Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven

How to get what you want- working with "a guy" In this short episode I answer a listener question about getting what you want from a project. When you don’t work with a licensed contractor, but hire “a guy” that has been recommended to you, how do you communicate the scope and the details of the job?  Answer:  Document what you want no matter who you are working with, be it a contra...

Episode Recap How layers of light work and why they’re helpful Ambient vs. task vs. accent lighting Why our eyes like varied rather than uniform light How we respond to various levels of illumination How different kinds of fixtures shed different shapes of light Recessed vs. flush vs. semi flush vs. sconce vs. lamp Color temperature and how it affects the ambience of a space Color rendering index...

Stress and the value of an architect British architect Debbie Bentley explains the emotional aspects of renovations and the value of hiring an architect.  Episode Recap Many people underestimate the full psychological impact of renovating their house Financial issues will be raised What is the value of an architect?  book about designing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-House-Right-Mariann...

Do you really need a contractor? Architect Karl Leabo explains why he believes that hiring a (good) contractor will save you headache, time and money. Episode Recap The best outcome is when you hire a contractor early on in the design process Contracting your renovation can be a full time job, even a project that seems small. What restaurant would your contractor be? Some projects require a higher...

Real estate and Renovations Elizabeth Hayes is a realtor at Sotheby’s in Cambridge MA and she helps us understand what to look for if you’re hoping to buy a house that needs a major renovation. She also talks about how much to renovate in order to sell your house.  Episode Recap What to look for if you are hoping to find a fixer-upper When should you not buy a house that needs a renovati...

Where to start with your home renovation Walter Russell from Home Sweet Home Builders of Woburn MA joined me on this first episode to discuss how to get going with a project, Walter brings the perspective of a contractor in a discussion about how to kick off your home renovation. Episode Recap Step 1: Know what you want  Step 2: Know what you can afford Our fictional homeowner is trying...

This podcast is for homeowners about to begin a home renovation and for people who are interested in hearing architects, contractors, vendors and homeowners talk about their expertise or experiences with home renovations. You don't know what you don't know, so listen in and enjoy the show!