Hiring A Remodeler

Designer offers her best remodeling tips

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Normally, we pass on tips and tricks from a remodeler or contractor. Since it is always a good idea to get a fresh perspective on things, today we’re getting tips from a design expert!

Angie Hranowsky, a designer, spoke of the value in crunching budget numbers to Architectural Digest magazine in an article about how to ensure you have a smooth home renovation.

(Aside: You might have to refresh a couple of times for the article to come up.)

Her biggest takeaway is to put in the prep work.

First, get a head start on the decisions important to you. If you are attached to a color, style, or vanity, make sure your contractor knows. Pictures can help! “Modern vanity” or “light green” can mean different things to different people. Make sure nothing is lost in translation.

Next, go over the budget with contractor. Give all those line items a look. Does something look low? Is something sounding a bit high? Start a dialogue. It’s better to iron out these things ahead of time. Because once walls start coming down, costs on adjustments go up.

Last, do some comparison shopping. This is related to the second item. Take a spin through stores both online and in person and get an idea of what things cost. That way you can get a better feel for where you might want to save money and where you might want to splurge.

Elsewhere, if you are looking to spice up your kitchen, look no further than our organizer for drawers shown above. It’s available on our shop right here!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Have a great week!

What to expect during a home remodeling project

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Many people have a hard time envisioning what it’s like to embark on a home remodel.

The reality is that it’s not like what you see on TV. It is sometimes tedious, but it is worth it all the time.

We recently came across an article on the subject titled “10 things you should expect during a home remodel” on the Dayton Daily News website.

All 10 tips are good, but we will spotlight the best for you.

First, things will get dusty in here. There will be grime, as the article puts it. It’s the nature of the business of taking things apart and putting them back together again. A good contractor will help you prepare for and deal with the dirt that accompanies every remodel.

Second, it might get another kind of dusty in here. Things can get frustrating, like the article notes. You might lose your cool, and even shed a few tears. But as long as you trust the process and keep the lines of communication open with your contractor, things will go as smoothly as possible.

Third, you’re gonna have to make up your mind. There will be many decisions, so get ready. The last thing a contractor wants to do is disappoint you, so honor each decision as it arrives, no matter how trivial it might seem at the time.

Finally, it will be worth it. The article calls it “exultation,” but we like to call it “satisfaction.” That’s the sheer joy that comes with the completion of a project. No more mess, no more fuss. Just life to live in your new space.

Speaking of rolling with the punches, a couple from Minneapolis encountered some sticker shock when it came time to remodel their kitchen in their 1940s home.

Much like how a shirt unravels at the tugging of a single thread, the couple found out that getting rid of their island dishwasher (yes, really) would be harder than they first imagined. Check out their story for a longer, fleshed out version of what can happen during the remodeling process.

Have a good week!

Easy ways to go green during a remodel

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Spring has sprung in the Valley, or at least as much as it can while the temperature begins its approach to the century mark.

While most of the Sonoran Desert stays different shades of brown during Spring, people who choose to remodel do have the option to go green.

A recent blog post on Remodeling Magazine’s website detailing several inexpensive green remodeling options caught our eye.

For starters, you can use renewable materials such as bamboo and cork to suit your flooring needs.

Companies like PaperStone take things a step further by using recycled paper and other materials in their sustainable countertops.

If you are looking to start on a smaller scale, you can look at energy efficient appliances and windows, or just use paints that are free of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Elsewhere, if you need some inspiration for a kitchen remodel, check out these before-and-after photos from Boston Magazine.

The three projects include re-purposing space, increasing the cooking capacity, and adding some serious light to a dark space.

Have a good week!