According to a report by Qualified Remodeler the demand for remodeling services is at its highest level in three years. QR partnered with John Burns Real Estate Consulting to conduct the study that gauged remodeling demand in Q1 of 2021 against the remodeling demand in Q4 of 2020. The study found that the U.S. Remodeling Index was at a staggering 75.2 in Q1 (2021), up from 63.5 in Q4 (2020), where all levels above 50.0 are positive. Remodeling in the South alone is up 9 percent. So what does this practically mean for those seeking remodeling services?

Recently, J&R did this beautiful remodel of a kitchen and laundry room which included a pet shower requested by the client. This remodel took involved a lot of time and money, but look at the quality of work! This is the difference it can make when you pick a luxury remodeler that (1) knows what they are doing and (2) cares about you and your home.

The remodeling market is going to see an influx of new remodeling businesses looking to capitalize on this boom (a boom that Qualified Remodeler asserts will be here for the long haul). It is more important than ever to vet your remodeling contractors before deciding who to award the job. You want to go with an established company with a body of prior work that lines up with the vision you have for your home, not an unexperienced remodeler that may be experiencing their “growing pains” at the expense of your project. You may have to spend more money and time on your project than you thought, but it’s worth it to hire a remodeler that (1) knows what they’re doing and (2) cares about you and your home. Here’s where I sell you: at J&R Construction Services, we take  “Enjoy the Process” so seriously that it is our motto. We aren’t going to be the cheapest 90% of the time, but we have an impressive body of work, we care about you and your home (because it isn’t just a house), and we have your back after the job is done through our warranty program. Okay enough of the selling! Regardless of who you hire you don’t want to skimp when it comes to your home, so be careful as new remodeling companies enter the scene or you may end up regretting the process instead of enjoying it.

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“Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.”

– Eugene Peterson

Remodeling is not what you see on TV.

There is far more planning, far higher costs, and far more stress involved than what Ty Pennington and his crew on Extreme Home Makeover may convey. The process, when done correctly, takes a long time and having contractors in and out of your home for months is sure to lead to frustration. As exciting as the idea of a remodel is, the actual process can be taxing in more ways than one. That’s why it is so important to find an expert you trust. Trust and wise counsel lightens the burden because it leaves the decision making to you while the experts do the work. Ultimately, a general contractor’s goal should be to make the process as enjoyable as possible (the origin of J&R’s motto “Helping You to Enjoy the Process“) and to take into account the things you may not have thought of. Here are some things you may not have considered:

Your budget may disqualify you from certain contractors.

General contractors wear a lot of hats in the world of remodeling, but not all home remodelers are the same. When it comes to your project, you should expect that certain contractors only work with higher-end homes. That’s just the nature of the business, it is about income for the contractor and often they’ll refer you to someone better suited for your needs so everyone walks away happy.

Your timeline may be unrealistic.

Your home is important and it should be important to your contractor. This means your contractor may have to push deadlines back in order to meet your expectations. At the end of the day, you’d rather your home look and feel like home than to sacrifice that look and feel for expedience. Take your time! It will be worth it when you live in the home of your dreams.

• Side note: This means you should plan your temporary housing accordingly.

Kids and pets may affect the remodeling process.

Young children and pets can make entering the home difficult. Pets generally don’t like strangers entering the home, especially loud strangers, and even if you trust your teenager to be home alone most company policies will prevent contractors from entering if an adult is not present.

Warranties are super important!

Make sure your contractor provides a warranty on their craftsmanship, otherwise you may be stuck with a mess of a project in a year and no one to hold responsible.

 

I know, I know. This sounds overwhelming, but I promise you: with the proper guidance by experienced professionals you can enjoy your remodel! Even the tedious parts will be easier. At J&R we put you first in all that we do, so if you are ready to make the leap, we would love to help you Enjoy the Process! 

J&R Construction February Blog 2021                               

There are a variety of things that we can do to show “love” and take better care of the interior and exterior parts of our home during the chilly winter months. If you’re looking for new ways to keep your home safe, warm, and cozy this winter, here are a few tips that J&R would like to give you, to take for present and future winter seasons. 

 

Have your heating system inspected by a licensed professional. Do this to make sure that everything is running smoothly. The last thing that you want is for your heat to go out in the middle of a cold winter night!

In addition to this, you can also have your roofing and gutter inspected, to help prevent ice from building up and potentially damaging any exterior areas of your home.

 

Check and change the filters of your home, and vacuum and clean out all of your vents. Do this to avoid any debris buildup, and to keep the air that is circulating throughout the house, clean and fresh. Dust and debris is likely to build up during the winter months, so it is important to check and clean the filters to avoid any extra particles flying throughout your home. 

 

Keep your furnace running to protect your pipes from freezing. This is also to ensure that your home stays warm and insulated at all times. If you plan to leave for a winter vacation, set your temperature to at least 55 degrees or higher, to help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities above freezing temperatures (since this is most likely the location of your water piping). It is also helpful to keep doors open throughout the house, to help heat circulate and warm all areas of every room. Often, drafts occur when doors shut on their own, and trap heat in individual areas. 

 

Cover any outdoor seating. This is so that you can avoid potential damage, and increase the lifetime of your furniture! No need to buy any fancy furniture covers. All that you need are large plastic bags, or a roll of Partex Plastic and something (such as string or rubber bands) to tie and seal the bags to the furniture. If you are worried about any metallic items rusting or creating discoloration, cover them with some type of Vaseline or petroleum jelly to avoid this.

 

Seal any areas that might be letting in a draft. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a well-sealed home can be up to 20 percent more energy efficient. Most drafts usually sneak in from your basement or attic. For small leaks, you can use a caulking gun or foaming insulation to keep cold air from coming in. For larger drafts, such as underneath your doorways, something as simple as a towel, blanket, or draftstopper can seal the crack and prevent a drafty room. 

 

Do you have a fireplace in your home? Are you wondering how to clean it and remove any unwanted soot or build up? Mix a can of coca cola with 3.5 fluid ounces of all purpose household cleaner, and 3.5 quarts of water in a bucket. Scrub it only any sooty bricks with a sponge, and leave it to sit for 15 minutes. After it sits for that time, scrub it with a bristle brush, and sponge it down again with clean water. The more cola that you add, the stronger the solution will be. Try this trick out, and avoid spending too much money on getting your fireplace cleaned this winter!

 

 

We at J&R Construction would like to wish you a safe and warm winter season, and hope that you are spending time taking care of your home, and filling it with love this February!

The Perfect Kitchen

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, the idea can be scary and overwhelming. There are so many different components that go into the use of your kitchen: the sink, the oven, seating, possible dining, pots and pans, storage, stovetops, the list could go on! And the options to customize every part of your newly-remodeled kitchen are endless, and always changing.

So how do you know where to begin?

Start by thinking first about what you do most in your kitchen. What are you doing every day in this kitchen? How do you work? What are your morning and evening routines like? Are you someone who likes to cook? Regardless of how you choose to use your kitchen, whether you enjoy nightly take-out or homemade dinners, you want it to be a space that is welcoming and comforting, while also punctual. 

Imagine yourself cooking your first meal, or entertaining others in the comfort of your home. When your home kitchen remodeling process is complete, what does the space feel like, look like, smell like, sound like? These are all things to consider and pay attention to when evaluating how you want you newly-remodeled kitchen to feel. 

There are several different components that go into creating and remodeling your “perfect kitchen”:

 

1. The Layout

If you are someone who spends most of your time in the kitchen cooking and creating new delicious treats for yourself or loved ones, you know the importance of the layout of the foundation. The layout preferences can be different and personal based on each individual needs. A popular setup that many people consider having is a “triangle connection” between the stove, sink, and fridge. These three parts of the kitchen should be in close proximity and easily accessible, as they are the three most used parts of the kitchen. However, more recently, this trend is not as popular. The biggest issue that clients focus on when designing their “dream kitchen”, is prep stations and work areas that are easily accessible and spacious. Prep stations can be personally customized and designed to meet each client’s expectation and vision. The placement of each work area does not necessarily have to match the “triangle connection” that many people assume. Our biggest concern when designing your kitchen is making it as enjoyable and spacious as possible for you.  Consider how your kitchen will flow into other rooms, specifically the dining room or family room. Again, you want your kitchen to feel welcoming and open to all who come into your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Lighting

A well-lit kitchen is important, as it allows you to perform all necessary tasks in the space, but also creates a mood to warm and brighten the room. Different types of lighting can easily change the kitchen from a cooking space, to a place of company and entertainment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Storage

Often, when people want to remodel their kitchen, storage is one of the biggest reasons. You can never have enough room or extra space to store items in your kitchen! It’s important to take into consideration how you want your storage to look. There are a variety of different cabinet options, as well as drawers and customizable handles to go on each. This is one of the many ways that you can make your new kitchen look unique, as you are in charge of picking the styles of every detail that goes into your storage units. Have fun with it, and enjoy the process!

Take a look at some of J&R Construction’s past home remodeling kitchen projects here. We pride ourselves in customizing each space to look comforting and personal to each client’s preference. Our design team makes it their goal to listen to the clients’ visions for their home remodeling projects, and make those come to life. 

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you, for it is your business that is the future of our company.