Remodeling Blog

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.

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.

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.

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.

Filing an insurance claim is one of the events that no homeowner ever wants to go through. Whether it's because of a wind storm that knocks over a tree, a house fire, or a similar disaster: nothing good ever leads to an insurance claim. Still, filing a claim with your insurance company can be productive and successful, if you know what to expect and how to navigate the process.

The millwork industry as a whole is moving towards customization and personalization. A growing number of customers are offering DIY design options for all ranges of millwork products.