Category: Educational

3 Options for Completing a Pull-and-Replace Kitchen Remodel with Mike’s Guys Handyman

As our business continues to grow alongside our expanding client base, we have found that there are many homeowners looking to complete a kitchen remodel in which no walls or plumbing will be moved. We refer to these types of remodels as “pull-and-replace” projects, where the existing footprint stays the same. Original cabinets, countertops, backsplash, etc. are removed and replaced with new materials, but in the same location. Due to the simple nature of these types of projects, they do not require the full design package that would accompany a more complex kitchen remodel. Read more

4 Reasons Why You Need a Professional Interior Designer for Your Major Remodel

Along with improving the functionality of their home, the main reason homeowners choose to remodel is to refresh the appearance of a dated space. This is particularly true if the house is over 15 years old and has never been updated. Choosing paint colors, finishes, tile, countertops, and light fixtures might seem like a breeze, it’s often a bigger challenge than most homeowners realize! Even if it’s a relatively small project, hiring an interior designer will make the entire process easier and yield the best possible results. A professional designer can provide the newest ideas that will work for your home—things you may not know are available or products you may not know where to locate. They will think of details you’ll miss, and those details play a big role in the success of your project. Read more

Medford Design-Build: The Value of a Solid Reputation

The decision to remodel can be a very exciting time for a homeowner, particularly if it is something that has been anticipated for several years. It’s easy to jump in and hire the first company you run across that seems professional. Unfortunately, there are a lot of so-called “professionals” out there that don’t operate with integrity or honesty in mind, despite making a great first impression. Trust us, we’ve seen enough home renovation nightmares to know that it’s not something to rush into blindly! It’s essential to take your time and really research a company before signing on the dotted line. The best advice we can give to a homeowner considering a remodel is to hire a company with a consistent reputation. Read more

Our Off-Site Process Prior to Starting a Home Remodel

If you’ve been considering an extensive remodel, you are probably trying to mentally prepare for the weeks of construction that lie ahead for your home. Having a team of subcontractors and a project manager making visible changes to your kitchen or bathroom is a very exciting time; this is when your ideas truly come to life, as you can see the actual modifications taking place. What most homeowners don’t realize is that there is a lot of preliminary work that is done off-site prior to the demolition and construction. As anxious as many of our clients are to get started immediately after their consultation, there is a methodical process that must be followed beforehand in order to make the construction phase as smooth and seamless as possible. Read more

5 Benefits of Working with A Design-Build Firm for Your Major Remodel

The term ‘design-build’ is slowly becoming more familiar in the world of home remodeling. In the past, if someone wanted to remodel their home, they would contact a general contractor and an architect. While contractors alone can do a lot of great work, they simply do not offer the many benefits that you would receive from working with a design-build firm, such as Medford Design-Build.

Here are 5 benefits of working with a design-build for your major home remodeling project: Read more

Mike’s Guys: 4 Things to Know About Wall Removal


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Open-concept floor plans have become one of the most sought-after features among home buyers and homeowners alike. As a remodeling company, the majority of the projects we do involve some extent of removing or shortening walls to create a more open, airy overall feel. Among the many before and after transformations we share, the ones that include a wall removal are by far the most impressive. It’s amazing how different a space can look and how much better the area can be utilized once unnecessary walls have been removed! Read more

Why You Need a Custom Design Package for Your Bathroom Remodel

There are a lot of variables that come into play during a bathroom remodel. The size and state of the existing bathroom, the complexity of the project, the features and amenities to be included, the structural changes that need to be made, and of course, the intended use of the remodeled space by the homeowners – that is, determining what modifications will most effectively solve the homeowner’s current issues with the bathroom. These variables are different for every project: perhaps the existing bathroom is too small and lacks storage space, or maybe it is insufficient for an elderly parent that needs handicap-accessible features. Maybe a remodel was started with a contractor who did things incorrectly and failed to finish the job, leaving the bathroom completely unusable. Because each of these scenarios have different starting points and require different courses of action to meet the homeowner’s needs, they each require their own customized design plan. Read more

Remodeling for Elderly Parents: 5 Age-in-Place Options to Consider

There are many reasons homeowners choose to remodel, from updating aesthetics, to improving functionality, to increasing resale value. Another common request we receive is for assistance in making accommodations for elderly parents. This can either involve our clients remodeling their own home to allow for parents to move in or remodeling their parent’s home to prepare for aging-in-place. Either situation can be difficult, as making provisions for elderly parents can be stressful and emotional. Our goal in assisting with age-in-place remodeling is to simplify the process for both the clients and their parents to make for the best experience possible! Read more

Why You Should Avoid Add-on Items During Your Home Remodel


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Once we begin the construction of a home remodeling project with our clients, the question is often brought up if we can include another “small project” on the side while the main remodel is being completed. There is nothing wrong with doing this, so long as the additional project is discussed ahead of time and included in the Scope of Work. Unfortunately, that is not typically the case. More often than not, these requests are made directly to our Project Managers on the jobsite — a point when the down payment has already been paid, the Scope of Work has been established, the proposal has been signed, and the primary construction is already underway. It may not seem like a big deal; the workers are already there, right? The reality is that add-on items can greatly disrupt the initial plan of the project as a whole. Clients fail to realize the impact that the add-on brings to the entire home renovation timeline, as well as to their carefully budgeted finances. Read more

4 Reasons You Need a Project Manager for Your Home Remodel

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At Medford Design-Build, our tried-and-true processes are what keep our business going strong. Each member of our team truly takes pride in what we do and understands the importance of working within our processes. We don’t just want to complete your home remodeling project; we want to make sure it is done correctly, on time, to the highest level of quality, and of course, that it meets your expectations as the homeowner. With several years of experience behind us, knowledgeable leaders guiding us, and our vetted team of trade professionals working beside us, our design-build process as a whole has been developed into a seamless transaction from start to finish. Read more