The Timeline of a Remodel: What to Expect

We recently had a client contact us about having his kitchen remodeled. Upon discussing our process of completion from designs to construction, he asked a common question we hear from almost all of our clients: “how long will the entire remodel take to complete?”

This is a great question! Everyone wants to know exactly how long it will be until they are able to enjoy their new kitchen, bathroom, or other remodeled space. Unfortunately, there is not a “canned answer” we can offer to everyone because we don’t always know exactly how long certain steps of the process will take. For example, obtaining the required permits could take several weeks depending on the city and the project, which could push back the start date significantly. This definitely isn’t common (in most cases, we receive the permit within 10 business days), but it is a possibility, and we’re sure to educate our clients on the process and timeline prior beginning the work. Read more

Cabinet Door Options for Your Kitchen Remodel

Any complete kitchen remodel involves removing and replacing the cabinetry. Because cabinets make such an impact on the overall appearance of the kitchen, it’s important to consider what door style options are available to best suit your home and your personal taste. Cabinet installation is a custom job that is done onsite, so it’s a very involved process and certainly isn’t cheap. You want to make sure you are completely happy with your choice before you finalize the designs and give the green light to start construction! One of the benefits of our custom design packages is that the 3-D renderings allow you to see precisely how your cabinets will look once the remodel is complete. Our team then works closely with our custom cabinet company, Bailey Cabinets, to ensure the design is installed correctly. Read more

3 Red Flags of “Affordable” Remodeling

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With all the beautiful interiors seen on TV shows, featured in home design magazines, and posted across Pinterest and other social media platforms, it’s no wonder home remodeling is such a hot topic among today’s homeowners. Honestly, who wouldn’t want their house to look like Chip and Joanna’s?!

Odds are, if you’re really committed to the idea of remodeling your home, you’ve probably already looked into the process and maybe have even met with a few contractors to for estimates. While it can be tempting to go all-in with the first contractor that offers you an affordable quote, the old cliché “you get what you pay for” is important to keep in mind. It’s a sad reality that many clients come to us after being ripped-off or left high-and-dry by another contractor who made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Prices might vary somewhat between remodeling contractors, but if someone quotes you a price that is thousands of dollars less than the others, it’s likely too good to be true!

Heed the warnings of so-called “affordable” remodeling! It might seem like a good deal at first, but you’ll end up paying significantly more in the long run to have a quality contractor come in and fix what was done incorrectly by the “affordable” contractor. Double (or triple) the cost, time, and headache. Ouch!

Here are the red flags to be aware of when it comes to “affordable” remodeling:

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Mike’s Guys: 3 Options for Getting Rid of Popcorn Ceilings

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One of the top requests we get from our clients – whether they are remodeling their current home or have recently moved into an older house – is to have the popcorn ceilings removed.

These textured ceilings, also known as popcorn ceilings, acoustic ceilings or even cottage cheese ceilings, were very popular in the 1970s and ’80s as a quick and easy way to hide imperfections. Unfortunately, this texture can be very difficult to match if you have cracks or holes in need of patching. The uneven surface also catches more dust, allows for cobwebs, and really makes a home’s interior look stale and dated. These reasons alone are enough to make a homeowner opt for removing the texture! This is why we include popcorn ceiling removal in just about every home remodeling project we complete. Read more

Mike’s Guys: The Top Options for Exterior Siding

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Your home’s exterior siding isn’t just for aesthetic purposes; it’s your home’s first defense against the harsh elements. Maintaining and eventually replacing your siding is an important task if you want to keep your home in good condition and prevent issues like water damage, mold, wood rot, and energy inefficiency. If left unaddressed, these issues can get out of control and become very costly to repair. This is why it’s so important to know your options when replacing your home’s siding and use the material that will be best for your home long-term. Read more

Home Repairs & Modification: Do I Need a Handyman or a Contractor?

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Any homeowner knows that maintaining a house requires a lot of work. It can feel overwhelming when you consider everything that needs to be regulated, from the up-keep of electrical and plumbing lines to managing the foundation, the heating system and the AC, the landscaping and exterior of the home, and so much more. In most cases, a licensed contractor (such as a plumber or electrician) can take care of these types of home repairs and maintenance issues. However, aside from keeping all of the mechanics of the house in proper and safe working order, most homes built even as recently as 10 years ago need some level of remodeling. This could be for functional or aesthetic purposes, and often times, both. Perhaps your kitchen cabinets need a fresh stain, or maybe you’d like the old bathtub in your master bathroom to be removed to make room for a walk-in shower. These projects might seem minor in comparison to a large-scale remodel, and leave you asking the question — does this project require a contractor or a handyman? It’s important to know the difference between the two before you hire.

Here are some tips to help you determine whether a handyman or a contractor will be the best choice for your specific project:

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Mike’s Guys: How to Get Rid of Ceiling Condensation

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Ceiling Condensation is a common problem homeowners face and should be addressed promptly; excess moisture can eventually cause mold and mildew to form — quickly escalating a small problem into a much larger and potentially dangerous ordeal. Not only will you have to pay for a mold remediation company to handle the hazardous growth, but you’ll likely need to hire a contractor to repair the affected areas afterward. What a headache! It is helpful for homeowners to understand what causes the condensation and how to get rid of it before it becomes a bigger issue. Read more

4 Reasons to Consider a Room Addition

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Room additions are a common request we get from our clients. The main reason being that many homeowners would rather add on to their home than jump through the hoops of buying a new home, selling their current home, and go through everything that has to take place in between. Unfortunately, adding on to an existing structure tends to be much more expensive than most people expect. Along with the hefty price tag, completing a room addition also requires a good amount of time, planning, designing, and construction. Even a room without additional plumbing still requires a foundation, adequate structural support, electrical lines, and a tie-in to the roofline. It’s essential that each of these components be done correctly and to code. However, if a you do your research and hire a professional design build firm (like Medford Design-Build) to complete the project, a room addition can be well worth the investment for your forever home. Read more

5 Ways to Make the Most of a Small Kitchen Remodel

The term “full-gut kitchen remodel” tends to make people think of an expansive, high-end kitchen with all the bells and whistles – where surrounding walls have been knocked out to create an open floor plan, the luxury countertops are never-ending, and the shiny, new appliances are massive in size, all contributing to a show-stopping completed project. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the idea of an over-the-top large kitchen remodel, only a small fraction of our clients actually have this experience. Every project is different when it comes to the size of the kitchen, it’s starting condition, the client’s aspirations for the space, and of course, the budget. More often than not, the kitchen remodels we complete are done in small or medium-sized kitchens where the clients are trying to update the aesthetic, but also make the most of the existing space. Sometimes, due to the structure of the home and other limitations, it’s simply not realistic to remove walls or install large appliances. However, just because you have a small kitchen doesn’t mean it can’t be remodeled into the beautiful kitchen of your dreams! 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