When You Should Start Planning a Whole Home Renovation Project

Almost half of all homes in the United States were built before 1980. Chances are if you live in one of these homes, it may be time to start considering a whole home renovation project. Many homeowners choose to wait until their current living space is no longer suitable for the lifestyle they want to lead. While this can feel like an overwhelming and intimidating task at first, planning a whole home renovation project doesn’t have to be difficult. Below are some signs you should start your renovation project.

Safety Concerns

If your home is starting to show signs of wear and tear, it may be time to consider a whole home renovation project. Old wiring, pipes, and other infrastructure can cause safety hazards. Homeowners should pay special attention to any exposed wiring, peeling paint, or mildew that could lead to potential health risks. If you are noticing these signs of aging in your home, it is time to consider a renovation project.

Changing Needs

Our lives change over time and our homes should be able to accommodate those changes. If you have recently welcomed a new addition to your family or are planning for one in the near future, it may be necessary to look into a whole home renovation project. Adding extra bedrooms or bathrooms, for example, will help your family adjust to its new size in comfort and style.

Unstable Home Price

Whether you plan on selling your home soon or not, it is important to consider the current real estate market. Stable and increasing home prices are a sign that investing in a whole home renovation project is worth the effort. Not only will it help increase your home’s value, but you could also recoup some of the costs after putting it on the market.

Outdated Design

If you are still living in a home that was constructed decades ago, chances are the design will feel outdated. Renovating your entire home is a great way to update the style and look of your space by bringing it into the modern age. Home renovations can also help create more functional areas throughout your home.

These signs are indicators that it may be time to start planning a whole home renovation project. If you’re looking into investing in professional help for your renovation project, our contractors located in New Jersey are ready to help make your dream home a reality. Give us a call today to start planning and ensuring that all aspects of your home renovation project are satisfactorily executed.

5 Signs You Should Remodel Your Basement

basement remodeling contractor

A basement can be a valuable space in your home but only if you design it well. Sometimes you may find signs it’s time to turn your basement into a functional room. Here are a few of those signs you need to remodel your basement in New Jersey.

1. High Moisture Content

If your basement is partially below the ground, then there’s a good chance you deal with high levels of moisture. Due to the concrete slab that may sit directly on dirt, wetness will seep from the ground and into the concrete. Unfortunately, that wetness will be accompanied by bad odor and mold growth. According to This Old House, more than 60% of U.S. homes have wet basements and 38% run the risk of mold growth. The only way to resolve this issue is by hiring a basement remodeling contractor.

2. Your Basement Is Unusable or Unfinished

Is your basement currently an unusable space? It’s time to reconsider renovating the area. Picture an unused space as a blank canvas with many possibilities. You can remodel it into a laundry room, game room, kids’ playroom, library, or study room. Bringing any of these ideas to life will free up other levels of your home and have more space. There are many basement renovation ideas out there, and our team of experts can help you choose the right one for your lifestyle.

3. There’s Visible Damage in the House

All homeowners should have a professional check for structural damage in their homes every once in a while. Damage can be in many forms, such as compromised floor joists, a warping or bulging foundation, a cracked floor, evidence of insect damage, and water damage. Our experienced contractor will spot the damage, including the less obvious damage you hadn’t noticed.

4. It Has a Bad Appearance

Appearances matter, including the appearance of your basement, which you don’t use as much. If you’ve noticed that the poles, doors, and joists are less attractive than they used to be, then it’s time to call a basement remodeling contractor.

5. You Have Plumbing Issues

Certain plumbing problems can come from the basement. When water leaks from the sewer or pipes, it pours into the basement. It’s for this reason that most people don’t go to their basements a lot, but you can change this part of your lifestyle with our help!

Are you experiencing any of these issues in your basement? You need the services of a basement remodeling contractor. Our contractors are located in New Jersey and are ready to help transform your basement. Give us a call today to start planning.

New Outdoor Living Space Refreshes Lambertville Home

One of the best parts about this Lambertville home is the property’s gorgeous natural backdrop. But what good is a breathtaking view if there’s no outdoor space to enjoy it? The homeowners wanted our team to create an outdoor living space where they could enjoy the changing scenery from season to season, just off the back of their home.  

So, we designed a traditional porch with a roof and deck that spans the entire rear of the house, blending perfectly with the existing architecture. The space is large enough to accommodate multiple seating areas for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the scenery.

The ceiling features a white beadboard detail that gives off an air of nostalgia, as well as two new fans to circulate the air on warm summer days.

We decided to use a hardy, PVC-coated composite material held together by hidden fasteners for the decking, which is certain to hold up for years of use.

One of the elements that our clients and our team wanted to incorporate was the existing large windows on this side of the house. We just love how they seamlessly connect the indoors to this new exterior living space.

Now, this family can enjoy their home’s beautiful surroundings in comfort and luxury! Are you looking to refresh your outdoor space? Get in touch today to learn more about how we can get you started!

How To Know It’s Time for a Bathroom Remodel

A significant cause of distress is your formerly magnificent bathroom showing signs of age. While home renovation projects are costly, they’re incredibly worthwhile investments, even if you don’t intend to sell your home in the foreseeable future. Your local bathroom remodeling contractor can transform your mundane bathroom into an area of paradise. Read on to identify four ways to recognize when your bathroom needs remodeling.

Your Bathroom Looks Outdated

According to research, approximately 50% of homes were constructed before the 80s in the United States. As much as your home may have been a relic when you first got it, modernizing it will significantly increase its value and reflect who you are now. If you intend to sell your home, use neutral colors like gray and white hues. They will transform your old-fashioned bathroom into a timeless wonder.

There’s Conspicuous Damage

Wear and tear are inevitable after years of use, and while it may seem ordinary, it’s most likely to result in dire issues. Peeling paint, brown patches, and crumbling walls and ceilings are signs of water leaks and can cause significant structural damage if not addressed promptly. Leaking faucets and fixtures can cause your water bill to skyrocket, while chips and cracks on tiles can lead to accidental cuts and throw off the general aesthetic of your bathroom. Taking care of these issues by remodeling your bathroom will save you money on repairs and improve the appearance of your bathroom simultaneously. It’s advisable to call in your local bathroom remodeling contractor from our New Jersey team to ensure the job gets done efficiently.

You Have Mold Trouble

Mold overspread can give your bathroom an old smell and ruin its aesthetic appearance. Mold is often caused by poor ventilation, broken pipes, moisture from steamy showers, and more. Signs of mold include blistering sheet rocks, ant infestation, green and black spots, and discolored wallpaper. You can fix a mild mold issue by streamlining your bathroom’s ventilation system or cleaning with bleach. Although, remodeling your bathroom is the most efficient way of dealing with mold. Make sure you hire a professional to guarantee safety and certainty.

There’s Poor Lighting

In this age of social media, where most people take pictures in their bathroom mirrors, it’s vital to have good lighting to capture a great shot. Also, it’s essential to have good lighting to go through your daily routine with ease and safety. You can deal with poor lighting by updating the lighting scheme, installing a lighted vanity mirror, or even installing a skylight. You can also extend your bathroom window to allow more natural light to flow. Contact a local bathroom remodeling contractor in New Jersey to give your bathroom a much-needed upgrade.

If you notice any of the above signs in your bathroom, then it’s time for you to remodel. It will enhance your bathroom’s allure and increase your home’s value. Contact us today to get started with our bathroom remodeling services.

When Is It Time to Invest in Home Renovations?

home renovation contractor

About 80% of homes in the U.S. require remodeling because they are about 20 years old, according to Comfy Living. Old homes sometimes have outdated kitchens and unfinished basements that need remodeling. This is where a reputable home renovation contractor comes in. But how do you decide it’s time to tweak your home setup?

Below are three signs that’ll help you know if it’s time to invest in home renovations and hire a home renovation contractor.

1. You Don’t Plan to Move Out Soon

If you’ve decided to spend your lifetime in your current home, it’s justifiable to want to improve its overall appearance. The cost of remodeling varies depending on the extent of renovations you plan to pursue. Some homeowners invest heavily to update the kitchen or making your attic and basement habitable.

You can always talk to a home renovation contractor to see what renovations that will stay fresh for a longer time period. Expert advice can help you make more informed decisions about improving the look and feel of your home.

2. Your Home Equity Is Substantial

At a national level, home values have gone up, and many property owners are sitting on a fair amount of home equity. For starters, equity is the portion of your home that you own outright, and you calculate it by subtracting the current mortgage balance from the market value of your home.

Your home equity is important because you can borrow against it. So, don’t be afraid to take that home equity loan to make the tweaks you need to your home.

3. You Want to Update Based on Personal Preferences

You may have some preferences for your home, which may motivate you to seek the services of a home renovation contractor. For example, you may want a greener home after learning more about the environment and how we impact it. If that’s the case, you may be interested in a kitchen renovation and new energy-efficient kitchen appliances.

If you’re ready to renovate your home, contact a qualified and experienced home renovation contractor. Our team at Flansburg Construction is happy to answer your questions and discuss a plan for your home renovation project.

Adapting to Challenge & Change: The Design-Build Advantage

Thinking about remodeling your New Jersey home? You may be wondering about the  benefits of hiring a design-build firm over bidding out individual contractors. There are many advantages to hiring an experienced, all-inclusive team like Flansburg Construction, but one of the most important is what happens when projects don’t go exactly as planned.

Unforeseen issues will arise every now and then — especially when working on older homes. The best way to avoid large increases in cost or the length of the project is to anticipate these issues ahead of time. Here’s an example of how we used an ounce of prevention to stay within budget on a challenging kitchen remodel for a historical Hightstown home:

The Backstory:

These clients are a busy, professional couple looking forward to retirement in the next few years. Their 200-year-old home was full of charm and character but had a kitchen that was not built for modern life. At only 120 square feet with an uneven floor and slanted ceiling, we had our work cut out for us.

The Journey:

Since the area under the kitchen was inaccessible, we couldn’t know the condition of the foundation underneath before getting started. Luckily, our team of experts had the experience necessary to make realistic predictions and come up with a budget that factored in possible structural repairs and other costs of reframing the floor. In the end, we came very close to our budget goal. 

The Reward:

Our clients were very pleased — and even a little surprised — that we were able to stay within budget. Once it became clear there would be no dramatic changes, they inquired about adding extra tasks to their remodel, including replacing some deck flooring and building a custom door under an existing staircase. We were happy to oblige and went through the change order process of presenting the cost and scope, signing an agreement, and getting to work. Anticipating potential setbacks and having the flexibility to accommodate additional work are achievements only possible with a design-build group that works and communicates together as a team. Contact us to learn more about how a Flansburg Construction remodel can work for you.