Blog - Specialty Builders

What You Should See in a Remodeling Estimate

You’ve talked to prospective contractors about remodeling your house. Now, it’s time to discuss the cost. Expect remodeling companies in Austin, TX, to give you an accurate estimate for the total project cost.

For the initial contact, you may get an estimate over the phone. This is only a ballpark figure. A far more realistic value comes when the contactor actually visits your home to see what’s involved with your makeover project. Look for these line items in your cost estimate:

Labor – There is the day-to-day labor to consider, as well as the specialty contract work that may be necessary.
Materials – Ask for a specific breakdown of the costs. When remodeling involves the bathroom, new fixtures, flooring, and cabinets are part of the overall cost.
Demolition – You may have to remove walls, flooring, or appliances before installing the new materials.
Testing – Older houses may have asbestos in the ceiling or lead in the paint. For everyone’s health, it’s important to conduct testing.
Permits – Your contractor will have to obtain several construction permits, depending on the work being done.

All of these add up to the total project cost. Be sure you understand precisely what it is you’re paying for. Also, make sure that you get a guarantee on all work provided.

Three Reasons to Update Your Bathroom

You’re looking around your bathroom, and you don’t like what you see. Everything seems to be out of style, out of date, or in need of repair. It’s time for home improvement in Austin. Know that you’re in good company, for when people decide it’s time for a change, the bathroom is one of the most popular choices for remodeling for several reasons, such as:

Functionality – Your fixtures just don’t work as well years later than they did when they were new. Because of this, your bathroom needs lots of repairs and even replacement of certain items — perhaps, the shower, flooring, or vanity.

Appearance – When your bathroom has the colors and styles of past decades, you want to spruce it up. A stand-alone, glassed-in shower would be a great addition, as would more storage for all of your frequently used items.

Accessibility— You and your spouse have decided this is your forever home. So, as you age in place, you want to make sure this space has features that make it easy for those who have mobility challenges, such as a walk-in shower or bathtub, handicap bars near the toilet, and plenty of space for a wheelchair to maneuver.

Of course, all of these individual upgrades add greatly to the beauty and functionality of your bathroom, so it’s more valuable to your family and prospective buyers should you choose to sell in the future.

Trendy Interior Updates for Your Home

There’s an old saying along the lines of: “It may not look like much on the outside, but it’s a mansion on the inside.” Of course you want your home to look terrific on the outside, but we’re going to take a bit of time here to talk about ways that you can spruce up your residence on the inside. Maybe it won’t become a mansion, but it will look pretty lovely all the same.

The wonderful thing about following interior design trends it that you create a space which is beautiful, modern, and comfortable. It also increases the value of your home by updating elements that become dated over time.

One update that’s always at the top of anyone’s list is an open concept. More and more homeowners are choosing to increase space in their house by removing rather than adding. Taking down a wall (if appropriate) or opening up a wall with a passageway or new window are options.

It seems that kitchens often need an update as they get so much use and undergo a lot of wear and tear in the life of a busy family. A home renovation in Austin, TX, with items like granite countertops, custom cabinets, and new flooring, that improves a kitchen goes a long way to breathing new life into a residence.

Bathrooms are very similar to kitchens in the fact that they are always in use and truly benefit with complete renovation from floors to cabinets to fixtures.

Home Remodeling Projects for Growing Families

When your family begins to grow, your home needs to keep pace.

Maybe you’ve added to your number with more children or live-in relatives. Perhaps you have children who share a room with a sibling and now feel the need for a bedroom of their own. Whatever the case, when you are contemplating a remodeling project for your home, you should choose an experienced and talented team like ours at Specialty Builders which can bring your project to life in a short amount of time.

Maybe you’re not looking at more bedroom space; maybe you’re looking at meeting the needs of finicky teenagers who like to spend hours upon hours (at least it seems that way) in the bathroom getting ready for a day at school or night out with friends. Adding a new washroom helps alleviate that stress.

When you choose to entertain, it’s always nice to have dedicated space, like a family room or game room, in which you can share time together away from the hustle and bustle of a busy home.

If you are lucky enough to have a growing family, thinking about having a bigger kitchen is just natural. It provides more space to prepare larger meals and allows for a larger table for family meals.

There are many Austin remodeling companies which can undertake these types of projects. Make sure you shop around and find the one which has a proven track record of successful builds and happy customers.

Tips for Older Home Renovation in Austin, TX

Older homes have an undeniable character. When it’s time to renovate, though, older homes present several challenges that aren’t as charming. Here are some common renovation issues you should be aware of:

Outdated Electrical and Plumbing Systems – Electrical wiring and plumbing issues are common in older homes. Old wiring is a severe safety hazard and will need to be brought up to code. Additionally, should your renovation involve plumbing work, you’ll want to replace the pipes with copper or PVC.
Asbestos, Lead, and Other Unsafe Materials – Houses constructed decades ago were built using materials of the day — lead paint, asbestos in the ductwork, popcorn ceilings, outdated roofing materials. You’ll need specialists capable of detecting and abating these materials if you suspect they’re in your home.
Materials Used That Aren’t Available Anymore – If you wish to maintain your home’s unique aesthetic, finding materials that will match the look of the rest of the building can be tricky. Shopping at salvage stores or other reuse centers can help, as well as finding remodeling experts that specialize in older homes.
Long Corridors, Tiny Rooms, and Unconventional Layouts – Finding space for expansion can be a challenge. Talk to your architect or contractor about opening a floorplan and what structural considerations that entails.

Specialty Builders is the company you need to contact when you need a home renovation in Austin, TX. Call us at (512) 288-7167 for breathtaking results offered at irrefutable prices.

How to Choose a Kitchen Remodel Contractor in Austin, TX

So you’ve finally picked out that new tile for your kitchen. If you don’t have the time or skills needed to tackle your home improvement project, hiring a skilled kitchen remodel contractor in Austin, TX, is your best bet. Here is a list of steps you can take to ensure you’re hiring a competent specialist:

Gather Recommendations – Compile a list of professionals by asking family and friends for recommendations. Additionally, you can check out online reviews for local contractors.
Compare and Contrast Portfolios – See how well each professional on your list stacks up against one another. A good portfolio should contain a minimum of ten projects. Remove professionals’ names whose portfolios contain too few projects.
Review Licensing and Certifications – Ensure your contractors have the appropriate licenses and certifications to complete the job legally and safely. Make sure the professionals on your list have liability insurance in case they damage your property.
Check References – Any reputable contractor will expect you to ask for a list of references. Select a few of their recent projects as well as few older ones and make notes about their work.
Get Bids for the Job and Hire – Gather bids from the top few contractors on your list. Remember your overall goals when choosing which proposal is best for you.

Specialty Builders is your reliable source for kitchen remodeling work. Call us at (512) 288-7167 for competitive prices and stunning results.

Updating Your Kitchen to Meet Your Needs

There’s a very good chance that you and your family spend a lot of time each day in your kitchen. The day begins there with breakfast and is often recapped over a family dinner when the workday is done.

It’s a busy spot, and over the years it will eventually begin to show wear and tear as a result. Not only that, styles change and a kitchen that might have been on the cutting edge of fashion a few years ago may now look old and dated. Perhaps you’re moving into a house and don’t care for the style of the existing kitchen and want a change.

These are a few of the primary reasons why homeowners decide to update their kitchen to meet their needs. There are others of course, but whenever you’re thinking of Austin kitchen and bath remodeling, you have many options. The team at Specialty Builders is known throughout the region for quality work.

It pays in the long run to choose a remodeling company that takes a comprehensive approach to updating your kitchen, rather than one which starts the project and adapts it on the fly. A complete remodeling job should cover cabinets, countertops, flooring, backsplashes, and windows.

Reputable companies learn about your project and then visit the site for a fuller picture of the task at hand. They follow that with an official estimate and contract with construction being the final step.

This process will lead you to a kitchen you will love.

How Remodeling Your Home Increases Your Property Value

Styles always change over time – it’s true with clothes, cars, homes, and pretty much everything else. What’s out of style today may be back in fashion in 10 or 20 years, but who wants to suffer from outdated trends until the styles come back around?

“Everything old is new again” is an accurate saying, but when you look around your home, do you want to be looking at old features and designs and thinking that someday your home will be stylish again?

Remodeling your home is a way to keep pace with the trends of building styles and designs. Not only that, but it’s a way to maintain comfort and convenience at your property. You won’t be dealing with worn out fixtures and stressed by designs that don’t look right anymore.

When you choose to remodel, you not only reap the benefits of being in fashion, but you are also rewarded with an increase in property value. It’s a very simple concept when you think about it. Which home would you pay more for if you were in the market to buy – one that’s bright and modern, or one that’s tired and dated?

There are many remodeling companies in Austin, TX, such as Specialty Builders, that you can call upon for skillful and dependable upgrades to your home.

How Our Process Works

Remodeling your home or business is a fun and exciting time. However, if you have never worked with a construction contractor before, then it can be a little intimidating learning about the process. There’s no need to worry, though. Many remodeling companies have developed distinct processes that make property improvement as hassle-free and straightforward as possible. Here’s what you can expect when working with a professional contractor.

1) Initial Consultation: It all begins with the first call. You will request an estimate, and a representative will speak to you about your project. Here, you can talk about your project goals, and the company will help you lay out a basic scope of the project. You will also receive a general estimated project cost, ensuring what you want aligns with your budget.

2) Site Visit: You and the contractor will arrange an on-site appointment. The contractor will visit your home or place of business, and you will discuss your project in greater detail. It is common for the contractor to take pictures of the proposed project area and take measurements at this time.

3) Estimate: The estimate process is the time where your contractor will define the total project cost. This step takes a few weeks. Your contractor will propose the estimate. If you agree to the terms, you will put down a deposit, and the contractor will begin drawing up plans, selecting materials, and applying for permits.

4) Contract: The contract defines what the contractor and their company will do for you. It sets the timeline for the project and also details the project specifications and expectations. Once you sign the contract, construction will begin.

5) Construction: Construction is where your project ideas get put into practice. During this time, the contractor and construction teams will prepare the site and execute the project according to the contract. During this time, the construction company maintains open communication and will provide updates about the status of the project.

After the construction phase, you will get to look over the results and request changes. Quality Austin remodeling companies will work hard to ensure the client gets what they want. Therefore, the project is not complete until you say so.

Why You Should Update Your Living Room

The living room is one of the most active spaces in your home. Friends, family, and guests gather around here to enjoy a host of activities. For you, perhaps the ideal living room is a home theater, children’s play area, party space–or a bit of everything. If the common area of your property is looking a little outdated, consider home remodeling in Austin, TX.

Let’s go over the benefits of updating your property. There are many reasons that you may want to update your living room. Here are the most popular benefits:

If your home is more than a few years old, then updating the interior design and layout can give your lifestyle a renewed change of pace. Remodeling this area is a great way to replace overused or dingy walls and flooring. It also provides the living room a renewed sense of purpose.

Renewing the appearance of your living room can also improve its atmosphere and functionality. For instance, let’s say you want to add a home theater to the common area. An experienced home remodeling company can work with you to create a space that is dedicated to your television, electronics, and entertainment devices.

With significant improvements also comes a better return on investment. Home remodeling is one of the most effective ways of increasing the value of your property. If you are thinking about selling your home, then making a few fundamental changes now can lead to a successful sale in the near future.