Imagine going to a doctor and learning that you need life-saving surgery. What’s the first question you would ask? Is it "how much will this cost me?" You likely would be far more concerned with making certain that the doctor you select has the medical expertise and surgical skills necessary to successfully see you through your procedure and recovery. Unfortunately, today's economy has more people focusing on cost first when it comes to many of the most vital aspects of their lives. (I know we find ourselves doing this more than ever ourselves). That includes the choices they make about who will renovate their home. When most homeowners initially contact a general contractor, they begin the discussion ... Continue reading article →

In today's rapidly changing climate, it seems that homeowners are taking a realistic approach to design. That doesn't mean that people are cutting corners – to the contrary, wise homeowners are investing in the things that really matter to them. That's because they are no longer looking to "flip" a house after living in it for a year or two but are looking to make the house they build or renovate today their home for years to come. The result of that change in perspective seems to be a desire to invest strategically in the areas that matter most to them. Here are a few of the trends we've noticed among our customers.... Continue reading article →

When space inside your existing home is getting a little too close for comfort but you want to remain in your current residence, you might want to think outside the box – and look to your garage. Renovating an existing garage to add living space above is perhaps one of the most economical home improvement projects you can undertake. Just think about it: It’s a large chunk of square footage – 400 square feet for a typical 20‘x 20’ two-car garage and even more for a three-car garage – that already has a finished bottom floor and a roof. Since the structure is already in place, finishing this space is an extremely economical choice. Even in cases where the roof ... Continue reading article →

It may be difficult to think about the holidays when you’re enjoying the summer sun under a perfect Carolina Blue sky, but summer is actually the best time to plan winter projects. Why? Because if you are contemplating a renovation or addition in time for your holiday guests to arrive, taking the time to do it right now - before the frantic rush - is perhaps the best gift you can give yourself. Here are our Top 7 projects to consider now: 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 ... Continue reading article →

Imagine this, your contractor has gone through your kitchen renovation project with a fine-toothed comb and has everything under control for your final inspection. Your building inspector says the plumbing looks great; the electrical connections are perfect; and the structure is sound. Unfortunately, he continues, you've failed your inspection because there's no smoke detector in your upstairs guest bedroom. 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 ... Continue reading article →

To some novice homeowners undertaking their first renovation project, there’s simply no more discouraging news than learning that their project has to be brought “up to code.” They often hear this mysterious phrase and mistakenly view it as money literally flying out of the window. What they don’t understand is that building codes are actually a homeowner’s best friend; they are put in place to protect the safety and welfare of a home’s inhabitants. Elements that don’t meet code – whether they are structural, electrical, or related to any of the myriad other systems that comprise a home – need to be changed for a whole host of safety reasons. What homeowners often stumble over are the whys, whens and hows of ... Continue reading article →