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5 Important Things You Should Know Before Remodeling Your Kitchen

Leave a Comment / Construction, Kitchen Remodel, Remodel /

Think About LifeFlow

Think about how you and your family are going to move around the kitchen. Do you really want to be walking across the kitchen from your sink to your dishwasher for every plate? Overlooked placement can cause annoyance for years to come. A well thought out lifeflow is going to have you stress free during those hectic times in the kitchen. A well planned kitchen will lead to more joyful holidays down the road.

Choose Your Appliances First

Appliances come in all shapes and sizes. It is always the best idea to choose your appliances first and build around them. The last thing you want to have happen is having clearance issues or a nasty protrusion that you slam your foot on every morning. Also know what new appliances are out there. Maybe a sleek microwave drawer could give you a less crowded countertop and/or a double oven range can show your mother-in-law how thanksgiving is suppose to be done.

Good Lighting is Important

The last thing you want is to have your kitchen finished. Everything looks great. Then night comes and you are starting to realize you might have skimped out on the lighting. Great designers avoid this from happening, but it is always something to keep in mind during the process.

Don't forget about Form And Function

Form and function should be one at all times. The greatest kitchens in the world need counter space and storage. Think about the design and the flow of you and your families lifestyle. A creative layout will have the whole family operating in your kitchen like a Russian ballet. 

Planning

We are probably sounding redundant with planning. This is because we cannot stress how important it is. The Build Firm implements planning meetings on every project. They may seem unnecessary and hard work at first, but all come to fruition when you realize how smoothly your project is running.

If these articles get you excited for a redesign, tell us about your dreamy kitchen in the comments below and reach out to us so that we can turn your dreams into a reality.

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6 Things To Look For in a General Contractor

1 Comment / Construction, Top 10 Reads before starting a project /

Picking the right general contractor for you is the most important part of any project.

Portfolio

A good contractor just doesn’t magically appear in your home one day. They have been doing this job for a while now and have the work to show for it. You should be asking everyone for their portfolio right off the bat. Don’t be afraid to use it for inspiration even. If you want the best you have to see who does the best work.

Passion

You want someone that is going to be taken away by the project completion as much as you are. You are also going to be dealing with this person for the next 3-12+ months.

Do you really want to be doing business with this person if you have the slightest feel of distaste for?

Absolutely not, you want someone who is going to have your back 150% of the way.

You want someone who is going to go to bat for your when a problem arises. You are going to want someone who loses sleep over a project hiccup, so you don’t have to. Think about these things when you are talking with them and your project will go smoothly.

Trust

Honesty, accountability, passion and integrity are the most important traits in this industry. Try to sense if your product has these. You want a contractor that is going to turn over a product you will be happy with for years to come.

References

Who better knows a contractor than their past client?

This is a common practice, don’t shy asking for references. If they can’t provide more than 3…you know where we are going with this.

When talking with those references you will learn a lot about what to expect from that contractor. The best service typically isn’t proven until a problem arises and is resolved. Contact those references to get the outlook to make a decision. 

Problem Solving

Any contractor that tells you they have never had a problem is a liar. That’s our job. We deal with issues every single day, and we keep the train car on the track to completion. For every problem, there is a solution. You are going to want to find someone with that attitude.

Design focused Team

Anybody can get a vanity from Home Depot and drill it into a wall. What sets the amateurs from the professionals is design. Having a design orientated contractor will be massively helpful! Your designer won’t be on the job site everyday. Your contractor will be. A design orientated contractor will provide the guidance and attention to detail that is necessary to turn your design into reality.

Why is this important?

At the end of the day you want a project to add value. Market value yes, but you also want it to create emotional, physical, and mental value for you every day. These designers have spent their careers studying humans interaction with space. You are going to want that expertise in your corner.


And at The Build Firm we bring it to your corner, every single day! We want you to love the space your in every day for years to come. Contact Us below to be connected with one of our professionals to assist you in your home dreams.

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7 Mistakes To Avoid During Your Remodel

Leave a Comment / Construction, Remodel, Top 10 Reads before starting a project /

Thinking Too Small

Many people when they are tackling their first project often think too small. A brand new vanity may breathe life in your bathroom, but at the end of the day, we know you are going to want the floors done too. We know a lot of remodels are budget-oriented, but if you are on the fence and can afford it, trust us those old finishes will stand out even more, when the job is completed. 

Going with Something Out of Date

Often times when we look for inspiration we may feel a sense of nostalgia happen when something comes across our feed. That nostalgia can stay in the past along with that pink bathroom. You think it might be a great idea for the project. At the end of the day you want your project to be timeless and it needs to create value in your home. When you decide to sell, you want your project to be a statement piece not an eyesore.

Disregard Layout

Layout is important. The flow of your space is important and should be tackled in the design phase. You want to be able to visualize living in that space and what design elements are needed for it to feel like home. Have a team on your side that is versed in space planning. It is an amazing what an experienced creative mind can come up with.

Curving your happiness based on the internet

There are beautiful examples all over the place in this day and age, which sometimes can give us false outlooks. Many times those drop-dead gorgeous bathrooms that you see online and on tv are sets to make you fall in love with their fixtures. Those fixtures are beautiful, but at times they can be impractical. We source the best fixtures in the game and can achieve any vision. Let us know your inspiration during our design meeting.

Overlooking Pitfalls

Inexperience breeds naivety. When looking to start a project you should think about your restraints and what can be done. An experienced contractor will know the pitfalls as soon as they see the project site, now this doesn’t mean they will catch everything and nothing will come up down the road. It just means that they are prepared and will be your hero in an “end of the world” scenario. It an issue that they find a solution to, because they are paid to find the solution to. Creativity is key in this industry and we pride ourselves in creating solutions where others can not.

Poor Planning

Poor planning can draw a project out and severely increase expenses. You want to have all the ducks in a row before the first wall comes down. If not, you could be sitting their with an unfinished project longer than expected. If your contractor is not having multiple meetings with you from contract approval to start date, this is a cause for concern.

Work IS NOT to Code

Work not being up to code is an issue that should never happen. This often happens when amateurs believe they can become professionals by watching a couple of videos a night. Well sorry to say it, but this is where you need to leave it to the actual professionals. All of our projects are guaranteed to be up to code and we wouldn’t start if we couldn’t get it their. Moral of the story? Make sure their is a licensed contractor on your team.


Those are the 7 remodel mistakes to look out for. We hope you enjoyed the article and if you are thinking about getting work done, reach out to us and we will give you a call and see what we can do about those ideas you have. Talk Soon = )

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Top 5 Things to Look Out for When Picking Out Bathroom Fixtures for Your Remodel

Leave a Comment / Bathroom Remodel, Remodel /

1. Timeless Details

Fixtures can clash in your bathroom and need to be well thought out. You want each piece to fit together like a puzzle and tie your design together. Those smooth moving faucets are going to be your ASMR every morning.

2. Correct Sizing and Spacing

All bathroom fixtures should be proportionate to your space. You also want to create an accessible experience for your morning routine. From where the shower is placed, to when you need to reach out and grab a towel. These are the things that designers think about and we are blessed to have them at our disposal. They have read countless studies and research about how we move every day. They take their own experiences and others to create stunning layouts that will look beautiful for years to come. 

3. Seamless Design

Doubling down on design here. Design is the most important part of the process, it allows us to develop a timeline to look into the future with renderings and elevations. You want your bathroom to be the best it can be for you. Spend the time working with designers to insure that you are happy every step of the process from start to finish. 

4. Functionality

At the end of the day you want everything to work, drain and dry properly. This can only be guaranteed through professional workmanship and quality parts.

5. Durability

When you get your bathroom done, you are going to want the items that you paid thousands of dollars to ensemble to stand the test of time. Cheap products will cost you more money in the long run and cheap quality will eventually be the start of a bad day. 

If a good contractor believes that you are making a bad decision they will let you know, because they know they don’t want it to be their fault down the road. There are some brands we trust, there are some brands we do not trust(*cough* off-brand amazon *cough*). Tell us about your next project below in the comments or fill out a form to be contacted by our team. 

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4 Reasons Bathroom Remodels Fail

Leave a Comment / Bathroom Remodel, Construction, Remodel /

There are countless reasons that bathroom remodels fail, but to save time and energy we narrowed it down to these four reasons. 

1. Going cheap

100% of the time, those luxury looking bargain fixtures are filled with cheap insides and are going to cost you more in the long run. We always recommend going with the least amount of plastic as possible. The age old sayings “Good In, Good Out.” “ Garbage In, Garbage Out.” exists for a reason. We would bet that there is a Latin idiom. It’s probably animated in a cave writing in France.

Just don’t go cheap. 

Pick quality fixtures that are going to last for years to come. 

2. DIY- Yourself to death

We live in a day and age that we have a prolific amount of information at our fingertips and all of us can be a jack of all trades. Home remodeling is not something to take lightly and some twin brothers on TV aren’t going to tell you all the secrets. The secret is, just like with anything, its muscle memory. These professionals that will be working on your home have put in their 10,000 hours. They hit the nail on the head every-time. You want a small leak to go unnoticed until its too late? Then, DIY-it or have someone DIY- it for you. No, hire professionals. We will get the job done right every time. That is at least our motto. 

3. Not Considering existing infrastructure

If your bathrooms layout is completely outdated or you need more space. 

A wall is coming down

What’s behind that wall?

If its nothing you’re fine.

Chances are it’s something!!!

We just have to plan for that is all. Planning is key in any construction project. With new technology you start to hear the word impossible less and less. This also lets us experiment with new ideas and to do something that HAS NOT been done before. 

4. No Design Meeting

“In designers we trust.” Every home has its unique features and obstacles to address. Design meetings are key and allow us to iron out all of the details before breaking ground. This also gives you a pretty clear idea of how all of the fixtures are going to complement one another. 

Professionals who don’t bring you through a design meeting are not professionals. Your remodel should be a smooth experience. Design meetings make that possible.

When you go with us we take the extra time to go through every detail to make sure that we exceed your expectations. Fill out the form below or give us a call to schedule your consultation today.

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How to Avoid Unforseen in Your Bathroom Remodel

1 Comment / Bathroom Remodel, Construction, Remodel, Top 10 Reads before starting a project /

The way you start your day can make or break you. Create a space that both functions with ease and manifests positive energy that propels you throughout the day. These are the top 5 things we at The Build Firm want you to avoid like the plague.

Inappropriate Materials

Redoing a bathroom can be fun, exciting and a new experience. You can let your imagination run to the wildest of places, but don’t run too far from the tree. You might commit a bathroom faux-pa!

When redoing a bathroom we must remember that bathrooms are wet places and tend to have a lot of moisture. You are going to want a waterproof solution and stay away from anything that will trap the moisture. Obviously no carpet! What is this the 80’s? Also, steer clear of wood, both real and engineered. These are suitable for kitchens, but with sopping wet guests and kids getting out of the shower, you will notice swelling and delamination before you know it.

 Storage, Storage, Storage

During the design phase, we always address storage and the counter space. The last thing you want to do in the morning is fumble the toothpaste. We pride ourselves in space planning and functionality,  We pride ourselves in space planning and functionality, especially when dealing with a bathroom. 

Spacing

The last thing that you want is a disproportionate bathroom that lacks flow and form. If your bathroom is not spaced correctly or if it is too crowded, it is going to look non conforming, and you will wind up stubbing your toe every morning. 

Lighting

Lighting is an important discussion that we cover during our meeting. It can be a lovely feature but also serves an important functionality.

You like to get ready in the dark? 

Of course not.

That gorgeous light fixture might not give you what you need. It is always good to find a happy medium. There are plenty of solutions that will be appeasing as well as functional. Adding a lighted mirror or can lighting can serve as a subtle solution.

Ventilation

A not well ventilated bathroom is going to have you slipping on the floor like Tom Cruise singing Bob Seger. 

Bathrooms are wet and humid places. A proper ventilation system will help your bathroom evacuate moisture plus those unwanted taco tuesday aromas.

If you currently have any of these issues, Please bring them up in our consultation and design meeting so that we can find solutions before starting the project.. When you go with us we want your experience to be perfect from start to finish. Fill out the form below or give us a call to schedule your consultation.

Click here to schedule your appointment today

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5 Essential Steps Before Starting Your Construction Project

1 Comment / Construction, Remodel, Top 10 Reads before starting a project /

Step 1 : Research

Talk to your sphere of influence; friends, family, coworkers. See if they have anyone they can recommend. A good referral can be all you need but best to follow up with research and weigh your options. Check sites like #Yelp, #Houzz, and #Homeadvisor. Look for 5 star reviews, these are not easy to find in construction, if you see a contractor with one its probably a good sign! Go outside the norm as well and scroll through #Instagram! Searching with the proper #hashtags can you give you instant access to portfolios, level of professionalism, and style all without making a phone call. Look for contractors who use a construction management software, this creates transparency and smoothness in your project. These software’s make it easy with daily updates, invoicing, live schedules, and photo documentation of your entire project. We at #thebuildfirm prefer #buildertrend.

Step 2: Plans

Whether your project is a new build or even a small bathroom reconfiguration, get drawings! A well-built set of plans will be a spirit guide for your team through the project. Don’t cheap out here, you may find the money saved upfront spent on costly change orders down the line. These change orders could be from not enough detail, incorrect details, or unforeseen issues that could of other been caught in the planning stages by an experienced architect. If your project doesn’t need a set of plans at least hire a draftsman to do a simple line drawing to scale. This way you and your contractor can have the same vision and understanding.

Step 3 : Design

“In designer we trust.” I cannot tell you how many times I have said this to our clients. This process can totally rack your brain and hurt your project if done incorrectly. You even may find yourself with massive doubt in the middle of your project, due to not being able to visualize. Thousands of decisions are made in planning all the way to your final walk-through, have a professional by your side to make your life easier. A designer can be a great third party in your project to help you navigate through decisions or issues that may arise. Have your designer draw up some interior elevations or even better, renderings. These can help you envision your new space and be a reference onsite for your contractor. Elevations can greatly reduce the chance of change orders or delays due to miscommunication. Also, hop on #Pintrest, find your style and have concepts to show your designer prior to interviewing.

Step 4: Finishes

Have all of your *finishes and color pallets picked out with your designer and onsite prior to your start date. During construction will be a very busy time for you. The last thing you want is to be running around store to store grabbing finishes the day they‘re needed or have your job delayed due to the rough shower valve being back-ordered. Momentum is key in construction, delays like these can severely impact your finish date. Eliminate the possibility by having everything onsite or at least on order!

 

** Finishes include faucets, lighting, toilets, sinks, countertops, towel bars, appliances, tile, flooring, windows, doors, etc. NOTE that most contractors do not include finishes in their estimates.

Step 5: Make the Call

Pick 4 of your ideal contractors. Call your top 3 picks and set up separate walkthroughs with each. Have the fourth in case the top 3 are too busy or are not interested in your project. Make sure to have all of your approved plans, elevations, and finishes present during the walkthrough. You will see your prospected contractor‘s eyes light up and chopping at the bit for your job. Just as you would interviewing someone for a job, ask for references, note their appearance (contractors don’t all have to be dirty with a tool belt), and most importantly go with your gut. You’re going to be seeing this person a lot in the next 1 to 3 to 6 to 12 months! Make sure you feel good about them!

 

 

Second to buying a home, a construction project can be the biggest investment you make in your life. Follow these steps to ensure that you are sleeping soundly in your beautiful home rather than crying in a broken shower. If you find that all these steps are too much to handle or too costly then you may want to consider postponing your project while you better prepare. If you want all of these steps in a one-stop-shop, give The Build Firm a call and set up an appointment today!

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