Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Sgt. Bradley Thomas served in the U.S. Marines. He was injured by a roadside bomb in 2011.

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. A decorated military veteran is getting recognition for his eight years of service.

U.S. Marine Sergeant Bradley Thomas is getting a brand new home for free as a thank you by Operation Finally Home and Lennar Homes.

Like many veterans, Thomas struggled after the military dealing with his physical and mental injuries. This home is his new safe place for himself and his family.

Thomas was inspired by his father to join the Marines in 2007.

I always loved the action behind my dad," Thomas said. "He was always a man of action. [...] I saw what it did for him and I said I want to be a part of that.

Thomas wanted to make it his career. Four years in, he was injured by a roadside bomb.

I was in a truck. Big boom," Thomas said. "Truck went up truck went down. I dont remember much about it honestly.

He humbly describes the moment that changed his life. Thomas medically retired four years later unable to do what he used to. He came home struggling with more than his physical injuries.

I had a lot of emotional stuff going on, just you know years and years and years and years of buried anger," Thomas said.

When he returned home, he struggled with PTSD. He was also going through a divorce and figuring out how to take care of himself and his family financially now.

Thomas ended up getting a job helping other veterans. He now works at Wounded Warrior Project.

He got married. He started saving money hoping to provide a home for his family one day thinking it would take years.

In November, Operation Finally Home broke the news to Thomas. He and his family would receive a custom home in Fernandina Beach at the start of the new year.

Just a day before move-in day, it marked 10 years since the bombing. Thomas said he went sky diving on the anniversary and looked down and saw his new home in the distance.

Thomas says this gift will change his life allowing him more time and money to put into the community and other veterans who need his guidance. He says this will also allow him to focus on his nonprofit which also helps veterans.

Every detail is in place and everything in here has been donated just so this veteran and his family can have a home.

Its just amazing to see the weight that is lifted off these veterans and his familys shoulders knowing that the community partners like Lennar and others that come together to provide these homes to lift that financial burden off of them," said Rusty Carroll, Executive Director of Operation Finally Home.

In one room of the house hangs an American flag. It is framed with signatures all around it from people who were involved in all aspects of this project thanking Thomas for his service.

Thomas walked in saying "holy cow", but this stopped him in his tracks. He took a second with his wife to take it in.

January 11, 2021 marked 10 years to the day since the bombing that changed his life. He medically retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2015, but today he is finally home.

Excerpt from:
First Coast veteran given home by Operation Finally Home - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX

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It will be partly sunny today and highs will stay in the mid-30s. It will be partly cloudy and chilly overnight as temps drop to the mid-20s. Read more.

Local scores: Browns 48, Pittsburgh Steelers 37

State information: Outside of outlining the phases for who gets the vaccine, Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health have not released much framework for the distribution of shots preventing the coronavirus. Local leaders expressed mixed feelings about how the rollout has been handled. But Seth Richardson reports there is a common thread: Information is coming at the last second, leaving little time to switch direction. Is Ohio ready to ramp up shots?

Vaccine targeting: As daunting as it might be in a state of more than 11 million people, especially with the slow start to coronavirus vaccinations, targeting the most vulnerable for the first vaccines could make a big difference before the end of the winter. Rich Exner breaks down the groups of Ohioans in line.

This Week in the CLE: Gov. Mike DeWine said he does not regret supporting Donald Trump for president. Were talking about his support, even after a mob breached the U.S. Capitol, on This Week in the CLE, cleveland.coms daily half-hour news podcast.

New numbers: The Ohio Department of Health reported Sunday that the number of confirmed or probable infections of the novel coronavirus had risen to 777,065, up 6,088 since Saturday. The number of Ohioans have died with the coronavirus rose by 28, to 9,627, Jane Morice reports. On Friday, Ohio added 9,535 new coronavirus cases and 82 deaths, Laura Hancock reports. On Saturday, there were 8,374 new coronavirus cases and 55 deaths, Kaylee Remington reports.

Lorain vaccination: Lorain County is the second Northeast Ohio health board to lay out vaccination plans. The county health department is creating pods, or designated locations where residents will go to be vaccinated, allowing up to 1,000 people per day per pod to be vaccinated. Julie Washington reports the health department can run up to eight pods per day, but the number open at any given time will fluctuate depending on the amount of vaccine available.

Here are the number of coronavirus per 100,000 residents by ZIP code over the last 30 days in Greater Cleveland.Rich Exner, cleveland.com

Cuyahoga vaccinations: The Cuyahoga County Board of Health commissioner said it could be well into February before coronavirus vaccines are administered to all willing members of the 1A group, reports Courtney Astolfi. Approximately 20% of the countys workforce is in the health-care field and eligible for early vaccinations.

Cuyahoga Board of Health: The Cuyahoga County Board of Health on Friday reported 3,423 new coronavirus cases among suburban residents for the week ending Jan. 2, bringing the total number of suburban cases to 50,450, Courtney Astolfi reports.

Vaccination questions: Gov. Mike DeWine finally provided some answers this week about how the next group of Ohioans would get the coronavirus vaccine. But many questions about specifics remain. Laura Hancock sent a dozen of them to spokespeople for the Ohio Department of Health and DeWine, with hopes of getting answers.

Free masks: The state of Ohio has distributed about 38 million free face masks since the coronavirus crisis began last spring and plans to hand out millions more, Jeremy Pelzer reports. The Ohio Department of Aging mailed 10 million masks last month to 2.1 million Ohioans age 65 and older, and nearly 5 million masks have been handed out as part of the Ohio Department of Healths More Than A Mask campaign, which is targeted at minorities and vulnerable communities.

Racial disparities: Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announced Friday that he has issued four executive orders intended to address racial and gender disparities in county contracting procedure. Courtney Astolfi reports the orders align with contracting-related recommendations from the Citizens Advisory Council on Equity, which was created as part of the countys 2020 declaration of racism as a public health crisis.

Cormorants: Once endangered in the Great Lakes region, double-crested cormorants dark, long-necked waterfowl often spotted in Lake Eries western basin are facing a new threat of potential extermination authorized by the federal government. Robin Goist reports on the decades-long history of cormorants angering Ohio fishermen, since the birds can eat up to a pound of fish per day and are routinely blamed for affecting the states aquaculture production.

Two rioters are shown here in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.Getty Images

FBI investigation: FBI agents late Friday raided the home of a former Cleveland Metropolitan School District employee, a day after she submitted a conspiracy theory-referencing resignation letter to the district. Emily Bamforth, Eric Heisig and Sabrina Eaton report that authorities posted a picture that raised questions as to whether she participated in a riot at the U.S. Capitol led by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump.

Hough homes: A Westlake developer plans to build 100 houses over the next several years in Hough, a majority-Black Cleveland neighborhood officials are working to transform. Eric Heisig reports that Cleveland Custom Homes plans to buy lots from the Cuyahoga Land Bank, five at a time, to build 1,200 square-foot ranches and 1,600-foot two-story structures that start at $250,000.

Don Graves: President-elect Joe Biden on Friday formally introduced former KeyBank official Don Graves as his nominee to serve as a deputy Commerce Department secretary, calling Graves a longtime trusted adviser who helped him lead efforts to get Detroit out of bankruptcy during President Barack Obamas presidential administration, Sabrina Eaton reports.

Calls for resignation: Sen. Sherrod Brown accused Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas of abetting insurrection, calling for their resignation and if they do not step down their expulsion from the U.S. Senate, Marc Bona reports.

Officer-involved shooting: An 18-year-old Cleveland man shot and killed by an East Cleveland police officer Tuesday morning was driving his girlfriend to work in a car a friend allowed him to drive as a favor, his stepmother tells Kaylee Remington. The familys insistence that Vincent Belmonte drove a borrowed car runs counter to East Cleveland polices initial report that says the officers tried to stop a car they say was stolen.

Hang onto your face masks, even after you've been vaccinated for COVID-19, health experts say.Dave Killen

Mask up: Do I need to keep wearing a mask if Ive received the coronavirus vaccine? Julie Washington reports the short answer is yes, individuals who have been immunized need to keep wearing masks because its still possible for them to get COVID-19 and transmit it to others.

Coping through COVID: Licensed independent social worker Larissa Malcolm felt ashamed that she had gotten COVID-19. She felt like she had done something wrong and feared that she had infected the entire West Side of Cleveland. So Malcolm sought counseling at MetroHealth Systems, where a therapist asked, Would you feel guilty if you caught a cold? Julie Washington reports that Malcolm kept her spirits up by opening a private social-work practice, moderating a Facebook group for COVID-19 survivors, creating a website offering advice and donating plasma so her antibodies can be used to help others with the illness.

Susan Allan Block: Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday that Susan Allan Block, one of his appointees to the Ohio Arts Council, had resigned following remarks on social media supporting Republican President Donald Trumps false narrative of widespread electoral fraud and calling Democratic Vice President-elect Kamala Harris a whore. Seth Richardson reports Block received widespread condemnation.

Liquor violations: The Ohio Investigative Unit cited Hudsons Kepners Tavern for violating coronavirus-related health orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus Friday night. Kaylee Remington reports agents also cited Wagners Roadhouse in Chillicothe; Enzos in Steubenville; D Kays Bar and Grill in New Philadelphia; Musical Inn in Canton; and Third Base in Rayland. On Saturday, Brooklands Bar in Akron; B Stone Bar & Grill and Cebars Euclid Tavern, and Republix Cocktail and Grill, all in Euclid; and My Corner Bar in Parma Heights were cited, Jane Morice reports.

Historic elm: An elm tree which towered above historic row homes on Prospect Avenue has been reduced to a stump. Anne Nickoloff reports the tree was at least 150 years old, estimated to be planted in 1868 as one of the earliest street-tree plantings in Cleveland along Euclid Avenue and Prospect.

Worst cooks: One of this seasons Worst Cooks in America is from right here in Northeast Ohio. Anne Nickoloff reports that Rocky Rivers Joey Kinsley is a competitor on this season of the popular Food Network program.

Gatsby house: Cleveland.coms sister site, Architectural Digest, brings you out east to visit one of the most magnificent mansions along the Gold Coast of Long Island, the inspiration behind the posh locale of East Egg in The Great Gatsby. With 14 bedrooms, a guest cottage, and nearly 400 feet of private sandy beach across 5.5 acres of land, its easy to envision Jay Gatsby hosting a few dozen well-wishers here on a warm summer night.

House of the Week: This 1959-built Shaker Heights home is more modern than mid-century after a renovation. The 6,000-square-foot house offers four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a butlers pantry-laundry room, office and finished basement. Joey Morona reports the house has been on the market since October and is available for $1,095,000.

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Is Ohio ready to ramp up coronavirus vaccinations? The Wake Up for Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 - cleveland.com

Its cold day today, but were back at the Universal Orlando Resort to scope out all the latest changes around the parks. Its an exciting day with all the Mardi Gras announcements (including menus and Tribute Store) made by Universal, so were ready for all that is to come. We started our day at Universal Studios Florida.

The weather is a little overcast and its a Wednesday, which might explain why the park felt so empty. Seriously, these low crowds are exactly what weve been missing lately.

We peeked in the window of the Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream in New York and noticed that the ice cream case, counters, some of the menu, and the lights have been removed. The cow wall and trash cans remain, but were eager to see what kind of remodeling might happen to this building.

Work is still happening in the lagoon on the fountain platform.

Its almost too quiet here!

Diagon Alley wasnt that busy and there was only a 25 minute wait for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. We also spotted Team Members cleaning the height stick on the sign.

Wait times were low all over the park. We havent seen 5 minute wait times in a while.

This Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Pop Tart from TODAY Cafe looks delicious. This might have to be our breakfast tomorrow.

The Saved By The Bell signs have been changed to The Office signs.

If youre still looking for a Universals Holiday Experiencing Featuring Macys shirt, theyre just $8.99 at Its A Wrap by the exit of the park.

We walked over to Islands of Adventure and made our way through the park. Were curious to see the crowd difference between today and this coming weekend.

Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure only had a 30 minute wait this afternoon. This is something you dont see every day!

Not even a line for Butterbeer!

Hogsmeade is the busiest part of the park but the crowds are low and its very calm.

New walls are up in Jurassic Park near Thunder Falls Terrace. Jurassic Park River Adventure is down for refurbishment and is enclosed by construction walls, but these Jurassic World walls are a recent addition.

The Jurassic World VelociCoaster was testing again today. We spotted several Team Members in the area observing the vehicle testing.

The painting has also begun on the railings around the Toon Lagoon viewing area.

Thanks for following us around the Universal Orlando Resort today. Well be back again soon, so stay tuned for more updates and all the latest news on Mardi Gras at Universal!

Related

Original post:
PHOTO REPORT: Universal Orlando Resort 1/13/21 (Remodeling of Ben &Jerry's Ice Cream Shop, More Walls in Jurassic Park, Low Wait Times, and More) -...

TikTok

Real Estate TikTokers roast McMansions, show home inspections, and give house tours.

If this isnt every flipped house, then I dont know what it is. Look at that kitchen, Bryan Stanley says to the camera as he pans it around a newly renovated home kitchen. The gray kind weathered kind of vinyl flooring, white subway tile. He trails off, heading toward the sink. Just the most basic granite or quartz, whatever the heck countertops those are. And dishwasher he starts to wiggle the dishwasher. Not installed. Indeed, it isnt. He heads across the room to open a white cupboard and gently scratches the corner near the chrome knob. Cheap cabinets. This is every time.

Its an incredibly satisfying roast of a hyper-specific thing that you may have never noticed, but once you do, youll see everywhere (that kitchen IS ubiquitous) that pits us (people who believe we have good taste) against them (bad, greedy flippers). This is what TikTok is perfect for, and of course, the video went viral.

Stanley does not do viral dances or comedy or any of the things TikTok stars are known for. Hes a 35-year-old home inspector in Kansas City, Missouri, who typically wears khakis and a collared work shirt with his company logo on it. He started posting videos of his home inspections last year. Hes been shocked by not only how many people want to watch his videos, but also seen how they have drummed up his business. Hes gotten several clients who reached out over TikTok, something that has never happened on Facebook or Instagram. On Instagram, people dont want your stock photos, or your vague let me help you if youre in the market messaging, he told BuzzFeed News. TikTok shows a person and a personality more than Instagram would for this kind of content.

Across TikTok, content about real estate tours of beautiful homes, roasting of McMansions, home inspectors, real estate agents, mortgage advice, DIY how-tos is flourishing.

One reason for the explosion of this content is a pandemic-related surge even among people who arent anywhere close to buying a house. As people are trapped inside their homes, theyre compelled to both the escapism of browsing Zillow and the desire to fix up their current surroundings.

Another is that millennials are now on TikTok, and theyre buying homes. One of those slightly older people who fell into Real Estate TikTok is Cynthia Guerrero. My husband and I became obsessed during the pandemic, she told BuzzFeed News. We had nothing to do so we downloaded TikTok. We watch TikToks together before going to bed. While she loved watching HGTV and had had Zillow on her phone to browse for a long time, she wasnt actively looking to buy a house. Then she saw a house tour of a newly constructed home in Forney, Texas, posted by a local real estate agent, and she fell in love. Her family will be moving in in April.

This isnt even the only house that the agent, Joseph Felling, has sold over TikTok. Nicholas Pierce and his wife closed this month on a house outside of Dallas they bought with Felling after seeing a similar model home on his account.

In addition to those two homes hes closed on, he has about 20 to 25 new clients that came over the app. How did I get into TikTok? COVID times, Felling told BuzzFeed News. Youre sitting on the couch, listening to this whole thing about Trump is going to take it down, and I wanted to check it out. I started scrolling and said, Wow, there's something there.

Fellings videos are typically tours of moderately priced but attractive homes in the DallasFort Worth suburbs with a caption like This is what $350,990 will get you in Allen, TX (residents of large expensive cities should be advised to view these with a trigger warning).

Viet Shelton, a spokesperson for Zillow said that this spring, the real estate app saw traffic on its site and app surge 50% more than last year. Everyones looking for a little escapism and to daydream, and Zillowsurfng is a fun and easy outlet for that, Shelton told BuzzFeed News.

Most people with generation wealth built it with real estate. As a Black woman, I see that there's a huge gap in generational wealth."

The median age for a first time home buyer is 32, and according to app analyst SensorTower, about a third of TikTok users are 30 and older its no longer just for teens. And improbably, home buying has surged during the pandemic, partly driven by low mortgage rates and new flexibility to work remotely. Were seeing lots of people using digital tools instead to shop for a home, and while it may be surprising that TikTok users are home shopping, if you look at who is buying a home, it makes sense, said Shelton.

However, there isnt exactly a deluge of realtors on the app yet. In the spring of 2020, Realtors were surveyed and only 2% were using TikTok professionally and 6% for personal use, said Jessica Lautz, National Association of Realtors vice president of demographics and behavioral insights. However, it is likely these shares have grown since the use of all forms of technology in real estate has increased exponentially during the pandemic.

Its not just home tours that go viral.

Quen Williams is a real estate agent in Austin who has gained over 300,000 followers in just a few months. Williams posts videos of herself talking directly to the camera, giving solid financial advice on steps to buying a home: how to get a mortgage, how much to put as a down payment, how to build credit, and how to pick an agent.

Williams told BuzzFeed News that while she sees people around her age (shes 32) engaging with her videos the most, she also sees younger people who have no idea what Im talking about, but theyre like, I dont know what credit is, but I'm going to get my credit together and follow what you say! She sees it as a personal mission to teach financial literacy to younger people. This stuff should be taught to us. I shouldn't have had to wait until I was 30 years old to learn about mortgages and finances when I went into the real estate world, she said.

I wish I was lying when I told you the staircase was dead fucking center in the front of this house.

My ultimate goal is for people to have financial wealth and freedom and build generational wealth, she said. Most people with generation wealth built it with real estate. As a Black woman, I see that there's a huge gap in generational wealth between white households and Black households, and the biggest difference in that is homeownership. I want everyone to know it is attainable.

The pandemic has made Zillow surfing a perfect way to pass the time at home. With many jobs temporarily or permanently remote, young people in cramped apartments in expensive cities have started dreamily searching in faraway areas where a large house seems affordable. But the pleasure of scrolling through photos of beautiful houses has a flip side: the pleasure of harshly judging the garish interiors and poor design choices.

Eric Morris, 23, who goes by @cyberexboyfriend, has a popular series he calls Roasting McMansions on Zillow on TikTok. Ever just not plan out your architectural design so badly you have to put two support beams right next to each other? he writes, as he points out two oddly placed beams in the living room. In another video about the bathroom of a $5 million home, he impugns the Elmers glued-on-ass stone of the living room wall and says, I wish I was lying when I told you the staircase was dead fucking center in the front of this house.

A woman who goes by @leighinnyc critiques the opulent mansions listed for sale by women of the Real Housewives franchise on Bravo. A five-part series titled Reasons I Love Teresa Giudice's Home points out the absurd elements (windows that dont match, a wrought iron gate to the kitchen, cabinets that dont line up). The person behind it seems to have a professional knowledge of architecture, even though one certainly doesnt need a degree to note that the house is tacky.

I think people like watching [these] because its one of the few counterpoints to the HGTV zeitgeist, Eric told BuzzFeed News. Even on TikTok or YouTube, theres one type of person and taste who dominates the culture in interior design. Like McMansion Hell before it, it mostly comes from a place of love and just helping people understand the rules before they break them or like why something looks cheap to others.

Fuse Box TikTok exists, and its lit.

Part of the desire to see some home thats terrible, be it a North Jersey reality show nightmare or Zillow shitteau drives the joy of the home inspector TikToks. Another home inspector, who goes by Inspector AJ, notices that people enjoy watching videos of fucked-up houses with weird bad things that dont pass inspection. In one with over a million views, AJ points out how the wrong kind of screws were used to install a cabinet. This is no Renegade dance, its not particularly funny, and its not based on a meme. It lacks most of the things that would normally make a TikTok video go viral yet the comments are full of people who say theyve had similar experiences with faulty cabinet screws or lamenting that their own home inspector wasnt as thorough as AJ.

AJ has received dozens of messages from people who want to know how to become a home inspector after seeing him do it. AJ is excited by this. The field is dominated by single white older men over 45, but it doesnt have to be, he told BuzzFeed News. Were getting a lot of female applicants under 30 who are applying for their license, and its exciting to see that change.

Interest in craftsmanship and the less glamorous side of home DIY is also flourishing on TikTok. Theres more than one account that posts quality electrician work. One of these is a faceless electrician who posts videos set to popular songs of fuse boxes hes installed, with special attention to his tidy work in arranging the cords. Yes, Fuse Box TikTok exists, and its lit. (Sorry.)

Hector Eduardo, a 31-year-old who documents his renovations of a 1920s house on @thegrovehousesocal, has had viral videos where he criticizes other popular DIY projects. One of these was talking about how bad an idea doing an epoxy finish on a countertop was essentially painting faux-marble onto a kitchen counter (it isnt food-safe, according to Eduardo). His audience loves watching the debunks of design trends, although Ive gotten some backlash because I shat on wood floors, Eduardo told BuzzFeed News (he means figuratively shat, not literally).

None of the Real Estate TikTokers I spoke with aspired for social media success before TikTok. Compared to the aspirational home design and DIY images on Pinterest and Instagram, or the semi-staged renovations on HGTV, TikTok prioritizes more of a real version of how homes look ugly cabinets, faulty wiring, leaky roofs, and all. And it turns out, this is just as compelling to watch.

Link:
House Flippers And Real Estate Agents Are Going Viral On TikTok - BuzzFeed News

By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

Its the New Year and despite the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, home remodeling services are in high demand. The low-key holidays at home and ongoing virtual nature of work and school have many of us thinking ahead to later this year when (hopefully) well be able to entertain once more and/or have family come to stay.

Whether youve decided its time to remodel your kitchen, create a more open concept on your main level, finally finish that unfinished basement or just simply turn your master bathroom into a retreat, heres our guide to helping you find the right remodeler for your project.

1. Match your project needs to the right type of remodeler

Knowing who you need is the first step in any remodel. With some many different companies out there, its not always easy to navigate who does what. Heres a good place to start (and its one of the biggest questions we get): Whats the difference between a general contractor and a design-build home remodeling company?

A general contractor (sometimes simply referred to as a GC) typically focuses on small- to medium-sized interior projects. They are responsible for overseeing the construction phase of your remodel and for finding/hiring the appropriate tradespeople to complete the project if they do not have the expertise themselves or in-house. You, on the other hand, will likely have to come up with the design and, in most circumstances, pick out the materials for the project and project manage it.

GCs are perfectly suited to smaller pull-and-replace type remodels where you are not significantly changing the footprint and are replacing like-for-like in the existing footprint. The quality and price of using a GC varies greatly depending on the level of support they offer, the size of the project and the quality of the project management in keeping the remodel on-time and on-budget.

In terms of a design/build company, a full-service firm (like Synergy Design & Construction) manages all aspects of your home remodel and guides you through your project from design all the way through construction. They do all the heavy lifting as well as project manage it along the way. Design/build firms tend to focus on medium- to large-scale residential projects: design-thoughtful whole home renovations as well as kitchens, basements and bathrooms. They may also offer services for home additions (though we do not).

Most design/build firms design everything they build and build everything they design, so most local firms will not bid on design-only services, and/or the design services they provide cannot be used to hand off to a general contractor. In-house design and professional project management delivers a better customer experience from an accountability and quality perspective, but on the flip side, good design and well-executed construction takes time and may cost more. At Synergy, our typical clients intend to stay in their home to enjoy their space, so we dont offer kitchen refreshes, flips or simple updates like powder rooms (unless its part of a larger project).

Do your research and poke around various websites to see examples of the type of work and level of support a company provides. Read testimonials and Google reviews they are a great way to get a sense of what a company is all about from real clients.

Still need more help? Read Best Remodelers in Reston and Where To Find Them.

2. Dont play your cards too tight to your chest

Its one of the biggest hurdles to overcome: being honest about budget. Its important to have this conversation early in the process so the companies you talk to better understand your investment goals. Your remodeler of choice can be realistic with you in terms of how far your budget will go and how best to maximize it.

Keep in mind a pull-and-replace kitchen remodel is going to cost less than reconfiguring your kitchen to move your sink (for example) or any changes that require additional plumbing, mechanical and electrical work. The level of finish will also drive up cost. From cabinetry to countertops to tile to flooring, these costs add up. Appliance packages alone can be a huge chunk of your budget, so your home remodeler should be able to work with you to determine where to splurge and where to save without sacrificing quality and finish.

3. Be clear on scope

Dont proceed with a project until you have a clearly defined scope of work with your contractor in writing. Assume nothing. We hear so many stories of homeowners ending up way over budget because the scope was not clearly defined (or even written down in some cases!) upfront.

This has a knock on effect to not only your budget but also your timeline. If things have not been planned and accounted for before the project begins, you will likely be faced with change orders and extra time needed to complete your project.

At Synergy, we pride ourselves on developing a clear budget and timeline for every project we work on before anyone comes near your home with a sledgehammer. We dont believe in nickel-and-diming along the way. Wed rather be honest with you upfront about how much things cost so you can rest easy that, once agreed, well stick to the budget.

4. Have the right expectations

Ah, yes, wouldnt it be nice if we could all get a complete home remodel for $20,000 and in six weeks? The reality of TV home remodeling shows is that they arent reality. Many of these shows have materials such as cabinetry and appliances provided to them free of charge as part of sponsorship deals, and they dont include the cost of time/labor for the crews involved. Take a look at websites like Houzz, or read any of their great consumer research to get a real sense of how much things cost.

It is also not an unreasonable expectation that your contractor should start the project when they say they will and wont disappear before its completely finished. Sadly, this doesnt always happen, and this is when we hear the worst renovation nightmare stories. Reputable design/build firms can be counted on to keep their timelines.

5. Think of your remodeler as a partner, not a vendor

Your chosen home remodeling partner is going to be in your life and in your home for a while. Feeling like you have a good relationship with them is important and having open communication from the start will set you up for success throughout the process. Home remodelers are people, too, and most take great pride in their work and want to do a good job. If it doesnt feel right at your first consultation, its never going to feel right. You should have a good rapport with your contractor from the outset and feel you can trust them and be open with them and vice versa. Thats the key to your projects success.

This months featured project is a whole townhouse remodel in Reston. Having lived there for 11 years, this Reston couple was ready to make big changes to their home to update it throughout to better reflect their modern aesthetic. However, they knew they didnt have the time to project manage it themselves or the expertise to create designs that could then be implemented by a General Contractor. Enter Synergy Design & Construction!

In addition to other changes on all three levels, we completely remodeled the master bathroom, guest bathroom and powder room. Beyond remodeling the bathrooms, we also installed new flooring, lighting fixtures and fans throughout the home, replaced the kitchen countertops, and updated the plumbing fixtures. New paint throughout and an updated black satin color on the stair balusters and railings completed the transformation, making the whole home feel fresh and modern.

If you are ready to start your remodeling journey with a full-service design-build company, get in touch! Our consultations are free, and we also offer virtual meeting options if preferred.

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Reno of the Month: 5 Tips for Finding a Home Remodeler in Reston - Reston Now

By Staff | on January 14, 2021

In 2020 the coronavirus pandemic caused an abrupt shift of employees working in an office to working from home. According to the Pew Research Center, only one-in-five Americans said they worked from home all or most of the time. Now, 71% of those workers are doing their job from home all or most of the time. And more than half say, given a choice, they would want to keep working from home even after the pandemic.

Now with this shift to working from home, more homeowners are looking into creating a space to work and in some cases, that means remodeling and putting in a new home office. This prospect of adding this dedicated space can be overwhelming and many get stuck on where to put a space to work. Having a reliable, master certified remodeler can help you put the project into perspective. They can help you locate a space that would be ideal for your home office whether it be converting an existing room to dedicate to that office or adding a space in a room that can be changed for multiple uses.

Mike Daniel with Ability Remodeling finds that often homeowners will have a formal dining room that isnt being used that can be converted or an extra bedroom that can be used as a guest bedroom and home office. Sometimes the project can be converting excess space, like extra space from the garage or an extra-large great room, and creating a brand new space in your home dedicated to the new home office.

There are many opportunities that most homeowners dont even realize they have to create that needed space. If you need a home office and need help from beginning to end, Mike Daniel with Ability Remodeling is here to help you from start to finish making your project ideal for your needs.

Have any questions? Contact Mike at Ability Remodeling at 928-458-6044 or email info@abilityprescott.com.

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Working from Home is the New Norm: Time for a Home Office - Signals AZ

There is one company that senior adults can approach if they are looking for aging in a place bathroom renovation.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/14/2021 -- For many homeowners, the bathroom becomes an area of concern when they start aging. The bathroom that they could use comfortably and without anyone's help suddenly turns hostile. The slippery floor and the tiles' sharp edges soon become a potential threat zone to one's safety. Slipping and falling becomes a regular affair, and sometimes it might be fatal. With time, it is better to opt for aging in place bathroom renovation in Houston, Texas. There is one company named A&K Remodeling & Turnkey that can help with a bathroom renovation that is suitable for aging people.

Getting old is a process, and it will happen naturally with time. With that, one has to accept many life changes, and a bathroom renovation is just one of those changes. Aging in place bathroom renovation is different from a standard bathroom renovation. It is about changing the tiles, floors, and faucets, but the bathroom has to be conceptualized entirely differently. This requires knowledge and expertise that comes from the professionals of A&K Remodeling & Turnkey.

Once they are assigned to the bathroom renovation job, they can help the senior adults to maintain their independent lifestyle. Certain adjustments to the existing bathroom will be required and are not hard to make. The professionals can renovate the bathroom, following all the ADA guidelines. They ensure enough space in the bathroom, and open space is necessary for easy wheelchair accessibility. Grab bars can be easily installed on walls in the bathtub or shower and near the toilet. Foldable shower seats can be installed near the water controls, and they can install accessible toilets with ample space around them.

The company also offers kitchen renovation in Houston, Texas, outdoor living, room additions, and more.

Call 281-647-6871 for more details.

About A&K Remodeling & TurnkeyA&K Remodeling & Turnkey is a well-known company offering a wide range of services that includes bathroom renovation in Houston, Texas, kitchen renovation, outdoor living, room additions, and more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/ak-remodeling-turnkey-offers-aging-in-place-bathroom-renovation-in-houston-texas-1323503.htm

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A&K Remodeling & Turnkey Offers Aging in Place Bathroom Renovation in Houston, Texas - Press Release - Digital Journal

Homeowners looking for a custom kitchen renovation can get in touch with one company that can remake the kitchen just as they want.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/14/2021 -- The kitchen is one of the most used spaces in the house. It is thus one of those areas which see wear and tear over time compared to other areas. Hence a kitchen renovation becomes a necessity with time. Kitchen renovation has to be done thoughtfully as the changes are incurred for the betterment. No change in the kitchen should become an obstacle. Instead, it should make the space more functional than it already was. That is why it is essential to get in touch with a company that can help with a kitchen renovation in Houston, Texas.

A&K Remodeling & Turnkey Company can be the right choice for a custom kitchen remodeling job. They are an established and reliable company which has been in this field for 30 years. They have many successful projects to their credit. They are fully aware that a kitchen renovation is a time-taking project and can disrupt their clients' daily lives. That is why they don't start at one's whim. Instead, before they bring a wall down, they have a detailed discussion with the client and then go forward with the job. They aim to build a beautiful and customized kitchen for their clients to work and prepare meals. If the entire kitchen is not required to be dismantled, they would suggest the same. They would recommend changing or refinishing the cabinets to make them appear as new or put in more cabinets for improved storage space. Even upgrading the appliances will be helpful.

The company also offers bathroom renovation in Houston, Texas among other services.

Call 281-647-6871 for more details.

About A&K Remodeling & Turnkey A&K Remodeling & Turnkey is a well-known company offering a wide range of services that includes bathroom renovation in Houston, Texas, kitchen renovation, outdoor living, room additions, and more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/ak-remodeling-turnkey-is-the-place-for-kitchen-renovation-in-houston-texas-1323505.htm

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A&K Remodeling & Turnkey Is the Place for Kitchen Renovation in Houston, Texas - Press Release - Digital Journal

Brian Lee|Telegram & Gazette

HUBBARDSTON Police Officer Scott Chatigny admitted to the state Ethics Commission he pushedmunicipal work to his side business, Oakley Construction, by placing boguscompeting bids.

Chatigny paid a $10,000 penalty to the state for violating the conflict-of-interest laws prohibition against a municipal employee having a financial interest in a contract with the same municipality, the commission said in a statement Wednesday.

The state saidthe phony bids were part of Chatigny's ploy to improve the standing of Oakley's bid, which would be lower than the phony bids. Municipalities require multiple bids.

Before owning Oakley Constructon, Chatigny owned a roofing company that was dissolved in 2007. The state said he leveraged the roofing company to make competing bids on town work.

In May 2016, Oakley Construction submitted a proposal of $1,820 to install two solid core wood doors at the police station. The town awarded the company the contract for that amount.

In November 2016, Chatigny submitted a proposal for $1,275 to install a steel door at the police station.When Hubbardston sought two additional quotes, Chatigny, using a fictitious name, submitted a phony $1,425 proposal purportedly on behalf of his defunct roofing company, while a third proposal for $1,650 was received from a company operated by Chatignys friend.

The town awarded the contract to Oakley Construction for $1,275.

In or about December 2016, the town sought bids to repair the roof on a town office building.

In response, Oakley Construction submitted a proposal for $8,690 proposal, and Chatigny, again using a fictitious name, submitted a phony $11,221 proposal purportedly on behalf of his defunct roofing company. The town accepted Oakley Constructions proposal.

After the town accepted Oakley Constructions proposal for the roof repair, Chatigny sought a meeting with the town accountant in a conference room at the police station. During the meeting, Chatigny, who was on duty and in uniform, sought a pre-payment of $4,345.

The accountant, citing state law, refused. The accountant then canceled the contract.

By submitting false high bids to drive the contracts to Oakley Construction, Chatigny violated the conflict of interest laws prohibition against municipal employees presenting false or fraudulent claims to their municipal employer for payment.

The Ethics Commission noted that Chatigny was in uniform when he sought the meeting about the pre-payment, while conflict-of-interest laws prohibit public employees from using their positions for private gain.

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Ethics Commission: Hubbardston officer used deception to drive work to remodeling business - Worcester Telegram

Students enter Lincoln Heights Elementary School at the beginning of the school year. On Monday, the Scottsbluff Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to start a modernization and renovation project for the districts five elementary schools. District officials said that the renovations, spanning five years, will not require a tax increase or additional bond.

Roosevelt Elementary School was built in 1939, some 82 years ago. Over that time, district officials said the elementary school has been renovated just once. Its second renovation in nearly a hundred years may be coming this year.

On Monday, the Scottsbluff Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to start a modernization and renovation project for the districts five elementary schools. District officials said that the renovations, spanning five years, will not require a tax increase or additional bond.

Instead, the district will draw from its stores of cash. According to the plan presented at the January school board meeting, the project would draw from the districts building fund. Presenters said the district would not require a tax increase or additional bond to pay for the renovations.

This is an important presentation this evening because, in some ways, its a combination of work and more of a beginning of work, said Scottsbluff Public Schools Superintendent Rick Myles.

Myles opened the presentation but it featured an onslaught of building principles, assistant principals and other central office administrators pitching the project to a board that in the end voted unanimously to move forward. The presenters at Mondays meeting were a small representation of a much larger team working on the renovations, Myles said.

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Scottsbluff moving to remodel all elementary schools, Roosevelt first on the list - Scottsbluff Star Herald