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 If the holidays revealed that your oven is outdated, your disposal too weak or that you lack refrigerator space, it may be time for more than a visit to the appliance store.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.

Since we at Palmer Custom Builders are pet lovers, we want to ensure that your pets remain safe. We’ve even gone to the extent of putting a pet clause in our contracts. When you are selecting a contractor, we encourage you to make sure that you're on the same page when it comes to your pets. While our crews have been known to walk homeowners' dogs, their – and any workers' - primary focus is on completing your project well and on time. Because your pets' safety is ultimately your responsibility, here are some things to look out for:

Building materials/tools are everywhere. During the day, workers are using sharp saws and dangerous power equipment. The loud noises from power saws and nail guns can be unsettling to a pet's sensitive hearing. Nightly cleanups may miss metal shavings, nails or screws, or chemical agents that can be dangerous or deadly if consumed.

Escape routes are open. While you may be mindful of where your pet is when opening doors, that’s not necessarily the case with workers - even those who make an effort to be cognizant of your pets. Materials are frequently brought in through garages, where invisible fences typically aren’t run. Gates may be left open to facilitate loading. Once, when we were remodeling a main level master bathroom, our crew was handing construction debris out the window when the family cat took the opportunity to jump through. We were able to retrieve the cat, even though the man who did so got bit, but fortunately, this scenario ended happily.

Legal issues. Even though the case of the cat ended well, if your pet bites a worker in your home, you might be opening yourself up to legal issues, so preventing contact should be a priority.

Site dangers. A construction site can be a dangerous place. If flooring materials have been removed, it's possible for an animal to fall into a crawl space, or if they are outside, fall into holes dug for footings.

Fear of the Unknown. We typically seal off work areas with plastic. During one kitchen renovation, an overly enthusiastic cat managed to penetrate the plastic. Since the kitchen was completely stripped, he panicked in the now unfamiliar space. Fortunately, he did not injure himself and we remedied the situation by erecting a semi-permanent wall.  But this points out that animals will do things they wouldn’t normally do under stress. Changes and strangers in their environment, loud noises and more can wreak havoc on pets.

Designate a space! For these reasons and many others, we advise homeowners to keep pets in a designated area. A closed room is good, but a crate is best, as it eliminates the chance of your pet running through a door accidentally left open. If you have the option, we highly recommend having your pet stay with a friend or family member for the duration of your project.

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.

When most homeowners initially contact a general contractor, they begin the discussion by talking about all the things they desire in a project – their wish list. Since renovations aren’t something homeowners tackle everyday, they may not have a clear concept of the true costs of construction. As a result, they may be understandably surprised when they begin to discuss price. Adding to this confusion is the fallacy perpetuated by the media that construction costs have been slashed. The truth is that despite the economy, costs for good contractors have held steady, and in some cases, escalated. Just think about commodities like gas: The last time you filled up your car, did it cost you less than it did a year ago? The cost of materials – like metal and petroleum-based building products – have climbed dramatically, along with the fuel costs of transporting these heavy products. Quality labor has remained near constant. Yes, construction industry layoffs have led many unemployed workers with varying levels of construction expertise, project and financial management skills to launch their own companies. While some are solid, others are cutting corners by not pulling permits and not carrying Workers' Compensation and Liability Insurance (which leaves homeowners open to all sorts of legal issues). Some are slashing prices to pay their immediate bills but not providing enough working capital to actually finish the job – which is every homeowner's nightmare!

Just like a good surgeon, what an experienced contractor really brings to a project is his expertise. On a macro level, an inexperienced contractor will build exactly what a client requests, without offering creative ideas or improvements. One client initially asked several contractors to bid their kitchen renovation as designed, which essentially refreshed their galley-style kitchen in the same space. We were able to explain that for very little added cost, we could reclaim and repurpose adjoining spaces to give them an expanded kitchen that actually met their needs, rather than one they merely settled for by shoe-horning it into the existing space.

That's really what you are paying a professional for: to make recommendations based on their experience and finish the project as agreed upon, with quality, on budget and on time. A qualified professional knows how to do things the proper way and will bring the unique, "high-end" touches they are accustomed to doing into even their smallest project. Oftentimes, these "extras" don’t cost any more. It comes down to creative thinking that's possible because of the diversity of projects the contractor has seen and handled. They'll also understand the long-term effects of changes that are being made and foresee hidden issues. In one renovation, we replaced plumbing valves in an unrelated space because we realized that if the homeowner had a maintenance issue with the existing pipes, he wouldn’t have been able to stop the flow of water. That simple preventive change gave him great peace of mind.

Your home is likely your most substantial investment, and far more long lasting than something like an automobile. Yet often, people who would never consider settling for a basic car will hire a bargain contractor to work on their home. A bargain contractor most likely will not have a current general contractors' license, nor will he be using experienced, professional tradesmen – like licensed plumbers and electricians. Generally, they aren’t pulling building permits, because doing so means their work must be inspected. (To pass an inspection, a contractor must be properly licensed and be using licensed plumbers and electricians.) No permit also means that a homeowner is giving up an important layer of protection designed to ensure that the work being done on their home is being completed properly and consistent with current Building Codes. Also, bargain contractors or their tradesmen most likely will not have General Liability and Workers' Compensation insurance, which is an added layer of legal protection for the homeowner. Unfortunately, we have recently seen the economy forcing even knowledgeable homeowners to take their chances by hiring a "bargain" contractor or even a handyman, and that is very sad to see when the results of their investment fall short of their dreams and may increase the cost to them in the long run.

Here are our Top 7 projects to consider now:

1. Converting screened porches into sunrooms. This is a project you can really enjoy now, because closing in these areas helps to eliminate summer pollen and keeps you out of the heat as well as winter’s chill. Do this project now and then enjoy the additional enclosed space on a year round basis. A sunroom is really an economical way to increase both your heated and cooled square footage and thus, the value of the home.
2. Outdoor living areas - particularly backyard patios, BBQ areas and masonry fireplaces. Why now? In summer, we simply have better access to your backyard. Your lawn tends to be much drier, so heavy equipment won’t be as damaging to your grass. Plus, you can enjoy the improvements this summer!
3. Extensive additions that require opening a wall or digging footings. Beginning these long-term projects now is easier and much more energy efficient. (Imagine opening up a wall in your kitchen and trying to keep the rest of the house warm when it’s 20 degrees outside!) Once again, since the ground is drier, it’s also quicker and less costly (in both time and labor) to dig footings and a lot less mess.  Also, with more hours of daylight, work can be completed more quickly.
4. Kitchen additions.The kitchen is the heart of your home, and these projects simply take time to complete. (The average kitchen remodel takes approximately 10 weeks, depending on the extent of the project and the level of customization of its components.) If you plan it now, order what you need early, and avoid the rush when everyone else is frantically trying to squeeze it in, you’ll be certain that your project is completed on time. The bonus is that you’ll be familiar with your renewed kitchen, new appliances, etc. well before the holidays, which will make entertaining go much more smoothly.
5. Dormers put on or having a garage roof removed to add an upstairs. Even in the south where our winters are mild, snow and ice storms still can be a concern. So if you plan on opening up a roof, do it well before there’s a chance of severe weather.
6. Exterior upfits. If you want your home to make a great first impression on guests, make repairs now. May and June are great times to paint the exterior of your home, because the paint cures better than in the extreme heat of August/September or the chill of November/December. Summer is also the time to replace garage doors, because track adjustments go more smoothly in warm weather than when it is cold.
7. Inside jobs.  Common projects like opening up a wall between rooms to improve the appearance and flow of a space, or floor refinishing are best planned now. Why? Because the sooner you get them on the calendar, the more quickly they’ll be done. Anytime a project involves engineers, subcontractors like electricians and plumbers, multiple permits and inspections, and moving furniture, etc., it makes sense to plan ahead. Remodeling and the holidays can both be stressful, so why add a worry about whether your project will be finished on time? When you are not pushing a contractor to complete the job, they’ll be able to take their time and do it right, which ultimately will make you and your family much happier with the results for years to come.

Believe it or not, that can and does happen in Mecklenburg County, thanks to a January 1, 2008, code change that is only recently being enforced. The North Carolina state code change states that an existing house will be subject to the same smoke alarm requirements that new homes must abide by whenever there's an "addition, alteration, [or] repair to any dwelling unit or when one or more sleeping rooms are added to an existing dwelling unit." The code goes on to say, "This includes but is not limited to kitchen and bath remodels, finishing a basement, adding a room, or garage addition."

What are those requirements? They include that a smoke alarm be installed in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every additional story of the home (with some technical exemptions for split levels). Prior to this change, smoke detectors could be installed in the common hallway area outside of each bedroom, but now they must be installed in both locations. The code goes on to require that smoke alarms shall be hard wired and interconnected and that an electrical permit is required for their installation. However, in some cases, battery operated smoke detectors are acceptable. There are a few additional exemptions for essentially exterior work and interior renovations that don't involve the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes, thus exposing the structure, but as you may imagine, it takes someone familiar with the code to properly apply it.

While the code change is designed to ensure the safety of residents, it's the type of regulation that also can cause headaches for do-it-yourselfers. While some homes built in the last few years already comply with these regulations, many homes do not. Thus, it's very important to check all of your bedrooms for functioning smoke alarms. Otherwise, your project may be delayed for a week or possibly longer as you install smoke detectors consistent with the code and then wait for a re-inspection. Remember, the county inspectors will not finalize your building permit until compliance is achieved.

Why? Because pragmatic outdoor living spaces are money well spent. If your backyard is designed for entertaining, you'll be more likely to have friends over, instead of going out. You may opt for a staycation instead of that quick weekend getaway. Ultimately, you’ll make better use of the space you have, and since you're generally not adding traditional square footage (building a new foundation, walls, roof, etc. from scratch) the additional living space costs far less per square foot than any other addition.

Here’s a look at what we believe many of your neighbors will be doing this summer:

What's Hot: Some of the most popular projects we've seen involve creating a covered porch or transforming a deck into a screened-in porch, both of which keep you out of the sun. Some homeowners are taking it a step farther and converting porches into sunrooms that are heated and cooled for comfort but allow you to open the windows for fresh air, providing the best of both worlds.

What's Not: Extensive synthetic decks or patios crafted from stone choices that retain too much heat – particularly if they are exposed to full onslaught of the summer sun. These surfaces can become painfully hot, and thus won't get much use.

What's Hot: Intimate patios and eating areas designed for conversation are ideal, inexpensive gathering places for family and friends. Finish the space with a cooking area with a nice grill. Upgrades here that are hot right now include practical granite surfaces (they stand up so well to the elements that they are well worth the initial expense) and overhead exhaust hoods for grilling areas that take smoke and odors away from guests.

What's Not: Extensive (and expensive) stonework, overly elaborate outdoor fireplaces and showy fire features that are more form than function. Using the wrong type of stone can result in a very heated situation! Some stones are best suited for shaded patios as opposed to surfaces that receive full sun; otherwise they will absorb so much heat they can make using your patio intolerable.

What's Hot: Pools are beginning to come back around, with good reason. They are great entertainment for families and a healthy exercise option for older adults or those with physical limitations. Oftentimes, families question whether a pool is worth the initial investment, and we’ve personally found that it is. For us, the expense of joining a swim club and the hassle of packing all your stuff up to go there takes away the spontaneity, and limits the number of times you actually use a public or club pool.  Because you can enjoy it at a moment's notice, you simply use your own pool more often. Today's salt water pools are easier and less expensive to maintain than the chlorinated pools of the past.

What's Not: Cheaply made, vinyl-lined pools. We've heard of homeowners who have had walls collapse if they drained the pool too low, or whose liner has actually ripped when a torrent of rain from a summer storm got between the liner and the pool wall. If you’re going to invest in a pool, spend wisely and opt for a solid wall, gunite pool.

Built to enjoy.

Since people are planning on staying in their new homes longer than they might have in the past, they are placing more emphasis on building in the things they really want – and worrying less about the impact those decisions might someday have on their resale value. That means rooms built for specific hobbies, a master bath that reflects the homeowners’ desires instead of the latest trends (with larger walk-in showers and often smaller or no bathtub), more vibrant colors and unique materials are showing up in designs. While everyone is conscious of cost, people are simultaneously more willing to splurge and less willing to wait “for the next house” to build in the features they truly want, because that “next” house may be years down the road, and they want to enjoy them now.

Right-sized.

At the same time, people don’t want to pay for “wasted” space. Unused formal living and dining rooms, single-purpose theater rooms, and soaring two-story spaces are becoming things of the past. Instead, functional spaces built around the way the homeowners actually live are gaining ground. Overall, home sizes are undoubtedly shrinking. Larger homes are simply more costly to operate and to maintain, and in today’s times, that’s an expense many just don’t want to assume.

Efficient.

Today, most people are taking a practical approach to being green. While consumers have reached the point where they almost expect the features and materials they choose to be environmentally responsible, they are also unwilling to invest heavily in features that don’t reap a substantial return. Because of that, today’s buyers are weighing the short-term costs vs. the long-term savings of every major purchase. The number one item that is making the cut is a more efficient HVAC system, which can reap a substantial return on your investment. Other options, like tankless water heaters, energy efficient appliances and more efficient windows and doors are also doing well. There are still tax credits available for certain windows, doors and appliances, but it is critical that consumers make certain that the models they select satisfy the eligibility criteria. While some may be energy saving, they may fall short of the standards established for each component, so make doubly certain before you invest.

Convenient.

Since homeowners are planning to remain in their homes longer, they are thinking ahead for a future when age or infirmity might make it difficult to fully utilize certain areas of their home if they don’t make accommodations on the front end. Simple changes that can be made behind the scenes, like putting extra blocking in bathroom walls to accommodate the need for future grab bars or other aging-in-place amenities cost virtually nothing extra when building and make future modifications a breeze. (Think about the hassle involved in installing a simple grab bar in the future if provisions aren’t made when building – it would entail breaking through a finished wall, installing the bracing, then repairing the wall and replacing the finish – in the case of wallpaper or a faux treatment, it might mean redoing the entire room. If you put a simple wood brace inside the wall now, future grab bar installation is as simple as drilling and turning a screw.) Making doors wider, installing right-height commodes, planning for a future elevator or placing main living spaces on an easily accessible portion of the main level are easy choices that can make all the difference in how long and how well you live in your home for years to come.

Legitimacy. It goes without saying that anytime you hire a contractor, you need to verify his credentials. Check the Better Business Bureau and professional groups like NARI for any complaints, make sure that the builder has all necessary licenses and insurances in place, etc.

Longevity. Particularly in today's volatile climate, when so many people who have lost jobs in the construction industry are hanging out their own shingles, it’s essential to work with a builder who has done this before. Why? Because by their very nature, custom homes are unique, complex structures that require true professionals to successfully balance the construction process from conception to completion.

Vision. Since each custom home is a unique reflection of its owners, the ability to clearly understand and articulate your vision to all the various tradespeople, designers and other professionals who will be involved in your project is critical to achieving the results you desire.

A Good Manager. How your builder manages the process side of the construction business is just as critical as how he does on the actual building side. Managing a good team of "handpicked" tradespeople, scheduling out who needs to be where when, and planning the smooth progress of each step is crucial to finishing on time and on budget. Let’s face it, delays are inevitable on a construction project, generally due to weather, scheduling, and waiting on inspections and/or material availability, but minimizing them and effectively dealing with them can make the difference between finishing on time or not. If a project of this magnitude gets out of control, you as the owner can incur hefty interest charges, possibly lose your rate lock, or potentially pay two mortgages or mortgage and rent (your existing home or the apartment where you are residing while your new home is being built and the home under construction) for longer than you need to.

Creative Thinker. If you want your home to be unique, you need a builder who is willing to think outside the box. A custom home gives you the unprecedented opportunity to stand out from the crowd, so the builder you select must be able to help you do that; otherwise, why bother?

Passion. Ultimately, if your builder is passionate about what he does, his love of craftsmanship and detail will translate into your final project and give you much better results.