Why We Do It That Way

A Helpline for Homebuyers

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We often get phone calls from folks who are have recently purchased an older home and want to make some renovations or upgrades to it. Typical homes in our area – Philadelphia and its surrounds – are 50 to 100 years old. These home buyers usually love the character of their older home. We do, too. After delving deeper into the situation, we often find that the buyers’ real estate agent gave them advice about what certain repairs or renovations for their home would cost, and they purchased it with these cost expectations in mind. Unfortunately, most realtors do not know the true costs for renovations, and they end up giving flawed information, as a result. We don’t fault them, really. It’s not their job to know this information.

As you know, buying a home is one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your lifetime. But you must buy well and plan renovations carefully to make your home a great long-term investment in your family’s wealth.

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Christmas Counter Tops

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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.

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The Hidden Facets of Bathroom Remodels

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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.

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The Sexy Side of Home Insulation

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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. 

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What to Do with Fido, Kitty and Kids When Work is Scheduled On Your Home

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Best Puppy Pads
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.

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Installing the Stacking Washer & Dryer

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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.


You can see the lovely galvanized pan with a PVC drain.
You can see the plumbers are reading installation instructions.
Our plumbers always use what’s called a “rough in box” for hot and cold water. It has an integrated shut off to help prevent flooding. We vent the drier to the outside, not into your attic.
Viola! Storage and hanging rod will go to the right of the new units.

Creating A Dreamy Design-Build Customer Relationship

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There are a surprising number of similarities between life-partner relationships and contractor-client relationships. Both require good communication and problem-solving skills, and both can go off-track if not tended closely. When you add to the mix the fact that you work with both your life partner and your contractor at the same time, things can really get hairy. Read on for some tips on how to keep the love in this union and maintain a “dreamy” relationship with your design-build contractor.

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Myers Construct, Inc. Interviewed and Featured in Guide to the Main Line.com Newsletter

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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.

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Those “Find a Contractor” Services

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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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