News & Updates

In an area like the Main Line, where there tend to be a lot of storms and a lot of trees, we find that power lines are getting knocked down all the time. Occasionally, this happens in the wintertime, and when it does, you are probably going to lose power. It may even last for several days.

If this happens, you and everybody else in the neighborhood will be looking for a hotel, and depending on the severity of the situation, you might find yourself out of luck – unless you have a backup generator.

When To Install A Backup Generator

The ideal time to install a backup generator is when you are in the midst of a renovation or doing an upgrade to your electrical. You’ll already be doing some electrical panel work, and you can just add it on.

Powering Your Generator

Gas, Oil, and Propane

There are many different ways to power a generator. You can run it on natural gas, oil, or propane. If you opt for natural gas, you will need to make sure that the feed coming in from the street is enough to handle the generator and the added draw.

Generally speaking, propane is a great solution, but it has its limitations. The fuel will run out, and you will have to make sure you get more delivered. In widespread emergencies, this may be more difficult than usual.

Natural gas has its benefits too. You will have a consistent supply of fuel via the city gas line, and unless there is a major catastrophe, you’ll never run out. If you are unsure about what the right choice is for your situation, we are always happy to help you figure it out.

Solar and Battery Backup

Solar panels can be hooked up to a battery backup, or you could even have a battery-powered generator that recharges when there is electricity. When it kicks in, it will run off the battery until the battery dies, but the problem is that if you’re out of power long enough and you’re not regenerating it, then you will run out.

Solar panels do require a little bit of extra installation because panels need to be installed as well as the generator itself. If you’re hooking up to solar, there are particular considerations. If you have a lot of trees, for instance, if your house is shaded and your roof doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, it may not be worthwhile.

Solar panels will also change the look of your roof. You can purchase solar roof tiles that are quite beautiful, but it is far more economical to look at doing that while you’re doing a roof replacement.

If your whole house is already solar, it’s an easy task to add a battery backup because you already have the infrastructure in place. If you just want a backup generator, the best solution is to access the source of fuel that your house already uses.

Average Costs Of A Backup Generator

As a rough range, you can expect to pay $10,000 – 15,000 for a generator, but based on the variables mentioned above, it could be more or less.

Typically, you’re not running your entire house on it; you’ll only need to use it to power your refrigerator, stove, your heating or central air conditioning, and a few lighting circuits. The capacity you need will drive the size and the cost.

Some of the factors that can drive price include how far the generator is from the electrical panel and how much panel work is necessary to make it happen. For example, if you already have 200-amp service and your panel is relatively new, you may not need a new panel. But, if you have 100-amp service and your panel has fuses, you are going to want to upgrade everything, and that will affect the cost as well.

The installation must meet code, which means you will need to deal with the township, and we help you deal with all that as well.

When it’s time to install a backup generator, our team will support you with guidance from end-to-end. We’ll help you decide what type to get, where to put it, what electrical service upgrades are required, how much of your house you will need to energize with it, what fuel to use, and whether or not you have enough fuel to do the job.

If you would like to learn more about installing a backup generator in your Main Line home, give us a call today. 

Your kitchen can never be too practical or too functional. Placing attention on two key elements—optimizing the layout and eliminating dead spots—you’ll have a kitchen that keeps the traffic flowing and delivers big on efficiency.

Reorganize To Eliminate Wasted Space

If you have dead zones in your kitchen – areas that are non-functional, inaccessible, or not practical in any way – some minor reorganization will help.

Here are some ideas that can breathe new life into your kitchen’s dead spots:

Rethink Those Fixed Shelves In Your Cabinets

How to do it: To maximize the space in between fixed shelving in your cabinets, add risers to create levels. This will help you see into the back of the cabinet and allow you to store more items. Pull-out units are also a great idea as they give you better access to what’s inside.

Use Dead Space Above Your Cabinets To Accent Your Décor

How to do it: Though it may not be practical to store items you use every day, you can use this space to display objects, plates, or serving pieces that you would typically keep hidden away. Alternately, it can also be a place to showcase photographs or other things you like.

Put The Space Below Your Cabinets To Work For You

How to do it: Adding spice racks, hanging stemware, kitchen tools, or mugs keeps everything you need for meal prep within easy reach. This also keeps these items off the counter, reducing clutter and cleaning up the sightlines.

Make The Most Of Unused Space In The Back Of Lower Cabinets

How to do it: Pull-out drawers can be installed in your cupboards that allow better access to items stored in the back. Place your most-used items in the front for easy retrieval.

Maximize The Space Inside Your Pantry Door

How to do it: The pantry door is a great place for things that you use daily. You can hang your calendar, your shopping list, or grocery bags. Install racks for spices, food wraps, or anything you may need to grab at a moment’s notice.

Even if you have a small kitchen, these ideas make it possible for it to be less cluttered, better organized, and more functional. Use drawer organizers, roll-out trays, and lazy susans in corner cabinets to provide access to everything you need while freeing up the countertop.

Defining Your Kitchen Work Zones: Beyond The Kitchen Triangle

Your kitchen should allow traffic to flow, even when you are working in it. This is the basic premise of the kitchen triangle, which consists of the three primary work areas – the refrigerator, the stove, and the sink.

Keep The Traffic Flowing

When you are cooking, you will need to access these areas easily, so it makes sense that they are organized in a way that simplifies the process. Pathways between these elements should allow movement between them without interrupting the flow of traffic.

Additional Kitchen Work Zones

In today’s kitchen design, we look beyond the kitchen triangle to include additional zones, such as a coffee station, a food prep area, and cleaning and waste zones. The ultimate goal in zone placement is to provide an ergonomic and practical layout that facilitates your workflow.

For instance, pots and pans should be stored next to the stove. The cleaning and waste zone should be adjacent to the sink, and a coffee station should have all relevant tools, appliances, and supplies focused in that one spot.

Prep Zone

Your food prep area should have a place for your small appliances, spices, utensils, and it should also be close to the sink, so you can wash your vegetables or your hands without having to cross the floor.

Baking Zone

If you do a lot of baking, you may also want to include a baking zone that gives you enough room to roll out dough on the countertop while allowing for storage of baking sheets in the lower cabinets beneath it.

Dedicated Zone Storage

Each zone should include a dedicated storage area, either drawers, cabinets, or both, to keep the tools you need for that purpose close at hand.

Landing Zone

Include ample counter space beside your refrigerator as a “landing zone” for groceries.

Finally, if your kitchen pulls double-duty as a family workspace or gathering place, create a zone that gives them a dedicated area to do so. An extra-large island answers this need perfectly as it supports these activities while providing a barrier between the action and the crowd.

Make The Most Of Your Main Line Kitchen Design

Are you thinking about a redesign of your Main Line kitchen? We’d love to help. Reach out today, and let’s start the conversation. 

Substantial Completion, Punch List,  and Warranty are phrases we use to define the stages of completion of a project. Substantial completion is when the space is fully functional, the trades have essentially completed their work and the homeowner can move into the space and start living in it. There may still be a few items that still need to be addressed, such as installing a light fixture that might be on back order, touching up a piece of trim, or straightening a crooked outlet cover. These are generally small items that do not impact use of the space. These items are performed during the Punch List part of the project. After the project is 100% complete and the items on the Punch List are all checked off, you might think you will never see us again. Although we love to hear from our customers down the road that everything is going perfectly, occasionally, something needs to be addressed. This is the Warranty stage which lasts five years. 

What exactly is substantial completion?

In a nutshell, the work is complete but not quite 100%. I know this might sound incongruous, but it’s when you can fully move into the space and expect not to be tripping over workers, tool boxes, tarps, and plastic sheeting. There will be a few items that get noticed only once you are in the space and able to really take a good look around without the daily buzz of saws and banging of hammers. That leads us to the second phase of completion. 

Why do we need a punch list?

It seems like it shouldn’t be necessary if everyone finishes the job they start! Since there are so many pieces to a large project, the trades people focus on the work at hand and sometimes don’t notice a little drop of paint, or a missing nail in a piece of trim because they are focused on the bigger picture. Once the dust settles and the distractions are gone, the homeowner might notice a few details needing attention.

We set up a meeting to walk through the project with the homeowner after they have lived in it for a little while and we create a list of things that need to be addressed. That list is the Punch List. Once complete, with the homeowner’s approval, we declare that we are 100% complete! 

What does the warranty cover?

Down the road, sometimes something breaks, comes loose, of just doesn’t function properly. That’s where the Warranty comes in handy. The warranty covers everything that we supply and install for 5 years. Even if a manufacturer’s warranty is only active for a year, our warranty extends that to 5 years. In some cases, the manufacturer’s warranty will exceed our own, such as with roofing shingles, siding, or windows.

Generally, we have very few warranty issues. In some cases, we have extended the warranty period beyond 5 years. For example, if we think something really should have lasted longer, but didn’t, we will probably take care of it. We would review such situations on a case by case basis. We stand behind our work and will always take care of our clients. We want to make sure that our work lasts as long as it should last, and we always err on the side of the customer. 

Warranty Exclusions

Our Warranty exclusions are written into every contract in plain English. Additionally, we take the time during the pre-construction meeting to ensure everything is clearly explained. Following are some of the exclusions. 

Pre-Existing Issues

If you have a pre-existing conditions, like work improper done by previous contractors, termite damage, or humidity problems, we cannot be expected to remedy those issues under our warranty. 

HVAC System Exclusion

If your project includes connection of an existing HVAC system to a new renovation or addition, we cannot guarantee adequacy of heating or cooling unless we install new equipment. Although we design the ducting to be suitable for your project, in some cases, additional work may be required to supplement the system. 

Humidity And Water Exclusion

If your home has an excess of humidity during any season or experiences water infiltration, this may cause damage to some materials. If this occurs, the damage will not be covered by our warranty. If you know of any existing humidity or water infiltration problems, let us know right away so that we may propose a solution. 

Painting Exclusion

If painting was excluded from your contract, any warranty work will also exclude the paint. If drywall repairs are required, for example, painting of the repaired area remains the responsibility of the owner. 

Normal Wear And Tear Exclusion

Normal wear and tear are excluded from the warranty. Examples of this might be scratched or stained surfaces, worn finishes, changes in color due to UV light exposure, or normal expansion and contraction of natural materials.

Do you have any questions about the finish and warranty process? Reach out today and schedule a conversation. 

During any remodeling project, we expect there to be changes. We try to be sure that the scope of the work is clearly defined—in writing—from the outset, but there are bound to be things that come up that will require a change in scope. 

We handle changes in scope of work upfront and in writing so that there is full agreement on the planned new direction. These changes may alter costs, aesthetics, and function. In some cases, we need design input, and in other cases, we simply need to consult with the various trades to determine cost and schedule impacts. But in all cases, we reach an agreement before the changes take place! This avoids problems down the road.

The changes are written up in the form of a “change order”. There are generally 3 types of changes on any given project; things the homeowner wants to add, things the house itself requires, and adjustments to allowances for finish materials.

Many of our customers love the work we do and want to add things they think of as we go along. That’s always the best kind of change where the customer gets what they want.

Unfortunately sometime the house itself occasionally makes demands that end up as change orders. If we open up a wall and find a cracked soil pipe or termite damage, for example, you will probably want that addressed, though nobody will be too happy about it!

The third type of change order is when the customers have an allowance in the contract that needs to be adjusted to actual purchase costs. There might be an allowance for $5,000 in cabinetry, but the customer only chooses $4,000 worth of cabinetry. A change order would be issued for a credit of $1,000.

In summary we are always very clear about what the changes are, and in writing – in advance along with the exact cost. 

How many change orders should you expect?

There is really no way to determine how many changes you might have on a project. That said, the bigger the project, the more complex it is, the more change orders you are likely to see. If a project is small and fairly contained, there will probably be fewer changes.

What should you budget for change orders?

On average, changes typically amount to ten percent of project costs, but that’s just a generalization. We suggest that you go into a contract with a little bit of a pad. For instance, if you have $200,000 to spend, don’t design your project down to the last penny of that budget because you won’t have any wiggle room when you want to add something. In this sense, ten percent is a good average. 

The Impact of Change Orders on the Schedule

If there’s a significant schedule impact as a result of a change, we will include that in the change order. For instance, if a change is going to delay completion, we will make sure it’s noted on the change order before you sign.

In conclusion, we do our best to ensure our clients are as well-informed as they can be throughout the process. 

Are you thinking about a remodel for your Main Line home? We’d love to show you how we can help! Reach out today and let’s start the conversation. 

Before we get started on a new building project, clients often ask these questions:

•  “Do you give us a construction schedule?”
• “Can we live in the house while construction is happening?”
• “What measures do you take to maintain home security, and the security and safety of our children and pets?”

These are all very important things to know. In preparing for the Main Line remodel, we like to ensure our clients are well-apprised of every stage and aspect of the work before we start.

All of these items are discussed in detail with the client at the pre-construction meeting, which takes place before starting the job.

Can we live in the house during construction?

The determination of whether or not you will be able to live in the house is generally discussed at the outset. Depending on the scope of the job and your tolerance for certain types of work going on around you, it may not be possible. However, we will always try to accommodate your wishes with a particular focus on personal safety, security, and the protection of your belongings.

Temporary Solutions For Convenience And Safety

We want to make sure you and your family is safe at all times, and that they have access to the amenities they need, such as the laundry room, bathrooms, and so on. If the work is going to block these areas, we may be able to set up a temporary solution that will work while the construction is going on.

We will set up temporary barriers to contain dust, and if there are safety concerns or hazards, we will build temporary walls to prevent any children or pets from wandering in.

Security Concerns

In terms of security, we will discuss options and help you choose the one that is most comfortable for you, which might be as easy as installing a lockbox in a location that is convenient for everybody.

Keeping Your Family And Pets Happy

There are many details we will need to discuss beforehand, such as where to park, and how to keep things comfortable with kids, pets, and adults as we come and go.

In some cases, the noise of the work might cause some distress to the pets, so we can discuss the times when this is most likely to occur so you can plan for them to be away then.

As for children, we always find out the names and ages of all the kids in the family. We like to know who the nanny is and get emergency contact numbers for everybody, just in case.

Ultimately, we realize we’re in your home while you’re living there, and your comfort is every bit as important as the work being done. We like to avoid unpleasant surprises, which is why good communication is key to ensure all your needs and concerns are addressed right upfront.

How We Decide Whether You Can Live In The Home Or Not During Construction

To answer the question of whether it’s possible to live in the home during the work, we look at the size and scope of the job and how much of the house will be in disruption. In some cases, it will be impossible, or at least during parts of it.

For instance, if we’re building an addition, we might be working outside the house for quite a while, but when we’re ready to break through, that’s when you will have to move out. If we’re putting in a new kitchen and you decide you want to stay, we might be able to set up a temporary kitchen to get you through. However, if it’s a whole-house renovation or remodel, we may suggest you find a short-term rental or stay with family for a while.

You might want to stay in the home for most of the work but leave for a few days while we refinish the floors. It really depends on your tolerance to disruption, odors, and inconvenience.

For larger jobs, however, it’s often more cost-effective to vacate the home for a while as some of the costs can run higher. Dust barriers need more maintenance when people are living on-site, and often our processes end up being lengthier than they would be otherwise for several reasons.

For instance, we may need to shut the water off for a few days. The less frequently we have to turn it on and off, the less potential there is for aggravation. In many cases, we can even quantify how much you can save on the job by moving out. 

The Pre-Construction Checklist

During our pre-construction meeting, we go over a detailed checklist of items we need to talk about. For instance, we might ask if anyone in the family has allergies to dust, VOCs, chemicals, formaldehyde, and so on. If we know this, we can set up specific ventilation when these items may cause exposure, or we can arrange for the family to be out of the house when we are doing that work. Even things like nut allergies – we can address this by making sure nobody packs a peanut butter sandwich for lunch during the course of the work. 

The Construction Schedule

Once we have a rough schedule for the work to be done, we discuss it in detail with the client. We will go over it, line by line, to make sure everyone is aware of critical phases and milestones and show them how easy it is to follow along with the work.

We send out the construction schedule by email, and we’ll also print it out. That way, if the client wants to coordinate their calendar with the schedule, they’ve got all the information we have. We try to accommodate the client’s need for information according to how they like to be informed, so if that’s through weekly progress meetings or text or email, we’re happy to accommodate.

In the end, it’s all about making you comfortable, so if you have specific concerns, we like to address them right away. Whether it’s a health concern, safety, security, or personal comfort, the pre-construction meeting sets the precedents that we live by as the work is completed.

Are you thinking about a remodel to your Main Line home? We’d love to hear about it! Call today to schedule a conversation and let’s talk about how we can help. 

Large kitchens can be seen as a luxury. However, finding the right layout can be a challenge. You want to organize your space in such a way that the room is both functional and beautiful. Adding banquette seating is an approach we sometimes suggest as it not only helps to break up a challenging space, but it also adds terrific functionality.

Kitchen Banquette Pros And Cons

You’ve likely seen banquettes before, like bench seating in either a restaurant or an office. They can be one long, straight bench, or they could be curved, like a booth. A banquette can give you a lot of bang for the buck, but it’s not for everyone.

On the plus side, a banquette can maximize your seating without taking up a lot of space. It can also beautify and add functionality you wouldn’t have otherwise. For example, your banquette could provide you with extra storage space beneath the seats. As the seats themselves can be upholstered, they can also match your décor very nicely.

In short, a banquette is versatile and design-friendly. It can be as plain or fancy as you like, and it can add a new dimension to your kitchen. For example, a banquette would allow you to delineate a formal dining area within the kitchen, breaking up the open space and making it look like two separate rooms.

On the downside, because they are a built-in feature, they are generally not moveable. So, if you’re the kind of person who likes to change things up now and then, a permanent fixture like a banquette might not be for you. 

Banquette Ideas

A large multi-use kitchen is a great place for a banquette, adding seating around one side of a kitchen island, or off to one side to create a separate eating or work area. It’s a more informal look, so it wouldn’t necessarily replace your dining room.

Odd-shaped rooms are also great for banquettes. If you have an alcove, for example, you might think about putting in two facing banquettes with a dining table in the middle.

Additionally, since the banquette is placed against the wall, you will still be able to maintain a good flow of traffic around the kitchen. If you have stairs in the kitchen, for instance, the banquette could be placed in such a way that the staircase looks like it has a better flow with the rest of the room.

A u-shaped banquette can double as a window seat. The colors and fabric you choose for the cushions can add a layer of texture to your décor. A banquette in a corner, whether right-angled or curved, can give you a diner-style retro look.

If you or your kids do a lot of projects in the kitchen, a long banquette is great because it encourages collaboration. Your children can work and play side-by-side.

To change up the look of the banquette, add some throw cushions in contrasting colors.

Install a banquette with a kitchen dining table on one side of your island to create a seamless flow. Loose chairs can be placed on the opposite side.

Cost Considerations For Banquettes

Banquettes can be simple, plain, and unadorned, or, you can upholster it to match your interior décor. If you choose fancy finishes, like high-end seat cushions or fabric, custom drawer inserts, or intricate trim, you will likely see a higher cost.

Depending on where it is located in the room, you will likely need to build panels around it to make it look like it is built-in, and this may drive your costs a little higher.

Creating Zones In A Large Kitchen

Designing a large kitchen isn’t always an easy task. If you’ve still got a lot of space to fill, you still need to make sure the layout still provides good traffic flow and a workable kitchen triangle.

Creating zones within the kitchen gives you better functionality. Zones deliver a visual impact and having a banquette can help. You can still have your kitchen island with a few stools around it for when friends drop by, and your banquette and the table that goes with it can be where you go to sit and enjoy a meal, help the kids with their homework, or do arts and crafts projects.

Have you been wondering whether a banquette would be right for your large Main Line kitchen? We’d love to help you decide. Reach out today to learn more about what we can do to help.