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Dytecture Most re-modellers / builders will provide free estimate for projects.

Philippa Richard at "You Just Remodel" The best place to start is thinking about what you really need - what activities do you do and where.
A major remodel is a good time to address any matters that are annoying or that don't quite work.

Tying down some details can be a good way to focus instead of having just loads of ideas and not knowing where to start.

JDM Countertops, Inc. I would start by doing some of your own research on the current trends and products people are using. Write down things you like, and things you know you don't like. Philliparichard is right. Also write down some of your needs, wants and goals. Once you start working with a contractor, designer, or remodeler, they will start asking you some of these questions.

Also, I don't know if you guys have Home & Garden Shows there, but we have them here in Phoenix quarterly. That could also be a good place to go get ideas, and find professionals. It helps to talk to other people you know and trust too, to get referrals.

Good Luck!

Interiors International, Inc. Most contractors will give you a bid up front. In order for them to do this the entire projects needs to be planned and materials spec out for them. This time do not choose anything that you don't truly LOVE. That way you will not tire of it so quickly.

Aja Mazin How unfortunate!!

If you are bored, try volunteer work at at homeless shelter or a soup kitchen.

Linda If you have one near you, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, possibly as a build site worker or even better at a ReStore. You'll get to see what projects are popular in your area, find interesting materials and some bargains, meet contractors and decorators, have fun and make some new friends.

Then, when you're ready for your remodel, you'll have some great ideas and great contacts to make it go more smoothly

jsutt99 I guess someone might have misunderstood or shall I say I used the word "BORED" the wrong way..When I got my house built, it was just the basic stuff. And I made the mistake by leaving some options out thinking I could have someone else build it for a cheaper price.. Well I'm now looking at my house like it needs more character to it..So no, I'm not sitting at home BORED not knowing what do with myself.. My HOUSE looks boring:-) thought I'd add a lil character here and there and I realized some of the rooms I have can be transformed into something else.. So those were basically my thoughts about remodeling my home... Thanks to everyone else that knew what I was trying to say:-)))

Aja Mazin jsutt99,

You have asked this question before on other threads and it has been answered.

I am sure you are capable of doing research in your area.

Perhaps, more than your house is boring.

jsutt99 Okay we'll it doesn't hurt to ask other people too..I'm sure im not the only one doing this and asking for help or ideas... Sorry I didn't know HOUZZ.COM has someone monitoring my discussions... What's the deal!?! Sheesh!! FYI it was one person i asked about doing anything in my area... You are right I am capable of researching anything and going online for ideas is one! Last time i checked, I'm not the one that is on here all up on people's discussion boards...and commenting or answering them...looks like you should be volunteering at a home shelter or soup kitchen yourself...

Aja Mazin I do,

But this Design Dilemma is about you, not me.

If you want help or ideas, post some pictures and indicate what you want to change or add.

Cancork Floor Inc. I think the focus has been lost. A home that was "getting the job done" has now been "lived in" (as we suggest to MANY clients) and has been found "wanting" by the owner. Like every project, we as professionals attached to firms or companies, should be as helpful and supportive as we can.

Philosophical differences, or the "accidental" use of the word bored when another word - let's say "uninspiring" for a neutral tone - aside, it behooves us all to be respectful of the person who is in the midst of changing their environment.

sweetnoor Many busy skilled and talented people make the time to comment on Houzz and should not be insulted.

S. Thomas Kutch I think what Aja was insinuating is that this is such a broad and open ended request for help it's almost useless. It's like saying I want to end world poverty in a beauty pageant........well, that's fine and dandy, but what about the guy who lives down at the end of your street, who has lost his job, his wife has a major illness, he's fighting to make ends meet and keep food on the table with 3 kids, a mortgage and medical bills and he just got a foreclosure notice from his lender.....in 30 days, he, his wife and kids will be living out of their family car..........

How about this. Maybe the original poster can identify what she has in mind, which room she wants to focus on, what she would like to do or has in mind and how to proceed from there. Then maybe some of the good people here can give her some advice......instead of treating this forum as some McDonald's drive thru for design help.

jsutt... here's my advice ........first off define what you want to do and to which rooms you want to do it in. Narrow it down to one or two projects at a time, unless you have unlimited resources to finance it all at one time.........next, get your design down on plans. Hire a professional if you need to. Then go talk to contractors. I know many who will give you a ball park figure for starters for free, but if you want a detailed more precise estimate, then 1.) you'll need to sign a contract, or 2.) pay for the contractor's time it takes to do a take off and produce an estimate........unless what you're really looking for is a guesstimate.

jsutt99 Sweetnoor, yes there are plenty of skilled and talented people on here and that is why I chose this place to get some type of advice/ idea/ help but there are also those who choose to go on here and insult my so called "dilemma" for example: telling me to go volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen?? Umm I came in here to talk about my home not ask about what I should do about my daily activities.. I appreciate those who do take the time to give inputs that deals with the questions :-))

S. Thomas Kutch If it's a guesstimate you're looking for..........I'm gonna say plan on an average of $30K per room.....that should cover it..............hey, it's free .... what do you expect?

S. Thomas Kutch What is the question jsutt? You're question is so vague it's rather meaningless.......and impossible to answer. What do you want to do in the master bath.......gut it, change the counter tops, change out the fixtures, paint it or hang different colored towels in it........? How abbout some specifics you have in mind or don't like.

There are many skilled and artistic people on Houzz, but I have yet to find one that is a mind reader or clairvoyant........

jsutt99 Thank you S. Thomas Kutch,

I'm sorry AJA didn't get what i was saying and I too am sorry, maybe i should have said it differently.. I really was just trying to find a good contractor and everything i mentioned were projects for me to work on..Also thanks for the advice :-) and yes i will need to narrow it down to maybe 2-3 projects at a time....mainly additions to my kitchen like an island, my powder bath needs some fixtures and storage, i plan on expanding my master bath and add a walkin closet which i will be using the room next to it to make my walk in closet...those are the main things pretty much...

L.A. Lady Ok, so you have some starting points. First, separate the projects into handyman type stuff (adding drawer organizers, putting in shelves, etc) and stuff you'd need a contractor to do (moving walls around, adding rooms, etc). That way you can give this info to your contractor and he/she will have a clear idea of what you need and can give you an accurate bid. As for the simple projects, you can DIY them or hire a handyman for a day or two to take care of the small things. Those small changes can make a big difference.

Then rank your list by importance. If you're doing a big remodel and have to adjust your budget, it's best to know what's important from the get go.

As to the boring comment, I think my advice would be to hire a decorator. If searching through Houzz and posting on these discussion pages doesn't get you the answers you need, then a decorator can help articulate your needs. Sometimes it's difficult knowing something is wrong/boring/dysfunctional and not knowing what's causing the problem. Interior design professionals can help with that and much more. I'm a creative director and the worst thing a client can tell me is "I don't like it but I don't know why." It doesn't give me anywhere to go. So my job is to get them to articulate their opinion, and a good interior designer will do that for you.

jsutt99 sweetnoor,

i've actually gotten some pretty good advices on here..so i'm good...i don't think i need to explain anymore of what needs to be done....thanks! i will most def. make sure that on my next dilemma i will try to be more specific, pick the right choice of words and will surely add pics if need be :-)

sweetnoor sutt99,

Frankly, I still don't "get " what you mean.

jsutt99 It's okay, you don't have to get what i mean...this whole thing obviously has blown out of proportion but i'm glad to have gotten some good suggestions and advices from those who knew what i was trying to say.. Some people might have understood and some may have not and i see that....on another note.... i don't understand why my question regardless of how it was said came off as to me being insensitive to those who may be struggling about other important things in life when all i read on here is people stressing on how to arrange furnitures around their homes, to what color paint should be used, to how something should be angled, and all other things..why is mine so different??

hrhpri Hi, I am relatively new to Houzz... I can understand it is overwhelming to feel the need to overhaul a lot of different things in your house. We are just starting the beginning phases of building a place and it's a lot of thought/work that goes into it! I do agree with finding 1-2 things to work on at a time (e.g. the kitchen island). Anything more, and I know I tend to lose focus easily. Go to home shows, open houses, design centers, etc. If you can't afford a professional opinion of an interior designer, these are good places to get ideas. I tend to get lots of ideas from just doing web searches (like here on Houzz) and talking to friends about what they did, whom they used, how much it cost, etc. Good luck!

jsutt99 thank you hrhpri!

yes it can be overwhelming...since i am in a new developing community they have these open houses and yes i've been to all of them..lol and also i've been able to look at more upcoming developments around my area..i did take pics to get ideas as well...Web searches are usually my source to go to these days too...but hey good luck on your new home! thank you :-)

orangecamera Another source of ideas is to look at real estate listings in your area. Now that so many listings are online with a multitude of pictures, it's easy to see how things look in "real" (not model) homes. And - unfortunately for the sellers - you'll also see some mistakes that you can learn from and avoid.

diyjames Aja is totally right on this one!

pittytabbils I am in the midst of changing my surroundings (small project turned huge, very overwhelming), and houzz has been my "go to" site for ideas & inspiration. I'm a dinosaur when it comes to computer every/ anything, I try to keep comments private, truly just stumbled on this ongoing conversation and am (completely out of character) compelled to comment! The girl asked a question! The banter / feedback she received was better than an episode of "housewives of...", of which I am a fan, ie; when I have time, as I have a job, 4 kids, 2 cats, a husband & friends!!! To jsutt; when you see what you love, search no further & do it; move on to next thing with same philosophy. To naysayers, bullies & ppl who feel better when they negatively criticize others (tsk, tsk); Well, obviously you have WAY too much time on your hands! I'm at the tail END of my remodel, and am just NOW feeling somewhat confident in my decisions. Did you forget what your mom said? "If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all!" Good luck jsutt, thank you houzz for all the great pics, advice, articles, pearls of knowledge, & great wealth of info!!! Play nice, folks...

jsutt99 Well said ^^^^^^^^ thank you!!

Jayme Hobbs Let's go forward now and work together.....how can we specifically help u out jsutt99?

jsutt99 Thanks Jayme!

I'm actually good for now as far as what I need to know..some of the suggestions/advices I got on here pretty much gave me direction on how and where to start..:-)

Jayme Hobbs That is great! Please let us know how things turn out! Fun to see outcomes! Best of luck.