Tag: ma

Kitchen remodeling can involve open or closed cabinets.
home additions, kitchen remodeling

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

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!

Get help with your roof from home improvement contractors.
home renovations, roof contractor

Winter’s Almost Here: Should You Repair or Replace Your Roof?

The days are getting shorter and finally a bit cooler. Before long, the mercury will plummet, the leaves will fall from the trees, snow will fall and we will be in the midst of another frigid winter. If the integrity of your roof is questionable, you should have it evaluated and addressed by a roofing contractor in Westwood, MA before the snow falls and the ice builds up.

How Do You Know If Your Roof Is Damaged?

As with most components of your home, your roof will eventually wear out or become damaged. Hail, wind, falling branches and years of expansion and contraction due to changing temperatures all contribute to roof problems.

The quickest and easiest way to assess your roof’s condition is to call a roofing contractor in Westwood, MA. Most Westwood home improvement contractors are happy to evaluate your roof for free and give you a complimentary repair or replacement estimate. If you’re determined to check it out for yourself, water damage, leaks, dark spots, sags, missing shingles, loose material, the appearance of loose sand-like shingle granules in your gutters and visible light coming into your attic are all signs your roof may be damaged.

Repair or replace your roof under the advice of a roofing contractor.

A roofing contractor can help you repair or replace.

To Repair or to Replace: That Is the Question

When your roof shows signs of trouble, you have two options: patching the worn and/or damaged areas or completely replacing your roof. Repairing your roof by replacing missing or worn shingles is definitely the cheapest option. One downside of this approach is your replacement shingles probably won’t be identical to the majority of your roof. If you’re concerned about aesthetics or plan to sell your home in the near future, that’s something to consider.

Replacing your roof will cost significantly more than repairing it, although if damage is due to a major weather event, your home insurance policy may cover the cost. Replacement provides the peace of mind you have a completely new roof that probably comes with a warranty. Barring a storm or unusual event, you won’t feel you must continue to check your roof’s condition for wear and tear. Because replacing your roof addresses current and future issues, most home improvement contractors in MA recommend this approach for homeowners who can afford it.

A Word on Roof Replacement

If you decide to replace your roof, you have another decision to make: install a new roof over the old one or remove the old roof and then install the new one. If your roof already has a couple of layers, it must be stripped down before the next roof replacement. If your roof only has one layer and you decide to re-roof over that layer, you’ll probably save a significant amount of money on labor costs. But the end result won’t look perfect; if you look carefully at your new roof, you may notice mismatched edges.

If you suspect it’s time to repair or replace your roof, contact us at Colony Home Improvement for a free roof evaluation and estimate. We are a trusted local provider of new roofs, as well as southeastern MA premier home remodeling and additions!

Increase the Value of Your Property by Building or Rebuilding Your Garage

Plan your garage with the help of contractors for home additions.

Contractors for home additions can plan your garage.

One of the biggest selling points for a home is whether there is a garage. Many homeowners see a garage as more than a place to keep their cars safely parked out of the elements. Contractors for garage additions in Newton, MA, will tell you a garage is a necessity for storing outdoor tools and other items typically used outside. If your custom built home plans didn’t previously include a garage or you’ve been thinking about upgrading, now may be the time to increase the value of your home and improve its appeal.

Consider the Surrounding Area

Newton contractors for home additions can help you evaluate the importance of a garage by looking at the other homes around you. If a significant portion of the existing homes don’t have a garage, it may not do much harm to your resale value. However, it could also make your home more appealing if you’re thinking about putting it on the market. On the other hand, if most of the surrounding homes do have garages, your value can be significantly decreased as a result, making your home less appealing, even if it were the only one on the market.

Consider hiring contractors for garage additions.

Contractors for garage additions can be a great option.

Determine the Appropriate Size

The proper size for a garage addition can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. One of the most important pieces of information is how much room you have available. If your home is too close to a lot line, you may have to settle for a smaller garage to ensure you meet zoning restrictions. However, if lot size isn’t an issue, you need to consider what size offers the most value to your home. An over-sized, ornately designed garage on a modest, smaller home won’t help the property value. The key is to make sure your garage addition matches your existing home in style and size.

Detached or Attached

This question can be one of the most difficult ones to address. In some cases, an attached garage is the only option due to the placement and property lines that already exist. It also adds the convenience of entering and leaving the garage without going out into the elements, which can be attractive, especially in the winter months. However, there are some people who prefer a detached garage because it reduces the amount of fumes that enter the home and the risk of fire associated with items typically located in the garage. Ultimately, the choice is largely personal barring any zoning restrictions.

Hiring contractors for garage additions in Newton, MA, is a necessity to ensure the project is done right. Whether you’re adding a garage to your home for the first time or you’re changing the size or style of your existing garage, there are many factors to consider. Be sure you’re working with experienced Newton contractors for home additions so you can feel confident in the choices you make.

If your custom built home plans in Newton and the surrounding areas include a garage addition, contact us. Our experienced contractors will ensure your project is completed on time and within your budget.