceiling caving in on your stored items.

Garage renovations are typically best left to professionals who provide you with quality and comprehensive parts and installation services. However, if you're handy and don't mind taking on a DIY project, knowing which garage door parts to purchase will go a long way in making your home safer, appearance more attractive, and functionality better than ever before.

Guest Post - How to Claim Your Home Warranty

Your home warranty covers repairs and replacements on the appliances in your home. When you purchase a home warranty, your home appliance and system repairs will be covered for one year. Everyone’s home warranty is different; many standard plans include coverage of all parts and components of your house’s electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, and other appliances. You can also customize your plan to make sure your home is completely covered.

Claiming Your Home Warranty

Home warranties are different from your typical home insurance. They cover appliances and systems rather than the structure of your home and can help you save money from surprise home repair expenses. Your home insurance does not cover appliances like your dishwasher. If you want to make sure that all of your appliances and systems - from your washing machine to your plumbing - can be repaired as easily as possible and at an affordable price, then you’ll need a home warranty.

Home warranty claims typically follow this process:

1. Policy Holder Contacts Home Warranty Service Provider 

2. Home Warranty Provider Connects Homeowner with Technician

3. Technician or Repairman Inspects Broken Appliance or System

4. Home Warranty Covers Item Repair or Replacement

Is There a Waiting Period?

Depending on the company you choose to get your home warranty from, you’ll likely have a waiting period of at least 14 days. Some policies don’t start until 30 days after you make your first payment on the plan. The reason for these extended waiting periods is companies want to make sure the appliances have truly stopped functioning because of old age or functionality. After the 14-30 day period has passed you can open up a claim. It is important to note that a waiting period of 30 days is typically seen if you did not buy your warranty within a real estate transaction. 

When Should You Request Service?

Home warranties typically cover 12 months, so you can make a service request at any time after your waiting period has ended. Depending on your contract and policy provider, you may be able to request service any day at any time. The easiest way to submit a claim is to follow the instructions listed on your contract or go online to the company’s customer portal. You can also call them, but many companies aren’t available 24/7. 

Are There Claim Caps?

Some warranty plans may limit the number of service appointments or claims that you can make. To know what your cap is be sure to look at your annual coverage limits because some might have a cap price that is higher than another depending on the appliance.  For example, a washing machine might have a cap price of a few hundred dollars while plumbing might have a thousand dollars of wiggle room.

Do Warranties Cover Preventative Maintenance?

Unfortunately, many home warranties do not cover preventative maintenance, which means that homeowners pay out of pocket to maintain systems like their plumbing and HVAC. If you don’t maintain your systems and appliances, your home warranty provider can refuse to cover the cost of your repairs. 

Some warranty providers go beyond regular home repairs and will help homeowners maintain their appliances and systems. Do your research before you choose a provider so that you know exactly what you’ll need to pay out of pocket. 

What Can You Do If a Claim Is Denied?

Your warranty provider has the right to deny any of your claims when you need a repair. The warranty company will always send a contractor to your home to inspect items that need to be repaired and report back anything they find. For example, they will tell the warranty provider whether or not you have been keeping up with maintenance. If you haven’t been, your claim can be denied. Luckily, there are a few steps that you can take when your claim is denied. 

1. Review your contract. Your agreement will state how to handle appeals. 

2. Contact your home warranty provider. Make sure that you keep a list of dates you spoke to the company representative and include names. If direct instructions for appeals aren’t outlined in your agreement, make sure that you get the paperwork or instructions to appeal the denial of your claim. 

3. Hire another contractor. Contact one of your local contractors to assess the item that needs to be repaired and get an estimate for the job. Ask the contractor to give you a note that states the cause of the damage. 

4. Follow the appeal process outlined by your warranty company. This may include providing additional documentation. 

Other Solutions

• Contact the attorney general’s office that handles service denials and warranty fraud

• File a lawsuit in small claims court

• Hire a lawyer for large claims

Getting a Home Warranty

A home warranty can protect you from unnecessary expenses when something in your home breaks. Not to mention home warranties are great for every type of homeowner to help ease the stress of your first house or your last. To get a home warranty, all you have to do is research home warranty companies online and find the best plan for your home.

Next, speak to a customer service representative and sign a contract to make sure everything you need is covered. 

Remember, different plans cover different appliances and systems, so make sure you read the agreement thoroughly before signing. Once you agree on a company and service that works best for you, you are all set and you can enjoy the comfort, relaxation, and success of owning your home. 

About Author: Marné Amoguis

Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.

What It Costs to Remodel a Kitchen: Here’s the Typical Price Tag

As a result of everyone spending more time at home during the last two years, more and more people are remodeling their homes. Kitchens are high on the list since this is one of the most high-traffic areas of any home. There are many factors that determine the final price for a kitchen remodel such as the size of the space, materials used, and the price of labor in your area. There are some ballpark numbers for different levels of remodels from research compiled by the real estate experts at HomeLight, and interior designer The Habitalist, that can help you get a basic idea as you start your research. 

Minor: $10,000 - $15,000 

When you want to increase a home’s marketability with low-cost improvements, or simply make a kitchen more pleasant to work and spend time in (with the least amount of financial commitment), then a minor kitchen remodel can be the way to go. A minor kitchen remodel is about updating the areas of your kitchen that are dated but without a major overhaul. This kind of change includes painting or refinishing your cabinets, replacing or adding a backsplash behind your sink, painting or adding a colorful accent wall, and even installing new appliances and light fixtures. The Habitalist shared with HomeLight that this kind of remodel could be in the lower price range if you go for a DIY job painting cabinets, use affordable white subway tiles, and go for a low-cost countertop like butcher’s block or Formica, instead of pricier stone materials like granite or marble.

Mid-scale: $15,000 - $30,000 

For a change that still isn’t too disruptive, but with better materials, you’ll be in the range of a mid-scale remodel. Rather than painting or refinishing cabinets, you can resurface them and also replace cabinet hardware and even your kitchen sink. You might also go for a natural stone countertop in quartz or granite. If you have the space, adding a kitchen island with overhead pendant lights can be a welcome addition.  If you feel like splurging, you can opt for stainless steel appliances, which you might even be able to get for a discount if you buy a refrigerator, stove, and oven, all at once. With midscale, you are still upgrading rather than starting a full-on renovation project.  

Major: $29,000 - $64,000 

A major kitchen remodel is the kind of project that makes you wonder if you are still standing in the same kitchen when everything is done. Tearing down walls and reconfiguring the placement of appliances, a sink, and a kitchen island could all be part of a major kitchen remodel. If you’re thinking of selling a home, going for a major kitchen remodel can make a home stand out in a competitive market. The sky's the limit with a custom layout and cabinetry, top-of-the-line materials and appliances, and upgrades that add that wow factor. To save money on a major kitchen remodel, you can mix high- and low-end finishes — with high-end cabinets and countertops while saving money on hardware, faucets, and light fixtures.

Remodeling a kitchen is a project, no matter how you price it out. Just how big of a project you make it, depends on your budget and what your future goals are for your home.

Repairs You Might Need to Make After Moving Into an Old Home

Are you getting ready to move into an old house and don’t know what to do next? Many home buyers do what is called due diligence, meaning that they hire an inspector to make a note of all potential problem areas of a house before making the final purchase. When moving into an older house, you might need to address those problem areas more frequently than you would with a newer house. The following are some repairs you might need to plan for. 

Basic Repairs

Some of the basic repairs that might need to be done in your home are: a new paint job, checking and replacing the wall outlets, making sure that all the electrical sockets function without any hazards, as well as replacing the old carpets. The last item, replacing the old carpets, is best done as a precautionary measure as many times you don’t know what they’ve suffered or to what they’ve been exposed. Finally, you should also check if the previous owners drilled holes in the walls, or if any existing holes need to be filled. This basic maintenance, if done thoroughly and in a timely fashion will help to ensure that your new house keeps its value long after you initially move in and call it “home”.

Advanced Repairs

Further measures that may entail more in-depth inspection and a larger investment, include possibly replacing the roof tiles as well as adding indoor insulation. If any molding or what is known as fruiting bodies has gathered in the interior woodwork, work must also be done to eliminate and replace that as well, as it is potentially a health hazard. Also, how long has it been since the previous owners have checked their furnace and air conditioner? Do they still function properly? How old are they? These are all important questions you must ask once you move in, as they could create a potentially very unpleasant summer and winter. 

HVAC Repairs

HVAC repairs are often needed after moving into a new house. If either the furnace or the air conditioner is malfunctioning or needs to be replaced, it is often recommended to replace both systems at the same time. Furthermore, one should also get at least four estimates from reliable, certified contractors, as to the cost of repairs. Finally, the appropriate size of the HVAC system must be accurately measured. 

All this hard work of getting settled into your new home can be exhausting, but it will be worth it. You will now be able to enjoy your home with peace of mind.