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Tag: home modernization

7 Things to Look for in a Home Remodeling Contractor

Quality Makeovers require Competent and Reliable Partners

Undertaking any type of home renovation is a big decision for every homeowner. Whether you’re planning a minor refresh for a couple of rooms, or a complete overhaul for your home, you need a partner who understands and executes your vision. You also want your project to be completed on time and within your budget. Consider these 7 things to look for in a home remodeling contractor, to achieve a seamless and stunning transformation.

Top Traits of an Exceptional Renovation Specialist

Home remodeling projects involve a number of complexities. Drawing up innovative plans, carrying out the demolition and reconstruction, sourcing the right materials, and managing the crew are just some of the tasks. Every activity needs to work in an organized manner to stay within the agreed timelines and budget. Your contractor will also need to account for other logistical aspects, depending on whether you stay or leave home during the renovation.

This handy checklist of traits reiterates what to expect from a home remodeling contractor, and may help you narrow down your choices.

  • Professionalism: In addition to checking the necessary qualifications and licenses, evaluate how the contractors conduct themselves. How effectively do they communicate? How meticulous is their initial assessment or quote? Do they have the skills and efficiency to manage the entire operation?  
  • Experience: Expertise alone is not sufficient, experience counts. Does the contractor have time-tested methods and proven results in this field? Can they provide testimonials, references or site walk-throughs? Do they have sufficient knowledge of the local building codes? Can they obtain the permits that may be necessary for large remodeling projects?
  • Coordination and management: From designers, carpenters and masons, to plumbers, electricians, and painters, you may need a number of specialists depending on the nature of your project. An integrated network will not only enable a seamless flow of different activities, but also help you save time and money. It’s important to check whether the contractor has the ability to gather, schedule, manage, and oversee the various professionals needed for the renovation project.
  • Visualization and delivery: Besides a strong work ethic in your hired contractor, the success of your project largely depends on their ability to understand your vision and bring it to fruition. It’s possible you may not have a clear vision to start with, but it is the contractor’s responsibility to learn about your lifestyle and needs and steer you towards ideas that meet your overall renovation goals. You can gauge this trait by the way the contractor handles the initial assessment. What questions did they ask? Could they break down the overall requirements into smaller projects that address your priorities? How well did they involve you in the discussion? Did they exhibit a client-first attitude or try to push their own design concepts?
  • Resourcefulness: Another important trait for a good contractor is the ability to identify and address potential issues, as well as prepare for the unexpected ones. From weather, labor shortages, and budgetary concerns, to structural complications, material delivery delays, or on-site mishaps, your remodeling project could face numerous obstacles. Assess the contractor’s ability to provide alternative solutions and find out how they plan to keep your project on track if they encounter unforeseen challenges.
  • Transparency in dealings: No matter how small or large your project, your contractor should be able to keep you abreast of every development. Find out how often they will provide progress updates. Are they transparent and proactive in informing you about any hurdles that may be interfering with your agreed timelines or budget? Will they assign a single point of contact? It will be beneficial for you to have an assigned project manager or a site supervisor who will liaise with you on all aspects of the makeover with complete honesty and integrity.
  • Service quality: Ultimately, the goal is to make your home remodeling project as smooth and hassle-free as possible. While you may do your due diligence, credibility checks, and initial assessments, they may not give you sufficient insights into a contractor’s service levels. However, some aspects could give you a fair indication of what to expect. For example, how diligently did they prepare and present the initial designs or quotes? Were their submitted plans reflective of your priorities and lifestyle requirements? Did they promptly respond to any queries or concerns that you raised on the proposals?

Hire an Experienced and Dependable Home Remodeling Contractor

Renovating your home can be a challenging process, especially if you are initiating a complex or full-scale makeover. Choosing the right home remodeling contractor will minimize stress and maximize your return on investment. At Flegel’s Construction Co., we have over two decades of experience in custom home remodeling projects. You can count on us for functional yet luxurious designs, top-notch workmanship, and flawless execution.

Happy homeowners across the Bay Area vouch for our attractive makeovers, effective customer service, and consistent delivery.

Looking for a capable home remodeling contractor to transform your Bay Area home? Get in touch with the renovation experts at Flegel’s Construction. Contact us online.

New Home Design in the Age of COVID-19

New Home Design in the Age of COVID-19

Expert Opinions from Bay Area’s Top Remodeling and Construction Specialists

Amid the current coronavirus global pandemic, global shutdowns, shelter-in-place orders, and virtual work or study lifestyles are the new norms in most homes. It is unclear if this short-term recalibration will have long-lasting effects. However, it shines a spotlight on the way we may modify our future living and working styles. The construction and remodeling experts at Flegel’s discuss the emergence of a new home design in the age of COVID-19.

Likely Trends in New Builds Beyond 2020

Our current situation is one that most of us have never experienced or expected. Almost overnight, our homes are multi-tasking as offices, classrooms, gyms, and more. You may have started using your guest bedroom, mudroom, dining table, or even a stairway landing as your new work-from-home spot. Your video calls may be giving others an intimate view into your home, with background activities that include bouncing kids, barking dogs, or even a pajama-clad spouse or parent.

The current health crisis may lead to a greater acceptance of and adaptation to work-from-home and learn-at-home scenarios. This means, you may have to look at your home in a new light with different expectations of what your living spaces could and should do.

Here are the top 4 new home design trends that are likely to emerge in the age of COVID-19:

  • Greater emphasis on indoor-outdoor living: With limited access to outdoor activities and social gatherings, you will be spending many more waking hours in your home than ever before. This would generate a pronounced need for natural light and better access to outdoor landscapes for enhanced livable spaces. It could also translate into addition of more windows or sunroofs, building sunrooms, and reimagining livable spaces as indoor gardens.
  • Critical balance between open and enclosed spaces: If people are more homebound, they will share space with the entire family for longer periods of time. However, this can only function effectively when the interior spaces are fluid and functional to accommodate multiple needs and tasks. While the kitchen, living, and dining spaces may continue to feature an open plan layout, there will be a substantial increase in allocation of private, enclosed spots. The key will be in carving out comfortable, open spaces, while delicately balancing the need for seclusion.
  • High demand for designated workspaces: It seems quite likely that many people will continue to use work from home or telecommuting options, even after the global pandemic ebbs. This will boost the demand for designated home office spaces that provide modern conveniences, along with adequate privacy and seclusion. The importance of smart storage will also increase. People will seek clever ways to conceal household or personal items, especially in compact homes where a separate, enclosed workspace is not possible.
  • Energy conserving designs and materials: While there is already a growing number of people seeking eco-friendly and sustainable home designs, the demand for energy-conserving features may further skyrocket in the age of COVID-19. Air filtration systems, solar panels and battery charging stations may become a must-have in many homes.

Bay Area’s Top Contractors Deliver Efficient New Age Homes

At Flegel’s Construction Co., we have decades of experience in building new homes, as well as construction consulting. Our innovative architects skillfully design spaces around your living, eating, play and work requirements, while our talented craftsmen deliver these spaces to your exact specifications, on time and on budget. We stay abreast of the changing trends in designs, and building materials and codes, while also keeping an eye on future needs of customers.

Check out some of the custom homes that we have constructed across the Bay Area.

Want to discuss and plan your new home design in the age of COVID-19? Schedule a consultation and contact us online.

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TESTIMONIALS

  • Video Testimonial

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  • I would hire Scott again in a heartbeat

    I would hire Scott again in a heartbeat. He did our Eichler total remodel from roof to radiant. The workmanship is 5-star. Scott understands the uniqueness of Eichlers and modern design.

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  • I am confident that your expectations will be far exceeded…

    “Our home in Palo Alto was in need of help. Built in the early 1950s and barely updated since, there was a lot to do. Over 12 months and two phases, our home was transformed into the perfect mid-century modern oasis for our

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  • As easy for as us as possible…

    “We interviewed at least 7 contractors for our Eichler remodel and decided on Flegel’s construction and I am so glad we did! Working with Scott and his crew was such an pleasant experience. We had heard so many horror stories

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  • Stands by his work…

    “I cannot say enough about Scott Flegel. He is on the ball. He works on the project with his employees. He has very high standards and his employees follow his example. Our architect has come back to look at the project

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