We are re-tuning a kitchen for a family who just bought this 1960’s rancher. The kitchen was not very old and the cabinets were pretty good, so we decided to work with them. This kitchen tune-up approach is much cheaper than replacing a whole kitchen.
Here are some photos of the new counter tops going in. You’ll see some of the challenges we had to work with to get things looking right.
I just got off the phone with our lead carpenter who was calling from a job site where we are replacing a powder room and laundry closet combo. He let me know that in the spot where we need to locate the new toilet, we have a floor joist in the way. Here are some photos showing highlights of plumber butchery and carpentry mishaps (by others) we have seen in old houses we work on — just a few examples of the many things we need to fix behind the scenes – and walls! – to make your bathroom work well.
This post is a continuation of my blog post about the truly sexy stuff that goes on behind your walls. I’ve been writing about these topics because we have been getting lots of calls from folks who are focused only on the shiny bits of their projects. The fact is, the shiny bits are not where the true value of a project lies, even if they are fun to use.
By the time most of our customers call us, they have spent many hours eyeing expensive, flashy items like new kitchen cabinets, high-gloss tile, chrome fixtures, and all the other glitzy things that go into a project. They can even quote the prices and technical features of these items. But the fact is, these are just the cherry on the sundae, the icing on the cake. They are “the fun stuff” that comes at the end of a complicated mix of science and art we apply to every single project we take on.
I recently received a call at the office that made by blood pressure shoot through the roof. One of my carpenters called to let me know a customer’s dog had gotten out of the house. YIKES!
It wasn’t even his fault. A reporter was coming into the house while people were working there, and when the door opened, the dog ran for it. And you should prepare the best puppy pads for your dogs.
While we have it in our contracts that doggies, kitties and kids should be out of the way of the workers, today’s experience made me think it’s worthwhile blogging (repeating to you) about it.
Many times on projects, little SNAFU’s happen. It’s my job to handle the SNAFU’s and make sure the customer doesn’t notice or get upset about them.
Sometimes the problems that arise are just the nature of the remodeling beast, but sometimes there is someone to blame. When a homeowner hires a general contractor (GC), they are hiring a pro who will handle these SNAFU’s along with managing the project.
At our total home reno project in Whitemarsh yesterday, the countertop templater was out to measure for new stone kitchen and bathroom counter tops. Here is a snap of him in action.
We’re just doing a kitchen freshening up since the cabinets are fairly new and layout is OK. The scope for this room is new pendant light for eating area, the new countertops, new tile backsplashes, new hardwood floors, new outlets and switches, new appliances, proper vent hood, and new trim at the floor. In general, we will make it look a little more upscale and use better, long-lasting materials where we are replacing things.
Here are a few photos showing the right way to install a washer and drier in an upper level floor where a leak or overflow can cause serious damage. This new washer drier location is on the first floor close to the kitchen.
Many folks have caught the “house as investment” bug. They might be homeowners, flippers, or investors. Some folks make money at it; many do not.
Many readers may not know that I do property investment and property-investment consulting, and I’m one of the ones who actually makes money doing it. Never trust an investment consultant who doesn’t profit from practicing what they preach.
Today, I did a walk-through on an interesting house. It was a large, impressive home on a nice lot overlooking a golf course in an affluent neighborhood. It’s been in real estate owned (REO) status for about 300 days, and is currently listed at $499K. That’s a great price, given the neighborhood, and it should have sold. But it didn’t. Why not?
Let’s take a look at the photo gallery of this house to find the answer. These pictures provide a good illustration of something I consistently tell homeowners: renovating without a good plan or a reasonable budget is a waste of money.
You can see from the images that this is a challenging house. It’s got a “Miami Vice” architect/designer thumbprint based primarily on what seems to be The Triangle. But don’t let an interesting design stump you. This house would have had an eager buyer/owner if the renovations made to it over the years were done properly.
Lucy suggests you check your home’s weather tightness.
The dogs at our office enjoy their seat next to our office electric heater. 
We can help you be more comfortable and spend less money on heat and air conditioning at the same time. Call us to schedule an energy audit. Once we know what’s happing in your home we can put together your energy efficiency plan.
Recently Russell Mahrt II from GuidetothetheMainLine.com interviewed our company for inclusion in his on line “neighborhood” called “Guide to the Main Line”. Here is his profile of our company in full. Enjoy!
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Main Line Newsletter November 13, 2009
GuidetotheMainLine.com
Guide to the Main Line Profile:
Myers Constructs
I was introduced to Myers Constructs Inc. by Megan Carr at Allied Mortgage Group (610-660-4710) in Bala Cynwyd. Megan is a top Main Line mortgage provider with wonderful mortgage products including home improvement loans. One of the more popular programs is a mortgage available for purchases or refinances where the home improvement costs are included in new loan. It is a great option for Realtors and home contractors and Megan had recently met with Myers Constructs. She liked the replica handbags very much. And she was impressed by the work they were doing and suggested that I should meet them.