How to Protect Your Family from Asbestos Exposure

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If you currently live in a home or are planning on moving into one with any part constructed before 1980, it is a good bet that there are asbestos-containing materials in the structure. If you have watched television at all in the past twenty years then I’m sure you’ve seen the scary commercials which talk […]

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What to Expect When Meeting with a Professional Residential Contractor

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This article covers a list of items that we think people should know about before they meet with a professional residential remodeling firm . There are some common misconceptions that we run across frequently and we wanted to take a closer look at some things you can expect from a quality company. This list is not meant […]

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Differences Between Custom and Generic Home Finishes

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If you are shopping for an item and searching solely for the cheapest price, there is no doubt that you will be able to find some excellent deals if you look long enough. There are opportunity costs to choosing a generic item with a budget price however as opposed to having a custom item made […]

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Aging in Place in Your Lansing, MI, Home

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Even the healthiest body will succumb to the wear that a long life well lived will bring, and this wear can require that daily activities require more care than before. Of course, you could get this kind of care if you moved into an assisted-living facility, which could make all manners of daily activities safer: Bathing […]

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Comparing and Contrasting Different Remodeling Experiences

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There are so many different types of contractors to choose between for your project: remodelers, general contractors, builders, handymen, trade specialist subcontractors, and other specialties (such as insurance restoration). Check out our blog post on the types of residential remodelers here. It can make your head start to spin when trying to pick between them for your […]

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Whole House Remodeling: Why You Should Renovate Your Entire House at One Time

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Having a whole-house remodel performed can be a large undertaking, but R. L. Rider Remodeling has an experienced team and process that makes it simpler and stress-free. If your entire house needs updating then there are a lot of good reasons to have all the scopes of work done simultaneously. In this article we will cover why it is […]

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Pros and Cons of moving out vs. staying at home during a remodeling project

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Deciding to move forward with a large remodeling project is an exciting time – you’ll finally get your house exactly how you’ve envisioned it! Once the choice is made and the contract is signed, it is time to think about your living situation for the duration of the project. A lot of this depends on how substantial […]

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Outdoor Living Space Ideas to Make Your Own Enchanting Oasis

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NOTE: This is a special guest post by Anna Fox of Señor Mist, a contractor who specializes in making outdoor living spaces comfortable. They utilize mist, fog, dust control, and heating components to help make your time outside pleasant. Anna is sharing her advice on turning your outdoor living area into an enjoyable oasis – check […]

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When to DIY and When to Hire a Contractor

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NOTE: This is a special guest post by Darlene Mase of Zumper, a housing and apartment website. She’s sharing her tips on when to DIY, or “do it yourself,” and when to reach out to a professional contractor or tradesman to work on your remodeling project. You can read more of her posts at https://www.zumper.com/blog/. Thanks Darlene! […]

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What Makes High-end Remodeling Labor More Expensive Than Other Contractors

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There is a shortage of skilled tradesmen in the construction industry which has been putting upward pressure on the rates at which contractors must bill out their labor. Multiple factors contributed to this phenomenon, including the lack of trade school support, a large percentage of tradesmen being forced to exit the field during the financial […]

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Why Getting Three Quotes for Your Construction Project May Be an Outdated System

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You have probably heard the old mantra repeated many times: “Get three bids from different contractors before you decide on the right company to complete your construction or remodeling project.” On the surface the advice makes a lot of sense – no one wants to get ripped off or regret their decision. You take the […]

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Improving Your Home and Lifestyle With Discretionary Remodeling

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Discretionary remodeling has been coming back in a big way as the U.S. economy has recovered and surged past pre-recession levels. As opposed to necessary or replacement-related projects, we define discretionary remodeling as throwing the budget out the window and going all in on the remodel of your dreams. While more of a luxury experience, […]

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Why You Need to Make Product & Finish Selections Before Construction Begins

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When you receive an in-depth estimate for a remodeling project from R. L. Rider Remodeling, there will be items that are the homeowner’s responsibility to pick out. These different products and finishes are the non-generic items (think drywall or framing lumber) that will be what you see and use every day, and therefore we need […]

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What to Do Before Calling a Remodeler

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Before you begin to call remodeling companies, it is a good idea to organize your thoughts on what your project will look like, how much you’d like to spend, and what is most important to you when selecting who to hire. The list of items below will help guide you through this organizational process and […]

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Questions to Ask When You’re Interviewing Your Contractor

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Once you decide to move forward with your remodeling project and contact a contractor you will find the best ones ask you a lot of questions to clarify what will work best for your specific project. That doesn’t mean it should be a one-way street however – asking lots of questions during the interview stage […]

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CUSTOM HOME DESIGN & PRECONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST (PART 3)

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This is blog post 3/3 on designing and building a new custom home – click [here] for part 1 and [here] for part 2 to read on about what you should consider. When you start the process of building a custom home, the sheer number of decisions and factors you must consider can get overwhelming in a hurry. The […]

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CUSTOM HOME DESIGN & PRECONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST (PART 2)

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This is blog post 2/3 on designing and building a new custom home – click [here] for part 1 and [here] for part 3 to read on about what you should consider. When you start the process of building a custom home, the sheer number of decisions and factors you must consider can get overwhelming in a hurry. The […]

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Custom Home Design & Preconstruction Checklist

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This is blog post 1/3 on designing and building a new custom home – click [here] for part 2 and [here] for part 3 to read on about what you should consider. When you start the process of building a custom home, the sheer number of decisions and factors you must consider can get overwhelming in a hurry. The […]

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3 Exterior Remodeling Ideas for Your Okemos Home

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The appearance of your Okemos home’s exterior is just as important as the appearance of its interior, so investing in exterior remodeling is encouraged, especially if you want to boost your house’s curb appeal. Replacing key elements of your home’s exterior not only enhances its appearance but also improves your home’s energy efficiency, so schedule exterior remodeling […]

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Three Season Rooms vs. Four Season Rooms: Which Type Is Right for You?

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If you’re planning to build a room addition on your Lansing home, make sure that you consider three season rooms and four-season rooms. Before you make a decision, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type with your remodeling contractor to ensure that the room you choose suits your location, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Characteristics of Three Season Rooms […]

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Maintaining a Clean and Organized Home During Bathroom Remodeling

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Containing the mess of a remodeling project may seem impossible, but it can be done with the joint effort of you and your remodeling contractor. In particular, renovating bathrooms often make movement within Dewitt homes difficult because they’re often positioned in hallways or in bedrooms. Don’t give in to the chaos and clutter of bathroom remodeling. Instead, prepare […]

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Finding a Remodeler in Lansing, MI

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With today’s stellar economy, it can be difficult to find a remodeler, or any contractor really, to partner with in anticipation of constructing your project. It is very frustrating to plan your remodel, investigate financing, discuss endlessly, and finally decide to move forward with your project only to find it nearly impossible to find somebody […]

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Site Protection for Remodeling Projects

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If you are planning on remodeling or adding on to your house, site protection is a big issue to pay attention to. The majority of contractors overlook or simply don’t place a priority on protecting the customer’s home. That’s a problem because you, the paying client, deserve a pristine home in addition to the well-crafted […]

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The Most Important Factors for Selecting Your Remodeler

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What are you looking for in a contractor for your next project? Have you or your family had a bad experience in the past with a remodeler that left you wary about the next job you wanted done? Unfortunately, the construction industry seems to attract some types of people who are dishonest or downright scammers. […]

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