The Economy and the Remodeling Industry

The Economy and the Remodeling Industry

To many it may seem that remodeling during these hard economic times is not a wise decision. People tend to focus on the amount of time or money involved in design. Especially with the decreased value in homes surely to bounce back in five or six years, now may be the best time to remodel and reinvest in your own assets.

The last 6-8 years have been booming for re modelers. Simple supply and demand concepts will tell you that as demand increases the price mirrors it. During that last 9 months in the Northern Virginia area, the demand had been decreasing; therefore designers throughout the remodeling industry are offering better values.

However, the market is an unpredictable beast and can change rapidly. Presently, we are seeing a higher demand in the last few weeks. But there are still great values to take advantage of out there before the price spike upward again.

In remodeling, several factors have to be taken into consideration in addition to great value:

What should you expect when looking for the company to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, basement, etc.?

Design: It all starts with great design. A great design is timeless, it will ensure that the space will be functional, beautiful, and tailored to the end user.

Trustworthiness: Would you trust the contractor enough to leave your home and go on vacation for several weeks while your home is being remodeled? Will the contractor be able to make the right decisions in your absence? Are the workers skilled in the trade they are preforming? How much experience do they have?

Accountability: Is everything accounted for when you sign the contract? Will there be any additional or “hidden charges” after the contract has been signed? There are companies that in the surface give you a “deal,” and in the end will charge extra to finish the job. Take the time to Google “complaints” and type a specific company and city where they are located. In addition, the Better Business Bureau keeps detailed information online about companies, including complaints. After all, you trust them with YOUR home.

Quality: the old adage that says, “You get what you pay for” is true, especially in the remodeling industry. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is! The first thing that will suffer with a low price is quality. Quality doesn’t cost… it pays.

Value: What is value? Value is the assurance of knowing that you are receiving not only a reasonable price, but also the services that go along with the project. For instance, in our company, Nicely Done Kitchens, our designers are professional designers, and each has a design degree, in either architecture or interior design. Yes, folks, four years of arduous university time learning how to design spaces for different needs such as handicapped accessibility, aging in place population, colors, textures, balance, proportion, ergonomics, traffic patterns, ease of entering, etc. these subjects are especially important when designing the kitchen or the bathroom spaces.

We provide the one stop shop concept: you literally don’t have to set foot anywhere else, we offer a wide selection of cabinetry, different counter top materials, over 200 knobs/pulls for cabinetry, floors, back-splashes, tile, appliances, etc.

Complete service from concept to completion. Project management, client service personnel, residential construction superintendent, and more.

In the end, you will be happy knowing that the granite in the kitchen is not going to crack later because it was placed on properly installed cabinetry, and properly installed floors. If a company has never had a complaint filed against it, as is the case with Nicely Done Kitchens, there is reason for it. Service, service and service pave our way.

Timeline/schedule: The contract should spell out the projected start and completion of the project. Our kitchens on the average take 3-4 weeks of construction from start to finish. There are companies out there that take month to finish!

Consumer sites: Lastly check with consumer sites that provide real feedback (i.e. Angies List, Complaintboard.com) or ones that provide complaints of companies providing you an estimate. Researching the company will save you a lot of anxiety as your project moves forward.

Finally, establish that chemistry with your designer as you begin. They can really help you have that kitchen, bath or other room of your dreams!

Nicely Done Kitchen and Bath Design

The words ‘kitchen and bath design’ invoke powerful images in may people. For some, it’s as simple as granite countertops or Holiday cherry oak cabinets, adding a touch of elegance to their already functional space. Others think of massive construction projects, workers with chainsaws helping tear out the wall between the kitchen and dining room, opening up the space. Whatever images come to mind, kitchen and bathroom design comes down to one fundamental question, how do I want it to look?

Designing a kitchen or bath is not an easy process, and many find their “perfect” design simply isn’t done as easily as expected or hoped. The layout their home may not fit the new kitchen design or the “ do it yourself” approach was much harder and expensive than originally thought. One important part of the kitchen or bath design process is finding the right designer. The professionals at Nicely Done Kitchens and Baths have had their designs features several times in many magazines including Signature Kitchen and Bath magazine and have won countless awards for their unique designs. Each team member brings a different skill set, allowing you to create the culinary preparation oasis that you have always dreamed of and desired.

Once you’ve selected a designer, the process begins to unfold rapidly; with cabinets, faucets, cabinet doorknobs, back splashes, custom hoods, appliances and much more to choose from, the list can seem daunting. However, with our experienced designers working with you and coordinating every inch of your kitchen, the project is sure to be a breeze. Whatever look you are going for, be it minimalist, classic, or even exotic tropical, out top notch designers are eager to help you create a personalized masterpiece.

If you are interested in remodeling your kitchen and or bath do not hesitate to cantact us, we will be happy to answer any and all of you remodeling questions and needs. Click here for more information.

How About a Green Kitchen?

I don't mean money, avocados, limes or any other color green, but the one that lasts -  environmentally green. Recently, I had a very "environmentally friendly client," who wanted to remodel her kitchen was as many products as possible. She had done a lot research on the internet, but was having a hard time finding the right products. That is, untill she found us. We are Certified Green Specialists according to the National Association of Home Builders and are more than willing to help your remodeling project go green.

The options for environmentally friendly choices for kitchens and bathrooms are endless now a day, especially since its a rapidly changing field with new and improoved materials coming out on the market daily. Lets look at the "everyday choices" we are faced with and how  we can help the environment. 

1.-  Oil Resources: Proximity - Chose products that are made close to home. Product coming from overseas travel the furthest.

2.-  Oceans and Dumping Areas: Recycled, or renewable materials that don't end up in our oceans or the dumpster are great choices. We donate on our clients behalf what can be donated to charitable entities. Especially never cabinetry and appliances.

3.-  Water resources: use products that offer "low flow" devices in toilets and faucets. Instant waterless tanks save both water and energy.

4.-  Energy Resources: The obvious choice is energy efficient appliances - Refrigerators are the biggest culprit since they are always "on" - Newer refrigerators by far use significantly less energy than the older ones.

5.-  Energy Efficien Lightbulbs: These last a lot longer than regular light bulbs, and don'y produce as much heat. At minimum install dimmers for your existing lights at home.

6.-  Washing dishes without using the drying cycle - off time washing.

7.-  Dishwashers with independant top rack washing, or double draweres.

 8.-  Include a recycling center in your home - preferably the kitchen - we recommend a double waste basket, one for thrash and one for recycling

9.-  Cleaning supplies.

10.- Countertops with recycled materials in it such as glass.

While that list may seem long, there are plenty more that I didn't mention. Kitchens and bathrooms are no different when selecting products. Countertops can be made out of recycled goods reusing glass and other materials to help reduce the impact we make on the world. Everyone wants a pretty kitchen, but to have a pretty kitchen and reduce the amount of waste is even better. In addition, the wood from the cabinets can be reused. Oddly shaped pieces can be used for cutting boards, finger joints, animal bedding or landscaping materials. There is no such thing as too many cutting boards.

Another important thing that green kitchens have to deal with is meeting the standards for formaldehyde levels each year that are acceptable for formaldehyde output and are still considered green products. I, Evelyn Nicely, oder every product personally to ensure it meets with, not only California standards, but yours. We don't just tell you it's a green product and then give you whatever we have lying around. We do the nitty-gritty research to make sure that we can offer you a custom line of cabinets that even the adhesives used on them are formaldehyde free as well. Granted, these custom cabinets are by far not the cheapest, but if your willing to go green, they're exactly what the doctor ordered. We are here to help select the correct environmetally friendly products for your kitchen or bath.

It appears that Kermit the Frog never worked with us when he said, "It ain't being green." If you select Nicely Done Kitchens, not only will your kitchen be a work of art, but going green will be easy as 1, 2, 3.

Aging in Place

Recently, in the Economist there was a a ten page speial report on aging populations and what that means to the world. The articles details employment, health care, and what impact having a larger older population will have on everyone. The large gap in age population in clearly a looming problem in the coming decades.

Over the past few years, remodeling has taken on a life of its own. Baby boomers have remodeled their homes to make a personal statement. Additionally, they have purchased second homes as either weekend get-a-ways or retreats for extended family reunions and get-togethers. The trend has been to personalize and customize a home to fit the lifestyle and mood of the household. Where will you live as you grow older? If you are like most Americas, you would prefer to stay in your current home: 89 percent of people 50 and older who were surveyed by AARP in 2005 stated that they would like to remain in their homes as they age.

Now, due to the changing housing market of the past two years, more people of all ages will stay in the current houses longer. Renovations will still take place and may even increase. People want to remain active, vital and independent as they age. So, how do we address these concerns when it comes to housing? One way is to look at your current house and identify quick and easy fixes suck as taping down a loos area rug. Secondly, examine ways to make changes as you remodel such as adding blocking for a grab bar that can be added at a later date. Finally, determine if moving to a new residence would make the most sense. Maybe the three level colonial in Northern Virginia would be better suited for a  younger family and a ranch style home or single level condo would be a better housing option for an aging couple.

Two years ago, I became a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist thru certification with NAHB (National Association of Home Builders). The course outlines specific design principles that apply to housing and kitchen design when thinking about aging in place. These same principles would apply to a person loosing mobility with MS or a person with a sudden change due to an accident. I have had two projects using these CAPS design principles: one project with the wife in a scooter and the second project for a family of four whose son had MS. 

Rather than providing a laundry list of ways to adapt your home on this blog, here are additional websites that have valable information on this topic: www.nicelydonekitchens.com www.nahb.org, www.aarp.org, agingbeautifully.com, www.cs.wright.edu/bie/rehabengr/kitchens/kitchint and www.naipc.org