Tuesday, December 26, 2017

How to Get Organized Before a Major Home Remodel

get-organized-before-home-remodelResidential remodeling is one of the most stressful home projects out there. It doesn’t just put stress on the house, it puts stress on the family.


In fact, home renovations make 12% of couples consider divorce.


But renovations don’t have to be that way, and they can be very rewarding when they’re finished. Take a look at these five tips that will help you organize before your remodel.


1. Plan Everything


The first thing you should plan is your end date. Maybe you want the renovations to be finished in time for Christmas next year or before the next school year starts. If you know when you want your home to be finished, you can plan backward and get a good starting date.


But you should always add some extra time. For example, if you know the remodel will only take three months, give yourself four months to work on it. Unexpected things have a tendency to creep up during remodels.


You should also plan out your budget. Talk to your bank about debt and cash flow management. Make a list of everything you’ll need for the remodel and how much it will cost, including things like tools, staying in a hotel, or eating out if you’re working on the kitchen.


These things will keep you from getting sidetracked.


2. Prepare Your Home


Plan on packing up anything in the way of your residential remodeling. If you’re remodeling the living room, move all your personal belongings out of the room to open up the workspace and keep them from getting damaged.


If you have a guest bedroom in your home or an empty garage, you may only have to move these to a different room. You can also rent a storage unit if you don’t have a lot of other space in the house.


3. Schedule Your Daily Routine


Set a clear start time and end time for the workers. You don’t want people coming in and out of the house when you aren’t expecting it.


Set a rule that no remodeling can begin before eight or nine in the morning. This lets your contractor get an early start to the day but it also gives you time to get out of bed without strangers running around your house.


At the end of the workday, you should also schedule some time for clean up. This may not seem very important, but if you don’t take the time to put tools away, you’ll find yourself losing them, which can slow down your next workday.


A good way to keep track of your tools is to make a designated tool location. At the end of the day, all the tools go back in their places so they are easy to find in the morning.


4. Protect Your Family


Keeping the tools in a specific location will also help you protect young children and pets.


Consider putting up gates that will keep toddlers and pets out of the remodeling area. This will keep them from straying into the wrong places and getting hurt.


5. Set Up a Relaxing Family Space


Remodels are noisy, annoying, and long. Setting up a family room that’s not touched by the remodeling will give your family a place to gather together and relax at the end of the day.


This is especially a good idea if you’re remodeling a central part of your house, like the kitchen or living room.


Start Your Residential Remodeling By Being Prepared


Remember, remodeling takes a lot of time, and you’ll need to be prepared for things like power outages, having the water shut off, and a lot of noise.


It can be a stressful project, but the best way to handle that stress is to plan. Try to keep track of what’s happening when, but always be ready for a change of plan.


Getting ready to remodel your house? Take a look at these ideas you have to include in your remodeling plans!


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Remodeling on your mind? Connect with the best general contractor in Scottsdale at Peak On Builders today!

Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

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How to Get Organized Before a Major Home Remodel

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

5 Things You Must Do Before you Hire a Contractor

things-must-do-hire-residental-contractorWhether you’re needing to fix a wall inside your home or you’re looking to make your home more luxurious, it’s a lot of work to do it yourself. Opening up your home to a residential contractor is a stressful proposition. Without the right contractor, you might fear you’ll be living on a construction site for the next year.


However, the right contractor can get in, get the job done, and get the heck out of your way. All the while, you’ll want to find someone who is personable and listens to you carefully.


To figure out whether a residential contractor is right for you, follow these 5 steps to find a perfect fit.


1. Look At Their Experience


If the contractor has a website, see if you can find projects that are similar to the one you want them to do. If you’re looking to get some archways built, someone who specializes in renovating bathrooms might not be a great fit.


You’ve got the luxury dream home in your head, but can you describe it?


Read any text written so you know the lingo to use when describing what you want. If you’re using the same language, you can limit the space for misunderstanding.


See if they’ve got before and after photos of recent projects. Find someone who has been around long enough to know their grout from their spackle but also someone who stays on top of trends.


2. Check References


Most contractor sites will include some testimonials. These can be helpful but they are also usually the “greatest hits”, leaving out any conflict anyone might have had with the contractor.


If you can’t find references online or on Yelp, ask the contractor directly for some references. Be sure that the references are related to the kind of work you’re planning on getting done.


Search engines are your best friend in this respect. Do some digging and weigh the positives and negatives fairly. You never want to be a part of those renovation horror stories that end up in the news.


3. Measure Their Personality


If a residential contractor wants your business, they should act like it. If you feel uncomfortable with how they talk to you or about your project, you should seek someone else.


You might end up seeing your contractor every day for months on end. If it feels like they’re not listening to you now, will they listen to you six months from now?


Your contractor should be a good listener.


4. Look At Licenses and Insurance


For your financial security and safety, be sure your contractor is licensed and insured. Ask whether anyone they hire are employees or also contracted.


Independent contractors usually need to have their own insurance. Employees are covered by their employer.


This matters to you because any damage done by workers or any accidents they suffer could end up being a headache for you without insurance.


5. Before You Sign


You should have a clear estimate before you sign a contract. You need to have an idea what the budget is, what the schedule is and what kinds of extensions they anticipate.


If they estimate the project will take 3 months, ask what could make it take longer. They should be able to anticipate any problems and be upfront with it.


Be skeptical of any contractor who doesn’t anticipate problems in advance.


Be Sure About Your Residential Contractor


After you’ve ticked off all the boxes, you’re sure to have separated the wheat from the chaff. Having a good contractor who respects your space and your project means that you don’t end up living on a stressful construction site for the next few months.


If you’re still scratching your head about how to find a contractor in Scottsdale, contact us for more information.


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If you’re looking for a Phoenix general contractor, look no further. Our team at Peak One Builders is ready to help!

Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

 


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5 Things You Must Do Before you Hire a Contractor

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

5 Luxury Additions That Will Add Value to Your Home

luxury-additions-add-value-to-your-homeAre you thinking of selling your home?


Upgrading and renovating your home is one of the best ways to make sure it sells and that you get your money’s worth. That’s why Americans spend more than $300 billion dollars on home improvements every year.


If you’re not quite sure what you should add to your home, don’t worry. We’ve got everything you need.


Read on for some luxury home design inspiration.


5 Ways to Upgrade Your Home with Luxury Home Design


Add value to your home with our top 5 luxury additions.


1. A Walk-In Wardrobe


Lots of people dream of having the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe. Add one to your home and you’ll have potential buyers clamoring for it.


A walk-in wardrobe makes organizing clothes simple, so you don’t have to turn your bedroom upside down just to find the right outfit. It also makes you feel like you’re in your own private department store, with a world of choice in front of you.


It’s simply a must-have feature for luxury home plans.


2. An Outdoor Living Space


Upgrading your front or backyard can add a huge amount of value to your home without breaking the bank. In fact, even adding something simple like decking can give you an 80% rate of return on your investment.


If you want to take it a step further, think about building an outdoor kitchen. That way, you could host great outdoor dinner parties in the summer. Add a fireplace, and it works for the winter months, too.


3. A Swimming Pool


Building a swimming pool is a sure-fire way to add value to your home. What luxury home design could be without one?


Whether it’s a heated indoor pool with a jacuzzi spa or an outdoor pool for swimming laps, potential buyers won’t be able to resist it.


4. An Extension


If you extend the area of your home, you increase its value, it’s as simple as that!


If you have extra space available around your home, consider building an extension. It could be turned into an extra master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, a games room for parties, or even a home cinema.


You’ll have to get planning permission, of course, but it’s worth it.


5. Smart Technology


These days, smart homes are becoming more and more popular. With ever-developing technology becoming more available to us, we can make our homes more efficient, more secure, and more convenient.


Now, sophisticated technology is being incorporated into smart home design to make people feel like James Bond in their own homes.


You can use smart home technology to adjust the temperature, turn on the lights, record security footage, or even feed your pets while you’re away.


Custom Home Building You Can Trust


At Peak One, we are experts in luxury home design. We’ve been doing remodeling and custom home building for years, and we’re dedicated to creating perfect homes that our clients love.


To see how we can upgrade your home with a luxury addition, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll take your dream and make it a reality, at a price you can afford.


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Are you curious about home additions in Phoenix? Peak One Builders are experts in additions that raise your home value. 

Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 to discuss creative options today!

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5 Luxury Additions That Will Add Value to Your Home

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

5 Amazing Luxury Garage Ideas for Your Man Cave

amazing-luxury-garage-ideas


When it comes to interior remodeling, the garage can easily be overlooked.


There’s no need for your man cave to miss out the on wow-factor you’ve created in the rest of the house.


Check out these 5 amazing luxury garage ideas that’ll keep your friends talking about more than just the house.


1. Underfloor Heating


There’s no reason your garage use should be confined to the summer months. With radiant underfloor heating you’ll be able to enjoy your man cave year round, and should be a feature of your interior remodel.


It’s particularly good for large, tall rooms like garages. The heat is right where you want it, heating the air around you before science kicks in and it rises.


Make sure you have this nailed down before you consider your…


2. Killer Flooring


Yes, it needs to be tough and durable, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be visually stunning as well.


Luxury options include:


Hybrid Polymer Floors


Twice as durable as epoxy and polyurethane coatings, hybrid polymer floors come in a range of stylish options. You can opt for block gloss finishes or have glistening specks built in that reflect the light.


Not only can they take the hammer they give a high-end finish that will stay looking amazing for years to come.


Interlocking Floor Tiles


Forget the spongy tiles you’ve seen at Costco. I’m talking about interlocking tiles that give a seriously sophisticated finish.


Capture a retro fifties look with a black and white motif, or opt for a marble finish you can see your reflection in.


Pay attention to the fitting of these specialist products too. Choose a contractor who has the skills to match the exclusive product you’ve invested in.


3. Roof Space


Building up and creating a pitched attic space can create tons of extra storage. Done right the look can take your dreary garage to a whole new level of style.


You can also helpfully store away all those once-a-year items such as camping gear out of sight, but still easily accessible.


4. Custom Storage


Every man cave should be as individual as every man.


Create custom storage for your particular passions. Consider a blend of wall cabinets, hanging racks and shelving units. Complete with a workstation to your specification for your weekend me-time.


The beauty of custom storage design is that it maximises the potential of the space you have. Choose a designer who will carefully consider how you’ll use your tools and appliances and plan for these needs.


5. High-tech Doors


No need to sit and wait for your garage door to complete its tedious opening sequence. Sync your new doors with your phone and with one click they’ll be ready and waiting as you drive up.


Key features of premium garage doors include smooth, quiet operation and hassle-free maintenance. Whether you want vintage or ultra-modern, the style of garage door you chose can elevate your car hole to man lair.


The Takeaway


Interior remodeling needs to be all-encompassing in the luxury home.


These five amazing ideas mean your garage will be a focal point, not an afterthought.


To turn your garage into the luxury man cave you’ve always dreamed of, check out our custom remodeling service.


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Peak One Builders are the man cave experts in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 to discuss creative options today!

 


Read related articles:



5 Amazing Luxury Garage Ideas for Your Man Cave