Small budget remodeling ideas (part 2)

Start small and remodel one room at a time. What does this remodel usually entail? Three gallons of paint, about 200 feet of moulding, and a couple of interior doors. Now you might say that sounds way too easy, because it is. Follow these simple steps and you'll be on your way:

• Find yourself a carpenter first. Explain to him what your remodeling goals are and the time line in which you figure on completing each goal.
  
• Stop by your local lumberyard to pick up some moulding samples. I would stay away from the box stores. They notoriously reel you in on the $5.00 off a gallon of paint and then hammer the consumer on moulding and millwork. Trust me I've gone and done cost analysis on my spare time. In addition to the cost factor, you'll get better advice, better quality material and broader options. I assume most lumberyards give you free samples, we do it and it has proved very successful for our moulding and millwork sales. While at your local lumberyard stop into their showroom and view their interior door options. If your painting the doors, take a look at their molded door option (sometimes referred to as Masonite doors). Think outside the box. Manufacturers of molded doors do not typically upcharge for their different styles. So don't feel confined to six panel doors when you can buy a 2 panel archtop for the same price.
  
• Once you have made a decision on the trim, give the samples to the contractor so they can pickup the exact profiles. Then tell them of your door choice and ask them to measure the doors and place the order, most door slabs can arrive at our recieving dock the following day.
  
• I would anticipate it should take about two days for the carpenter to install the trim and hang the doors. The painting is then up to you. You will need a gallon of wall paint, usually eggshell, a gallon of ceiling white, and a gallon of semi gloss white for the moulding and doors.
• Use the existing door knobs and hardware if you want. But at this stage it may be the perfect oppurtunity to swap out your old knobs amd hinges. Finishes such as oil rubbed bronze and satin nickel are very popular and are at minimal upcharges from your standard brass or brasstone finishes.

My intent on the blog is to spark your remodeling ideas, offer insight from a suppliers point of view, and have a little fun blogging. If you ever have questions regarding your projects, please email me directly at mcurrie@niecelumber.com or give us a call at 609-397-1200.