Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Kitchen Remodel: Granite vs. Marble vs. Quartz Countertops

granite vs. marble vs. quartz countertopsAfter the general floorplan and design of your kitchen, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is that of countertop material. Your countertops are the heart and soul of your kitchen. They’re where you make food, where you live and work. Modern kitchens generally lean towards natural stone in the form of granite, marble or quartz, but which is the best? Explore the advantages of granite vs. marble vs. quartz countertops so you can make the right choice in your kitchen remodeling and renovation project.



Granite Countertops: the Pros and Cons


When it comes to deciding which type of countertop is the best for your needs, granite is one of the most consistently popular choices out there. It’s incredibly solid and strong and can take a great deal of punishment. It doesn’t stain easily and doesn’t hold watermarks. It’s hard to break it, scratch it or crack it and it’s available in a wide variety of patterns and colors, from tan to gold to off-white to peach to gray to brown and blue.


You are, however, limited to natural colors as it’s harder to enhance than other kinds of natural stone counters. It also has to be sealed on a semi-regular basis to ensure that it stays solid and stable, and doesn’t lose color.


Marble Countertops: the Pros and Cons


Marble is another highly popular material for counters, and it bespeaks luxury. It is also sturdy and carries a gorgeous pattern that will be completely unique to your countertop. It’s smooth and very easy to clean up since it’s not as porous as granite.


However, it does tend to stain and can be very sensitive to acidic cleaners. Generally, it needs a high-grade sealant.


Quartz Countertops: the Pros and Cons


Quartz is less common than granite or marble but may be the most stunning and unique choice you can make. It comes in just about any color you can imagine and is completely nonporous. It requires next to no upkeep and does not require sealant at all. It also tends to stay cool due to its composition, and won’t have as many variances as granite or marble.


However, unlike the other two varieties, quartz is generally not 100% natural but is made from crushed quartz combined with resin and dyes.


 


There are a lot of choices to make when remodeling a kitchen, and while the choice of which countertop material to use is an important one, it’s far from the only choice you’ll need to make. From the floor plan you pick to the eyelines you create, from flooring material to wall backsplashes and décor, from cabinets to appliances, it seems that the decisions never end.


 


It can be really difficult to determine where to go when the time comes to start your renovations planning. That’s why you should always look for help from an experienced kitchen remodel specialist in Scottsdale. A kitchen remodel specialist will be ready to apply their experience to your specific needs to get you through the confusion — and build you the kitchen of your dreams. Get started on your next project today!


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Contact the Scottsdale home remodeling experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

 


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Kitchen Remodel: Granite vs. Marble vs. Quartz Countertops

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Luxury Backyard Makeover Tips to Get Summer Started Right

luxury backyard makeover tipsWhat’s the best way to make your backyard the most exciting destination spot for all your friends and family? Explore these pieces of advice and luxury backyard makeover tips to help get your summer off to a roaring start and make your yard the place to be!


The vast majority of homeowners spend a lot of time looking at their backyard, knowing that they want to upgrade and improve it and are just unsure where to start. Here we will share some ideas and tips to help inspire you to get started on creating the backyard oasis of your dreams.



Create a Breathtaking Landscape


Landscaping is the key, and any set of makeover tips for your backyard would be remiss in not starting here. The first thing you want to do is create a stunning landscape for your overall backyard. This means working with your remodeling contractor to create a gorgeous shape and design for your lawn, from the carpet of grass to the shrubs and flowers. Landscaping is the foundation, and it all starts here.


Consider a Built-In Barbecue


Backyard entertainment and a built-in barbecue are essential features of your outdoor oasis. Create a special entertainment area with a fully-featured barbecue that has all the amenities, as well as features like wireless sound so you can pipe music or the big game into the party. Think about adding a flat screen TV so that you can have the latest movies or sports events playing, and work with your remodeling contractor to account for weather and protection from the elements.


Design a Focal Point for the Yard


Every good backyard design is built around a focal point. This could be fire pit construction, pool install, or even that backyard entertainment area. These aren’t just focal points for the eyes but are places people will be drawn to, where they can congregate and enjoy being outdoors. The focal point is the place for fellowship and enjoyment.


Of course, you’ll want to tailor it to the kinds of events you’ll be hosting. For big parties, you’ll want to use that backyard entertainment area and built-in BBQ, and make it as spacious and open as possible. For smaller, intimate gatherings a fire pit might be your best bet, allowing people to snuggle up together in the evenings. A pool can be great for kids and families to get out of the summer heat.


In the end, the prospects for your backyard makeover are nearly infinite and it’s really up to you. Your first step is to find the very best possible backyard remodeling company for your needs. If you’re in this situation and aren’t sure where to begin, a solid, professional landscaping and renovations company can help get you going, from deciding on the right design, all the way through execution.


 


The right backyard remodeling and renovation company can make sure you have all the necessary permits and plans, and help you design a backyard remodeling makeover project that will meet all of your wildest expectations, on time and on a budget.


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Contact the Cave Creek backyard makeover experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!


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Luxury Backyard Makeover Tips to Get Summer Started Right

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

How to Create a Home Remodeling Budget Spreadsheet

home remodeling budget spreadsheetHome remodeling projects require properly tracking every last cent along the way to avoid unfortunate and unpleasant surprises and to deal with anything that does arise. Learn how to create a home remodeling budget spreadsheet, what to include, and how to keep thorough track of what you intend to spend on your project.



List All the Details


The first step in building your spreadsheet is to list all the details of your remodel that you can think of. Write down what parts you’ll need:


  • What is the end goal?

  • What benchmarks to completion are there?

  • What do you want to see out of the end project?

  • What must be replaced?

  • What are the potential costs of replacement?

  • And more

Knowing exactly what you’re going to be tackling is the first start in budgeting your home remodel.


Start with the Project


Now, add the project itself to your spreadsheet. Make it the header. Often times that blank screen is the trickiest part, and just typing the name of your project can go miles towards getting you started. After you’ve got the header down, outline your details. You’ll organize them as you go.


Know Your Estimated Budget


Now, add your estimated total budget. This is the figure from which everything else will derive. As you add costs, you’ll set them up to automatically subtract from this budget so you always know how much money you’ve got left. Directly under your total budget figure, add a cell that says, “Remaining Budget,” and in this field create a formula that shows the remaining cash after expenses are accounted.


Get Contractor Quotes


Shop around to find the best possible local custom home remodeling contractor in Scottsdale for your needs. Get quotes and track them separately so you can determine which one will be best fit your needs, but keep them handy in case you need to change contractors.


Track Final Costs


Each final cost should subtract from your total budget and the final cost reflects in the remaining budget field. This lets you itemize expenses as well as knowing what you’ve got left, and where costs might need to be reined in.


Include the Start Date


Always include your start date, so you know how long the project is taking. This will allow you to note if important goalposts are missed, or if you’re ahead of schedule.


Outline Schedule of Completion


Keep a detailed schedule of completion handy so you know where benchmarks lie. This allows you to more easily consult with your remodeling contractor to make sure you’re on time as well as on budget.


Keep Detailed Notes


Any time any new developments occur, make a note including the time and date. For example, you could write, “Building Permit Acquired: 4/23.” This is another important organizational step that’s necessary to keep your home renovation project on track.


 


Of course, when you work with the right contractor, you’ll have help with your home remodeling projects every step of the way, including help with budgeting a home remodel.


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Contact the Scottsdale home remodeling experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

 


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How to Create a Home Remodeling Budget Spreadsheet

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Benefits of Custom Residential Construction in Carefree

custom residential construction in CarefreeGetting a new home is one of the most exciting times in your life. There’s nothing quite like walking into that building for the first time, breathing in the air, and knowing that this place is yours. It’s a new space to decorate and make your own. It’s even more exciting when you’ve had the home built from the ground up, and it’s genuinely, truly yours. Discover the benefits of custom residential construction in Carefree, so you can start the exciting process of making your dream home a reality.



Build the Home of Your Dreams


The single biggest benefit of building a home from the ground up in Carefree, AZ, is that you get to design the home of your dreams. You’re not settling for something that was perfect for someone else and is just almost what you wanted. Rather, you have the opportunity to create the absolute perfect home for you. While any home purchase is exciting, getting one that you personally had a hand in designing is the peak of excitement.


Express Your Sense of Unique Style


How often have you driven down the road and looked at houses, only to note that they all look exactly the same, one after the other? You don’t have to worry about that when you build a custom house.


When you create a home from the ground-up, it’s going to be an expression of your unique sense of aesthetics and style. It will be unlike any other home in the community and will be a true statement of who you are and what you love. Every time you see the home, every day when you wake up inside, you’ll see yourself in every corner, closet, and room. A custom house is an extension of you.


Get a Brand New Home with No Age Concerns


Of course, a problem that everyone faces when they buy a previously-owned house is that of age. Retaining walls get weak. Foundations need to be sealed and repaired. Settlement cracks in the walls need to be filled and painted over. Loose floor boards must be repaired. The kitchen has to be updated. The list goes on and on.


When you build your own, custom home, you’ll have no age concerns and no upgrades to worry about, because you’re putting everything in right from the start! Everything is brand-new and designed to last for years. It’s all yours, and it’s all new.


 


Of course, getting your new home completed requires the right planning, permits, and steps to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. Your best bet to make sure that you have all the experts in place from carpenters to architects to electricians and more, is to hire the services of a Carefree custom home builder.


The right home builder will work with you every step of the way to make sure your process is fun and exciting from start to finish, and you’ll absolutely love your new home for many years to come. Get started on your custom residential construction project today.


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Contact the Carefree custom home building experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

 


Read related articles:


 



Benefits of Custom Residential Construction in Carefree