Ask Mason tagged 'remodeling'

OK, Admit It... Size DOES Matter!

Mason — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Hello - doing a kitchen makeover and keeping the original cabinets (30 yrs old but solid wood). Problem is the Kenmore wall oven in a cabinet is 23" - the cabinet holding it is 27". I've searched the net, there are no more 23" wall ovens out there. I can't think of how I can fit one it, or make the existing cabinet any bigger. Replacing the cabinet would be difficult to match color & quality. Any suggestions? Please help!!! Thanks!

Chrissie

[...]

On Cabinet Refacing, Square Pegs and Round Holes

Mason — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Mason, enjoy your articles. After 12 years in the refacing business, I finally started my own co. What do you think of the laminate and veneer process? Since I am now also doing sales, I could use any sales pitches you might have. Thanks!

Kirk B Reno, NV

Kirk,

Congratulations on taking the jump to ownership. Remember, you're not your own boss... now you have so many more bosses - your customers!

I confess that when I first read your inquiry [...]

Why Invest in Remodeling, In Today's Market?

Mason — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Some of the earliest signs of the present economic troubles appeared in the nation's housing industry. Presently, new home starts (as indicated by permit activity) have dredged 25-year lows, and existing home sales have fallen even as they become seemingly more affordable amidst heretofore unseen devaluation. As lenders tighten their practices, real estate finance has become markedly more conservative, decreasing the ability for many to obtain credit for purchases and improvem [...]

Earth-Friendly Systems Sources

Mason — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Hello,

We are remodeling a home in Midlothian and we are trying to come up with very efficient and eco-friendly technology to integrate into the home including, solar panels, radiant heating, water recycling, geo thermal heating, heat recovery systems and smart technology.

Is there anyone out there selling these services in Central Virginia for one stop shopping that could provide a plan to achieve the highest efficiencies based on what is available. We moved from Engl [...]

Good Design

Mason — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800

The current issue of dwell magazine includes an essay entitled "What We Talk About When We Talk About Good Design". What, indeed, is good design?

The piece aptly points out that the term is as naïve as it is loaded (surely, too, the same might be said of "good taste" but we'll leave that argument to Martha Stewart and Charley the Tuna).

To prime your pump, quoting from the article: It suggests such an apparent universality that any o [...]

Good Design

Mason — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800

The current issue of dwell magazine includes an essay entitled "What We Talk About When We Talk About Good Design". What, indeed, is good design?

The piece aptly points out that the term is as naïve as it is loaded (surely, too, the same might be said of "good taste" but we'll leave that argument to Martha Stewart and Charley the Tuna).

To prime your pump, quoting from the article: It suggests such an apparent universality that any o [...]

Poker & Unlicensed Contractors

Mason — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Who thought the interest in gambling would be so great that the World Series of Poker would be televised on ESPN? Obviously, somebody's watching.

An interesting point in that regard, quoting Pug Pearson, 1973 World Series of Poker champion, made this observation about human nature:

"The real thing to know is that folks will stand to lose more than they will to win. That's the most important percentage there is. I mean, if they lose, they'r [...]

What is the Value?

Mason — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -1800

One of my favorite entries was lost during some recent website updating, so I thought I'd re-post it here. The theme appears to be more pertinent than ever as home values have taken a turn unlike that seen in previous years. Read on...

Somewhere during early conversations with almost every client, we are asked something to the effect of "Do you think we'll build value with our proposed renovation?"

Naturally, I have had plenty of opportunity to build [...]

Kitchen Flooring - Stick a Cork in It!

Mason — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Mason,

Would you recommend cork flooring for a kitchen?

Brenda G. Dallas, TX

Dang, Brenda, I didn’t know our blog went all the way to the Lone Star State! Welcome, and know that I love your question!

There are SO many choices for flooring these days. Kitchens, obviously, have some very special needs in terms of durability, maintenance, clean-up, comfort, and of course, STYLE! The “best” floor for your kitchen should be based on which of these consider [...]

House Lust

Mason — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Highly recommend this book for anyone involved, interested or intrigued by the housing industry. House Lust: America's Obsession with our Homes by Daniel McGinn is an entertaining and easy read (those aspects of any book being important to me). The premise of McGinn's study is the evolution of the American mindset wherein those things previously considered luxuries are becoming necessities - particularly regarding real estate and housing.

The book covers the gro [...]

(Sing Along:) Who's Afraid of a Load-Bearing Wall?

Mason — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Mason,

I have a small (1400 sf) old Cape. There is a wall with a double-door opening that separates the living room from a small sunroom. Around the corner from that, there is a tiny bathroom and corridor that separates that sunroom from the kitchen. I'd really like to remove the wall and the bathroom and open the whole space up. My question is, what are the factors that need to be considered to do this and keep my house from falling down? I hear the term "load bearing wall&qu [...]

Getting Engaged - with a Design/Builder

Mason — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Mason:

What are the three best questions that a homeowner can ask when trying to choose a design/build firm and why?

Evan

Evan,

I appreciate your question... naturally, finding a good "fit" between yourself and a building / remodeling partner is the first and most important key to a successful project experience.

Take a look back at my archived post "On Selecting a Contractor" (August 2007). There, we talk about achieving a [...]

Be a Bother!

Mason — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Dear Readers:

Greetings from your chief blogger that, nine months ago, had no idea how these things work!

Our web developer has given us some analytics for our site, indicating that AskMason is the #1 most-visited section of our website; in excess of 1,000 views a month. Promotion has been mostly “word of mouth” and via the typically-available search tools (word-of-mouth for the 21st century).

I know that EVERYONE has questions about caring-for or imp [...]

Question Me an Answer - Remodeling Porn

Mason — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Surfing the remodeling industry blogosphere, I found this thought-provoking post on Remodeling Magazine’s website blog.

The topic is certainly of interest to remodelers and prospective remodeling homeowners alike, so I thought I’d share it with you, Dear Readers. My short answer to the question (THAT is out of character for me!), is that HGTV and the like have been both wonderful (spurring interest) and horrible (let’s just say that many of us refer to it as &l [...]

Green Bath Remodel

Mason — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -1800

Mason:

Could HomeMasons advise me on saving money in remodeling by reusing existing components of my house like doors, cabinets and the like? It would be helpful if you could tell me where reuse of my existing materials would save money and where it would not be advisable.

Could you also give advise on how to incorporate "green" energy saving and "sustainable" components in my remodeling project?

Thanks.
PB in Richmond

PB:

Award-Winning Kitchen

Mason — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -1800

We’re quite proud of this recently-completed project, which won a Platinum award for kitchens in its cost category, in the national Best of the Best remodeling competition.

The kitchen work was part of a larger, whole-house remodel for a young couple in the West End. The Owners, local restauranteurs, wanted commercial-quality stainless equipment, and a whole lot of contemporary style.

Build Up? Build Out?

Mason — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -1800

Dear Mason,

Seriously ready and eager to put a large addition onto our late 1970’s rancher…. Should we build up or build out? Is a second story addition far more expensive to engineer and build than a first floor expansion? Does building up add more value in the long run or is every house different?

Tracy B, Ashland, VA

Tracy,

When it comes to the expected magnitude of investment for remodeling and additions, it most often holds true that [...]

Triad of the Sages

Mason — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -1800

In the course of some reading recently, I happened across this: According to the sages of ancient India, there are three fundamental processes at work in the universe: creation, preservation, and transformation.

Interesting. Those processes are at the core of what we do in the design and building / renovation business. [...]

What is the value?

Mason — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -1800

Somewhere during early conversations with almost every client, we are asked something to the effect of “Do you think we’ll build value with our proposed renovation?”

Naturally, I have had plenty of opportunity to build (what I think is) the proper response, which asks the homeowner to dig deeper regarding his or her definition of value.