Popular Projects of 2010 (So Far)

Popular Projects for 2010 (So Far)

Hello. This month I would like to talk a little about the top three projects we have been completing so far this year in 2010. Remodeling, just like almost everything else, always seems to be focused on a few specific types at any one given time. It seems like everyone gets the same ideas at once. Here are some of those (not in any specific order):

1. Minor Kitchen Upgrade: These jobs involve replacing countertops, installing/replacing tile backsplashes, new appliances, new flooring (tile, hardwood and laminate), upgrading lighting, upgrading plumbing fixtures and painting. Any combination of these is called a “minor” upgrade. If you are thinking “well that’s everything but the cabinets” you are close but in a major upgrade there are usually walls taken out and/or moved around. A lot of the kitchens we have looked at have cabinets that are perfectly fine. If they are a little rough some folks are having us paint them and we have even begun to replace a few doors and drawer fronts. This is something we did a lot of in the 1990’s but the desire for this died out. One of the reasons is that cabinets became less expensive and it worked economically to replace everything than just replacing the fronts. Cabinet prices shot up over the last ten years and that is why some homeowners are electing to dress up the kitchen around their existing boxes. The price of granite has come down a little and there are actually more expensive options out there, which is contrary to most thinking. Add some recessed lights, a tile backsplash with a design that is unique to your home, some stainless steel and paint and great looking kitchens result at significant savings.
2. Screened or Covered Porch: It has also been many years since we have looked so many screen or covered porches. It’s as if the outdoors is suddenly being discovered. The most common problem folks are asking us to solve for them is to put a screen porch on or a roof over an existing deck so that they can get out of the sun. These jobs almost always require modification of the foundation under the deck to support the weight of the new roof. If we are starting from scratch we always recommend a porch floor built of masonry with a concrete slab and bricks to tie into your existing house. We then construct the roof to match your roof and exterior trim. This accomplishes two goals. The first is that the new porch will look like it has always been there. The second is that it sets you up to close in the room or the porch at a later date if you wish. There are lots of different options for screening and other elements to create your own space.
3. Front Door Replacement (and other rotten wood): The front door of your home is a, if not the, focal point. Front doors usually fall into two categories. It blends in with the face of your house or it is the focal point. We have been changing the former into the latter a lot this year. The reason is not that everyone is deciding to change their front door just for the sake of it but rather taking the opportunity as need for repairs arise. Go and look at your front door now. Look down at the bottom of the wood where it meets the metal part. Poke your finger at it. Does it squish and feel spongy? That is where water is being drawn up into the wood and rotting it out. Have you had this condition in the past and whacked off or had whacked off the bottom few inches and replaced with new wood? Then that repair did the same thing. This is very common, especially on doors that do not have cover above. The danger is that the openings that result from the rot can allow water to get below the door into the framing and cause all sorts of problems. The doors need to be pulled and rot proof frames and trim must be installed to prevent the situation from coming back. As we are doing these repairs folks are taking the opportunity to dress up the front of the house with a new door set. And we are doing a lot of repair and this is why new doors are very popular.

If you are interested in one of these projects or any other remodeling on your home, please give us a call or visit our website.

As a special note. We are proud to announce that Jerry Harris Remodeling has been awarded 44 “Best of” awards for 2010. And as an added bonus we were selected as the “Gold” award winner for Best Local Home Improvement Contractor in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Churchland. Thanks for the votes everyone!!!!

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