Architectural Services
Architects design the blueprints for a building project and often work directly with a general contractor to implement the construction plan. No matter how large or small your job is, a detailed plan of action is crucial to any construction project. If you have not drawn up blueprints for your project, many general contractors will have their own architectual team on board or they will refer you to a company who can work with you.
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Basement Remodeling
Many homeowners have unfinished basements and opt to renovate them into a functional space. Basements are rewarding renovation projects, allowing you to use your creativity to customize the space to your unique needs and preferences. Popular ideas include adding extra bedrooms, a bathroom, storage units, fitness center, playroom, office, bar, or laundry space.
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Bathroom Remodeling
Standard bathrooms usually contain a toliet, bathtub and a sink. Smaller, "half baths" are ideal for high traffic homes or for home owners who like to entertain. If you're thinking of creating an extra bathroom or remodeling an existing one, there's a number of different options to consider. Perhaps you could benefit from a stand up shower, a separate powder room, a vintage claw tub, new fixtures or unique flooring. As more and more people are remodeling and renovating, manufacturers are coming up with a wider variety of styles and materials to choose from. A good contractor will explain all of your options to you and give you enough time to consider the perfect design.
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Building Restoration and Preservation
Due to environmental factors and gradual wear and tear, buildings and homes will often need to be refurbished or restored to their original condition. Building restoration and preservation can involve a professional cleaning of a building's structures, general maintenance or even replacement of existing structures. With more extensive restoration projects, a building may be stripped down to its shell and built back up with new materials. Your contractor should be able to provide you with an honest assessment of your home or building's structures and what elements can be saved or should be replaced.
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Cabinetry
Wood working has developed into its own art form, offering homeowners beautiful designs for cabinets, doors, window casings, baseboards and trim. A reputable contractor should be prepared to show you product samples from affiliated manufacturers or work with your ideas for a custom design plan.
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Carpentry
There are two general sub-categories for carpentry: Rough and Finished. Rough carpentry usually involves the "framing" of a home or commercial building, including the vertical and horizontal support structures, floor joists and foundation sills. Finished contracting sets over the rough foundation, both inside and outside. Elements of finished contracting are siding, windows, flooring, wainscotting, trim and much more. Although some people may not realize it, a carpenter's work involves some of the most visible elements in your home. With this in mind, it's important to have meetings with a number of service providers before making a decision.
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Carpet Cleaning
When regular vaccuuming just isn't enough, professional teams of carpet cleaners have several methods they might use for a more thorough, buffering style of carpet cleaning. These methods include steam cleaning (most popular), as well as shampoo, foam, bonnet, and dry method carpet cleaning. Some carpet cleaners will use multiple variations of these methods, though the traditional, hot water steam cleaning approach is still most common.
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Cleaning and Maintenance Services
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Commercial Construction
Commercial construction is very different from residential construction, but it does have some of the same design and functionality, allowing many general contractors to take on both job types. Generally speaking commercial construction combines both office space with storage or warehouse space. Perhaps you're interested in creating a retail store out of an empty space or constructing a new restaurant. Commercial construction also includes larger or more complex projects such as a major mall or a full service gas station. Regardless of how large or small your commercial project is, you'll want to make sure the contractor you choose has extensive experience with similar jobs. Feel free to ask for references and pictures of their work.
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Commercial Remodeling
After many years in business, a commercial space may be in serious need of a "facelift." Or perhaps you've bought a building and need to change the design to accommdate a new business. Depending on the level of work required, a general contractor can produce great work. If a job is more complex, a commercial remodeling or construction specialist may be worth consulting with.
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Custom Furnishings
When searching for home furnshings to compliment your new home or remodeling job, you may discover that perfect, pre-made pieces are difficult to find. Fortunately, there's custom home furnishing specialists who can offer fresh design approaches for window treatments, seat coverings, upholstering and more. Usually a general contractor will be able to put you in touch with a reputable custom furnishing provider in your area.
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Custom Organizational Concepts
Today's approaches to design incorporate valuable, space saving features. It's becoming increasingly popular for contractors to specialize in closets that are customized to your unique needs and preferences. If additional storage and maximizing space is an important part of your overall design plan, make sure you ask for helpful hints and an expert opinion when you interview a potential contractor. It's important that they take your design concerns seriously, regardless of whether the job is large or small.
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Deck Inspection
Some cities and suburbs have very strict guidelines for decks and patios. Therefore, a deck inspection by a structural engineer is often needed for these types of construction projects. A qualified engineer can assess both new and old decks for mold, structural soundness and adherence to local codes. A good professional should also offer detailed plans for correcting any problems with a homeowner's existing deck.
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Decks and Porches
Adding or restoring a deck or patio can create a nice focal point to any home and serve as a great place to entertain. Today's decks are made from a variety of different materials that range in price and quality. Popular choices include pressure treated fir, pine, cedar, redwood or wood polymer, as well as concrete slab and brick pavers. Make sure you inquire about all your options, regardless of the manufacturer your contractor is affiliated with.
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Demolition
If you purchase a lot with a dilapidated home or building and are wanting to start from scratch, a demolition crew is a logical choice. Equipped with the necessary skills, licenses and machinery; demolition experts will be able to tear down an existing structure safely and efficiently. Most demolition service providers also have the machinery and outlets to remove rubble and debris from the job site. If you're in need of demolition services, make sure to ask about their removal service or for a referral if needed.
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Design/Build Program
Design/Build construction programs were created with the home or business owner’s schedule in mind. The project manager or general contractor will overlap different segments or phases of the project, including design, permit gathering, and the actual construction of the project. The Design/Build concept is an offshoot of the traditional Design-Bid-Build process and involves the collaboration of building professionals. This includes architects, project planners, any necessary subcontractors and, in-house workers.
Design/Build projects vary in a few ways. If the project involves one contractor who is in charge of both the design and construction of the project, the program is called "Contractor – Led Design/Build." If the client is actually a design firm that will be handling this phase of the construction process, the job is known as “Design – Led Design/Build” In these cases, design and construction are rarely handled by one group, instead opting to subcontract either part of the job.
The benefits of using the Design/Build approach to complete your project are three-fold: First, the program means that the Design/Build contractor will be accountable for all elements of the building process. Secondly, the deliveries of services come from a single source, eliminating the need to communicate with multiple parties regarding their progress. Finally, the project offers a unique way to gauge value. For instance, if the owner decides to change materials or methods of construction to meet their needs, the owner simply needs to adjust the program without having to re-bid the entire project. Above all, Design/Build programs are usually completed more quickly as a result of streamlining all elements of the building project.
The typical process for a Design/Build program involves the following steps:
1. The owner recognizes their need to build or expand a commercial, residential or industrial space.
2. The owner (or their agent) prepares a list of requirements for the project.
3. The owner approaches a Design/Build firm to develop the project using their maximum price as a guideline.
4. The Design/Build firm prepares its proposal for the design, timeline and costs of a project.
5. If the owner accepts these terms and conditions, a contract is drafted and signed by both parties.
6. The Design/Build contractor carries out the entire project with the help of in-house professionals.
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Electrical
Most eletrical service companies are equipped to handle both residential and commercial jobs. On a smaller scale, an electrical contractor can install new outlets, ceiling fans or a new fuse box. However, there are a lot of other valuable services to consider when building or remodeling your home—Upgrading your electrical system, designing a brand new lighting and power network, installing security systems, emergency lighting, motion sensors and much more.
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Fences
Perhaps you're trying to add aesthetic value to your home through an ornamental fence, or you're simply looking for some extra privacy. Whatever your situation may be, modern technology has created an impressive catalog of designs and materials for homeowners. Traditional fences are usually made of wood or chainlink; however, vinyl and wrought iron fencing have become a lot more affordable. A general contractor should be able to walk you through your options and give you an idea of the cost associated with the project—if they don't offer this particular service, they should be able to refer you to someone who does.
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Flooring
New flooring offers any home a clean, finished look. Whether you're starting from scratch or having your floors completely restored, you'll certainly find a surface that compliments your own taste and requirments. Today's popular style choices include oak, parqet, vinyl, stone, tile, ceramic and marble. You may also want to consider some style variations for your existing floors such as natural stain, dark stain or a bleached floor.
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General Contracting
Overall, a general contractor provides home building services for an owner or developer. They may have their own team of builders or outsource certain jobs to subcontractor groups. Usually, the party commissioning the job (the home owner) rarely deals with subcontractors and communicates directly with the general contractor. However, a home owner can work as their own general contractor, dealing directly with subcontractors and overseeing the administration and organization of the entire building project. Depending on the nature of the job, a general contractor can also take on commercial projects or specialized jobs within the project.
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Gutter Installation and Replacement
A gutter (also known as an eaves trough or eaves sprout) is extremely important to a house's structure. Not only does it drain water off a building, but in doing so, it also prevents the shingles and underlying support system from rotting. Over time, gutters need to be repaired or replaced with seamless aluminum, copper or galvanized steel.
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Heating and Cooling Systems
Your comfort and health at home or work are largely dependent on the quality and temperature of the air. Yet, heating and cooling system maintenance is often neglected, especially in residental homes.
Modern HVAC systems integrate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning functions to control the temperature and humidity of the air in a building. HVAC systems should be considered during any home or commercial construction project, and most remodeling and renovation plans. Heating and cooling equipment is generally designed to last 15-20 years, so it's also wise to consider HVAC replacement after that time.
In researching HVAC contractors, remember that experience and skill is required to size and match an HVAC unit to existing ductwork, and extensive knowledge of the intricacies of proper ventilation is a must. Poor design can result in inconsistent temperature flow, low air quality, and higher costs. Choosing the right contractor for your HVAC needs means efficient, cost-effective heating and cooling.
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Home Theater
Whether you're looking to add value to your unfinished basement or simply experience the luxury of high definition entertainment, a personal theater system is a great improvement to any home. By combining state-of-the art audio and visual equipment with exceptional craftsmanship, a qualified contractor can reproduce the movie theater experience at home. This service includes designing and installing equipment, wiring, lighting, seating, and interior design suggestions.
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Industrial Services
Generally speaking, industrial construction services involve remodeling or constructing centers where goods and services are distributed. Usually, industrial construction is more complex than commercial construction and can encompass industrial electrical services, plant maintenance, turnarounds, program management and safety assurance systems.
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Interior Design
Proper interior design ensures that a home's architecture and design elements work together harmoniously and are appropriate to the function of each room. Common criteria for design include proper lighting, scale, proportion and color. When designing a non-residential building, an experienced interior designer will focus more on a space's functionality while still addressing its aesthetic elements.
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Junk and Debris Removal
With any remodeling or landscaping project there is often extra garbage or old appliances that need to be taken away before or after the project. Professional, efficient and cost effective junk and debris removal services are available to collect almost everything including industrial and commercial waste, old cars, broken windows and even lawn clippings.
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Kitchen Remodeling
The kitchen is often the most high-traffic area in your entire home. Today's trends include separate sections for multi-tasking, U-shaped designs, stainless steel and professional grade appliances, granite counter tops, custom made cabinets, and butcher blocks. Even if you don't have a lot of space to work with, an experienced contractor will be able to provide you with space maximizing and product ideas that will best meet your needs.
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Landscaping
Most of us value our leisure time and want to make the most of our time at home. One way to do this is by relaxing in an expertly crafted yard or garden. Landscape contractors can give you lawn and garden ideas you may not have thought of on your own. A landscaping specialist may be especially needed after the construction of a new home. Popular trends in landscaping include outdoor fireplaces, brooks, fountains, hardscapes such as stone walkways and patios, or a beautifully designed outdoor lighting system.
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Marble and Granite
Bring the beauty of nature inside with a striking granite surface or countertop. Granite is a tough, natural stone that forms over millions of years. It comes in a range of colors, patterns, depths, and complexities, giving it a truly unique beauty - just as unique as your interior design style! You can choose a textured, matte, or high-polish finish for your granite surface, depending on your tastes and needs. While the characteristics of granite make it an enviable addition to your favorite room, granite is also incredibly functional. Its strength makes it an ideal, worry-free surface for the kitchen, bathroom, or even for flooring. Consider granite for any counter or vanity top, around a shower, as a bar top, or for a mantle...wherever you'd like to add a beautiful, functional workspace or focal point.
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Masonry
This design skill refers to stone work that is meant to accent or support a home or building's architectural structure. Masons typically work with stone, brick, and ceramic tile to construct interior and exterior walkways, floors, columns, window openings, and patios. Natural materials are necessary and aesthetically pleasing enhancements to any home or business and are worth discussing with your general contractor or masonry specialist.
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Master Bathroom Remodeling
A master bathroom has become an essential room in many households. For some,
it's a convenient alternative to fighting for a spot in the family bathroom. For others, it's the perfect, private spot for some occassional relaxation. For many, it's both. The right remodeling contractor and design team can help you find the ideal balance of function and luxury.
What to consider for your new or remodeled master bathroom:
- Think about your daily routine - Would double sinks be most efficient? Perhaps it'd be handy to have a linen closet right in the bathroom. How about cabinet space?
- Ask your contractor about lighting options - think about makeup application, shaving, dressing, etc.
- Shower vs. Tub - versus both! Many couples opt for a stand-up shower for the everyday routine, plus an oversized tub for relaxing soaks
Recent trends in master bathrooms:
- Dual shower heads
- ...as well as full-body massage sprayers
- Heated floors and/or heated towel racks
- A television!
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Master Bedroom Remodeling
Still waking up every morning in the same old bedroom with dated wallpaper, bad lighting, and cramped closet space? If you currently spend as little time in your bedroom as possible, something is terribly wrong.
Many people now look at the master bedroom as an opportunity to create a relaxing retreat within their home. More than just your sleeping quarters, your master bedroom should be a space that you are delighted to share with your spouse, that brightens your mornings, and helps you unwind at night. This is a project that can do more than remodel the bedroom...it just might also revitalize your mood, your love, and your life.
What to consider for your master bedroom remodel or addition:
- Light - relocating or adding a window might allow for optimal natural light. Keep in mind, though, that your contractor will be limited by things like closet placement and basic room design.
- Closets! Do you prefer 2 personal closets or one big walk-in? Many contractors specialize in custom closet design to ensure that you get a convenient, functional space.
- Televisions and computers are often looked at as a no-no in the master bedroom. But if you must have either, consider a custom storage unit or armoire. This way you can tuck your taboo electronics away when they're not in use.
- Many couples plan for a lounging or reading area—perhaps you'd like to design a sunny nook into your bedroom, complete with built-in bookshelves and plush seating. Or a window seat that provides extra storage beneath it.
Recent master bedroom trends:
- Kitchen and/or wet bar with room for a coffee maker, toaster, small fridge, and wine rack.
- Balcony - a comfortable place to enjoy your coffee or wine!
- Fireplace
- Classic, neutral colors and textures that will stay in style
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New Home Construction
Building a new home can be both an exciting and overwhelming project. Having an idea of the layout is a good first step, but finding the right contractor is even more important. It is becoming more common for contracting companies to have a comprehensive approach to home building, rather than outsourcing each particular job to architectural design crews and sub-contractors. Any contractor should have an impressive list of references and before and after pictures of similar jobs. In researching contractors for your new home, it is also critical to inquire about licensing, certification, worker's compensation, and warranties on craftsmanship and product quality.
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Painting
Professional interior or exterior painting offers any home or business a clean, finished appearance. A painting project is worth pursuing if your home has many windows, walls or high ceilings. Many painting contractors can also help you experiment with customized, decorative painting techniques and materials for your home, like faux finishes, murals, interior venetian stucco, or even metallic paint! Painting specialists can inform you of trends in paint color and install window and wall treatments.
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Plumbing
Plumbing problems can cause a great inconvenience, leaving homeowners and building managers scrambling for plumbing repairs and replacements. Choosing a quality plumbing contractor the first time can help prevent such emergencies.
You should consider your plumbing needs during most home and commercial construction, remodeling and renovation projects. When redoing a bathroom, you'll need an experienced and skilled contractor to replace your toilet, sink and tub or shower. Kitchen work will also require a quality plumbing contractor, and good plumbing professionals also perform water heater replacement. For quality plumbing installation, repairs, and replacement, performed on time and within your budget, be sure to carefully choose a qualified plumbing contractor.
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Porches
A porch is a roofed structure that is open at the front and sides. There are several different porch designs to consider and its size should be determined by the size of your family and how much you would like to use it. A porch is great for protecting your front entrance from environmental elements and can even serve as outdoor dining space in nice weather. Helpful Tip: Make sure your porch design is in scale with the rest of your house. You don't want to overwhelm your home's architecture, nor do you want to detract from the beauty of your porch by making it too small.
Concrete Porch vs Wood Porch
Porches are often constructed from concrete or wood, or a combination of the two. Concrete porches tend to be more durable and weather resistant, and they won't need the regular maintenance and staining of wood. Concrete can crack over time, however, so repairs may have to be made over the years. Wood is also generally a more visually appealling material for porches. Many modern porches will use concrete as a base, with wood or other building materials added to the exterior.
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Roofing
Keeping your roof in good condition is critical to locking in heat and sealing out the cold and rain. Today's roofing materials are more resistant to outdoor elements and are definitely more aesthetically pleasing. Common choices include fiber glass asphalt, cedar shake, shingled, flat, slate, copper, clay and tile roofs.
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Room Additions
Perhaps your lifestyle or family's needs have changed and you're ready to expand your existing home. Adding extra rooms will create that much needed space and increase the value of your home. You'll want to work closely with your contractor in developing this extra space and be wary of "cramming" too many ammenities into one room. When this happens, common elements such as doorways and closets can end up in odd places. An experienced contractor with a good handle on functionality will give you the results you're looking for. You may also want to consider an interior designer who can work directly with your construction team.
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Siding
Quality siding, installed with skill and an artistic eye, can add incredible aesthetic value to a home, as well as prevent heat loss and protect against environmental elements. Popular siding materials include vinyl, wood, metal, and fiber cement. Vinyl and fiber cement are popular, maintenance-free alternatives to traditional wood siding, although modern technology has increased the functionality and popularity of wood.
For your siding project, look for a contractor who specializes in exterior design and will consider every necessary detail, like age of your home, local climate, your maintenance needs, neighborhood aesthetic, possible historic restoration, and your personal style.
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Soffits (Facia)
A small ceiling-like space, often on the underside of a roof or overhang. Soffits can also be installed under an indoor ceiling to utilize space above cabinets and at the corner of a celing and wall. Today's trends for soffits are Frank Lloyd Wright inspired—widely designed with clean, straight edges.
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Space Planning
Finding the best way to utilize new or existing space can be a very difficult task. A skilled contractor can offer ideas or possibly direct you to an interior designer who specializes in space planning. Some of today's popular space saving devices include stackable wooden crates, shelving units that hang on the wall, bookcases, decorative trunks and adjustable shelves.
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Structural Engineering
Branch of engineering that deals with the design and construction of load-bearing structures such as buildings, retaining walls, dams, decks and porches.
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Tuckpointing
This precise, time consuming task involves filling in the spaces between mortar joints (or the spaces between bricks or stones). Over time, bricks may loosen or crack due to inclement weather or stress. A professional tuckpointer can repair weakened structures and restore your brick or stonework to its original beauty.
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Window Replacement
Windows are perhaps the biggest focal point of your home. Whether you're replacing old windows or having them installed in your new home, you should consider all of your options and pick out a collection of windows that best represents your individual taste and lifestyle. Vinyl and wood window frames are still the most common materials used in today's market. FYI...as an added service, many manufacturers will work with your general contractor to custom design and construct windows and skylights.
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