OUR BLOG
OUR BLOG
Check out what’s happening with Myers Constructs as well as the latest news and trends in home renovation.
Home Improvement: Why Order of Operations Matters
Many homeowners call us unsure of where to begin with a renovation. If that’s you, you’re in the right place — you start with us. But beginning in the wrong order can lead to headaches that cost time, money, and momentum. Common pitfalls include: Budget shock after design: You worked with an architect first, only to discover the design is far outside your budget. This leads to endless revisions — and sometimes a project that never gets built. Code or historic roadblocks: On older homes, you may learn too late that your plans can’t pass code or historic approvals. An experienced GC can spot these issues early and guide the design to avoid them. Structural surprises: Designers focus on aesthetics and layout in the early stages. Without a GC and engineer involved, a serious structural issue may be missed until you’re deep into planning — and suddenly facing major costs. The truth is: large renovations require[...]
Success Story: Myers Constructs Home Pre-Buy Consulting
This fall, we were contacted by a client who was interested in purchasing a condominium in Philadelphia. Before making an offer on the property, she wanted to understand the potential costs of updating this unit to meet her design tastes and quality-of-life needs as a busy professional who often travels internationally for her job. Upon meeting her at the condo, we found that it was tidy and recently renovated, but lacked personality and character. After discussing her likes, dislikes, needs, and wants, we efficiently assembled a list of proposed renovations and upgrades, along with the estimated costs to make a series of tasteful personal changes, including: New countertops New wood floors to replace the existing luxury vinyl plank (LVP) New door hardware Fresh backsplash Lighting fixtures New faucets and fixtures in all wet areas Fresh paint with color and design consulting for fabrics, furnishings, and window treatments In just[...]
Complex Bathroom Renovations: The “Fabergé Eggs” of Home Improvement
I often compare complex bathroom renovations to Fabergé eggs — those amazing bejeweled pieces of art commissioned for members of Russia’s royal family circa the late 1800s. While this metaphor may seem like a bit of a stretch, there are some valid comparisons to be made. According to the Australia-based online art gallery Bluethumb, “Each Fabergé egg was unique, featuring elaborate designs and intricate mechanisms. Each took one to two years to complete and required work from multiple artisans with differing expertise, from metal smiths to diamond cutters, painters and other specialists.” To be sure, a bathroom is also typically a small but very complex structure, with magical inner workings that are created by a collaborative team of artisans and then hidden behind an artistic surface. For these reasons, each bathroom renovation we undertake has unique challenges, one-of-a-kind outcomes, and unexpected surprises — just like the artwork in question. Likewise, everyone admires the beautiful surfaces[...]
Q&A With Myers Constructs Interior Design Partner Hannah Dee
For 25+ years, our company has nurtured long-term relationships with a wide group of talented professional service providers. It’s from this special group that we build the right team for each project — from architects and engineers to mechanical and construction teams, as well as creative, caring interior designers like Hannah Dee. We recently sat down with Hannah to share how we work together to ensure your home renovation project is truly “finished”: Walls and tile feature the best color selections. Soft elements like fabrics, wallpaper, drapery, and furnishings complement the space and make it your home. In the end, all details work together to tell the right story about you and how you live your life. We love how Hannah expertly steers clients away from poor selections, encouraging them to push a little further, take smart chances, and reach for something truly special. Plus, the process of working[...]
What to Know About Custom Home Additions in Philadelphia
Planning a home addition is one of the most exciting and complex ways to reimagine the space we already live in. For many of us living in and around Philadelphia, it’s a smart way to expand our useable living space without having to leave the neighborhoods we love. Whether we’re adding a new bedroom or family room, expanding a kitchen or bathroom, or building a whole second story, designing a custom additions allow us to create the functionality and space we need while staying true to the character of our homes. In a city like Philadelphia, where historic architecture, tight urban lots, and local building codes all come into play, adding onto a home takes careful planning. Let’s walk through the most important things to know before starting a custom home addition, so we can make confident decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and enjoy a smooth construction process. Understanding Permitting in[...]
How to Get Out of Your Own Way and Create the Home of Your Dreams
Does this scenario sound familiar? You love your older home — including everything from the neighborhood to the schools, the commute, the yard, and beyond. You’ve lived there for a while already, so you’ve built up some equity, and you may even have a low-interest home loan. What’s more, your property is appreciating at a nice clip each year (Many areas within the Greater Philadelphia region are growing at 3-8.5%. Check your specific Zip code’s rate on Zillow.) For all of these reasons, you plan on staying put for quite a long time, but your house is dated and worn in many places and legitimately broken in others. At a minimum, it needs some significant repairs. But secretly, you'd love to give it a comprehensive makeover to transform it into the house of your dreams. Before you get too far down that path, you start telling yourself you don't[...]
Tariffs: This Ain’t Our First Rodeo
Over 25 years in home renovation have taught us one crucial lesson at Myers Constructs, Inc.: uncertainty is inevitable, but it should never stop you from pursuing your vision for a better home. From market recessions and supply chain disruptions to natural disasters and global pandemics, we’ve not only weathered it all—we’ve thrived. Now, with new tariffs and shifting economic policies creating uncertainty, many homeowners face a burning question: “Is this the right time to renovate?” Our short answer? Yes. And we’re here to explain why moving forward with your home remodeling project today might be one of the smartest decisions you make. Tariffs and Renovation Costs One common misconception about remodeling is that costs decrease over time. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Between rising labor demand, inflation, and overall material costs, home renovation is unlikely to get cheaper in the future. *At the time of this writing, we[...]
High-End Home Remodeling Design in Philadelphia
When it comes to luxury home remodeling in Philadelphia, homeowners want more than just “the usual.” This city’s rich history paired with modern innovation creates an opportunity for stunning renovations. At Myers Constructs, we blend timeless design elegance with cutting-edge features, giving homes unparalleled long lasting functionality and style. If you’re considering home remodeling in Philadelphia, these luxury selections may spark inspiration for your next project. Open-Concept Kitchens The kitchen remains the heart of the home, and open-concept, chef-inspired kitchens are leading the way in Philadelphia renovations. Large islands, dual ovens, quartz or stone countertops, and hidden appliances are features that create both aesthetic appeal and functional flow in a space the whole family can enjoy together. In all Myers Constructs kitchen designs, we love to include a kitchen pantry. These can be as small as a reach-in cabinet or as large as a his and hers walk-in closet. Here[...]
Why Discerning Homeowners Choose Design-Build Remodeling Contractors
Remodeling your home is an exciting project, but it can also feel daunting. From planning and design to construction and final touches, the process involves numerous steps that must seamlessly align to achieve your vision. For discerning homeowners who value a streamlined and collaborative process, choosing a design-build contractor is often the key to success. Unlike the traditional approach, where separate entities handle home design and construction, the design-build model integrates both services under one roof. This creates a cohesive cooperative aligned process, minimizes miscommunication, and ensures your project is delivered with consistency, quality, and care. Here's a closer look at why design-build contractors are a top choice for homeowners. Complete Collaboration From Start to Finish When you work with a design-build contractor, you gain a partner who guides you through every step of the remodeling process. This single-source approach fosters collaboration, ensuring your project reflects your unique[...]
Universal Design & Why It Matters to Everyone
We get a lot of calls from empty nesters who are downsizing as they move from large suburban family homes into smaller urban houses or condos. We also hear from clients who have inherited a family home that has not been updated in decades and desperately needs more modern systems and a future-focused whole-house overhaul. And then there are the calls from people who have lived in their older homes for 30+ years and have no intentions of moving, ever. Across the board, we find a common thread running through these different conversations: Most homes and condos are not designed for people who plan to age in place or for those facing current or future accessibility issues. That’s where the concept of universal design comes in. The term “universal design” was coined by Ron Mace, an American architect, product designer, educator, advocate, and consultant whose work was instrumental in shaping[...]
