Because We Live Here Too

I ran into a previous client at the library.  We had remodeled their kitchen about 10 years ago, so I wondered if, after so long, they were still pleased with the results.

"It's still the best room in the house," she said.

I thanked her, and then, always curious about our competition, asked about their sunroom  addition.  We had bid the addition, but they decided to go with a less expensive plan from another builder.  I remembered they had a difficult site, with limited access and a back yard on a steep slope.  To do the sunroom properly with a basement or crawl space would have been difficult, but in my opinion, worth the time and expense.  The sunroom builder they chose had offered to keep the costs down by making it more like a 3 season room, on posts, and using less expensive brands of materials.

At my questions, her face changed to a look of regret. "The kitchen is definitely my favorite room!"

We chatted a bit more, and then I was on my way.  But the conversation was a reminder of why I will never be that contractor who is willing to do half a job in order to sell a job.

We live and work in the same community.  When I run into previous customers at the library, or the grocery store, or a Cub Scouts meeting, I want to know I delivered a product I can be proud of, and one they will enjoy for years to come. ~Abe

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Thanksgiving...Brought to you by the Kitchen Remodel

Ahhhh...Thanksgiving.

Apple pie, mashed potatoes, all those things we typically avoid like the plague, for one day, and one day only (yeah right), they're back in play.

Your family comes stomping into the kitchen entrance, ooh-ing and aah-ing about the aroma of turkey and stuffing. You crack open the oven and peek in on your perfectly browned bird. The leftovers will be phenomenal. So much for one day.

Aunt Elsa waddles into the family room and plants herself on the sofa--it's where she'll spend the majority of the holiday. The kids run "the circle" around the kitchen, dining, and living room. Someone breaks out the Euchre cards, while grandma whisks the gravy into liquid gold. Over the background sounds of the Macy's day parade, your cousin leans on the new island to dish on her latest love interest. It is here that you realize none of this would have been possible if you hadn't made the decision to remodel your kitchen.

It's almost impossible to remember yourself in that previous place with the orange counter tops and dark wood cabinets. Your old stove had only two working burners (because you knew you would eventually remodel), and your noisy, energy-hogging refrigerator occasionally leached water onto the floor. You had to juggle around just to pour a bowl of cereal. You look around at your new, functioning appliances--it seems like a lifetime ago.

Aunt Elsa calls from the family room. She wants a stuffing sample. Your cousin rolls her eyes but grabs a fork-full with a smile. You hear your teenager laugh from the rooms upstairs. Suddenly, you realize you are right where you want to be: standing in your kitchen, cooking and entertaining for your family in your home.

It was a good decision, and the added bonus? You get to watch the game you want to watch.

Sustainable Remodel

On April 21, 2012, we will feature one of our remodeled homes in the

2012 Sustainable Showcase.

This Madison family called us to update a home they'd recently purchased. They wanted to do so in a way that wouldn't interrupt the charm of the existing house, but would make the house more energy efficient and livable.

There were a number of items on their list, and with some design work and a little balancing of priorities, we accomplished what we set out to do--plan for a sustainable, updated house that stayed within their budget.

Some of the features they chose were:

• A whole house fan rather than an A/C unit
• Re-using as much of the current wood and trim as possible
• A soaking tub rather than a whirlpool
• CFL and Flourescent lighting
• Ceiling fans in each room
• A 1.28 gpf toilet in the remodeled bathroom
• Utilizing natural light in the remodeled bathroom

The green practices we followed:

• Lead-safe work practices
• Removing knob and tube wiring so house could be fully insulated at a later date
• Asbestos removal
• Used local source for new cabinetry
• Re-used and re-finished existing wood floors

Are you considering a remodeling project?

There are ways to stay green without increasing your budget.

Let us show you how!

Designed for Your Life

Updates

Some projects seem to go so fast, especially the ones where we are not replacing EVERYTHING in the room…which is an option we find a lot of homeowners forget is available.

Sometimes homeowners put off updating their old space because they think it might be too expensive, messy or disruptive. Worse yet, when a homeowner becomes disenchanted with the older space, sometimes they begin to put off needed repairs. This is a mistake – small changes now could save quite a bit of time and money later.

One of our recent projects was to transform a kitchen. This homeowner knew what he needed and what he wanted to spend. We knew the budget didn't have enough room to purchase new cabinetry. We offered a solution: replace the counter tops and leave the cabinets. They were still in great shape, well taken care of, and although not the newest style, they worked well. In fact, by not replacing the cabinets, there was room in the budget for a snazzy back-splash, which worked to make that not-so-new cabinetry look downright up-to-date!

The options are endless, and if you do a little something now, you might avoid having to do a lot of something later. Give us a call today, and let us show you what we can do with the budget you have. Even if it’s only repairs to your current space, why not enjoy living in your home now, without the worry and frustration of “the big project” looming in the future.