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| All articles by Andrew Wright, Certified Remodeler |
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Articles written for “The Union’s” Home & Garden Section & Inside/Outside magazine
Thinking Inside the Box: Expand Within the Footprint of the Room
September 17, 2005
We have all heard the phrase, “think outside the box.” When remodeling, sometimes it is more cost effective to think inside the box. It may be possible to rearrange the space you have within your home to gain what you want, instead of adding on to the house. more >
Luxury Showers
June 1, 2005
Showers have gone through an evolution recently. The one-piece shower cubicle with minimal showerhead is a thing of the past. Today homeowners are seeking to upgrade the bathroom and a luxury shower is at the top of the list. more >
Knock Down the Walls, Let the View Come In
March 12, 2005
When a client tells me they want to knock down a few walls, they do it with a certain gusto. I see a gleam in their eyes as they envision the expanded living space. more >
The ‘Great Room’ – Making Separate Spaces into One Big Room
January 30, 2005
When we are developing a budget for a project a question I frequently hear is, “Can I save some money if I do X, Y or Z?” It’s a good question. ... more >
Don’t Add On, Add Under
September 11, 2004
Many of our foothill homes are built on sloping parcels of land. The result is often that the house sits on top of a huge crawlspace that is generally unusable. ... more >
Going for Glass Block – Classic Style is Never Out of Fashion
July 10, 2004
As the Baby Boomer generation moves into their late 40s and 50s, nostalgia for the homes they grew up in can be a powerful influence. Born in 1958, I am considered part of the "tail" of the Baby Boomer generation, born from 1946 to 1964. I make my... more >
Beautifying the Bath
May 8, 2004
As the old saying goes, "You can't see the forest for the trees." I see this dynamic when remodeling homes where existing walls and other assumptions limit the vision of what can be done. It’s not just that most people can't visualize or haven't the ... more >
Kitchen, Interrupted
March 13, 2004
There are many reasons why homeowners choose to remodel their kitchens. Sometimes the colors are too dark or lighting is inadequate. The countertops and fixtures may be aging and hard to maintain. ... more >
Little Red Schoolhouse
January 24, 2004
One of the fastest growing trends in today's lifestyle is the need for home office space. Our changing work force of tele-commuters and home-based businesses has created demand for workspaces that are attached or detached from the home. ... more >
Multitasking Kitchens – See What a Difference Lighting Can Make
November 8, 2003
Today’s kitchens are more than just places to prepare meals. In addition to its primary food function, this room ranks as the heart of the home and the center of family activity. Families today truly live in the kitchen. Kids study there; parents ... more >
Defining a Home’s Entry: Where First Impressions Count
September 13, 2003
The entry is the single most important element in the design of a home. The entry provides the first impression to visitors and is the first shelter reached during time of inclement weather. ... more >
Remodel on Main Street
July 12, 2003
Building for oneself is always a challenge. The constraints of budget and time are in conflict with the desire to have it built just so. In my usual relationships with clients, we invest in defining exactly what will be done, how much it will cost ... more >
A Home With a View
May 10, 2003
One of the joys of my line of work is to visit with homeowners after the remodel is completed and they have moved back into the added or improved rooms. ... more >
From a Cabin in the Woods to Custom Home
March 8, 2003
I find it interesting how homes evolve over time to meet the needs of their owners. The life of a home and the families that live in it are intertwined. Each phase in a family's life can trigger a remodel. ... more >
Heated Floors, Towel Warmers Make Bathroom Remodel a “Hot” Project
January 11, 2003
Remodeling the bath is a popular home improvement project. There are many choices in fixtures today, with several options that are new to the bath scene. ... more >
Integrating the Porch
September 14, 2002
I often find clients who need more usable space and turn to attached porches to convert them. ... more >
Plan Ahead Save Time, Money and Your Sanity by Thinking Through a Remodel Beforehand
July 13, 2002
Remodeling is the theme in my neighborhood on Banner Mountain. Almost every home has some project in progress. ... more >
Drama in the Kitchen
November 9, 2002
When I first met with Stu and Bo Wolfson at their Nevada City home on Deer Creek, they expressed their desire to create a professional-quality kitchen to match Stu’s appetite and skill in gourmet cooking. ... more >
Remodeling, America’s Favorite Pastime
by Andrew Wright
Remodeling is the theme in my neighborhood on Banner Mountain. Almost every home has some project in progress. Summertime garage sales and parties bring over friends and neighbors to see the newest deck or room addition. Minor projects are often done by homeowner and contractors take on the larger, more complex projects like room additions or kitchen and bath remodels.
Maintenance of your home requires that you paint the siding regularly, replace a leaky roof, or clean and oil your deck. This can be done by many homeowners, but is a lot of work. But that’s all part of the joy of homeownership, right?
Many homes in our area were built during the building boom of the eighties and are now twenty years old or more and are ready for updating. Older cabinetry was often dark and poorly designed, plumbing fixtures begin to wear out, tile grout becomes hard to clean, and aging appliances need replacement. Remember harvest gold and avocado green? Sometimes it is best to gut the kitchen or bath and start over. New countertops can be solid surfacing or stone slabs, which allow for under mount sinks, making clean up a breeze. Lighting is very important part of good design and was often inadequate. Recessed can lighting, and under cabinet lighting with adjustable switching can transform a kitchen. Natural light from skylights can be non-invasive tube style to pump light into a dark bath or kitchen or high-efficiency glass to bring in light and a view. A properly installed skylight should never leak.
As the size of homes increase and homeowners demand more from their home, extra space can be added as an extra bedroom, a home office, or that luxurious master bath you’ve always wanted. Covered porches can be open or screened to fit into the foothill climate we all enjoy.
Since remodeling projects can range from several thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars it is very important to spend your money wisely. Remodeling is one of the most expensive investments most people will ever make. If you have some skills and the project isn’t overwhelming you may choose to do-it-yourself. I’ll be seeing you at the local lumberyard next weekend. If you have a larger project in mind, such as an addition or a kitchen or bath remodel, you will probably want the services of a General Contractor.
Plan ahead to create a realistic schedule allowing time to design the project, locate a reputable contractor, obtain a building permit and build the project. Designing can take several months or more before applying for a building permit which can add another month. Many projects have deadlines like a special family event. Often contractors are scheduled months in advance, especially during the busy season. The good news is contrary to building a new home, that remodeling can be done year round.
Planning your project starts with your vision for the use of your home. There are many good magazines and books on the subject of design. Collect clippings and articles in a folder. Visit home & garden shows and go on home tours. Determine what is a need and what is a want for you. This will be useful when you share your vision with your designer.
Where should you turn to find the best professional to plan your project? There are many types of professionals within the home improvement field that could come to your aid:
The General Contractor: Many home improvement projects do not require professional design services and can best be handled by the experienced contractor whose knowledge of materials and methods has been gained by years on the job. General contractors are the right choice for your project if your project is already designed by an architect or designer and you now need someone to manage the construction of those designs.
The Architect: Major remodeling projects require construction drawings for the purposes of defining the project and procuring permits. Architects are licensed by the state and have formal education and experience. They have overall knowledge of design; however, many architects do not accept smaller projects.
The Designer: Another option to obtain those construction drawings is to hire a certified or licensed designer. Designers may have expertise in specific areas of the home, such as: kitchens, interiors, baths, space design, etc.
The Design/Build Contractor: If you prefer to hire only one company for design and construction services, your best bet may be to hire a design/build firm. Design/build is a concept developed to benefit the remodeling homeowner by providing both professional design and construction services within the same general contracting company. A design/build contractor will be able to see your project through form start to finish, keeping design, engineering and budget in mind.
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