The Why Behind Renovator's Toolkit
I had a lot of "ah ha" moments during the course of or various renovation projects. I learned something new each time we remodeled, but...
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I wrote 30 blog posts in 30 days to make your renovation easier.
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Julie Bennett
- Jan 30
- 1 min
It feels backwards
Somethings in the home renovation process feel backwards. Why do you have to pay thousands for designs just figure out if you can afford...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 29
- 2 min
It started with little bugs
"Have you noticed the little bugs in the shower?" I asked. "No," my husband replied. I didn't realize at the time it was a sign. I see it...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 28
- 2 min
Go in search of that "this is it feeling"
Years ago I was on a business trip in Copenhagen. I love going places like grocery stores in foreign countries when I travel. They...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 27
- 1 min
Change orders bust budgets
Renovation budgets have a have a reputation for running away with themselves. There are a reasons this happens, but homeowners often...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 26
- 1 min
The single biggest driver of renovation expense
You will decide the single biggest driver of your renovation's cost at the beginning of your proect. With a few lines drawn on a page,...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 25
- 1 min
The 5 types of kitchens
Today I as designing kitchen layouts and realized realized that most kitchen designs fall into these 5 essential categories: Linear...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 24
- 2 min
Custom is King, Right? Yes and no
Would you like your house to feel high-end or cheap? Silly question, right? Of course you want it to feel high end, right? One way a...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 23
- 2 min
The thing homebuyers hate most
This is the thing that homebuyers hate most. It's nearly universal. If selling is on your horizon, read this before putting in carpet.
Julie Bennett
- Jan 22
- 1 min
Your Pre-Renovation Checklist
Before you take the plunge & invest your time and money in a home renovation, tackle this checklist to make sure your plan makes sense....
Julie Bennett
- Jan 21
- 1 min
The lowest bid may be misleading: get apples to apples
This is a renovation principle to live by: Whenever possible, get three bids for home improvement work. But don't assume that the bids...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 20
- 2 min
3 secrets to unlock your home's value
Hit pause, renovator! If you plan to sell your home in the next year or two, choose your home improvement projects carefully. You may...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 19
- 3 min
I'm worried I'll go over budget
You've seen the HGTV special or the nightly news reports about renovation nightmares. Unsuspecting homeowners tell harrowing tales of...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 18
- 3 min
Contractors are not mind readers
Unpopular opinion alert. When things go sideways in a remodel, it's not all the contractors fault. Contractors are not mind readers. But...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 17
- 2 min
I bought the wrong type of tile, now what?
Picture this: You (the homeowner) scour the internet finds and orders the perfect tile. The tile arrives after a many weeks lead time....
Julie Bennett
- Jan 16
- 1 min
Where to begin: how to start planning your home renovation
If you feel like, "I don't know where to start," this post is for you. Renovations can feel like an unrealized dream for years. What's...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 15
- 1 min
What's your motivation for renovating?
Understand your personal renovation motivation Who are you doing this for and do you plan to sell your home in the future? A lot of...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 14
- 3 min
Beware the design trend trap
In 2003 there was a film released that sums up trendy home design for the next decade: Under the Tuscan Sun. Do you remember it? A woman...
Julie Bennett
- Jan 13
- 3 min
Explore inspiration outside your comfort zone
Years ago I was on a business trip in Copenhagen. I love going places like grocery and furniture stores in foreign countries when I...
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