Kitchen remodeling can involve open or closed cabinets.

Is Open Shelving or Closed Cabinets the Right Choice for Your MA Kitchen

November 10, 20160

If you’ve decided it’s time to pursue a kitchen remodel in Dover, MA, you’re probably excited about what lies ahead. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and you probably spend a significant amount of time in this important room. Kitchen remodeling in MA is your opportunity to transform this space into your dream kitchen by choosing a layout and color scheme and making design choices that will make you smile. You have many decisions to make! One decision you may not have considered yet is, “Should I go with closed cabinets or opt for open shelving?”

When Closed Cabinets May Make Better Sense

If you have an aversion to clutter, a hodgepodge of dishes and glassware and lack the time or desire to organize your kitchenware, closed cabinets may be your best option. If you have guests coming over at the last minute and are rushing to tidy up your home, you could, conceivably stuff your kitchen clutter into your cabinets, close the doors and be good to go. If you’re always rushing around, have kids or teenagers who don’t take the time to put things where they need to go or simply prefer a seamless, no-mess look, closed kitchen cabinets could save your sanity.

Choose the right cabinets with the help of home addition contractors.

Home addition contractors can help you choose the right cabinets.

In Some Cases, Open Shelving Is the Better Option

If you pride yourself on your stunning china collection, love to polish and display your silver heirlooms or have collectibles you want to display, open shelving allows you to showcase your belongings. Additionally, if you’re an amazing cook, open shelving allows you to see all of your kitchen tools. You won’t have to hunt for the tools you need to work your magic if you tell your Dover home improvement contractor you want to go with an open-shelving format.

Beware: There Are Drawbacks to Both Options

If there is one thing home addition contractors in MA stress to all of their kitchen remodel customers, it’s this: make sure you are absolutely sure about what you want before you begin construction. The last thing you want is to spend the time and money to remodel your kitchen only to discover in a few months it doesn’t work for you. In regard to storage, keep these facts in mind. For open shelving to work, you need to be organized and diligent and you need to be willing to clean and dust frequently. Cobwebs and dust bunnies on your prized china isn’t a good look. On the other hand, with closed cabinets, you risk the “out of sight, out of mind” phenomenon. It’s possible you’ll store away dishes and kitchen tools and forget they exist. Before making your choice, consider your lifestyle and the other members of your family. Are you most interested in showcasing objects or have the ability to hide them?

Whether you’re ready to get started on a kitchen remodel or are in the beginning planning stages of your project, we encourage you to contact us at Colony Home Improvement. We are experienced, skilled and passionate about transforming customers’ homes into their dream dwellings. We would love the opportunity to be your Dover home improvement contractor!

home additions

Is Building Up or Building Out the Best Choice for Your Brookline, MA, Home Addition?

August 18, 20160

Once you’ve made the decision to add square footage to your home by building an addition, the next decision you need to make is where you want the addition built. While there are some homeowners who decide to tunnel down for their home additions in MA, the vast majority stick with one of the two obvious choices: building up or building out. You’ll need to weigh several factors before deciding which option is right for your property. An experienced Dover home improvement contractor will discuss these factors with you in detail. Read on for some general considerations regarding the “up or out” question.

Your home improvement contractor can help you make the right choices.

Talk to your home improvement contractor about your options.

Pros of Building Up

One of the biggest benefits of building up is it’s possible, regardless of the size of your lot. Another major benefit? Building up is usually less expensive than building out because it doesn’t require adding to the foundation or increasing the square footage of roofing. When you build up, you will need a new roof, of course, but when it comes time to upgrade that roof, you’ll pay less than you would have had you built out. Many people prefer multi-story homes because they offer options. Depending on your living situation, you can use your new floor for all of the bedrooms upstairs, just the children’s bedrooms or an elaborate master suite. You could also create an upstairs playroom, game room or workout room. The possibilities are endless! When you build up, you gain extra living space without sacrificing the size of your yard or worrying about setbacks.

Benefits of Building Out

Arguably the biggest benefit of building out is you will avoid adding stairs to your home. If you have small children you worry about falling down stairs and want to be able to keep an eye on easily or if you or someone in your home has physical limitations or who may find it difficult to climb stairs in the future, a one-story home makes sense. Additionally, from a design perspective, you can incorporated vaulted, barrel, cathedral and other unique ceiling styles in single-story homes because you don’t have to worry about creating a floor above the ceiling. Of the two options, building out tends to be the least disruptive.

One Option Is Not Inherently Better than the Other!

Lot size limitations aside, the decision to build up or build out is similar to the decision to purchase a ranch-style, Cape Cod or mid-century modern home. In other words, it’s a matter of personal preference. Be wary of home addition contractors in MA who are unwilling to work with you to deliver your vision. It’s your home and your investment. Ultimately, the right decision is the one you’re most excited to pursue.

When you are ready to add on to your home to increase its functionality and your quality of life, contact us at Colony Home Improvement. We are a well-known, well-respected home improvement contractor for Dover and the surrounding area. We have more than 40 years of experience and thousands of happy customers in the region, and we hope to make you one of them!

Ask your roofing contractor if your roof is causing issues.

home additions, roof contractor

Warning Signs Your Dover, MA, Home May Need a New Roof

June 9, 20160

You probably take your home’s roof for granted and don’t think too much about it until something obvious goes wrong. It’s true most roofs are built to last for decades unless they become damaged by external forces. Considering the important function of your roof, namely protecting you, your family and your belongings from the elements, it’s smart to have a trained professional evaluate it annually just to be safe. Is it time to hire a roofing contractor in southeast MA? Read on to learn the warning signs you might need a new roof.

You Haven’t Replaced Your Roof in Decades

If your asphalt roof is approaching the 20-year mark, it’s time to consider replacing it. Especially if your exterior roof was installed over past roofs, it probably will begin to fail around the 20-year mark if it has lasted that long. Decades of exposure to the elements take their toll. Eventually shingles will break down and allow moisture to seep in. When that begins happening, it’s important to fast-track a new roof.

Troubleshoot your roof with the help of a home improvement contractor.

Your home improvement contractor can help you troubleshoot your roof.

You Notice Distorted Shingles

If your once-flat shingles appear to be curling at the edges or you see areas where the roof appears to be buckling, that is a roof red flag. It’s time to call a Dover home improvement contractor who specializes in roofing.

You Have Water Stains Inside Your House on the Ceiling

Arguably, this is the most telling sign you may need a new roof. While the reason your ceiling is wet may not be roofing related (it could be an overflowing AC drip pan or leaking pipe, for example) an interior leak should be checked out thoroughly as soon as it’s detected.

You Notice Sandy Granules on Your Gutters, Exterior Window Sills and AC Unit

Traditional shingles are coated with course granules that protect them from the sun’s damaging UV rays. As the roof approaches the end of its useful lifespan, it will shed granules. These granules look gritty, almost like sand but larger. If you find granule deposits around your home’s exterior, it’s time to call a roofing home improvement contractor for Dover and the surrounding area.

You See the Sun Where It Shouldn’t Be Shining

Head up to your attic during the day and look toward the sky. If your roof is in good working order, you should see darkness. If you can see sunlight peeking through the boards of your roof, that’s a bad sign. If sunlight can get through, so can rain, snow, wind and bugs.

If you are in need of roof installation in Dover, MA, or if you suspect you might need a new roof but aren’t sure, contact us at Colony Home Improvement. Our friendly, skilled, experienced team will evaluate your roof and let you know if it’s time to replace, if it’s possible to repair or if it’s just fine and working as it is designed to work.

Should You Invest in a Fixer-Upper? A Dover Home Improvement Contractor Can Help

February 4, 20160

Renovate a home with the help of a home improvement contractor.

A home improvement contractor can help you renovate a home.

There are several factors to consider when weighing the merit of investing in a fixer-upper. Naturally, the number of renovations the home will require and how much those projects will cost are major considerations. After all, the true price of the home is its purchase price plus the cost of a home remodel in Dover, not just the bargain price of a home in need of work. You’ll need to run your numbers carefully before making a decision.

Adequate Return on Investment

When considering the purchase of a fixer-upper primarily as a financial investment, you’ll need to carefully assess the balance between the purchase price and the costs involved in renovating the property. Whether you plan to flip the house by remodeling it and selling it for a profit or you are investing in it as a rental property, you’ll need to do the math to see if you will be able to earn a worthwhile return on the money you invest.

It’s a good idea to add 20 to 25 percent to your estimated remodel budget to cover any unexpected repairs that may come up during the renovation process. That’s because, as almost any Dover home improvement contractor can tell you, sometimes when you open up a wall or begin what by all appearances is a small fix, you can discover a larger problem lurking under the surface. You could, for example, expose the wiring in a wall during the process of moving a wall switch to a more convenient location and find evidence other wires need immediate replacement.

A home remodel can help you create a beautiful home.

If you buy a fixer-upper, you need a home remodel.

Home Investment Is Different

The numbers run a bit differently when you are thinking about buying a fixer-upper and renovating it to live in. If this is going to be your long-term home, gaining a better quality home at a bargain price may be more important to you than what the return on your investment is going to be in hard numbers after five or 10 years. After all, if it is your home, you aren’t looking to sell it within that time-frame anyway. The deciding factor is what the home is worth to you. A fixer-upper can be transformed into a gorgeous custom-designed home when you have an expertsoutheastern MA premier home remodeling and additions contractor handle your renovations.

Ask the Experts

If you don’t have a lot of hands-on home improvement project experience, it can be difficult to accurately assess the condition of a house to determine just how much remodeling and repair it needs. Talk to local expert contractors to learn what types of damage to a home tend to be the most problematic or most likely to run into unexpected costs. Ask about what types of renovations are most cost-effective when it comes to increasing curb appeal or home value. Investing in a house is serious business so take your time to gather facts and work your numbers before making any final decisions. Contact us for more information about renovating houses that may need many repairs.

If It’s Time for a Home Remodel, It’s Time to Hire a Professional Builder

November 12, 20150

The right home improvement contractor is important.

Learn how to find the right home improvement contractor.

You’ve decided to move forward with your home remodel in Dover and the surrounding towns. Now, your next decision requires a little more time and research before choosing which Dover home improvement contractor will deliver on that vision.

Plan Ahead

Before choosing a builder, make sure you understand the full scope of your remodel. Deciding you’d like an additional closet midway through construction may add unplanned time, money and stress, and any unexpected deviation from the plan can hold up the entire project. A professional remodeler will have suggestions to help you make some decisions; however, it’s in your best interests to have a well thought out master plan in advance of starting your project.

Select your products, such as appliances, fixtures, finishes and other materials, ahead of time. Armed with your research, a builder with established relationships with suppliers can advise you on product choices, cost savings and possible extended warranties. Then they can ensure all products are available at the right time.

Look into the right contractor for your home remodel.

Don’t trust your home remodel to just anyone.

What to Look for in a Professional Builder

They should be licensed and have a solid reputation. There are strict regulations a licensed builder must follow to ensure the best quality work. Research their standing with the Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Home Builders.
They should have technical training and experience with energy efficiency, smart homes and trends, such as green building and solar panels.
You should like their work and design ideas. Take the time to explore the builder’s website, which should provide images of their work. Ideally, they will have case studies about what particular remodels entailed and how they were accomplished.
They should have plenty of client testimonials. They are the best endorsements, and a reputable builder has clients you can contact for confirmation. Find out if they received excellent customer service and if all of their concerns were addressed.
They should help hone your vision by providing design options you haven’t considered, as well as the latest trends and materials.
They should be able to save you money. A reputable builder will not only tell you how they will save you money, but they will monitor your budget as closely as you do. In addition to finding savings on products and materials, a reputable builder can show you how energy efficient products and upgrades can cut your energy bills and provide tax credits and rebates.
They should be able to accommodate your schedule. Keep in mind professional builders will need time to plan and coordinate your entire project, order materials and schedule contractors around their existing and previously scheduled work load. Make sure their scheduled start date aligns with yours. If not, make sure they are worth the wait.

What to Do Before Demolition Begins

Make sure all terms and specifications are agreed upon and you have everything in writing.

Take care of all of your funding expectations.

Once you have a construction start date, begin planning how you and your family will navigate around various plumbing, electrical and construction factors. You may need to reschedule certain activities.

Prepare your home. Relocate furnishings, knick-knacks and any electronics from the work area.

Whether your home remodel in Dover and the surrounding area includes creating more livable square footage for your family or adding a wine cellar, you need to place your confidence in a reputable builder. Colony Home Improvement has an outstanding reputation for southeastern MA premier home remodeling and additions. Contact us today to discuss your plan and to get a free quote.

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