It’s Who You Know

Five years ago, Highcraft Builders spent 5% of its time on marketing. With a new focus on hosting events, now it’s more like 50%.

For eight years, Myers Constructs’ website sat stagnant. Two years ago it was revived with Web marketing and social media.

Atlanta-based Distinctive Remodeling Solutions has participated in an area tour of homes for four years, and knows that sticking with a marketing plan maximizes results.

All three companies have considerably boosted their time and money spent on marketing, but it’s hardly out of desperation to get business during the downturn. Instead, personal relationship marketing has helped these companies survive — even thrive — as their competitors have faltered. Business success is built more on known-to-known marketing, they say, and relies little on amassing unqualified leads.

To read the full article click below

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/marketing/its-who-you-know.aspx

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Bathtubs come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, but perhaps the most confusing, they are available in a multitude of different materials as well. The combination that is right for you depends on your needs, your taste and your space. So where to start? Knowing the properties of some of the most common materials may help you narrow down your options and chose the right tub.

Acrylic tubs are a very common form of drop in tub and also what we see in the majority of master bathroom remodels. Acrylic tubs are economical and lightweight. They are also very hard and durable, especially when you use a company that uses a good thick acrylic brand like Lucite (i.e. Kohler, MTI, Hydromassage, others), and can be repaired if damaged. Acrylic is not to be confused with Gel-coated Fiberglass (FRP) which is much thinner than acrylic, can fade over time and is much less durable. Acrylic has a non-porous finish that is easy to clean, but never clean it with abrasives as it can scratch and fade.

Porcelain on Steel (POS) are thin steel shells coated with a heat-fused porcelain enamel. They are relatively light weight and reasonably priced.  Porcelain on Steel is colorfast and resistant to abrasions, corrosion and acid.  Porcelain is also a very sanitary choice for a tub.  They are sterile, odorless, and easy to clean with normal, non-abrasive household cleaners.  A drawback to Porcelain on Steel, they can be damaged by impact and once the surface gets chipped, they can rust.

Cast Iron tubs are the most durable bathtub material on the market, and often the most expensive. The name of these tubs describes the process in which they are made; molten iron cast in a mold. The thickness of cast iron makes it very impact resistant and provides outstanding protection against chipping, scratches and dents. Cast Iron displays the richest, most highly polished finish of all bath materials. When you consider the longevity of cast iron you are definitely making an investment. It will stay shiny and strong, all the days of its life.  Keep in mind, the weight of these iron beasts makes them a serious job to both install and uninstall.

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HighCraft Builders has been named to the 2010 Top 500 list of remodeling firms by Qualified Remodeler Magazine. The annual listing is published to recognize remodeling firms for six criteria of success: Annual sales volume for the previous year, total number of years in business, association membership, certified employees on staff, industry awards and community service. The annual Top 500 list will be published in the August 2010 issue of Qualified Remodeler, and on the magazine’s Web site: www.qualifiedremodeler.com.

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Don’t let your addition subtract from the neighborhood

August 3rd, 2010:

We’ve all seen it. You’re driving through an established neighborhood enjoying the beautiful old homes, and one sticks out like a sore thumb. It looks like a giant box was simply stuck on the house like an after-thought. It looks foreign, unbalanced and out of place.

Whatever the reason for the boxy addition, a remodeling job that looks like a remodeling job usually harms the aesthetic appeal of a home and may negatively affect its value. And if an awkward addition stops us in our tracks as we drive by, you have to feel sorry for the neighbors who are forced to look at it, or live in its shadow, every day. So it’s important to plan for an addition that meets your living space requirements, maintains the architectural integrity of your home and keeps you and your neighbors on good terms.

Click here to read full article in the Coloradoan.com

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July 20th, 2010 – A growing trend by those starting to retire is commonly referred to as “Aging-in-place”. Aging in place means living in your home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. It addresses the need to remodel existing homes, and design new homes, so people can properly “age in place”. To Age-in-Place you will probably need to modify your home as you mature to increase access and maneuverability. These modifications range from bath and shower grab bar installations to first floor master suite remodels. The goal is to make the home safer, with less maintenance and more barrier free.

Here is a list of typical modifications:

Getting safely and securely into and out of the house.

• Better outdoor lighting to get you from your car to the door.
• Attractive ramps or a “zero step entrance” for the home.
• Install a package shelf by front door.
• Add handrails at existing steps and porches.
• Front door with sidelight for security.
• Avoid stairs: build one-story ranch designs for new homes.

Changes in the kitchen for easier meal preparation and eating.

• Lever-handle faucets with pull-out spray.
• Raised dishwasher to avoid back strain (a good idea for front-loading washers and dryers, too).
• Rolling island that can be placed back under the counter.
• Revolving corner shelves and pull-out shelves.
• Lower, side-opening oven.
• Pull-out cutting board.
• Adjustable height sink.
• Side-by side refrigerator with slide-out shelves and a water/ice dispenser.
• Cooktop with controls on front .
• Larger, friendlier cabinet and drawer pulls.

Changes in the bathrooms – the Number One place for accidents in your home.

• Install 2 to 3 attractive looking grab bars in shower.
• Lever handles on faucets.
• Slide-bar-type hand-held shower, for sitting or standing.
• Shampoo nooks inset in the wall.
• Curbless showers – nothing to step over, and can be rolled into if a wheelchair becomes necessary later.
• Tub and Shower controls moved closer to entry point.
• Anti-scald, temperature and pressure balanced tub shower valves for safer bathing.
• Widen entry doors to at least 32”.
• 32”-36” pocket doors.
• Higher toilets with non-slam seats and lids.

Moving around within the house:

• Improve lighting with recessed fixtures in common areas and hallways.
• Lever handles on doors and windows.
• Lower light switches and thermostats; raise outlets.
• Planning for future elevator, by stacking closets.
• Adding blocking in walls for future chair lift at stairs.
• Wider doors that  accommodate wheel chairs and walkers.

These are just a few examples. Virtually all rooms of your house can be improved, even closets and garages.

To obtain more information about “Aging-in Place” or the CAPS program visit the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) at www.nahb.org

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July 14th, 2010 – We are honored to announce that HighCraft has been asked by the City of Fort Collins to be a part of their Green Building program. Our very own Gordon Winner (project manager and get it done guru) is representing HighCraft Builders and serving on the Residential Technical Review Advisory Committee (TRAC). The Fort Collins City Council has made the Green Building Program (GBP) a high priority for 2010. Initial development work will focus on three elements: local cost and benefits of green building, green building code, and metrics and tracking. It’s a collaborative effort involving city staff, consultants, and advisory committee members. HighCraft is honored to serve our community and excited to be involved in our city’s sustainable green building code. For more information about the City’s Green Building Program, click here.

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Make sure your home is, too

Someone once said, “Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to.” For many of us this conjures up the dream of ditching the cubicle and commute to enjoy a more leisurely, yet secure and independent, lifestyle at home. You could say working hard and planning for a comfortable retirement is as American as fireworks and apple pie on the Fourth of July.

The American Association of Retired Persons, or AARP, reports that the desire to live independently as we age is a common goal for many. According to the AARP, 89 percent of people age 50 and over wish to live in their own homes indefinitely.

Click here to read more from the Coloradoan.com column by Dwight Sailer and Bryan Soth.

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“What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Remodeling Contractor”

In this seminar, industry expert Dwight Sailer shares valuable knowledge about the remodeling process and offer tips to help you be certain that you end up as a happy homeowner instead of an unfortunate victim. If you’ve been thinking of remodeling but are concerned about how to ensure a successful experience, you won’t want to miss this!

Please RSVP on the link below:

http://event.pingg.com/contractor

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The most popular new designs of 2010 from the National Kitchen & Bath Association

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — May 18, 2010 – The National Kitchen & Bath Association announces the top 10 design trends from the 2010 NKBA Design Competition. The winners of the competition were announced on April 16 at the NKBA’s 2010 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Chicago.

1. Concealed Kitchens

Kitchen design has reached a new level of integration. The quiet incorporation of the kitchen into the home’s primary living and entertaining rooms provides homeowners with far more flexibility in their lifestyles. The incorporation of integrated and concealed appliances allows the kitchen to enhance rather than intrude into other spaces. Clean structural lines coupled with sleek color palettes enable the space to establish a distinctive identity, without overpowering the surrounding rooms.

2. Beverage Stations

A new element added to many kitchens is a beverage station. This area is usually comprised of an undercounter refrigerator and wine refrigeration, as well as a coffeemaker, which can be as varied as the homeowners using them, ranging from simple single-pot coffeemakers to larger units capable of espresso, latte, and cappuccino. This functional destination within the kitchen typically houses stemware, coffee cups, silverware, cream, sugar, tea and may sometimes have a smaller bar area.

3. Scaling of Elements

Shapes, actual and implied textures, along with the placement of fixtures are being used to create scale. The overall composition of kitchens and baths is being defined by a sense of scale, which is both functional and visually appealing. An irregularly textured pebbled wall, marbled surface in glass tile, reflective metallic material, or symmetrically hung pendant lighting directs the eye around the room and contributes to a balanced space. Distinctive wall coverings, tin ceilings and the implied texture of a pronounced wood grain are all stand-out details that are being seen as contributors to the balanced scale of current designs.

4. Color with Energy

Bold colors are creating a vibrant splash in room palettes for 2010, with rich blues, purples, greens, and citric yellow making their confident appearance in kitchens and baths. Colors exuding emotion, acting not merely as a passive backdrop for the room, but bringing life through lighting, wall colors, and wood tones, are profoundly impacting the most innovative designs. Colors from nature combined with others more synthetically blended, are inducing a feeling of movement and motion throughout the room through sharp contrasts.

5. Soft Geometry

Rounded organic shapes can be seen in the edge of a counter or island top, an arch over an entryway or cooking hearth, the curved lines of a light fixture, and well-placed, space-defining soffits. Softer geometry is showing up with fortitude in contemporary and traditional designs alike. The introduction of rounded islands and countertops carves a smooth-flowing traffic pattern throughout the room, while an appropriately placed arch will bring an overall softening to the more angular fixed features that are typical in kitchens and baths.

6. Space Subtleties

Fixtures once confined by location are now incorporated into kitchen and bath designs in almost limitless ways. This freedom in the use of space allows designers to create design-driven room plans rather than those driven by necessity and space solutions. Floating vanities and wall-mounted toilets allow an unobstructed and spacious feel to a bathroom, while appliances that are stacked and positioned within islands are contributing to functionality in the kitchen by bringing together task space with the right appliances.

7. Design Framing

Designers are bringing artistic details to new heights. A seemingly simple detail, such as the use of a soffit along the ceiling or a width of wall space surrounding inset cabinetry, can call out the item being framed as a focal point while also providing visual balance to the room. The thickness of a countertop edge outlined by a higher countertop acts to highlight a unique material used in the surface. Balance in design is achieved not only by the use of simply symmetry. Portions of a room can be treated as a piece of art, with a frame indicating its presence.

8. Varying Heights

Island tops, countertops, and partial walls are being customized to the task performed there and to the needs of the homeowners. Pairing lower desk and prep areas with higher breakfast bar surfaces provides convenient task-specific spaces, which fosters a greater level of family interaction within the kitchen. In the bathroom, this design concept not only provides function, but balances the space. Varying heights seen in the edge of a wood bar top or granite countertop serve as a beautiful counterbalance.

9. Japanese Influences

The impact of Japanese design can be seen very subtly in clean lines, open spaces, and neutral color palettes with bold splashes of color in select areas. More apparent Japanese influence is showing up in designs across North America, relying often on one strong anchor piece of Japanese origin. Artwork, Japanese antiques, and the traditional qualities of Japanese culture are at the core of some compelling kitchen and bath designs. The cultural effects seem not only to be additions or decorations to the design, but are deeply embedded as a primary ingredient.

10. Art Integration

An intense level of personalization in kitchen and bath design is taking different forms. The introduction of a favored piece of art—perhaps a framed painting or an antique sculpture—as the basis for a design creates challenges, but also offers guidelines and solutions to color and material choices, as well as selections of theme. As artwork itself is personal to the owner, this presents an immediately intimate quality to the space. This method of integration allows the designer to fold all other aspects of the room around the treasured piece.

Click here for original article in Qualified Remodeler.

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