Custom Kitchen Design: Things to Consider

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is one of the busiest places of the house where people tend to gather. So it makes sense that a lot of time and energy goes into the design of your dream kitchen. But how do you start? Kitchen design should be centered around 3 key principles:

• Comfort
• Organization
• Function

So here are some things to think about when designing your kitchen:

• Flooring: You will want something that is comfortable, hides stains and dirt well, and fits well into the design of the rest of your house.

• Storage: Unless you don't mind clutter, this is an important one. Storage comes in all shapes and sizes. Think cabinetry versus open shelving versus pantry. Consider what tools you use the most and whether you want to display them or hide them away when not in use.

• Lighting: Often the biggest mistake is not having a good enough mix of lighting sources. Choose a mix of lighting that includes an overhead blanket of light as well as lighting for individual work stations within the kitchen, like over the sink and over the oven.

• Countertops: Granite, stainless steel, ceramic tile, concrete... The options can seem endless. Countertops can set the tone for the whole kitchen. When looking at options, consider your budget, personal taste, durability, and maintenance.
  

• Electrical: Placement of electrical outlets can often make or break a kitchen. You definitely want an outlet by the oven, microwave, and refrigerator. But don't forget the kitchen island and coffee pot station. There are some really creative placement ideas such as on the floor, hidden away inside the counter top, or tucked in the pantry.

• Appliances: A well thought out kitchen plan must include appliances. Too often, I see a beautiful kitchen layout, but then the refrigerator is an inch wider than expected and does not fit well into its allocated space. Your appliance choices are very dependent on your budget and tastes. But also consider their placement within the layout of the kitchen. Do you want the microwave at eye-level or waist-level? Should the oven be closer to the sink or the refrigerator?

Thinking all of these things through will allow you to create a realistic budget and be happy with your end result.


To see some example of the kitchens that we have built, check out http://www.duarteconstruct.com/EXPLORE.html.

Increasing Trend: Outdoor Living Spaces

As homeowners are choosing to stay in their current homes longer, the trend to create outdoor living spaces is increasing substantially. When compared to moving or building an addition, creating outdoor living space is a less expensive way to add square footage and increase the resale value of your house. Plus with Central Texas getting over 300 days of sunshine each year, it is a safe bet that an outdoor space will be used frequently.

The options for outdoor living are extensive, but can usually be categorized into 3 general areas:

• Decks
• Patios
• Porches
  

Before jumping into the creation of an outdoor space, there are a few things to consider:
How are you going to use the space?
Some of the most popular outdoor living space functions include:

• Entertaining
• Cooking/Grilling
• Relaxation
• Playing
• Gardening

Determining the functions that are most important to you will help determine layout, what features to include, materials to use, need for electrical outlets and proximity to indoor rooms.

Do you plan to use the space year-round or seasonally?
Understanding when you want to use the space will also drive potential features, such as:

• Covered versus Non-Covered
• Hot summer months: Fans and misters are great ideas
  
• Cold winter days: Fire places and/or fire pits are wonderful features
  
• Lighting: This is another important element that can extend the enjoyment of your outdoor space to the evenings of any season

No matter what style or features you choose for your outdoor living space, quality of materials is very important in order to extend the lifespan of your new living area. So when bidding the project out to general contractors, the lowest bid is not always the best choice. You want to make sure that any materials used have the following characteristics:

• Can hold up to UV rays
  
• Waterproof
• Can handle extreme temperatures
  

When we talk about materials, we are not just talking about the obvious items like stone, lights, wood, sinks, and grills. We are also thinking of adhesives, grout, tile, etc. Nothing is worse than creating a beautiful patio only to find out that the grout breaks down under extreme temperatures.


The possibilities are endless for outdoor living spaces. With some upfront planning and partnering with a general contractor that you trust, an outdoor living space can be enjoyed for years to come.

To see more photos of outdoor living spaces, check out http://duarteconstruct.com.

Different Types of Roofing

Whether someone is in the process of building their new home or remodeling their existing home, I often get questions about the different types of roofing options. There is a lot of information out there and it can be overwhelming. So here are some of the most common roofing options in Central Texas and the pro and cons associated with each one.

Clay Roofing Tile is a great choice for many different types of houses, and is particularly popular for Spanish mission, southwestern, and Italian designed homes.

• Pros: They can last a long time. They won't rot, burn, be harmed by insects and requires very little maintenance.

• Cons: The tiles can be heavy and fragile. So they do not always hold up well to our Texas hail storms. Also, the initial installation can be complicated and can cost more than most other roofing options, as additional support will be required for the added weight load.

Metal Roofs are definitely a hot trend these days.

• Pros: Metal roofs are energy efficient, durable, fire retardant, and almost maintenance free. Often they are made from 60-65% recyclable material. Also, they can often save you money on your home insurance due their long lifespan and low maintenance. Government rebates are available on several kinds of metal roofing.
  

• Cons: The initial installation can be costly and is best done by a professional. Homeowners can expect to pay about 50% or more compared to composite shingles.

Composition Shingles are the most common option in Central Texas.

• Pros: This type of roof has a large selection of types, color, and brands, is relatively easy to install, and is often the most affordable.

• Cons: Shingles can be damaged in high wind storms. Material can scar when it gets hot and is susceptible to algae growth. This roof option usually has the shortest lifespan compared to other options.
  

No matter which option you choose, remember that the life span of any roof is determined by a number of factors, including weather, proper installation, quality of material, and maintenance.
Roofing product manufacturers offer a wide variety of warranties on their products. Take a close look at those warranties to see what responsibilities manufacturers will assume if their products fail to reach their expected lives, as well as what actions could void that warranty.

Windows For Everyone!

As it turns out, and as part of the stimulus package, window replacement for residential homes now have a tax incentive! Woohoo! What does this mean?? Well, if your windows leak more AC into the atmosphere than they keep inside, you could receive up to a $1500 tax credit for replacing the windows in your home. The tax credit is actually 30% of the cost of the windows, with a cap of $1500. That’s a huge incentive to those that are considering window replacement. Not only can you get some great looking windows with a tax break, but expect to get a break on the electric bill by installing low-e windows. More info at www.andersenwindows.com

10 Tips When Hiring a General Contractor

A general contractor is the person you hire to oversee the entire project, whether it is remodeling or new construction. This person is responsible for pulling permits, hiring sub-contractors, purchasing materials, and keeping things on schedule and budget. This is your go-to-guy for anything about your project. So with such an important role, it is important to find a general contractor that you trust and who will stand behind their work. Here are some tips to help you find that perfect person:

1. Always ask for a list references

And take the time to follow-up on these references. These references are often your best guide to understanding how this person works and how happy you will be at the end of you project.

2. Ask for proof of insurance.

An uninsured general contractor is an irresponsible one. If you hire an uninsured contractor, you could be at risk for being liable for any work related injuries that occur in your home.

3. Meet them in person.

Meeting them in person allows you to determine their personality and level of professionalism right away.

4. Determine if this is someone that you can communicate with easily.

Do they understand your ideas, vision, and goals? Can you get a hold of them within a reasonable amount of time?

5. Ask to see examples of previous work.

You want to be sure that they have done similar projects before. After all, you are hiring them for their experience so that you can avoid the common pitfalls. In addition, you want to ensure that their final work is in line with the personal taste and vision that you are wanting.

6. Clearly communicate any special requests.

For example, do you have pets that need to be secured so they don't escape during the project. Or maybe, you only want work to begin after 10am. Being up front with any special requests or expectations will go a long way to ensure a smooth project.

7. Get all quotes and estimates in writing.

This should be a no-brainer. No work begins and no money is exchanged before all project expectations are listed in writing. If a general contractor says otherwise, then that is a huge red flag.

8. Don't hire based on the lowest price alone.

There are many factors that go into the creation of each estimate. These factors could include price of materials and sub-contractor rates. If a contractor's quote is considerably lower than other estimates, then the materials could be inferior or fair sub-contractor wages are not being paid. It is better to weigh all the factors when making your decision – quote, references, experience, and professionalism.

9. Go with your gut feeling.

Gut feeling is one of the best indicators of how successful your project will be with this person.

10. Reward a good contractor

Last, but not least, once you find an amazing general contractor, treat them well, brag about them to all your friends, and offer to be a reference. They have worked hard on your project and deserve to be rewarded for that. This helps a good contractor stay on top and further distinguish themselves from the less-than-perfect ones.