Awards

Most popular home remodeling projects heading into new year

By on December 30, 2020   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

Well, guys, we’ve almost made it to a new year!

If you are like me, you can’t wait to be done with 2020. Hopefully, some good has come from 2020. Maybe extra time with the family, and possibly a few ideas on ways to improve your home in the new year.

With that in mind, here is a list of the most popular home improvements during the pandemic.

The list includes both major (kitchen and bathroom renovations) and minor things (painting), so chances are you undertook at least one of those projects.

One project on the list was flooring. An ever-popular undertaking, this article outlines four big trends in flooring that you’ll want to keep in mind in 2021.

Natural colors, select grade, rift-cut floors, and long-length boards offer a little of something for everyone.

One not mentioned on the list, but popular none the less during COVID, was adding a gym.

Whether it meant converting an existing space or an entire addition, many remodelers worked around what equipment homeowners had to give them the gym they needed.

Adding some flair to function is also the theme of this Washington Post article about mudrooms and laundry rooms.

The article recommends tall cubbies with sturdy hooks for every family member, and reminds you not to forget your pets when it comes to storage.

Being more thoughtful in the kitchen is another trend that will continue in the new year.

More people are choosing to purchase environmentally conscious materials and energy- and water-saving appliances when remodeling their kitchens.

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!

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How to make your kitchen, bathroom remodel less scary

By on October 30, 2020   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

Halloween certainly looks much different this year, what with coronavirus and all.

One thing that doesn’t have to be scary is your home remodeling experience.

Our good friends at Houzz have put together some great tips and tricks for surviving a kitchen remodel.

A lot of their advice comes in the form of preparation.

First, plan some serious time to pack away all of your belongings, the article says, so your supplies are safely secured and you aren’t rushing the night before work begins.

Next, the article suggests you make sure to have some sort of way to refrigerate food, either by relocating the existing fridge to a garage or laundry room, or by purchasing a mini fridge, like in your younger days.

Also, set up a temporary kitchen somewhere, the article says, so you have some place to toss together a meal or two.

Finally, the article suggests including takeout and food delivery to your budget, because let’s face it, you will be using it more than usual.

“But Stewart,” you say, “you are putting the cart before the horse!” Well, dear reader, if hiring a remodeler has you afraid to move, there are a good number of tips in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Confirming a remodeler is licensed, bonded and insured, viewing a remodeler’s history of working with designers, and getting all promises in writing are the three biggest takeaways from the article.

And lastly, if deciding what to do with your bathroom remodel is giving you chills, here’s some good advice.

Have a good week, and Happy Halloween!

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Guest Post: What Remodeling Tips Are Hot This Summer

By on August 12, 2020   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, cleaning, Customer Service, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Hiring A Remodeler, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Planning, Remodel, Roofing, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

Summer is here, and while you probably took care of most of your cleaning tasks in the Spring, it is now time for you to further enhance your property. Specifically, we are talking about remodeling. While these projects appear intimidating on the surface, when done correctly, they can significantly boost the value of your home.

Consider this: According to HomeLight’s report on the 2020 real estate landscape, upgrading to stainless-steel appliances can yield a 141% return on investment, adding a home office yields an 87% return, and privacy fencing often has an ROI of 78%. Considering those figures, you should not be afraid to take on remodeling projects.

Based on the HomeLight findings, kitchen remodels, painting, and landscaping and gardening are the three most popular home improvement projects that property owners are tackling this summer. Although these projects can seem overwhelming, you can use the information below to make them more manageable.

Choosing the right home renovation professionals

Home remodeling projects should not be attempted by one person. They require a team of experts such as a general contractor (the manger that oversees all the remodeling work), specialty tradesman (painters, plumbers, roofers, etc.), a handyman (generalists that can take on a variety of high-level tasks), and an interior designer (the professional who ensures that the remodel fits into your desired aesthetics).

In addition to those experts, if you have a large remodeling project (e.g. gutting sections of your home, making significant structural changes), you should consider speaking with a professional remodeler. They create an overarching vision for your remodel and ensure that all the moving parts piece together when complete. 

Developing a home remodel strategy

Given the fact that every home is different, when you begin your remodeling projects, it is important to begin your remodeling projects with a plan and consider what buyers are looking for. For example, if you want to make your home feel more spacious and welcoming, an open floor plan is worth exploring. 

Even just removing a non-load-bearing wall (i.e. a wall that does not support the weight of the floor or roof above) can modernize your space.

Homebuyers are also looking for neutral color palates in their home. Faux wood laminate flooring, matte black cabinet fixtures, and neutral linen curtains are all great décor options. If you have a larger budget, we suggest installing hardwood floors as 54% of homebuyers are willing to pay a premium when it is already installed.

In addition to your living room, you should explore upgrading your kitchen. Adding stone or quartz countertops, white subway tiles, stainless steel appliances, and brushed stainless steel or matte black hardware are a few of the most effective ways to improve your space.

You can also complement extensive upgrades by replacing cabinet knobs with handles, installing LED rope lights under your cabinets, and purchasing a sink made of stainless steel or enamel.

Finally, don’t forget to invest in landscaping as it can deliver up to a 10% boost to your home’s value. For example, adding shrubs, trees, and hedges to boost privacy are a worthwhile project if your home is near a busy street or in a planned community where you are not allowed to add a fence.

This post was provided by our friends at HomeLight.

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