Remodeling Blog

Most kids in Connecticut are back in school now, which means it's the perfect time to get some work done around the house. Fall is approaching quickly! At this time of year, weather changes can be hard on your house - inside and out. From inspections to home repair and home remodeling, this is when we recommend that homeowners get ready for winter.  According to CT Insider and Farmer's Almanac, the winter of 2022 will be unusually cold this year. Is your home ready for an onslaught of snow, freezing rain, and other challenging weather? If not, get started on your home repairs ASAP. To ensure that your home is well-maintained and prepared to weather the coming snow storms, work with a qualified contractor.

When you start a home remodel in Connecticut, asking the right remodeling questions and getting the right answers is crucial. Having good information at the outset will allow you to pick the right contractor, take on the right project, and budget properly. Ultimately, the more you know when you begin your residential remodeling project, the better.  We encourage all our customers to ask smart questions before beginning their home construction project. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from Litchfield Builder customers. To dive deeper into planning your home renovation project in Connecticut, be sure to use our home remodel checklist. 

Some home improvement projects are best performed by a contractor, while other home projects can be performed by the homeowner. Knowing the difference is important. If you're a homeowner who takes on projects that are more substantial or complex than you realize, you could do damage to your home, suffer an injury, or devalue your property.  Home improvement projects should benefit your home and its value - and they should be done safely. The best way to ensure that your project will go smoothly and have the desired outcome is to hire a licensed CT contractor when it's necessary. Below are examples of projects that we recommend hiring a contractor to complete. 

An unfinished basement can be a waste of valuable space. Basements provide much-needed square footage in homes, making a place where parents, kids and guests can enjoy themselves. A basement remodel is a smart way to add value to your home while also accommodating a large or growing family.  Basement remodels costs vary. If you're in the beginning stages of planning a basement remodel, this cost breakdown can help you decide whether this type of home upgrade is realistic for your household. Keep in mind that price isn't everything. Ultimately, it's important to hire a quality contractor and get the work done right. Hiring a reputable company can help you take care of your home and make your basement remodel an investment that you can enjoy for years to come. 

Think of all the things you do in your kitchen: from cooking to entertaining, serving meals to helping the kids with homework. All that activity requires space - a lot of it. A too-small kitchen can make life difficult, but you can fix this problem with a kitchen extension in Connecticut. A well-executed kitchen extension can expand your counter space, provide room for cabinets, and may even provide space for a large walk-in pantry.  Establishing a budget is one of the first steps to take when you're getting started with this kind of home improvement project. Knowing the potential costs can help you decide whether you need to save a while longer or if you're ready to jump in. Think you've got the resources to expand your kitchen? Talk to a qualified Connecticut contractor for a bid. 

Good contractors communicate well with their clients, so when clients ask questions, they develop a thorough understanding of the issues. Even if you're working with an expert construction contractor, it's still important to know what to ask a general contractor before and during your Connecticut home remodel. The more questions you ask, the more you'll know about your home improvement project - and the easier it becomes to make smart decisions throughout the project.  Your contractor will likely communicate with you about your project in a variety of ways. Read any materials that your contractor provides to you, especially the contract.  Many answers to your questions should be contained in the contract. Ideally, you should work with a contractor that offers as much information up front as possible. Litchfield Builders provides a range of reference materials for homeowners. Check out our online resource library for free downloadable information about home remodeling and how to choose a Connecticut home remodeling contractor. Read on to learn more about the best questions to ask your contractor. 

Construction on a typical kitchen remodel lasts about 6 to 8 weeks, and most kitchens are unusable for about half that time. That can seem like a very long time if you're unable to use your kitchen for cooking meals and making snacks, and the presence of contractors in your house can add stress to the experience. Fortunately, there are ways to make your kitchen remodel a more rewarding and less disruptive experience overall.  The team of CT home remodeling contractors at Litchfield Builders has been helping Connecticut homeowners enjoy successful kitchen remodels for over 25 years. Some of the tricks we've learned from our experiences and from our clients can help you during your upcoming remodel. From establishing a temporary kitchen to keeping traffic out of your home's living spaces, we can recommend a range of tips to make your experience better overall. 

Kitchen trends change on a regular basis. As new materials become available, consumer preferences naturally start to shift. As a Connecticut home remodeling contractor in business for over 25 years, Litchfield Builders has had a front-row seat to changing trends and styles found inside and outside the home. The kitchen is one of the places with the most possibility for change. With so many fixtures, materials, appliances, and other features to choose from, it's hardly surprising that kitchen styles change all the time. 2022 Connecticut kitchen remodeling trends reflect the homeowner's need for functionality, high-quality materials, and comfort while cooking. While every client (and every kitchen) is different, this is what we're seeing the most in kitchens around the state.  

The vanity is like the centerpiece of the bathroom. In many Connecticut homes, the vanity is also the biggest and most ornate piece of furniture in the bathroom. Positioned just beneath the mirror, the vanity is what most people see first when they enter. Deciding which vanity to buy, how much money to invest in the vanity, and whether to buy a pre-made vs. custom built bathroom vanity can be challenging. While your budget should play a role in your decision, there are other factors to consider as well. Quality, customization, appearance, and functionality are all important factors to consider when choosing a vanity.  Generally speaking, the more you spend, the higher the quality will be - and the more likely it is that your vanity will meet your needs for years to come. If you're planning a Connecticut bathroom remodel, it's important to understand the difference between pre-made and custom-built bathroom vanities, and how these differences impact cost.  Litchfield Builders has been working with homeowners to remodel their bathrooms and upgrade their home fixtures for over twenty years. We provide input and advice as homeowners decide which products and materials to use in their home improvements. We also create stunning custom vanities for homeowners who need something a little different for their bathroom. In this article, we compare pre-made vs custom built bathroom vanities to help you decide which one you prefer. 

Building a deck in CT costs anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000 - but why the range? What factors determine the price of a deck addition in Connecticut? The answer is more complicated than you might think. Materials, labor, permitting, code requirements, shape, size, and scope all play a role in the cost of deck construction in Connecticut.  Working with a reputable contractor is important because your contractor will keep you informed about costs and help you understand how costs are impacted. Once you understand how these variables make the cost go up or down, you can control your budget and keep your deck construction cost reasonable.