Uniquity Builders, Inc.

What's the Difference Between an Open Concept and a Traditional Floor Plan?

Many people believe since the start of the pandemic open concept floor plans have gone out of style and are no longer of great use to the general public. But with more and more vaccinations rolling out everyday people are starting to gather in their homes again. Open concepts are ideal for entertaining large groups of people.

Open concept floor plans are defined as living spaces with no borders. In these homes, communal spaces aren't closed off by walls. This allows for bright sunlight in every room. With the recent development of the kitchen being the main entertainment area, this allows for it to become part of the living spaces. This creates a feeling of togetherness for big groups and families. If you live in a smaller home, this is the best way to maximize your space. 

If you have an open concept home but want it to feel more sectioned, you can strategically use furniture to divide the space. Using things like partial screens and plants can easily section a larger space. In the picture on the right, they used rugs to section their space. Cased openings also create a separate but still open feel.  

You can also look into a semi open floor plan. This combines the likeness of both open and traditional floor plans. It compartmentalizes certain aspects of your home. It can be a combination of just about any communal space. You can combine the kitchen and dining room, and close off the living room. Or combine the dining room and living room, and close off the kitchen. This can even be an open floor plan but use items like shelving to divide a room. Using large pocket doors give you the option of closing off a space while still having the open concept floor plan.

A closed or traditional floor plan doesn't have a definitive style but consists of formally defined spaces. Notice, on the right, this entry/living area is separated by a hall from the rest of the house. These type of homes were starting to go out of style with the surge of open concept floor plans in real estate. But when the pandemic hit, separate rooms became a more desirable feature in the market. These offer more privacy and sound control. This excerpt written by Kate Wagner from www.bloomberg.com is a great example as to why traditional style homes are making a slight comeback in this day and age, "The best thing about the closed floor plan? It offers what it has always offered: aural, olfactory, and spacial privacy. Humans have aways needed the sense of comfort and refuge that defined rooms provide. That may explain the rise of "man caves" and "she-sheds" -closed spaces that rebel against the open concept."

A traditional floor plan is a maximalists dream, it offers creative freedom since you don't have to coordinate one large space. It offers more wall space for hanging art and pictures. It provides the opportunity to decorate each room differently if you choose to do so. Having separate rooms for each particular activity prevents everything from looking cluttered, not to mention these floor plans make it easier to heat and cool the home. 

One floor plan isn't better than the other. One might work better than the other based on you and your needs but it's different for every person. This makes both floor plans still relevant and useful no matter what is happening in the world. If you're looking for someone to build your open, or traditional home, give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free at 800-498-1833. 

 

Sources: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/is-the-open-floor-plan-really-dead

https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-a-traditional-style-house.htm

https://stonehillbuilders.com/3-types-of-floor-plans-and-benefits/

https://www.veranda.com/home-decorators/a32356068/how-the-quarantine-will-change-home-design/

https://nebldgsupply.com/floor-options-for-your-boston-remodel/

6 Farmhouse Sinks That Will Make Your Kitchen Unique

If you want your kitchen to be unique, consider a farmhouse sink. They have gained much popularity for those looking for a more rustic feel in their kitchen. This feel can be delivered in a variety of different materials including copper and stainless steel. We've installed a few of the popular stainless steel farmhouse sinks, shown below. What material you may choose all depends on what look you're going for in your kitchen. If you're going for bold and intricate, maybe copper would be best fit for you. If you prefer a sleek and contemporary kitchen, stainless steel could be a better choice. As with anything, each material has it's pros and cons but don't worry I took the liberty of doing the research so you don't have to. 

In this post we will be discussing six different materials; stainless steel, fireclay, natural stone, copper, cast iron and concrete. 

 

Materials

We'll start with the most popular material, stainless steel.

Stainless steel is one of the more durable materials, although it is susceptible to dents and scratches. It won't stain, rust, chip or crack with proper care (which you can see below). For best durability it is recommended that you purchase a sink with a 16 or 18 gauge because they are less prone to denting. Stainless steel is one of the lighter materials so you won't need to reinforce your cabinet when installing. Along with being the most popular material it's also the most inexpensive of the bunch.

Pictured on the right is a stainless steel farmhouse sink we installed in Arnold, CA. 

 

On the left, we have the classic fireclay farmhouse sink.

This timeless material can bring that 19th century look that you long for in your kitchen. Now fireclay is much heavier than stainless steel so it will need extra support within the cabinet. It is resistant to chips and cracks but if you don't properly care for your sink, then in can easily become susceptible to damage. Fireclay is quite versatile and can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your personal style. 

 

 

To the right is natural stone.

Natural stone is by far the most unparalleled material on this list. As we know, no two stones are alike so a natural stone sink will be unique to your kitchen. As can be expected, it is extremely heavy and will also need the extra support within the cabinet. Natural stone is highly durable and heat resistant. It will, every few years, require resealing to prevent cracks and chips. Lastly, it is the most expensive material on this list but may be worth it if you want a gorgeous centerpiece for your kitchen.

 

 

From a female perspective, copper is by far the prettiest on this list.

Copper naturally patinas (oxidation that produces a green/brown film on the surface) over time, giving your sink a uniquely rustic look. It will occasionally need polishing to keep it from looking dull. Copper is naturally antimicrobial, killing many harmful bacteria upon contact. It is also resilient to staining. For copper sinks you would want to purchase a 14 gauge rather than the 16 or 18 gauge used for stainless steel because copper is one of the softer metals. It is one of the more expensive materials. 

 

 

 

The oldest material used to produce farmhouse sinks is cast iron.

These are made with solid cast iron and coated with a hard layer of porcelain enamel. This porcelain enamel can make the cast iron sink look very similar to the fireclay sink. Without proper care the enamel can chip and discolor/stain. White is the most common color of cast iron sinks but some other colors can be found. Cast iron is very long lasting and durable. It is quite heavy and does require the additional support within the cabinet. Cast iron is limited in appearance as well, it can only be molded into what mold the manufacturer has. 

 

 

Made popular in 2019, we have concrete. 

Concrete sinks give a distinctive, modern look to every kitchen. The concrete farmhouse sinks typically are a part of a concrete countertop to give your kitchen a smooth, sleek and modern look. As you can imagine, it's extremely durable. Watch for cracks and chips so they can be quickly resealed to prevent them from getting worse. It is also very heavy so it will need extra support. 

If you want to get creative and do your own DIY concrete farmhouse sink, here's a post you can check out posted by Jacob Galliher on instructables.com.

 

Care

Care is virtually the same for all of these materials. Try not to use abrasive cleaning supplies such as steel wool, rough sponges and even baking soda as they can dim the quality of your sink. Again, natural stone and concrete will need resealing every few years to prevent cracks and chips. It is recommended for every material to have a sink grid to protect the base of your sink from chips, dents and cracks. 

 

Picking the right sink might feel like a daunting task but with the right amount of research and determination, you'll have one picked out in no time. Don't forget to give us a call at 209-772-9200 or toll free 800-498-1833 if you are looking to remodel or build your dream home.

 

Sources:

https://nativetrailshome.com/farmhouse-sink-history/

https://signaturehardware.com/lc_buying_guide-farmhouse-sink

https://doityourself.com/stry/pros-and-cons-of-a-concrete-sink

https://trubuildconstruction.com/reviews/the-best-inexpensive-farmhouse-kitchen-sink-cheap

https://thesinkboutique.com/blogs/news/fireclay-farmhouse-sink-comprehensive-guide

https://www.worldcoppersmith.com/pros-and-cons-of-copper-farmhouse-sinks/

https://www.google.com/search?q=concrete+farmhouse+sink&sxsrf=ALeKk00Tj7Aq24U9ayoPllbUDoWtyPbaFg:1610991353587&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi3-va6gqbuAhUPKK0KHTSyCyQQ_AUoAnoECCAQBA&biw=1319&bih=904#imgrc=1xHubSrf14bFJM

11 Expensive Home-Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

By Terrence Loose, Blogger for GoBankingRates.com

_______________________________________

A good remodel should do more than increase the value of your home — it should increase the value of your life. But with the average new deck or bathroom remodel costing well over $10,000, controlling costs is essential to keep remodeling from becoming a financial nightmare.

While some mistakes will only set you back some pocket change, several blunders could generate thousands of dollars in waste. So make sure you avoid these 11 budget-busting home-remodeling mistakes because this is your home — and after the remodel, it should be your dream home.

1. Not Spending Enough

Ironically, cheaping out when it comes to remodeling could end up costing you much more money in the long run, even if everything goes to plan. “Do not cut corners,” said Jonathan F. Macias, broker and officer of California’s Macias Realty Group. “It sets the mood for the whole house.”

For instance, according to online home improvement marketplace HomeAdvisor, you should spend between 5 percent and 15 percent of the worth of your home on a kitchen remodel. Spending more than 15 percent will be hard to recoup during resale, and spending less than 5 percent could lower the value of your home. Remodeling is just too much work to lose money.

2. Expecting to Profit From Remodeling

If you’re thinking of remodeling because you plan to sell your house soon and you want to increase its value, you might want to rethink it. Most renovations do not recoup their value upon resale, said J.D. Crowe, president of Georgia’s Southeast Mortgage. He advises every client thinking of remodeling to do their research.

One place he recommended is Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost Vs. Value Report. It details 36 popular remodeling jobs and gives average costs and average resale value for each. Here’s a sampling: The average midrange bathroom addition cost $39,578 but only returned $22,875 on resale, a more than 40 percent loss. A midrange minor kitchen remodel ($19,266) fared a little better but still only returned 79 percent. In fact, the only profitable renovation on the list was the replacement of the front door, at 101 percent.

On the bright side, if those stats make you think twice, just think of all the money and hassle you just saved.

3. Not Getting Permits

Paperwork when you want to get to woodwork is a hassle. But following the rules and making the city, county or state happy now could save you a lot later, said Macias. “If the city officials become aware of the work being done either from your neighbors or driving by and there have been major additions and major work performed, nine out of 10 times they will make you demolish all of the work and redo it to compliance and with inspections,” he said.

But not only will you be out the cost of the work you’ve completed, you’ll have to pay for a demolition permit and be fined, said Macias. “It can total thousands of dollars in fees.” So do the paperwork.

4. Automatically Going With the Lowest Bid

The lowest contractor bid might turn out to be more costly than you think. “Few of us buy the least expensive car or smartphone available on the market,” said Christopher Hartz, a project architect with Alliance Architects of South Bend, Ind. “Generally, we are willing to spend a little more to get the upgrades or amenities that are important to us.”

“Thoughtful planning, good design and quality construction come at a price, and rarely is it the lowest,” Hartz said. Unfortunately, the lowest price can come at an even higher cost in the form of subpar work that decreases the value of your home or renovations that need repair or replacement sooner than they should. Choose your contractor based on more than just the number at the bottom of the estimate.

5. Not Ordering Extra Materials

Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a contractor, make sure you count on 10 to 15 percent wasted materials and buy accordingly. Not doing so can cost you. First, you will have to reorder materials, possibly losing any discount you could have had for a larger order, said Macias.

“And the delays on the project will cost you in labor time for workers that need to come back to the site once materials arrive,” he said. So whether it’s chipped tile for the bathroom counter or miscut wood for the bedroom floor, order a little extra and sleep a little better.

6. Disregarding Little Things

We’re not talking cabinet handles or doorknobs. We’re talking the little things that can really add up. “Depending on the project, there can be sales tax, delivery charges, shipping charges, engineering costs, interest costs, permit fees, sewer and water tap fees,” said Dean Bennett, owner of Dean Bennett Design and Construction in Castle Rock, Colo.

These can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars and are anything but insignificant, said Bennett. Also remember that material costs can change during your project. Consider that the price of oriented strand board doubled in 2003, in part because of the Iraq War, said Bennett.

7. Not Having a Contingency Fund

If there’s one rule in remodeling, whether you or a professional is doing the work, it’s that things will go wrong. And when they do, adjustments will have to be made or everything could come to a grinding halt.

“And even if you are 99 percent accurate — which [would be] amazing — that 1 percent inaccuracy will cost something,” said Hartz. In fact, with average kitchens, bathroom and decks costing tens of thousands, that 1 percent could cost a lot. A more realistic 5 percent to 10 percent error could throw a financial wrench in your remodel.

8. Not Getting at Least Three Bids

There are more reasons than saving money to get three to five bids for any home renovation project. But money’s a pretty good one. Another is that you can learn a lot about how realistic your budget is for the remodel you want, said John Bodrozic, co-founder of HomeZada, an online home management company.

If you can’t afford the remodel you hoped for, now is the time to change plans and materials. Depending on the size of the project, finding out later could cost you hundreds to tens of thousands. Other reasons for getting multiple bids are to make sure you get a contractor you trust and with whom you can communicate.

9. Not Getting Details of the Contractor Quote

Imagine asking someone to build you a car, agreeing on a price and then discovering midproject that the steering wheel, seats and brakes will all cost extra. That might put a serious crimp in your summer vacation plans. For similar reasons, you need to see all line items in any quote from your contractor, said Bodrozic.

“Some bids are low because they may have forgotten — on purpose or just by mistake — some material or items on the project,” he said. So don’t settle for generalities. The devilish details might be the things that cost you the most.

10. Underestimating the Cumulative Effect of Changes

In layman’s terms, it’s called the domino effect, and whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or have hired a contractor, making changes midproject can crumble your renovation budget faster than a champion domino-tipper. “Moving the location of a wall, for example, may require dealing with an engineer, architect, permitting organization and subcontractors,” said Bennett. Add in wasted materials, new blueprints, and lost time, and it could add up to thousands, he said.

Even what might seem like a small change could get expensive fast, he said. For instance, deciding on a different stove could require moving countertops, which could mean shifting a sink, which could mean new plumbing — and what about the electrical outlet that’s in the way,  and so on. “Understanding the planning process up front eliminates surprises and can keep costs in check,” said Bennett.

11. Not Getting a Contractor’s Warranty Program in Writing

Your remodel or renovation is more than a work of art; it’s meant to be lived in. And that means wear and tear — and then some. “If you have a good contractor, your remodel should look beautiful when finished, but there is always the inevitable leak, chip, crack, nail pop, cabinet door adjustment, etc., six months after the project completion,” said Marcus Toconita, production director of Callahan Ward, a developer and home builder in Havertown, Pa.

Any reputable contractor should guarantee his or her work for a year, said his partner, Nino Cutrufello. Why a year? “Because you should have the chance to use your remodel through the different seasons of the year to see how the craftsmanship and materials react to changing temperatures and changing moisture conditions,” said Cutrufello. After all, your dream home is meant to be a dream all year.

____________________________________

Featured on GoBankingRates.com website.  GOBankingRates is a national website dedicated to connecting readers with the best interest rates on financial services nationwide, as well as informative personal finance content, news and tools.

 Terence Loose is a Hawaii-based writer who has covered a broad range of topics during his 20-plus-year career, from finance and education to travel and celebrity. He is a former editor for both Movieline and COAST Magazines and his work has appeared in publications as diverse as COAST, Riviera and Movieline to the L.A. Times Magazine and Orange County Register, as well as on sites such as Yahoo! and HauteOC Traveler. When he’s not typing, Loose tries to surf or spear dinner.

The High Cost of Not Investing in Your Home

 Imagine buying a home for $35,000 in California.  Not likely, you’re probably thinking. 

 Not that long ago, in 1970, that’s the price Ken Plourde, a 79-year-old retired jazz bass player, paid for his 992 square foot home in Palo Alto.

 Since it’s within walking distance from Stanford University, it’s not so surprising that when Plourde decided to sell his home it was snapped up by a Stanford graduate in China for $3 million.  A tidy sum for his nest egg, wouldn’t you say? 

Your Biggest Investment and Nest Egg...

 For most people, their home is the biggest investment they’ll make in their lifetime.  Many hope their home will help fund their retirement years.   If you’re one of those folks who wants to sell their home when they retire, keeping it well maintained and up-to-date can increase your return on investment by thousands of dollars. 

 Since people want their home to be a real asset that appreciates over time, why do you suppose they hesitate when it comes to paying the price to keep it updated?  After all, it’s hard to buy any vehicle for less than $15,000, and most cost much more.  We all know what happens when you drive a car off the dealer’s lot – big time depreciation, unlike most homes that tend to appreciate in value. 

 

 When we receive calls from perspective customers, one of the first questions they typically ask us is, “How much per square foot do you charge to….”.  Our answer is usually, “It depends…”.

 When you consider that Ken Plourde’s Palo Alto house sold for just over $3,000 a square foot, it becomes obvious that there are many things to consider when you’re evaluating how much per square foot a remodel, or a new home will cost. 

 Think in terms of buying a new car.  When you go to a car dealer, you don’t just ask them the price of a car.  First you tell them what model and make you’re interested in, as well as the options you want included.  All those things make a big difference in the price you’ll be paying for the car.

 The same scenario applies to remodeling your home, or building a new one.  We need to know very specific details before we can quote a price. 

 How much is the average remodel in our area?  Well, that depends…

Cost vs. Value of Remodeling Your Home

According to the latest Cost vs. Value report published by Remodeling Magazine, bathroom remodels in the Sacramento area average $57,340 and kitchen remodels average $120,013.  Remodeling also reports that you can expect to recoup 71% on a bath remodel and 69% on a kitchen remodel.  Of course, the recoup cost doesn’t mention how much less you would get for your home if you tried to sell it with an outdated bathroom or kitchen.  It also doesn’t talk about the time you get to spend enjoying the remodel yourself…

 If those prices sound high, keep in mind they are averages in Sacramento.  Uniquity Builders has done many remodels for much less money – and some for more.  Again, it depends…

 It’s hard to put a price tag on your quality of life though, isn’t it?

 Feel free to share your remodeling experiences regarding cost vs. value. 

 

 

 

. 

Save Money and Stay Warm This Winter With These Simple Tips

As we creep further into the colder seasons, we should be thinking of things we can do to our homes to be better prepared for the cooler weather.  Whether you live in an area where it snows or not, it's better to be prepared for the really cold days rather than freeze your buns off. 

It's not just about staying warm, though.  Winterizing your home also ensures the ice, snow or whatever you deal with during the winter, doesn't inflict any major damage. 

Here are a few quick and easy tips to make sure you have a worry free winter!

• Cover your windows in bubble wrap.  It might look a little funky, but the bubbles create extra insulation that helps to trap the warm air inside.

                               

• Install weather stripping.  If you don't already have it around your doors, install weather stripping to prevent cold air from sneaking in through gaps around your doors.
• Check the duct work where it may be exposed.  This is especially important if you have a crawl space under your home that may be easily accessible for raccoons or other little critters to get in and mess with your ducts.
• Place draft stoppers around your home.  Drafts flowing in from under doors can waste 5% to 30% of your heating energy.  Simply placing a rolled up towel at the bottom of any door where you feel a draft coming through.  Or you can make your own if you're feeling crafty.

                 

• Change your furnace filters.  Dirty filters can restrict airflow and increase energy demand.  Do this at least once a month.  Or you can switch to a permanent filter you can simply hose off, which will reduce waste and hassle.

                                                   

• Run your ceiling fans in reverse.  We all know that heat rises, so by reversing the direction of your fans you can push all that warm air down towards the floor.

By implementing these quick and easy fixes, you'll save money on your heating bills and have a warm, worry free winter.  Maybe you can get yourself a little Christmas gift with all the money you've saved?  I would!

 

 

If you enjoyed this article, feel free to stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com

Also be sure to "like" us on Facebook!

A Classic Home Design to Suit Everyone's Style. Just Kidding...It's Upside-Down!

Home design trends come and go, this is for sure.  We've all heard of the Tiny House Movement, right? What about the whole "turn an old shipping container into a home" craze?  Well, have you heard of upside-down homes?  Yea, it's a thing!

Various architectural firms around the world have built homes completely upside-down.  Not really for people to live in, but with the intention of attracting tourists to their cities.  Groups in China, Russia and Austria, to name a few, have constructed these homes complete with furniture and fixtures attached to the ceilings (floors?)

The photos below let you take a glimpse inside these unique "homes".  I think I would feel kind of like a superhero walking around on the ceiling if I were to visit one!

                                  

                

                

                

                

 

If you enjoyed this article, feel free to stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com

Also be sure to "like" us on Facebook!

Want The Home of Your Dreams? That's What We're Here For!

At Uniquity Builders, we love building!  We love creating new spaces for families to enjoy.  We love being able to help a family create the dream home they've always wanted, through their vision and our expertise.

We can turn a cramped living room into a spacious great room perfect for family gatherings, or take your crumbling deck and create an outdoor living space ideal for you to share with your friends and family.

 We also turn out some pretty killer kitchens and bathrooms!  As shown in the video below. 

 

However, if one or two rooms just isn't enough to satisfy your remodeling sweet tooth, then a custom home, built from the ground up is just what you need!  Imagine everything in your home just the way you want it.  It could be yours and we can help make it happen!

 

If you enjoyed this video and want more information about our services, feel free to call us at 800-498-1833 or stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com

Also be sure to "like" us on Facebook!

Fake Contractors Want Your Money... Don't Become Their Next Victim!

If you haven't had the potentially cash draining experience of working with an unlicensed contractor, you probably know a friend or family member who has.  It's becoming so common these days that the victims are beginning to fight for tougher laws to end the home improvement scams. 

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has been conducting a series of sting operations in California in an effort to catch and punish these unscrupulous contractors, similar to the one in the video below.

In previous years undercover stings have been conducted in Elk Grove, Napa, Santa Cruz, Bakersfield, and Redondo Beach, California, resulting in felony arrests, citations, and Notices to Appear before the CSLB.

      

The CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) involved in the stings always give the suspects the proper forms and information they need to acquire their license and become compliant with the law.  However, they always seem to end up arresting repeat offenders during some of their stings. 

Which is why it is so important that you check the license first before hiring anyone to do any kind of work at your home.  The CSLB has even updated their website to make it easier for you to do just that.  When you log onto their homepage, you see the Insant License Check box to the right.  Enter the license number and hit search, simple as that.

 

If you found this article helpful, feel free to stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com

Also be sure to "like" us on Facebook!

Source: cslb.ca.gov

Give This Smokin' Hot Smoke Alarm A Try!

If the time has come to upgrade your old smoke alarms, consider getting the Atom Smoke and Fire Alarm from First Alert. It's called the Atom because it's tiny...I mean like an inch and a half in diameter tiny! But, don't let it's diminutive size fool you. This little guy packs a punch!

The Atom's super responsive photoelectric sensor can detect a smoldering fire before it bursts into flames. But won't trigger false alarms due to steam from your shower or your burnt toast. Not only is it tiny, but cute and stylish, too. In addition to standard white, the Atom will soon be available in bronze, wood grain, and stainless steel finishes, so it should blend in perfectly in any room in your home. Mount it on a wall or on the ceiling for maximum protection. With a price tag just under $30, it's super affordable, too!

                                     

We all know that a number of things can cause a house fire. Some are preventable, such as a fire caused by candles or smoking. But some are just beyond our control, like an electrical fire. With Atom's long-life lithium battery and 10 year warranty, the Atom will protect your home and family for years to come!

If you found this article helpful, feel free to stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com

Also be sure to "like" us on Facebook!

Source:  Firstalert.com

Energy Efficiency Fits Perfectly Into Any Home Decor.

Every home owner has different styles and tastes when it comes to the overall look of their home. But there are a few things that should be the same in every home, no matter what your personal style is. Here are just a few of those must-haves...

• Energy Star Appliances - All of your major appliances, which includes your fridge, dishwasher and HVAC system, use a ton of energy. Appliances with the energy Star rating use much less and can significantly reduce your energy bills each month.

                                                   

• Dual-Pane Windows - Double-paned vinyl or wood-framed windows can reduce energy usage by up to 24 percent in cold climates during the winter, and by up to 18 percent in hot climates during the summer, when compared to older, single-pane models.

• Lever Door Handles - This type of pull down door handle just makes your home easier to use. Along with wider doorways, rocker switches and single handle faucets.  Especially for the aging homeowner.

                                  

• High-Efficiency Toilet - High-efficiency toilets use 20% less water than standard toilets and flush the same amount of waste just as, if not more, effectively. Water savings from high-efficiency toilets can save over $800 on your water bill over the lifetime of the product.

                                                      

• Efficient Water Heater - Water heating accounts for 12-18% of a home's total energy use. So, clearly, an efficient system is a must. Choose a model that heats water using the ambient air in addition to electricity. Also, look for the Energy Star rating.

You may have noticed a trend in this list of must-haves...most are designed to save you energy, water and money! The homes of the future are energy efficient and water conscious, and they achieve that with help from products just like these.

So, whether your personal style is contemporary, chic or retro, any of these products is bound to fit right in.

 

If you found this article helpful, feel free to stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com

Also be sure to "like" us on Facebook!

Don't Let The End of Summer Be The End of Your Home Improvement Projects

Labor Day has come and gone, which means summer is unofficially "over."  Even though it's still plenty hot outside and we do still have a few more weeks of summer ahead of us, according to the calender.  But, still, as Labor Day passes the BBQ's stop, pool parties are replaced with study sessions and your remodeling projects get put off for another year. 

With the holidays right around the corner, the money you would've spent on those home improvement projects will have to be spent elsewhere, right?  Not so fast!  Even if you’re on a budget, there are ways to get that magic new kitchen or finally get rid of the 1970’s green fixtures in your bathroom.

        

Unfortunately, many homeowners have been dreaming about what they want their new kitchen or bath to look like for a long time, and that vision most likely has no relation to the real cost of remodeling.  That’s when it’s time to call a professional, like us, so we can spend time together talking about what is really most important to you and how we can transform your kitchen or bath into a more welcoming space and give you what you want the most, while staying within your budget.

Before we get together for our first visit, decide what your need/want/wish list is versus nice-to-haves. You can start by asking yourself :

• What really bothers me about my current kitchen or bath?
• What would I like to change, but realistically can wait until later?
• What am I unwilling to compromise on no matter what the cost?

Here are some basic guidelines to get you started.

Wood Costs Vary
If new cabinets are definitely on your need or want list for right now, oak is the least expensive wood to choose.  Maple and hickory (such as those in the kitchen shown above) are a step up from oak.  Woods such as alder and cherry are the most expensive.

If you’re on the fence about new cabinets, you might consider refinishing your current cabinets and adding new knobs, pulls, and hinges.

Countertop Options
Granite slab and stone counter-tops are more pricey than granite tile or ceramic tile.  Keep in mind that if you’ve got your heart set on having that granite slab countertop, and you forgo new cabinets because they’re on your “nice-to-have” list, if you change your mind later and wish you had new cabinets, granite can’t be removed and reinstalled. 

Instead of granite countertops, you might also want to consider granite tile.  Ceramic tile is the most economical of countertop choices, and there are a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from…

Appliances Choices Abound!
If you really want commercial appliances in your kitchen, like a Wolf or Viking range, and your budget doesn’t allow for their $6,000 price tag, you can still enjoy cooking on “commercial-like” appliances that are much less costly, in the $2,500 price range.

 

If you found this article helpful and you would like some budget remodeling help, give us a call at 800-498-1833 or stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com or simply scan the QR code below.

Also be sure to "like" us on Facebook!