Do You Want a Balcony?

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Legion Builders

One of the advantages of an apartment that many homeowners feel they are missing out on is a balcony. Balconies offer a special luxury different than any other luxury around the house. They are great for stepping out on for a breath of fresh air, just to get some sun, or sit and have a meal or drink on. Balconies are versatile and can be built into most homes, both new and old.

One of the biggest advantages of balconies is the feeling of more outdoor living space. This can be used for various occasions depending on how much space you have. Alternatively, you could also use a balcony for storage, where you can keep anything from tools to bicycles and sports equipment. There are so many options when it comes to balconies. You can furnish it with chairs and tables for a place to sit and eat or have a drink.

The biggest deciding factor with having a balcony built is permission. You have to ensure that you do not violate any codes with regards to building restrictions and prohibitions. Refer to your state’s building codes to ensure you build according to the correct balcony height, railing height, dimensions, weight load support, and any other criteria. This is important because it helps prevent collapses and other avoidable catastrophes.

Prices obviously vary, but you will be pleasantly surprised to find that balconies are not particularly expensive. After having yours built, make sure you run regular inspections to ensure it is in good shape and there is no damage, rotting wood, or loose railings.

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Building a Swimming Pool

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Legion Builders

If you live somewhere warm, like Houston, Texas, you might want to build a swimming pool with your new home. There are plenty of specialists who can help you build the pool of you and your family’s dreams. Swimming pools are a huge relief during the lengthy, hot summers that have become almost unbearable in recent years.

Swimming pools can be custom built to suit your taste, budget, and general circumstances. If you have unrestricted space and budget, then obviously you can build a larger pool with various features. One plus side is that you can make it different depths, especially if you have young children. After all, you want to make sure that your children can have fun in the pool as well. You can have it heated and choose whatever type of lighting you want.

There are several choices you will have to make when it comes to buying a pool. You can choose from either a submerged or an above-ground pool. Above-ground pools are generally cheaper but are more difficult for small children and the elderly to climb up to get in to. Different types of filters and pool finishes will also affect how you use your pool and the price of maintenance. The types of pool finishes that are common to choose from are liner, fiberglass, or tiles.

While maintaining a pool does require some ongoing expenses, it can be a great investment for the whole family in the future. It is a great place to gather friends and family during the summer time and it provides a good opportunity to keep your kids active throughout the summer (supervised, of course!).

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Buying Your First House

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Legion Builders

There are several considerations and calculations to make before you decide to take the plunge and buy your first house. Primarily, your financial situation at the present time and in the future will be a huge deciding factor for you. Also important is your lifestyle and family situation.

Plan on a few things before you buy your house. Try to factor in your family situation; how will that affect the neighborhood you choose and choice of house? What about your lifestyle? Are you comfortable with mowing the lawn and other home maintenance tasks? Take a tour of all the neighborhoods you might be interested in with your family and get their feedback. Calculate your current and future household budgets to see where you stand. Ask around for a reliable lawyer and inspector that can help you through the process of home buying. Friends or relatives can help out with recommending someone.

When you come to calculate the finances of buying your first house you might want to consult with an expert. However, most resources recommend that in order to qualify for a conventional loan, you should ensure that your monthly costs (like mortgage, insurance, and property tax) should not be more than 28% of your gross income per month (from things like salary, pensions, alimony, and self-employment income). At the same time, the total of debt payments per month (student loans, credit cards, etc) should not be more than 36% in total including housing costs.

Additionally, there are costs that many homebuyers are shocked to discover they have to pay for. A down payment is just the beginning. There are also inspection costs, closing costs, application and appraisal fees, attorney and recording fees, first month homeowner insurance, title search, and title insurance. Remember to plan for these extra expenses.

Make sure you are prepared, as there is nothing more frustrating to think you’ve found the perfect home only to discover you can’t afford it – or if you’re a seller to be on the brink of selling your home for it to fall through!

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Bathroom Ideas

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Legion Builders

When you build a new home, you have a lot on your mind. You are thinking about things like wall and floor finishes, what you want your kitchen design to look like, furniture layout, and color coordinating. One of the most important rooms in the house, the bathroom, will definitely be at the top of your list. To make it the best it can be, take your time considering a few of the following ideas.

The innovations in bathroom decoration that have sprouted over the past few years are not just inspirational, but functional, as well. One interesting idea is using toweling fabric. You can use it as curtains to give your bathroom a modern look. If you have enough space in your bathroom for furniture, a small upholstered sofa or chair covered in toweling is another great idea. If you like the idea of furniture but not toweling, you can add any type of furniture and linen is a great alternative to toweling.

Lighting is also important. Directional lights and dimming lights are important if you want to be able to soften your bathroom. If you want to try something different, hang a unique chandelier in your bathroom. Mirrors are also great at reflecting light and brightening up a room, that is, if you want more light in your bathroom.

Layout is an important consideration when it comes to your bathroom. Some people prefer a shower and bath in one and others prefer them separately, space allowing. Remember to make space for shelves and storage areas for your towels and other toiletries. But, the most important thing to remember is that shower and bath layouts are expensive to change, so the decision you make now is likely to be permanent.

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What You Need to Do Before Having Home Extensions and Renovations

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Legion Builders

Homeowners have different reasons for renovating or adding an extension. It could be that you need more space or you want to give your house a new look. Whatever the reason, whether you are adding a new room or transforming your home, it is important you confirm with your local council what requirements you need to get the go ahead. This is usually important if you are building a new structure. It is important to plan ahead so that you do it quick and do not make the environment affect your neighbors negatively.

After consulting the council, they will be able to inspect where you are building so as to check if the area is in perfect condition and run pest inspections before you start renovating. Once the council has taken care of this, then your builders will be given the authorization to continue with the work. The council is very important when it comes to building and renovating because if you do not consult them it can lead to your building being suspended or demolished. An approved building means that the building is safe and is indeed obtained through a certified builder.

If you are planning to have an extension or renovations done, it is important you check with your council about the requirements. Then have the council inspect for the structural soundness and pests. Also, they can refer qualified builders to handle your project. Following the right procedures will help you have things done correctly and professionally.

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The Advantages of Buying a New Home

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Legion Builders

Most people know why they want a new home. There are clear advantages of why anyone might want a brand new home that has been built from scratch. That is not to say that buying an older home is a bad idea. Everyone has a preference. There are pros and cons with almost any choice you will ever make in life, including the kind of home you choose to live in.

For some, just knowing that no one has ever used the bathroom, stepped barefoot across the floors, or left a mess in the kitchen is enough reason to build a new home. Another important advantage is the fact that there is much less maintenance involved with a new home. An older home will require much more work (and money) from the get-go. Financially speaking, even a new home can be a better investment in the long run. The market is so down-trodden that many home builders are flexible and offer extra incentives to encourage potential buyers. Some incentives might be things like a finished basement or upgraded kitchen. Newer homes are also a better investment in the long-run, in case you decide to sell. Your new home will be more up to date and meet more recent home building standards.

In fact, the pros of buying a new home are so tempting that the cons are hardly significant. For example, while the overall price of a new home might be slightly higher, with added incentives and savings on maintenance costs, you could end up breaking even, financially. However, one downside to building a new home is that, with a new area, you might end up living in a sort of construction site for quite some time until construction of the area is complete. The main advantage of buying an older home is knowing what you are getting into; the neighborhood will have been well-established for quite some time and so you will be able to get a good idea of its reputation and decide if it is the right area for you.

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Make Your Home Pet Friendly

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Legion Builders

Millions of Americans have pets, and you might be one of them. In fact, around six out of every ten own a pet. If you have a pet, you might be concerned about moving and how a new home will affect him/her. If you love your pet and want to make sure your new home is as comfortable for him/her as it is for you, then you are on the right track. Many people overlook this point when moving or building a new house and regret it so try to plan accordingly. Even if you don’t have a pet but know that one day you might sell your home, whether or not your home is pet-friendly could have an influence on how well it sells in the future.

Just like a little child, pets can get into all kinds of trouble, which is why you need to remove any hazards before moving in. Make sure there is no loose wiring that your pet could come into contact with. Poisonous materials and substances should also be carefully locked away. Small animals, like kittens, can suffocate from playing with plastic bags. Always keep a barrier in front of heating vents as your pet might want to curl up next to it for the warmth and end up falling in.

Consider building extra doors to block off certain rooms or areas of your house that could be dangerous for pets. While building your new home, check if the builders can build a small portable dog house or cat house to give your pet their own personal space and shelter when outside. Even a large crate can be built to protect your pet on some occasions, especially when you are gone for a short period of time. If you really want to go all out for your pet, you can have cat ramps/cat trees built in your home for cats or a platform bed, which are the same concept as window seats. Built-in benches are a great solution for storing pet accessories and supplies and can easily be decorated to fit in with the rest of your home.

Many people are keen on ensuring their home is safe and welcoming for their pet, which is why even those who don’t own a pet should look into how their new home can accommodate one if need be.

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Would You Live in a Glass House?

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Legion Builders

Living in a glass house is not necessarily the most common or sought out kind of home. But, it has in recent years begun to gain more and more popularity. While it may look nice and modern, it is not for everyone. While it may not have a long history, it has quickly become something some people are considering.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was the first architect to build a glass structure in 1929 in Barcelona. This Barcelona Pavilion was built as part of an international exposition and was ground breaking in the world of architecture. Following this, he built the first “proper” glass house in Plano, Illinois in 1951. It was unprecedented and the first of its kind. These days the 1,500 square foot house is open to the public to visit as a house museum and in 2006 it was even designated a national historic landmark.

These days there are hundreds of glass homes across the world. For people who want to live in a glass house but are reluctant; you may like the idea of opting for a portion of the house being see-through and the rest built out of any other solid material to get the best of both worlds.

Living in a glass house means there are a number of considerations to think about. For example, how comfortable are you being so exposed? Are the weather conditions permitting of such a home? Also, another important concern is safety. Living in a glass house means you may need to be able to invest in the best security available. And be ready to surrender most of your privacy!

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Building a Guest House

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Legion Builders

Building a guest house is easier than you think and a great investment in the long run. Your professional home builders can work with you to build the perfect guest house. Guest houses have several uses and are worth the extra cash if you have the extra space for it.

While you would obviously be able to use a guest house to receive guests in, you can use it for other purposes as well. You can use a guest house as your own personal mini retreat where you can take short breaks away from the everyday grind of your hectic life. You can also use it to rent out either for long-term or short-term stays. This is a great way to get your money back and eventually earn a small regular profit.

The best part is that you can create a completely different building structure than your main home. It can be built like a cottage and have the same warm and cozy feel to it. This is a great place to spend chilly winter evenings in and imagine you are some place far away. Or you can go the other way and create a luxury style mini retreat with all the extras. You can build an exotic bungalow that reminds you of an exciting or romantic getaway you’ve been on. The options are almost endless.

If you are concerned about the environment and creating unnecessary waste, you can work with your professional builders to see how you can make your guest house out of recycled and eco-friendly materials.

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Chandeliers for Your New Home

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Legion Builders

Chandeliers are an essential part of our home’s décor. It is one of the first things anyone sees when they walk into a room and it serves an important purpose; to offer us lighting! When choosing a chandelier there are a number of things to consider like its functionality, style, size, and color. What is great about chandeliers is that they can be hung in almost any room.

First, you will need to narrow down the specific style you are looking for relative to the room; is the room you will hang the chandelier in modern or traditional, and do you want it to match or contrast with that style? Do you want something more casual or formal? A formal dining area will accordingly want more formal chandeliers as opposed to a casual dining setting, where you can choose something low key. Traditional chandeliers tend to have more ornamentation and movement as opposed to modern, which has more straight lines and basic shapes. Both styles can be very versatile in decorating.

Look at the colors in the room; try to coordinate with the color that stands out the most. The level of lighting you want your chandelier to provide is also an important consideration. Many chandeliers come with various colors and materials of shades, which can look very modern.

Keep in mind size. A chandelier should be a reasonable size in relation to the size of the room. If the chandelier is excessively small for the room it will look lost and if it is too big it will overpower the room. A good rule to follow is, for example, if the room measurement is 12’ x 14’, add 12 and 14 and that is how big the diameter should be; around 26”. Likewise, if it is hanging in the dining room, the chandelier should measure around 12 inches, or 30 centimeters, narrower than the width of your dining table. The lowest hanging part of the chandelier should be at least 7’ from the ground. If you have high ceilings, instead of one-tiered chandeliers, you should opt for two-tiered as it will complement the huge space between the floor and ceiling.

While many are in favor of sticking to one style, that is, matching your chandeliers to the room, many contemporary designers encourage mixing modern with traditional for a more original and unique look.

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