Ask Mason tagged 'remodeling' http://www.remodelrichmond.com Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:36:22 -1800 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Chic-Coutertops-for-the-Granite-Averse.html/Itemid,28/ <p class="MsoNormal">I went shopping today with a client that was disinclined to use granite tops in her new kitchen.&nbsp; As my readers may know, I am a huge fan of the diversity of design possibilities, as well as the fairly indestructible quality of granite countertops.&nbsp; On the flip side, the designer in me loathes the wasted opportunity of plopping-down the same stuff as appears in nearly every other high-end kitchen in town.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNorma [...] Mason Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling kitchens green granite design countertops http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Looking-for-Love-REMODEL!!.html/Itemid,28/ I just HAD to pass this one along to our readers. Of course, you come to this weblog for tips on how to get lucky, right (hands, please)?<br/><br/><br/>Well, the latest advisor to the lovelorn is - who else - Kilz products (that's right, those folks that make the stain-blocking primer we're all so very fond-of).<br/><br/><br/>According to the latest Kilz Roller Report:<br/><br/><br/>- 85% of women would prefer a $5,000 room remodel over a new pair of diamond earrings<br/><br/>- 63% of women consider home decor to be a key in [...] Mason Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:00:00 -1800 value renovation remodeling http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Lets-Not-Say-Cheap-Rather....html/Itemid,28/ <p>&nbsp;In this economy, many of our remodeling-happy customers have a renewed interest in cost-sensitive improvements.&nbsp; As usual, we ALL want to achieve the greatest impact; the most WOW factor for our investment.</p><p>Regardless the economic situation, some folks just cannot leave things alone, around their homes.&nbsp; We refer to them as serial remodelers.&nbsp; Bless their souls!</p><p>I&#39;ll be posting a series of great ideas along these lines in upcoming pieces.&nbsp; Let&#39;s n [...] Mason Tue, 05 May 2009 01:00:00 -1800 value renovation remodeling millwork design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Roofing-an-Addition.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason:</p><p>I have a house with a slate roof.&nbsp; I am thinking about putting on an addition but fear that continuing the slate would be very expensive.&nbsp; Is there a less-costly alternative that would not look too disjointed?&nbsp; I was thinking of a metal roof of some kind.&nbsp; What do you think?</p><p>DM,&nbsp; Richmond, VA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Dear DM:</p><p>OK; first... determine your favorite roof song of all time:</p><p>When this old world starts getting me down, and people are [...] Mason Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:00:00 -1800 value roofing remodeling design additions http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Color-My-World---21.html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; The psychological influence of our environment is undeniable.&nbsp; As the Creator established and continually transforms our natural environment, we designers of city plans, architecture, landscape, interiors and decorative / industrial goods exert a similar influence on the built environment. <p>I will be the first to admit that picking colors is not my primary area of competence.&nbsp; Architectural design, however, is only a piece of what makes our built environment &quot;come alive&q [...] Mason Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,You-Know-that-You-Need-a-Smaller-Oven-When....html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; <p>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&quot; - the cabinet holding it is 27&quot;. I&#39;ve searched the net, there are no more 23&quot; wall ovens out there. I can&#39;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 &amp; quality. Any suggestions? Please help!!! Thanks!</p><p>Chrissie</p><p>&nbsp; [...] Mason Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling kitchens http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,On-Cabinet-Refacing-Square-Pegs-and-Round-Holes.html/Itemid,28/ <p>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.&nbsp; Thanks!</p><p>Kirk B Reno, NV</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Kirk,</p><p>Congratulations on taking the jump to ownership.&nbsp; Remember, you&#39;re not your own boss... now you have so many more bosses - your customers!</p><p>I confess that when I first read your inquiry [...] Mason Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800 value select contractor renovation remodeling kitchens bathrooms http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Why-Invest-in-Remodeling-In-Todays-Market-.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Some of the earliest signs of the present economic troubles appeared in the nation&#39;s housing industry.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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 [...] Mason Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -1800 value select contractor repairs renovation remodeling handyman financing contractors http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Earth-Friendly-Systems-Sources.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Hello,</p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;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.&nbsp; We moved from Engl [...] Mason Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800 select contractor renovation remodeling HVAC green contractors http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Good-Design.html/Itemid,28/ <p>The current issue of dwell magazine includes an essay entitled &quot;What We Talk About When We Talk About Good Design&quot;.&nbsp; What, indeed, is good design?&nbsp; </p><p>The piece aptly points out that the term is as na&iuml;ve as it is loaded (surely, too, the same might be said of &quot;good taste&quot; but we&#39;ll leave that argument to Martha Stewart and Charley the Tuna).</p><p>To prime your pump, quoting from the article:&nbsp; It suggests such an apparent universality that any o [...] Mason Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling remodeling design design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Good-Design.html/Itemid,28/ <p>The current issue of dwell magazine includes an essay entitled &quot;What We Talk About When We Talk About Good Design&quot;.&nbsp; What, indeed, is good design?&nbsp; </p><p>The piece aptly points out that the term is as na&iuml;ve as it is loaded (surely, too, the same might be said of &quot;good taste&quot; but we&#39;ll leave that argument to Martha Stewart and Charley the Tuna).</p><p>To prime your pump, quoting from the article:&nbsp; It suggests such an apparent universality that any o [...] Mason Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling remodeling design design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Poker-amp-Unlicensed-Contractors.html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; <p>Who thought the interest in gambling would be so great that the World Series of Poker would be televised on ESPN?&nbsp; Obviously, somebody&#39;s watching.</p><p>An interesting point in that regard, quoting Pug Pearson, 1973 World Series of Poker champion, made this observation about human nature:</p><p>&quot;The real thing to know is that folks will stand to lose more than they will to win.&nbsp; That&#39;s the most important percentage there is.&nbsp; I mean, if they lose, they&#39;r [...] Mason Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -1800 value select contractor repairs renovation remodeling contractors http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,What-is-the-Value-.html/Itemid,28/ <p>One of my favorite entries was lost during some recent website updating, so I thought I&#39;d re-post it here.&nbsp; The theme appears to be more pertinent than ever as home values have taken a turn unlike that seen in previous years.&nbsp; Read on...</p><p>Somewhere during early conversations with almost every client, we are asked something to the effect of &quot;Do you think we&#39;ll build value with our proposed renovation?&quot;</p><p>Naturally, I have had plenty of opportunity to build [...] Mason Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -1800 value repairs renovation remodeling http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Put-a-Cork-in-it!.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason,</p><p>Would you recommend cork flooring for a kitchen?</p><p>Brenda G. Dallas, TX</p><p>Dang, Brenda, I didn&rsquo;t know our blog went all the way to the Lone Star State! Welcome, and know that I love your question!</p><p>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 &ldquo;best&rdquo; floor for your kitchen should be based on which of these consider [...] Mason Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -1800 value renovation remodeling kitchens green floors DIY http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,House-Lust.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Highly recommend this book for anyone involved, interested or intrigued by the housing industry.&nbsp; House Lust: America&#39;s Obsession with our Homes&nbsp;by Daniel McGinn is an entertaining and easy read (those aspects of any book being important to me).&nbsp; The premise of McGinn&#39;s study is the evolution of the American mindset wherein those things previously considered luxuries are becoming necessities - particularly regarding real estate and housing.</p><p>The book covers the gro [...] Mason Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800 value renovation remodeling additions http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Load-Bearing-Schmoad-bearing!.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason, </p><p>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&#39;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 &quot;load bearing wall&qu [...] Mason Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800 select contractor renovation remodeling bathrooms http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Getting-Engaged---with-a-Design-Builder.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason:</p><p>What are the three best questions that a homeowner can ask when trying to choose a design/build firm and why?</p><p>Evan</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Evan,</p><p>I appreciate your question... naturally, finding a good &quot;fit&quot; between yourself and a building / remodeling partner is the first and most important key to a successful project experience.</p><p>Take a look back at my archived post &quot;On Selecting a Contractor&quot; (August 2007).&nbsp; There, we talk about achieving a [...] Mason Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800 select contractor remodeling design/build http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Be-a-Bother!.html/Itemid,28/ Dear Readers:<br /><br />Greetings from your chief blogger that, nine months ago, had no idea how these things work!<br /><br />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 &ldquo;word of mouth&rdquo; and via the typically-available search tools (word-of-mouth for the 21st century).<br /><br />I know that EVERYONE has questions about caring-for or imp [...] Mason Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -1800 remodeling http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Question-Me-an-Answer---Remodeling-Porn.html/Itemid,28/ Surfing the remodeling industry blogosphere, I found this thought-provoking post on Remodeling Magazine&rsquo;s website blog.<br /><br />The topic is certainly of interest to remodelers and prospective remodeling homeowners alike, so I thought I&rsquo;d share it with you, Dear Readers.&nbsp; 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&rsquo;s just say that many of us refer to it as &l [...] Mason Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -1800 remodeling http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Green-Bath-Remodel.html/Itemid,28/ Mason:<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Could you also give advise on how to incorporate &quot;green&quot; energy saving and &quot;sustainable&quot; components in my remodeling project?<br /><br />Thanks.<br />PB in Richmond<br /><br />PB:<br / [...] Mason Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -1800 remodeling green