This is the year for getting the most value out of a home remodeling project. Material and labor costs are still quite low, with many manufacturers and contractors offering discounts and incentives to get homeowners to sign on the bottom line. Look for competitive prices in granite and plumbing fixtures, and upgrade specials in cabinetry. Read More
The freebies and discounted upgrades keep coming from the cabinet manufacturers. Major players like Diamond Cabinets and Decora Cabinets have extended discounts on some of their upgrades thru February 2011. Our favorite upgrade – all plywood construction – will be available at a substantial discount for the next two months. The all plywood construction makes a great cabinet if exposure to water or heavy use is expected. If there is a kitchen or bath remodel in your future, now is a good time to cash in on the specials.
More people today plan to grow old in their own home, as opposed to an assisted living facility. And the temporary disability often times makes living alone in the home difficult. So, plan for accessibility when designing a bathroom remodel. Your design should incorporate grab bars in the shower, in the tub, and around the toilet. Fixture manufacturers like Moen have designer grab bars to match their fixtures, these look much nicer than the commercial chrome models. Plan for adequate maneuvering room for someone in a wheel chair or with a walker, i.e. space around the toilet, and a wide doorway. The shower should have a dam less roll in floor for accessability with a wheel chair, a bench seat, and a handheld showerhead. Change the lowboy toilet to a high rise model to make standing up easier.
A little forethought in the bathroom design can future proof your new bathroom for years to come. For additional remodeling tips go here.
The dreaded phone call “This is Mrs. Jones, remember me?” after ascertaining that the house has not flooded or burned down, need not be such a fearful event. Sure it is a hassle to schedule a few hours to go find out the problem and fix it, however, what better way is there to spend a couple of hours catching up with a good customer. Cheerfully address their concern and make any small adjustments and touch ups you see. While there find out if Mrs. Jones has any friends or neighbors starting to contemplate a remodeling project. Nothing is more powerful than a referral from a happy customer that knows that you stand behind your work.
An often asked question is , what size of crown moulding should I use in my living room? Our general rule of thumb on remodeling projects is:
Smaller than these guidelines and the crown moulding appears out of proportion. Where as, using crown moulding larger than these guide lines risks looking gaudy.
Read more about crown moulding
The customer freeze during the first quarter is finally thawing out, and remodeling projects are starting to hit the drafting table. For those that survived the worst quarter in recent memory there is a glimmer of hope. We are projecting remodeling activity at 80% of the level of one year ago, not ideal, but acceptable. Gone are the home equity line remodel projects which were so popular for the past several years. Now projects will be either maintenance driven remodels, or for customers who are immune from recession. This will actually be good for the industry, the home equity remodels always seemed to have the budget raided for a new car or a big screen tv. Remodeling projects now should be of better quality with more stable budgets, and more committed customers. Thus, these projects should be more profitable, and well established contractors will survive.
When it comes time to make major purchases there still is nothing like touching and feeling in a brick and mortar store. As convenient as the internet is; customers still visit showrooms to purchase kitchen remodeling products and services. When we opened our kitchen showroom it was a major boost for business for several reasons. Firstly, it gives you a comfortable place to entertain clients, with all of your samples at hand. Secondly, it shows that you are a bonified player in the game. The obvious investment in time and money separates you from all of the other ‘home office’ interior designers and ‘pickup truck office’ contractors.
In Orange County, CA these are some of our favorite showrooms:
Glass Creek Inc. in Fullerton – A full service Kitchen remodeling showroom with cabinet and countertop displays. Featuring Diamond Cabinets and Decora Cabinets.
Tuscany Tile in Brea, CA – A stylish tile showroom which carries more upscale tiles.
Central Plumbing in La Habra, CA – A plumbing fixtures showroom.
To find these remodeling showrooms in Google maps or , please follow this link: Remodeling Showrooms Placemarks.
Again I was reminded of the importance of saying “no”. Few times have I said no to a project and regretted it. No matter how difficult it is, or how hungry you are, sometimes you have to say no; and stick to your guns when the customer appeals your decision. I follow the following rules for accepting a project. If is smells bad – it is, trust your gut instincts, you probably subconsciously detected something. If you do not hit it off with the customer – walk away, the relationship will not get better with the stress of the job. If the customer’s expectations and schedule are not realistic – find another customer. If you are already overextended – do not make it worse by taking on more commitments.
There have not been many times when I have said no to a project and later proved to have been wrong. Learn to say no when you have to. And stick to it when the customer comes back 3 or 4 times. There is nothing worse than getting involved in a bad remodeling project.
This year it is all about green and blue. The Marie Antoinette rich jewel colors of the last several years are over. The slow down in the economy is promoting feelings of austerity, and a need for comfort and security in the home. Thus, look to the earth tones, greens, and blues for common areas in the home, such as, the kitchen and living room. The young children’s rooms still need to be fun with the popsicle and candy colors. Sunny yellows and comfortable sage are still good choices for the master suite. And for goodness sakes stop using Swiss coffee.
Read the complete article.
Lately in southern California there has been a slow down in the housing market. One might even argue, a necessary slow down in an over heated market. What has this done to the remodeling market? Not much; homeowners are still remodeling. Though the dollar value per project has decreased, homeowners still want to fluff the feathers in the nest.
So why are remodeling contractors starting to cry about the lack of business. Well, it is the competition; competition from the “new home builders” entering the market. Their market has all but dried up, and I guess that even “trackies” have to eat. So, they migrate to where the work is. And swinging a hammer is swinging a hammer. Except, remodeling is a different business from ground up construction; there is usually a family living in the house, customers have different expectations, and there is a different set of pitfalls.
Customers and contractors be aware. Would you go to an optometrist to get your teeth cleaned? Contractors – let us not add to our already dismal reputation.