For many homeowners, deciding to remodel (or not) can be a long and winding road. Based on our experience, there are several factors that complicate this decision:

• A home is scared and disturbing this space can cause major stress on individuals and families
• Remodeling costs are significant, hence the investment cannot and should not be taken lightly
• Horror stories regarding hiring with unprofessional contractors abound and adversely play on the psyches of many homeowners
• Return on investment and improved quality of life are important considerations for homeowners, who weigh the cost/benefit data of their future remodeling projects

Homeowners often consider a renovation for several years before pulling the trigger. One family considered a renovation for about 25 years (as long as they had lived in their home) and finally made the leap last year. Others consider renovations for 1, 2, 5 or more years before deciding to move ahead with their projects. Those who go ahead with their projects generally love where they live, enjoy their neighbors and appreciate the amenities in the surrounding area (remember the old adage: location, location, location?). Others decide not to remodel and/or move to a new home.

Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts when deciding to decide, yet we recommend a few simple tips that may help you make your decision more easily:

• Map out a “pro and con” list for your project and review it carefully with your family
• Write a “wants and needs” list for all interested parties and discuss this list openly, fairly and on more than one occasion to ensure that all wants and needs have been listed and covered
• Talk with family and friends who have remodeled about the joys and pains of a renovation
• Talk with a contractor you trust about your goals and desires for your remodel

Ultimately, your decision to remodel (or not) will come to fruition if you invest in the process of deciding. The efforts you expend will pay off in a firm and sound decision that will benefit you and your family – no matter which direction you take.

Mike Cavanaugh
MC Design Build
301-527-0700

Can you feel it? Spring is inching closer as the weather grows warmer, the days grow longer and local ice cream shops begin posting their opening dates (always a good sign).

This time of year, homeowners in the DC metro area are thinking about home maintenance projects they want and need to accomplish. For many, 2013 will also be year they’ll make changes they’ve been considering, including adding a sunroom to increase their living space, having a deck built for family parties or improving their landscaping.

Home maintenance takes time and energy, but it’s a worthwhile investment in your most valuable asset. Whether you’re a new or seasoned homeowner, now’s the time to consider these five tips and spring into action:

1.       Check your AC – We know you might still have your heat on, but this is DC, so we’ll likely make the automatic switch from heating to cooling in one day. Hire a pro to check your cooling system to ensure it’s running in tip-top shape.

2.      Caulk the Cracks – That sounds like something that could be on a t-shirt, but it’s referring to the cracks that appear around windows and doors, which let the heat out and cold in during the cool months and let the cool out and warm air in during the warmer months. So, get caulking!

3.      Clean out the Gutters – A perennial favorite with homeowners is cleaning the gutters (not), and should be done to stave off damage and annoying occurrences during rain storms. To get the job done, seek out one of the many companies in the DC area who offer professional, affordable gutter cleaning.

4.      Repair your Roof – It’s always good to have a (functioning and safe) roof over your head. If you don’t want to risk climbing up there, contract with a reputable company to check your roof and make the necessary repairs. You’ll be glad you did.

5.      Keep your Basement Dry – And now for the other end of the house – the basement. Those annoying occurrences during rain storms can also happen in your basement if it’s not properly sealed and/or protected by a sump pump. Make the investment in your basement for peace of mind and possibly find more living space – with a remodel to your unfinished basement.

Taking care of your home this spring will be well worth it – now and for the future.

Trish Schroeder

Schroeder Design/Build, Inc.

Trish@SchroederDesignBuild.com

www.SchroederDesignBuild.com

Recently, we met with a family in Maryland who’s considering a remodel that will support multigenerational living. After our meeting, we became somewhat intrigued by the concept of multigenerational households and thought about past projects we designed and built, including mother-in-law suites, additions and other changes that created needed space and functionality for families. To learn more about multigenerational households, we headed to the web and here’s what we found:

• The U.S. Census Bureau defines multigenerational families as those consisting of more than two generations living under the same roof.
• Many researchers also include households with a grandparent and at least one other generation.
• Due to the Great Recession and other factors, multigenerational households have rapidly increased in the last few years:
• One in six Americans currently lives in a multigenerational household The number of households rose from 46.5 million in 2007 to 51.4 million by the end of 2009 – a 10.5 percent increase in just three years.
• In 1980, multigenerational households accounted for 12 percent of the U.S. population. By 2010, this number had climbed to an estimated 16.1 percent.
• About 4.2 million of the 113.6 million U.S. households consist of three or more generations.

Five major factors are impacting the increase in multigenerational households:

• Slower starts: People are marrying later; more unmarried 20-somethings continue to live with their parents by choice or due to economic necessity.
• Immigration: Latin Americans and Asians have immigrated to Maryland, the DC metro area and other part of the U.S. in large numbers; immigrants are more likely to live in multigenerational households.
• Availability of kin: A high percentage of Baby Boomers in Maryland enjoy financial security and are able to welcome their aging parents into their homes, while providing their young or young adult children a place to reside.
• Health and disability issues: Across the board, increasing numbers of Americans suffer from chronic conditions and disabilities; many move in with family members to gain access to caregivers for themselves and/or their children.
• Economic conditions: With the Great Recession, many Americans struggle with job loss or other forms of reduced income. Sharing household expenses across generations makes them more manageable.

Multigenerational households come in all shapes and sizes; the common types include:

• Three-generation: The most common multigenerational household arrangement consists of three generations – typically one or more working-age adults, one or more of their children (who may also be adults), and either aging parent(s) or grandchildren.
• Grandfamilies: There are growing numbers of grandfamilies, which are households headed by an older individual or couple who live with grandchildren under age 18.
• Two-adult generations: Most two-generation households consist of
• parent(s) and child(ren) under the ages of 18 to 22. However, households with “boomerangs” are on the rise – grown children who return to their childhood household because of unemployment, underemployment or other factors.
• Four-generation: Once a rarity, the four – or five-generation household – parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, adult children, their children – is more commonplace and socioeconomically significant.

Are you considering a remodel for multigenerational living or are already part of a multigenerational household? Have any of the above factors related to you and your family?

We hope you found this data as informative and helpful as we did! And, as always, we welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Reach me today at 301-946-2356 or dmerrick@mdbi.us.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build
301-946-2356
dmerrick@mdbi.us

According to research from the AARP, nearly 90% of seniors would prefer to stay in their own homes as they age. This trend is referred to as “aging in place.”  From the point of view of a remodeler, aging in place means making sure that people have the best designed space but have no barriers to access or independent living.

If you want to age in place, here are ten basics you need to consider:

1.   Accessibility. The first concern in making a house friendly for wheelchairs or arthritic limbs is an entrance without steps. Ramps are not pretty and can spoil the look and feel of your home. They immediately announce disability. As an alternative, we suggest adding a wrap-around porch, with a ramp at the back of the house that matches the porch material so there is no aesthetic break. The ramp can lead right to the garage or to the place where the car is parked. Also, a porch will allow a person in a wheelchair to sit outside.

2. Wider doorways and hallways, especially, are important for movement of a wheelchair within a house. The modern trend is towards more open space – fewer walls, bigger rooms. Wide doors and hallways make a house look and feel luxurious.

3.  Low or no thresholds. Different floor covering drive thresholds – those bumps in the path of internal flow. Using consistent flooring throughout the house – whether you choose wood, laminate or tile – and eliminate the need for thresholds.  This allows for easier movement and adds to an open, cohesive feeling. If you want carpet in the bedrooms, ask your remodeler to use low thresholds.

4. Lower kitchen counters. The typical kitchen countertop today is 36 inches high. The old standard was 30 inches high – about the height of your desktop. Use the old standard for countertops for some or all of your kitchen – they are easily accessible for someone in a wheelchair.

5. Knee space under the kitchen sink. Going back to the “well” of old ideas, the old farmhouse sink can allow the wheelchair-bound person to move in close to the sink to do dishes. If you don’t like the farmhouse look, you can have the under-sink cabinet doors designed so that the wheelchair can be moved in close. You’ll have to store all those dangerous chemicals somewhere else – a good safety feature anyway.

6. Use lower storage. Deep kitchen drawers on slides are easy for someone in a wheelchair to use. I actually think they are easier on non-wheelchair users as well.  Put the dishwasher next to the sink and the drawers next to the dishwasher.  If you don’t need upper cabinets, you can use the upper space in your kitchen for more windows.

7. Bathroom with turning-radius of a wheelchair. Design your bathroom so that it is big enough to spin a wheelchair – 50 to 55 inches in diameter. A spacious bathroom will give you the feel of luxury, while affording the wheelchair-bound the privacy and capability to handle his or her own grooming needs.

8.  A wheelchair accessible shower. There are three options in designing a wheelchair-accessible shower:

• a totally open European shower, where the whole bathroom gets wet.
• a shower without a door but with a partial wall of tile or glass blocks to separate it from the rest of the bathroom.
• a  shower with a pre-made base that sits directly on the framing. The builder would then have to raise the rest of the bathroom floor so there is no threshold bump. You can put a door on this type of shower.

9. Smart technology. Consider smart technology, such as motion sensors, to automatically turn a light on and off when you enter and leave a room. This is especially handy for the bathroom. You can even have the bathroom fan set on a timer to make sure you completely dry the moisture to avoid mold and mildew problems.

10.  Grab bars.  Ask your remodeler to install blocking while framing in baths, stairways and hallways so you can add grab bars when you need them.  Plan ahead, when that small add on is basically free.

These are just some of our suggestions for creating a retirement home that is accessible, safe and convenient as well as beautiful. Consult a remodeling specialist for more options. Check with the Metro DC Chapter  of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI-DC) for licensed remodelers in  the Washington, DC, area.

So, you’ve been flipping through those home and design magazines and you see the kitchen of your dreams. What’s involved in making that dream a reality?

Any remodeling project includes three phases: design and pricing, obtaining permits, and actual construction. The entire process of a kitchen remodel can take from nine to 18 months.

1.  The Design Phase
In a typical kitchen remodel, you can expect to spend a minimum of six weeks in the design phase. It’s important to take your time and make your choices carefully in the design phase to avoid mistakes, overruns and delays later in the project.

Recently, my company completed a renovation of a mid-40s brick saltbox with two stories and a basement. The kitchen was too small and had only one door, which limited flow through the space. The clients wanted more open space for entertaining.

By adding a 12-by-33-foot addition across the entire width at the back of the house, we created an open kitchen and family area. The kitchen has two distinct work areas – a cooking area with stovetop, oven and microwave and a prep area with a sink and another oven.  We placed a center island with a sink across from the cooking area, installing task lighting over the island and prep areas. That project took about 11 months from our first meeting to completion. Though it was an extensive project, the homeowners did not need to move out. We set up a temporary kitchen for them in the dining room and put up plastic and plywood as a dust barrier.

2. Obtaining Permits
Generally, obtaining construction permits from the city or county takes about six to eight weeks. However, if you are working within an older historic home, the historic review board of that jurisdiction must approve the plans before you can obtain permits. Your remodeler can handle this for you.

Take the case of a young couple who purchased an historic home built in the early 19th century in Arlington’s historic Maywood neighborhood. In 2008, we began a renovation for them, removing an historically insensitive addition from the mid 1890 structure, then building a new three-story addition in keeping with the historic significance of the house. The new addition incorporates an enlarged and modernized kitchen and family room on the first floor.

The kitchen remodel included all new cabinetry and all new appliances that required new gas and electric connections and venting. In the breakfast room off the kitchen, we custom-built benches to match an existing farm table the clients owned. The benches also open up for storage. Because the homeowners entertain frequently, we installed a commercial-sized range, with double oven and eight-burner cook-top, and added an island with seating so that the cook and guests can all enjoy wine and conversation while dinner is being prepared.

3.  Construction
Usually about 14 – 16 weeks after signing the contract, you can expect construction to begin. The kitchen is perhaps the most complex construction project because all of the building trades have to become involved: plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning (HVAC), tile, flooring, cabinetry and, of course, the remodeler.

A simple kitchen remodel can take four to six weeks. Our company recently completed a kitchen reorganization, reusing a lot of the existing KraftMaid cabinets. We added an island work area, new appliances and a new lighting plan. We also realigned the sink to center on the window. The whole process took about three months.

So what should you expect in a kitchen remodel?

A basic kitchen remodel, which includes replacing the appliances and rearranging existing cabinets can cost from $40,000 to $60,000. Creating a whole new kitchen can run $60,000 to $80,000. Needless to say, planning and determining the scope and size of the project are very important. Every 1/4 inch matters here – take your time, and get it right.

 If your plans for the kitchen make-over include expanding the home with floors above and below the kitchen, the construction phase can take four to six months. For a simple remodel, you can probably stay in the house and set up a temporary kitchen – with a microwave, refrigerator and water access – in another part of the house. Summertime can be a good time to remodel your kitchen. You probably don’t do as much cooking when the weather is hot and you also have the option to cook outside on the grill. Otherwise, you probably need somewhere else to stay while construction is underway.

]]> http://www.narimetrodc.org/kitchen-remodeling-what-to-expect/feed/ 0 http://www.narimetrodc.org/a-rookies-guide-to-home-remodeling-top-10-things-you-need-to-know/ http://www.narimetrodc.org/a-rookies-guide-to-home-remodeling-top-10-things-you-need-to-know/#comments Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:46:57 +0000 admin http://www.narimetrodc.org/?p=539 By Michael Sauri, TriVistaUSA

Remodeling your home, especially for the first time, can be a daunting, scary, terrifying, messy, frustrating and expensive experience.  It requires a major investment of your time and your money and it will always be a major  inconvenience. Like choosing any professional (OBGYN, accountant, financial advisor) choosing the right remodeling professional is a major step in the process. Do your homework. Make sure that the remodeler you choose is the right one for you and your type of project.

Here are some other tips to help you make that selection:

1. The best way to select a remodeler is through referrals from family, friends and neighbors. Ask about the good and the bad: was the job completed on time and on budget? How did the company handle difficult situations?  What was their process?
2. Check out the websites of remodelers you are considering. Look at the types of projects they have done. Are their projects any like yours? Have they won awards? Are they members of a professional association, such as the NARI or NAHB?  Many associations take seriously their code of ethics.  Here’s NARI’s: (http://consumer.narimetrodc.org/responsibility/NARI_ethics_code.cfm)
3. Find out what other organizations are saying about the remodeling firm. Check Angie’s List, the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Google Places  or remodeling-specific surveying,  GuildQuality.com.  GuildQuality has reviews, ratings and client comments collected by an objective third party.
4. Request proof of insurance and licenses. In the District of Columbia, a builder has to be bonded. Ask the remodeler to show you that license and/or bond.  Here are the websites where you can check on remodelers licensed in your jurisdiction:
   • Virginia: http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/dpormainwelcome.cfm
   • Maryland: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic
   • Washington, DC: http://dcra.dc.gov/
5. Ask the remodeler to tell you about her process. Listen and compare what the remodeler says with what references have said about the process. Look for red flags.
6. Make sure the remodeler is listening to you when you are describing your plans, your likes and dislikes. Do you feel you have her full attention? If she is not listening now, how will things be in a few months?
7. Look for compatibility. When you’re remodeling, the contractor, her employees and subcontractors are in your home every day from four weeks to a year or more. Do you really like this person? If you don’t like her during the initial interview, you’re really not going to like her when she is in your home every day!
8. Ask for estimates. Keep in mind that the low bid isn’t always the best bid. You need to be aware that it’s very hard for an ethical company to price an idea until you have fleshed it out with details – the design, space requirements, functions and finishes. Make sure all the remodelers you contact are bidding on the same list of details, including quality of materials.
9. Get everything in writing: terms of payment, start date and expected completion date and a statement of warrant specifying whether the remodeler guarantees his labor and materials and for how long.
10. Read all documents carefully. Ask questions if there is something you don’t understand.

I am the president of Tabor Design Build and we recently designed and built a three story addition to my own home.  This allowed us to extend our two children’s bedrooms, add a bathroom, create a sunny family room and add an indoor pool to the new basement.   We super insulated the new addition and several areas of our existing home.  Solar panels were added to the roof and geothermal HVAC was installed.   

New and improved green building products are always coming out, some with fantastic performance claims by the manufacturers.  To read some of the advertising copy, you would think these products assemble and install themselves, then cut your utility bills in half.  To find out how difficult and expensive these products are to build with and how well they perform, I use my own home as the guinea pig.  That way if something goes wrong and the product doesn’t work as advertised, the worst thing that will happen is we will have to do something over again.  Since we have already thoroughly tested the products, our clients can rest assured that they work.

 Putting my family through what we put our clients through helps me empathize with my clients and refine some of our procedures.

 We found that you can only reasonably expect to stop about 98% of the construction dust from reaching the rest of the home.  You will never stop 100% of the dust, no matter what kind of barriers you set.  Somehow I had forgotten how much damage a major remodeling project can do to your lawn.  We used silt fence to prevent erosion but the lawn needs some reseeding.

 The temperature in our home feels perfect with our new geothermal HVAC system.  You don’t feel the same highs and lows that you feel with a gas furnace and conventional AC.   While the system is very expensive to install, the increased comfort more than makes up for the added cost.

  Our new Endless pool is fantastic.  I was surprised at how difficult it was to assemble.  It arrived as a truck load of boxes containing parts and a fiberglass shell. This is not something that the average homeowner could put together on a weekend.  There are plumbing and electrical requirements, plus heavy equipment is needed just to move the shell around.

 Insulated concrete forms were used to build our basement pool room.  They were about twice as expensive to build with as using conventional steel forms, but they keep the pool room toasty warm in the winter.

  We made our home about a third larger and our utility bills about a third smaller, all at the same time.

 To see more pictures check out www.tabordesignbuild.com/featured-remodel/ or for more information, contact John Tabor at jtabor@tabordesignbuild.com 

Curb appeal is no new strategy to property managers–whether sprucing up a home that’s for sale or a rental property. Property owners know to keep their property tamed, with a manicured lawn and fresh paint. But what curb appeal investments can be made to make a rental property even more eye-catching? Jared Meadors, owner of Medusa Properties in Houston–a niche rental company, offers his suggestions for increasing interest, which also leads to higher rent and more satisfied tenants, and, therefore, longevity.

Meador’s first approach to curb appeal begins in the selection process of buying a rental property. He chooses a property that may be boring at first glance, but that has potential to be brought back to life. Typically, it’s buildings from the ’20s or ’30s that have often been stripped of their original architecture as time’s changed fashion. This gives him a canvas to work from, restoring a property by adding the most appealing characteristics from an era or decade. Living in a property that has quirks or appears authentically old is desirable for renters who are seeking coziness and charm.

Secondly, Meadors adds appealing fencing. It may cost slightly more than standard fencing, but it draws attention and adds character to a property. Fencing can also be multifunctional, not only providing boundaries for a property, but also privacy and a buffer between the home and the street. Meadors also suggests using fencing as a foundation for foliage–our next point.

Lastly, Meadors likes to add unique touches with landscaping. Landscaping doesn’t have to be expensive if it’s well-thought out. He likes to add low-maintenance and beautiful climbers (like Jasmine) that can build from the fencing and privacy nooks. And any low-maintenance landscaping addition is desirable to renters who may not want to do yard work.

Images courtesy of Jared Meadors of Medusa Properties.

We recently invited a vendor to provide a brief training session to our staff  on spray foam insulation. We wanted clarity on the efficiency, durability and potential downsides of this type of insulation and learned about the details of open cell and closed cell foam insulation, including a few pros and cons of each.

Closed cell insulation, which has a tighter cell structure, is often used in walls to provide a barrier against air leakage. Closed cell insulation can be used in basements to protect against dampness, but may not provide a complete solution for all homes. It can also be be used in crawlspace walls and many other places. The disadvantages of the closed cell foam is that it’s denser, requires more material, and therefore, is more expensive.

Open cell insulation can be also used in many areas of the home, including roofs, because it’s vapor permeable. Hence, if your roof develops a leak, you’ll find out sooner rather than later. With closed cell foam, rook leakage could go undetected, allowing water to collect between the roof and the foam. The advantages of the open cell foam is that it’s lighter, requires less material, and therefore, is less expensive than closed cell insulation.

Both types of foam insulation show strong durability, although closed cell foam will generally last longer and provide better insulation. Additionally, there are both traditional and “green” spray foam products that may offer the right solution for your home. And, you might also consider other insulation alternatives, including denim insulation, made from post-consumer recycled denim scraps.

Like all insulation, foam comes with comes with potential downsides. On the GreenBuildingAdvisor.com website, we read that “Urethanes are non-toxic and only require protection for our operators during installations, but the finished product is completely safe and has no formaldehydes.”  Yet, some homeowners believe that out-gassing is possible and have reported reactions to it. If you have chemical sensitivities or worry about other hazards, it’s important to research this, and any potentially offensive materials that will be installed in your home.

As with any other service, installation plays a critical role in the success of your project. Buying good paint, but then having it applied by a non-seasoned painter will yield vastly different results than having seasoned painter do the job. Hiring a professional, licensed and competent foam insulation installer will ensure the best results.