Sacramento, California (PRWEB) May 18, 2013

"When a customer wants to remodel their kitchen, increasing the value of their home is not usually the primary reason," says CFO of Uniquity Builders, Inc., Sandy Reed. "The kitchen is the heart of the home. Customers want to do a kitchen remodel because it's where family and friends gather to celebrate everything from birthdays to holidays and all those special times in between."

While it's true that having a kitchen remodeled can be messy and inconvenient, these 5 tips will ensure a minimum amount of stress and inconvenience.

1. To avoid potential problems with insurance, trustworthiness, and quality, it's important to check out all contractors that are interviewed with the Contractors State License Board. Only choose licensed, insured, experienced contractors with plenty of references. This company's employees will be working on the kitchen remodel for several weeks. It's important that personalities are compatible and that they can be trusted with personal belongings.

2. Don't rush when deciding on the kitchen layout and design, appliances, and all the finishes. It's helpful to work with a kitchen designer or an experienced design/build contractor that can explain the pros and cons of one kitchen design versus another. Remodeling magazines can provide ideas, but these ideas need to be discussed with the contractor, who will determine their viability in the overall design. This is a critical part of the remodeling process. It's extremely costly and time consuming to go back afterwards and change a layout, counter top, sink, etc.

As President, Bill Reed, says, "Once the cabinets and counter top have been installed, you definitely don't want to decide you're not happy with the amount of counter space you have."

3. Create a kitchen that is easy to use when cooking. The typical work triangle works best in most cases. The cooking surface, sink, and refrigerator need to be close to save steps, time, and frustration. The new kitchen should be super functional - easy to use, and simple to clean up.

4. Don't skimp on counter space. Cooking can become frustrating when every flat surface in the kitchen needs to be used to prepare a meal, because there isn't enough counter space.

5. Make sure there is sufficient storage. "Many of our customers want to remove upper cabinets and open up their kitchen to the adjacent living areas, so they can enjoy being closer to their family and friends while cooking," says Sandy Reed. "Our customers want to enjoy their time cooking, and not miss out on a thing while they're doing it!"

This can create a problem with storage in the kitchen. Make sure there is enough wall space for the cabinet storage needed for dishes, glasses, etc., or that there is another alternative for storage, like a pantry or utility room with extra shelves.

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Uniquity Builders Offering Top 5 Tips for Kitchen Remodeling on a Budget

SANTA CRUZ -- Construction jobs in Santa Cruz County totaled 3,000 in April, up from 2,700 a year ago, according to the state, and with the rainy season over, some members of the Santa Cruz Construction Guild are busier than others.

"Construction is off to a great start for this season," said Michele Landegger of Boa Constructor Green Building and Design. "We have several design/build remodel and addition jobs in the works, and a few build-only projects."

She said homeowners are being conservative because they do not have easy access to cash as they did before the crash of 2008.

"But they are needing to shape their homes to their needs, within a tighter budget," she observed. "The general tone I hear from my material suppliers, structural engineers and numerous subcontractors is that there is work starting to break loose."

Talmadge Construction has seven jobs in various phases of design.

"People seem to be serious about getting elective remodeling done, kitchen, baths, additions, whole house remodels," said Adele Talmadge. "We had been seeing more 'have to' projects... We are working on repair jobs resulting from improper waterproofing done by other contractors within the last eight to 10 years. Some are six-figure repairs."

Some customers are willing to pay for detailed, accurate estimates.

And real estate agents are asking about building costs for multifamily or multiple single-family projects.

"We have

"Mark Concrete is very busy with a large backlog of work," said president Mark Lesnick, who asked the guild for help installing counter tops, fire pits and barbecues. "We do as many as 100 installations in a given year. They are one- and two-day affairs and require a crew of at least two and generally three for most jobs."

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Some contractors in Santa Cruz County see upswing

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South Tampa, Florida-- A company called Metrostudy says it spent three months driving across five Bay area counties checking out 2,100 subdivisions to find out the condition of the construction market.

Home builder Peter Bennett wouldn't call the growth a boom -- not yet -- but says he is finally seeing growth.

"Everywhere you look there's a new house going up. A couple of years ago, there was nothing."

Bennett sayshe even has a waiting list of clients these days.

"I did a bunch of bathroom and kitchen remodels, now I'm back to building new homes again."

He admits the manpower he needs to complete thework is proving a little tough to hammer down.

"To build a home you need the mechanical, electrical, plumbers, framers, trim carpenters, painters, stucco, siding.Everybody cries that they need work and you finally try to give them work and it takes weeks to get pricing out of them."

Bennett adds,"I think what it is they're so busy right now and they're still reluctant to hire more people because so many people got burned in the mid 2000's that they're still unsure this is really going to stay."

He says right now many of those subcontractors are trying to do the work themselves to stay lean and tight.

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Is the Bay area experiencing a housing boom?

Forty Fort, PA (PRWEB) May 17, 2013

Rome Enterprises, the parent company of ReBath Northeast, is excited to announce that they have hired an experienced kitchen designer to head a new kitchen remodeling company.

Pat Costantino joined Rome Enterprises in April to set the foundation for Rich Romes kitchen remodeling business. 1 Week Kitchens as the company will be known, will use a concept similar to Romes full bathroom remodel concept, with regards to choosing colors, styles, sizes and finishes with an estimator in the customers home.

Costantino has many years of experience in kitchen design. He began working with his father in the custom cabinet business when he was just a child. Through years of working with his father, first in the shop and later in the field designing and selling, Costantino knows the cabinet and kitchen design business better than most.

After he and his father parted ways due to a slowing economy, Costantino pursued another career path, as a salesman at H.H Gregg. Because he was so familiar with the kitchen business in general, he excelled at selling appliances too.

It is because of his vast experience in kitchen design and his excellent people skills that Rome thought of Costantino, when he began his kitchen design concept.

The 1 Week Kitchens concept grew from Romes two-day full bathroom remodel concept, which has been quite successful since it began a few years ago.

According to Rome, the program is successful because it makes the selection and installation process so easy for customers.

Our estimators have everything the customer needs to choose for their bathroom remodel with them when they enter the home, Rome explains. Between our presentation and our sample case, customers can easily choose the colors and patterns they want to see in their new bathroom.

For customers who may not be able to visualize their new bathroom, the bathroom replica in the Forty Fort Design Center is still a great tool to help make selections.

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ReBath Northeast’s Parent Company Hires Experienced Kitchen Designer

(PRWEB) May 16, 2013

Professional Construction, Inc., a trusted Wisconsin general contractor, recently upgraded to a larger facility in Waukesha to continue to meet the growing demands of its customer base throughout the state.

Since the summer of 2004, Professional Construction, Inc. has provided customers with the highest level of service, workmanship, and professionalism in the Residential and Commercial industry. The Wisconsin contractor will continue to deliver the same level of quality craftsmanship at their new location, 108 Wilmont Drive, Waukesha. Along with this move brings our new flooring division and continued specialty in multi-family construction and remodels.

Subhead: General Contracting

Family-owned and operated by Michael and Michelle Grau, PCI provides new home construction, home additions, home remodeling, and multi-family remodeling, which includes, but is not limited to kitchens, baths, garages, basements, window and door installation and flooring.

The PCI team consists of carpenters that have more than 50 years of combined experience. PCI can customize any project for the customer, meeting and exceeding expectations, from start to finish. PCIs Waukesha facility is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday Friday, or by appointment by calling (262) 510-0747.

About Professional Construction, Inc.

Professional Construction Inc. is Wisconsins premier general contractor specializing in multi-family remodels. From kitchen remodels to bath renovations, Professional Construction, Inc. will modernize any home in no time.

PCI is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and member of the Wisconsin Builders Association, the Metropolitan Builders Association, the National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., and the Mukwonago Chamber of Commerce. PCI upholds the standard of excellence and unmatched workmanship with every project.

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Professional Construction, Inc. Upgrades to Larger Facility in Waukesha

Sterling Heights, MI (PRWEB) May 15, 2013

After 20 years in St. Clair Shores, Kopke Remodeling & Design will be opening its second location in Sterling Heights this summer.

Dave Kopke, President and C.E.O. explains the reason for the move: "When you draw a 15-mile radius around our Harper location, much of what is covered is Lake St. Clair. At our new location, we will still be close enough to reach the Grosse Pointes, but we will also be positioned to reach new clients in Oakland County."

Kopke plans to keep its east-side location open as a sales office, but there will no longer be an operating showroom.

"We will be concentrating on showcasing the latest and greatest kitchen remodeling products. It seems as if there is a resurgence of enthusiasm in our area for remodeling the kitchen," says Kayla Kopke, Marketing Manager. "For the first time ever, there are more calls coming in for kitchen remodels than there are telemarketers," she jokes.

"We are excited for this opportunity to grow our business and meet new clients," says owner Dave. "And an update to our showroom is long overdue. When we are finished, it will be a place where homeowners of all ages and style preferences will be able to come and gain inspiration for their projects."

Keep an eye out for Kopke's new showroom coming Summer 2013.

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Kopke Remodeling to Open State-of-the-Art Showroom in Sterling Heights Summer 2013

As the vice president of St. Louis construction company Tarlton Corp., Edwardsville resident Matthew Pfund is a mover and shaker in the local building industry.

His company has been involved in some high-profile projects including the Saint Louis Art Museum expansion and its current project: the construction of the Olin School of Business for Washington University.

His rise in the company's rank from starting as an intern 18 years ago to being in charge of multi-million-dollar construction projects has resulted in Pfund being named one of the 2013 40 under 40 by the St. Louis Business Journal. Pfund (pronounced fund)took some time last week to chat about who he is and what he does.

Question: Why did you choose Edwardsville as a community to live in?

Answer: I was drawn to Edwardsville by the university (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville). Edwardsville reminds me a lot of the Sycamore/Dekalb area in which I grew up: small town/rural atmosphere, great people, great schools, active community, all nearby a larger metro area. Ive been in Edwardsville for 20 years now and enjoy it more every day. My wife and I are both active in the community.

Q: What does a construction manager do?

A: A construction manager is responsible for delivering construction projects whether from the ground up or renovations. We manage subcontractors, labor, materials, weather, schedules, contracts and budgets. Our best value comes from being involved during the design process where we can influence constructability and capitalize on efficiencies.

Q: How long has you been doing this type of work?

A: I have always loved to build things. I started a residential construction company while in high school, some of my first jobs were kitchen remodels and decks. I would read Time Life books when there was something I didnt know how to do.

Q: How did your raise in the ranks at Tarlton Corp. from intern to become vice president?

The rest is here:
Edwardsville man named St. Louis Business Journal 40 Under 40

Nadia Babayi, executive director of Laguna Beach Seniors, hopes the upcoming renovation at the Vista Aliso senior living complex will encourage more seniors to use the Susi Q Senior Center.

The property's owner, National Church Residences, started work on the exterior of Vista Aliso's seven buildings, part of a larger $1.24 million renovation that includes adding a restroom to the common area, roof and window replacements, and kitchen and bathroom renovations in each of the complex's 71 tenant units.

Vista Aliso is one of seven California properties owned by Columbus, Ohio-based National Church Residences.

Exterior renovations, such as replacing roof portions and windows, have started and will be completed by June, said Steve Bodkin, the company's senior vice president and chief operating officer of housing. Crews will then upgrade the laundry room and office in the common area.

Individual unit remodels will start in July and be done by October. The company will also pay for tree and hedge plantings to give residents privacy, and add some new patios.

Tenants will not need to move out during renovation but will not be able to use their kitchens for a couple of days and their bathrooms for several hours, Bodkin said. He said the property owner will provide meals during the kitchen improvements, which will include new cabinets, countertops, floors and ranges, and offer the use of refrigerators.

Bathrooms will have new vanity areas, exhaust fans and floors.

The improvements have been a long time coming. The common area restroom is especially needed, Bodkin said.

"Imagine doing laundry [in the common room] and walking clear back to your room to use the restroom?" Bodkin said. "We felt Vista Aliso needed a major renovation."

Residents will have shuttle service available to and from the Susi Q, 380 Third St., during renovation, Babayi said.

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Renovations begin at Vista Aliso

Its natural for most rookies just entering the league to have some degree of interest in what his number will be, especially considering it can help define his legacy. However, most players are not overly rigid in their number preference and typically show willingness to be flexible in their initial request. Some guys will do nearly anything to get the number they want.

They say the number on the jersey doesnt make the man; its the man who makes the number on the jersey. Theres about as much truth to this as there is with fashion.

A charismatic superstar can undoubtedly enhance the appeal of any number, but some numbers are inherently more attractive than others.

Just think about how sleek and elevated Deion Sanders appears when the No. 21 is displayed on his jersey and compare that to when he wore No. 37 for the Ravens. There are clearly limits to how desirable the number 37 can be. But maybe this connection has to do with Deion already establishing himself in the 21 jersey while No. 37 was never given the benefit of the more dominant version of Primetime.

To that angle I say this: Randy Moss never really had one specific jersey number most identifiable to his career, and yet the number he looked best wearing was the one he had the least success in, which came when he wore No. 18 while in Oakland.

Ultimately, the jersey number can be of great importance to some rookies entering the NFL. Of course, how much it actually matters all depends on which rookie you talk to. In many cases, an established vet will already have dibs on that special jersey number youve worn since you were 11 years old and claiming it just isnt an option; or is it?

Some guys are willing to pay quite a sum in order to get the jersey number they want. Depending on how important that number is to the current owner, arrangements can be made to deal that number at the right price. Clinton Portis, though not a rookie at the time, was willing to cough up $40,000 to defensive back Ifeanyi Ohalete in exchange for the No. 26after he was traded to the Washington Redskins.

The offers and requests can also be unique exchanges like kitchen remodels, vehicles or perhaps something fun like the all-expenses paid tropical vacation Eli Manning gave punter Jeff Feagles for the No. 10; other times, the traditional cash transaction is the method of choice, as mentioned earlier.

The fact that theres a market for NFL jersey numbers is the embodiment of the mentality everythings for sale, its just a matter of how much someones willing to pay. It also provides some insight into just how much a number on a jersey can mean to a player.

Just as the degree of importance for jersey numbers varies, so too do the reasons. For some, those reasons point to tradition. For others, superstition fuels the flame. Even pure aesthetics can drive a players love for a specific number while many players are inspired by a childhood hero or admiration for longtime favorite player.

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How Important Is a Rookie's Selection of His NFL Number?

Mike and Allison Nys of Billings didnt think too hard when deciding whether to build a house or join the remodeling fraternity.

They chose to buy and move into an historic home believed to be the only residence in Laurel listed on the National Register of Historic Places and then spend a year or more on a six-figure renovation.

We fell in love with the history of the house, said Mike Nys. Its going to be apriceylittle deal, but on the other hand, if you go with new construction, youll spend $250,000 to $300,000 for not that much house.

A 1905 kitchen was really just some furniture, he said, and the room wasprobablylast remodeled in the 1950s.

A modern floor plan required more space, so the Nys decided to add 500 square feet to the back of the house, while preserving the homes historic character and value.

After three months of demonstrating to the Laurel City Council that upgrading the home would be good for the older neighborhood, the couple won unanimous approval to get a variance for their addition.

We explained that we want to be in the town for the long term and want this property to be something people are proud of, he said.

For the past decade, the Nyses and their son, who will be an eighth-grader, lived in a 2,500-square-foot house on acreage in Lockwood, the first occupants of a house built by Kenmark Construction. But when Allison was hired as principal at Graff Elementary in Laurel, they decided to move.

The lure of remodeling was based on the familys lifestyle, even when historically low interest rates made new construction attractive.

I wanted to live close to work, live close to school for all the events and walk to a football game, said Allison Nys. I love sports.

Link:
The big question: Build a new house or buy a fixer-upper?