REMODELING
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Labor. Materials. Pizza?Some costs do not fit neatly into a renovation project's line-item budget, but if you ignore ...
Homeowners begin every renovation with the best of intentions. The budget is fixed, the schedule is firm, and the res...
For kitchen design and renovation wisdom, the buck stops with HGTV's "Kitchen Cousins."
This is a great time of year to create an annual home improvement plan. Listen to BOB VILA ON HOME IMPROVEMENT PLANNI...
The start of each new year is a hopeful time. People vow to get to the gym more often or to finally quit smoking. But...
A rural farmhouse dating back to 1789 gets a contemporary kitchen makeover.
In Upstate New York, architect Elaine Monchak's contemporary kitchen design animates the old bones of a 1789 farmhouse.
Remodeling projects and furniture moving can sometimes have not-so-welcome side effects. Here’s how to protect your b...
Kitchen designer Cheryl Hamilton-Gray shares her pro tips for creating a budget-friendly makeover.
See how designer Cheryl Hamilton-Gray turned a dated California kitchen into a budget-friendly dream come true for the owner.
One home blogger tells us how she pulled off a low-cost, high-impact, total kitchen transformation.
We asked one home blogger how she made her dream kitchen a reality without spending a fortune or tearing the house down.
If a messy garage is driving you crazy, here’s how to steer things back on course.
After 13 years in our house, the basement was finally dry—or as close to dry as it was ever going to get. The walls w...
Basements offer a bonus for homeowners looking to increase living space. But unlike the rest of the house, these below-grade rooms require thoughtful planning and...
One lesson I learned fast when I bought a house is that a homeowner’s number-one enemy is not the mortgage—it's the w...
Finishing your basement is a great way to add space and value to your home. If you have enough ceiling height and you...
If you only have so much time and money to spend on a remodeling project, you'll stay more on trend by investing in t...
Editor's note: Since bathroom remodeling is an expensive undertaking, we reached out to Nate Berkus—TV host, designer...
Many people say their ultimate fantasy as a child was the idea of being allowed to run amuck in the toy store. Once y...
While they’re always inconvenient, major remodeling projects can also become a real strain on your relationship if yo...
Follow our guide for establishing a positive working environment while your house begins to take shape.
Believe it or not, you can boil down the nature of the remodeling you are planning to the simplest of terms.
Take into account these 12 questions and considerations before seeking professional help.
Ideas that cost a little but go a long way in a budget kitchen remodeling project.
Thinking about remodeling? Pretend you're meeting your home for the very first time.
I got a question from Jim in Toledo, wondering what’s the best way to stay on top of home maintenance every season wi...
To restore, preserve, or simply renovate, examine your home in detail.
When undertaking a renovation project, an examination of the out-of-sight, out-of-mind spaces may be useful.
Take careful note of areas where the work isn't quite done or done right, and keep a "punch list."
Follow this general advice and hints for pushing through and finishing the intended job.
Take the stress out of kitchen remodeling by becoming more familiar with your design, material, and budget options.
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
The construction of the Hammonds’ house proves the better prepared you are, the better your bathroom renovation results will be.
What was I thinking when I promised myself—and more importantly my husband, Phil—that we would be ready to move into ...
While all designers should have each of these skills in some measure, not all designers are alike.
Retro styling is all the rage today, but sometimes “retro” is synonymous with “regrettable. ”The entry hallway to our...
Basements don’t have to be cold, dark rooms hidden from public view. Try these tips to turn your home’s lowest level into a pinnacle of design and comfort.
It's easy to take the staircase for granted, at least until a problem arises. But as one of a home's finest architect...
Learn how you can get builders’ discounts, free delivery, and materials delivered on time, plus take advantage of little known payment options.
That's what I asked my Twitter followers a couple of weeks ago. It's natural to expect that your renovation's happies...
Several master bathroom ideas for inexpensively creating a home spa feel.
It was finally done. The punch list had been completed, the painting was (mostly) finished, and the wall hangings wer...
Five tips from the pros to help keep your bathroom remodeling budget in check.
Adding a basement bathroom can be a plumbing challenge, but remodelers have options for underground plumbing.
Bathroom remodeling ideas you might consider, including approaches to design, storage, materials, and fixtures.
A landscaper once lamented to me that homeowners rarely budget enough for their exteriors when they plan a remodeling...
We can tell a lot about how previous generations lived by looking at the houses they built. For example, they clearly...
We were so close. The cabinets were in place, the appliances and lights installed, and we’d moved in—our beautiful ne...
I can’t remember when I first painted a room, but I was pretty young. Finding out that I was capable of improving my ...
At a time when common sense and solid environmental values are asking homebuilders and remodelers to make educated decisions about the materials they use, wood co...
The kids have left home, and you’re left with extra space. If you’re looking for ideas for your empty nest, here are six transformation ideas for a newly vacant b...
I’ve always pined for a mud room—they seem like such remarkably efficient spaces for collecting coats, boots, sneaker...
In between my rebellious college days and learning the difference between a Phillips- and flat-head screwdriver, I be...
We are so close to finished I can almost taste the ice. It’s been more than seven months since this project began, an...
We finally hit the milestone we’ve been waiting for: the countertop is in!This was a big one—the finish line has been...
I overheard a snippet of dialogue on TV the other night, in which a woman mentions that a marathon is exactly 26. 2 m...
Anyone who embarks on a large-scale renovation like our kitchen project worries about it—it’s a huge expense and a ma...
Since the beginning of our kitchen renovation, we’ve had a running joke about a rogue quarter inch—we’re either missi...
“This is how my father taught me to do it,” said Joe Salamone with a grin, looking proudly at our newly finished pati...
More and more renters are adding personal touches to their temporary homes, and rental owners can benefit as well.
We had started our kitchen renovation project in early March, so the early stages were hampered by the predictable we...
When we bought our house in 1999 (right), one of the things we did before we even moved in was to upgrade the electri...
If you had asked Margaret and me five years ago what our new kitchen would look like, we’d probably have both said it...
Our kitchen renovation project started out with a couple of hidden land mines, and moved quickly into a series of hid...
When you own a house built in 1920, you have lead—it’s in the solder on old pipes, and in the paint on old walls. W...
Increase basement space using new specialty products to add value to your home.
Space planning for our kitchen project took more than six months, but we were thrilled with the plans we agreed on. N...
We never had any doubt about what architect we wanted for our kitchen makeover. Norm Davis had done the plans for our...
Here's how to make the most of your money when remodeling your home.
When it comes to architectural renderings, make a few preliminary sketches yourself and leave the finished drawings to the professionals.
Here are tips on how to find and hire the right architect or designer for you.
Follow these guidelines when reviewing designers' preliminary sketches and plans.
There are two quotes I’ll never forget from our home-buying days. One was what our real estate agent said to us as sh...
Finishing your basement? Be sure that your remodeling work is in compliance with building codes in your area.
It's important to expect, and have solutions for, final challenges when finishing a job.
When I first purchased my weekend house in Upstate New York, I knew that the bathroom would need to be remodeled. The...
Finishing the basement is a smart way to add space to your home. Using a complete basement system package may be the smartest way to insulate, finish and upgrade ...
A fresh perspective is important to reveal good features and bad on your property.
As energy prices have risen and the green movement has become more mainstream, innovative materials, systems, and practices have become big business. Here are a f...
Interested in a green redesign for you home, but don't know where to begin? Focus on sustainable materials, indoor air quality, and repurposing items instead of t...
You’re about to sign the contract for a major home renovation. When the construction crew arrives, is it time to go? Experts and homeowners weigh the pros and con...
Create an eco-friendly building or remodeling plan to ensure success.
Until recently, residential customers who wanted a greener home worked without a certification, researching and specifying building materials for their new homes ...
Much cosmetic, insulation, and sound reduction work has transformed a tired-old attic bedroom into a peaceful, pretty, and healthy room for baby.
Bob and architect Gregory Rochlin tour the interior of Bob's 100-year-old Shingle Style home in Cambridge, MA.
Bob and architect Gregory Rochlin tour the exterior of Bob's 100-year-old Shingle Style home in Cambridge, MA.
Bob reviews the progress of his western red cedar custom fence, designed to provide privacy and block the carport from the neighbors’ view.
Bob meets with a local real estate broker and with homeowner Sarah Monzon, whose basement will be finished to create additional family space.
Bob meets with homeowner Sarah Monzon to recap the project, from the initial preparation to the renovations to the finishing touches.
Bob recounts history of the Brooklyn Bridge, and of the borough itself. He also talks about DUMBO, the neighborhood location for this project. Once an operating p...
Led by real estate broker Gina Kirkpatrick, Bob tours a 950-square-foot one-bedroom condo in a bulding designed by the renowned Miami architect Morris Lapidus in ...
Bob and real estate broker Gina Kirkpatrick evaluate the 950-square-foot one-bedroom condo in Miami Beach, FL.
DD Allen shows off her updated 600-square-foot retreat in downtown Miami. By removing interior dividing walls, Allen has converted her one-bedroom into a studio. ...
With much of the demolition having been completed, Bob walks through an open, loft-like space, which was dark and cramped feeling pre-demolition. Carlos Leuchtman...
Bob visits Lincoln Road guided by architectural historian Allan Shulman, who chronicles the Lincoln Road saga from its beginning with Carl Fisher, "Mr. Miami Beac...
Bob meets with LesCare cabinet representative Brad Brewster, of Princeton Custom Cabinetry, who explains the features of this semi-custom cabinet line and also ou...
The crew prepares to grout the Vitrus Glasstile, which has been installed in the shower using a mildew- and stain-resistant epoxy grout. Bob remarks that, unlike ...
Bob and Brad Brewster of Princeton Custom Cabinetry oversee the installation of the hanging cabinets in the new condo kitchen. Brewster lists the various features...
Ernie Wernecke of Princeton Custom Cabinetry shows Bob how to customize the vanity countertop so it fits snugly against a bulging wall.
Bob watches the installation of a low-flow Toto toilet with a sleek design. The installation is simple, thanks to a special flange that reconfigures the tradition...
Bob and Jeff Akers of The Air Authority review the water-cooled HVAC system, granting focus to its ingenious mechanical design and up-to-code energy efficiency.
Carlos Leuchtmann of Blue Ridge Plumbing joins Bob to install a faucet and handles from the Moen Kingsley line.
Bob meets lead carpenter Connor McKenna from Thorough Construction, who is working with the original floor joists in preparation for the hardwood floors.
Thorough Construction's lead carpenter Connor McKenna applies panel adhesive to the tops of the new, sistered joists before laying four-by-eight sheets of Georgia...
Bob joins Connor McKenna of Thorough Construction as he works on installing the new steel-stud framing.
Bob walks through the Manhattan Brownstone floor-through apartment with project manager Chris Vila, looking at the ductwork that has been run in the ceiling for t...
Bob starts on the balcony of the Manhattan Brownstone where open space was standard for these urban town homes then moves to the interior to talk about the large,...
Bob meets with Meredith Schelp from Mitsubishi Electric HVAC to learn about the City-Multi HVAC system that will heat and cool the Manhattan Brownstone floor-thro...
Bob meets Jason Hill from New England Classic as their ready-measured and pre-cut paneling system is installed in the Manhattan Brownstone.
Robert Kirkpatrick from Rinnai joins Bob to explain the tankless hot-water system being installed in the Manhattan Brownstonel.
Bob is joined by Michael McDevitt of Therma-Tru Doors as Wes Lohr and his crew prepare for the installation of the pre-hung exterior door.
Rob Shedrofsky from Davinci Stone explains the tiling process to Bob as the Porcelanosa wall tile is installed in the bathroom
Thomas Bump of Fine Custom Cabinetry shows Bob the Maple and hardwood panel cabinets that were built specifically for the Brownstone kitchen.
The front room of the Manhattan Brownstone is getting its finishing touches as prefabricated oversize cove molding is installed at the ceiling.
The huge space that is the kitchen of the Manhattan Brownstone has received its finishing touches. Bob tours.
Bob and Chris Vila continue the walk-through of the Manhattan Brownstone with a look at the new bathroom.
Bob walks with the owner and architect through different rooms on the first floor of the Victorian. Looking over the floor plans, they discuss the changes that w...
Bob meets structural engineer Steve Siegel on the attic floor of the Medford, MA home to discuss the owner's desire for an office with cathedral ceilings.
Bob goes up to the attic of the Victorian project house, where an ODL tubular skylight is being installed. Also, Bob looks back at the installation of windows on ...
Bob visits a Habitat community in Phoenix, Arizona, then heads back to New York, where he meets Jim Kilorian, President of Habitat for Humanity in Westchester Cou...
Bob meets with the general contractors and the architect for the project house to discuss mid-construction changes to the building plan.
Bob and Roxane Gilmore continue touring the governor's mansion in Richmond, VA. After enjoying the highlights of the dining room, the discussion turns to the kitc...
General contractor Sam Daniels gives Bob the details about the three-level northeast addition.
Architect John Paul Hanbury brings Bob up to date on the progress that's been made on the restoration of the Virginia governor's mansion.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and general contractor Sam Daniel issue a progress report on the construction of the north addition to the Viriginia governor's mansion.
In the Virginia governor's mansion, Bob and Bob Ryley look at baseboard replicas and inspect how the space behind the baseboard is used.
Carpenters Bob Ryley and Mike Smith hang double doors at the entrance to the private family living quarters of the Virginia governor's mansion.
Executive Chef Mark Herndon shows Bob around the newly remodeled basement kitchen of the Virginia governor's mansion.
Bob peeks into the "first kitchen", the kitchen in the first family's private living quarters. Todd Graves (from GE) shows Bob the Halogen oven.
Bob tours the finished restoration of the historic sections of the Virginia governor's mansion.
Bob tours the completed loft conversion with collaborating architect Lisa Shire.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and George (from Crosswinds Enterprises) collaborate to build a porch railing for the accessible home. Looking on, Bob discusses the building ...
The first Elmwood project concerns remodeling a Gothic Carpenter-style home, built in 1871.
The old flooring in the Gothic Carpenter-style home in Elmwood has been removed. Bob outlines the process of installing the new floor and discusses the new suppor...
Bob talks with contractors Jim Azerroe and Mike Burk. Jim is installing a granite kitchen countertop, while Mike puts in the new cabinets and drawers.
Bob visits the completed house and talks to the homeowners about their new home's new façade, with its completed porch and newly landscaped yard.
Remodeling of the attic floor continues with the installation of Hy-Lite acrylic walls, an HVAC system, and insulation.
Bob recaps the entire Elmwood project. It was a community effort involving an array of houses, though great pains were made to adhere to the historic look of the ...
Bob meets Arquitectonica's Laurinda Spear, an architect who has come up with some eye-catching and very tropical ideas for the project.
Bob and contractor Ed Weller meet to demolish a block wall in order to open up the room for remodeling.
Bob meets homeowners Tracy and Linda Gallagher at their 1930s Colonial Revival home. Bob also meets the architect and contractor, whom the Gallaghers have enliste...
Bob and carpenter Paul Morse go over the details of the budget and discuss whether or not they'll be able to finish the project under the estimated cost.
Bob goes over the "punch list" and remarks on all the little jobs that become necessary to complete toward the end of a project.
Bob visit's "Home Improvement" star Tim Allen at home, for a tongue-in-cheek look at some of Tim's very own home improvement projects.
Bob tours the tiled courtyard, with its Queen Palms and fountain. And there is a surprise visit from Pamela Anderson, a cast member of "Home Improvement".
The search for Bob's next project house ends, when he finds a small 19th-century home on a large plot of land in East Chop, a laid-back, picturesque part of the i...
Bob and contractor John Clancy discuss creating the new concrete chimney at the Victorian-style project house in Martha's Vineyard.
Bob joins electrician Greg Roulette as he works on the rough wiring. The circuit breaker panel, Greg explains, is a receptacle for ground, neutral, and hot wires...
Bob and the insulation contractor review how different types of insulation are used in different applications. Blown-in insulation is put into the existing house,...
Bob reviews progress in the kitchen, where pantry space and a tin ceiling have been installed, and where contractor Bob Ryley continues working on the staircase. ...
In the kitchen, where the white pine cabinets have been installed, Bob Ryley demonstrates how to adjust a European door hinge before he finishes putting in a plat...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley review costs for the Victorian-style remodel-and-build project in Martha's Vineyard, MA.
Bob meets with homeowner Paul Paresky and tours the project. Expanding the lakefront home with a second floor addition will be a major undertaking. General contra...
Bob remarks on how much progress has been made in one week of work on the Wayland project home. The footings have been established and the crew has begun building...
Bob reflects on the project house's previous appearance and how the addition will change both the appearance and functionality of the home.
Contractor Bob Ryley demonstrates how to build a gable end dormer into the new roof.
Contractor Larry Landers demonstrates how to install roofing shingles around skylights.
The carpenter shows Bob the new railing on the deck off the master bedroom, explaining that code requires that it be 36 inches tall. The carpenter then builds a p...
Bog gives a mid-renovation tour, reviewing the progress that's been made on various projects throughout the house. He also provides an update on the changes have ...
The architect begins the design for the remodel using Autocad software. Computers make changing the architects' initial plans fast, easy, and precise.
Since the bathroom has been gutted, plumbers begin to install new fixtures.
Bob helps carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley install a new one-piece acrylic vanity.
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley and crew install a new box bay window, which will enlarge the dining space and enhance the interior atmosphere.
In search of design ideas, Bob tours a charming Colonial kitchen in a house on Nantucket Island.
New cabinet doors, which have been made in the workshop, are installed in the project house kitchen in order to dress up the old cabinets.
Hoping to find inspiring remodeling ideas, Bob tours a recently revamped cracker cottage nearby.
Bob confers with contractor Al Stouse as his crew begins demolition work on the Naples project.
Bob confers with contractor Al Stouse about the termite and dry rot damage on the roof overhangs. Next, Bob helps build and install new roof brackets, or outriggers.
Bob helps contractor Al Stiles change a swinging door into a relocated pocket door.
Bob travels to the Lower East Side of Manhattan in order to visit the ongoing rehabilitation of a tenement building.
Bob reviews the plans to create a new screen porch with a ceiling fan at the Naples project house.
Bob makes his final visit to the sister project, a conversion of a Manhattan tenement. The new tenants have moved into the recently renovated low-income units on ...
Bob joins architect Bill Bauhs to discuss plans for renovating the two-flat greystone.
The excavation crew digs out the dense clay material in the basement to clear the way for a cement slab floor.
Some demolition is done on the old ell to prepare it for renovation, while ceiling joists and roof rafters go up in the new section of the house.
Ron Gan and architect Bill Bauhs talk over the budget and convince Bob to renovate the basement.
Bob goes over budget expenditure and progress to date with contractor Ron Gan and realtor Catherine Caravette.
Bob finishes the interior tour with the kitchen and master bedroom. Then, Bob, general contractor Ron Gan, and realtor Catherine Caravette sum up the renovation.
Bob and general contractor Ron Gan take a look around the old, abandoned coach house.
The tour of the project house continues up into the attic and down into the basement. Bob and general contractor Ron Gan discuss the necessary repairs and desired...
Bob takes a quick tour of the demolition work that's ongoing in the basement. He and general contractor Ron Gan discuss the advantages of renovation over rebuildi...
The concrete floor has been poured in the basement, and general contractor Ron Gan explains how a ledger board is attached to the masonry wall to support ceiling ...
Bob tours the completed living room and dining room of the coach house, then heads down into the basement to see the work that's been done on the heating system.
Bob joins demolition Jim Ferguson in the basement of the coach house to review progress.
Bob walks through the remainder of the renovation, admiring the details and faux-finish painting that continues through the kitchen, living room and dining room.
Bob meets with homeowner David Masher and architect Greg Colling at the project house, a Queen Anne Victorian in Rowley, MA's historic district, to review plans f...
Bob joins general contractor Tim Berky to hear how the foundation and footing will be handled for the Victorian kitchen remodel and deck addition.
