Hiring A Remodeler

What people are saying about MK Remodeling & Design

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With the Olympics winding down, we are thinking a lot about gold medals and all the hard work that goes into winning one.

If remodeling and design was in the Summer Games, we think we’d have a good shot at gold. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Just read some of our reviews, and you’ll see why we average 4.5 stars on Facebook.

Remodel has gone great,” says Dana, who had work done on her kitchen. “Constant communication, attention to detail and they actually listened to me and what I wanted. Super quality cabinetry. I would not hesitate to use them again for another job.”

And Dana is not alone. Plenty of people trust us for second and third jobs.

“Great job, pleasant to work with,” Pam says. “This is our second job using MK and we will definitely continue to use them in the future. Good communication, a great team!”

In addition to our communication skills, Nancy has high marks for our attention to detail.

“This is an excellent team of professionals who do top notch work and don’t give up until everything is done just right,” she says. “They are courteous and prompt in their communications and accommodating with scheduling.

“We had gotten several estimates on repairing a leak in a patio roof under a walk deck, and the two other estimates included entire replacement of the walk deck. This turned out to be work we didn’t actually need. Mike gave a a much more pragmatic and honest solution and saved us thousands of dollars. We had some warranty issues with replacement sliders and the MK team, James and Mike have stayed on top of it through resolution. We recommend this company highly and without reservation.”

So there you have it. When you add up all the scores, MK Remodeling & Design is as good as gold.

Keeping things safe during a home remodel

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If you’ve got children, pets, or older people around, then don’t forget about how they could be affected by a home remodel.

While a good remodeler will take care of these, it’s always a good idea to make a mental list, just to be safe.

NWCN.com has a great article on preventing hazards while remodeling you home. It has tips you might have thought of and some things you might have missed.

First, if it’s within your budget, consider moving out briefly, either into a hotel or a friend or family member’s house. The only way to be 100 percent sure is to remove yourself from the equation.

Next, look for any leftover debris on all places that kids or pets will play on. Be proactive and address this topic with your remodeler before construction begins. Alert remodelers to any special concerns (i.e. small children or pets) so that they can better serve you.

While taped off constructions work well, they are not dustproof. Some nitty gritty stuff will seep in, so the article suggests your vacuum has a HEPA filter, which prevents the exhaust from spreading dust around. When it comes to paint, low-VOC paints and finishes will minimize the levels of irritants present in your home during and after the application process.

Lastly, for more extensive remodels, you might consider testing your soil for lead, the article says. That what you can have peace of mind when you resume outdoor activities.

Have a great week!

Remodeling projects that can lower your home’s value

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One of the biggest questions homeowners should ask themselves before remodeling is this: Will I ever sell this house?

And if the answer is yes, then there are a few rules you should follow. CheatSheet.com has all the answers (See what I did there?) in their article about home renovations that lower a home’s value.

Our favorite rules listed in the article are don’t get too fancy, don’t customize too much, don’t condense your yard, and don’t reduce the number of bedrooms. (The article also says don’t install a pool, but those are pretty handy in Arizona, wouldn’t you say?)

A lot of these are common sense, but they are worth repeating. A house that is too customized loses any universal appeal. No one will buy a home that is engineered for the exclusive needs of the previous owners.

Yard space is very important because it offers versatility. If you’ve eliminated the scope of people’s options by building out your space, you’ve condensed your customer pool. Your yard space should be on par with your neighbor’s space.

As the article notes, the prevailing wisdom is that the more bedrooms you have, the better off you’ll be. Like yard space, the number of bedrooms should follow the neighborhood lead. If the average is 3 bedrooms, and you want to convert your third to a walk-in closet, you are rolling the dice.

Again, all this advice comes with the caveat that if you have no plans to ever sell, then by all means, go buck wild. If you want to install LED lights in your shower to ensure your mother-in-law stops visiting, then do it. There are no rules for forever homes — except that you should use a licensed remodeler on all your projects.

Have a good week!