| Who has not watched home renovation shows and | | | | to be done, like an addition to the house, the |
| thought that their home needs a makeover? Sure, | | | | contractor should be able to get all the necessary |
| the house looks great the way it is, but changes can | | | | paperwork and licenses ready for the homeowner to |
| always be made that will make the home reflect the | | | | complete. Do not attempt to enclose a patio by |
| owners even more than it already does and fit into | | | | oneself just because another room is needed. Fill out |
| their needs even more. However, one cannot just | | | | the paperwork or pay the fines. |
| start knocking out walls without a plan. | | | | Now for some renovation ideas that one could take |
| For one, that is dangerous, not only physically as the | | | | and use in their own home: if one has a fireplace and |
| house could literally crumble if the right wall is taken | | | | they live in a desert, like Phoenix, Arizona, chances |
| down, but also relationship wise, if this plan was not | | | | are they use the fireplace twice a year and are |
| discussed or finalized with the significant other. So, | | | | usually turning on the air conditioning after the fire. |
| the following are some tips to surviving a home | | | | Knock it out and build an entertainment center for |
| renovation project with one's happiness still intact and | | | | the television, stereo system, PlayStation or Wii |
| some ideas on home renovations. | | | | games, and the computer. |
| To survive a renovation with one's relationship intact | | | | Throw in a few shelves for the lady to add some |
| and happy, have an idea in mind of what the project | | | | personal touches, like picture frames or collectables, |
| should be. Do not approach the other person with a | | | | and life will be good. Does one really need a fireplace |
| vague thought of knocking out a wall just because it | | | | in a city where the high temperature in the summer |
| would look cool. If a wall is to be taken out, have a | | | | is 120 degrees? Another thought is to build in a |
| reason why that makes sense, like it will enlarge the | | | | customized dining table into the wall of the kitchen so |
| room, or it will make the small living room look more | | | | that every member of the family has their own seat, |
| spacious. Just because one wants to knock down a | | | | eliminating the fight for the "best" seat. This could |
| wall does not mean it should be done, especially by | | | | also become a family project, with each member |
| them. | | | | creating their own seat so that they feel involved in |
| Hire a contractor. This will save the couple from | | | | the project. |
| countless, and not to mention fruitless, fights about | | | | An art center for the kids would be a great way to |
| what to do. The contractor will get all the ideas from | | | | transform a rarely used patio or sunroom. It would |
| the client, draw up the plans, have the right tools, | | | | also contain their paints, chalks, crayons, and play |
| and know exactly what to do to make the house | | | | dough to one area, instead of all over the house. |
| the way the homeowners want it. If there is work | | | | |