Archive for the ‘Helpful Tips’ Category

So many of us begin the New Year with the best of intentions. We plan to lose weight, eliminate one or more of our bad habits and acquire some good practices along the way. Unfortunately, resolving to make some needed changes in our home all too often doesn't make that list. Here are 11 of our favorite projects that can have a real impact on how your home lives and feels as you head into 2012. (We encourage you to call a Qualified, Professional Contractor to ensure that these projects are done correctly and serve you well for years to come!)

1. Problem areas. Right after your holiday guests leave is the perfect time to evaluate exactly which spaces didn’t function as efficiently as they should and to resolve to make any necessary changes while they’re still fresh in your mind. Common issues include the need for improved lighting, larger work areas, and better organization throughout the home.
2. Kitchen renovations. If the holidays revealed that your oven is outdated, your disposal too weak or that you lack refrigerator space, it may be time for more than a visit to the appliance store.  First, call a professional contractor to start off on the right path! Talk to them about changing out cabinetry, adjusting the layout and upgrading surfaces and fixtures. The result will be a space that’s designed around the way you cook, rather than the same room peppered with just a few new appliances.
3. Electrical updates. Have you been tripping breakers thanks to the extra lights and all the additional activity your home has hosted over the holidays? If so, it’s probably time for an electrical upgrade to ensure that the same issues don’t return on a larger scale next year.
4. Garage storage. If your decorations are crammed into your master bedroom closet, mudroom, and just about every other nook and cranny because nothing else will fit in your garage, this project is for you! Building or buying a simple storage rack system designed to accommodate the items your family actually stores in the garage will maximize the efficiency of this space.
5. Weatherproofing. One way to see an immediate and tremendous impact on high heating and air conditioning bills is by insulating and then drywalling your garage. If you have a room above this space, you’ll notice a major change in your comfort level as well.
6. Attic storage. For really delicate items, garage storage just won’t work. (Think candles and delicate glass ornaments that would crack or discolor in extreme heat or cold.) Frame out a section of your attic and make it climate controlled for walk-up or walk-in storage.
7. Rework closets. To double your closet space quickly and easily, replace single-rack closet systems with double-hung systems. To improve their durability, opt for wood or Melamine shelving with wood, chrome or bronze hanging bars.
8. Hidden usable space.  Sometimes a closet, panty or other needed storage area can be created just by tapping into the space under an existing stairway or an area where dead space exists behind a wall. A professional contractor can help you spot these prime areas.
9. Open up the space. If your home’s flow isn’t working, it’s time to change it.  Have your contactor remove walls between compartmentalized spaces like enclosed kitchens, formal dining rooms and family rooms to create open areas that feel and live better.
10. Add it up. As family members come back together for the holidays, more people are considering the possibility of joining households. Aging in-laws, adult children facing challenges in today’s economic climate, split households and other situations are requiring new and creative solutions. Adding an in-law suite or downstairs master makes sense to accommodate these family members. In some cases, these new household members can help finance the addition, making it a practical option as well.
11. Outdoor living comes in. If you start to screen-in a porch or create a sunroom now, you can complete the project before spring and get a full season of use from the space. This is particularly true in our area, where the weather is suitable for January construction. An interesting side note, as more people work from home at least part of the time, we’ve seen an increase in sunrooms being transformed into home offices. This eliminates the traditional tradeoff of sacrificing a guest bedroom for workspace. It’s practical, too. Most times, heating and air conditioning systems are already in place, so renovations may be as simple as beefing up the wiring and removing a window or two to create more vertical wall space. The result is a functional home office that generally has a much better view than your traditional one.

At this time of year, as our thoughts naturally turn to all of the blessings for which we are thankful, we can't help but think of our wonderful clients and how much we appreciate their business. While our customers have told us over the years that they are thankful for things like our hands-on involvement, passion for their projects and creative design ideas, they also appreciate those little touches that make a huge difference in how their home lives. Here are a few small improvements that we know you'll be thankful for everyday.

1. Eliminate scratch and dents. Believe it or not, those seeming indestructible stainless steel sinks do get scratches and dings.The thicker the sink (they typically range from 18 gauge to 23 gauge), the less likely it is to be damaged. A small difference in quality (about a $250 upgrade) will make a huge difference in durability. (While you're replacing the sink, add a built-in soap dispenser to de-clutter the counter.)
2. Things are looking up. All too often, contractors will replace the showerhead without raising it when they remodel a bathroom. Since they are removing the tile, drywall, etc. anyway, raising plumbing lines by a few inches is a very minimal expense. The difference in how the shower feels - particularly for tall people who previously have had to bend down to wash their hair - is amazing!
3. Don’t stop short. Tiling all the way to the ceiling in a shower is more hygienic (ever looked at the gunk that accumulates on top of that top row of tile?), eases cleaning, visually enlarges the space and makes it feel more finished.
4. Right-size it. The new higher commodes are 18" – the same height as a dining room chair. This 2" lift (standard height is 16") makes all the difference for a person of average height, for older people who may have difficulty bending, as well as for those of any age who just need a little extra assistance.
5. Light up your life. Installing under-cabinet task lighting focuses light directly where you need it when you are preparing meals, thus easing everyday tasks.
6. Get connected. Never have an outlet just where you need it in the kitchen? Continuous plug mold is a strip of electrical outlets, spaced out every 12 inches, that’s tucked underneath the edge of upper cabinets. This puts a concealed electrical connection everywhere you really need and eliminates the need for unsightly outlets in your beautiful tile backsplash.
7. More power. A stronger and quieter garbage disposal speeds kitchen cleanup and reduces noise issues when family living areas are open to the kitchen. (No one wants to hear the disposal while they are trying to watch a game!) Likewise, more efficient and quieter bathroom exhaust fans are a needed upgrade in most older homes.
8. No more dropped items. Replace outdated wire pantry shelves – the kind that break under the weight of canned goods or that  items fall through. Solid shelving designed to accommodate the types of items you actually store (dedicated space for tall items, etc.) will allow you to clearly see and easily access what you have on hand.
9. Warm reception. Switching out a dated double oven to a newer model (or adding one in the first place) provides needed flexibility. Since many older double ovens were too tiny to accommodate large cookie sheets, an upgrade gives you the oven space you need when entertaining while saving your back on a daily basis.  While we're on the subject, switching out an existing electric range for a new gas model isn’t as costly as many people assume, and it can make a huge difference to the cook in the family.
10. Chill out! Oftentimes when renovating a kitchen, homeowners will replace their refrigerator even if the existing one is still functioning. In those cases, we'll run a new electric line out to the garage and install the old one there. This gives them space for beverages and bulky, seasonal or entertaining items for which you never seem to have enough refrigerator space inside.

Kitchen Remodel - Before

In today’s increasingly hectic world, faster is often seen as better. While that certainly is not always true – think of a delicious homemade meal as opposed to the fast food that you grab at the drive-thru window - in some cases, a quick kitchen redo can satisfy a craving to spice up your kitchen.

Kitchen Remodel - After

Since a complete, ground-up kitchen renovation can take 8-10 weeks - contingent on the scope of the project - and require an investment - depending on which options you as the homeowner select - it may not always be the ideal solution for homeowners on a tight budget. Making some minor changes can have a real impact on how this critical space looks and feels. Be advised that this solution isn’t right for everyone and every home. What we're discussing here are essentially cosmetic changes - so if your kitchen has issues with how it flows for the way you want to use it, this won't solve them. Likewise, we're not addressing underlying difficulties with electrical, plumbing, etc. This is, however, a solid option for those who are happy with how their kitchen works, but not with how it looks.

Here are some steps that your professional contractor can take to give your kitchen a completely new look in a short amount of time and on a limited budget:

1. Invest in a clean slate. Your countertops comprise the largest area in your kitchen; they are where you work; and they make quite an impression. If you have scratched, stained or otherwise marred surfaces, changing them out can make a dramatic difference. This will most likely be the largest chunk of your budget, so plan it well. Consider mixing granite remnants with other materials like butcher block to maximize your spending power.
2. If you're changing the counter, replace the sink that's inset into it. This is much easier to do when the counters are being replaced rather than afterward. Opting for deep, dual, under mount basins, will improve both function and appearance.
3. Switch out plumbing fixtures. Since they are such a focal point and see such constant use, faucets tend to look dated and even a bit grimy after many years. The good news is that for a few hundred dollars, you can get a very high-quality fixture that will be the center of attention and a pleasure to use.
4. Another great focal point is a custom backsplash. Get creative with inexpensive tiles or add just a few of a more costly tile (like those shiny glass tiles) as an accent to maximize their impact.
5. While you're there, have your contractor remove dated wall outlets and install continuous plug mold strips under the inner lip of your cabinets. This convenient feature puts electrical outlets exactly where you need them and eliminates those ugly switch plates.
6. Install task lighting up under wall cabinets, install additional overhead recessed can lighting and update an outdated hanging fixture. Task and can lighting focuses the light where you need it most, simplifying everyday prep tasks, while a new light fixture will dramatically update a room.
7. Use the space you do have. Invest in in-cabinet organization systems that you select based on the items you actually use and where you use them. (Choose tall storage for cereal boxes and olive oil bottles; more compact storage for kids' treats in places they can reach on their own.)
8. Dress up existing cabinets with a fresh coat of paint and hardware that coordinates with your new look.

Have just a little more cash? Then here are the next two steps that make a huge difference:

1. Replace dated appliances with energy-efficient models to save on utility bills while making your life easier.
2. Refresh flooring. There's a myriad of options out there to fit any budget - from refinishing existing flooring to modestly priced, durable floor coverings that can give you a completely fresh start.