Top 5 Bathroom Remodeling Trends

Classic Remodeling's Kitchen and Bath Specialist, Krista Scheider, shares some of the trends she's seeing in bathroom remodels this year. 

Bathroom remodels (along with kitchens) have been one of the most requested renovation projects we’ve seen this year. These projects offer a great return on your investment (according to the 2015 Cost v. Value Report, you can generally recoup about 70% of the cost of your project). And as more and more people opt to remain in their homes for a longer period of time, they are finding that their needs for a functional and luxurious master bath have changed. Here are a few trends we have seen in master bathroom remodels this year:

1. Curbless Showers. This is one of the most popular requests from homeowners. A curbless shower 
    makes the space feel larger and gives it cleaner lines. It's also very important if you are considering
    universal design elements for aging in place (see trend #3 for more info on this).

 

2.   Free standing tubs and/or large showers.  Gone are the days of the garden tub and the tub/shower combo. Today most homeowners are opting for a large walk-in shower and free standing tub. Some are eliminating the tub altogether and going strictly with a shower. While in the past many thought this would hurt resale values, these days it's more about efficient use of space and Americans tend to take fewer baths than in past years. So don't feel bad about forgoing the tub!

3.   Aging in Place. As we go through the design phase we often think about how our clients' needs

      may change as they age and we try to plan for those needs. This may including thinking about

     installing a curbless shower, strategically placing grab bars, or installing bench seats in showers.

     With a wide range of products available, they are much easier to integrate into the design. From

     faucets and towel bars to shelving and soap dishes, these elegant fixtures provide discreet support, 

     making them both beautiful and functional. 

4.  Toilet Room.  As often as the design allows, we try to incorporate a separate toilet room or toilet

     and shower room into each space. Not only does this help eliminate the toilet as a focal point in

     the room, it also makes the master bath much more accommodating for two people to use at the

     same time. 

5.   Double Vanities. You'd be surprised how many homes in our area do not have a double vanity in

      the master bath. This has become a must-have design element and there are several ways to work

      them into a space. We've done the standard single countertop with double sinks where space 

      allows. When space is tight there are other options such as separate vanities or back-to-back 

      vanities.  As a design-build firm we can get creative and find unique ways to create the space of

      your dreams. 

Check back soon for Krista's top 5 trends in kitchen remodels!

Designing for Your Future - How to Plan Your Remodel for Aging in Place

While it’s quite easy to put off thinking about getting around when you are older, when it comes to planning your home renovation this might not be such a good idea. Thinking ahead about how you plan to live in your home is an invaluable process in remodeling. But how should you go about this with all of the other decisions you need to make? The best way is to rely on the knowledge and expertise of your design-build professional.

Preparing your home for your future is one of the most important steps of planning. You should ask yourself the most basic question first: Do I plan to remain in this home? If the answer is yes, then you should start taking steps to ensure you will remain comfortable and safe in your home.

Let’s start with a bathroom remodeling project. There are a few easy steps to take so that in the future, if needed, you can make the space accessible. In all of our projects, we install blocking in the shower walls, around the toilet, and in other areas where future grab bars might be installed. Also, if you are planning your project why not consider increasing the door width to 34” to potentially accommodate a wheelchair. Advancements in product design have made accessible toilets, sinks, and showers much easier to build and install. Even some of the new bath hardware has been designed to serve as both a fixture and a grab bar – and they look nice too!

Another area of the home to consider when thinking about the future is stairs – both inside and outside of the home. Exterior stairs provide a unique challenge because they are both necessary in many cases and they serve as an aesthetic component – as in the front stairs of a home. However, if you are planning a renovation that will involve an entry point – say to a back deck or porch – it is beneficial to at least analyze how a ramp might someday be incorporated into the structure. Planning for this need is better than one day having to just build on an appendage ramp.

The interior stairs are also challenging, but there are options. Stairlift systems have come a long way since the old clunky first generation systems. New lifts have options for curved stairs, stairs with landings, or even exterior models. The designs are much more sleek these days with all sorts of color and finish options. Elevators have also come a long way. While this option is more expensive, sometimes it is the best alternative if it can be incorporated into the structure. These systems also have numerous finish options, styles, capacity, and technical details.

Whether there is a current need or if you plan to stay in your home for many years, planning for accessibility is a vital part of the remodeling process. Ask your design-build professional for guidance in this area. At Classic, our project consultants are planning to become Certified Aging in Place Specialists. This will provide them with the technical training they need to amend their design and construction knowledge to better serve our customers. Please feel free to ask us about these features on your next project!

Get the Air Moving in Your Kitchen & Bathrooms

While it’s usually not given a whole lot of thought, appropriate ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom is important for a variety of reasons. Most people consider this a utilitarian component of the home, but there are a surprising variety of options for both the kitchen and bathroom. Let’s look at some of the things to consider when weighing your product solutions for these areas of your home.

Kitchen ventilation has come a long way since the old recirculation fans with wire mesh screens or above-the-range microwave vents of yore. Nowadays, the vent fan is either cleverly disguised in cabinetry or a central aesthetic component of the kitchen. When locating the vent hood, be sure to consider height so that it accomplishes two main objectives: to draw away smoke and exhaust for better indoor air quality; but also to avoid being an obstacle while cooking at the range. You want it to be just the right height so it works for you. We always coordinate this detail between the client, designer, and project craftsman onsite before installation. Also consider the strength of the motor. You want it to be strong enough to draw the exhaust and get it out of the house, but not too strong so as to draw too much of the conditioned air outside. This is usually decided during the project design phase. Finally, you want the right look so the unit appears part of the design and not just an afterthought.

            

Like kitchen ventilation, bathroom ventilation has come a long way in recent years. There are a wide variety of products to choose from, such as: standard ceiling mounted fans (but they are much better these days), fans hidden in recessed ceiling lights, wall mounted fans, and small fans in multiple locations with a remote motor. These all operate in different ways and have different cost levels, so they should be discussed as your project is being designed and planned. We always weigh the pros and cons with our clients during design so that they end up with the right solution. Placement of the units in the bathroom is also important to successfully draw all of the moist air from the bathroom to prevent mildew. This detail is always reviewed during our pre-drywall walk-throughs with clients to make sure everything is in the right place and to their liking. A central component of this walk-through is to make sure that when the project is complete, everything works as intended and looks well-planned.

            

So there is a lot to consider when planning kitchen and bathroom ventilation for your remodeling project. With some careful thought and preparation, you can have practical results and an aesthetically pleasing space.

A Classic Renovation Helps a Philanthropic Mission

Classic Remodeling recently completed a major renovation project in the downtown area. We were excited about this project for a couple of reasons – in part because of the nature of the work itself, but also because the result of our work would benefit a charitable organization in the community. Our client on this project, the MUSC Foundation, is an organization that supports education, research, patient care and other programs at MUSC.

The Foundation owns a rental property on Ashley Avenue and uses the rental income as one means of support for its programs. The goal for this renovation was to find a way to make the property more attractive to potential renters, thereby maximizing the benefit to the Foundation. That’s where we came in.

Every project has its share of challenges, and projects in the downtown area tend to come with their own unique issues. At Classic, we look at those challenges as opportunities to do what we do best – complete superior renovations on time and on budget.

This property is located within the historic district and falls under the jurisdiction of the Charleston Board of Architectural Review (BAR). The BAR requires that any renovations to properties within this district must be appropriate and maintain the historic character of the building. So, all changes to the home had to be approved by the BAR before work could commence. Navigating the BAR’s approval process can be a daunting task, but through experience we’ve learned the right questions to ask to make the process as smooth as possible. We believe as your renovation expert, it’s our job to manage that process for you.

Our next challenge - transforming this home into a renter’s dream.

Due to the home’s age, we had to be sensitive to the potential presence of lead-based paint. This is a common issue with older homes and should not be taken lightly. Our EPA-certified staff ensured that the project was handled with the utmost care.

The home’s exterior got a facelift, which included repairing siding and adding new windows, a fresh coat of paint, and a new roof.

An addition that was added at some point to the back of the home that housed the bedrooms and kitchens was not structurally sound and had to be completely rebuilt.

Inside, each apartment got a total makeover. The original floor plan included a sitting room, a living room, bedroom, bath, and kitchen. We reconfigured the space to make it more desirable, converting the extra sitting room in each apartment to a much more useful second bedroom.

The existing hardwood floors were refinished and we laid new tile floors in the baths and kitchens. Both apartments were outfitted with new kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures.

In spite of the challenges that accompanied this project, the results speak for themselves. We maintained the property’s historic character and transformed the space (without adding square footage) making it more functional and attractive to potential renters. Finally, the project was completed in record time – just under 2 months – a remarkable feat considering the challenges!

Home Addition, Take Two

The Turner family came to us with a beautiful house that needed to function better.

The home had an existing addition off the back that housed a master bedroom, tiny master bath, and a strangely long and narrow closet. The space was not optimized and the appearance from the backyard was lacking.

The Turners wanted a new addition that would accommodate a larger bedroom, bath and closet. In addition to this interior work, they wanted to improve the appearance of the back of the property with a beautiful outdoor space that they could use for family time and entertaining.

We worked with the couple to design and build a master addition and outdoor area that met their needs. The project, of course, had its challenges. We took care to ensure that the new addition melded with the old. We were able to tie in everything nicely with the roof lines so as not to detract from the integrity of the home’s original structure. We were also able to deliver more square footage for the master bath while keeping the look from the back of the house symmetrical.

The result is a home that better reflects the Turners and how they live. The master bedroom is larger and includes a sitting area. The luxurious master bath is built for two, and there is plenty of closet space. Outside, where there was once a tired deck, there is now a large living area (truly an outdoor living room), an outdoor kitchen perfect for entertaining and a beautiful stone patio complete with built-in stone planters.

It’s what every addition should be - increased square footage that enhances the beauty and functionality of a home while looking like it has been there all along.

View from the Backyard - Before and After; Outdoor Spaces

Better Homes and Gardens: Kitchen and Bath Ideas

We invite you to pick up the April 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens: Kitchen and Bath Ideas for a glimpse at the master bathroom of Abby and Fred Himmelein.



The home was built as a Civil War hospital, split into two single-family homes in 1871, and moved to a new lot around the corner in 1911. When the Himmeleins purchased the home, the master bath was "poorly constructed" fashioned from a screened-in back porch.

The Himmeleins tasked Classic Remodeling with designing and constructing a light-filled bath that made efficient use of the space while melding contemporary design sensibilities with the historical structure.

Photographer Anthony-Masterson captured with perfection the beauty of the custom cherry cabinets, marble floors and counters, white tub and vessel sinks, and polished nickel faucets.

Small Fixes. Simple Solutions.

Our Specialty Services Team.

Small fixes and simple solutions for your home.

With the Specialty Services Team, you get much more than a random handyman with a tape measure. You get our in-house team that will work with trade partners to coordinate all aspects of your project, regardless of size, and our commitment to leverage the collective experience of over twenty years of service to the Charleston area.

A Specialty Services consultant will work with you to identify your needs, propose solutions and carefully work within your budget.

A skilled master craftsman will carefully carry out the plans while minimizing impact on your daily routine. Let Classic take on all your small projects, repairs, and continual upkeep.

Our Specialty Services Include:
- Eco-friendly and energy-efficient upgrades
- Energy audits
- Scheduled maintenance programs
- Decks and porches
- Planters, benches, trellises, and arbors
- Patios, hardscapes, and wood fencing
- Siding and exterior trim repairs
- Roofing and waterproofing
- Doors, windows, and exterior shutters
- Kitchen & bathroom refacings and upfits
- Custom, semi-custom, and modular cabinets
- Tile and solid surfacing
- Foundation stabilization and repairs
- Crawlspace moisture mediation
- Attic, wall, and crawlspace insulation
- Painting, drywall, and plaster repairs
- Interior trim and crown molding
- Hardwood floor refinishing
- Indoor air quality remediation
- Plumbing and electrical retrofits
- Elevators and accessibility upgrades

Why gamble on fix-it projects gone awry?
Rely on the area’s most trusted name in remodeling for all your small fixes and expedited solutions around the house.

Bathed in Luxury

Wouldn't it be fun to bask in your old fashioned tub while looking out at your privately landscaped backyard retreat.

Bathroom remodeling in Charleston, SC is rewarding for our team and for our clients.

Creating retreats within the home have always been important but seem to have added value these days as "staycations" are embraced and enjoyed by all family members.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are often asked these questions from prospective clients. I hope you will find these answers informative and that they will add credence to what we feel helps make Classic unique.

1. We are interested in an extensive renovation to the kitchen, bathrooms and need additional space. Do you take on projects of this type?

Yes. We have completed a large list of projects similar to this on both older and newer homes in Charleston and surrounding areas. Some of them can be viewed online at www.classicremodeling.com. Two of our highlighted projects, Himmelein and DeBiasi, are award winning and historic in nature.

2. How many historic home remodels have you completed?

We have completed numerous projects over the past 19 years that Classic has been in business ranging from simple repairs to million-dollar plus renovations. A typical project for us is a whole-house renovation with additions, kitchen upgrade and master suite. Many of the projects we work on are located in the historic district, and we have competed hundreds of projects on older homes with involvement/interaction with Mt. Pleasant TAC, City of Charleston ARB, Historic Charleston, and other historic agencies.

3. If requested, would you be willing to provide a list of client references for these projects?

We always provide a list of client references. We are proud of the fact that many of our clients refer us to their friends and family, and we are often asked to return for more work at a later date because of our successful client relationships. We also employ a third-party surveying firm to assess our performance, which allows for unbiased feedback from the client. This constant feedback tells us where we can improve and where we excel. Our client relations coordinator will provide a list of client references, along with other testimonials. Testimonials can also be readily viewed on our web site.

4. How many projects do you typically have going at the same time? Are they primarily residential or commercial?

All of our work is residential. We often have several projects going on at the same time, but each project has an in-house project manager and project craftsman assigned to it. Each project manager typically handles a few larger projects and a few smaller projects at the same time, but the project craftsman stays onsite with the project 95% of the time. This gives us much better control of quality and coordination of subcontractors.

5. Geographically, where are your current residential projects located?

Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, West Ashley, Sullivan's Island, and Isle of Palms.

6. Is there a job site that we could visit?

Absolutely. Anyone anticipating a remodeling project should visit some ongoing projects to get an idea how the prospective contractor works. You should be looking at quality of workmanship, cleanliness (safety) of the jobsite, and how the crews interact with clients/children/pets. Every project has challenges specific to the project and there will be things that crop-up along the way. You should be asking those past clients how the contractor handled issues that arose during the project.

We are very proud of our projects and client relationships. I would be happy to arrange visits to both ongoing and past projects.

7. For which trades do you typically use your own crews, and which do you typically subcontract?

We are self-performing in all carpentry areas (demo, foundation layout, framing, exterior siding/trim, interior trim, and final detailing/punch). All of the specialty trades are subcontracted to include masonry, electrical, plumbing, heating/air, drywall, painting, cabinetry, and tile (along with some other minor trades). Many of our specialty trade partners have been working with us for years.

8. How long have you been in business in the Charleston area?

20 Years. We are very proud of our longstanding commitment to our community.

9. If requested, would you be willing to provide credit references from suppliers or banks?

We are happy to provide this. We have strong relationships with our banker and vendors, and maintain good credit by paying all of our bills on-time. Vendors are paid within their terms, and we often take discounts for early pay. All of our specialty trade partners are paid weekly.

We bank with Carolina First locally, but our primary contact is located with Carolina First in North Carolina (he is also a client of ours)
JW Davis: 828-693-7376 / j.w.davis@carolinafirst.com
Dan Bannister: 828-693-1851 / dan.bannister@carolinafirst.com

Our Customer Relations coordinator will be pleased to provide a list of vendors with contact information.

10. How do you typically structure contracts for renovation/remodeling work? (e.g. itemized bid, cost plus percentage, cost plus fixed fee)

We only work on a fixed price. Cost-Plus or Time & Materials contracts are not usually successful because of cost overruns throughout the project. Our estimates are itemized as far as quantities and quality of materials, with a room-by-room breakdown of pricing.