News & Updates

The term “man cave” evokes images of dark rooms, oversized tv’s, black leather furniture, and makeshift bars. But these preconceived notions describe a room that bears little resemblance to the tasteful retreats many people are now including in their homes.

Many homeowners don’t even refer to them as man caves. Offices, game rooms, workrooms, pool rooms, or “back houses” are all another way to describe the place a man heads to de-stress, enjoy some downtime with the guys, or surround himself with favorite collections.

Man caves are also not a new idea. Many famous men throughout history have had a room to call their own.

Before remodeling or adding on a man cave of your own, ask yourself these questions:

• Why are you creating the space? Does the man of the house need a quiet place to call his own? Is it for displaying a collection of sports memorabilia, or maybe a space for his pool table, juke box and record collection. At Cottage Industries, we once had a client who wanted to display his collection of hot sauces!
• What purpose will the room serve? Will it be entertainment focused, with state-of-the-art projection and audio? Or how about a home gym? What you want to use the room for will have a big impact on design and budget.

Most Popular Man Caves
Once you know the answers to the why and what, we can begin the process of designing the perfect gentleman’s retreat.

• The Garage Cave. Garages offer a lot of often underutilized square footage that can be transformed into functional refuges. Many men love the idea of an organized, designated space where they can work on passion projects or just unwind after a long day. Though located outside a home’s traditional living space, you can still have most of the same comforts. Modular storage systems are perfect for the car enthusiast, cyclist, handyman, or sportsman. A small kitchen with a regular and/or wine refrigerator can also be added.

• The Screening Room Cave. Your available space and budget will have the most impact on what type of screening room you can build. If you want to come as close as possible to the movie-going experience, good acoustics will be key in this type of space. Some empty nesters repurpose a spare bedroom into a home theater. Besides the electronics involved, you’ll want to think about automated window shading and lighting. One of our designers can help you pull both the technology and overall look of the room together in a way that perfectly complements your home’s overall style.

Top Man Cave Essentials

What goes in to any particular man cave depends on the room’s purpose. But there are some elements that every cave should include:

• Storage. Whether it’s basic cabinetry or specialized storage, an abundance of space to store equipment and tools is key.
• Refreshment Center. Be it a full size kitchen, professional style bar, or a simple refrigerator, you need a place to put snacks and drinks.
• Comfortable Seating. Invest in good quality furniture with great construction and upholstery. Low maintenance coupled with durability is best. Many men want at least one recliner.
• Sufficient Lighting and Outlets. If your room includes power-hungry equipment, think about putting it on its own dedicated circuit.
• The Fun Stuff. Pool tables, poker tables, and dart boards, make for fun nights with the guys. Framed movie posters and popcorn carts are a great look for home movie theaters.

It’s a Guy Thing – Most of the Time

A lot of man caves are often taken over by the rest of the family, especially teenagers and college students home for the weekend. And many families like it that way. For some men, it’s where they love to spend down time with their entire family, perhaps relaxing by the fireplace. Man caves are often where guests head while visiting, and where friends end up during parties.

Whether it’s humble or grand, spacious or cozy, a man cave can be personalized in a variety of ways. At Cottage Industries, we’ll help you design a room that fits your particular passions and offers you the greatest level of enjoyment. Contact us today to schedule a conversation and learn more.

Many of the Main Line homeowners we consult with about a remodel ask “Will renovating my home really increase its value?” The majority of the time, the answer is not as much as it will cost to make the improvement. In other words, if you’re investing $100,000 in a major kitchen remodel, and decide to turn around and sell the next week, you probably won’t recoup the entire investment. But that doesn’t mean some renovation projects don’t add significant value to your home.

To ensure your remodeling dollars are well spent, invest in projects that not only add value, but also improve your family’s quality of life. That way, you get to enjoy the benefits and updates while you live in the home and, if you decide to sell down the road, realize a nice return.

Think Before Remodeling

The return on investment of any given remodeling job is affected by a number of factors: the local housing market, the state of the real estate market when a property’s listed, and the quality of the work performed. Historically, certain projects, such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades, window replacements, or decks have shown the greatest return regardless of where a home is located.

At Cottage Industries, we believe homeowners shouldn’t worry too much about the return on investment of every dollar they put into a remodeling project. In fact, we recommend modifying a home to suit your current needs, even if adds little value at all. That said, if you want to make design choices with a future sale in mind, it helps to think about the pros and cons of different remodeling projects you’re considering.

Calculating Return on Investment

You may have seen the numerous online calculators meant to help you determine how much of your investment will add value to your home. The problem with these calculators, though, is that they are based on percentages. When you plug in a cost of $75,000 for a master bathroom project, you’ll see an estimated return of $55,000. What it doesn’t take into consideration is that for many homes, a $75,000 investment in a master bath may not be a good idea.

Value of a Main Line Home Renovation

There are far too many factors at play in any given renovation to come up with a one-size-fits-all formula. But there are some things you can consider when trying to determine the value of your home renovation when selling your home.

• Age of Renovation. If you plan to sell your home shortly after the project’s completed, the buyer will usually be more willing to pay the full price of the renovation – assuming it is something they would have done anyway. For example, if a new deck cost you $15,000 to build, then the value of your home should increase by that amount.
• What is Removed. If you remove something – say laminate counters in good condition – and replace them with new soapstone ones, the value added would be the difference in the cost of the two materials. Or you may take a fourth bedroom and turn it into an office or laundry room. If the buyers want four bedrooms, not three, they will be thinking about what they need to invest to revert the room back, not what you invested in remodeling it.
• The Worth to Future Buyers. Not everyone places the same value on renovations. You may spend $75,000 on a new kitchen the buyer loves but only values at $50,000. Or you may install imported teak floorboards at 20% increase over oak, and the buyer may not appreciate the added value.
• Square footage. One way to be sure to add value is to add usable square footage to the home. Adding well-purposed living space is a plus to almost every buyer. That’s not to say you will recoup 100% of the cost though, so be sure the space is something you’re family needs!

Conclusion

As you contemplate your remodeling project, it helps to consider the value you’ll receive from the project over any cost recovery from a future sale. Home prices always reflect the buyer’s tastes and the amount they are willing to pay. To calculate whether your Main Line renovation will really increase your home’s value, don’t forget to consider whether it’s of value to you. If you end up with the home you’ve always dreamed of, it’s safe to say you’ve made a great investment.

Few remodeling projects offer as much opportunity for gaining elbowroom as building an addition. Nearly every homeowner can relate to the need for more space. For growing families, that need typically becomes obvious as new family members are born, as children get older and need more room to play, and when the kids and their friends start taking over once-adequate living spaces. A room addition is a great way to expand your horizons, maximize space, and turn your home into a place where everyone has a corner to call their own.

Are Room Additions the Ideal Solution for a Growing Family?

Popular room additions include family rooms, great rooms, kitchens, guest rooms, and bedrooms. Room additions are a great solution for growing families, and the related costs are comparatively low when compared to selling your existing home and moving to a larger home somewhere else. They also let you customize the space you need – you can add a den, bump out your kitchen, or even add an apartment over the garage. Best of all you get to choose how to design the addition to tie into your existing home’s architectural style. Like most home renovation decisions, there are pros and cons to building an addition.

• Pros: A well-built addition tends to have a high cost-value ratio and is often a cheaper alternative to buying a new home. That means you get to stay in the neighborhood you love and “build” the home of your dreams. Finally, unlike purchasing a new home to get the room you want, your addition can be designed to be whatever you want, where you want it, with the look you envision.
• Cons: There’s a chance you could over improve the home for your neighborhood, and certain additions can shrink the size of your lot. Also, the disruption during construction may be stressful.

The bottom line? If you like your current home and neighborhood, serious consideration should be given to adding on that gives you the space and look you crave.

Which Room Do You Want to Add?

At Cottage Industries, every project we do follows a well-designed process that begins with helping you visualize your new space. We start with an in-home consultation that helps us understand what you hope to achieve:

• Do you want a private space that offers respite from a hectic household?
• Do you want an open floor plan that lets you stay in the middle of the action?
• Are you creating new space for family only, or to accommodate friends, house guests, and holiday get-togethers?
• Is a flexible space that can be multifunctional and change over time more appropriate for your needs?

From third floor additions to family room additions that blend seamlessly with the original architecture, we help Main Line homeowners beautifully expand their current living space. We understand that life constantly changes and that your home works best when it accommodates your family’s current lifestyle. Over time, families grow and shrink and grow again. One minute you need more bedrooms, the next you need a great room for entertaining. Bigger garages hold the second or third car and the kids’ bikes, while modern laundry rooms make it easy to keep up to speed with an active family.

Why It’s Worth It

Remodeling your home is a big undertaking, but a well-designed and planned out home addition will pay for itself time and again. You’ll boost your home’s value and extend its square footage. Most importantly, you’ll create the family home you’ve always imagined.
At Cottage Industries, we have a deep appreciation for the range of architectural expression in Wayne, PA and on the Main Line. We work with you to ensure that your home’s addition makes architectural sense.

Whether you want to add a second story, build a home entertainment space, or expand your existing kitchen, our design team will help you strategically and tastefully blend the old with the new. Together we can help you achieve your final goal: getting the home that you and your family can enjoy to its fullest.

Getting a glimpse into how experienced contractors work will help you understand what your contractor is doing. Most misunderstandings that occur during a remodel are a result of poor communication – and what doesn’t get said can be just as important as what does. These seven tips will help you maintain a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with your contractor.

Trust the Contractor’s Process.

Our nearly 30 years of experience has helped us develop a process that ensures our clients get the home they’ve dreamed of. We are not a formula-based company, but we have come up with a set of procedures for each step of the remodeling process that truly works. Find a contractor you feel you can trust, and then put your faith in his process as well. If there’s something you don’t understand or you’re worried about, feel free to ask. No one enjoys conflicts, but an open communication policy actually helps avoid them. By choosing a trusted contractor who already has a strong communication policy in place, you’ll be on your way to a smooth-running project.

Consult With Your Contractor

Every time you change your mind, feel free to consult with your contractor to determine what the next step should be. You may see certain changes as minor adjustments, but the domino effect from one change can become extensive. Schedules may be affected and changes usually come with additional costs. The sooner you bring up concerns, the better it will be for your project.

Work Together To Make Smart Design Decisions

The Main Line is known for its beautiful historic homes and it’s important to make design decisions that respect a home’s architectural integrity. That doesn’t mean you can’t pull off an ultramodern kitchen in a Shaker style or Victorian home, but make sure it doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb. Work with your designer and contractor to come up with a plan that seamlessly blends the old and new.

Communicate To Make Quicker Decisions

The most stress-free projects are those that have the majority of decisions made before the work begins. A good contractor will walk you through a list of situations that might occur, as well as go over choices that should be made – things like paint, trim, and fixture selections. Every delayed decision has an impact on your project’s schedule, so the more that’s in place upfront, the more likely the project will finish on time.

All Conversations Are Welcome

When you need to engage in a conversation with your construction team, remember that all topics of conversation are welcome. Your contractor should be welcoming all conversations, big or small, so that both parties are always on the same page.

A Contractor Has Established Relationships For Your Benefit

It’s often the case that your contractor has established relationships with suppliers and can get a better price to begin with. The materials are mostly sourced locally, allowing you to check them out yourself without any hassles.

Begin With a Trusted Contractor

We’ve saved this one for last because in many ways, it’s the most important. Once you have someone you can trust, you’ll know if any problems arise you will feel comfortable discussing them in a respectful and positive manner. As my grandmother always said, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Staying positive in the light of the difficulties with a remodeling project will make the experience better for all. Also, cookies and ice cold water works wonders for getting an extra mile from the workmen on a hot day! They will love you for it.

Remember that your remodeling team is made up of people much like you. They have good days and bad days like everyone else. When morale is high, you’ll be rewarded with a team that is eager to show up and go the extra mile.

At Cottage Industries, we know our clients want a Main Line home remodeler who will help make their renovation project as stress-free as possible. No one really enjoys construction dust or noise, people walking in and out of their home, or having their family’s routine disrupted for an extended length of time. You know it will be worth it in the end, but it can be easy to lose sight of the final result while you’re in the midst of it all.

We’ve come up with some great tips for helping our clients have an enjoyable, less stressful remodeling experience.

Choose a Main Line Home Remodeler You Can Trust

Whether it’s a kitchen transformation or a whole house renovation, there is one sure-fire way to ensure you’ll have a more gratifying remodeling experience: choose a remodeler you can trust. Working with someone who will help you feel your needs are met and your concerns are heard is vital to a successful remodel. A clearly defined working relationship at the start will reap benefits throughout the project:

• You’ll be working with a remodeler who has their heart in the right place and who knows how to make you and your family feel safe and secure through the entire process.
• The focus will remain where it should – on you and your family’s needs. Good remodelers know to keep the focus on the people they work with.
• You’ll have an understanding advocate who helps you through the emotional highs and lows that come with every project.
• A well-qualified remodeler brings with them the most talented and reliable subcontractors, such as plumbers and electricians. You never have to worry about sloppy work or incomplete jobs.
• They know how to separate the wheat from the chaff, choosing high quality products and materials that they know will best serve you for years to come.

Hire the Right Remodeler

With so many less-than-stellar companies out there, you want to make sure you hire an experienced firm that complements your family and delivers the home you want and need. How do you recognize the right contractor?

• When you contact previous clients for referrals, they are sincere in their praise and willing to share specific details.
• They’re the ones who consider your satisfaction above all else. They’re willing to go the extra mile to get you the materials you want and the design you envision.
• They stand out from others in the industry by having a remodeling process that includes buttoned-up systems for schedules and communication, meaning they stay involved in every aspect of your project. They include you in all communications between members of your construction team, so you never feel left out or uninformed.

Communication is Key

You and your remodeler need to always be on the same page. Good remodelers understand that respectful, open communication sometimes means hearing less-than-happy news. If something is bothering you, you should feel comfortable saying so. Look for a remodeler who is quick to respond to phone calls or texts, and one who is always trying to find the best solutions. Keep in mind that your remodeler would rather you bring up problems as they occur, instead of saving them up for the end. Little problems can be quickly resolved. The longer you wait, the bigger those problems can become.

Questions to Ask

These simple tasks will help you find the best Main Line home remodeler for your renovation. They can also mean the difference between complete confidence and worry-filled days.

• Ask for referrals. Ask previous clients how the remodeler made the experience a positive one, how they handled problems, and whether they would use the remodeler again.
• Look at their credentials and do your own research. Confirm that they have all the required licenses from state and local authorities, and check to see if they belong to any associations like the BBB.
• Verify their business experience and management by confirming their location and contact information; by making sure they carry professional liability insurance; and by determining if they have an established presence in the community and enjoy a trustworthy reputation among customers and peers.

If, after all your legwork, you get positive and enthusiastic responses from past clients, and the remodeler has all the traits and expertise you’re looking for, you can feel secure you’re making the right choice. And you can rest assured that you’ve just given yourself the gift of a mostly stress-free home remodel.

At Cottage Industries, we have been working hard for over a quarter century to bring our customers the quality, expertise, and personal attention they deserve. Please schedule a conversation to find out how we can help you achieve your goals.

Many of our Main Line clients tells us they’re devoted to their neighbors and community, including the schools their children attend. But at some point they realize their home isn’t working as well as it used to. Maybe you’ve come to the same conclusion. The family’s growing, teenagers are using the kitchen as the neighborhood hangout, or the original layout no longer works for the way your family lives.

Large scale remodels are a great way to stay in the community you love while adding all the upgrades you need. From project design to final build, every remodeling project we do at Cottage Industries is aimed at helping you achieve your family’s lifestyle needs and goals, with minimum disruption and stress. A big remodel involves a fairly significant commitment of time, money, and patience, but it can add livability, comfort, and value to your existing home.

Tips for Your Main Line Remodel

Over the years we’ve put together some great tips to help our clients get through a large-scale remodel with their sanity and sense of humor intact:

Prepare for What Lies Ahead

Forewarned is forearmed, and starting the planning process early on can soothe your nerves and help keep the entire family on an even keel. Make a list of every detail: budget, timeline, and the scope and scale of the project. At Cottage Industries, we begin with an in-home consultation that includes questions designed to discover your priorities and goals. We believe it’s the best first step to creating a comprehensive design proposal that leaves little room for big surprises.

Move Out or Stay Put?

There are some large remodels where it isn’t possible for a family to stay in the home the entire time the work’s being done. In those cases, you’ll want to plan well in advance for an alternative living space. If your family will be living in the house during the remodel, you’ll need to plan for some interruption to your day-to-day routine. For example, some homeowners have set up a temporary kitchen in their garage or laundry room. Other disruptions to anticipate include:

Dust

ZipWalls are the first layer of protection and can be lifesavers, but there will still be some dust that makes it way to corners of your home. Where needed, we will use a compression-fit temporary wall that isolates the area under construction from the rest of the house. Air filtering systems can help by pulling the dust from the air.

Noise

From whining saws to the thump-thump of nail guns, there will be days when it is a constant. If possible, set up a room far from the racket where family members can escape, and consider investing in some good noise cancelling headphones if you will be around all day.

Anticipate mood swings.

There’ll be days you’re elated because the lavender tile has been removed from the bath, and others where you just can’t bear having a construction crew in the kitchen. Everyone goes through these ups and downs. Just hang in there and envision your newly remodeled home. Take comfort in the fact that homeowners tend to get most restless right before the job’s complete. Always tell your project manager if something is bothering you. Sometimes a small change that your project manager can make will be a big improvement in your life.

Plan for the unexpected.

Existing conditions like Improper wiring, damaged piping, and other unexpected surprises can occur. No one likes them, including your contractor, but if you mentally prepare yourself for the possibility, you’ll find them easier to accept. And changes can disrupt the best laid plans. Maybe you didn’t realize wood floors were a better choice than tile. Whatever change you want to make, it will probably add some time – and may change the budget. The sooner you make the change the better it can be worked into the plan.

Some final detailing may occur farther out.

Be prepared for one or two punch-list items that are resolved after major construction is complete. It may be some final tiles, a light fixture that didn’t quite work out, or a backordered towel bar. Whatever they are, remember that you’ll be glad you took the time to get the smallest of details right. At Cottage, we don’t rest until the job is 100% complete.

The Cottage Industries Process

Large-scale remodels can be stressful, but they are absolutely worth it in the end. We do our best to help our clients enjoy the process as much as possible. We believe that knowing what to expect helps allay our clients’ fears, and makes them better prepared for the remodel to come.