As spring approaches, we are eager to update and refresh our house. How do we begin the process?

A professional remodeler knows how to translate a home owner's dreams and budget into a beautiful reality. They have the expertise and skills to satisfy a customer while keeping the budget in check. Here are five tips for planning a successful home remodel that you can enjoy for many years to come.

1. Compile a list of home remodeling ideas and draft a budget for the work. You likely have many projects in mind, such as modernizing the bathroom, renovating the kitchen, replacing windows or repairing the roof. Prioritize your wish list: Maybe you don't have the budget for your dream remodel, but professional remodelers can maximize your dollars by doing the work in phases, suggesting budget-friendly products and materials, and implementing creative design solutions.

2. Look for a professional remodeler to help plan the project.

Call the Lakeland Builders Association in Elkhorn and ask for a list of nearby remodelers to contact. Remodelers that belong to a trade association tend to be more reliable, better educated, and more likely to stay on top of construction and design trends.

Asking friends for names of qualified remodelers will also help you find a match for your project.

3. Ask for references and call them! You'll want to check the remodelers' insurance coverage, ask about any warranties on their work, know who is responsible for obtaining any building permits, and understand the process for making any change orders after the contract is signed.

4. Talk over the details of the home remodeling project and begin reviewing the contract. Make sure that you and your remodeler see eye to eye before you sign on the dotted line.

5. Take advantage of the energy efficiency tax credits. Learn more at www.nahb.org/efficiencytaxcredit. (April 2010)

I have been “downsized” out of an office and have to work from home. What tips can you give me on setting up a home office?

Careful planning up front can make sure the final design ends up functioning well for you.  Here are some questions to ponder.

• Where are you going to find the space (not to mention how much space and a good location) for your office?
• What are your energy needs: electricity, lighting, ventilation, daylight and temperature.
• Will you need privacy: sound, visual, security?
• Will you need a meeting area for presentations or meetings?
• In addition to your computer, keyboard and printer do you need space for a  phone, scanner, postage meter, task lighting, fire safe?
• What are your storage needs: books, catalogs, software, office supplies?
• What are your desk needs: pens, pencils, stapler, tape, waste basket or shredder?
• Would you like to personalizr your office with: plants, collectibles or pictures?

We want to add a fireplace and a new flat screen TV to our living room, but we also want to take advantage of a fabulous  lake view. How do we get it all in?

This is a frustrating problem, sort of a collision of focal points. The new fireplace location will be based on the chimney or vent location. This should come first, then think about the other 2 items. Think about how you perceive each item and how you actually look at it.

A fireplace isn’t generally something you watch for hours as you do a TV screen. Neither is the view-especially at night. You will look directly at your TV, while the fireplace and view are glanced at from time to time. You probably want to focus your seating arrangement to focus on the TV, letting the fireplace play second fiddle and the view wrap around everything. You can mount the flat screen TV above the fireplace, but you must use care to maintain clearances and ceiling height. (December 2009)

We have standard 8-0 high ceilings and like the feel and appearance of more height-what can we do to achieve this goal?

One way is to physically  raise the ceiling. You can create a tray ceiling at 9-0 or 10-0 or a build cathedral ceiling. Either  requires extensive carpenter work, lumber, insulation and drywall, but you will get a ‘WOW’ effect! You can also ‘fake’ some additional height adding a continuous  ‘headband’ to the room. By adding a piece of trim-any size or color- at the top of the cabinets or top of the door/window trim you can create the illusion of higher ceilings. A continuous ‘beltline’ such as a chair rail or wainscoting works the same way. You can intensify the effect by making the area below the line a darker color than the area above. It works because our eye reads the headband as a divider: by accentuating the difference between the lower section of the wall surface and the upper section, we imagine that there is more to look at… and more translates into taller. (November 2009)

Our older home is sooooooo boring on the outside.  What can we do to spruce it up without spending a lot of money?

Differentiation of surface materials is largely what makes an older home more appealing. If your exterior is mostly one color, paint can be your best friend.

One of the least expensive, but most effective approaches is to paint the window sashes (or storm windows if you have them) a strong color. For instance if you house is blue with white trim, paint the sashes a brilliant red. Sarah Susanka calls this the “lipstick” approach because it has the same effect as makeup on a face. It draws attention to one small element and makes the whole look more appealing.

If you have a front porch, make it inviting-not just a place for the newspapers to land. Clean up the junk, paint the railings and stairs, replace your light fixtures and add a fun doorbell. If you have the room, add a small table and a pair of comfortable chairs. (August 2009)

I've heard rumors of self-cleaning windows-is there any hope that it could be true?

Yes, it is true. It's just becoming available in the US and it's called Activ glass or SunGlass depending on the manufacturer. Its self-cleaning properties work like this: During dry clear weather, the glass uses the sun's UV rays to break down the dirt. During wet weather, or when sprayed with a hose, the glasses composition reduces surface tension so water sheets down the window surface instead of beading like normal glass. This sheeting effect prevents streaks and washes dirt away. The costs will probable be 20-30% higher than regular windows. Stay tuned...

What can you tell me about storing wine at home?

Interestingly, most wine purchased in the US is consumed shortly after purchase. They are not expensive bottles for collecting, but are value wines, intended for immediate consumption. There are 3 categories of wine storage-basic, mid-level and luxury, each based on budget. Basic wine storage consists of a countertop or floor storage unit. Or, a wood wine shelf, an x-divided cabinet or lattice insert can be added under or on top of an upper cabinet. This simple type of storage display bottles at room temperature and is subject to seasonal changes in temperature and humidity. This basic storage is good for short term storage-perhaps a few months. Mid-level storage would include a small stand-alone or built-in refrigerator that offers a more climate controlled environment for wine. They can cost a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars plus installation. Too much humidity can cause mold to grow on the labels and corks, and too little will cause the corks to shrink and compromise the wine. These are not meant to preserve wine for the long term. Luxury storage is a professionally built room that is specifically built for the safe storage and preservation of wine. They can cost from $30,000- $80,000.

I am tired of sprinting up and down the basement stairs to do laundry. Where might I put the washer and dryer?

Locating the washer and dryer near where you spend most of your time is the best place. That way you can keep an eye and an ear on the cycles. Is there a closet or a spare bedroom near the kitchen that could be sacrificed to locate the W/D? Sometimes locating the W/D near the bedrooms makes the most sense as that is where most of the dirty laundry comes from and where the clothes are stored. A location between the kitchen and bedrooms is ideal. Try and locate it out of high traffic area-who wants to step over the laundry basket to and from the garage? Provide storage for laundry supplies, a folding station, perhaps a drip dry hanging space and a pressing station. Consider using a front load washer and dryer. They typically use 40% less water, extract 35% more water in the spin cycle, and use less electricity than a top load washer. If space is at a premium, consider a stacking unit, but be sure you can reach all interior areas before purchasing a unit.

Our house is a plain square box and we would like to add some curb appeal, what would you suggest?

How about adding a porch? Porches actually had a function at one time. They provided protection from the weather and cooling. With the advent of no maintenance exterior products, air conditioning, subdivisions without sidewalks and increased traffic porches have been left off of houses. Covering the front door with a porch provides basic weather protection. Adding columns and brackets to an existing overhang and building stairs the width of the house to connect the house and site can create the illusion of a porch. If your house lends itself to adding a large wraparound porch, consider doing 2 sides. You will be amazed at how it will catch a breeze, shade the house and create a nostalgic feel for your friends and family.

Our house is big enough, but the rooms are too small. What can we do to maximize our space?

Consider opening up the floor plan and creating a perception of a larger space. Removing walls and hallways can often change how the house "works". Large communal space can be delineated by columns, furniture, floor coverings and ceiling treatments. Consider where the best views are from you home to the outside. Moving the living room space into the bedroom space is not as crazy as it sounds. Changing a few window and doors and adding a deck or covered porch can help to bring the outside in. Remember to consider furniture placement in your plans, especially if it is small, especially if you have larger window expanses.

What’s the difference between $5 a gallon paint and $25 a gallon paint?

A lot and it’s generally worth the price difference. The less expensive the paint, the harder you will work. One coat coverage that will last 5 or more years for $5 a gallon is just plain wishful thinking. If you like to paint-go for it! Good planning and job preparation along with quality tools is the other half of the equation. Remove all loose paint, patch properly, dry, sand and prime the area. THEN paint with the proper paint and brushes (or rollers) for the area. Taking your time, doing each of the steps will ensure your paint job will last.