Get your sump pump checked out now to avoid the risk of water damage and staggering repair costs if it fails. Consider getting a high-water alarm that will alert you of problems and/or a battery-powered back-up sump pump that kicks in if the power goes out. Also,
Each year, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) sponsors the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), an amazing event where more than 500 companies that represent the industry's leading brands present new ideas for kitchen and bath design, technology and sustainability. Residential design and construction professionals from
What’s cooking in today’s kitchens? Far more than food! From homework, paying bills and scheduling activities, to listening to music, watching TV, shopping online and even entertaining, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. That’s why kitchen designs are now about far more than where to
It's that time of year when you might be facing the prospect of being stuck inside for a few days with bad weather. So why not take this opportunity to start dreaming and planning a new kitchen? If you're cooking up a big pot of chili or baking
Advance planning can help prevent damage to your property when storms with high winds pop up during the summer months. Keep potential projectiles stored indoors if possible, including yard tools, toys, and garbage cans. Make it a yearly habit to trim shrubbery and weak or dead tree branches
To safely clean your garbage disposal, put in 2 cups of ice cubes and about 1 cup of coarse salt. Run the cold water and turn on the garbage disposal until the ice is gone. The ice/salt mixture will help loosen the grime and debris from the grinding
Sooner or later, homes start to show their age. Just as there comes a time when you'll need to replace the roof, it can also make sense to update other exterior fixtures and finishes that are no longer stylish, lack today's features, or that have simply not held
Ask a bathroom remodeling contractor to describe a “typical” bathroom renovation and we’ll tell you that there isn’t a typical one these days. Like so many aspects of home remodeling today, bathroom remodeling has become all about personalization and possibilities. Let me give you some examples. First, I
Some people find that remodeling their home is fun and exciting -- making big plans, dreaming about how it will look, selecting design options, picking colors and fixtures, and then watching as your house is transformed into your dream home. But if you're someone who finds making design
When it comes to the basement, remodeling has to address some very basic challenges as part of your basement renovation, including everything from how to control dampness to how to deal with low ceilings, ductwork and heating and cooling equipment. But once these challenges are met, we
When it comes to kitchen renovation, a lot of attention goes to kitchen cabinets, countertops and backsplashes. Appliances are also in the spotlight. But as a kitchen remodeling contractor, I think the sink is one of the most important choices you’ll make – because you’ll use it more
Home remodeling has certainly changed! Home construction is greener, home renovation includes all kinds of new products and gadgets, and from kitchens to whole house remodels, styles tend to be simpler and more streamlined. But here is one thing that hasn’t changed: people still love their books and
I’ve been a general contractor for years, but lately I’ve been thinking about the term “general.” I’ve begun to wonder if it doesn’t sound a little lightweight – like being a building contractor is something so general that it’s something anyone could do if they so chose. I
If you’re thinking about home renovation, it’s easy to start by telling your home remodeling contractor everything you don’t like. Now, yes, home construction should take into account fixing anything you feel is out of date, broken, or that doesn’t give you the feel or functionality you want.
As a kitchen remodeling contractor, we talk with a lot of clients who have put off kitchen renovation for years – even when budget isn’t an issue. Why? Well, apart from the challenge of having to “cook without a kitchen” for some period of time, the reasons fall
As a bathroom remodeling contractor, one of the trends we’re seeing is that homeowners enjoy bathroom vanities that are higher than they used to be. Today, the standard for bathroom renovation is still a 30”-high vanity. That’s 6” shorter than the standard for kitchen counters. For many people,
From dampness issues to building permits to the height of your basement's ceilings, finishing a basement comes with challenges that just don’t apply in remodeling other parts of your home. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is working with your basement remodeling contractor to decide on the
Many people tend to think that a building contractor is only needed on major remodeling projects. Let me share a quick story about how a contractor can make a difference to just about any project. A couple knew they needed to replace the windows and doors in their
No matter how much you’re planning to spend on a home remodel, taking a look at high-end “concept homes” is a great starting point. Sure, the house remodeling contractors have been given sizeable budgets to approach these home renovations. But the creativity of each home – construction, layout,
Could basement remodeling give “the sandwich generation” that extra layer of space that’s so needed? Basement renovation might indeed be the perfect solution as college grads move home to live until they find a job and longer lifespans and extremely costly assisted living options have Grandma and Grandpa
