A Field Guide to the Most Dangerous Species Read more
The project: Fitzpatrick converted her ranch house into what she calls a "Craftsman Nouveau" house in six phases of work over two years. The design: Fitzpatrick is the lead designer for her company, so it was only natural for her to design her own house. Read more
When architects and business partners Chris and Trula Remson were looking for office space for their growing firm, they wanted to be part of the revitalization of downtown Baton Rouge. Finding a building that would showcase their work, fit their budget, and offer them space for 12 employees was a challenge, but they eventually found what they were looking for in a nondescript building on a main street in the Beauregard neighborhood. Read more
Major Kitchen Remodel Project Description: (MIDRANGE) Update an outmoded 200-square-foot kitchen with design and installation of a functional layout of new cabinets, laminate countertops, and standard double-tub stainless steel sink with standard single-lever faucet. Include energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposer, and custom lighting. Add new resilient floor. Finish with painted walls, trim, and ceiling. Include 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, including a 3-by-5-foot island. The national average cost of this project is $43,804. The upscale version of this project averages about a 79.6 percent return on investment. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Master Suite Project Description: (MIDRANGE) On a house with two or three bedrooms, add a 24-by-16-foot master bedroom suite over a crawl space. Include walk-in closet/dressing area, whirlpool tub in ceramic tile platform, separate 3-by-4-foot ceramic tile shower, and double-bowl vanity with solid-surface countertop. Bedroom floor is carpet; bath floor is ceramic tile. Painted walls, ceiling, and trim. General and spot lighting, exhaust fan. The national average cost of this project is $70,760. The upscale version of this project averages about a 76.9 percent return on investment. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Basement Remodel Project Description: Finish the lower level of a house to create a 20-by-30-foot entertaining area with wet bar, a 5-by-8-foot full bath, and a 12-by-12-foot auxiliary room. Walls and ceilings are painted drywall throughout; exterior walls are insulated; painted trim throughout. Include five six-panel, primed hardboard doors. Main room shall include 15 recessed ceiling light fixtures and three surface-mounted light fixtures and snap-together laminate flooring system. Bathroom includes standard white toilet, vanity with cultured-marble top, resilient vinyl flooring, two-piece fiberglass shower unit, a light/fan combination, vanity light fixture, and recessed medicine cabinet. Bar area includes 10 linear feet of raised-panel oak cabinets with laminate countertops, stainless steel bar sink, single-lever bar faucet, undercounter refrigerator, and vinyl floor tile. The national average cost of this project is $43,865. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Family Room Addition Project Description: In a style and location appropriate to the existing house, add a 16-by-25-foot room on a crawl space foundation with wood siding and fiberglass shingle roof. Include drywall interior with batt insulation, prefinished hardwood floor, and 180 square feet of glazing including windows, atrium-style exterior doors, and two operable skylights. Tie into existing heating and cooling system. The national average cost of this project is $53,983. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Window Replacement Project Description: (MIDRANGE) Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung windows with vinyl- or aluminum-clad, double-glazed, wood replacement windows. Wrap existing exterior trim as required to match. Do not disturb existing interior trim. The national average cost of this project is $9,568. The upscale version of this project averages about an 87 percent return on investment. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Bathroom Remodel Project Description: (MIDRANGE) Update an existing bathroom that is at least 25 years old. Replace all fixtures to include standard-sized tub with ceramic tile surround; toilet; solid-surface vanity counter with integral double sink; recessed medicine cabinet; ceramic tile floor; and vinyl wallpaper. The national average cost of this project is $10,088. The upscale version of this project averages about a 92.6 percent return on investment. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Attic Bedroom Project Description: In a house with two or three bedrooms, convert unfinished space in attic to a 15-by-15-foot bedroom and a 5-by-7-foot bathroom with shower. Add a 15-foot shed dormer and four new windows. Insulate and finish ceiling and walls. Carpet unfinished floor. Extend existing heating and central air conditioning to new space. Retain existing stairs. The national average cost of this project is $32,863. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Bathroom Addition Project Description: (MIDRANGE) Add a full 6-by-8-foot bath to a house with one or one and a half baths. Locate within existing footprint near bedrooms. Include cultured-marble vanity top, molded sink, standard tub/shower with ceramic tile surround, low-profile toilet, general and spot lighting, mirrored medicine cabinet, linen storage, vinyl wallpaper, and ceramic tile floor. The national average cost of this project is $15,519. The upscale version of this project averages about an 84.3 percent return on investment. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Siding Replacement Project Description: Replace 1,250 square feet of existing siding with new vinyl siding, including all trim. The national average cost of this project is $7,329. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more
Deck Addition Project Description: Add a 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated pine joists supported by 4x4 posts set into concrete footings. Install composite deck material in a simple linear pattern. Include a built-in bench and planter of the same decking material. Provide a complete railing system using either a matching system made of the same composite as the decking material or a compatible vinyl system. The national average cost of this project is $6,304. Read on to find out the average cost recouped on this project in your location. Read more