The Classic Difference – Superior Quality, Value and Service

What makes Classic different? We believe it is our commitment to providing quality craftsmanship, exceptional value and superior customer service that sets us apart from other design-build remodeling firms.

It’s these principles that guide us every day and we strive to put them into practice on each project – no matter how large or small. The true measure of our success, however, is how the client feels at the end of the project. Did we live up to all that we had promised? Did they have a good experience? Would they recommend us to their friends and family?

Check out the video below to learn more about the Classic Difference.

Universal Design Unites Form and Function

Although the housing market continues to show signs of improvement, the overwhelming majority of older homeowners are still expressing a desire to remain in their current homes as they age. As a remodeler, we are seeing an increase in the number of requests to retrofit our clients’ homes to accommodate their changing needs.

This is where universal design (UD) comes into play. UD is an architectural practice that allows occupants of all ages and capabilities to live independently and comfortably for a long period of time in the same house.

While in the past, the idea of remodeling your home for “aging in place” may have conjured up images of industrial-looking grab bars and wheelchair ramps, today UD elements are designed to be subtle and almost undetectable.  

Cabinetry is a great place to add UD elements. Pull-out shelves which make cabinet contents more visible and accessible are one popular option. Soft-close drawers and doors also help to protect against pinched fingers. Other accessories like lazy susans, door shelves and flip-down fronts enhance storage capacity as well as accessibility.

Grab bars are also being integrated into the design of many bathroom fixtures. From faucets and towel bars to shelving and soap dishes, these elegant fixtures provide discreet support, making them both beautiful and functional. 

Single-lever handles for doors, sinks and showers are easier to manipulate, whether you have an armful of groceries or lack strength for gripping. “D”-shaped handles also make cabinets easier to open.

And let’s not forget appliances. Many of the current popular appliance options also deliver UD benefits of better accessibility and increased safety. Wall ovens and warming drawers, French-door style refrigerators and microwave ovens with flip-down doors are just a few examples.

Over the past few years, universal design has come a long way, in large part because the products available have become more attractive and flexible. Be sure to talk with your contractor about your needs as you begin the design and product selection process. You have many options for remodeling your space to suit your lifestyle needs both now and in the future while also enhancing the beauty, comfort, convenience and long-term value of your home.

Protecting Your Investment: The Importance of a Good Warranty

As you research home remodeling professionals, one of the items you should address with each contractor you interview is their warranty program. The warranty serves as a guarantee that the contractor is committed to delivering a quality product, and leaves the homeowner feeling confident that their project will be done right the first time. But, not all warranties are created equal…

Most states require remodeling companies to carry a limited warranty by law, usually for one year following completion of the work. It’s good to know your state’s requirements as you begin your search, but you want a contractor whose warranty goes above and beyond the minimum.

Companies that back their work are far less likely to have to return to the job to fix it. However, if a problem should arise, a good warranty will guarantee that it is resolved at no additional cost to you. By choosing a remodeling company with an extended warranty you are ensuring that your home and the work done in it will be taken care of. Though you may be tempted to choose a less expensive company with a shorter warranty, you likely won’t end up saving money in the long run. Often you’ll end up having to hire a second remodeling company to fix the work of the first.

At Classic, we are extremely proud of the quality of our work and stand behind everything we do. Our generous warranties are just one way we work to assure our clients that we are committed to providing superior service and craftsmanship. Our Worry-Free Warranty provides the following coverage:

• Finishes: 2 years (includes paint, drywall, floor coverings, trim and millwork, or cabinetry)

• Systems: 5 years (includes roofing, waterproofing, windows and doors, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems)

• Structural: 8 years (applies to all structural components)

We review the terms of our warranty with each client when signing a construction agreement and again at the conclusion of the project. If you have any questions regarding your coverage, or aren’t sure if an issue is covered by your warranty, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.

Good Ideas Never Die – They Just Go Viral

In 2004, we began incorporating a hair dryer drawer into many of our bathroom vanity designs. The drawer included an outlet at the back that would allow the homeowner to conveniently store a hair dryer, without the hassle of unplugging it after each use.  We did a sketch, took a photo and submitted it to Remodeling Magazine. They published an article about it in their October 2004 issue.

It’s 2013 – why are we talking about this article now? Well, at the end of 2012, Remodeling Magazine decided to take a look back over the year to see what their most popular stories had been. Our 2004 “Dryer Drawer” article was one of the most popular!  Thanks in part to the popularity of Pinterest, our hair dryer drawer story has gone viral!

You can check out the original article here.

Just goes to show, good ideas (and good stories) never die!

Home automation has really come a long way in recent years. What used to require elaborate and complex equipment can now be controlled from simple touchscreens or even Apple’s iPad. Home automation can be used by year round owners to control many systems or by seasonal owners who might want to monitor their second home’s electricity use. While automation systems can be quite elaborate, let’s focus on a few areas: audio systems, lighting, and security. It is important to consider these items when planning your remodeling project.

With the use of iPods and digital music, the audio environment has become a common consideration and component of most remodeling projects. New automation systems can link to music libraries stored on computers or iPods. Simple interfaces on the systems allow you to search for the music you want and control volume levels. No longer do you need to go to several pieces of equipment to control the music – it’s all on one screen!

Automation systems can also be used to control a home’s lighting. With some systems you are able to create themes for various lighting scenarios – say if you are entertaining. You can also set themes so that designated lights turn on or off at specified times. Some systems allow you to access and control lights or appliances from a remote location. If, for example, you are on vacation and want to check to make sure you turned off all of the lights or perhaps you would like to turn them on – home automation systems allow you this ability.

Finally, home automation technologies allow you to better control your home’s security system. As with lighting, you can control when the system turns on or off and you can control it from a remote location. You can also integrate surveillance cameras and view those over the same touchscreens. Automation greatly increases the functionality of systems and provides new opportunities to expand their capacity.

So when you are planning your next home remodeling project, ask your design-build professional about home automation. These systems are best incorporated when you are already planning new wiring and lighting, so it’s best to install these systems at the same time. We’ve touched on a few key features of the systems but they can do much, much more!

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!

Preparing for a Remodel: What Your Contractor Should Be Asking You

Now that you have asked your potential contractor a series of questions, it’s time to make sure they are asking you the right questions. Developing a good working relationship with your contractor is key to completing a successful remodel. During the planning process, your contractor should ask a series of questions in order to ascertain your needs and ensure they can achieve your goals. Let’s review some of those potential questions so that you are better prepared when you start your next remodeling project.

1)  What are the specific issues that your remodeling project should address?

Are there things about your home that you might want or need to significantly alter? In most cases the answer is yes. Be specific in your conversations with your contractor. Make sure they address this early in the planning process.

2)  What are the constraints that might affect your project?

These are very important issues to define during planning and might include things such as zoning restrictions, easements, setbacks, or FEMA’s 50% rule. All of these items might affect the feasibility or scope of your project.

3)  If your thinking about an addition, how large of an addition?

Determining how much space you need is critical to defining the parameters of your project. Is an addition truly necessary or could the existing footprint be reworked in some way? We’ve had clients come to us thinking they needed a two-story addition, but after design and planning, we determined that their needs could be met by working within the existing footprint of the home.

4)  What is the style or character of your home?

As you think about your remodeling plans, decide if you want to maintain the style of your home or change it. Can the look you want be achieved through subtle alterations or will it require more extensive changes?

5)  What are the room-by-room requirements of your project?

It is important to work room-by-room to document your requirements so the complete scope of work can be developed. Consider the small things as well: changing out door hardware, painting trim, new closet shelving, etc.

6)  Do you want to update your existing mechanical systems?

The mechanical systems in your home are the major consumers of electricity and have significant costs over their lifecycle. Changes such as switching from an electric tank water heater to a gas-fired tankless heater could result in significant savings over time. Also, new HVAC systems are much more efficient and could make your home more comfortable. Make sure these issues are addressed as you plan your project.

7)  Finally, how much can you realistically budget for the project?

This last item might be the most important. Make sure that your contractor inquires about your budget and provides you with comprehensive pricing. Know in advance what you can actually afford and work towards that number. In many instances, a potential contractor might quote a very low number up front to land the work, then slowly hit you with change orders along the way. Questions about budgets are a very important part of the planning process.

As you can see, these are important issues to consider when planning your project. Each affects the scope, budget, and schedule and should be well-planned before construction begins. Make sure that your contractor asks you these and other questions so that clear communication can develop. This can make the difference between an enjoyable remodeling experience and a very unpleasant one.