We’re listed in America’s Top Remodelers of 2011!
America's Top Remodelers is a national list released in the fall honoring top companies throughout the country and Affordable Contracting, Inc. has made the list! Check it out at HousingZone.com/2011Leaders!
Professional Remodeler Magazine (www.HousingZone.com) has been presenting Market Leaders – an annual listing of the top remodelers in the 20 largest markets in the country for many years now.
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Kitchen Remodeling: A Space-Saving Design
Through the years, we have contracted many kitchen remodels. It’s shocking how many exquisite designs can be captured in such an engaging space! Some kitchens have dramatic architecture and grand-scaled islands while others are smaller in frame with fine details. Nonetheless, large or small, every kitchen needs optimum storage and space-saving design.
Here are a few ways you can incorporate smart space in your next kitchen.
Pull-Out Pantry Units
Being organized can save more than time, it can save money. Knowing what you have stored in your cabinetry that would otherwise be hard to find is eliminating an extra purchases down the road. Consider pull-out pantry units to have a systematic approach to storing and obtaining items.
Hidden Stepladder Storage
Most newly designed kitchens have cabinets nearly reaching 8 or 9-foot ceilings. These are also considered to be hard to reach places. So, to take advantage of the added space in the upper cabinets, include a folding and/or built-in stepladder that easily enables you to move it along the bottom cabinetry units and tuck under when not in use.
Wall-Hung Plate Rack
These make for an intriguing focal point in the kitchen. You can quickly have access to all your dishware at a glance.
Island
Most modern kitchens of today feature the elegant looking islands. Having an island in the kitchen allows for added counter-space for meal-prep and serves as added seats.
Hanging Pot Rack
Pot racks above the island make for an appealing design. Consider adding a 3-5 foot oval hanging rack to place all your pots and pans.
Escape in a New Retreat
We all know the master bath is one of the most important elements to any home. For some, it’s a private retreat to escape the stress of everyday life. If your master bath is feeling the need of added attention and more forward thinking design, consider remodeling your sweet spot with a more contemporary look.
Here are some fresh ideas, as provided by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).
Freestanding Tubs – Place the tub in the middle of the bathroom so it’s front and center. This will create a unique focal point in the space. Angled tubs as well as rounded and rectangular tubs will be sure to make a statement. Add a bit more class by including open French doors.
Natural Touches – Utilizing elegant stones and translucent crystals will add a sense of calmness to the bath. On a previous post (Color Trends in the Kitchen and Bath), we discussed some must have colors giving way in 2011-2012. It’s all about natural espresso hues and gray undertones, much like pebbles found in a stream.
Inlaid Flooring – Incorporate several variations of inlaid flooring through your bathrooms. Consider decorated hardwood floor inlays with boarded and parquetry. Custom hardwood floor medallions are also top of line elements to spruce of the interior of your master bath.
Color Trends in the Kitchen and Bath
In 2011 we are spotting unique colors in both kitchen and bath remodels that will carry themselves into 2012.
If you’re looking to update your next kitchen and bath and want to stay on trend, consider the following color schemes:
Gray Undertones
Gray along with neutral colors has always been a common occurrence. Lately, the kitchen has been sporting lighter colors with a gray undertone. The cabinetry features a white or off-white tone with countertops promoting an uplifting grayish tone. Backsplashes are also including a touch of gray in violet and blue.
Espresso and Chocolate
Although gray tones are considered a natural color, espresso and chocolate colors are also leading way in the cabinetry arena. With a natural finish, the kitchen is topped off with brushed nickel hardware and light porcelain tile flooring.
Bright Hues
Prominent colors including orange and reds have been weaving their way into the kitchen space for quite some time. It’s not until more recently that we have seen these colors interchangeably in the kitchen space, whether it be an accent wall or backslash color.
Along with the featured colors, try incorporating use of interesting textures and tons of storage with intricate detail on the ceiling.
What's your favorite up and coming color trend?
5 Tips for Putting the Glam Back in Your Home
With the summer coming at an end and the heat dying down, now is the perfect time of year to make simple touch-ups to spruce up your home’s interior and exterior. Let’s face it; remodeling can be expensive, especially if looking to get that dream kitchen you’ve always wanted. If you don’t have the dollars to allocate quite yet, relax—there’s no need to dive into a full-remodeling project with these 5 simple tips for getting your home up to par in the meantime.
Replace Front Entry Hardware
It’s important to add curb appeal to your home. For this small project, consider updating your front entry hardware. Bronze and brush nickel are two of the most prominent types of hardware used throughout most modern homes today.
Restain the Deck
For many homeowners and renters alike, the backyard area is a true haven. Kick back and relax
on a newly stained deck. Staining your deck can protect the wood of stains, mildew and damaging effects of UV rays. While you’re at it… include some lanterns and update the furnishings. You can find great deals on outdoor novelties towards the end of the summer season.
Update Fixtures
If your home hasn’t had any updates in terms of lighting, you may want to do a quick walk-thru and see where you can add a bit of charm by substituting an old light fixture with a more contemporary look. To make an impact, opt to replace your foyer light with a small crystal chandelier to add the “wow” factor when guests first enter your home.
Paint Cabinetry
Get creative. Paint can do wonders for a home and almost serve as a mini-face lift. Consider replacing the cabinetry hardware and updating the cabinets with a bold new color.
Dress the Windows
An easy and simple way to update the living room is to add a splash of color to the windows. Whether you wish for down to the floor window treatments or wood shades, change out your current window dressings for anew.
What little updates have you done to add more character to your home?
The premier Atlanta home remodeling lands the #4 spot in the Atlanta Business Chronicle for Remodeling Contractor Market Leaders
Atlanta, GA [July 5, 2011] – Affordable Contracting, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia’s finest home and remodeling contractors, is proud to announce that they have recently been recognized as a remodeling contractor market leader, placing forth in the Atlanta Business Chronicle for the week of June 17-23, 2011.
The Atlanta Business Chronicle provides breaking business news, updated throughout the day, targeting business leaders in the Atlanta, GA area. Dated June 17-23, 2011, the publication gave way for residents to learn about the best businesses in the area for a variety of categories. With listings of hundreds of the most renown area companies in their fields, all by ranking. Readers now have access to receive the names of key decisions makers, along with their titles and contact information.
Among the remodeling contractor portion in the publication, Affordable Contracting was placed 4 out of 25 businesses as a market leader. The company drove $3.9 million in 2010 residential remodeling revenue in Atlanta, with 75% stemming full-service, 5% specialty, 5% handyman services, and 15% other services. The company had a total of 20 full-time employees jobs accepted, ranging from $250-$1 million when Affordable Contracting was established in 2004.
“We are ecstatic that we came in the Atlanta's top 25 companies for residential remodeling contractors,” says Lance Smith, President and Owner at Affordable Contracting. “Our hard work and talented staff coupled with our customer satisfaction really does say it all!”
How to Establish Your Next Home Remodeling Game Plan
Remember when you bought your last car? If you are anything like me, you probably had to go through a tedious process of trying to pinpoint exactly what you wanted, especially among the newer choices of a gas guzzler or a new eco-friendly vehicle. Once you finally selected the vehicle of your interest, the next step was to narrow down the options of what is most affordable and have a game plan set in place. Once the two requirements are met – model and cost, you’re off to a local showroom to see the finished product and learn the ins and outs of the vehicle and ultimately test drive.
So How Does Buying a Car Relate to Home Remodeling?
I’m sure by now you might be wondering how this relates to home remodeling. Well, it’s simple. When you prepare for a remodeling project, surprisingly, it is very similar to purchasing a car. The good news is that your home is still your BEST investment, as your car starts depreciating as soon as you drive it off the lot. But, as soon as your bathroom or kitchen remodel is complete, your home will immediately appreciate in value.
So What’s the Game Plan with a Home Remodeling Project?
To start your next home remodeling project, you first want to compile a general list of everything you want included and prioritize your list. **Warning** this step is extremely important! In order to have the end result, you want your designer and contractor to have a clear vision of what exactly you are wanting so they can better understand your goals.
Show Me the Money!
As I said earlier, your home will be one, if not, the best investment you’ll ever make. So why not invest solely in home improvements? I’m sure we have all heard or read somewhere about the great return that’s guaranteed with remodeling and updating your home. In fact, statistics confirm that you will have 45% - 85% of a return, which of course, is all depending on the size and scope of your project, and the location of your home. Your home = your future… face it and a remodeling project not only will give you a high return on your investment, but also will be a nice space that you will can enjoy for years to come.
Right now, renovating a home is much easier than it was during the real estate boom. Back then, homeowners were complaining to contractors about the lack of response. The frenzy around housing values increasing stirred plenty of business for contractors, who were so successful that they wouldn't provide price quotes. The end price would be due upon remodel completion and homeowners would need to be in a position act fast. That was then, and this is now.
Now, a few years following the economic downturn, homeowners are apprehensive to spend money on any remodel project. In turn, this allowed time for those who survived the crash to evaluate and keep the best crews and staff on board. While some contractors are getting by, most are not.
We took advantage of this time to strengthen our company structure and implement software to help us provide a better service for our clients in the future. Given the adjustments, there are some great benefits to move forward with Affordable Contracting. Aggressive pricing, professional staff, internal systems to support the entire process, production teams for managing the project, and project managers to oversee the job are just a few of the benefits you receive with us.
The average payback for a renovation has decreased over time, but baths and kitchens still remain at the top. Historically, renovations never did pay back at a 1:1 ratio. For every dollar you put in a house, it might only yield 80 cents at time of resale. A moderate kitchen or bathroom redo had historically paid back about 85 cents on the dollar. Today, that equates to nearly 65 cents on the dollar. This is why you never do a renovation to increase your home's value in today’s market; you do it to increase your enjoyment of the home while you're living in it.
So, we want to hear from recent homeowners that have invested in a remodeling project since the announcement of the recession in 2007. What motivated you to update your home during the down economy?
Last Thursday I had an opportunity to attend the Cambria 2011 color release event with one of our manufacturers. I recall at about 2:00PM, it began sleeting and raining so I started questioning my attendance due to the nasty weather. It was then I decided to contact some of my colleagues to determine if they too had second thoughts on attending the event. After a few calls, we decided, it was in everyone’s best interest to support our vendor and sales associates.
At about 4:30PM we loaded up and took off for Downtown Atlanta. At first, I suspected it would be another meet and greet, located in a warehouse setting looking at counter top slabs and making small talk. Upon my surprise, when we programmed the location of the event into the GPS, I realized the event was being held on Miami Circle in Buckhead. This raised suspicion as many businesses in this area sell primarily to designers, architects and high-end remodelers and builders. Anyway... we made our journey and arrived at around 5:30PM. Upon our arrival, my colleagues and I were shocked to see how well this event was organized and the money that Cambria invested in releasing the 2011 stone selection. Despite the rain, that would not give us a break, the stone slabs were available to view in a huge tent, located in the parking lot of Eclipse di Luna restaurant. After spending about 30-minutes being amazed by the introduction of all the new colors, we went inside to enjoy steak, seared tuna, calamari and several other great h’orderves along with an open bar.
Given the current economic state, we are still seeing that homeowners are looking for ways to improve their house rather than trying to sell it. Therefore, a lot of remodeling projects are in the midsts and mainly entail work being done in both the kitchen and bath.
One popular trend, and one that seems to the most common item on the “wish list” when remodeling, is the use of sustainable materials. Within the last year, we have seen an increase on green remodeling projects more and more. Consumers are becoming overly interested in conserving energy, not so much during the remodeling aspect, but rather the utilization of green materials that are invested in the home to make a greater impact on their wallet down the line.
Often times, homeowners aren’t sure where to begin their search on the types of energy efficient products that are on the market. A great location to start is at your local home show where you can meet several vendors and learn about products that will work best for your next home project.
Thousands of people attend home shows annually and hundreds of local, state and national vendors display their products and services. Each show educates attendees on new products and trends for that coming year. So, if you’re thinking about making some serious upgrades to your home the near future and want to be as sustainable as possible, make sure to check out your local home show to get started.
