SIZE

The size of the project affects the job cost. How large is the job going to be? Are you replacing cabinets, countertops, or fireplaces? Do you want a custom kitchen design? The amount of space and structure of the home that is used for the project affect the budget. 

MATERIALS

Selections of materials and appliance installations also affect the cost of the project. Do you want to preserve the classic kitchen look? Or do you want to get one-of-a-kind countertops? Do you wish to create a mudroom? Do you want to replace your old, standard-grade kitchen range with an industrial cooktop? These types of upgrades come with bigger budgets.

COMPLEXITY OF PROJECT

Is the condition of your home going to impact the complexity of the project? Sometimes, a home can develop issues like dry rot or inefficient construction that must be addressed before remodeling can occur. Here at Rudd Builders, we take extra time to learn everything we can about your home and its condition during the early stages of the remodel. 

LOCATION

Construction cost are a lot higher in larger cities or areas with higher property value. The accessibility of the property can also add up when materials and supplies need to be transported.  

COST VS. VALUE REPORTS

The Remodeling Magazine publishes an annual Cost Vs. Value report. This report breaks down the country into regions and shows the average cost for average remodeling projects in the area. This useful third-party resource also compares the job cost to the resale value expected. The only problem is that those figures only target the cost of materials for the project.

SPEAK WITH EXPERIENCED SALT LAKE CITY CONTRACTORS

Throughout this article, we have given resources to think about to estimate the cost of your project. However, the best way to find out is to contact Rudd Builders today! Our consultations are given entirely free, hoping that you will learn more about your home and our company. At the end of the day, it is a project to achieve the best aesthetic for your home and to match your needs with a budget that works for you. Let us step in a help you achieve the house of your dreams.

The post How Much Will My Home Remodeling Cost? appeared first on Salt Lake City Contractors.

What is a Mudroom?

A mudroom is a space dedicated to hanging up and putting on hats, scarves, coats, shoes, and other outdoor gear. It is also an area designed to keep all the dirt that is tracked into the house, doubling as an easy-to-clean spot. Components that make up a mudroom include but are not limited to; shelving, wall hooks, and in most cases, seating. 

Choosing The Space

A mudroom can go virtually in any room of the house. However, Ideally, you would want to place your mudroom in a spot that is closest to the main entrance, where people will put on and take off outdoor gear. Common places homeowners use to turn into a mudroom include:

• The front hallway,
• The front or back porch,
• Laundry room,
• Pantry,
• And any other space that happens to lead to the front door. 

Some mudrooms are even built into stairwell landings or closets. So, never shut out the possibility of having a mudroom in your home.

Recessed Mudroom

Along with being able to be installed in just about every room on the middle floor, mudrooms can also be created in two ways. One of them is to create a recessed mudroom where the cabinetry that holds all the hooks, shelving, and seating is built into the wall. In these cases, a wooden backing will be added to protect the wall from any dents or dings. A closet mudroom would naturally be a recessed mudroom.

Mudroom Cabinetry

The other way you could go about creating a mudroom is via built-in cabinetry. These mudrooms tend to stand out while also complementing the interior design of your laundry, kitchen, pantry, living room, or hallway. 

Simplicity Is Key

It is essential to keep it as simple as possible. But keep in mind how many wall hooks you will need and how much storage you need for coats, hats, shoes, umbrellas, and other outdoor gear. Adding a dedicated space for your keys may also be something you’d enjoy. However, simplicity is key, since you don’t want to contribute to the clutter with a massive mudroom that will do everything but keep things organized. 

Contact an Expert Mudroom Remodeling Contractor at Rudd Builders

Still unsure how to approach the installation of a mudroom? The expert contractors at Rudd Builders can help. Rudd Builders has a combined experience of almost 100 years. We have made our name as one of the best Salt Lake City remodeling companies in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, mudrooms, decks, and more. 

At Rudd Builders, we want our clients to get quality installation and products at a fair price. Call our office during regular business hours today for a free consultation on your dream project. 

The post Creating a Mudroom 101 appeared first on Salt Lake City Contractors.

CONVENIENCE

Old windows are, for the most part, hard to operate and maintain. If you are having a hard time sliding or keeping your windows open, it may be time to contact Rudd Builder’s expert contractors to improve the ventilation of your room by installing brand new windows.

LESS MAINTENANCE

If you need to go whip out a ladder to clean your windows from the outside, you may want to go for windows with tilting features. That way you can make your chore days much easier on yourself.

CONDENSATION IS ANNOYING

Do your windows get condensation regularly? If so, installing higher-efficiency glass windows can reduce this problem.  

AIR LEAKS

Having air leaking from your windows is an important issue that many homeowners ignore. Not to mention, it’s terrible on the insulation to your home, but it can rack up your power bill. If you have old wood windows, chances are they have changed shape over time, and you may need to replace your windows to eliminate air leaks in your house.

COMFORT

New windows provide the warm and toasty comfort you have always desired. Double pane glass windows easily reduce the chill and cold from the frigid winter days in Utah, allowing all home inhabitants to stay warm inside the house.

MANY REPAIRS

In the short term, quick fixes can do a great job of resolving window issues. However, if you need to make a lot of quick fixes, it may be more economical to invest in new and reliable windows.

CONTACT RUDD BUILDERS

If you still are on the fence about getting your windows replaced, consult an experienced remodeling contract that can help you determine the condition of your windows. That way, you won’t have any temptation to put a patch over a big problem. 

To get new windows installed, contact us online or call our office during normal business hours to get the best service in all of Utah, for a decent price. 

The post Should I Replace My Windows? appeared first on Salt Lake City Contractors.

Sometimes, hardwood floors can be restored by simply sanding down and refinishing the surface when they show signs of wear and tear. So, how do you know when it’s time to get a whole new floor instead of refinishing? 

Water Damage

Hardwood that has been exposed to significant amounts of water can start to rot as a result of moisture. If there’s only a small part of the hardwood floor affected by water damage, you shouldn’t worry to the point of replacing your whole flooring. However, if a significant portion of your hardwood floors has been damaged by water, installing new flooring is your only option.

Too Much Sanding

Every time you sand your hardwood floors, you are removing material and making the planks thinner. You will find that there will come the point where your hardwood floors don’t have enough material to be sanded and refinished. Once you have reached this point, you will have no choice but to replace your floor. A way you can tell if you’ve reached your sanding limit is to look for exposed nails. It’s best to only sand your floors three to five times before you replace them. 

Off Trend

Styles and trends come and go, so it may be that you will want to replace your floors because you’re no longer satisfied with the style of your home.  

If that’s the case, make sure to choose a timeless style of hardwood; that way you don’t run into the same problem in a couple of years. Avoid buying woods that are trendy, such as gray or blonde wood. Instead, look for darker, wide-planked wood that will look good regardless of the trends.

Issues Lie Below

There are certain home issues that can only be addressed by removing the existing floor. For example, if the planks were to be moving under your feet as you walk across the room or make a lot of noise. The issue could be with your subflooring, and you would need a professional to rip out the old floor to correct any problems underneath.

If you should need a contractor to remodel your flooring with a fresh installation, call our expert technicians at Rudd Builders to get the best service in all of Utah.

The post When Should You Replace Your Hardwood Floors? appeared first on Salt Lake City Contractors.

5 Most Durable Materials

We know that flooring installation in your home can be pretty expensive and time-consuming, so it’s best to get it right the first time. This is why we have taken the liberty to list some of our recommendations for those seeking durable materials. Below are our top 5 recommended most durable flooring options to install for your flooring remodel. 

Hardwood

Hardwood is one of the most common options for flooring in the United States. Coming in either planks or strips, the most common wood used in making hardwood floors includes oak, maple, and mahogany; but, some manufacturers also offer exotic wood varieties such as Brazilian Cherry and Tigerwood.

Many people pick hardwood flooring because it just looks great in any home and increases the value of your home by quite a bit. This material is very durable and can be easily refinished should the wood lose its luster. If you are considering installing hardwood in your home, ensure to place it in areas of the house with low moisture. This will guarantee that the material won’t shrink, swell, or split. 

Bamboo

Bamboo is an eco-friendly alternative to hardwood flooring material while sharing the same look. It also comes in planks and strips with a variety of grain patterns. This material is easier to maintain as the refinishing process is quick and easy. Much like hardwood, this material is seldom suitable for high moister. Try to avoid dark colors as the colorants used to give the material color weakens its fibers.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are manufactured from a mixture of shale and clay that is then heat-treated in a kiln. These fun tiles come with different patterns, colors, and shapes, making them a desirable material to match your interior design. 

This material is best in higher-traffic areas such as kitchens and hallways. They are a fantastic option for wet rooms like the bathroom or laundry room since they are naturally water-resistant. 

Laminate

Laminate flooring is similar to hardwood. However, they are made of compressed wood or plywood covered by a thin veneer. Since they are still made of wood materials, laminate won’t be an excellent option for high-moisture and wet areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements with leak problems.

Vinyl

For a flexible, resilient, and economical option, try vinyl. It is made from PVC plastic (polyvinyl chloride). Some vinyl comes with felt layers that make the tiles softer; others are cushioned with layers of foam and even textured to have a similar feeling to hardwood floors. They come in peel-and-stick backing that doesn’t require additional adhesives before installment. Vinyl is also by far the cheapest flooring material to maintain. 

Once you have picked your desired material, you need an experienced contractor to make sure all your tiles are appropriately placed, leveled, and more. Our contractors at Rudd Builders are experts in home remodeling; call our offices today to get a free consultation and start building the home of your dreams.

The post Which Flooring Material Lasts the Longest? appeared first on Salt Lake City Contractors.

First, let’s talk about the different options available. These include natural stone such as marble, granite, soapstone – just to start. You can also explore options such as butcher block (which is beautiful but will require periodic treatment) but scratches and nicks can be buffed out; metal (stainless steel or zinc); concrete (today’s concrete countertops are prefabrication and come in a variety of styles and colors; tile; or Formica laminate. Obviously, in making your choice you will want to weigh your options. Pros and cons should be explored between you and your contractor. Of consideration should be appearance, durability, how well the material will withstand wear and tear, and overall price.

In addition to the countertop, characteristics can be accentuated with a backsplash. Backsplashes are often done in tile and can pull out or highlight your kitchen countertop. The tiles themselves can also be made to match the stone you end up using on your countertop. However, choosing a countertop should be decided based on what works for you. Here are a few things to consider before you commit to a countertop material:

How will the countertop be used?

The most crucial aspect of your countertop decision should be assessed by how you and your family use the kitchen. It’s also important to make a choice that can withstand all varieties of cooking and cleaning that you do without having to make an extra effort to its maintenance. Also, materials that are stain-resistant are amazing if you have toddlers that love to spill their fruit punch on the counter.

Do you agree with its maintenance?

As stated before, you should choose a material that doesn’t demand much maintenance. Many countertop materials come with a chore list of upkeep demands, while some are more resilient. It’s important to be realistic about how much effort you’re going to want to put into the maintenance of your countertop. Don’t just fall in love with a material, if you do not agree with its upkeep routine.

Can your budget handle it?

Kitchen countertop materials vary greatly when it comes to price. A butcher block style of countertop will naturally cost less than solid marble. So, bear in mind the budget that you have and how the ideal countertop fits into it. Though, it’s also reasonable to spend more than you planned, as this is going to become the centerpiece of your home for many years to come.

Our experts at Rudd Builders hope that these tips have kick-started your thinking and directed you closer to finding the best material for your kitchen countertop. Should you need more help, call our offices for a free consultation. Together we will build the kitchen of your dreams.

The post Choosing the Best Material for your Kitchen Counter Top appeared first on Salt Lake City Contractors.

OUTDATED FIXTURES

You may have just purchased a home with a bathroom from the early 70s, or you may have started to notice white deposits from hard water all over your fixtures; remodeling may be something you need. Updating all your old fixtures is the best remodeling that you can do to your bathroom without a significant investment. Should you need a professional to make sure all your fixtures are installed correctly and efficiently, hire your local trusted contractors.

ADAPT TO NEW LIFESTYLE

It’s always important to adjust your house to any lifestyle changes. For example, you and your spouse are struggling for space for the bathroom sink, or maybe your children now need a bathtub instead of a small walk-in shower. You and your family’s needs will change as time passes; updating your bathroom will help you adapt to these changes a lot easier. 

INCREASE VALUE

If you’re thinking about selling your property soon, consider updating its bathroom to give the property a big boost in resale value. There are many studies that show that most buyers will be more likely to opt into a property that does not need additional work. 

PERSONAL ESCAPE

We spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Some studies show that most people spend over 30 minutes a day in the bathroom, that’s over 180 hours in a year, almost eight days. If you’re going to commit to using your precious time in a bathroom, you might as well make it a comfortable and relaxing experience. Design the space to make it feel like a luxurious spa and make those 30 minutes a day something to look forward to.

STORAGE SPACE

The most common reason why most people will remodel anything is that they feel they do not have enough storage space. Remodeling your bathroom can increase storage space by adding new linen closets, double vanity with extra cabinet space, and overall room expansion. 

If you’re considering remodeling your bathroom, consult with one of our professional and trusted contractors today to start designing the bathroom of your dreams.

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