Remodeling ideas for fall and winter in Minnesota

This morning’s weather was just the first taste of things to come: fall and winter in Minnesota. While we’re all for living it up for the next few warm weeks, it’s also a good idea to start planning now for fall and winter renovations.

And if you’re going to be trapped indoors for the long dark winter, you might appreciate completing a few home renovations before that season hits.

With more and more families choosing to stay put in their current home vs. trying to sell in a challenging housing market, we’re experiencing an increase in remodeling work.

Warmth-related remodeling ideas:

-Remodel your master or main family bathroom and install in-floor radiant heating. It’s energy efficient and makes for luxuriously warm toes when you step on the tile post-shower.

-Update your kitchen. On chilly winter days, that’s where the family always congregates. Make it work better, feel more inviting and provide traffic flow with updates including taking down walls, installing an island, or simply updating with the latest materials.

-Take the man cave to the next level. Finish off that basement for maximum Vikings game and poker night potential. Or, for a more well-rounded approach, create a family-friendly lower-level space that combines TV, games, kids areas, and a wine bar for the adults.

-Kids driving you nuts? Transform the master bedroom into a grown-up retreat, complete with a fireplace, if possible!

-Were wet, cold socks the bane of your existence last winter? Envision an entry area where boots aren’t stacked and where you can walk freely, in socks, without fear of stepping in a puddle. We can work with your existing space to create a more efficient and warm entry area that keeps clutter to a minimum.

Minnesota city ranked Best Place to Live 2010

CNN Money is on to us: Minnesota is a pretty sweet place to call home.The number one city on their list this year is Eden Prairie, and five of the cities in the top 20 are in our Land of 10,000 Lakes. (These cities include Plymouth, Woodbury, Eagan and Apple Valley).

While I’m bummed that the lovely Arden HIlls (where we call home) didn’t make the list, I’m glad to see that so many of our local cities made the cut. Frequently cited reasons for Minnesota city popularity include schools, safe/quiet streets, access to outdoors and quaint community centers.

While many in the housing business have been feeling negative in the past few years, there are a lot of things to be grateful for here in Minnesota. For us, while new home-building has really fallen off, we’re meeting lots of families who are deciding to stay put in their homes and upgrade or add on to their existing home. As we’ve said before, there are a lot of benefits to remodeling, including being greener than new home building, saving money through not incurring costly realtor fees, and taking advantage of the super low home equity loans available now.

Check out their July 12 story “The Best Places to Live 2010″ for CNN Money’s full scoop on the Best Places to Live 2010.

Nesting is the new flipping, or remodeling is up

An article posted yesterday at CNNMoney.com announces that in this turbulent real estate market, “Nesting is the new flipping“. With many homeowner’s reluctant to sell at their homes for a loss, remodeling activities are on the rise.

While the Minneapolis housing market may be improving, many homeowners would have to slash their prices in order to unload their homes. Instead of selling to move to a bigger and better home, remodeling activities are a practical option to get a bigger kitchen, an extra bedroom, new basement usable square footage or just nicer spaces overall.

It’s a great time to remodel in the Minneapolis-area, especially if you can handle a little bit of turbulence while staying put in your current home. Construction companies are getting busier, but you’ll still have ample companies willing to bid to renovate your home, and you’ll likely find some good deals (though price should never be the sole factor when you pick a contractor partner).

Check out the CNNMoney article above, and contact us if you’re interested in seeing how to invest more in the home you already love rather than deal with the hassles of selling.

Our top 5 fall remodeling projects

So Labor Day has come and gone. Next thing you know, your mother-in-law will be calling asking about the holiday plans! Fall is a great time to undertake a remodeling project: the kids are back in school and the weather is more moderate for larger remodeling projects than summer or winter.

Here are Constructive Builders’ Top 5 Remodeling Projects for fall:

1. Finish the basement. The whole family is about to be cooped up together and when this happens more room makes  for a happier home. Get that basement finished up so you have another place to put: in-laws, rowdy kids, football watchers, holiday visitors, the drum set your kids get for x-mas, etc.
2. Updgrade the kitchen. Kitchen remodels have some of the best return on investment, and it’s where your family spends the most of time, especially as the days turn shorter and the holiday  come around. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Depending on what you have in place, there are creative ways to remodel without gutting the entire space.
3. Fireplace renovations. Have an ugly hearth or a generic fireplace with no real character? Fall is a great time to spend a little bit to turn your fireplace in to a showpiece in your home. Tiling around the fireplace, adding a new custom wood mantle, or replacing the hearth can really jazz up this home feature, and the renovation will look great for Christmas stockings.
4. Entertainment rooms. Are you ready for some football? Get your entertainment area in order this fall, whether it’s adding a room in the basement, adding built-ins for a new entertainment center or adding on to your house so that you have a dedicated area for TV and movie-viewing. This is a must-have room for winter sports, movie nights, kids sleepovers and more.  Top features to consider: theater seating, acoustics, big screens, and electrical component containment.
5. Remodel the guest bathroom. Before you have holiday company, spruce up the guest bathroom. Because a powder room doesn’t usually have as many fixtures as a master bath,  this kind of remodel can be affordable. And, because all your guests see this room, you get a lot of  “wow” power for your investment. A few ideas:  an awesome sink with a custom faucet to add class and visual interest, new tile for floors and walls, new sink and toilet fixtures to update to the current styles, combining low-cost paint and wallpaper with modern lighting and new mirrors.

From small to large, remodeling in the fall will result in new spaces that you’ll love come winter. Don’t forget to contact us with any questions!

Planning to remodel? 5 things to think about before meeting with a remodeler

We meet with a lot of clients here in Colorado about their remodeling projects. Over time, we’ve developed the following tips for folks that are thinking of hiring a remodeler for their home improvement project. Following these tips can make the project go more smoothly, save time and money, and ensure that you pick the right builder for the remodel project.

1. Make a list of everything you want remodeled in your home. Then, go through and number each item on that list in order of priority. A lot of times we’ll go to a client’s home only to be innundated with “wants”, with no real sense of what is a priority or what is realistic for the budget. Prioritizing before we arrive helps both of us to focus. It’s also nice for us to see everything that you’d like done in the long run, because sometimes it’s inefficient to do things piece by piece. For example, if you want new trim, new cabinets and new flooring, it would make sense to do these all at once vs. separately.

2. Set your budget. You don’t have to tell the builder your maximum budget if you don’t want to, but giving us a range is really helpful to save time. We can fit as many of the items from your priority list into that budget as possible, but not waste time bidding sections that are outside of the scope of your financial realities right now.

3. If it’s a major remodel, consider the timeline and alternate living arrangements. If you need a pop-top or a complete kitchen remodel and addition, you’ll want to consider the best timing for the project. Scheduling for the nastiest part of the work to be done while you’re on vacation, or when you can stay somewhere else, may be a good idea. It allows your builder to work longer hours to get things done and minimizes the stress and hassle on you, your family and your pets! Also, if you’re going to have portions of your home exposed to the outdoors, September in Boulder County works a lot better than January.

4. Think about the division of labor. Are there things in the remodeling project that you’d like to own? If you enjoy shopping for materials, we’re happy to let you pick out your own tile, sink, woodwork, etc. However, if the difference between baseboard, casing and crown moldings is lost on you, it might make sense to let us handle all the shopping.  Want to enlist your family and friends to help paint the newly taped walls? No problem!

Knowing what you can handle helps us to reduce the bid accordingly to save you money. Being realistic about how much or little you really want to take on is good too!

5. Check references, licenses and insurances- but also go with your gut!  There are a lot of builders and remodelers to choose from. Most of those can provide you with references and insurance certificates. Beyond that, pick someone that you like and who has an obvious passion for their work!  Will you be anxious if this person is in your home while your kids watch TV in the next room? Do you like your remodeler’s demeanor and sense of design style? Go with your gut and don’t settle until you’ve found a remodeler you feel comfortable with.

Remodeling projects of all sizes can make a big difference in your quality of life and the resale value of your home. And, while there are bound to be a few inconveniences, they don’t have to be hell to live through!

7 easy ways to build a greener home

A lot of people out there think that green-building is a great idea but that it’s too expensive for them. Many consumers think of green building as costly technologies, solar panels galore, and recycled glass countertops at $95 a square foot. However, green building can be much simpler and more cost-effective than many imagine.

Here are 7 simple, and affordable, ways to build a more efficient and green home:

1. Site your house to use the sun to your advantage. It all starts with the building plan. Make sure your architect understands passive solar design. Use the landscape to your advantage so that you get the most sun in winter months and the least direct sun during hot summer months. The size and angle of eaves and overhangs directly effect this.  Additionally, building in to a hill can provide insulation from the earth. Proper siting can reduce heating and air conditioning costs.
2. Use a builder that can commit to producing less waste. Some experts estimate that for every five houses built, one ends up in the dumpster via all the excess waste. At Constructive Builders, we utilize recycling wherever possible, save excess materials to use in other phases of the jobs, and require our subcontractors to do the same.
3. Buy local. While recycled biketire flooring may be eco, it’s not that green if it has to come to you via China where old U.S. bike tires were shipped, chopped up and glued back together. Check for local producers for stone, wood (reclaimed wood is great), and many other products. Even buying windows that are manufactured nearby vs. 5,000 miles away can help the planet!
4. Pay attention to your lighting. Some experts estimate that lighting contributes to 20% of a homes energy usage. The best light is natural light. Pick fixtures that are efficient and plan your lighting so that you won’t need dozens of lights on at all times or even at all during the daylight hours. (And of course, buy compact flourescent bulbs!)
5. Insulate and seal. These are relatively low cost ways to make a big difference in your energy efficiency for the very long term. A very inexpensive home energy audit can be performed to pinpoint trouble areas.
6. Invest in Energy Star or other highly rated water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, appliances, evaporative coolers and whole house fans. While sometimes they’re a little more up front, there are energy company rebates and federal tax credits for their implementation.  The pay off is big over the long term and will help with your resale value.
7. Don’t build a house that’s bigger than you need– Quality not quantity. We love smaller, top-quality homes that feature homey built-ins, comfortable spaces for conversation and well-proportioned areas for cooking, sleeping and entertaining. A home that’s built well is better for the environment because it lasts longer. And  a small home that is planned well can be more liveable than a big house with too many wide-open spaces.

For a breakdown of one home where we implemented a few of the tips above, check out our “this house saves some serious green” sheet. Contact us at Constructive Builders about your next custom home.

It’s a great time to build in Boulder County

As noted in an article this month in the Boulder County Business Report, “Low Bidders”, it is currently a buyer’s market for new construction and remodeling services in Boulder County.

Here’s what this means for you, a consumer considering anything from a new custom home to a small remodel project or addition:

• More willing bidders- this is especially good for you related to smaller projects like a new deck, a pergola, a small bathroom remodel, kitchen refresh, etc., because when companies are busy your small project is less of a priority. More willing bidders means there’s more competition to give you a good price.
• Faster project completion- Construction companies in Boulder County aren’t as busy as they once were (though we’re definately seeing signs of things picking up). This means that you won’t have to wait as long for your project to start, or suffer as many potential delays due to other projects interfering with yours. While good contractors (like us) will always make your job a priority, this is especially true now.
• Lower construction materials costs- A few years ago, prices on building materials were through the roof. Now, due to decreased demand worldwide the materials needed for a new home have come down in price.

Plus, since the housing market is a bit sketchy these days, it may make a lot more sense to add on to  or remodel your current home. This way, you have a more live able space while you wait for the market to recover, and can then sell your house for a premium.

Contact Constructive Builders for estimates on any upcoming new construction or remodel projects in the Lafayette, Louisville, Boulder, Longmont, Denver, etc. areas.

Shade solutions for your backyard: pergolas, sun sails and sun shades

If you can’t stand the sun, get in the shade

Colorado boasts over 300 days of sun, and while it’s great to soak up some rays once in awhile, many people prefer the option of some shade. Most of us don’t enjoy sitting in the mid-afternoon sun, specially when hanging on the back deck and letting your kids play.

For this reason, we at Constructive Builders have identified a couple of easy, and nice-looking, solutions to add shade to your backyard.

The first are sun sails. They have these for sale at McGuckins here in

Boulder (and a lot of other places I’m sure), and they’re basically big sheets of sail cloth that you can hang up to cover portions of side or overhead sun. We can construct simple poles or loop fasteners to keep the sun sail in place, and if you want to take it down for a party or during the winter, it’s easy to remove. They can look pretty cool, especially if you like a more colorful back yard. However, one thing to watch out for is wind gusts, which might cause some problems for these sails and can be rather prevalent in Boulder, Louisville, etc.

The second is a wooden sun shade. Built to divert the sun based on your latitude, these shades add an architectural element and can also add privacy. Check out this great article from Fine Homebuilding “Drawing Board: Designing Sunscreens”.

You can also build a pergola type structure, which can look really nice and provide some intermittent sun protection.

If you’re looking for a reliable, local contractor, to help with these projects, feel free to contact us!

Tax credits available for some home improvements

Everyone’s looking for a little incentive to take on construction projects in this economy, which is one reason that we’re pleased to now be an official Energy Star construction partner.  Check out their list of partners here.

For consumers, the good news is that you can get a credit of up to $1500 off energy efficient home improvements made during 2009-2010. Check out this link for more details: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

We’re particularly fond of credits for swamp coolers, which work nearly as well as air conditioners in Colorado’s dry climate, are much easier on the environment and allow you to still know that it’s summer (as opposed to putting on sweaters when you come inside on a 90 degree day!).

And, for consumers considering a kitchen remodel this credit might just give the needed incentive to re-do the kitchen and replace those appliances with some efficient Energy Star models.

Remodeling return on investment

There are lots of articles floating around on the web about which remodeling projects provide the best ROI for your dollars.

We think that many of these are helpful, but that you should first evaluate if you’re remodeling solely for re-sale or if you’re remodeling to make your current home more liveable for you. The latter is a lot more common these days, as we all decide to ride out the housing market and stay in our homes until values rise.

We’ve included some links below to remodeling ROI articles, but here’s our summary:

-Top ranked remodel projects for ROI are: Siding, new Windows, Kitchens, Bathrooms (esp. if your home only has 1 bathroom or if you have a floor of the house without a bathroom) and Decks.

-Most remodeling projects do not pay off 100% immediately, but you can usually get a complete return or make money off your remodel, within a few years.

ROI remodeling series from About.com

Reliable Remodeler article on ROI

Lowe’s Repair and Restoration ROI

While these are great figures to know, it’s also important that you gain some value and enjoyment from your remodel. If you love entertaining outdoors, a deck is going to have a greater ROI for you over a few years, because you’ll have enjoyment plus increased home value when you sell. If you need a quiet place to read, adding a front porch will benefit you more than a larger kitchen. Bottom line: Choose a remodeling project for both long term resale benefits and short term enjoyment benefits.

Constructive Builders can complete all types of remodeling projects: from completely new kitchens and baths, to additions, pop-tops, decks, siding and more.

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