Remodeling Blog

Years ago, the top-mount sink, also called drop-in or self-rimming sink, was the most common sink type found in residential kitchens. Drop-ins were popular because they were practical, relatively inexpensive to purchase and easy to install - even if for a DIYer. Tastes have changed in recent years. Homeowners rarely purchase drop-in models for their kitchen renovations. In this article, we'll talk about the most popular sinks being installed in kitchens around Connecticut. It can be tough to pick the right one - especially if you're a new homeowner with little experience choosing new kitchen features. We'll go over their pros, cons and costs, so you can decide which type of sink is right for your home.

In 2017, US census data indicated that work from home positions made up approximately 5% of the U.S. labor force. By June of 2020, that number had grown to over 40%. For many, this change happened suddenly, without planning, and in the midst of a pandemic. Some worked from the dining room table, while others set up their home office in a closet, in their living room, or in their garage. Though the work-from-home phenomenon seemed temporary at first, it is clear now that we were witnessing a sea change. For many positions and many companies, working from home will be permanent. For those who were a part of this sea change, the time has come to make the home office a comfortable and intentional part of the home design. Below, we've listed the elements of home office design that make working from home possible. Whether you're carving that space out of an existing room, or building an addition onto your home, you're going to want some of these elements in your home office.

Last July, we posted an article about how we were keeping our clients and employees safe during COVID-19. At the time, we were just learning the rules of sanitation, social distancing and mask-wearing to prevent the spread of the virus. The safety measures we put in place last year were successful, and we were able to operate safely throughout 2020. Now, we're writing about COVID again - this time in regard to its impact on materials and the supply chain. These changes can affect your home improvement timeline and budget, but you can avoid delays with proper planning. To learn more about remodeling your home in Connecticut, download our free Guide to Choosing a Home Remodeling Contractor. To learn more about remodeling during the COVID-19 pandemic, read below.

Meeting ADA standards is an unavoidable part of maintaining a commercial structure. Still, most business owners don't know what they need to do in order to be ADA compliant, or whether their structure meets ADA requirements as is.

Nothing quite prepares you for the events that lead up to a homeowners insurance claim. Whether it's a fire, a devastating storm, or a sudden flood, it can take a long time for life to feel normal and safe after something happens to your home. It's especially difficult to return to normal when you find yourself in the midst of a major home repair. Homeowners’ insurance claims are complicated, so trying to navigate a home improvement project or repair in the midst of a claim can be overwhelming.

At home, touchless faucets add an element of convenience to the bathroom and kitchen. In commercial settings, they are important for maintaining appropriate levels of sanitation, cleanliness, and hygiene. Touchless faucets can even be a tool in sustainability and green commercial construction and are a regular fixture in commercial construction renovations.

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.

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.