OUR BLOG
OUR BLOG
Check out what’s happening with Myers Constructs as well as the latest news and trends in home renovation.
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 in Philadelphia, it’s a smart way to expand without having to leave the neighborhoods we love. Whether we’re adding a new bedroom, expanding a kitchen, or building a whole second story, custom additions allow us to create the functionality and space we need while staying true to the character of our homes. But 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 Zoning and Permitting in Philadelphia Philadelphia’s zoning laws can be one of the biggest[...]
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[...]
Spring Inspiration — A Bright & Fun-Filled Home Renovation
Spring is finally in the air, and we're happy to see daffodils and crocuses popping up across the greater Philadelphia area where we serve. This is typically the time of year when our annual project schedule starts to fill, so if you're considering a larger design-build project to be completed in 2025, the time to reach out and start this conversation with us is now! Need some inspiration? The project shown here is a whole-home “refresh” we did for a client who inherited her family home. Our friend and associate, designer Hannah Dee, called us in to renovate this 1960s split-level ranch in Northeast Philadelphia's Pennypack neighborhood. While the house had been well maintained over the years, it needed some 21st century updates and a great whole house design to pull it all together. To get started, we sat down with the homeowner to learn how she wanted to use[...]
March Is Women’s History Month: A Look at Our Journey as a Woman-Owned Business
As women working for decades in a non-traditional field, Tam & Diane recently sat down to reflect on their path to success and lessons learned along the way. Tamara and Diane both got their start in the trades in the early 1980s after attending art school. Tam attended Temple’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture for her BFA and later Drexel for architecture, while Diane earned a BFA at Philadelphia College of Art. Having learned carpentry skills working for other remodelers and home services professionals, Tam launched a small word-of-mouth carpentry service, while Diane was running a small art and antique restoration service and doing residential faux finishing painting services. “At first, I used my bicycle to move materials to my job sites,” recalls Tam. “Later, it was my little green Honda Civic, which I would fill with tools every morning and empty every night to prevent my tools from[...]
It’s February. Time to Love Where You Live
It's February, and you know what that means: love is in the air. Your home is no exception. It's important to love the spaces that surround you — and for them to love you in return. Does someone in your home need a special place to work, read, make art, or play music? Maybe you and your family members love to cook together. Does your current kitchen satisfy this need? Do you have enough room for loved ones to gather, including kids, extended family, and friends? Does your bathroom make your family feel special and cared for, or is it simply a room where you "get things done”? PROJECT INSPIRATION How about other activities that feed your soul and re-energize you? • A home theater for movie nights • A spot to enjoy warm beverages or wine by the fireplace (or a wine storage room to house[...]
Time to Start Planning Your 2025 Home Renovation Projects
Happy New Year! It's hard to believe, but a new year is once again upon us. And if your 2025 plans include a home renovation project, the time to get started is now. “Why the rush”, you may ask. It can take several weeks or even months to plan a complex project and secure the necessary construction permits. While we need this time to manage the design, planning, engineering, permitting, and construction, you'll need to get to work planning the financial aspects of your project. Early in the process, you'll need to talk to lenders or other financial advisors to make the funds available for your project and, if necessary, meet any tax-related deadlines. And with recent interest rate adjustments, many lenders are experiencing longer approval and closing periods. To avoid disappointment, reach out to us as early in the year as possible. Ideally, the 2025 project planning process[...]
