Bin There Dump That: One Man's Trash Blog

If you only use your garage for parking your car, you’re not using it to its full potential. You could spend thousands on a total garage remodel to get the maximum use from this space, but there also are plenty of DIY techniques that can accomplish the same goal. Here are seven steps to take to build the ultimate garage without spending a bundle.

Step 1: Envision Your Perfect Garage

Whether you’re a true gearhead who spends Sundays tuning up your car, an artist looking for a private studio, or a hobbyist in need of dedicated space, think about how you’d prefer to use your garage. Create a diagram to arrange everything you’ll need, and take measurements to ensure you’ll have room for it all.

It seems we're on an infographic kick. The infographic below is the 2nd published in consecutive weeks to this blog. Last week we examined your home renovation project journey from start to finish. This content comes from our friends at Alair Homes. 

 

So you have a house full of projects to tackle and you don’t know what to do first. Or second. Or tenth.

Hmmm. Munch some chips and ponder. Hmmm. See what’s on TV while you ponder. Maybe looking through these magazines will spur some ideas while you ponder....

We’re here to give you some direction. Put those chips away and consider these tips to help you prioritize home improvement projects.

It’s that time of year again, when everything outside looks gray and bleak, so we long for some refreshing zip inside.

Honey, let’s re-do the kitchen! And remodel the bathroom! The attic has so much potential, don’t you think? Our bedroom is shabby. Take a look at these 1,300 paint chips I brought home...

Whoa. Love that enthusiasm, but you might want to tackle one re-do at a time.

How to choose?

Here are 5 of the top home remodeling trends for 2016. Pace yourself.

The good news is, we’re not asking you to confess your home renovation slip-ups and goofs here, in public.

But we all make them.

That time you ordered the dishwasher that was too big for the space. The paint that cracked and peeled off in big hunks before it was even dry. The embarrassing trip to the emergency room because you... well, let’s not get into it here.

Some home renovation mistakes are so common the experts find themselves talking about them time and time again.

Homeowners, in 2016 and beyond, do your best to avoid these 10 common home renovation mistakes.

Everybody wants to be a winner. When the prize is a home makeover, $25,000 worth of designer furniture or a $1.5 million dream house, well, how fast can you sign up?

Check out these 10 home makeover contests, click your way in to enter, and start daydreaming about your big win.

One important note: The deadline to enter is coming right up for a few of these sweepstakes. So don’t dawdle.

And good luck!

Love those house flipping shows on TV? They make it look easy, don’t they? Even when major problems arise, everything is tidily wrapped up after a couple commercial breaks.

Well, it isn’t easy.

But it helps if the flipper has a few qualities that give them the fortitude and know-how to get in, get the job done and get out. With profit.

What are some of the qualities of successful house flippers?

Sometimes a house needs a lot of work.

Seriously, A LOT of work.

Maybe it’s your house (sorry). You might have outgrown it, but you love your neighborhood and don’t want to move. Maybe you’re a house flipper who got a great deal on a fixer-upper and you’re looking for a big profit.

Do you renovate or do you tear the thing down and start from scratch?

We’re not gonna lie — either way, be prepared for some turmoil. No home-cooked meals for a while. Dust everywhere. At least two missing toothbrushes. Serious threats to your sanity.

And that’s if everything goes perfectly.

Which way to go? Here are a few factors to consider when deciding between renovate or rebuild.

If you have to stare at those shabby varnished kitchen cabinets and speckled pink countertops much longer, you’re going to scream.

A kitchen remodel — starting with a really big sledge hammer — is the only way to save your sanity.

Real-estate experts are with you on this one. Wisely chosen home upgrades can pay off in the long run with increased home value. But you have to come up with the money to get things rolling.

Time for a home equity loan, right? Well, maybe. If you have enough equity in your home.

But since 2008, when the sub prime mortgage bust hit, many homeowners have seen their home equity disappear.

If that’s the case, you’ll have to look for other funding sources. The good news is, there are options that don’t require collateral. Pink speckled counters, buh-bye.

Here are six suggestions for how to finance a remodel without equity.