Dos and Don'ts of Kitchen Remodeling

Are you considering a kitchen remodel? It can be a great way to improve the functionality of your home and increase its resale value. But before you begin, review the following dos and don'ts to avoid unnecessary hassles.

Do your research.

Create a Houzz or Pinterest account with images of your dream kitchen. Think about layout, appliances, functionality, finishes, and colors. Check out CCI's Houzz profile for photos of some of our kitchen projects.

Do consider the purpose of the space.

Does your kitchen serve as your family's gathering space? Do you enjoy hosting elaborate dinner parties? Do you need the top-of-the-line appliances to match your culinary expertise? How you answer each of these questions will help you determine the best layout to maximize your kitchen's functionality.

Don't rush through the planning and design phase.

Take time to visualize the layout, functionality and design of your new kitchen. Picture yourself going through your daily routine to help determine the best location for your sink, appliances, islands, and electrical outlets, as well as how you can best use every square inch available to you.

Do hire a licensed remodeler who is a member of NARI.

Outside of buying your home, remodeling it is one of the biggest investments you may make. You want assurance that the remodeling contractor you choose is a full-time, dedicated remodeling professional who follows a strict code of ethics.

Taking time up front to think about what you want from your dream kitchen and choosing a professional contractor will save you time when you are ready to move forward with making your dream a reality.

Top Home Remodeling and Interior Design Trends of 2014

Angie's List recently published the results of its survey with remodelers and interior designers about the trends they are seeing in 2014. They found that homeowners are most interested in making strategic improvements to boost functionality, increase efficiency and take advantage of existing space. Opening up the kitchen. Removing a wall between the kitchen and an adjoining room remains one of the hottest trends in home remodeling. The project appeals to homeowners because it instantly creates more space and dramatically changes the look and feel of the home. Installing hardwood flooring in the kitchen. Although hardwood usually costs more than other flooring options, it offers durability and a cozy, timeless look that never goes out of style. Customizing the home. Homeowners are making targeted improvements to ensure the home is a good fit for their lifestyle and family size by turning unused rooms into offices, dens, hobby rooms and children's play rooms. Separating the shower and tub. The days when the shower-tub combo reigned supreme are long gone. Home remodelers say the latest trend is to ditch the tub altogether, or to keep it separate from the shower. Combining old and new styles. A hot design trend in 2014 involves juxtaposing old and new concepts. In today's trendy home, a stainless steel refrigerator might sit next to a farmhouse sink or an antique chandelier might illuminate an IKEA bookcase. Remodelers also report an increased demand for recycled building materials, which they say can enhance old-meets-new design. Going greener. Green home improvements have been trendy for years, but remodelers and designers say homeowners continue to strive to improve the efficiency of their homes - from installing home automation systems that prevent energy waste to replacing outdated light bulbs and shower heads.

Remodeling Your Home? Make It More Energy Efficient!

Remodeling is a great way to make your home more comfortable and attractive. It also provides an opportunity to improve energy efficiency, helping to reduce energy costs and protect the environment. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.

Kitchen. Save energy in the kitchen by installing ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers. Consider high-efficiency, light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures and lamps for under-cabinet lighting. LEDs not only use less energy than conventional lamps; they last much longer and are more durable.

Bathrooms. Conserve water and reduce water heating costs by adding low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets. While you are at it, seal air leaks and install the appropriate insulation in the walls behind tubs and showers. Finally, control moisture and save energy by installing ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fans. 

Room additions. Use advanced framing techniques to lower costs and improve energy efficiency, and to reduce the amount of materials needed and minimize waste. Advanced framing replaces lumber with insulation material, increasing the overall insulation value of entire walls. Install ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights, and make sure outside walls are insulated to recommended levels to maximize energy efficiency.

Basement. Finishing your basement not only adds living space for your family, it is an opportunity to reduce energy costs as well. Add insulation to basement walls and crawl spaces based on the levels recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy. Seal air leaks around all plumbing and wiring holes on outside walls and in the crawlspace. Replace older, single-pane windows with glass block or ENERGY STAR certified high-performance windows.

For more energy-saving ideas and remodeling tips, see Home Design & Remodeling from the U.S. Department of Energy.

This article previously appeared in the Richmond DPU The Gas Advantage newsletter, and is used with permission.

Treat Yourself to Your Dream Home

Have you thought about what it would be like to treat yourself to your dream home?

Whether you are thinking of a bringing your kitchen into the 21^st century, finishing your basement or attic, or giving a face-lift to a powder room, Cabinetry & Construction can help you make your dream a reality.

Our complete, design and build contracting services focus on bathroom and kitchen remodeling; additions and whole house renovations; and historic restoration projects. We use luxury materials and choose fixtures well suited to preserve the integrity of the older homes that dominate our area. We can find period-appropriate resources and the special touches that make every job unique. You'll also want to note that not only can we restore older homes to their historic prime, we can also incorporate the latest innovations in green technology. Your home can be rich in history, with 21st century efficiency and performance.

With Cabinetry & Construction, you will also receive superior and seamless personal attention. As a design build contractor, I will meet with you personally to provide a proposal and help you bring your vision to life. Because we design and build, you can rest easy, knowing the project plans and budget will be consistent with the result.

This is your home. We know you are making a big investment, personally and financially, when you decide to renovate. We strive not only to produce high quality work, but also to build satisfying long-term relationships with our clients. 

Give us a call or send us an email today and we can provide a free estimate on the project that interests you.

Home for Life

As baby boomers plan for retirement, many are also planning for how they can stay in their home as they age. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the AARP found that 84% would like to stay in their current homes during retirement.  Rob Wright is a certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). This training and certification enable him to design and build projects for people who are are may become mobility challenged. If you are interested in staying in your home throughout retirement, you can visit homeforlife2014.com, a website and virtual remodel created in partnership with AARP, Living Design Institute, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and others. The site offers a room-by-room virtual tour through before and after photos and updates to the kitchen, bath, master bedroom and more. CCI is the premier remodeling company for helping you create your "Home for Life" in Richmond. Give us a call or send us an email today and we can provide a free estimate on the project that interests you.

GuildQuality's 2014 Guildmaster Award Honors CCI

Cabinetry & Construction, Inc. has been awarded a 2014 Guildmaster Award for exceptional customer service. GuildQuality, an independent customer satisfaction surveying company, has powered the Guildmaster Award since 2005 to celebrate service excellence in the building, remodeling, contracting, and home services professions.

CCI was selected as one of the over 200 North American builders, remodelers, developers, and contractors recognized by GuildQuality for our superior delivery of customer care.

Over the past few months, GuildQuality reviewed numerous survey responses submitted by customers of Guildmaster candidates. In granting awards, GuildQuality considers two primary metrics for each candidate: the percentage of customers who would recommend and the percentage of customers who responded. CCI achieved a recommendation rate of greater than 90% from our customers, who were surveyed through GuildQuality.

CCI is grateful to our customers who share their high opinion of our craftsmanship and professionalism with GuildQuality. In an industry that is driven by referrals, we are extremely proud that over 90% of our customers would recommend us.

For more on the 2014 Guildmaster Award and qualifications, visit www.guildquality.com. 

Are You Ready for Fall?

Now that we've celebrated Labor Day, it is time to start preparing for Fall. That includes getting your home prepared for cooler temperatures. 

If your HVAC (heating and air conditioning) system is at least 6 months old, schedule a tune up to ensure maximum efficiency for year-round savings. If your system is over 10 years old, you should consider an upgrade.

The benefits of either a tune-up or an upgrade include 

• lowering your energy bill, 
• increasing your home's energy efficiency, and 
• improving your comfort.  

As a licensed HVAC contractor, CCI is able to offer you several options to take advantage of this optimal time to invest in a quality heating and cooling system.

It is also time to be thinking about the house projects you want to finish before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

If there is a project that you are hoping to complete this year, now is the time to begin! As a design/build contractor, I will meet with you personally to provide a proposal and help you bring your vision to life.

Because we design and build, you can rest easy, knowing that the project plans and budget will be consistent with the final result and you will have a singular point of contact keeping you in the loop as things move along. Our complete, design/build custom contracting services focus on bathroom and kitchen remodeling; additions and whole house renovations; and historic restoration projects. 

CCI is the premier remodeling company for the distinct needs of home renovation projects in Richmond. Give us a call or send us an email today and we can provide a free estimate on the project that interests you.