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A look at some early remodeling trends in 2018

By on February 2, 2018   /   Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Planning, Remodel, Secret Compartments, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

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It’s February, which means we are more than a month into 2018. Where has all the time gone?

While it is still early in the year, some remodeling trends have started to emerge, according to this article, and the good news is that they can recoup most of their investment.

First up are bathroom additions. The most cost-effective solutions require using existing plumbing, but for those adventurers out there hoping to add a bathroom to a unique space, above-ground plumbing features can make that possible, the article says. Now, not everyone is cool with a macerating toilet or drain pumps, but to each their own. A bathroom addition usually recoups about 60 percent of its cost.

Next up is the curb appeal. More costly options include replacing windows and improving the landscaping, but there’s one option you might not think about that replaces 98 percent of its cost — the garage door! Replacing a garage door is a surefire investment because of its utility.

Last up are smart home upgrades. It is no surprise that more people are exploring smart home upgrades since everything can be done through your phone nowadays. In addition to home security systems, upgrades include smart lighting, smart door locks, smart thermostats, and smart smoke detectors. Smart home upgrades add convenience and serious cool factor come resale time.

For more information on the cost vs. value of many different remodeling projects, check out this article. 

Viva Las Vegas!

I love Vegas and will use any excuse to write about it. Here’s an article about Harrah’s hotel and casino’s $140 million remodel of the Valley Tower and its 1,622 rooms.

The aesthetic is sleek and modern with a barn-style bathroom door, rain shower, free-standing closets that blend into the wall decor, backlit vanities with docking stations to charge devices, and minimalistic furniture to give the rooms a larger feel.

I find a lot of my personal inspiration from hotels, so check out the slideshow so you can too.

Have a great week!

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Making the case for hardwood floors

By on December 30, 2017   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

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Congratulations! You have survived the holidays. Well most of them. Of course, there is one more to go, but New Year’s Eve feels like a one-off compared to the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

If you’ve taken our advice and used the holidays to take mental notes about what you’d like to improve in your home, then well done. If not, it’s not too late. Either way, we’re going to throw one more thing at you to think about: flooring.

We happened across an article extolling the virtues of hardwood flooring, and it certainly got us thinking about them more at length.

First, they offer great value. Most hardwood floors recoup 70%-80% of their value, according to the article. Getting their money’s worth is often the most important factor to consumers.

Second, they have universal appeal. If you plan on selling in the future, hardwood floors are in demand, according to the real estate pros in the article. One person in the article called them a “bling feature.”

Finally, they last a long time. With proper care, hardwood floors offer the longest life span versus other flooring materials, the article says. And that threshold for proper care is pretty minimal.

Now, we won’t deny that hardwood floors are pricey. The article estimates average cost of $5 to $10 per square foot and more for installation.

So, if the pros don’t outweigh the price tag, faux hardwood could be the way to go for you. They offer many of the same benefits at a lower price scale.

If these walls could talk

If you aren’t in love with our hardwood floors talk, then here’s a remodeling story that might tug at your heart strings.

A man’s love letter from 1944 was found in the walls of a Greenfield, Mass., home during a recent remodel. Local police uploaded a photo of the letter, written by a man only identified as Walter, in the hopes of figuring out the backstory and the post went viral.

Unfortunately, the intended recipient had already passed away, but her family was able to get the letter.

Have a great week and we’ll see you next year!

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Use the holidays to plan your next remodel

By on December 4, 2017   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

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December is here, which means it’s one major holiday down and one to go.

Chances are you will be entertaining company over the next few weeks. If so, it’s a good time to take inventory of how your living space responds to all the guests.

This article has several great tips on what to keep an eye on while you are entertaining and using your newfound information to guide your next remodeling project.

First up, take a look at how the people move around the place, the article suggests. Are things too cramped in one place or too vacant in another? Maybe guests keep bumping into each other in a certain area? The flow of your house is a great place to start when it comes to planning your next home remodel.

Next, take a look at your storage situation, the article says. Do you have enough storage for your kitchen items? What about your guests’ coats and purses? Now, with that storage in mind, is there a more efficient place it could be? The best storage situation is adequate and convenient. If your house is one or the other, a remodel can bridge the gap.

Finally, since you will be cooking your face off over the next month, take a good look at your kitchen. Can you move effortlessly between the refrigerator and stove? Do you risk an accident every time you forget to close the dishwasher? Make notes of things you’d like to improve, and take those notes to a designer. The solution is out there.

Speaking of entertaining, here’s a cool party trick for your next get together.

Memorize this list of most popular home renovations by state Google data that we came across on Architectural Digest. The study the article is based on was conducted by Empire Today, and their results are available here. Then, when you are chit-chatting with someone from the Southwest, tell them you know they’ve thought of renovating their living room. You will be the toast of the room. Maybe.

Have a great week!

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