Kitchen Remodel or Bathroom Renovation Yield Best ROI

Kitchens and Baths Top The List For Renovations That Yield Best Return On Investment

According to USNews.com

Kitchens. Although a kitchen remodel returns only 66 percent, on average, Chris Dossman, a real estate agent with Century 21 Scheetz in Indianapolis, says kitchens are one of the first things homebuyers look at. "If you have a house that doesn't have an updated kitchen but you have a remodeled attic, that's not what people are looking for," she says.
A major kitchen redesign may not be a good decision if the space only requires a facelift. "You don't have to completely gut your kitchen if it's in good working shape," says Adam Taffel, a real estate broker with Centre Realty Group in Newton, Mass. In many cases, less-drastic updates like refinishing surfaces, upgrading appliances, and installing new light fixtures will cut it.
But making the mistake of opting for a facelift when the space does, in fact, need a full-scale remodel will cost you. "You need to ask yourself questions like, 'Are the cabinets structurally sound enough that if I spend a significant amount of money refacing them, are they going to just fall apart anyway?'" says Darius Baker, a contractor with D&J Kitchen & Baths, Inc. in Sacramento, Calif.

Baths. Investing in a bathroom remodel yields a 62 percent return, on average, but you've got to do it right. Many homebuyers are looking for a master bathroom with two sinks, custom showers, and great lighting. You'll turn off buyers if you only put in the minimal amount of work. "A lot of folks, when they buy a home, don't want to have put a lot of work into it," says agent Wyman. "An outdated bathroom requires a lot of work." Since bathrooms are especially prone to looking dated, pick neutral colors and finishings.
Also consider bumping out the size of a bathroom. Many buyers looking for a three-bedroom home want two full baths rather than one full and one half bath, says bath contractor Baker.

And sometimes less is more. "Giving it new paint, a new toilet, a new shower faucet, and a new [shower]head is probably the best bang for your buck. But that's assuming the flooring is nice and the walls around the tub and shower are in good standing condition," says contractor Dennis Gehman of Gehman Design Remodeling in Harleysville, Penn.



Any Day is a good day schedule your free kitchen/bath consultation with Performance Plumbing!

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Cold Weather Plumbing Problems - No More Frozen Pipes!

Homeowners should be aware of troubles that come with frigid temperatures, especially when it comes to pipes. Disconnect outside water hoses. Water left in the hoses can freeze and expand, causing faucets and connecting pipes inside your home to freeze and break.

• Make sure outside faucets aren't dripping or leaking.
• When pipes freeze, water pressure builds causing cracks - no matter if the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even a tiny crack can unleash more than 250 gallons of water in a single day.
• If your home has interior shut-off valves leading to outside faucets, close them and drain water from lines.
• Cover outside faucets using a faucet insulation kit available at home centers.
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as garages or crawl spaces, with heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables.
• Seal door and window leaks to reduce cold air drafts.
• Your water heater works harder during cold weather. Flush it out and remove sediment buildup, which causes corrosion, shortens its life span and reduces heating efficiency. Drain several gallons from the faucet near the bottom of the tank through a hose directed into a nearby drain.
• Carefully test the water heater's pressure relief valve (water is very hot) by lifting up on the lever and letting it snap back. The valve should allow a burst of hot water into the drainpipe. If not, call a professional to have a new valve installed.
• Set the water heater's thermostat at 120°F for optimum performance.
• Clear leaves and debris from downspouts to ensure easy drainage when water freezes and thaws.
• Inspect and clean sump pump and pit. Pumps exposed to extreme cold can freeze, preventing the pump from operating.
• When leaving home for extended periods, shut off the main water valve and drain the system by opening faucets at the highest and lowest points of the house. Keep the heat on and set no lower than 55 degrees.

Follow these tips if you stay in the home during the colder months. Many additional steps should be taken for vacation properties that will be abandoned or left unattended for weeks or months at a time. Seek professional help for such properties. performanceplumbinginc.com

2012 BBB Torch Award Recipient

Performance Plumbing Inc. won the 2012 BBB Torch Award for its exceptional service! It is very difficult for a service company to even be nominated for such an award with the multitudes of customers being serviced daily, and we are proud to have won.



The BBB staff put together a video profile of Performance Plumbing and we wanted to share it with you. click here----VIDEO