Those “Find a Contractor” Services

Here is a true story about those “Find a Contractor” services you see everywhere.

We recently got a call from a nice woman in a split level house. She let us know she has asthma. Her house has forced air heat which is important to remember as you read further.

A first floor toilet in this house overflowed, ruining some carpeting in the first floor den. The home owner’s handy-man removed that carpet and some damaged molding and then he noticed black colored mold on the drywall.

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Domestic Arts and Design-to-Build Construction – A Woman’s Perspective

I have to say, I’ve never understood why people buy residential remodeling projects from people who are not domestic. There are scores of contractors and builders in the business who can handle the technical aspects, the nuts and bolts, of home renovation – but it ends there. They don’t understand the finer points of home renovation, including how homeowner emotions are so closely tied to how a home looks, feels and operates. I like thinking of this as the “soft touch” aspect of the business.

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Finding a “Healthy” Remodeling Contractor

Remodeling is a very complicated business in which it’s very difficult to be successful. Each project is custom, which means there are unlimited ways for a company to make a mistake and lose money. And a company that loses money will not be in business very long. A contractor in trouble may even go out of business on your project or, worse, entangle your home in their business quagmires with liens or other legal problems.

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Multiple Bids = A Race to the Bottom

Most home-renovation buyers have heard about multiple bids. Lots of people will tell you that you should collect three bids from contractors when you are considering a remodeling project. Is this even good advice?

“Bidding” means that contractors involved in that process are trying to find the cheapest way to complete your project so they will be awarded the job. Do you think these guys are going to bring care, consideration or thoughtfulness to your project? Will they go beyond code to do something “right” not just get it done? More than likely, they will bid low to be awarded the project, then tack on lots of extras as the project develops. In the end, conflicts and arguments arise from the bid process.

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Think You Need an Addition? Think Again.

We often receive phone calls from folks who think they need us to build them an addition for their home. I wanted to share my perspective as a design/build remodeler with you about this: you shouldn’t build that addition before you maximize the space you already have!

Now don’t get me wrong. We like nothing better than to build stuff. The bigger the home-remodeling project, the better!

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Welcome! A Great Entryway We Helped Create

Here is an example of a great entryway we helped create.

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Photo: Damon Landry

This used to be an open breezeway, unsuited for four season use. Now its a warm welcoming entryway with radiant heat in the slate flooring. These doors let in a lot of light but are super insulated.

A new life for your space. A better life for you.

Why Truly Custom Cabinets Are Better Than Stock

A truly custom hpl cabinet unit or series of units can be created to any size, proportion, in any wood species or color. Functions such as drawer and cabinet types can also be made to order. Additionally, inserts such as pull out racks for appliances, or recycling among other options can be specified. True custom or ‘bespoke” cabinets are expensive. The average cabinet package will start at around $35,000 and it goes up from there.

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