[New Post] Completing a Bathroom Shower Remodeling Project In Phoenix published on

It’s amazing how many homeowners in Phoenix are beginning to see the value and fun associated with bathroom remodeling projects. In fact, one of the most cost-effective home improvement projects is making the decision to complete a bathroom shower remodel. And believe it or not, it’s also a project that many homeowners can do it themselves. If you’re looking to start a bathroom shower remodeling project, here are a few important tips to consider that will make the process easier, cost-effective and ensure the job is done right the first time.

3 Tips To Consider When Remodeling A Bathroom Shower

Tip #1 – Begin with an End in Sight

Having a clear and concise plan of attack is always the best course of action for any remodeling project. When you’re thinking about remodeling your bathroom shower, it is sometimes best to first consider the end product. A bathroom shower remodel often involves the following individual elements:

• Changing the shower fixtures


• Improving the design of shower tiles


• Refinishing or completely changing the shower basin including adding or subtracting doors, drain, and other features that make the shower unique.

As you can see, there are several individual details you can change with a bathroom shower project. However, the primary reason you want to start with the end design is two-fold:

a)   It will help you to price out materials and any subcontracting work you’ll need to hire. This is very important since it’s often the best way to complete a budget for upgrading your shower.

b)   It will stimulate some creative ideas based on your budget. For example, if you add up the complete cost estimate and you determine that you are a few hundred dollars over budget, you can plan to either use different materials or change the construction process.

The key here is to plan out the entire project first before purchasing any materials or hiring anybody to complete the project.

Tip #2 – Visit Some Trade Shows or Research Ideas Online

Another great idea for planning a positive bathroom shower project is to take in some décor concepts from either home remodeling trade shows or online sources. You’ll discover that by simply looking at other people’s creations often will stimulate your own creative juices. Plus, by visiting a tradeshow, you can often speak directly with product vendors, interior décor experts and construction contractors that may provide you with detailed tips and ideas that will help streamline your project.

The Internet is also a powerful asset for homeowners looking to improve the function and look of their bathroom showers. There are several blogs that focus only on bathroom remodeling projects that are written by experts in the field. Take some time to read these blogs and articles to explore ideas and learn important lessons or mistakes to avoid during this process.

Tip #3 – Contact a Professional Contractor

Regardless of what type of home improvement project you’re considering, it’s always best to get the input from professionals. And believe it or not, sometimes simply contacting a professional remodeling contractor that has years of experience in bathroom shower remodeling projects is a great way to actually save time and money.

Most contractors will take the time to openly discuss your ideas, create an effective plan that will get the job done quickly and with a focus on quality. In many cases, you’ll discover that working with a contractor can significantly simplify your home improvement project and actually save you money in the long run.

 

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/completing-a-bathroom-shower-remodeling-project-in-phoenix/

[New Post] Home Remodeling Contractors In Scottsdale Busy With Additions published on

One of the ‘perks’ of living in Arizona is the temperate climate. In fact, in a recent article, Forbes Magazine listed their top reasons for moving to Scottsdale, AZ, and they listed ‘great weather’ as number one. This great climate also has a way of convincing many family members to consider a move to the Valley of the Sun for health and financial reasons also. This has stimulated a remodeling spurt – especially for home remodeling contractors in Scottsdale.

Two Reasons Business Is Picking Up For Remodeling Contractors

Reason #1: More Family Members are Moving Due to Health Issues

Did you know that among the top 5 major diseases the only one on the rise is COPD? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is an umbrella term for Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema and even lung cancer. There are over 12 million Americans that currently live with COPD and it’s estimated that just as many live with it but have not been officially diagnosed.

As our ‘baby boomers’ begin to age, the onset of COPD is growing. Arizona offers COPD patients a wonderful option to live due to the clean, dry air associated with living in Scottsdale. This leads many current Scottsdale area residents to add-on to their existing homes to provide a comfortable and affordable living option for those family members that need to move here.

There are also times when aging parents simply need to move in with their adult children for safety reasons. Whether it’s due to the onset of chronic medical or other health conditions, the fact remains that sometimes our parents simply need to feel safe knowing they have a family member close by to care for them if needed.

Reason #2: Many People are Moving Due to Economic Reasons

The United States economy is not as strong as it should be and the cost of living in Arizona is not as expensive as many places across the US. This has convinced many people to consider moving to Arizona to live with friends or relatives – sharing the cost for everybody and making it easier to increase household income. Due to this, there has been a rise in home remodeling projects that include several guest-home options such as:

• Adding attached casita’s with a private entrance so that friends or family members living with you can come-and-go as they like without disturbing the entire household.


• Building detached ‘mother-in-law’ apartments in back yards or next to the existing home.


• Converting garages into additional living space.

When homeowners take on these home improvement projects, it provides them with several additional benefits including:

• It increases the resale value of their home


• Provides additional living space for future house guests


• Can create affordable travel options for friends and relatives

As you can see, the increase in home remodeling projects and guest house construction in Scottsdale is based on several reasons and that finding a good home remodeling contractors in Scottsdale that have time to complete your project might be difficult. The key is to contact a company that has several resources and networks of professional contractors dedicated to getting your project completed on time always at affordable pricing.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/home-remodeling-contractors-in-scottsdale-busy-with-additions/

[New Post] 3 Tips On How To Buy Land And Build A House In Arizona published on

It’s often the dream of every home owner to build a custom house on their own private lot. Whether it’s primary home in the pristine Sonoran Desert  or that second retirement home with a perfect view of the mountains, buying a plot of land and building a new home includes many important steps. And if the idea of doing this sounds good, you’ll need to learn how to buy land and the process to build an efficient house in Arizona. Here are a few important steps to follow.

Important Steps To Effectively Buying Land & Building A Home

First – Create a Plan of Attack

Most people think the first step of building a custom home in Arizona would be to purchase the land. However, those people often find themselves back-pedaling quickly. Just like any other major purchase or project, it’s critical to formulate a plan of attack to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. Here are a few things you should include and consider within this plan.

1)     Decide on what elements are important for you – not only today, but also in the near future. A great example of this is considering health care options for those that are planning to retire soon. This would include defining where hospital locations are, how close you are to your primary care physician and also how quickly emergency services can arrive. It’s something that most people never want to consider, however, the reality is that when you age – you’re going to require more medical attention. So make sure any new home and property you buy calculates this important step.

2)     Determine utility needs and availability. The next thing you need to consider is the utilities like power and water for your new custom home. Understand where the utilities are located, and what the cost is to bring them to your property.  This can play a large role in determining lot costs, as well as understanding where the lot is located in relation to the flood plain, drainage easements, etc.

3)     Consider location. Finally, after narrowing down potential areas to live based on your living requirements, consider the location of the property. Is the property easily accessible? Is it located near industrial areas, or is the area zoned for certain projects like schools, business or residential development?

Second – Find a Quality Home Builder

After you’ve formulated a plan, and have picked and purchased your lot, the next step is to find a quality-driven custom home builder that has experience and resources to build your dream home on time – and always within your budget. Here are a few important qualities that you should look for in any architect.

1)     Make sure they have experience in building custom homes in the area your lot is located.

2)     Make sure they are licensed, insured and bonded to complete ALL home construction projects – from developing a blueprint to hiring all contractors.   It is not recommended to hire an architect or draftsman, get plans completed, then go find a builder.  A builder should be working closely with the architect during the design phase to ensure a budget is monitored and your design needs are also being met.

3)     It’s always best to retain the services of a professional custom home builder that has a solid reputation of completing projects on time and can ensure every legal step (including permits and zoning requirements) are taken care of efficiently.

Third – Take time to Plan The Entire Build

Once you’ve found a good home builder to work with, the final step is to plan the final project. This is a step that shouldn’t be rushed. When you work with a professional custom home builder, they will ensure that every “T” is crossed and “I” is dotted. It will also be a priority for them to communicate efficiently with you – involving you in every phase of development – from planning to construction and even the closing.

The truth is that building a custom home on a private lot is a lot of work.  But if you follow these steps for learning how to buy land and build a house in Arizona, the process will be much easier, cost-effective and ensure your dream home is built on time – and within your budget.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/3-tips-on-how-to-buy-land-and-build-a-house-in-arizona/

[New Post] How to Build A Custom Dream Home In Scottsdale published on

It’s the goal of many hard working adults to someday build a custom dream home in Scottsdale. But when that opportunity arises, it’s amazing how many of us simply don’t know what steps to take in order to transfer our dreams into reality. Fortunately, we’ve got a solution for those looking to build a custom dream home in Scottsdale or any other city in Arizona.

5 Actions To Take When Planning Your Dream Home

The first thing you should do in planning to build a dream home is to start with detailed list of items you want to include at your dream home. Here are a few examples of specific items to jot down:

First – Total Rooms

The first detail you should write down is how many rooms you’d like to include inside your custom built home. A great way to streamline this process is to document rooms in sections such as:

1. Bedrooms


2. Living, Entertaining or Social Rooms


3. Bathrooms


4. Storage Rooms


5.  Dining or Cooking ‘Rooms’

 

Second – Total Floors

Once you’ve determined how many rooms you want, the next step is to decide how many floors you need to create a livable home. This is often determined on the size of your lot and local zoning requirements. It’s a good idea to meet with an experienced custom home builder when planning this stage as they can provide you with professional input in regards to construction costs, permits required and practical construction requirements.

Third – Outside or Detached Construction Needs

In this section you’ll want to document how many detached elements you want to include on your property. This often will include several specifics including:

• Garage Space


• Detached Apartments / Casita / Guest House


• Backyard design: pool, landscaping, fire pits, outdoor cooking area, entertainment patio, and other outdoor elements


• Front yard landscaping, courtyard entrance, driveway, entryway construction

When building a dream home, you’ll want to make sure to create a theme that is consistent throughout the inside and outside of the property. Again, sometimes there are restrictions based on HOA’s or other local laws, so make sure to speak with your home architect about any and all restrictions.

Fourth – Interior Design

After you’ve picked the basic construction process, you’ll want to plan the interior elements of your dream home in Scottsdale. Some of the specific features you’ll want to discuss with your contractor include:

• Electrical needs: What electronic needs or wants do you have? Can you power these items with traditional power supply or will you need custom electric?


• Plumbing needs: Based on how many bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor water elements and other items we’ve discussed above. This applies to both water and natural gas.


• HVAC needs: Living in Arizona requires a good, energy efficient HVAC system. You’ll want to work with your homebuilder to find a good solution here.


• Flooring, Walls, Ceilings: Planning all of these areas in order to create the look and feel that is uniquely yours.


• Appliances, Storage, Countertops, Cabinets, Closets, Offices and other Interior Décor ideas

Fifth – Fine Tuning Needs vs. Wants vs. Reality of Budget

The final step to build your custom dream home in Scottsdale is taking all of these ‘wants’ and placing a cost to the entire package. Once you determine how much your dream home will cost to build, you’ll be in a better position to fine-tune the entire project to fit within your actual spending limit. If money isn’t an issue – have fun! But for the other 99% of us, it’s important to create a detailed list of important items and upgrades that you would like to include in your dream home.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/how-to-build-a-custom-dream-home-in-scottsdale/

[New Post] 3 Tips For Building An In Home Wine Cellar in Scottsdale published on

One of the most popular home improvement trends these days is the addition of creating a personal home wine cellar. And believe it or not, creating your own home wine cellar in Scottsdale is not as difficult as you’d think. If you stick to following a few steps – you’ll quickly discover that having a professional home improvement contractor build you a custom wine cellar can help you be the talk of the neighborhood.

Preparing to Build A Custom Wine Cellar Inside your Scottsdale Home

Tip #1 – Pick a Location

Many people that are considering the installation of a home wine cellar often ask the question – “can I install a wine cellar anywhere?” In a word – yes. However, there are a few important elements that are critical to maintaining quality of wine that should be considered when choosing the location of your home wine cellar.

• It should be built in the coolest and most humid place inside your home. A wine cellar should maintain a consistent temperature between 55-58 degrees F. It should also include a humidity level between 55-75%.


• By building your wine cellar in a cool and humid location, it means you’ll save money on utility bills due to the fact that the temperature and humidifier controllers won’t have to work hard to keep that temp / humidity level consistent.


• Most wine cellar units are a split type of system meaning you will have a supply unit inside the actual cellar, and a condenser located outside.  If it is possible, pick a location where you can easily place this exterior unit that is as close as possible to the cellar.

Tip #2 – Choose your Design

The next important step for creating a new home wine cellar is to choose your design options. This will include several individual things to consider such as:

• How large do you want your cellar to be built? Are you planning on collecting wine on a large scale or are you looking to keep a certain amount of inventory on hand?


• What type of materials do you want to include in the wine cellar? Frequently the most important step here is choosing the wood that will be used in the finish product. It’s important to choose a wood that will handle cool and humid conditions.

It’s also important to consider what type of temperature controls and features you want to include inside your wine cellar. You should also consider electrical and plumbing requirements needed in order to keep your wine cellar in a constant temperature and humidity level.

Tip #3 – Create a Construction Plan

Once you decide on a design, and what materials you’ll want to create a beautiful wine cellar, you’ll then want to proceed into creating an effective construction plan. It’s best to always work with a professional home remodeling and construction expert on planning all phases of building your home wine cellar in Scottsdale. By involving the contractor in the entire process, you’ll also find that this will save you a tremendous amount of time, can save you money and will ensure the job is completed on time. Also, most DIY people tend to miss a very important step in installing the proper vapor barrier and doing it correctly to prevent any growth of mold from the humidity generated. Plus – you’ll find that by working with professional contractors, the finished product will exceed your expectations.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/tips-for-building-an-in-home-wine-cellar-in-scottsdale/

[New Post] Peak One Builders & Jared Allen’s Homes For Wounded Warriors Partner Again published on

It’s not uncommon to hear stories of individuals or organizations helping our nations Veterans who have sacrificed so much in defense of their country. However, it is refreshing to read stories about organizations dedicated to helping these loyal Vets live a safer and more comfortable life in the buildings they call home. This is exactly why Peak One Builders once again has partnered with Jared Allen’s Home for Wound Warriors Project to facilitate the remodeling of a Phoenix area home – this time for retired United States Marine SSGT Ken Champlin.

Peak One Builders: A Veteran Owned Company Helping Veterans In Need

One of the most dangerous hurdles that our hard working military members face when deployed overseas are Improvised Explosion Devices (IED’s). Unfortunately, US Marine SSGT Ken Champlin suffered traumatic injuries, losing both legs below the knees while on dismounted patrol in the country of Iraq. Upon arriving back to his home town of Phoenix, Arizona, SSGT Champlin quickly discovered that living accommodations were not conducive to using prosthetics or wheelchairs.

This is where the team at Jared Allen’s Home for the Wound Warriors Project (JAH4WW) and Peak One Builders stepped up to the plate to help improve the quality of life for one of our nation’s hero’s.

With the help of a number of corporate and individual contributions of materials, time, and other resources, Peak One Builders was able to complete remodeling upgrades to a home purchased by JAH4WW specifically for SSGT Champlin. Renovations that were made to SSGT Champlain’s new home included an open kitchen, widened doorways, indoor and outdoor ramps, new appliances and mounted televisions, a newly built master bedroom, wheelchair accessible bathroom, and outdoor garage and barbeque area. Watch News Channel 10  coverage of this story.

Peak One Builders own Mike Christensen, a 21-year Veteran of the United States Army supervised the entire project personally; ensuring that every detail was completed on time and with SSGT Champlin’s ability to safely negotiate his new home at a top priority. Over the years, Mike Christensen has grown Peak One Builders and Restoration into one of Phoenix’s most dependable and reliable residential and commercial general contracting companies in the Valley. His Phoenix-based company provides complete custom home builds, home remodeling services, commercial and multi-family. Peak One Builders also provides emergency restoration services in the unfortunate case of a disaster.

For those that may not be aware, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors project is a non-profit organization created for the sole purpose of raising money to build or modify the homes of America’s injured Veterans, making the homes more accessible and comfortable.  Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., JAH4WW was founded in 2009 by Pro-Bowl defensive end Jared Allen of the Chicago Bears.  In addition to donations, JAH4WW raises money through live music, golf, and other social events throughout the country.

There are several non-profit groups that often talk about social involvement, however, when it comes to pulling up the sleeves, donating time and resources to provide comfort and simple accessibility to things many of us take for granted, it’s great to see amazing organizations like JAH4WW step up to the plate to help a Wounded Warrior in need. The team at Peak One Builders is excited to have partnered on another project with JAH4WW, we look forward to the next project!

Click The Link Below To Learn More About This Story:

PRESS RELEASE: Peak One Builders And Jared Allen’s Homes For Wounded Warriors Team Up

 

 

 

 

 

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/peak-one-builders-jared-allens-homes-for-wounded-warriors-partner-again/

[New Post] 3 Kitchen And Bath Industry Show Innovative Concepts For 2014 published on

When February arrives in Las Vegas, the conventions season begins to kick into full throttle. And one of the most popular conventions hosted in Sin City is the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (also known as KBIS). During this popular convention, hundreds of the best interior décor companies, aftermarket suppliers and remodeling experts showcase some of the most popular innovated concepts that are beginning to show up in high-profile homes.

Kitchen & Bath Industry Show Favorites

Here are three attention grabbing ideas that appeared at this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show for home owners in Phoenix to consider implementing into their remodeling projects in 2014.

KIBS 2014 Las Vegas

Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas 2014 showcased new, fresh concepts for remodeling and new home builds.

[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_shower-heads-kibs-2014.jpg]40shower heads kibs 2014

2014 shower head exhibit at 2014 kibs[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_rustic-kitchen-remodel.jpg]40kitchen remodel ideas 2014

kibs rustic kitchen remodel [img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_kitchen-stainless-appliances.jpg]40stainless kitchen appliances

stainless stove display at 2014 kibs[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_kitchen-remodeling-projects.jpg]51stovetop kitchen appliances 2014

kitchen counter top and stove top remodel[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_kitchen-counters-and-stovetop-innovations.jpg]20kitchen counters and stovetop innovations

2014 kibs kitchen remodel ideas[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_kibs-las-vegas-2014.jpg]30kitchen and bath show las vegas 2014

kibs las vegas nevada[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_functional-bathroom-remodels.jpg]20bathroom remodeling concepts for 2014

shower remodel showroom kibs 2014[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_elegant-kitchen-remodel-kibs-2014.jpg]30elegant kitchen remodel kibs

kitchen remodeling concepts for 2014[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_double-vanity-remodel.jpg]20bathroom double vanity remodel

double vanity kibs remodel concept[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_bathroom-remodels-with-soaking-tub.jpg]20soaking tub bathroom concept kibs

bathroom remodels with soaking tub[img src=http://peakonebuilders.com/wp-content/flagallery/kibs-2014-las-vegas/thumbs/thumbs_bathroom-fixtures-kibs-2014.jpg]10bathroom fixtures kibs 2014

new fixtures for bathroom remodels

Integrating Old Style Kitchen Décor with Modern Kitchen Enhancements

For the past few years there has been a significant increase in ‘old school’ kitchen and bath décor. However, one of the most popular ideas showcased at this year’s Vegas show was integrating older décor style with new and high tech kitchen and bath innovation. Primary this is showcased in the countertops used, with marble, granite and solid surface designs being ‘trimmed’ in unique ways as to represent an older ‘look and feel’. Adding to this vintage look is the increase in hand-crafted kitchen cabinetry that is appearing across the board in many of today’s most popular kitchen upgrade projects.

Also commonly displayed at this year’s show were hand-forged style kitchen and bathroom sink designs. Some popular vendors like Artesso™ and Brizo faucets have added a splash of history into 2014 kitchen and bath faucet designs.

Installing More Useful Kitchen Accessories

There was a time when kitchen accessories were meant primary as showcasing elements to enhance the primary décor features – but not always for daily use. However, as more home owners look for proactive use of space in most of their home improvement projects, the use of all kitchen accessories is trending towards use as opposed to simple ‘style enhancement’. Some examples of this include colanders and cutting boards that are now being made of high-quality materials but also being seamlessly integrated into the kitchen countertops. These new features not only are easy to use, but also easy to remove for quick cleaning.

Eco-Friendly Kitchen and Bathroom Lighting Gaining Traction

Lighting has always played an integral role in kitchen décor. But in recent years, the focus has been to create eco-friendly lighting features that are both effective in keeping your kitchen well illuminated, but also help to protect our natural resources. The goal of any kitchen light treatment should always be to accomplish three primary elements:

• Ensure you have a safe cooking environment



• Make sure the lighting creates a certain ‘feel or tone’ to your kitchen



• Verify that the lighting is functional and easy to work with day and night

Some ways that people are creating eco-friendly lighting in cabinets is through LED technology located inside cabinets, and below base cabinet boards. Not only does this light up even the darkest nooks and crannies inside your kitchen, but it also maximize space. And since the lights are LED powered, it saves you money on energy bills as well.

The 2014 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas was a hit for both home builders and owners looking for helpful décor and upgrade ideas for their new remodeling project. Take the time to review more information about the show, and also consider using these three different hot topics in your next remodeling project.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/3-kitchen-bath-industry-show-innovative-concepts-2014/