Should I replace my master bath with a shower?

In recent decades, the trend has been to have a luxurious jetted tub or a soaking tub in the master suite.  But in this day and age, so many homeowners are busy with work, family, and other obligations that there isn’t time for a long soak at the end of a hard day.  In light of our busy lives, the shower has come back into focus. 

Large walk-in showers with bench seating, steam showers, multiple jets, and even entertainment technology have become the new way to incorporate a bit of relaxation into the master bath.  These showers can be enjoyed daily without taking any extra time out of a busy schedule.

Basement remodeling the smart way

With the current state of the economy, homeowners are spending less time and money on entertainment outside of the home.  Because of this, there is a trend towards finishing basements so that the family can spend more leisure time right in their own home.  So, how do you make sure that you’re making an intelligent choice when chosing a basement remodeling contractor?  Here is a list of some questions to be sure to ask:

1.  Are you licensed?  Most states require contractors, even sub-contractors to be licensed. Make sure your basement remodeling contractor is properly licensed. Anyone can say they are licensed. Make the contractor prove it by either showing you the license or giving you a copy of it.  Remember to check the expiration date.  Being licensed is the law.  If a contractor cannot produce a valid license, DO NOT HIRE HIM! You can check the contractor’s current licensing status with your states Secretary of State.

2.   Do you carry general liability insurance?  Make sure your basement remodeling contractor carries general liability insurance.  This type of insurance protects your property in case of damage caused by the contractor and/or his employees.  The insurance company will pay for the cost of replacing, and/or repairing any damage that occurs. Anyone can say they are insured. Always verify this information by calling the agency. A copy of an insurance certificate does not let you know if the policy is still current. Even if the certificate has an expiration date. you cannot tell if the insurance has been canceled by either party.  Make the contractor prove it by having a certificate of insurance. 

3.   Do you carry workers’ compensation insurance?  Make sure your basement remodeling contractor carries workers’ compensation insurance.  It protects you from liability if a worker is injured while on your property.  Be aware that if the contractor does not carry workers’ compensation coverage, you may be liable for any injuries suffered by the contractor, or any of his employees on your property. 

If the basement remodeling contractor is a one-man operation, he can be exempt from having to carry workers’ compensation insurance.  If he is doing so legally, he can provide you with a copy of his Construction Industry Certificate of Exemption from Workers’ Compensation.  This is very risky for you though.  If he shows up with a helper and the helper gets hurt, with no workers’ compensation insurance, you may have to pay the medical bills.  If the uninsured contractor is sloppy about verifying his sub-contractor’s workers’ compensation insurance and the sub-contractor gets hurt, again you may have to pay the medical bills. In short, it is much safer to deal with a fully insured contractor.

4.   Do you offer Financing?  Many Basement Remodeling Contractors are lender-approved contractors.  They have been approved and investigated by lenders as being financially sound, maintaining satisfactory relationships with suppliers, satisfactory credit and no outstanding complaints at the Better Business Bureau. 

5.  Are you a member of NARI or NAHB?  NARI stands for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and NAHB stands for the National Association of Home Builders.  It’s always a good idea to consider hiring a NARI or NAHB contractor.  In most cases, both organizations only attract conscientious contractors interested in bettering the industry and in weeding out unprofessional contractors.  Some employees may have been certified in remodeling or had special training or education, such as earning a Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS) or Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) designation. In order to become a member of NARI or NAHB, the contractor’s background and references are thoroughly investigated. 

6.  Will you pull all the required building permits?  Make sure your basement remodeling contractor pulls all required permits.  This is very important.  When a contractor pulls the required building permits, you know things will be done to “code.” Also, many homeowners insurance policies require pulling a permit on any major remodeling to keep your home properly covered.  Not all contractors will do this. Many prefer not to pull permits because of the time involved and the “hassle” with the inspectors. Some contractors may ask you to get the permits.  This could be a warning sign that they are not able to pull the permit because they are either unlicensed or the work is outside of their license. A reputable contractor will permit every job where a permit is required. 

7.  Do you guarantee your work?  Your basement remodeling contractor should guarantee his work for at least one year from date of completion. They should also include any warranties from the material used if applicable. 

8.  Who will be in charge of the job?  Make sure the contractor or his foreman is on the job whenever work is being performed-especially if sub-contractors will be used. The responsible party must be familiar with every aspect of your project. You cannot be worried about what is going on when you are not there. 

9.  Will you provide me with written references?  A good basement remodeling contractor will be happy to provide you with references, from both previous clients and existing business referrals or suppliers. You should look for a well-established contractor who can give you several customer references from the last 6 months to one year. Ask how many projects like yours they have completed within the last year. Ask for the name of the contractor’s accountant or banker…you want to ensure the contractor is financially sound and will not be declaring bankruptcy in the middle of your project.   

10.  How do you handle “dirty work”?  Construction is dusty and dirty!  It gets everywhere, especially if any sanding is being done. Make sure the basement remodeling contractor will make an honest effort to keep the dust contained, or notify you when the heavy dust generating operations will take place so you can place sheets over furniture or move sensitive belongings.  Make sure the contractor agrees to sweep up and place all construction debris in a predetermined place or refuse container at the end of every day.

Gorgeous home with Airoom addition for sale

This family has made decision to relocate back East, to where their roots are.  Sadly, they have to leave behind their beautiful Hinsdale home and its Airoom-designed and built addition:

 

If you’d like to make this family’s Airoom dream addition yours, see the full listing by clicking on: Hinsdale listing

How to stay within your budget when remodeling

Everybody has a budget, whether it’s $1000 or $100,000, and it can be tempting to make so many upgrades that you price your project way out of your comfort zone and end up regretting it.  So, where is it ok to save, and where should you splurge?

A good place to save is by eliminating a portion of your project that can easily be done down the road.  For example, if you want to bejewel your cabinets and drawers with pricey high-end knobs, go for it, but put that on hold temporarily.  The cabinets can wait a year or 2 for drawer pulls, until your budget allows them. 

Another place where frugality is prudent is with something necessary but not glamorous, like a toilet.  Sure, the flush-o-matic 3000 has an adjustable heated seat, and you can plug your i-Pod into it, but a standard or mid-grade toilet works just fine.  And, for resale purposes, most buyers just want a working toilet, so going high-end here will not give you much of a return on your investment.

A place where splurging is a good idea is usually in the kitchen or bathroom countertops.  Beautiful stone countertops are highly sought-after, and can be the crowning jewel in a room.

Great design is also a crucial element when it comes to larger projects, and it something that you should not shortcut, like in a total kitchen or bath overhaul, or an addition.  Spending an extra few bucks to work wih a professional deigner can make a vast difference.  If you’re not hppy with your current layout or floorplan, updating the cabinets, countertops, lighting and plumbing fixtures will make it pretty, yes, but it will still be the same poorly functioning space that you didn’t like to begin with.

No matter what type of project you’re planning, or what your budget looks like, there are ays to stay within that budget, just be careful about which corners you choose to cut.

National Kitchen and Bath Association – 2010 trends

What’s hot and what’s not in 2010?  The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has announced the latest kitchen trends:

1. Traditional is the New Contemporary
Traditional will continue as the most popular kitchen design style in 2010, with contemporary following closely behind, while the Shaker style is seeing a surprisingly strong resurgence. Shades of whites and off-whites will be the most common kitchen colors in 2010, while brown, beige, and bone hues will also be popular.

2. Cherry on Top
Cherry will remain the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple, while alder increases in use. As for the finishes placed on those cabinets, medium natural, dark natural, glazed, and white painted will all be common. Other colors of painted cabinetry and light natural finishes are in decline, however, as are distressed finishes.

3. Floored by Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as natural stone tile, remain popular kitchen flooring options, but hardwood will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010. For countertops, granite continues to be the most popular option, but quartz will nearly catch up in popularity. For backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile and glass will serve as the primary materials.

4. Flexible Faucets
Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010 in favor of more convenient models. Pull-out faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot filler faucets will also become more prevalent. Kitchen faucets will most often be finished in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel, and—surprisingly—polished chrome.

5. Undercounter Refrigeration
French door and freezer-bottom are the two most popular styles of refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators remain a popular option. A surprising trend is the extent to which undercounter refrigerator drawers are being used in the latest kitchen designs. Perhaps even more surprising is that undercounter wine refrigerators have been recently specified by half of kitchen designers.

6. A Range of Cooking Options
The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking continues to gain in popularity due to its energy efficiency.

7. Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer
Standard dishwashers, with the traditional door that pulls from the top down, will once again be easily the most common type in 2010. However, an increasing number of dishwasher drawers will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thereby saving water and electricity.

for more information, go to NKBA’s website by clicking here.

Meet the designers

Today, I’ll begin with a post that will be a regular feature on Airoom’s blog, called “Meet the Designers”  Each post will highlight one member of our family of designers, giving you a small insight into their background, specialties, and life outside of architecture and building.

Robert Heilman:

2010 marks Bob’s tenth year at Airoom.  Bob holds both a Bachelors and Master of Architecture from the Univ. of Il – Champaign – Urbana and became a Licensed Architect in 1993. He is also a Certified Green Builder.

Before joining Airoom, Bob held positions in project development for companies such as White Hen Pantry, Hertz, Gateway, Hallmark, etc. leading new store and facility project creation, but residential work has always been his passion. 

“I feel that over the last ten years I have excelled at understanding client’s needs/wants and translating those wishes into functionally beautiful projects!  I especially like kitchen and family room design as these spaces truly are the heart of the home!”

Some projects that Bob particularly enjoyed developing are:

Bob’s wife, Sheila and two daughters, Kelsey and Erin have resided in Oak Park for the last 20 years.  They love the community and are now in the midst of their third home renovation project!  You can say it’s a hobby that the whole family can enjoy!  When time allows you can find Bob and his family in northern Wisconsin sitting on a dock watching the loons and eagles. 

 

Common remodeling pitfalls revealed

Remodeling your home can be disasterous if it’s not done with care.  Before you begin a remodeling project in your home, take a look at these common pitfalls.  By educating yourself on what could potentially go wrong, you’ll be better equiped to prevent problems, or deal with them if they do occur.

1. Rushing into your project

2. Choosing the first contractor you interview.

3. Creating an unrealistic budget.

4. Being overly frugal.

5. Paying more for building materials than you need to.

6. Making your home clash with the neighborhood.

7. Changing your mind. A lot.

For a more in-depth explanation of these pitfalls, read the entire article by clicking here.

“Oh, put a cork in it!”

Cork flooring is a hot trend in home remodeling as of late.  It’s got advantages over traditinal floor coverings such as hardwood, tile, and carpet.  For more information about cork’s properties, click here.

“I’m having a hard time imagining what the space will look like”

So you’ve decided that you want to remodel your home, and you’ve started to work with some designers and/or architects to develop plans, but when they show you the proposed floorplan, you can’t visualize it actually being part of your home.  It’s completely understandable that you don’t want to commit to a design when you can’t see what it will look like until after it’s completed.  How does Airoom solve that problem for you?  We show you what it will look like, but not just a sketch or a CAD drawing – we show you something similar to what we showed a recent client in Naperville:

If you’re a visual person, this can make the difference between you being completely happy in the end, or wishing you would have some something differently, and because it’s your home, we want you to know exactly what you’re getting before you commit.

Ask an architect

Wondering if your city will allow you to add a 3rd stall to your garage? Want to finish your basement to create usable space but don’t know where to start? Considering adding a sun room but you’re worried that your current HVAC system can’t handle the extra square footage?

Airoom has licensed architects on staff who would be happy to help you out. Post your question here by clicking on”Ask an architect”.

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