Are open floor plans more expensive?

• <div><p>Yes, open floor plans can be more expensive to build than non-open floor plans. The primary reason is the need for additional structural support to ensure stability, which can increase construction costs. Additionally, open floor plans need powerful HVAC systems to maintain temperature in a wider space. Finally, open floor plans need more flooring to cover a large area. If you are buying a home with an open floor plan, you won’t see dramatic price differences compared to a home with more rooms.</p></div>

What should I consider when hiring someone to raise my sunken living room?

• <div><p>Selecting the right <a href="https://www.angi.com/nearme/general-contractors/">general contractor</a> to tackle a job like raising a sunken living room can feel like an overwhelming prospect. Follow these tips to find, vet, and hire the best local contractor for your project:</p><ul><li><p>Get recommendations from neighbors and friends who might be able to suggest contractors they’ve used.</p></li><li><p>Request written quotes to help set your budget and expectations.</p></li><li><p>Verify your contractor’s credentials to ensure a professional and legal finished product.</p></li><li><p>Read the contractor’s proposed contract to make sure you agree to all terms, including the project timeline, cost, and materials. </p></li><li><p>Keep copies of all relevant documentation.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

What should I consider when staging my home?

• <div><p>The main factors to consider when staging your home when selling are your budget, number of rooms to stage, and how long to keep the staged setup. Since home staging costs about <b>$600 per room</b> when using professional services, you may want to only stage the rooms that are most important to potential buyers, including the kitchen, living room, and primary bedroom. You should also consider which repairs or updates are necessary before staging your home, such as painting interior walls, carpet cleaning, and refinishing hardwood floors.</p></div>

What is the least expensive way to convert a garage to a living space?

• <div><p>The least expensive way to convert a garage to a living space is to perform as much of the work yourself as possible, using materials you can acquire at discount prices, and avoiding making structural changes to the building. While you can’t control what type of garage already exists on your property, converting a detached garage to living space will cost 20% to 30% more, so going with an attached garage conversion will save quite a bit.</p></div>

What rooms should I use recessed lighting in?

• <div><p>This is definitely a matter of personal taste, but certain spaces might be better suited to recessed lighting than others. Areas where you need good task lighting, such as the laundry room, kitchen, or home office could be good candidates for recessed LED lighting. You also might choose to use it for a sleek, subtle lighting option in a living room where you want to highlight other aspects of the space.</p></div>