Remodeling Blog

Of all the surfaces in the kitchen, countertops are the most beautiful. They come in many patterns and colors and are made from a variety of materials. The right countertops should be beautiful but functional, timeless but stylish, cost-effective, and high-value. It's no wonder some homeowners spend days or weeks agonizing over the right countertop material for their kitchen remodel.

Of all the places you can think of remodeling, the kitchen happens to be one of the most expensive rooms. Not only do you have to focus on fixtures that will ensure a perfect workflow, but you also have to factor in the right appliances that will blend in with your design. These expenses will quickly accumulate if you finish the kitchen remodeling only to find out you need to redo the process. For instance, it can be frustrating to choose your kitchen appliances once you finish remodeling, as this means you probably did not factor in size and location.

Busy people like low maintenance features, but with flooring, low-maintenance options haven't always been easy to find. For many years, favored flooring materials required periodic sealing, refinishing or shampooing. Whether you're a busy parent, a career-professional, or a homeowner who just doesn't want to worry about home maintenance anymore, finding the right low maintenance flooring can be a challenge.

Staying at home for long stretches of time can change our perceptions of where we live. For some of us, being at home makes us more inclined to look at our house critically, and daydream ways to improve. 2020 has been a year of spending time at home. This has left many seeking ways to improve their house, either in their indoor or outdoor spaces.   At Litchfield Builders, we're expecting 2021 home remodeling trends to be influenced by the events of the previous year. We've already seen an uptick in customers seeking to expand their home's footprint. Some want more work space while others want more living space. Based on this, here's what we're predicting for the coming year.  

Most people get better at remodeling over time - often after making more than a few remodeling mistakes. First-time homeowners in particular are likely to make mistakes when remodeling their house because they're often on a tight budget, and they're new to home remodeling.  If you're a new homeowner, or even an experienced homeowner who has little experience with home improvement projects, here's what you need to know about the most common home remodeling mistakes. Knowing the pitfalls to avoid will help you increase the likelihood of success in your home improvement project.

Home remodels take months to plan and implement, and there are many steps along the way. If you don't know all of those steps, you could easily miss something that drastically impact your home remodeling down the road. Skipping steps could result in a failed home remodel project, or expensive repairs after the remodel is over. Most of your home remodeling checklist will involve planning, preparing and researching. Although every home improvement project is different, the checklist stays the same. In this article, we outline each of the steps to include in your home remodeling checklist so you can prepare for your project!

We’re well on our descent into a New England winter -- and as the temperatures plummet, your energy bill is probably going up. 

Often, older homes are designed around small rooms with doors and walls that keep each space separate and private. While this makes sense for rooms like bedrooms, guest rooms and bathrooms, modern homeowners often prefer open spaces in common areas like the living room and dining room. Open concept floor plans have become the preferred home layout for homeowners making their forever home.

If you've been a general contractor for a while, you know that insurance claim clients are different from other clients. You know they face different challenges, operate on a separate timeline, and their home repair is not theirs to manage on their own. Though they may be partnering with their insurance company, homeowners who are victims of recent disasters often feel lost in the home repair process. 

Kitchen islands have been a popular kitchen decoration for so many years that in some homes, islands have started to show their age. Kitchen islands are still a great feature that make cooking and entertaining easier, and even old ones have a lot of value to offer. What most older kitchen islands need is an upgrade, like a new countertop, new sink, or refinished cabinets. What's right for your kitchen cabinets depends a lot on your personal tastes and what about your kitchen cabinet bothers you the most.