Mr. Sunroom Professional Remodeling

When Sussex County DE home building slowed to a crawl a couple of years ago, area remodeling companies received some unexpected company.

Small and mid-sided builders, who traditionally built homes, were migrating into the remodeling market. And frankly, they were a nuisance.

"I can understand it and I can appreciate it. I mean everybody's trying to make a living out here, but I just wish they'd have picked something else."

There is no data on the number of builders who added remodeling to their list of services, but those in the industry felt their presence. Not just because job prices started to drop, but shoddy work and jobs left incomplete began to happen.

I've heard stories about these guys getting into jobs and they can't finish it for the low price that they quoted. And it's not that a builder can't do the work, but they think and go about the overall project much differently than a professional remodeling company does.

Though their professions both pertain to residential dwellings, builders and remodelors have completely different skill sets. I probably know five or six guys who tried remodeling and had to stop. Not everybody realizes the differences in these two businesses. Adjusting to working around existing structures and adjusting to a different type of client are major obstacles for builders trying to make the transition.

A close relationship with your remodeling company is a must. You have to be confident they understand your vision and that they will take care of your home, respect your property, your family AND the neighbors. The last thing you need at your home is a bunch of foul mouthed, drunk carpenters flipping cigarette butts all over your back yard, while hooting at your neighbors daughter! And that takes a lot of talking and a lot of time to choose the right company. Traditional home builders are not accustomed to talking and giving you a lot of time.
 
I noticed things were changing three years ago. Customers were being dazzled by bids from former home builders that were thousands of dollars less than traditional professional remodeling companies. And the bids got even lower when their workers were laid off due to the economic downturn and they started their own companies.

Jobs were becoming more price-driven. Customers were becoming more price-oriented in their selections because of their experience over the past with low priced contractors. This was basically due to unqualified people estimating the work and giving customers unrealistically low prices. Costs like protective coverings for the home, demolition and final clean-up didn't always make it into the bids of moonlighting builders.

If you didn't have things like that in your budget and then suddenly had to provide them, it will eat into your bottom line considerably. And pretty soon guess what? You're out of business! You can't finish the job for what was quoted. Consequently, most builders make the decision to walk off the job instead of losing more money.

Another major issue many traditional home builders run into is the client. For the most part, builders put up a home and don't have a lot to do with it after people move in. But with a remodeling company, it doesn't end there. We come back when you want to change something or do something different. After all we are a professional full service remodeling company that provides handyman services. We're in it for the long run with our customers. In fact, it's usually a lifetime relationship.

Many builders who tried their hand at remodeling have gone out of business, making it nearly impossible to contact them if there is a problem or additional work is required.

Before hiring anyone ask friends for referrals, ensure the company you would eventually choose had satisfied customers and a good track record. Know you can always get a cheaper price if you go with a builder or handyman type looking for some extra work, but if you run into a problem, or someone gets hurt on your property, you're the one left holding the ball. You need to be sure the remodeling company you choose is reputable and will still be around down the line.

You don't want just anybody working on your home. When you bought your house, you knew there were things you wanted to do to make it more comfortable and you need someone experienced in that sort of work to help achieve your vision. Call Mr. Sunroom Professional Remodeling at 302-436-3250 for a free design consultation and estimate. Quality Material, Quality Craftsmanship.....and our customers love us!

When remodeling, materials can make up over half the cost of a home improvement project. While you might want to choose fancy flooring or fixtures, be careful to consider what remodeling materials add the most value, comfort, style and durability to your home.

It's easy to dream about remodeling your home. Whether you'd love a new kitchen or you simply desire to personalize your space, remodeling is a way to add comfort and style to your home, as well as make your home truly yours. And, depending on where you live, upgrading your home can be a no-brainer investment in the future.

But before you jump into any project, begin with the basics.

Envision Your Remodel

You might know that you want to remodel a room in your house. But do you know how you'd like it to look? Spend some time flipping through magazines and surfing the Internet to find examples of the kinds of remodeling materials and styles that you like. Ask yourself: Do you want a sunken tub in the bathroom? What kind of kitchen counter tops appeal to you? Do you want wood floors or would you prefer tile?

Being able to envision your remodel can serve as a helpful touchstone as you begin exploring how to fund and complete the projects you dream about. Knowing what remodeling materials appeal to you can allow you to speak intelligently to designers and contractors about what you want--and it may also give you a head start if you decide you want to do some of the work yourself.

Costs

Create a realistic remodeling budget. The average remodeling costs for three popular projects, according to Better Homes and Gardens' Remodeling Cost Guide, can give you an idea of what to expect: a kitchen project typically begins at $15,000 and goes up to $45,000, with an average remodeling cost of $26,888.

"National averages can't account for problem plumbing setups or your taste for exotic countertops, but they can tell you that it's unrealistic to plan on remodeling a whole kitchen for $7,000," the magazine reports.

Bathroom remodeling generally costs between $7,000 and $30,000, with an average remodeling cost of $16,605. A family room addition may cost a whopping $50,000 to $90,000, with an average remodeling cost of $70,000.

The lesson here is that remodeling is typically expensive. You want to be thoughtful about how you proceed and discuss your budget with your contractor at your first meeting. This will let the contractor know if your expectations are realistic for your budget and eliminate a ton of wasted time on everyone's part.

 Material Costs

Next to labor, remodeling materials are traditionally your most expensive budget item.
When remodeling your kitchen, for instance, cabinets can make up half the cost. "Stock cabinets cost $50 to $200 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinets with more finish and style options can cost two to three times more, and custom cabinets often cost five times more than stock cabinets," according to Better Homes and Gardens.

Granite counter tops usually cost far more than your standard laminate and a hand-blown glass vessel sink are generally more expensive than standard porcelain. But don't let cost alone drive your decisions. Think about what materials can add the greatest value to your home. You might have to pay extra for durability and sustainability, for instance, but in the long run, those attributes often can more than pay for themselves.

And, sometimes, choosing high-quality materials that are also good for the earth can actually help your bottom line.

Shopping for Materials

Be careful choose classic designs and colors when purchasing building materials. On that same note, avoid paying a premium for trendy items, too.

Consider the rise and fall of the master bath whirlpool tubs. Trendy items are not only expensive when you buy them, they can also severely date your home (remember orange shag carpeting?), lowering the desirability of your home when you try to sell it.

Looking at How Replacement Windows Save Energy

If you sit and think about it for a few minutes it won't take you long to figure out all kinds of really good reasons to have replacement windows installed in your home. Reason number one is the windows will improve the appearance of your home. Reason number two is the windows will increase the value and equity in the house. And of course, reason number three has to be that replacement windows save energy.  You don't have to live green to see the value of saving energy. It really doesn't matter if you recycle, compost, or drive a hybrid, home energy savings are important to everyone even if the reason is the all mighty dollar. Take a look at a few of the advantages you will get if you call in a contractor now to install new replacement windows.

Replacement Windows Save Energy

One of the first things you and your contractor are going to have to review is the type of replacement windows you want installed.  Some replacement windows save energy better than others and you really need an expert opinion to be sure you are getting your money's worth. Vinyl replacement windows are one of the most popular choices you can make and are considered to be incredibly energy efficient, which will obviously bring down your energy bill costs. Of course, you will still have to decide if you want to go with single or double paned models. Both have advantages.  The style and design of your home could even have something to do with the kind of replacement window you choose.

How replacement windows save energy is pretty self explanatory. Over time, windows begin to move and allow air to pass through as the house settles.  Some older homes may be equipped with less than adequate windows from their construction.  When new replacement windows are installed, the contractor can be sure to properly fit and seal the windows to minimize any outside air from seeping in. The results are replacement windows saving energy and you money.